I'll be better, I will!

Sorry I have been so AWOL this month. It's been pretty crazy with work. And I haven't really had all that much to write about. But look, I have given it some thought and it turns out I have lots of news to share with my dear friends and family:

We had a nice weekend - we went out to the Dam, where a half-marathon was organized. I helped set the course (and got lots of neon yellow spray paint all over my hands. It ain't easy trying to spray paint bushes), and Jorge WON THE RACE! My baby is fast! I will put up some picures once I get off my butt and charge the camera battery.

My brother-in-law is coming to visit in a few weeks. I'm very happy to see a loved one again, and excited to get to show a bit of Africa off to someone who's never been before. Your first time here, everything is so exotic and new. Jorge is busy arranging their trip to Tanzania, where they will go on a safari to the Serengeti and Ngorongoro, then continue on to Zanzibar. Lucky devils.

I'm off to the field for a few days this week, so I'll be gone again. I'm going to the very bottom of the country, 9 hours away, so it will be a tiring drive. But it's nice to get out the field every now and again.

Finally, Lilongwe seems to be in a bit of a crime wave at the moment. There's been a number of house and car break-ins, and the worry has been robbing me of my sleep. I have been assured by our operations manager that my house is one of the last ones in Lilongwe that someone would want to break into, though, because of the security systems. So I try not to worry, and you should too.

Well, that's the news from the 'Lawi.