2012 Balanced

I spent the day today reviewing and correcting the 2012 books for the ice cream shop.  Good news is that we have reconciled everything, except for $1200.  Bad news is the loss for 2012.  I am not sure what needs to be done to make this business profitable.  The volume of business is the real issue. 

I am going to finalize the books and then we can determine how the shop can be a sustainable business.  It has been a real learning experience to tackle the books without being an accountant.  Most of the analysis is instinctual.  Sure wish debits and credits weren’t so hard to understand.  The nice thing is QuickBooks is so easy the change. 

I am hoping to have everything complete this week, including the report for February, and then focus on accounting and management procedures to make sure they are set for my departure.  It feels like I have been here for months, but it has been just two weeks…. Amazing. 

The rains are really starting, given we are on the cusp of the rainy season.  I am concerned that I won’t have good weather for all the treks I have planned. 

I am on a mission to find the best ATM rates.  I now have two at 629/625.  I will try my third today.  It is a game for me and I enjoy the challenge.... I must be bored!!!

The food in Rwanda is not very healthy.  I have cereal and salad for lunch, but find it difficult to have a healthy dinner.  I am drawn to chips (French fries) but am really trying to not eat them every day.  Today I had Chinese… Rwandan style Chinese… it was fried noodles with beef.  It was very dark, so I am not sure what I was actually eating, but the very large bottle of beer helps to wash it down.

Not sure I mentioned how good my nails and hair are doing.  It typically happens when I travel to third world countries.  I drink lots of beer!!  I really want to figure out what is in beer that is soooooo good for me. 

I guess my days in Butare are pretty boring; of course, it is better boring than any major catastrophes. 

Have a great evening, Paula