Wednesday, November 29, 2006

Back to work

As always, it’s really hard to get back to school/work after Thanksgiving. I’m getting a little anxious about everything – finishing my work, not burning out. I’m getting tired and I’m running out of steam. In the village world, there’s never much hurry, which probably doesn’t help me have the sense of urgency that I need. I’m being asked to do so many things, and I don’t know if I have time for them all, but it’s really hard to know what to do and what to say no to. I just don’t see much time soon to rest. I know that sounds silly, since I just had a holiday, but I feel exhausted. I’ve been ready for bed every night around 9:00 lately. Maybe it’s more emotional and mental than physical. I know that when I get stressed, I get really tired. There’s a lot of stress right now, from my work, from being anxious for Dave to come and from trying to figure out how to deal with everyone’s expectations and requests. I also wonder how much is coming from not eating very well. Does eating protein but no vitamins one day and lots of vitamins but no protein the next balance out? I’m not so sure. At least I have vitamins that I can take, that one of the girls left me in Tanzania. Yesterday, I ate maize and beans all day. Today, I had greens all day. At least I’m eating something, which is more than some people can say.

Anyway, last night, I woke up at 3 am and didn’t go back to sleep until about 4:00. I thought about getting my computer out to work, but I finally went back to sleep.

I’m having a great time with the kids still. When I got home on Sunday, Rachel told them that I was here and in the house, but I had already come around the side. Wales and Brian had gone inside but Ian was still out. He saw me come around the corner and started screaming, “It’s her! It’s her!” It was so much fun. They were so excited that I was home. I gave them all big, long hugs, which they totally returned. They changed in the few days I was gone. They look older. They have new words. It’s a lot of fun. I don’t know what we’ll all do when I leave for good. I wish I could take them all home with me – the 3 boys and Millie. But I know that’s impossible and I don’t think I would really want that responsibility once I got home.

Well, my computer battery’s about to run out, so I better sign off and get ready for tomorrow.

Love you all,
Sarah

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hey Sarah! It sounds like you had a really nice Thanksgiving - more food than we even had here it sounds like ;-)

As far as nutrition goes, if you're not taking a daily multi I'd encourage you to do so. I had a friend who took a multi every day on top of only eating beans and rice (when she was in Chad) and she still had a vitamin deficiency (the skin started peeling off her hands). I know you get greens and some fruit, but it would be esp good for some things like E, K, A and C which you're likely missing. Be well!

Love ~Megan

Anonymous said...

Hi Sarah!

I asked my dad the same nutrition question when I was living in Senegal because my diet was so sporadic. Your food should average out over a few days so having lots of proteins one day and lots of veggies the next is fine IF you are actually getting enough vitamins in your food overall. Knowing food in Kenya though, that may not be true. If you're tired all the time, maybe you're becoming anemic? Take you're multivitamins! We want you to come home healthy. :)
It does give you an appreciation for how hard it must be for everyone else who doesn't get enough to eat, and the food they do eat still leaves them feeling tired all the time....

love,
Courtney