Veena and I have been working on her career change. She spent over 20 years in the garment industry, ending up as a merchandiser with budgets between $40-$60 million USD. We have met four or five times to help her clarify what she wants to do next. She has expressed an interest in leaving the private-for-profit sector and moving into the NGO, service sector. On several occasions she has mentioned an interest in working for The Asia Foundation (TAF) where Ron works. She is particularly interested in working with children or women.

Last Saturday we went to a party at the TAF program director’s home. Two women from the US were at the party. They are working on a program that helps families of those who have been abducted and killed in the ethnic conflict here and asked Ron if he knew a woman who could do some interpreting for their program. Ron said Veena would be great but she didn’t want to do translation as he has asked her twice. I clarified that a translation was different from interpretation and we should check with Veena to see if she had an interest in doing interpreting. On Sunday morning I asked her and she said she would like to find out more about the job. I called Peggy to give her Veena’s telephone number. Veena was called on Monday and went in Tuesday to learn more about the job. She started work that day! HA! Networking is the best way to get a job, even here in SL.

Yesterday Veena came by to give us a gift she had bought for us with her first paycheck. She gave us a set of six wonderful woven grass placemats and coasters. Later when I saw her I thanked her and she told me that the tradition here is you buy your parents a gift with your first paycheck. She looked at me and said, “ You are family so I thought it was appropriate”. I was so touched and honored by this gesture. The greatest part of this adventure is the people we have met and the relationships we have built. It is a very special experience.

It is mangosteen and rambutan season in SL. Mangosteens are a small round fruit that is a reddish chocolate color. The rind is about a quarter of an inch thick and inside are creamy segments and a small seed. It is my favorite. The rambutans are ruby red in color, oval in shape and about the size of a small lemon. It is covered in red, green and yellow tipped hairs. Hence its name: rambut is Malay for hair. They are known for the irresistible sweetness and juicy flesh. They are a white translucent color. A beautiful tree lined major avenue near us is lined with stalls of vendors selling these fruits and I stop and get a bag of each every time I run out as they will only be available for a short time. Yes, the word pigging out comes to mind. There was an article about these fruits in today’s newspaper and I learned that the mangosteen has been around for thousands of years and is valued for its healing qualities. It wards off infections of all kinds (bob oh boy do I need that with Ron in his fourth day of the flu); it is a natural anti-inflammatory (great for my arthritis) and is known as a potent antioxidant. Gee, I’m not pigging out, I am taking care of my health! Eat your heart out Larry Brown. I am thinking of you with every bite!!

We are having another delightful day with a light breeze. It is hot but bearable. That’s it for today from the land of lush tropical fruits five degrees above the equator where the Bergman’s are having an adventure.