Merry Christmas

Pictures from Thanksgiving at the Ambassador's.

Picture 1: Bamako PCVs Holly, Jeff & Tiffany

Picture 2: several PCVs

Picture 3: Our country director, Mike and a couple of my fellow PCVs.

It's really kinda hard to believe that it's Christmastime right now. When I think of Christmas, I typically think of cold weather--possibly snow--and being with my family. This year, I'm with friends that I've known for less than half a year and experiencing weather in the mid 90s. We've decorated our villa, and we've begun watching Christmas themed movies, but it all still feels just a little off. A little surreal. Just enough so that I have to sometimes ask myself, is it really Christmastime right now?

Christmas Decoration Picture 1: Living Room Window

Christmas Decoration Picture 2: Our Christmas Corner

Since my last update, I successfully finished the National Novel Writing Month--just barely, with a novel boasting just over 50,200 words. I changed the title in the end. While the working title, Man With No Country served its initial purpose, it didn't fit the final product. So, the end title became The Good Soldier. With a few serious rewrites, I think it could be a decent book. For now, it'll remain in draft form. In any case, here's a mock-up that I made for the cover:

More recently, I returned to the botanical gardens in Bamako for another adventure in rock climbing. This time, there was a group of four of us: 3 volunteers and 1 pilot (one of the many expats in Bamako). There were several climbs, and I found it even more fun this time than the last time.

Climbing Picture 1: Near the beginning of my 2nd climb for the day.

Climbing Picture 2: Well on my way up.

Climbing Picture 3: Just after reaching the top.

It always feels great to reach the top. Sometimes, it's more difficult than others. This specific route, for example, had me going over a couple of spots that didn't really have good holds--which made climbing interesting, but certainly still fun.

In news that may be more relevant to me as a volunteer, I've heard that the university may actually begin on January 5th. It'll be good to actually be teaching, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Somewhat related, I had been in talks with W.W. Norton & Co. (publishers of a series of anthologies and readers for literature) and I finally got them to agree to send me 3 copies of the 11th edition of the Norton Reader (smaller edition). It's not much, but I consider it a victory, no matter how small (those are books I can use to create and plan lessons--share with my students, and have to assign readings, etc.).

For now, I'm going to watch more Christmas movies and wrap the small presents I managed to get for my roommates. Tomorrow (Christmas Day), I have a full day planned. First, I'll have a "champagne breakfast & cricket" with a few expats--I don't actually know what's planned for that, but it sounded interesting enough. Then, we'll have Christmas lunch with the deputy ambassador.

Merry Christmas, and Happy Holidays.