That is the number of bug bites I have on my legs right now. 44!!! Friday night after bible study I met some friends at the Tomato. The power went out during bible study and the girl's apartment we were at did not have a generator, so we met in the dark with flashlights. The Tomato has a generator, so we went there to eat and visit. I had on a skirt...bad idea. I woke up Saturday morning, jumped in the shower and shaved my legs (since Wednesdays and Saturdays are shaving days). It was hurting so bad and I could not figure out why. I later found that I had 44 bug bites on my knees and below. I kind of freaked out and put neosporin on each and every bite. It looked like I had bathed in Vaseline. I went to Andrea's to make the birthday bags for church and I took a break to put anti-itch cream on. The cream and the neosporin formed some type of paste on my legs. It was not pretty. I've been doctoring the bites very carefully, and they look much better today. Last night we were looking at them and they looked more like chicken pox than they did bug bites. Ryan tried to play it cool, but I noticed he got on the computer and started researching dengue fever (pronounced din-gay). He casually asked "Have you had any headaches". I said that I had had one constantly for 3 days. He asked if I had been having an upset stomach...my answer was yes again. He asked if I had been dehydrated and I definitely have been. He then brought up a picture of the dengue rash and it looked exactly like the bumps on my legs. He closed the computer and said "you don't have it". Way to play it cool, Ryan. This morning before church he called the doctor and he met us at the clinic to examine me. He said that I do not have dengue but if the rash gets worse that I should go back on Tuesday. Whew! My friend Katie, her husband, her 4 year old daughter and her 6 month old son have all had it. Needless to say, I've worn jeans the past 2 days. I'm about to die from the heat, but I can't spray bug spray on my legs, it would hurt a lot!
Anyway, moving on to another topic. Adam's dad is in Dominica so last night we all went to PBH restaurant to meet him and have dinner. During dinner a big fat cockroach ran across the table. Ryan killed it and everyone kept eating. Scott actually made the comment "at least it wasn't a rat"! I thought..."this is where we live!". I mean, at home if a roach was on the table everyone would make a huge scene and walk out of the restaurant. I didn't scream and throw a tantrum, but I didn't continue to eat. I was going over to Ralna's afterwards for game night, so I knew there would be food for me there. Game night was fun, but there were 11 kids there and it was like a zoo! There were 2 instances where a child got locked in the bathroom. The kids definitely keep life interesting! This morning when I was walking to church I passed another girl on the trail. Well, the cows loved her. Two cows were following her and it was really making her panic. She would walk in a circle to try to confuse them. It was quite a show!
Ryan and I are very excited because we are going on a boat trip next weekend to Les Saintes. It is one of the French islands. Several of our friends are going too. We leave at 8:00 AM and head to Les Saintes for the morning/afternoon. The boat leaves to bring us back to Dominica at 4:00. We are looking forward to white sandy beaches, french cafes and commercialized shopping! Basically, just a day of fun! :)
4 comments:
Dear, sweet Ashley, It's Paige's "Aunt Terrie" here,(also Beth, Kyle & Clay's mom, Ben's mother-in-law, John's wife, Kim's sister...) you get the picture. I don't know when I have enjoyed being on the computer so much (well, unless I'm shopping and that is fun!) You have a way with words and leaving an impression on us with your blog. I do hope you are saving all this to disc so you can make it into a book for your children (and us) someday. Something like, "Ashley and Ryan's Adventures on Fantasy Island", and the fantasy is all in our heads! They will be able to read about things you might have never done if not for Ryan's dream of being a doctor. Things like getting over your fear of bugs because they live with you, having cows eat outside your door and you don't live on a farm, seeing more stars in the sky than ever before, learning to live between power outages and no water, becoming a gourmet cook, a pro knitter, and the "Dominica Kitchen Tennis Player of 2007." I know it's easy for me to sit in my comfortable house and poke fun at you, but you and Ryan are on an adventure of a lifetime, and through your blogs you're sharing it with all of us. Even though we may say "I'm glad it's not me over there", there is still something romantic about being on an island with the one you love, even if it is like a third world country! Keep your wonderful sense of humor about life on Dominica, growing closer to God with your Bible studies, learning to be the wife of a future doctor, learning new things, making new friends and entertaining all of us with your wonderful way of writing about your life. I look forward to reading more and more. And I want an autographed copy of your book when it becomes a best seller! Take care and know you and Ryan prayed for and loved.
I talked to your dad last night and he passed on your blog address. I'm so glad he did! I haven't laughed so much in a long time! I sent it to Allison, too. Thanks for sharing and for keeping your sense of humor. Magu would've loved reading it!
Love,
Mel
Hope you have a good Monday. Are your internet and phone working better? Love, Mom
Ashley- I enjoy reading about your adventures, sorry about the bug bites! We miss you-especially your recaps of The Office.
Allison Dye
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