Hi everyone

I enjoyed your posting Ery-berry. I can't believe you filmed 2 c-sections and didn't pass-out. I'm sure I would have. I'll be anxious to see all the pictures you and Jo are taking. Sounds like you all are keeping very busy. Where are they riding the motorcycles?

No news here except that it is a little warmer now. I'm keeping busy with my projects and my bookkeeping. Take care and keep safe! I love you all. Emee

Hey Emee!

We're doing well here. We pushed through the first few days of culture shock, exhaustion, and vertigo and come out on the other side for the better! Everyone had a great day--Jo, mama, and cammy rode motorcycles. Mama and I and a small group visited a village, a fish farm, got some great footage. Unexpectedly I was called in to film TWO c-sections (I have the footage if anyone wants to see it) and I didn't even faint! One off the coolest experiences i've ever had. Miss you and Buster and the rest of the family (ehem, where is everyone?). Lots of love from Africa!

<3 Ery-berry

Hi from the COLD land,

I enjoyed reading your postings. I'm sorry conditions are so bad there but you all are doing somethng wonderful for those poor people. I know it is heartbreaking to see the great need and only be able to do a little, but hang in there and do what you can. I'm praying for them and for all of you. It does make us realize how truly blessed we are.

Buster and I are fine. It's really cold here . I called Care-a-lot to check on your boys. They are all doing great....eating well, etc. Everything at the house is okay too.

Love ya' lots, Char (Emee)

Update

Tired and drained. It's tough here. Wish I could post pictures, but the internet is a bit too slow. Miss everyone. Love to all,

Erin

impressions from uganda

uganda is really tough. today we went out into the villages to dispense healthcare to the locals. i'm so emotionally drained that i cant write much, but it was basically a mob of suffering people. our team didnt have enough meds for everyone and the staff was worked raw trying to see patients, fill prescriptions, take vitals, and dispense the meds. the heat was intense and the suffering of the crowd was almost unbearable. camden worked half the day in the heat helping with vitals and half of the day in the pharmacy with me, we were literally running to get meds and figure out what went where. i was only able to shoot a bit (lots of kids smiling) with the amount of work that had to be done, mama saw so many patients that they nearly pushed her into the wall by sheer numbers. i am very glad to have the healthcare we do have in the US, no matter the political debates. i just wont be able to take it for granted again.

i love you all. i'm having the hardest time of everyone else here adjusting. i've wanted to come home the whole time, which i know makes me the douche bag of the group. but its physically difficult here and the sadness is suffocating. after today, i am glad that we are here.

jo

They are in Africa Safely

Hope everyone got the text that said Karen and our girls are all in Africa safely. Tired, but safe.

I am so excited for them, I know they will have a wonderful time working for such a worthy cause.

Have a great week!

Almost forgot... Elsa and Sandy, I am having some clothing and bed linens picked up for Haiti tomorrow. So if you have anything you want to donate, perhaps Sandy can drop it off on his way to work or Victoria on her way to school. They need anything, any size. Thanks much.

D

I made it!

Surprise, surprise. I think I actually did it right. This is a great idea. We can all keep in touch with each other. I enjoyed reading all the postings. Char (Emee)

Our Schedule in Uganda

I thought to post our itenary here so we don't have a repeat of the Kenya fiasco!
Also, I am adding out flight itenary, just in case.


Schedule for Uganda Mercy Trips January 2010


Saturday afternoon Jan 23 Depart U.S. on KLM airlines
Sunday morning Jan 24 Arrive Amsterdam
Sunday mid morning Depart Amsterdam
Sunday Night Arrive Entebbe, stay overnight in Kampala

Monday Jan 25 Exchange Money, have breakfast in Kampala
and depart to Mbale (some sight seeing)

Tuesday Unpack supplies, hold pre-op clinic, and
prepare medicine packets for outreach clinics

Wednesday – Friday Surgery at Kanginima Hospital, medical
outreach clinics at local church sites, two medical
teams will have separate outreach clinics

Saturday post/pre-op rounds at Kanginima followed by local sightseeing, village tour, shop Mbale

Sunday Jan 31 Church Services at Kanginima or Sisiyi
Followed by Picnic at Sisiyi Falls

