Today...

Today I woke up 6, did some yoga and laundry, and made myself tea.

Mornings are cooler these days. It hasn't rained for 3 days now. The monsoon season is over. I can hang my laundry out to dry now without worrying that I will have to wash it again tomorrow if there is too much rain.

Biked to the office and after checking my emails and getting caught up, noticed a lot of noise and laughter coming from the main room so I went to check out what was happening.

The staff are around the office these days, but, as it is the start of a new project, routines haven't been established yet. Without a plan, they self organized and one of the staff who is deaf was teaching everyone sign language. They were had a blast.

Received this text message on my phone from a fellow Canadian/French volunteer in Hetauda, Pierre:

Hi Tiffany, goats (khasi) are arriving today in Hetauda, “collectors” will have them for sale on the road toward Birgunj, 1 mile from the bridge, where the temporary gate way is, turn right, 1st street after it.

It is the beginning of Deshain - the biggest holiday here in Nepal. Their version of our Christmas. With all the excitement, fuss, stress, ceremony.

At the beginning of Deshain goats are slaughtered and then everyone eats meat for several days - a luxury not usually affforded.

I am too sensitive to animals to have wanted to see the hundreds of goats getting off-loaded from big trucks and sold for slaughter. Decided to stay in the office and work on a report, instead. But later, indeed, saw a woman with her two prized goats. Bringing them to market.

At least goats here are very well taken care of before they go off to slaughter. I would much rather be a goat in Nepal than a goat in the US.

Ate my khajaa (afternoon snack) at my usual spot. 21 cents for two freshly made roti (tortillas) and vegetable soup. Didi, what we call the woman who runs the shop, is feeling better these days. Last week she had been so sick that she had to close shop. I hadn't realized how accustomed to my routine I was until I had to find a new place to go for food.

After khajaa I booked seat number six in a public jeep that will take me to Kathmandu tomorrow. Seat number six is right behind the driver. Both the safest, it feels, and the most comfortable.

Had to bike to three different shops until I could find a place that had a recharge card for the sim card that I put in my modum that gives me access to internet.

Happened to pass the bakery along the way, so picked up some macaroons - the best cookies that I've found here in Hetauda.

As I was biking, thinking to myself, "remember to tell mom about the chaos of Nepal when she comes to visit. That there is no use in fighting the chaos. You just have to go with it, relax into it".

After work I visited a tent that is being raised to house mud-covered straw representations of gods that are being built for Deshain. Durga and her transport - the tiger. Ganesh - remover of obstacles. Laxmis - goddess of prosperity. Sawrasoti - goddess of education. Everyone will go to the tents on Friday for puja...and offereing for the beginning of Deshain.

I cooked vegetables and rice for dinner. This is perhaps my most common meal when I am cooking alone or with a friend at home. It's easy, simple, yummy, and healthy.

Then Elijah and I finished the evening watching an episode of LOST. Only 4 more episodes left until we have watched all of 5 seasons that my mom sent me in the mail last Christmas.

I can mark the year by the seasons of LOST I have watched. Not sure what will help mark after this...