3rd day...I think...I'm losing track of days already.

Its 5am and 80 something degrees. I went to sleep early last night....around seven. The heat drained me and I think every crease on my body was lubricated from the sweat. It seemed as if even when I stood still, I was dripping. My room doesn't have air conditioning but I've figured out a trick on how to manipulate the positioning of the fan so it doesn't blow the covers off of me at night or degrade my hearing.

I also went to sleep early because my bootlegged internet service (literally bootlegged from the Mexican Restaurant across the street), became too shoddy to endure any longer. The entire episode of the 70's group Heatwave's Unsung on TV One played perfectly....but when I got to Miki Howard, the damn thing started buffering every minute and a half. I even tried switching to the Fat Boys and Klymaxx....nothing. I threw my hands up in frustration, closed the windows, turned on the fan and turned out the lights. #irritation.

 I had to skip dinner last night....in part because I had a snack (one taco and french fries) at Rolson's, the Mexican Restaurant across the street, where I met two new friends and because my new regimented meal schedule has me eating when I'm not hungry. I'm also taking advantage of the fact that all the food is prepared from scratch here, including the TORTILLAS. Aaaaaaahhhhhhhh! I had four for breakfast yesterday and three for dinner the previous night. I have GOT to lay off the tortillas or increase the amount of walking I'm doing, and hey....let's face it...in this heat? I aint doing that. So...skipping meals it has to be.

Yesterday was my first day at Mary Open Doors and as soon as I walked in, I knew I was home!! Ms. Anna, the CEO and Stacey, the Office Manager welcomed me like I was family. And guess what? I have an office!!!! With a couch!! Just like home. I told the two of them that in the states, a social worker doesn't count too much on getting an office...you just kinda get in where you fit in. Ms. Anna says "you need a space."

Mary Open Doors operates two shelters, one for high risk domestic violence survivors and one that would be considered a "low barrier" shelter in DC--that is, for someone in need of housing on a short-term, temporary basis. In addition, they use the resources available through a network of community based organizations and businesses to provide survivors with food, clothing, legal assistance and social services. They have a staff of three people. With me in the office, I will take over much of the client work which Ms. Anna has been doing. I met and scheduled my first client for Thursday at 10am.

Today I will be going to Belize Family Life Association, Belize's Women's, Education and Social Services Departments and the local hospital to introduce myself and get a better understanding of the process a woman goes through when she is trying to get assistance in a domestically violent situation.

Time to get my day started with eggs, beans, tortillas and Russ Parr and Big Tigger Morning Shows from DC. I love the internet!