So, one year has passed since my nasty run-in with the iron gate in
Indonesia. It has been a rough year
… There were many days (months) when I could not sit; all I could do was just lay in bed. But after more pain pills, sleeping pills, and steroid injections than I can recall; several physical therapists; and a disc biacuplasty - I am back to my old ways.
I am back out, living in Asia again – in Timor-Leste (East Timor) this time. After the month here at the end of last year, I was offered a full-time position here and decided it was about time to get back to work. So, I went back to DC to try to figure out steps to alleviate the pain I was still having. So, with a supportive group of doctors and despite the challenges of insurance, I was able to take the steps to get better. It was a bit ambitious, but so you expect anything less from me? I had the disc biacuplasy, a non-invasive back procedure (I am not sure why heated needles in the disc is considered non-invasive, but it makes it sound cool), on December 24, 2008. Three weeks later I was on a plane back to Asia. A bit insane considering I was still not allowed to sit for more than 30 minutes at a time or carry more than 10 pounds. But I am resourceful and managed to follow most of my doctor’s orders. I have even be seeing a physical therapist out here in Dili (physiotherapist is Australian) to keep up with my recovery. It is almost 14 weeks since the procedure – whoa, that is so cool – I am feeling so much better. The constant pain that I was in is now only occasional, and even then it is more of a discomfort/irritation. While I am still wearing a back brace, mostly just for sitting, looking at the calendar, I only have two weeks of that left. Plus then I start getting to be a bit more active – I have been limited to walking for the first 16 weeks after the procedure. So, snorkeling, and scuba diving, hiking and all the other amazing things to do in Timor, will soon be on the agenda.
OK, enough about the past. What’s been going on since I got here…
It has been raining. Yes, it is rainy season here in Timor. It rains when it wants to, sometimes for 15 minutes and other times for hours. Sometimes in the morning, other times in the afternoon, or evening, or all night long. But the rain is followed by clear beautiful skies and the hot sun! Rainy season here creates a huge change in the landscape. When I first arrived in Dili in October, I remember thinking how dry this place was – it reminded me of Africa. During the rainy season, everything is green and lush.
A visit by the President. President Jose Ramos Horta spent a Saturday afternoon visiting one of our project sites. He was impressed and even spoke about our project when he was back in the US recently. Plus I got some cool pictures.
Beaches. I take my evening and weekend walks along the beach. My house is three blocks to the ocean. Nice beaches for relaxing are a 30 minute walk (yeah, not driving yet) from my house, and even quicker drive. And, while I was told I could not go into the ocean while my back was healing, I took that advice lightly. There are very few waves here so I was not going to get knocked around too much.
Boss. About a month after my arrival, the Chief of Party (big boss) headed out of town for about a month, which meant I was in charge. I was happy when he came back.
Carnival. Carnival celebrations in Timor! There was a parade and lots of celebrations. Can you believe it rained? But that was not about to stop the Brazilians (and the rest of us) from celebrating.
Settling in. I have moved into a wonderful house. It is more house than I need so I am hoping I
get a few visitors. My air shipment has arrived and I am hoping the sea shipment with the rest of my crap (I mean belongings) will arrive in the next few weeks. Then I can start to decorate.
… There were many days (months) when I could not sit; all I could do was just lay in bed. But after more pain pills, sleeping pills, and steroid injections than I can recall; several physical therapists; and a disc biacuplasty - I am back to my old ways. 