Monday – Wednesday Surgery at Kanginima Hospital, medical
outreach clinics at local church sites


This is us! ---> On Tuesday Feb 2 the gorilla trekking team departs
medical team decreased to one clinic on Tue and Wed


Thursday Post op rounds at Kanginma, Drive to Kampala, local sightseeing, Joined Thursday
evening by Gorilla trekking team for a cultural
show at the National Theatre

Friday Shopping, sightseeing in Kampala/Entebbe

Friday night Depart Entebbe
Saturday morning Arrive Amsterdam, Depart Amsterdam
Saturday evening Arrive U.S.

Flight Iteneray:


WILCOX TRAVEL AGENCY INC DATE 06NOVEMBER09
1W PACK SQUARE AGENT 4B/4B BOOKING REF 2H3R3O
SUITE 1700
ASHEVILLE NC 28801 CARR/KAREN
TELEPHONE: 828 254-0746 TORRES/CAMDEN
FAX : 828 255-8212 TORRES/JENNY
TORRES/JORDAN

SERVICE DATE FROM TO DEPART ARRIVE


CONTINENTAL AIRLINES 23JAN MIDLAND TX HOUSTON TX 1040A 1207P
CO 3102 SATURDAY ODESSA G.BUSH INTERCO
Y ECONOMY AIRCRAFT: EMBRAER RJ135/140/145
FLIGHT OPERATED BY EXPRESSJET AIRLINES IN
RESERVATION CONFIRMED

KLM ROYAL DUTCH AIRLI 23JAN HOUSTON TX AMSTERDAM 425P 830A
KL 662 SATURDAY G.BUSH INTERCO SCHIPHOL 24JAN
T ECONOMY AIRCRAFT: BOEING 747-400 MIXED CONFIGURA
SEATS 39J/39K/38J/38K CONFIRMED
RESERVATION CONFIRMED

KLM ROYAL DUTCH AIRLI 24JAN AMSTERDAM ENTEBBE 1040A 840P
KL 561 SUNDAY SCHIPHOL
T ECONOMY AIRCRAFT: AIRBUS INDUSTRIE A330-200
SEATS 33H/33J/32J/32H CONFIRMED
RESERVATION CONFIRMED

KLM ROYAL DUTCH AIRLI 05FEB ENTEBBE NAIROBI 755P 905P
KL 4163 FRIDAY JOMO KENYATTA
T ECONOMY AIRCRAFT: BOEING 737-300
KQ 0415 FLIGHT OPERATED BY KQ KENYA AIRWAYS
RESERVATION CONFIRMED

KLM ROYAL DUTCH AIRLI 05FEB NAIROBI AMSTERDAM 1050P 530A
KL 566 FRIDAY JOMO KENYATTA SCHIPHOL 06FEB
T ECONOMY AIRCRAFT: BOEING 777-300ER
RESERVATION CONFIRMED

KLM ROYAL DUTCH AIRLI 08FEB AMSTERDAM HOUSTON TX 1050A 220P
KL 661 MONDAY SCHIPHOL G.BUSH INTERCO
T ECONOMY AIRCRAFT: BOEING 747-400 MIXED CONFIGURA
RESERVATION CONFIRMED

CONTINENTAL AIRLINES 08FEB HOUSTON TX MIDLAND TX 610P 747P
CO 3101 MONDAY G.BUSH INTERCO ODESSA
Y ECONOMY AIRCRAFT: EMBRAER RJ135/140/145
FLIGHT OPERATED BY EXPRESSJET AIRLINES IN
RESERVATION CONFIRMED

RESERVATION NUMBER(S) KL/7F2T2U KQ/7F2T2U

Love you all. We'll keep posting updates and maybe some pictures when and wherever we get internet access.

Live long and prosper,
Erin

Update on the Various Travels of Gulliver

hello~

erin and i are in midland learning to read vital signs. we've been warned that in uganda, we may get bloody. 

speaking of, 

that's uganda. with a history of violence and perseverance, the east african nation borders kenya, sudan, rwanda, and the democratic republic of the congo. it's relatively safe. we land in kampala, then journey out to the villages during the day. i have camera equipment packed in my backpack next to my nervousness about being responsible for shooting these people a documentary. balls to wall at some point, eh? the last four days of the trip are to be spent chasing silver backs on the border of the congo. there are about 700 left in the wild, and we get to see some!

much love, much peace

jojo

Hi Everyone,

Camden I am so glad that you are doing well. The right job will come to you soon. You guys have fun in Africa! Be very carefull.

