Trouble in Paradise

American Embassy

Paramaribo

Consular Section

Warden Message

SURINAME PUBLIC DEMONSTRATIONS

October 10, 2008

All U.S. citizens in Suriname should be advised that the protests which took place near Moengo on October 9, 2008, could continue in the near future. The October 9 protests ended with the use of tear gas to clear a barricade blocking the East Road leading from Moengo to Albina. Those responsible for these protest actions have threatened to block the Moengo road and other roads in and around Paramaribo again on October 10, as well as the Wijdensbosch Bridge. The unpredictability of the recent actions suggests that the possibility of violence exists.

U.S. citizens should avoid large crowds and be aware that demonstrations can take place at any time and at various locations throughout the city. The Embassy recommends that U.S. citizens monitor radio and other media to obtain information on the evolving situation.

Edit to below post...

See, it's been almost a year since my last blog.

I'm really bad.

Got Blog?

So, I see some actually take blogging seriously. I mean, it looks like they blog daily and their blogs are all neat, thoughtful, and with pics. I find it hard enough to do my work, surf the internet for important newsworthy events to share with my youth, and keep my status updated on facebook.

I often forget that I created this blog. And then feel guilty that I don't update it as often as I should.

The next time I have a rant---I'll blog it.

Now back to facebook....

Cold and Hungry

Hungry--because it's almost lunch time. Cold--because it's only in the 40s. Brrrrr---forgot how cold it gets; but it does make you feel alive. I don't miss living in a hot, steamy environment such as Suriname or Dallas--although there are things that I miss from both those places.

I had to pull out the humidifier yesterday because it's so dry in our house (33% humidity)--I mean, that's not as dry as the desert--but it's dry enough to make your skin itch.

This has been a busy week and will only get busier by this weekend. I will have lunch (yum) with the high school peeps on Friday and then Friday evening will be both middle and high schoolers coming to the church for pizza and then heading out to hit the ice for some broomball action.

Saturday, we have a middle school tractor ride and bon fire--w00t.

And then the BIG event---the high school retreat next weekend! Really looking forward to it. Can't wait to see Danny and Jessica and Jackson. It's gonna be some good times.

Outlook: Positive

Okay...so, sleepy....but....

Yeah, it's late; but I did get some things accomplished....Patricia, Alex, and I did make it out to Unity's Fall Festival. It was GOOD because: we got to see a lot of our youth and talk with them. It was BAD because: I only sold 3 dollars worth of lollipops---in three hours.

I did get to finally watch the movie NEXT with Nic Cage and Jessica Biel...it was pretty decent. I've had this movie for two weeks--I guess I better send it back to Blockbuster tomorrow....yikes.

The movie made some connections for me: It is based on the short story The Golden Man by Philip K. Dick--a sci-fi writer from the '60s and '70s. Well, I looked him up on Amazon---a TON of film adaptations from his stories: Blade Runner; Total Recall; Minority Report; A Scanner Darkly; and several more. So now, I'm going to buy some of his writing collections and read his work--that is, when I find the time. I'm back-logged on my reading schedule as is.

Well, time to update the podcasts and hit the sack...

Cold Hands, Warm Heart

Wow, I sure did miss having 4 seasons--but I forget how cold it gets. It's 56 today and I had to throw on an extra layer after my lunch. Yum--grilled cheese and tomato soup---great comfort food.

It is truly wonderful to see all the leaves change and fall. It was fun to carve Alex's first pumpkin. It occurred to me as I was carving it that I haven't made a jack-o-lantern since October '93. wow.

I had some rambling thoughts on the drive back to the office, but seem to have lost them all now. I'm a bit overwhelmed--being it is Friday and I still have a lot to do.... a weekly meeting to attend in 5 mins; must leave work early today to set up the lollipops to sell at the school Fall Festival; a lot of stuff to read; a lot of stuff watch; and a lot still to do.

Here is the verse of the week: 2 Timothy 2:23 But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing they produce quarrels. (for all my atheist friends out there who swallow up Dawkins).

Forgotten...

Wow, I completely forgot that I had registered here at blogspot. It's like that dream you have where you are back in college--and it's finals week---and you completely forgot that you had enrolled into a class that you've never attended---and you don't know what to study....

Well, today is Halloween. This used to be one of my favorite holidays. I used to love getting dressed up in horror make-up and being the scariest ghoul that I could be. Guess those days are over for now. This will be Alex's first Halloween. He will be Tigger. We are having the high school youth over tonight for a HalloWii party---with plenty of playtime on the Wii. MMmmmm....I'm making buffalo wings...which reminds me--I better head out to the store.