Surprise Guests

January has been a pretty crappy month (figuratively and literally). I really haven't felt 100% healthy since before Christmas. It's been a smorgasbord of various things I won't detail here, but after waiting...and waiting...and waiting for it to pass, I finally gave in and went to see the doctor. Drum roll please................................Diagnosis: PARASITES. Giardia to be more specific. The little critters have been taking a toll on me for a while now I guess. It's good to know that they are there cause now I can get rid of them.

I most likely got them from not being careful enough about the water, especially in Keneta where there isn't too much distinction made between pure water and grey water. Definitely going to be more discerning in the future because I really have no desire to repeat this month, at least healthwise. I am going to take the meds with dinner tonight. It's just a one-shot treatment, so I hope it does the trick. I am really ready to start feeling normal again. Plus, impossible as it may seem, I've managed to lose weight from it.

I have been thinking, however, that there is Montezuma's Revenge and Dehli Belly, so there must be something good for Durres or Keneta or Albania. Maybe, Keneta Kritters, Albania Toilet Mania, but I like "The Durres Down-Low" cause it really just socks you in the gut. If there are better ideas out there, let me know.

If these two can get along, so can everyone else.

Co-PLAN

This past week and half I have been at a retreat conference with Co-PLAN. We have been discussing the vision and staff organization of Co-PLAN. It has been an interesting experience because I think that they are really addressing some major issues that will really determine how well the organization works in the future.

The most interesting part, however, is that the retreat has been run by a man from the Netherlands. He doesn't speak Albanian, so the entire retreat has been in English. Which is kind of weird for me because I am the only native English speaker in the room. English really is the international language, and this has only reinforced the my understanding of how much professional success and english proficiency are connected here. It really would be extremely difficult to have a successful career here without knowing English. Makes me appreciate that I learned it growing up.

The big news this weeked is that all of the Group 8 volunteers are coming to Durres for our In-Service Training. It will be fun to have all my friends in my city, but it could be a bit much. I'll have to put some things together to keep everyone entertained.

Other news. It has frozen here the past couple of nights. It hasn't really felt like winter here until this past week. Don't think we'll see any snow though.

They started showing "Lost" on TV here. That's a pretty good series.

My mom sent me some Reese's Pieces, and they were a hit with Albanians.