January 29, 1966
The days seem to just skip by. We are approaching the end of the first month.

The sign came last week but the building wasn’t ready. It was chaos. Hope things turn out better this week.

The chili we are cooking today has turned out to be quite a project. I burned the beans. We couldn’t get any cayenne red pepper, and the chili powder has bugs in it. The sterilizing project has been about as bad. It took the whole afternoon to do two sheets.

I can hear Perry Como on the radio – that good old American culture. LAP

February 1, 1966
This is the evening of a long day. I had those poor kids for six hours today, and there were no books, and there was really nothing to do. I had made an error chart for English which we were able to get mimeographed finally. Tonight I devised a “biology lesson” complete with an FMP rendition of a grasshopper (large-multi-colored) affliction? We went to St. Joseph’s for our fungus; got pills, salves, and advice. Lou is having continued trouble sleeping, and our first days on the job have proved long and trying. I shall be so glad when the Big Itch leaves us alone again.

Stanley is becoming the joy of our lives. He is better than television or a circus. We are better able to make him understand us now – and he is beginning to be less incredulous at the chaos we live with and in. But when he comes in and says, “Madam, the abalone is too big,” or “Is the Mister not having tea tonight,” I collapse. He even has the nerve to laugh at me – and he was pleased when I told him “the Mister’s” mother sent him her greetings.

We got the maps I gave Lou for Christmas framed and hung them today. They look good – cover up the bare spots.

The mail has begun to filter in, and we are so grateful for it. It is such fun to pickle it all day and then scurry home to open it together and read it and talk it over. Even the most common – place things are fascinating now that we are far away.

Lou is so excited about correcting his first S2 History Quizzes that I can’t get him to stop and go to bed.

A note on the “Chili of Saturday” – It was great…but the cake fell. Sue and Jim stayed and talked and drank 30 bot scotch until 1:30 AM

In this multi-religious town it is hard to know whether to pray to God, Allah, or the Aga Khan himself – but I hope someone sends me the biology books. [FMP]