Week #3 Update

The 3rd week flew by, but we still don't have a house....poor us.

-I'm happy to report my favorite house, the yellow one, won

the contest -- thanks for the votes everybody!!! Unfortunately it was already rented by someone quicker than us. So, we're now hoping to secure the 1st house, which is Kelly's favorite. It too is giving us trouble due to the fact that the owner lives in the US and want's to be paid in US dollars in a US bank account which is not something we can legally do according to Ethiopia housing law (or something like that). We're actively working with the owner to figure out a solution. In the mean time, we've been able to extend the lease on our temporary house by 10 days so we don't have to move out already next Wednesday. We'll keep you posted on the progress.

-Kelly and I found a movie rental store just down the street, so this week we've watched two movies on my laptop -- Half Nelson, and Candy. Two rather disturbing but good films. Kelly and Otto are on their way back to the movie store now to get something a little more light-hearted.

-Otto's school: We have settled on the school that Kelly and the boys visited last Monday called Head-to-Toe. It is run by an American woman who has 15 years of teaching experience and a Masters in Early Childhood Education. The school was recommended to us by a friend who is also a teacher, who sends her own son there, so we are very confident it will be a great place for Otto. We are going to start him off just 2 days a week, Tues & Thurs. and may increase to 3 days/week if it suits him. He'll start on Nov. 1st when the school resumes after their mid-semester break. One interesting and bizarre coincidence about the school is that it is located in the building that was Mercy Corps first office from 2004 to 2007, so I've actually been to the

school too. Small world.

-Tomorrow, Sunday the 10th, we're going to a Kids Carnival hosted by the Great Ethiopia Run organization to raise money for their "Running for a Child" campaign which supports orphans and vulnerable children here in Addis. So, while we're having fun we'll be contributing to a good cause. I'll post some pictures as soon as possible.

-Kelly and the boys went on another play date this week. Kelly said it was her and 8 nannies.

-This weeks lesson in Amharic: Ato means Mister, so everyone thinks we are calling Otto Mister. On the bright side, Otto's name is easy for folks to remember.

-I received my work permit/residence card, which may not sound interesting, but it now means we can buy items such as a car without having to pay the 200% tax. It has taken other Mercy Corps employees more than 6 months to get their work permit, so I'm feeling pretty fortunate. I also received my Ethiopia drivers license this week, but I'm not sure if I'm ready to start driving around Addis yet...

We don't have any new photos from the week, so here are a few of our favorites from the last couple of weeks

Otto in front of our local music shop, that's Lil Wayne in the back ground for you old farts:

Kelly really enjoy's the local brew, St. George:

My new clothing store (sorry for the quality of this one, I took it from a moving car):