Request suggestions :)

Per suggestion of my mother, I have decided to write a blog on what I requests I may have for packages.  Please do not take this as an expectation that all of you will be sending me weekly packages, that’s merely a day dream.  At any rate, she has a good point.  I loooove chocolate but it's not usually around very long :p

On a serious note, though, thank you to all of you who have sent packages or who might be sending one.  You cannot imagine the joy that it brings us PCVs when we receive goodies from home.  And the great thing is that we often benefit from other peoples packages when gathering for small get-togethers.  It can totally brighten up a week that's been extremely challenging.

As I sit down to write this my mind goes blank thinking of all the variety of foods back in the grocery stores.  So if you find other goodies not listed here that you think would aid in my cooking, I would enjoy them just as much if not more.  Items that only need to “add water” are great, as I don’t usually have a variety of ingredients to contribute.  Even those cookie/brownie pre-made packages are awesome when we have a chance to bake.  It’s a joy to pretend like we’re in America every once in a while :)

Tuna packets - Chicken of the Sea, Albacore Creations (in water is my favorite!) these are great because a variety of protein is hard to come by.  I can get soya pieces, eggs, and beans...hum...

Protein bars - Cliff bars (Peanut Butter Crunch are delicious), Luna bars are my favorite.  Any variety will be consumed for sure! :)

Oatmeal - I love Quaker Oats Maple and Brown Sugar flavor.  Also, Cream of Wheat is awesome too :)

AAA Batteries - these are the equivalent of toilet paper in prison.  I’m not relating the two environments by any means (ha!) but simply that I cannot buy worthwhile AAA batteries in country.  I use them for flashlights and my headlamp when the sun goes down, which are very useful in avoiding the unwanted discovery of a snake in my backyard or spiders in my bed.

Moleskin Notebook - I journal a lot.  I’ve already gone through one and about ⅓ the way through my second one since coming to country.  These type of journals are fantastic because they travel well (unless you put them underneath your airplane seat and proceed to press the controls as though it’s a ride at Disney World...then you get an accordioned notebook) and cannot be found in country.  The ones with the orange wrapping “Ruled Notebook”; 240 lined pages, 13x21cm are my prefered :)

Beef Jerky - it’s delicious and a good source of protein!

Mayo, Ketchup, Mustard, etc. packets - “Ketchup” here is simply some sort of tomato sauce.  I have yet to see mustard.  Mayo is not mayo...I’m not sure what it is, to be honest.  So grab some extras at McDonald’s while you’re enjoying a #2 with a vanilla milkshake for me! I’d be much obliged, and more able to make egg and tuna salad sandwiches!  Wendy’s is a good spot too...enjoy the fries and a chocolate milkshake there for me.  Any other condiments packet would be appreciated.

Seeds - I would very much enjoy starting my own “kitchen garden.”  Seeds such as tomatoes can be found in country but I’d like to grow other things as well.  Some ideas: cantaloupe, squash, strawberry/raspberry/blackberry (getting a hedge going would be awesome!) and any others that look fun.  The catch is making sure they are heirloom seeds, as some people have said they have had trouble growing the hybrids out here.

Cupcakes - as funny as this one may seem to some of you, I am serious!!  Anyone who can find a way to ship a cupcake - heck while you’re at it make it a dozen! - will receive a very special and worthwhile Malawian gift upon my return to the US of A.  If no way can be figured out, then cupcake/cake mixes will take second place ;)  I love the funfetti mix :)  Also the quick packages where you just add water and egg are easily doable here.  Ooo, and they are fun to make for people’s birthdays!  Yes, you can bake on a charcoal fire...I dare you to come and see for yourself.

Cheese powder - remember having mac and cheese as a kid?!  Well, I want some too! :)  No fridge=no cheese on hand, thus powdered cheese is a great alternative.  This is simply the cheese packets you find in Kraft Mac and Cheese boxes...but I’ve also been told that you can buy it in bulk?  Hum….. :)  Velvetta cheese is delicious as well!

Soup mix - of any kind, this is always awesome!  Just-add-water is perfect.

Emergen-C - this is a powder mix you can add to water for a “boost to your immune!”  It’s nice to feel like I’m kind of doing something when I feel a sore throat coming on.

Spices - whatever you think is good to use in cooking, it will be used!!

I’ll try to add more as I can think of things.  It’s hard when a variety of goods is so absent from your everyday mind to then try and come up with ideas for you all.  Please please don’t feel like you can only send these things.  They are just ideas to maybe help along the way.  Anything and everything is so so much appreciated and honestly can turn around an entire week if it’s been a challenging one.  It's fun to open packages when you have NO idea what to expect.  Definitely like Christmas!

I may say this too much, but it is entirely true, the support I receive from all of you makes it possible for me to keep going some days out here.  It can be tough, but knowing you all are rooting for me gives me that needed push.  Thank you :)  Letters are equally as exciting as packages so, again, please don't feel like you need to send something extravagant.  Thank you for your support!!