Hear those sleigh bells jingling...

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What do latrines and Christmas have in common?

Oh, nothing. Except that for Christmas this year I'm going to be building them. Yep, that's right. Me and a bunch of construction guys will be staying in Indonesia over Christmas and New Year to build latrines and houses. I've tried to make all the other programme people feel guilty for leaving by saying helpful things like, 'how can you celebrate Christmas with your families knowing that children have been without latrines for three years!?' But, it's pretty much to no avail. (I needn't mention how hard their hearts must be!)

So, over Christmas you can think of me, rattling around in a big, empty, echoey house singing 'Here Comes Santa Claus' at the top of my lungs. I also have a full box of candy canes to enjoy. Who could ask for anything more?

(I hesitate to mention that I will be accumulating holiday like it's going out of style and that I will then have a total of 20 days of vacation to spend in the new year. Good times. Bali? Jordan? Thailand? I might take some time out of my lone caroling to plan my escape.)

Comments

pellucid said…
"Days in lieu..." *snigger*
1:09 PM
Anonymous said…
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news my dear, but have you read the PIM lately - you can only carry over 5 days into the NY :) And I thought you were the expert. Oh how we love the PIM PIM PIM PIM PIM!

Did you get a WR cap? I have JK's!!!

PS Merry Christmas
5:59 PM
David Cuthbert said…
[sigh] I recently had to take unplanned vacation days -- I was about to start losing them because I had hit the ceiling.

I did some work around the house and a bit of hiking on the Olympic Peninsula. Nothing exciting. I'm old.

Of those places, Jordan would be my choice.

Do you guys have reliable mail delivery over there? I'll send you a card (if it isn't too late to do so already).
12:32 AM
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