Shakin' my booty

I'm writing again from the tourist coffee house in Nairobi--1 of 2 places that has heinz ketchup in the whole of Kenya (also where they call their fries "chips" like the British d-bags who colonized them).

I have had a pretty uneventful week...until yesterday. Monday (Jumatatu) night I went to a movie-Sherlock Holms, and it was 550 /- (about $6) for a movie, popcorn, drink, and hotdog or snickers (I chose the snickers of course). Tuesday (Jumanne) I did laundry by hand for about 1.5 hours. If you have never washed an entire week's clothing by hand, you should give it a try sometime, it's a freaking reality check to those of us with washers and dryers. Wednesday (Jumatano), I made dinner for my family, spaghetti with sauce and vegetables and homemade garlic bread. Delish! Thursday (Alhamisi), I worked on some homework and hung out with the students.
Friday (Ijumaa), some of the students and I went to Giraffe Center-in Karen (a primarily mzungo-white-neighborhood). On the way, on one of the matatus (taxi-like vans) I was NOT on, a student was robbed. She is fine, but lost her purse and camera.
Anyway, most of us still went to giraffe center and hung out with, pet, and fed (with our hands and mouth) giraffes. It was AMAZING!
And then, Friday night, I went out for mexican food (in 1 of the 2 restaurants that we have heard of) in Westlands. It was definitely pricey by Kenyan standards, but less than what we would pay in the US. I split a chicken quesadilla and chicken fajitas with Teresa (a student from IL), and it was DELICIOUS!!! They had real guacamole and tortilla chips! To top it off, we went out dancing afterward and had an awesome time!
The only unfortunate part of this weekend so far was being woken up this morning at about 6am after coming home just before 1am. After doing laundry again today, I got a pedicure with Rebecca for 300 /- each ($4). We left them a tip of 50/- each (about 80 cents) and they were ecstatic :) My toes are dark red with gold, white, and black decals. I need to start to take advantage of the services here...maybe a massage will be next.
I'm working on (or rather will be) one of my three term papers due at the end of the program. They are each about 15 pages long and deal with development as a whole, development analysis in a chronological perspective, and gender's influence on health. Obviously, I'm the most excited about the last topic. I have to work hard though because tonight I'm heading to a local Kenyan bar with some friends.
Off to work!

PS I have a born-again addiction to fries (chips) and ketchup. shoot.