Where's the BEEF?
Today we have the product known as hamburger. How do we know it's a hamburger? Because it says so, that's why! Below are some pictures of said hamburger product ordered from a facility in Europe. Notice the main ingredient is mechanically separated chicken at 43%...and the rest? Oh well, throw in something edible to 'round out' the rest of the patty...
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...
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.
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.
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