It was my birthday two days ago and I want to give a big thanks to everyone who said happy birthday and to everyone who actually sent me stuff. I just checked my facebook, and I’ve never had so many people write on my wall at one time! It was great getting letters and candy and everything. I had a few other PC volunteers come over and spend the night over here in Sotouboua. We spent the day out by a lake and that evening making some good food and hanging out at my house. Nothing too exciting has happened recently. When I’m bored I head over to this lttle recreational area they have here in town and read on a bench. I think it might be the only, or at least closest thing, to a park I have seen here in Togo. I started playing batchi ball with the locals here, and I’m not too bad at it. I’ve gone to watch a few more football(soccer) matches too. I was watching Man U. vs Valancia the other day, and surprising I was the only supporter there for the Brits. I was so glad they scored in the last 5 minutes to win 1 to 0, because I was talking smack to so many people there. These things have helped me get recognized by a lot of people in town, which is great. Now when I walk down the main road I get people asking if I saw this or that match the other day, or if I’ll be down to play some batchi ball later on. It is so nice not being seen as just another foreigner passing through town. Today I walked all over Sotouboua going house to house meeting members of an HIV/AIDS organization here. I went with Mr. Kouroum, who works for the organization. He introduced me to the members, and we told them about a member meeting this Saturday why they should come out. This organization has a little problem with member motivation, but hopefully I can help improve that. I also have an idea for a radio show here that I want to pitch to the hospital director soon. If it works and turns out to be a good idea I’ll let you know what it is! I almost forgot to write that I got a kitten. One of the volunteers that came for my birthday gave him to me as a present. He is super small, and gray with black strips. I’ve never had a cat before, so hopefully I’m training him correctly to use the homemade littler box(a cardbox box full of dirt). I’m really happy, because when he grows up I’ll have someone to take care of the mice I keep seeing and hearing running around my house. I’m calling him Snookers the Terminator. He’s adorable!
