not all things in life are free...

So, today, i received a package from my mom.  it was filled with amazing goodness - coffee, chocolate, taboo, alba shampoo and conditioner - even a card from my Oma and Opa, which was especially great to get (because sometimes, all you want is a card/postcard/letter :)). 

I must also explain that every box i've received since arriving in bangladesh has, obviously, been opened, looked through and repacked.  The government/customs makes no secret about it, and even leaves a little note in bangla script that has everything in your box accounted for. 

how nice of them, eh?

HOWEVER, apparently, they not only make people pay pretty hefty prices in the US to send packages (only 90cents for a card!), they also make the recipient pay on this end. I understand, to some extent, but please, for the love of all that is good in the world, do NOT list a "repacking charge". don't open the box in the first place, and then you won't have to repack it! 

seriously.

in other news, for about an hour we had our electricity turned off (for one reason or another) this evening and so, with another volunteer, i went on the roof with some of the students to get some fresh air/see some lights...even if they weren't coming from our building. 

after some talking, dancing and singing...they eventually made me pull out the camp songs. i can proudly say, now, that south asian women are quite the fans of "princess pat" and "'round the world, baby" - for all you silver bay'ers out there.  so much so that they've asked me to type out the lyrics for princess pat.  looks like i know what we'll be using as a warmup for classes from now on.  i don't ever want to forget having to teach my students what a 'repeat after me' song is at 9pm at night, on the roof of a 10-story building in downtown chittagong during a brownout. even when it gets really frustrating dealing with administrative and communication issues, i can always count on the unexpected, amazing events, like tonight, to reinforce why i'm here and how much i do love being in this position. 

AND i got to chat with chelsea frisbee AND bob knepp on skype tonight!! if anyone has a skype address --- add me!! kameehan --- do it. now.