A metaphor for this Micronesian life.

I was sitting at my kitchen table reading a book, and I looked up to realize that everything on this table is representative of our life right now.

Here is the photo.

The Metaphor

Here is the explanation (clockwise, from left):

1. The quintessential book on medical schools in the U.S.
(Nick is researching.)

2. An empty water jug.
(Life Lesson: Don't take clean water for granted.)

3. Ritz crackers on a container of tuna next to a jar of spicy Korean condiment paste.
(Tuna, the culinary highlight of Palau.)

4. My journal.
(Therapy through ink.)

5. The latest edition of The Economist.
(Craving intellectual stimulation and news of the outside world.)

6. Seed packets to help start a community garden.
(Secondary Peace Corps projects in-progress.)
7. The remote control to our iPod speakers.
(One of our most treasured possessions. Thanks Allan!)
8. A cup of decaf green tea.
(Calming, stress-relieving herbs of the gods.)
9. Smack in the middle of a good book, The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down.
(PCVs <3 books.)