7 April 2007 (19:47)
Happy Easter Dear Family and Friends!
I am absolutely radiant right now… due in large part to the sun burn across my arms and chest from a day at the beach! I am also in high spirits from the good energy of this first few days in Freetown. The mission team and other observers are all experienced and quite professional (see second picture). We are bonding through discussion and social events. They are a fun bunch!!!
My new team partner is a woman from Zimbabwe named Maud (see first picture). She is a very nice woman with a sweet sounding voice. Her experience stems from training diplomats and handling human rights cases in her country. She is also a total mom and making sure I am safe and sound. I would she is maybe in her late-40s or early-50s but her appearance makes a sure guess difficult. She has two teenage daughters and a husband back home and talks about her girls all the time. I think we will make a good team! In fact, we already have a nickname… I am “Team” and she is “Supreme” and together we are “Team Supreme”!!! =D
We will be responsible for the Bo District in the center of the country and based in the second largest city called Bo Town. Our house is a former UN compound and we hear it is decent and comfortable with AC, furniture, several rooms, a generator, and a full kitchen. We might be able to arrange for a housekeeper/cook from the family who takes care of the facilities. Our organization wants us to be as comfortable as possible since we will be in place for the next four months. I am optimistic for setting-up a good base and entertaining guests from time-to-time.
The situation in country looks positive at this time but the election is in late-July and much can happen between here and there. We will start building relationships and getting to know all the various government officials and local organizations in our area and then gauge the political environment. We are both excited to start working next week when we deploy on Wednesday. The good news is we will have plenty of down time to take care of personal (i.e., academic) projects and interests.
Everything else is great and I look forward to a Saturday night dinner and maybe going out dancing! 
Life is fun and should be enjoyed! I feel really good being here and contributing to this electoral process!!!
All the best from Freetown, Robert.
P.S. For those inclined to text message, I can be reached at [n/a]