11 October, 2011
I was always taught that the “honeymoon” period of cross-cultural experiences lasts a month or two. It does not. It lasts exactly 7 days. Today I entered the “contemplating divorce” period.
No, it wasn’t that bad. But I did feel very overwhelmed and really wished that I could run to Walmart because I couldn’t find vinegar in the store. Or cocoa powder. Or chocolate chips. And I bought cooking bananas at the market instead of sweet ones even though I did my best to ask if they were cooking bananas or not before I bought them.
I hate cooking bananas.
And then I got all my lovely cheap fresh produce home and remembered that I have to cut, peel, wash, and bleach it all before I can store it in my fridge to eat later. But then I remembered that I have a fridge. And bleach. And a beautiful house in this beautiful country and that I should stop feeling sorry for myself.
I am frustrated with my lack of ability to communicate. There are so many wonderful willing helpers around here who want to help me learn the language, and even though I’ve been through two years of training and learned that it is a slow process, the pace is KILLING me!
It’s also been frustrating trying to get school going again for the boys. They lost their math book last week and I’ve looked everywhere in the house and can’t find it. I don’t understand where it could have gone and it’s driving me crazy. Also, the power was out yesterday, so we couldn’t do our science lesson because we needed the computer for it. Then, when we tried to make up yesterday’s lesson today, our internet browser kept crashing! Oh well. Tomorrow is music day. That’s always good for a smile.