Wish List

So here it is the much awaited wish list….

Rechargeable batteries and charger (double AA batteries have priority but if there is some magical device that can charge both double AA and triple AAA batteries that would be fantastic or just a bunch of AAA batteries)- this must be somehow disguised if sent standard mail (stuff it in a box of tampax or something of that nature) as it would be very tempting for someone to take such an item, batteries are like gold here. **

Jiffy Pop!!!

Food stuffs- parmesan cheese, emergency C, mac and cheese, dehydrated fruit (especially things like cherries, blueberries, raspberries, apples), delicious and nutritious snack foods (anything non perishable from new seasons or trader joes is greatly appreciated), vanilla and chocolate soy milk from trader joes (the little individually packaged ones), green foods protein powder, cookies I am especially fond of chocolate chip and snickerdoodle, spices such as paprika, garlic powder, cilantro, oregano, and any sort of premixed spices, really any spice is a good spice they’re exceptionally hard to come by here, this might sound icky but those little crystal light packages that you add to water, candy-starburst, recesses peanut butter cups and pieces, skittles, M&Ms have experienced the least melting thus far so they are a sure bet but perhaps recesses pieces would be safe as well, coffee… any non perishable food stuffs bring me great joy

Scented candles, although I have electricity it doesn’t work in my living room, who knows why, so I use candles in here, and we all know how I feel about good smelling things. Scents I am especially fond of are vanilla, cocoa butter, cinnamon…….

Seeds-green beans, peas, rosemary, spinach, mint, lavender, carrots, cilantro, tomato (standard and cherry), beautiful flowers particularly of the climbing variety, pumpkin, squash, any and all fruit.

For personal upkeep: Shampoo and conditioner, face wash and facial moisturizer (I have a love affair with Avalon Organics face wash and moisturizing face lotion), some sort of sensitive skin organic makeup removing facial wipes, they are a god send, lotion particularly of the cocoa butter or vanilla variety, hand sanitizer, and deodorant, if possible Mitchum for Women powder fresh.

Jump drive, also needs to be cleverly disguised

A light throw blanket of some sort, I have a blanket here and really it’s a hot place in dwambazi so this is a non essential item I’ve just been nesting and a pretty blanket for my bed sounded nice (it’s a twin bed). In that same vein another set of sheets would be most excellent, full-queen size (I know the beds a twin but I’ve got three “mattresses” on it so the extra room of full or queen is a plus) and in any color that isn’t beige, off white, cream, or baby blue, something bright sounds pleasing.

Kitchen towels, good knife (I brought one and now realize how important such a thing is), and a vegetable peeler

Adapter with surge protector (two if possible) this is another item that could easily be “misplaced” from a package so it would require some sort of disguise.**

Clothing- clothes don’t last long here and how one presents themselves is of some importance thus I am in need of: skirts and shirts (no sleeves are more practical so I would need more of them but I need the odd sleeved shirt for funerals and formal work occasions), cheap plastic sunglasses, bandannas/scarves for head wrapping, if possible a pair or two of short pants if the sizing is standard than I’m an eight, but I could go up a size depending on the pants in question, bras (34 C or 36 B) and underwear

Entertainment- deck of cards, national geographic, books: fiction, poetry, the classics, non fiction pertaining to public health and development work, whatever it is I’ll take it, if some ingenious person could come up with a way to send me the Daily Show or Colbert Report I will forever be in your debt

An external hard drive, I’m terrified of my computer suffering some break down and losing all my essential info thus my desire for an external hard drive. This would probably not only have to be disguised but probably should be sent via some form of certified mail or hand delivered with the first lucky person to pay me a visit. I know this is a bit of an outlandish request but it is a wish list and Christmas is coming.

Notebooks, pencils and pens

From my most musically inclined friends (Val and Becca) mix CDs just disguise them as CDs are highly valued

Childrens books

A backup headlamp and swiss army knife would be worth their weight in gold, the ones I have are invaluable so a back up seems like an excellent idea