The bad news:
- I am quite, quite ill.
- The past two days have been spent almost entirely in my bed, and though I haven’t lost my appetite, I have (sadly) lost my will to cook.
- The clinic is closed for the holidays – until January.
The good news:
- School is out, so I have no where to be. I typically get sick this time of year, and it’s far better to be sick now than when I go off to the village. Being sick in Ukarumpa isn’t so bad, after all:
- My neighbors have already cooked two delicious meals for me.
- My very own students came by yesterday to wish me all good cheer and a speedy recovery. And they promised to make me soup.
- My haus meri brought me a papaya.
- Thanks to Skype, I was still able to talk to the good Amanda and that brother of mine with no fear of infecting them.
- And, while the clinic is closed, all the nurses and doctors are in walking distance.
The other good news:
- Typically when I’m this sick, I pick up my pen and write some really strange, half-conscious poetry – and then inflict it on whomever I can. Fortunately (for your sake), that has not yet happened.
gladly, beyond 
Why on earth would you decide to be sick? I know it seems appealing at first to have an excuse to lounge around and not cook, but this is effectively thwarted by the side effects of the excuse. I hope you feel better soon. Have a Merry Christmas, and do not pet any wild echidnas.
Praying for you and hope you are much better soon. Love and have a blessed Christmas in spite of misery. Love, Emily and Langston
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Praying fora speedy recovery (or not.sounds like you have it made). Have a great Christmas. Glad you were not sick in New Zealand.
Thanks much! I’m already feeling far, far better – though not yet fully healed.
Please be wise about taking cough medicine if it is not improving.
Dear Alan Hope u r feeling much better by now and that u have a wonderful time in the village learning to bake the ” Papuan way ” ! Looking foreword to seeing your folks next week and hearing more about your time together! We missed the Halbrooks in vail this year! Love mrs Frese Sent from my iPhone
I am so glad you are feeling better. It’s no fun being far away when you’re under the weather. I am glad, however, that I was still able to see you. Wish I could have made you some oh-so-delish soup!