Who would of thought?

When Chris first suggested moving to Sumba, Indonesia for a year, I am sure I thought he was completely cracked.  Imagine your spouse, in all seriousness, telling you that he wants to take you and your toddler and move to the other side of the planet. 

Perhaps, you are thinking... wow... Australia! or..... Spain!  It would be incredible to live there for a year!

“Yeah that would be fun,” he says, “but what wouldn’t it be totally awesome to live in Sumba!” 

Sumba........ where the h.e. double hockey sticks is Sumba?

“Indonesia!” he exclaims.  Then he proceeds to describe Sumba as a “remote and inhospitable” island, where we can study malaria. 

Cracked.  Totally cracked. 

Over the next few weeks, his plan developed and he continued to explain how he really believes this move would be incredibly beneficial for our family.  He truly believes that moving to a different hemisphere on the other side of the International Dateline will improve our financial situation, propel our careers, and give us a chance to connect as a family. 

When he first told me of this plan, I nodded and made the appropriate “I’m listening” noises, but never thought we would truly take such a gigantic leap.

Many long conversations later... here we are.  The Nixons have been living in Sumba, Indonesia for 6 months.

I can honestly say that this adventure has been phenomenal for our family.  Chris was right.   (Oh... please don’t tell him I said that.  It will only go to his head and who knows where he will try and convince me to live next!)  Our finances are improving.  We have networked with some amazing people in global health who we hope to collaborate with in the future.  We are learning an enormous amount about epidemiology, statistics, fieldwork, etc, and we have discovered that we work really well together in formal settings.  We are both writing manuscripts.  Chris is working on a review and a pathway to independence career grant (a big deal).  I have submitted 3 grants this year, and knitted my brains out.  (Oh... and I have lost 15 lbs... yeah!!!)

Many cool projects have come out of our time here already.  Together with the help of some dear friends in the US, the Sumba Youth Initiative has skyrocketed.  If you take a peek in the side bar you will see that we have raised over $3000.  I have hired a crew in anticipation of starting the first phase of well construction after the monsoons stop (mid February).  The Panti Asuhan Sinar Kasih is overwhelmed with joy.  SYI is already working on our next project idea!  I couldn’t be more excited about the direction this project is heading. 

Colby is learning a new language and has made a ton of friends including his best friend Darcy.

 Colby is potty-trained, growing and learning.  He gets into tons of trouble, chases chickens, and attempts to catch frogs, lizards, and grasshoppers.  He and his Dad work on projects together.  Colby is a big fan of screwdrivers!  Screwdrivers take a back seat to chocolate though!  

I can honestly say that my completely cracked husband came up with an out-of-the-park homerun with this one!