A Lizard in the Sink and Roaches in the Toaster

Yes, both of those have happened in the past week. No exaggerations here, only the absolute truth.

Last week my roommate came in from the shower house only to inform me that there was a large black (angry) lizard in the sink. Now we have a nice little well built house and it has a nice little bathroom, or half bath I should more correctly say. We take showers in a little shower house a few steps away from the back door. It’s in quite a big room, which also contains the washing machine and a sink. The sink is the focus of this present story.

So Alison comes in the house and tells me there is a lizard in the sink outside. She leaves the door open in hopes he will find his way out, but no, he is stuck. By stuck I mean that he sits there not moving, then all of the sudden freaks out and attempts to jump out, scrambling on the sides of the sink, making quite a racket. Hmm, not really wanting to take a shower in this room- a little too vulnerable of a position. I got a broom to get him out, but was unable to find the guts to do so. I figured he would make a run for the door, which is where I was standing, but I didn’t want him to run at me. Nor did I particularly want to be stuck in a small room with a large angry lizard. So we ended up calling the guard to come help us- yes that makes me a chicken. He quickly got the lizard out and we were able to take our morning showers after all.

Now as for the roaches, the story is not long or complicated. We are fighting a baby roach epidemic in our kitchen. Like I said, it’s a well built little house and we try to keep things clean, but those little things just get places. Apparently they like the metal and warmth and crumbs of the toaster. A couple days ago, after getting our breakfast out of the toaster, I saw two small roaches crawl out. Ok, now that’s disgusting. What’s even more disturbing is that both Alison and I ate our toast, while commenting how gross it was and that we should probably take de-worming medication soon. So, if any of you get the urge to send some roach hotels our way, KARIBU! (welcome)

The Selfish Package Post

So this is the post where I seize the opportunity and tell you all the things I want here and how to send them to me. I figured “Why not?” Some of you have asked and I may as well publicize. Believe me when I say that getting letters mean a whole lot to me. So just get yourself a pack of international stamps and send away. But as for packages, here’s the order of business:

Packaging: Be aware of things that might leak or explode en route. Put those things in ziplocks if still wanting to send. The best way to send packages is in a padded envelope, because those don’t go through customs (ie I don’t have to pay to get them). The envelope should be the basic orangey color (it seems the white ones take longer). The other option is the flat rate box from the post office. This may be cheaper than an envelope. The smaller ones should fit into our PO Box without difficulty (again meaning I don’t have to pay). Of course, if you have something incredibly awesome to send that happens to be big, go for it and I will be thrilled to pay a little to get it out!

Customs Form: The key here is not to be too specific. If sending books or music, put “used media” (if necessary, read a page or listen to the cd before sending). Another option is to just put the ever so generic “gifts”. For approximate value, think garage sale prices, or even better, just label “NCV” (no commercial value). Do whatever you are most comfortable with.

Address:

Ellen McCaskill
Box 1235
Musoma
TANZANIA
EAST AFRICA

Some Package Ideas: (The selfish part)

• Tops: shirts/blouses; usually size medium; not too tight; cool but with sleeves; something that will hold shape (it will never see the inside of a dryer); wearable with a skirt
• School Supplies: Bic pencils, 1-side lined 3x5 index cards, colored pens, post-its
  
• Gum: minty and the kind that’s hard on the outside (like Eclipse); the kind wrapped in paper has a tendency to kinda melt in my purse
• Sweets: the sugary stuff (Skittles, Nerds, Shocktarts, etc); Dark Chocolate anything (please double wrap this, might get stuck in post office and melt and get ants)
• Rotel: heavy, but oh-my-goodness I love it
• Any random fun thing from the dollar isle at Target
• Silly putty
• 2010 Wall Calendar
• Roach hotels
• Fruity herbal tea (Tazo Passion or any Celestial Season)
• Games: I have normal cards and Monopoly Deal, but no others; also jigsaw puzzles
• Used media: books, magazines, music, movies; not much is available here, especially not new music; TV shows are great; I have a wish list on Amazon as well
• Old cassettes because the car we use only has a tape deckJ
• Decorations for the literacy office at work; I want an interesting workspace
• Pretty stationary; not cards, but legitimate stationery for writing real letters. Send this and I promise you will get a genuine letter in return!
• 3M hanging products: my room has cement walls and I’m not sure how much I’m allowed to drill. I need stuff to hang both lighter and heavier things (like mirrors)
• Be creative and surprise me!

Alright, that’s all I can think of for now. I might occasionally update the list or give more ideas. Thanks for letting me make this oh-so-selfish little post. I’ll follow it up soon with something a little less self-seeking.