Back – Just In Time for MST

Sorry about the long delay; I just got back from two weeks in the States for my brother's wedding.  It was a lovely event, and if you're reading this, it's highly likely that you either know someone on Facebook that can link you to the pictures, or, perhaps, were even at the wedding yourself.

Anyway, MST is starting today, and so I will be sending brief, sporadic updates as things unfold.  I have to say, it has already been quite a trip getting to see everybody again, and catch up with friends from Antigua and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.  It's certainly living up to expectations – now, if only the training can be productive as well.  Looking forward to a good week!

Help Send New Books to an EC School Library!

Friends and Readers,

I ask you to consider making a small donation towards funding a library expansion at the Dr. William Connor Primary School, one of my goals as a Peace Corps Volunteer.  100% of your donation goes towards purchasing new books that will be shipped, free of charge, to this burgeoning school in the heart of Basseterre.  Furthermore, each dollar donated by you is matched 1 to 1 by the charity organization responsible for this singular opportunity, Hands Across The Sea.  Below you will find a link to the HATS website, and to the left is a link to the specific project that we are initiating.  The deadline for donations is November, so please give soon!

I'm Visiting the States in May!

For those that don't already know, I am going to be in Georgia for the entire last week of May.  Admittedly, it will be Memorial Day weekend, so I realize that many people will be traveling, and I'll be attending a wedding on Sunday, so I may or may not be able to visit church on Sunday morning.  But if you are interested in seeing me while at home this Spring, leave a comment or send me an e-mail and I'll be sure to get hold of you one of the days I'm there.  Hope to see everybody that I can in the (too short) week I'll be there!

Starting Training Today

Just a brief heads-up:

Since I know you are anxiously awaiting my post for Monday, please be aware that I am starting InterService Training today, and so my posting schedule will be moved back to the evenings for the first half of this week.  I'll tell all about the day's events, and save some funnyquote gems for the coming weeks at the same time.

And with this PSA, the navigation bar on the left (<---) is, for the very first time, longer than the homepage posts.

Anyway, more to come.

Send Me a Skype!

With a stable internet connection, assuming of course the power doesn't go out, I can now Skype® anyone that wants to enjoy long chats by the beach... for cheap!  If you have a Skype account yourself, send me a friend request (rainmandx, Basseterre, St. Kitts) or e-mail me your info and I'll add you.  If not, but you are still interested in talking via telephone, just tell me what times are good for you and I'll pick up the nominal cost.  Bear in mind, denizens of the east coast, that following this weekend, I will be one hour ahead of you, so I will not be available to talk after 8:00 EST or so.  Gotta keep up my killer sleep schedule so I can run before work!  Thanks in advance.

Don't have Skype?  Get it here.

P.S. Ha more like SKNype, amirite?

P.P.S. 42 posts

I Gotted Teh Internetz

Oi! It's about time!  On the fourth attempt in four different days over two weeks, I finally have a stable internet connection at my apartment.  I have other duties in town right now, however, so I will make a proper update later, maybe today but definitely tomorrow.

Send Me a Package!

It's here: the address you were waiting for.  I will be moving into my own place within a week, so I welcome any thoughtful gifts or packages at that time.  Please bear in mind these considerations before shipping anything to me:

• Shipping could take as little as 10 days, as long as 30 days.
• I will be expected to pay duties on any merchandise that could be perceived as "new."
• Please send all packages via US Postal Service.

... to this address:

Christopher Nelson
Peace Corps Office
College Housing Project
P. O. Box 246
Basseterre, St. Kitts
St. Kitts & Nevis, West Indies

Thanks in advance!

Give Me a Call!

I just remembered – I got the prices checked out, and calls that I receive on my cell here are indeed free for me.  For those wondering, this is an issue not because I am cheap, but because I am running a very tight budget.  To give you some idea, a 45-minute phone call to a U.S. cellphone would run me my week's allowance.  But I do not pay for calls I receive on my phone, so do not worry about that – worry only about what it might cost you to call a cellphone overseas.

My phone number is 1 869 665 6027, and feel free to give me a call any evening after 5:00 EDT (which is the same time as here, by the way, until daylight savings time ends).  And while you're at it, check out my friend's blog.

R.I.P. Mark Clem

It is with a very saddened heart that I mourn the loss of friend and mentor Mark Clem.

For info regarding his sudden passing or his community legacy, please contact McConnell Church.

Please know that my prayers and deepest sympathies are with the family at this time.