Akory Haly!

Salama! I hope everyone back home stateside (and elsewhere) is doing wonderfully. Same situation as the last post, but I've got a full belly of cheese (yes! cheese!) pizza and a little more patience (or maybe my finger have forgotten how to type anyway). Life on the red island continues to progress in the most wonderful of ways (and amazingly quickly). The last couple weeks have passed with more language and technical training, somewhat less awkward dinnertime conversations with my family (by the way, I live with an older couple - 50's - their son and his wife and their almost two yr old daughter - who is just about the most adorable thing I've laid eyes on - I might have to steal her away to site with me - my family is wonderful, extremely patient, and takes great care of me, and my mom's mofo akondro (banana bread) is about the best thing ever - she is teaching me to cook)....okay, where was I...the last couple weeks have passed with a crazy Easter celebration/picnic at the lake (after the longest most uncomfortable four hours at church) with the whole town and fianakaviana ny mamako betseka (loads of my mom's family), continued strengthening of my friendships with the other trainees in my stage (all incredible - talented, funny, smart, supportive), and a daily building of enthusiaism, excitement and positivity. Faly lehibe aho (I'm so happy!). And this all leads up to yesterday...probably the biggest day yet (and that is saying a lot), when I met the first member of my future community. Called Partner's Day, one person from our site travels down to Tana to meet us, do a workshop, and then take us back to our site to check things out for a couple days and begin meeting people. My 'partner' is a farmer from Katsepy, very nice, and turns out speaks a dialect quite different from what I've been learning (the steep - really almost vertical - learning curve will continue for a long time I think - I'm up for it!). Tomorrow we'll have a 13 hour taxi-brousse (imagine being as uncomfortable as possible and then add in incredibly curvy roads) to Mahajanga to start peicing it all together. Then I ferry across the bay to see my home for the next two years for the first time! I'm so excited, I can't even describe it - take leaving the states and times it by twenty, and while you're at it do that for my overwhelmedness too! :) When I was leaving the states, two years seemed like nothing...now it seems like such a long time, but such a long time full of countless possibilities that I'm sure will ultimately fly by. I've been developing lots of potential project ideas/ambitions for my two years in Katsepy - it will be fantastic to actually see it and begin the process of determining how I can best help the community (and enjoy myself!) I'll be seeing my home - my Malagasy home - how crazy and super sweet is that! And all I've heard (from so many people) about Katsepy so far is how beautiful it is. And did I mention there is a paleontologist who does a lot of work nearby who I've been put in touch with and is enthusiastic about paleo and development projects - could it really been a more perfect fit? So, I have a feeling the next post will be very full! And with pictures! You have to see the kids here - they are awesome and are continually energizing me. Okay, time to share the computer. But first thanks so much for the letters that have been sent - my address is in the first post and if you write me, I'll write you back (sorry I don't have everyone's address already) - they totally make my day. And, I now have a cell phone - the number is 011261 32 5509 533 - that includes Mad country code. It is not often on or with reception, but just so you know! I've talked to a couple people already and am so happy to hear that everyone back home is doing well! I miss you all so much and think of you often - I can't wait to continue to share this experience with you! So much love to you all! OXOXOXOX
Peace,
Tara