Happy Holidays!

I hope this blog update finds everyone healthy, happy, and ready for 2012.

It's been a fast few months. Work continues to go well. Six fish farmers have stocked ponds, moringa trees have been planted, and I have the start of a garden.

I spent a lot of time out of site in November. Peace Corps and USAID celebrated 50 years with a party at Ambassador Jackson's home at the beginning of November. I then attended a medicinal garden training for a week - it was awesome! Then fast forward to Thanksgiving and my birthday. I celebrated at the lake and it was the best birthday yet! If my birthday was any indication, 32 is going to be a great year!

On the other hand, this hasn't been a great year for Malawi and 2012 isn't looking much better (in fact, probably worse). Lack of foreign exchange continues to cripple the economy. When there is fuel (sometimes it's just a rumor), it only lasts a few hours, creates parking lots of roads around petrol stations, and is at a price few can afford. Transport costs have gone up, food prices have gone up, and morale amongst Malawians and residents of Malawi is way down. It will be an interesting year for the country.

I celebrated the holidays with Michael and friends. Christmas in Kasungu was relaxing and New Years in Lilongwe was profitable at the American Pirates Casino! It's been a great time but I'm missing family and friends at home.