Wanted to update you all about Pampa. She went to the doctor on Tuesday and was told that her cholesterol was a bit high. That might have something to do with the fact that she ate one tamale a day...umm...for 12 days. That may have contributed to that!! Also, her thyroid is not working properly. The doctor gave her some different medicine. She likes it because it does not make her dizzy and helps her sleep. She is still in good spirits.

My love to all!
Elsa

Friday that feel like Sunday

Hello Everyone. Well today is Friday and it feel very much like a Sunday here in Los Angeles. I think it is the weather. I am getting better and knowing where I am going, and I have only been lost twice this week! YES!

Still no word from Whole Foods, but better things will come if that does not work out. How is everyone else doing?

I would love to be able to include pictures and photos, but all the camera's I have are film! This next week we leave for Africa...pretty excited then come back and hit the pavement. It will be a good month. Love you all. Camden

So happy to hear that everything is going well in El Paso--I called Pampa recently and she seemed in high spirits. Congratulations to Lily! Diane, I hope you feel better and I miss you very much. I'm glad Victoria is tutoring--I know exactly what those frustrations feel like but difficult students always turned out to be the ones that forced me to become a better TA. I'm sure the same will be true for you, too.

Camden and I talked yesterday and she sounds fantastic. Jordan has made her first deposit for her 5-6 month program in Chile. Turns out, while Jordan is in Chile Mama, the Adcocks, U.D. and his girlfriend, Lynn, and possibly a few others will be visiting Chile! You can imagine how well this works out for Mama, who would have undoubtedly found a way to get to Chile and to Jordan even if she had to go it alone.

I'm shaking in my knickers about Japan. One more month until the first announcement, March brings the final announcement. It's an awful wait aggravated by the fact that my sisters are not here anymore and I've even seriously contemplated hitting the Appalachian trail with Legion for a month or more after February in an attempt to be elsewhere, too. I've never felt with more certainty that people make a home. Without Camden and Jordan, I don't see how this is a home anymore.

I love you all and hope you're well! I miss everyone terribly and look forward to a time when we can all be together again. Maybe we should think of a quick get together before Jordan leaves?

Peace and Love and all that noise,

Your Erin

Hi all,

Wanted to check in and hope that everyone is doing well in this new year!! I went back to work on the 4th and the kids returned on the 6th. We are starting our downhill slide...a long one! We are beginning to prepare for the TAKS test which is in April. The kids will begin to get nervous around April 1! Yikes!!! Our district has mandated a new system in which we are to deliver the material to our students. I feel that there are some holes and I can not seem to get my finger on what I do not feel comfortable with. This has created a lot of controversy within our district. So, this year I am a bit more concerned about how my kiddos will perform this year. But, we will work hard and do our best!

As you all probably know, Victoria works as a tutor at my school. She started work on Wednesday. I was busy teaching when her face popped up in my door window and I was surprised, pleasantly I might add! It is really cool to hear her stories about her conversations with her students and her frustrations with others. I have to keep reminding her that while she wants all of her students to succeed, some students need more patience and encouragement. I am glad she is getting this experience.

Erin, Jordan and Camden, when do you guys leave on your trip? Please let me know so that I can tell my students. They are anxious to hear about your adventure and work.

Dad wrote to you all a little earlier about Pampa and her health. I have to say that despite her ailments Pampa is always in good spirits. When I am lucky enough to take her to the doctor I have the best time with her! We talk and laugh so much!! That woman talks to everyone. Whenever we are in a doctor's office and I have to get up for something, I come back and Pampa has made a new friend!! She is truly amazing. Please be sure and keep her in your prayers. She has a difficult time walking now because of her hip problems. Not sure what the doctor will tell her on Tuesday, could be her cholesterol or something like that. Will keep everyone informed. If you haven't talked to her lately, give her a call, she would love to hear from everyone!

