From Rwanda to Mary Janes.

A full and productive Saturday ~ a rarity these days. I usually spend Saturday's sleeping in, lounging around and doing odds and ends around my house. I may do dinner and a movie or if I'm feeling really wild and crazy, go to Barnes and Noble and peruse books while drinking my chai tea latte. But typically a Saturday night includes a bath, book or blockbuster and a blanket and that is fine by me!

Today started out with meeting with my team for my Rwanda peace trip mission group. We learned the top 40 words and phrases in Kinyarwandan. I can say, "Muraho. Nitwa Melinda. Bite?" Which means, Hello! I'm Melinda. How's it going?" We discussed the differences between relief and development and reviewed our teaching on Malaria, Parasites, Nutrition and Healthy Families. I heard some disturbing facts. Did you know that the average walk to see a doctor is 8 hours? 50 - 60 % of all the patients are being treated for preventable disease (ie. Malaria, Dysentery, Diarrhea). These are acquired due to the lack of knowledge of basic hand washing, lack of water purification, and unsanitary living conditions. Babies are dying at an alarming rate because mothers are unaware of re hydrating their children. This is unacceptable and so sad. The PEACE plan is training the trainers to go into homes and teach the skills needed to stay healthy and improve life. It will trickle down and those who receive services become trainers and so and so and so on. I have no idea what to expect and pray that God will use me to best help the people of Rwanda. My trip is in 1 month!

Next, I received a call that my nephew, Andrew was injured at his Frosh. football game and was headed to the Emergency Room. I met Andrew and my sister and brother-in-law to "oversee the operations." You know, I am so all knowing... my formal training from ER, Greys Anatomy and HOUSE qualifies me to ask all of the right questions. Turns out he has a broken wrist. This makes broken bone #6 and more contributions to Dr. Morris' (His orthopedic doc) kids college fund. Guess he'll be retiring from early this season. I told him that he didn't have to break a bone to take a break from football!

Tonight I finished my latest Jodi Picoult book, My Sisters Keeper. I loved it. And can't wait to start my next Jodi novel. I'm hooked. Who knew I'd ever be such a bookworm?

Tomorrow I will chaperon a dozen girls on a birthday party adventure to Downtown Disney. I know, I know, 2 weekends in a row for kids parties... the thought has crossed my mind a time or two. Today I went shoe shopping at the mall. I subconsciously wandered over to the kids shoes and was drooling over the sweetest tiniest tiny Mary Janes. When will it be my turn? Soon enough. Until then I'll enjoy my freedom and the choice to spend an entire Saturday calling all the shots... I can be busy or do nothing at all. And someday every minute will be occupied by kiddos who need their mama. I long for that. Someday...

Jury Duty and a great read

I completed my civic duty today and reported for jury duty. One word: Painful. The potential jurors sat in a crammed and stuffy room in silence for 8 hours while attorneys discussed a pending trial and the jury.

I was smart girl and brought my iPod and listened to the rest of a great book that I haven't been able to stop...

"In this emotionally charged novel, Jodi Picoult delves beneath the surface of a small town to explore what it means to be different in our society.

In Sterling, New Hampshire, 17-year-old high school student Peter Houghton has endured years of verbal and physical abuse at the hands of classmates. His best friend, Josie Cormier, succumbed to peer pressure and now hangs out with the popular crowd that often instigates the harassment. One final incident of bullying sends Peter over the edge and leads him to commit an act of violence that forever changes the lives of Sterling’s residents. "

A great read.

So... at the end of the day the attorneys couldn't agree on anything, the trials were continued and we were all dismissed... and told that our service is complete. Well, at least for the next 12 months. How is it that I get picked for this sort of torture?