November 6, 2007, Your typical multi-holiday

Life is different here. Common theme, I know. But, this weekend we
had an experience that definitely brings it home more than others.
Saturday, November 3, was Dominican Independence Day. So, there was
definitely a party atmosphere going on in the area. The school across
the street was out both Friday and Monday due to the holiday. And, I
finally experienced the first day off I've had here, yesterday.

To celebrate a group of holidays that we're missing back home, Becky
and I decided to try to have a Thanksgiving lunch here for some of our
new friends. The concept started out simply enough, invite over a few
friends, and have a quiet afternoon before a mini. So, invitations
were sent, and we got a few who said yes, and a few who declined.
But, then our inner sense of Nebraskan fairness took hold, as we
realized there were more guys invited than girls. A second set of
invitations went out... and then a third... and with a wink and a nod
we had 13 people who said they would be there (counting the two of us,
but not the dogs).

We got a few things at the grocery store, a ham, a turkey, some
cucumbers, and away we went. Our neighbors Kit and Addy made a few
pies, and a salad, and jello. Chris made potatoes, and stuffing and
several other things his parents sent him. Helena brought some roast
pumpkin--which was surprisingly good. Then some wine showed up. Some
cheese. A corn casserole. And, the food kept coming. We ended up
with quite an impressive spread, for humble beginnings.

Just when everyone showed up, we looked over the mountain to the east,
and saw the rain clouds coming, and heard the thunder. Now, this
wouldn't necessarily be as worrisome, except, a week ago, our landlord
started to tear up our bedroom floor to stop an incessant leak that's
been around since Hurricane Dean. So, all of our stuff is in our
living room--no room there. Kit and Addy weren't the instigators of
the party, so we couldn't really impose on them to crash their
apartment. But, the rain thankfully only gave us a little sprinkle,
and moved on.

And that's how a whole bunch of us celebrated Dominican Independence
Day, early Thanksgiving, and Guy Fawkes Day, all at once. It was the
best study break ever here. It was really a great relief from having
our floor torn up, mediasite being down, and the thousand other things
that had been weighing on my mind the last week coming up to the mini.

I hope everything is seeing everyone well at home!

-j