Getting the Ship in top Shape

While we are not in Liberia I am working in the Crew Services department, which means cleaning and cleaning and cleaning. First we cleaned the bathrooms, then we swept the whole deck six, then we vacuumed the carpet by the internet lounge and the other lounge ( the mid ship lounge), then we cleaned the crew galley ( the place where the crew can cook their own food, if they choose)and then we did the stairs. The stairs took forever, there are lots and lots of stairs. I am still having fun with it. I am trying really hard to have a good attitude about it. Although I am really looking forward to working as a nurse in the ICU, OR or in the ward, where ever they need me.  I am starting to get settled in. I have made a couple of new friends and have reconnected with some old friends from the Caribbean Mercy.

The lesser of two weevils...

From time to time each ship has had weevils. Usually the eggs or larvae are in flour/grain products and hatch with prolonged exposure to warm temperatures (which usually qualify us, since most of our developing country 'stops' are in hot places). So if we can't or don't control the products with normal temperatures (open for speculation) the eggs in the products hatch and you have weevils. They can be controlled or killed by taking the temperature up to 140 Fahrenheit for 15 minutes or in the freezer for 3 days will kill existing bugs and eggs that are unhatched although the dead ones are still in your food. They kinda look like a seasoning or cracked pepper until further inspection.

But the good news is THEIR HARMLESS, yes, that is correct harmless. Its just added protein. I guess if you were a vegetarian of some sort it may be a problem.

I have used a few techniques that have cut down the amount of weevils that appear in my pasta (that is what its most prevalent in right now, except maybe besides the cereal but I don't deal with that) but I must warn you, when we get on outreach and its a full-on rush to get the food out, this may fall by the wayside because it can get time intensive.

So when it comes down to not getting fed, or getting fed with weevils...the lesser of the two will be chosen. Bon Appetit!

Some pics for you to enjoy...

Ode to the CHI

Ok, here it goes. I must admit I am a bit obsessed with good hairdryers and flat irons. It stems from having weird hair. Yes, my hair is not curly but it is not straight. So before we left the states I got a new hairdryer and hair straightener ( both Chi Brand) They are wonderful and very strong, so I have found out. We have 2 converters in a container that will be here in March. Our friend let us borrow one, but with in 5 minutes my hair dryer blew it up, literally. It started to smoke. So ever since my hair has been a frizzy mess. Although in a moment of brilliance I thought of a great plan. My friend Kathy who is going to the States for 3 months has an English flat iron that will not need an adapter or converter. So we will swap. I am VERY EXCITED!!!

Stephanie's plight...Tyrone's ramblings

So Stephanie has been working on her social skills today and has been thrilled at the new prospects of girlfriends that are available and have already told me she'll not be pining away in our cabin for me on Saturday...I may be working or I may be off but in any case, I can 'hang' with the boys and/or get some reading done.

Right now we are at the ships 'internet cafe' browsing, emailing, or blogging away while our clothes are on the 'dryer' cycle in the onboard laundry mat. It's free, but you need to sign up for a laundry 'slot' and make sure and be on time and prompt with moving your clothes along from washer to dryer and on out...oh, and make sure you have your own laundry detergent too.

Work was good today and I will be posting more work-related things on the AFM menu which is posted right to the righthand side in the 'currently reading' section. As Stephanie alluded to in her post my reputation proceeds me from the other ships and the land base for Mercy Ships, BUT I am not a Rock Star as she put it...I am trying to stay humble and live up to the hype and expectations which becomes harder and harder (ok, maybe not...but the job is harder with positions that need to be filled and equipment that needs to be replaced that is ALREADY BROKE or gone).



Of course, the British on board hold a strong liking for Mel from England who comes and goes from year to year always to the approval of his eagerly awaiting fan club. This is good, because we both need a break from time to time and the ship needs some skilled, talented, and trained cooks...along with replacing the non-working equipment.

Today I was working with Ernest (a Team Leader because they have two teams that rotate in the kitchen), a good friend that I worked with before on the Anastasis. He's from Ghana.  Here he is at the 'internet cafe'.



Claire from Scotland (another nurse that we both know from the Caribbean Mercy days) is staying on board as a guest for a week, so it will be good to catch up with her as time permits.

Right now Stephanie is working in Crew Services since the actual hospital is not cranked up yet (that's what happens to medical personnel when not in outreach port, they get doled out to the other departments to work) no slackers here! Work for everyone.

I was able to poke fun of Stephanie a little as I was exempt from a lot of orientation and safety meetings she had to attend as I went thru most of the routines for the new ship (Africa Mercy, the one we are on now) back in May when they flew me to England to ride/work the ship down to Liberia...it was a long month apart for Stephanie and I being fairly newlyweds.

Well, the laundry is done, and its getting late.

Tyrone the Rock Star

Ever since we have arrived on the Ship everyone on board as greeted Tyrone with such excitment. They are tired of meat the tastes like rubber. He is making ribs and mac n' cheese today for dinner, hopefully he won't disappoint them.

AFM menu - Introduction

Welcome to the AFM menu. If you would like to view the menu right away click 'menu' on top underneath the anchor.

This blog is maintained by the Chief Cook/Executive Chef. The Africa Mercy is in West Africa. Our organization is Mercy Ships and we need volunteers of all work experiences, but this blog will directly be related to Food Service. Hopefully it will be filled with the current menu for the AFM and other relative food and personal experience posts while working in the Galley (Kitchen).

tyronebcookin...cook, chef, culinary sponge, traveler, volunteer, missionary.

