Dearest Family, July 24, 1998

CLAIRE - THANKS FOR YOUR GREAT LETTER AND CONGRATULATIONS TO MICHAEL ON GETTING HIS COMPUTER JOB!!! I can't think of a better job for you Michael - you will love it and they will love you - GIVE IT YOUR BEST SHOT!!!!

I LOVED hearing about the movie “Gone With The Wind” - I would just love to go see a good movie but I will have to wait until I get home. The theatres are very far from Ruam Rudi and I don't have time anyway. DO YOU KNOW WHAT I DID?? How could you??? I innocently asked a teacher at one of the schools where we taught last week to tell me about “melodicas”. They play them in all the schools here and I see the children with them. This teacher arranged for the school van to take Helen and me and two other teachers to a very nice “school supply” store after school last Wednesday and I BOUGHT A MELODICA!!! My room-mate, Darlene, said “Barbara, you spend money like it grows on trees” and that made me feel bad but I am SO hungry for music of some kind!!! That is a dumb excuse but I LOVE it. It is made by Suzuki and it cost about $50 U. S. dollars. It helps me find the right pitch for the songs I teach. I know you are thinking I am getting senile - that's okay, I probably am - Ha!!!

I AM SO EXCITED FOR “THE GIRLS” TO GET HERE. I have been to the hotel so many times they think I am going to move in. I don't understand their flight schedule - it seems like it is going to take them a long time to get here - I hope they are not completely worn out!!!

I colored my hair this morning. It was very, very blonde and it just wasn't me. They took pictures of us in one of our schools last week and then hurried to get them developed before the closing ceremony so they could put them on a certificate for us. When I saw the picture I thought “who in the world is that woman with the funny hair?” So I am a brunette again. Darlene, my conservative roommate is teaching today and when she comes home she is going to say she thinks I am dumb but I don't care!!!

I have a million things I need to do - I have a darling class of five high school students tonight and I must get something prepared.

I LOVE YOU ALL SO VERY, VERY MUCH. PLEASE BE SO VERY, VERY CAREFUL. Grandma B