Blog phobia

Hi all...thanks for all the wonderful responses I got to my wondering "is there anyone out there". I was moved by how many people responded and the kind words attached. I am now on a computer with a bad space bar and some stuck keys...so bear with me. First a word blogging....it feels a bit narcissitic to write about oneself and ones children without the natural give and take of conversation. It doesn't allow me the opprotunity to ask all of you how you are...how are your kids...it's just US and Me....sorry...I miss you all and love when I get newsy emails detailing your lives as I know that is a big thing we gave up for this year. It is essentially for us a small focused pack....living our daily existence in the moment. I am very aware that this time is limited so please indulge me in my writing a bit of self-absorbed rhetoric....thanks. This also serves as a diary for us to reflect on when we get back and the impact of this experience hits us.
This weekend was again amazing. The girls and I traveled to Tarangire National Park (sorry I thought it was Manyara originally) to stay at Paul Olivers tented camp. I first met with the executives who own this company to find out about rates and secure an agreement for our trips. They invited us for free to enjoy any of their properties as I figure out this whole business. Nell and Pearl are getting some pretty good perks from this "bring your daughters to work" year. The camp is on the outside of the park...removed from anything, total wilderness. Clients must be escorted back and forth from their tents by an armed guard......lots of animals. The tents are luxrious, beds soooo comfortable...funky lighting and amazing open air bathroom and shower. They also offer walking safaris...we passed on this since I had several other places to see. Dinner was served family style which was entertaining...I could not belive how Nell and Pearl rose to their mannered best behavior. They engaged in conversation with the people around us...mostly English who were charmed by them. I felt proud and very relaxed as we sat by firelight looking at the brightest star lit sky we all had ever seen. On our walk back to the room Nell said "look mom there is your dada" she was pointing at the brightest star in the sky. I t brought tears to my eyes as I have thought of him often here....thinking about how he would have love the search for animals and the beauty of the land. Amazing how insightful and sensitive she is...we have never talked about my dad in that form...a star...but I sure liked hearing her say that.
We awoke early to find field mice had eaten our soap...and it's box...the girls had to save the box to show their friends at school. I am sure you may get a chance to see it as these types of things are becoming prize pocessions. Other aquisitions were the sausage fruits picked up for them by our driver Paul. Paul works for Rift Cross Safari's the tour group i am working with...he got then the fruits off of the trees that they hang from. They really look like sausages. Now the girls have decorated these and dressed them and taken them to school. It's gone so far that Nell even wrote a note for hers to miss swimming class today because of a cold...not hers...the fruits'. These fruits are really heavy....imagine them carrying a big decorated log to school each day....PPF. Pretty pretty funny.
I've just heard that Alex is coming to visit us...very happy to have him here...
The driving is going great...I feel totally comfortable now...I can get around town no problem which has really helped me get going on my Global Alliance work. I now have changed all the hotels I originally thought we would use to better and surpisingly less expensive ones...this will really enhance the programs here. I have tons more to say and hope to have more time tomorrow...Nell and Pearl have lunch play date after school so i better go get provisions!!! loveto you all!!!!
Peace
Sarah