Update 9:

Heya chico's, chica's, dude's, dudette's and respectable folk alike. It's almost the middle of June as I write this. That is crazy because it means that I been here for more than half of my contract. I have even received my end of mission form that I am supposed to be sending back to Kampala, Uganda soon. In fact 5 weeks from today I will be hopping on a little prop plane out of here. Wow, so fast.

I am trying to decide what to do after my mission. Right now I plan on taking a week in Uganda and white water rafting the source of the Nile. I mean, why not? After the week in Uganda, I have to head back to Geneva for debriefing, then back to Canada for more debriefings. At this stage I reckon I'll be back in rain city on or around the 25^th of July.

The end of August puts me in Toronto, Montreal, Vermont, New York and New Brunswick for birthdays, weddings, and the birth of my sisters second. The question therefore remains what to do with the three weeks proceeding. I am fearful to write my plans for fear of sabotage by some incredibly caring members of my family, so for now I'll keep it under wraps.

But sushi in Vancouver, steaks with Carruthers in Toronto, dancing with the Vancouver ladies, surfin' with whoever is left of the boyz, meeting up with my bro somewhere, chillin' and celebrating Matt and Jenn's marriage lakeside in Vermont, hopefully meeting someone in New York, swatting mosquito's on the front porch while lazing in the hammock as the sun sets over the woods back home, eating some exquisite Italian food at the Della Valle's in Montreal, livin' it up with my sister in Ottawa, walkin' in the woods with Papa, spending quality time with my sister and her husband before, during and after the arrival of their newest addition, maybe if I am lucky I might even get a prairies harvest in before I head off again. Wow, I LOVE LIFE!!!

I want to thank those folks that wrote to me in response to my "Motorbikes" posting. Truly and honestly thank you for the kind words that you sent to me. You know who you are, and when I get back you can be sure I'll be making a personal visit to ya'll. The best part of that posting for me was actually having the courage to post it. Most of you would probably find it funny that I was afraid to say what was/is on my mind. But for words like those of which I wrote, they are hard to put delicately, and to believe in them enough to entirely open yourself up, to praise, and criticism alike really required a fair amount of courage or faith or possibly even ignorance.

One other thing that I am learning as time goes on, is that others do not need to believe in my beliefs in order for me to maintain my convictions. I have no doubt that there are those of you do not exactly share them. A wonderful part of life and the choice in life is that you don't have to. You can choose. I enjoy discussing opposing beliefs equally as I do my own. These conversations are of personal benefit to me; they give me an opportunity not only to reflect on my beliefs but also to see how others live, think and believe.

I love most of all difference. There is no need for everyone to be the same; difference helps the world go round. For me there is no need to try and change your point of view. I respect you and yours. That being said sometimes I have a hard time understanding where some come from.

On the Congolese front, work has changed a bit. Right now the Hospital Logistician (one of my supervisors) has taken off for two weeks, leaving me responsible for his post as well as mine. This is pretty neat as I get to spend my days at the hospital and seeing the day-to-day operations here. Unfortunately for me my assistant is and has been sick with Meningitis for a couple of weeks and probably won't be back at work for a week or so more, also the assistant of the Hospital Log had a motorcycle accident and will be off work for a month. That means that both of my right hand men are not here, making a bit more work and responsibility for me. But hopefully no more that I can handle, I will let you know in two weeks. hahaha.

I seem to have gained about 5 kilo's since arrival; I hope it ain't all fat. I tend to pass my Friday evenings at the United Nations bar; the best part is the $1 drinks and that it's all military guys who can't dance. Saturday nights are at a party at one of the other ONG's or UN camps. Luckily there are a couple of girls that can dance salsa, so even though I am not a very good dancer, here I am. I even teach salsa classes to MSF expats on Wednesdays after work.

I went to one of the local bars the other night, hadn't been to this one before and I'll probably go back some night but not too soon. Turns out this is the kind of bar that you can get into trouble at. I have never before had a tongue stuck in my ear as a pick-up "line." I hope to never ever have that repeated, after all you can't really do much about the saliva left in your ear, the sanitation in the bathroom is non-existent so you can't wipe it out with your finger and God knows what would happen to your shirt. Turns out the mullet and handlebars don't turn everyone off.

I must add on a sad note, that I have shaved my mullet and handlebars off, and likely the mullet will never return. It was a sad day for me, even if it didn't really flatter my looks I grew quite attached to it, as it had taken quite some time to materialize.

Mattey G, McCormick, WillAYYY, Chris, Kevin, Kara, Dale, Todd, Fat Todd, Brad, your respectable's, and those that I have mistakenly left out, how about a surf trip on the 26^th and 27^th of July?