A bit of good news...Aunt Lily has retired! Her last day of work was on January 31, 2009. She definitely deserves to retire!! I haven't spoken to her since last Saturday, but from what Pampa tells me Aunt Lily is keeping herself very busy cleaning and organinzing her home in her first week of retirement. If it were me I would have "vegged" this first week. You go Aunt Lily!

Speedy recovery to Diane! We love you!

Andrew, do your best! Did you finish that paper? Ha-ha!

To all of my children in Baltimore, hugs and kisses!! Stay warm, I see that at this moment it is a chilly 37 degrees!!!

Thank you to Sandy for encouraging me to write on the blog. I thought I did not have anything to report, but, as usual, once you get me started I have a difficult time stopping!

Please be sure to let us know what is happening.

Anxiously waiting your replies,

Love you all,

Elsa

PS

I forgot to mention that Aunt Lily has retired from the Department of Human Resources (they have probably change the name) so when you get a chance send her a note her cell phone number is 915-667-0056. I have asked her to send hers, Rhonda's and Yvette's email addresses for us to invite them to join our blog. I have also asked Uncle Frank to do the same.
thnx

1st week 2010

Good morning to all;
The 1st week of the new year is over and things seem status quo. However, it appears that this will be a year of changes for the family. Camden is in LA with Chris, Diane is looking to re-locate to Baltimore/DC area and Jordan and Erin are contemplating their next moves and looking for a job.

For in El Chuco things are good. Pampa is having her hip/leg/shoulders pains but is happy. Elsa and I had a fideo lunch with her yesterday. She got a call from her doctor's office about her blood test results---she must have proded the caller and was told that the results were abnormal. So she will worry until Tuesday. Aunt Lily will take her and I will let y'all know what's up.

Diane was ill and in the ER for a night. She is doing well. We took the girls for a while and they are hanging with our crew.

Andrew is back in Chicago and I hope he is keeping warm.

In the future I hope that this blog will expand to include other clans, like the Carrascos. In the meantime you will soon (I hope Jordan?) see an additional clan and we will be the Torres/Carr/Griffin family blog.

Let us know how you're doing. Camden and Chris I am still waiting for the pate & egg sandwich, salad dressing recipes. Staying hungry!

Love, Papa

hello everyone,

Hope all is well in Texas and Balitmore. I am doing A-OK. It it a little surreal
to be here still. Trying to get acclimated and feeling settled...all in good time.
We are doing good though, and I am excited for all the California has!
Bare with me and my communication (lapse, I should say). Trying to take a little time,
to take it all in, become comfy and evaluate everything I have to do.

I miss Austin, but what I think I miss most is Erin, JoJo, Natalie, Amanda and the Kids!
It is funny how people make a place...

L.A. Fact: Hollywood is not glamorous at all...ha!

Also it is great to be around all different types of people again...walking down the street the other day, I literally stopped trying to figure out how many languages were being spoken. ha!

ooh we made another delicious salad, we will have to make it for you all once we are re-united.

love to all,
camden

Voodoo magic...

Hello Family!

First, thanks to Jo for putting this together. Second, I will try to restrain myself from over posting, but these past few weeks have been so wonderful with all of you that I'm missing everyone pretty terribly.

Two days ago Legion and I spent a good chunk of the night and early morning in the emergency vet hospital. He was having coughing fits and uncontrollable vomiting. He is now on two types of medications and doing much better.

I've been applying for nunu jobs with as little responsibility and thinking required as possible. So far I'm under-qualified and lack relevant experience. If Japan doesn't come through, Legion, Mully and me are heading for the Appalachian trail.

Jordan and I are preparing for Africa. I'm so excited I'm not even worried about the plane ride. The excitement of adventure outweighs the terror of flying--usually. We're heading to Midland a few days before we head out so that we can round with Ma's nurses and learn how to do all those things people hate: give shots, take blood pressure, poke and prod and such. I'm going to try my best not to be useless in Africa.

I love and miss you all. I look forward to reading new posts!

Always,

Ery-berry

check how cool this is

austin is lovely and warm-ish. all is well. i just wanted everyone to see how cool this is







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