Things I've Learned After Six Months in Africa

1. I'm much more selfish than I thought.
2. Learning a new language is one of the hardest things I've had to do.
3. Sleeping on a cot under the big African sky full of stars is way better than in a comfortable bed.
4. Water does the same thing no matter what temperature it is. Cold water is really good, but warm/hot water is just as refreshing.
5. You can do without just about anything.....but running water is the hardest to not have.
6. Everything is a process....whether it is buying groceries or getting a glass of water.
7. It is possible to sweat all 24 hours of a day.
8. I long for pictures from home or a Chic-Fil-A sandwich way more than I ever wanted a new outfit or the latest pair of shoes.
9. It takes repeated blows by a shoe to kill a scorpion....they usually don't go down on the first swing.
10. Thinking about my friends or family get me through the hard days.
11. I can't get through this by myself.
12. In the right sauce, stomach and liver don't really taste that bad.
13. Attitude is everything.
14. For the time being, I'm where I'm supposed to be.
15. I can't wait for the day that I'll be cold again.
16. I need to be more generous....with time, with things, with everything.
17.African kids are cuter....they just are.
18. I have to take one day at a time....more than that gets too overwhelming to think about.
19. Living in close community is difficult and frustrating, but I wouldn't want it any other way.
20. Wearing a huge tent-like dress actually keeps you cooler, and you learn to get over the fact that you look like a tent.
21. Some days, the only thing that keeps me here is the reason I came in the first place.
22. There is so much more to learn.

How Bout them Heels?

This is just a little tribute to the 2009 NCAA Men's Basketball Champions. I knew Roy and the boys would pull through. I am a bit disappointed that they waited until I was out of the country and unable to see any of the games to go all the way....but I'll talk to Roy later about that and I should be over it soon. And I won a bet because of it and everything (refer to previous blog).....so amazing. Everyone hum the fight song for me, look up at that great Carolina Blue sky and smile, and someone send me a championship t-shirt and a copy of the game. Go Heels!!