Archive for February, 2005

No Condition is Permanent

Monday, February 21st, 2005

On the way down to the lake, there’s an old Toyota pickup truck that I love. The windshield is all cracked like a spider web, the body is rusty, there’s no wheels and the owner has put branches from thorn trees on it to keep kids off, but there’s always at least 6 playing on it. Here’s the kicker – on the windshield, there’s two stickers that say, “No condition is permanent.” So when I’m walking by and feeling discouraged and I see this broke down, rusted out, kid and thorn covered truck reminding me that no condition is permanent, I smile and chuckle and feel a little sad that I only have 22 months left here.

2004 2004 2004 2004 2005 2005 2005 2005 2005 2005 2005 2005 2005 2006 2006 2006 2006 2006 2006 2006 2006 2006 2006 2006 2007 2007 2007
September October November December January February March April May June October November December January February March April May June July August September October November June July August
24 29 5 6 19 24 2 9 10 20 31 1 5 9 10 14 20 23 25 27 30 7 16 17 21 26 28 12 15 22 9 14 16 18 21 24 28 13 22 24 27 3 4 10 20 7 13 18 5 10 23 27 28 2 4 7 3 4 11 16 19 26 18 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 16 12 6 4 19 20 6 7 8 11 14 18 27 28 16 21 24 12 25 6 7 9 12 4 10
Arrival Bonne Anniversaire Madjeri Alone Religion Thanksgiving Liberty and Democracy Joy to the World Kennedy Kid Get Out and Be Seen Christmas in Mao Merriam and the Donkey Patience Cold Dealing / Thriving Mail Truck Tabaski Fly-Ridden Godforsaken Desert Border Station Drinking Perfume Horrible, Bloodsucking Cheaters! Baby Kate Beer and Boule Hee Haw College Life No Condition is Permanent All Hell Broke Loose Cast of Characters Thanks Bol Kate Role Friends and Family White Washed Birthday Plans Heat Culture Gap Birthday Disaster Eight-Legged Rommates Traveling Dream Team President Deby As Camels Passed By Corruption Umbrella Repairman Ramadan Mob Mentality Island Visit “Happythanksgivingmerrychristmashappynewyear!” Chicken Little Reservoir of Sass Jingle Bells, Fecal Wells Like a Pissed Off Camel The Tunjours Foreign Accent Horrible Little Monster "Time ees Mahnay" Arab Mohawk Girls Lightbulb Moments Calmez-vous Travel By Night Team Text Happy Daylight Savings Hot Sun Evacuation Transition Magtalahjar Extension Chapter I: Three Billy Goats Smushed Chapter II: Greger Gets a Date Chapter III: Just Dune It Chapter IV.  The Trip is Ruined! Chapter V. Noon + July + Sahara + Pick Up Bed = Thirst Chapter VI. Training Day Chapter VII. The Stars and Sunburned Stripes on Greger’s Legs Chapter VIII. The Tail End of the Tale No Joy in Kateville Realizations Mauritanian Social System "Zahara" Matt Home Ice Cream Returning to Mauritania Back to School Variety is the Spice? How Does Your Garden Grow? The Mini-Markas The Grapevine Eid el-Fitr Fatimatou's Wedding Vegetables Political Campaigns Thanksgiving Fine, I'll write Ketchup! W-w-w-w-work? Tough job Communication Skills I can't remember the name of my Junior High School. GUH! COS = Completely Orange Shirt