The Taj Mahal

So we made it to the Ship with all of our luggage, Praise the Lord. Tyrone is still not feeling well (He has had a cold for about 4 days) and now his ears are giving him trouble due to the multiple take offs and landings. When we landed in Tenerife the feeling of relief swept over my body. We are finally here. We will have the same cabin (Lord willing) for one year. I finally feel like I can settle in. We have been planning on coming to the ship since February, so we have been in transition period since then. When I walked into our new cabin I got goose bumps. partially due to the freezing air conditioning, but mostly due to the beauty of our new home. We both lived on the Caribbean Mercy and were used to living in a junky, old, shoe box, but this is clean, new, spacious and organized. We both have our own night stands and closets!!!!!!! Praise the Lord. And in the closet there are 4 shelves. All my stuff neatly fits on to the appropriate shelf. Plus we have a desk with plenty of shelves and our bed has massive storage underneath. I am so thankful for the beautimus living space. Please pray for us and the ability for us to adjust to the time change and our new environment, plus I would really like some girl friends.

You smell the way I want you to smell.

During our time in  Huntsville, we have been able to hang out with my niece (Katie,9) Nephews (Noah, 7, and VJ,18 months). They all are so individual and delightful... most of the time. Katie is so smart and inquisitive, and Noah would say BOSSY. We play games together, currently, the favorite is Trouble in the bubble. The other day we painted her nails and it only took 1 hour, due to the multiple retouches. Noah is FUNNY. He says things like "You're my favorite Auntie because you smell the way I want you to smell."  (He has a thing for perfume, I think). He loves movies and he loves to re-in-act them even more. As soon as the movie is over he runs into his room and replays the whole movie while admiring his shadow. VJ has newly discovered the world of walking and mischief. He got a rocking horse for Christmas and he loves to give it "loves" and make nay sounds.

Christmas Meal & Stollen

As most of you know I (tyrone) have a disdain for the 'normal' holiday meals (Ham, Turkey) so I was pretty pleased at this years Christmas meal that was a collaboration between my mother, my brother-in-laws mother, and me.

My mom brought scalloped potatoes (tasty as to be expected) and a chocolate cake (because we do a 'Happy Birthday Jesus Cake!' from time to time as part of Christmas Dinner), Ursula (bro-in-law's mom) brought cranberry & apples (sauce/relish) dish and my personal favorite for coffee or tea, Stollen (at my request of course). I cooked the protein/meat which was a pecan-crusted chicken with a creamy honey mustard sauce, the vegetable was baby carrots with cream of cilantro sauce, and wheat rolls with butter/Gorgonzola/olive tapenade center (baked inside).

ALL the food was delicious and excellent but I want to talk about the Stollen for a minute...for all the tea, chai, coffee drinkers out there that eat biscotti, scones, or any baked bread item in between you should really try Stollen. Click the underlined link above for the Wikipedia definition, history, and recipes.



I guess I could have asked Ursula for the recipe but what's the fun in that? If I could make it for myself, would I? I don't know. Some things are more prized or special when other people make them their way for you, and you come to expect it that way...sometimes it's disappointing to try other recipes and not taste like when they make them.

At this point, If I ate someone else's Stollen I'm not sure I would like it, or if it would 'measure up' to Ursula's...because she is (by the way) German so I would suspect the Stollen would be as original and genuine as you can get (with of course any historic family influence it has had along the way).

In Transit to Alabama for the Holidays!

Leaving Texas traveling to Alabama with some small stops along the way to visit friends and 'debrief' from our time at the Mercy Ships IOC (International Operations Center) in East Texas.

We will be spending the holidays with my family as we enjoy a few days of rest, reflection, and some last minute fund raising before traveling to the Africa Mercy in a little over 2 weeks!

Charitable Giving Choices? Consider Us!

Consider financially supporting us this year as we go to West Africa to work as volunteers with Mercy Ships, you can donate online (securely) tax deductible by clicking this link: Tyrone & Stephanie OR make your check payable to Mercy Ships but be sure to use the 'FOR' or 'MEMO' part of your check to insert our code: #MSQ1606 and mail to: mySHIPMATES - PO BOX 2020 - Garden Valley, TX 75771

Bittersweet

Bittersweet refers to a combination of the standard tastes of sweetness and bitterness, and is often used as a metaphor for experiences which have elements of both happiness and sadness.

As we prepare to leave Texas that is the emotion I have today while boxing things and throwing away trash...Stephanie is at work, her last day in the Mother Francis ER.

We will miss many people here as we have made many friends. But speaking for myself I think I will miss the Hoag family and Sunday School class the most. (Grace CommunityNewlyweds or was it young married couples? Anyway, I qualify for both! )

Of course Stephanie will miss friends she has made at work and around Tyler and Mercy Ships, but with Mercy Ships you tend to bump into them again somewhere on this small planet.

It hasn't been without its struggles preparing for our next adventure but mostly small and insignificant. The most recent being a 'hiccup' in Mercy Ships HR with their need for additional information, which I am sure will straighten itself out...but keep praying for us as we travel to Alabama for the Holidays, then to meet the ship. Also for our financial support as well.

Sad to go, Happy to be continuing on with these great oppurtunities...yeah, Bittersweet.

Range Rover Eulogy

Clifford was a great companion. He was feet above the rest. A site to behold from California to Alabama.

He would take long journeys in silence just to spend time with you. He could help you with bumpy trials in your life. Clifford brought my wife to me over mountains and dessert. He was her protector, confidant, pal, and companion.

He was greatly envied by Surfers, Hunters, wanna-be rappers (...ridin' on 33's) for his commanding presence and sheer elegance among the newer and more popular crowd...

But as 'they' say, 'nothing lasts forever' and Clifford has moved on from our lives, we shall greatly miss him and maybe even feel guilty for 'selling him out'...but he has a better home now, someone who will take care of him...someone who will make him feel useful during this long time we will be away with no promise of returning.

Clifford, we will miss you dear friend!