Thank you!

Looks like the Bangladeshi people in customs
wanted to read about Southern Weddings, too!

Monday Afternoon
Ok, I know I promised I'd update everyone on my adventures from last weekend, but I don't have time for that right now! Instead, I am going to take a few precious moments to send so much love and thanks to all of my friends and family back home who left pieces of themselves in my mailbox today :) I did a happy little dance when I got an email this morning saying I had a small parcel that needed picking up from the business office! It turns out it was a package my mom and dad sent 2 days after I left (July 28th)! I had to pay 1,000 taka for it, but I didn't care because I was so excited to have my FAVORITE purse back on my shoulder again and a complete supply of meds in case I run out of what I have here.  That, along with a really sweet note made me giddy all the way back to my classroom.  Mark and some of the students looked on as I tore through the wax seals and twine that enveloped the box so I could see what would be hidden inside.  I assume that after customs gets the package, they fully inspect it and then package it back up to look like it did upon arrival.  Only now, the bottom is torn out and in shambles, so they use ratty twine and wax seals (oh-so colonial looking) to close the package again.  My audience laughed uncomfortably as I wrenched my purse from the box, tossed it over my shoulder and began perusing through it to see the names of the medicine I received. After class, I stopped by my box in the principal's office and what did I find?!  A letter AND another package AND my hard copy of my ticket home for December! (FYI- If the package includes/claims to include used books or magazines I do not have to pay for it when it arrives.) Now, you guys must have planned accordingly because it feels like Christmas around here right now--literally!

She included copies for me to share with my friends:
everyone is going to be psyched! 

With Eid approaching this weekend, there are decorative lights, big meals, gift giving, and festivity around every bend in Dhaka (going shopping right now is a lot like shopping the days right before Christmas- utterly chaotic, but somehow uniting people in the spirit of the season).  I feel like I am part of the mix with all my mail! Anyway, a sentimental Thank You card from my cousin Jenny sat peacefully next to a very battered looking, completely torn open package of what appeared to be magazines.  I am surprised they didn't lose the beautiful note that was tucked inside! Jenny's card looked like it had just gone from DC to Newport News- 1 forever stamp got it all the way across the world. After opening the other package, and to the dismay of Imedla, our HS Assistant, I started to cry (happy tears!).  A friend from high school, Katharine, had stumbled upon my blog through either facebook or twitter and wrote to give her encouragement on my endeavors! Little does she know, that I had stumbled upon her website (she edits for a magazine) and read it daily, as well (thanks to her updates on twitter on when something new is posted)- I have even sent her magazine's website to many of my friends as I find the writing witty and inspiring! She sent me a few copies of her magazine and I am DYING to get in to them! She is so right, "a bit of American culture at my home-away-from home" is exactly what I need!  It is so nice to hear that my adventures are sparking excitement back in the States and showing people what the world is like over here in Bangladesh.  I am so touched and feel so special that my friends and family are taking the time to brighten my days here in Dhaka.  I appreciate these gestures more than I can say because my homesickness seems to be at the highest point right now:(