Ok so it's finally started raining around here which means it has gotten a lot cooler. The other day it got down to the mid 80s...and I know that doesn't seem very cool, but let me tell you....it's a wonderful thing. What I didn't really think about coming with the rain was all the bugs:
bugs that are small
bugs that are big
bugs that are huge
bugs that crawl
bugs that fly
bugs that bite
bugs that sting
bugs that stink
bugs that leave blisters if they touch your skin, bugs that eat holes into your clothes, bugs that make the most annoying noises known to man, bugs that are kamikaze and fly straight for your head, bugs that are itchy, bugs that are so small you can feel them crawling on you but you never actually see them, bugs that are very hard to kill even after many blows.
Let's just say, I have become extremely thankful for window screens....at least they keep the huge ones out most of the time.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Monday, June 22, 2009
Back To Breaking Things
A couple days ago, my roommate was on her way to go put some more oil in the generator. She got tied up with a visitor so I said I would do it. I had seen it done before I pretty much knew I had it under control. I opened up the proper spot and started pouring. Well I figure that once I got enough oil, I would start to be able to see it coming near the top of where I was pouring. It never did so I just kept on pouring, until I emptied out our oil container. I then checked the oil dipstick and noticed that the whole stick was covered. Now I've never really seen it that high before, so thankfully, I went to ask my roommate what she thought of my oil pouring skills. She immediately shook her head and told me I had put way to much oil in the generator and could really mess it up if i turned it on with that much oil inside (good thing I didn't turn it on). Apparently you have to keep checking the oil level with the dipstick as you're adding it...and not just eyeball it. The roomie said she thought I knew how to do it. I told her I thought I did too. Anyway, we had to wait for someone to come drain all the excess oil...and he couldn't help but shake his head at me too.
The very next day I was doing laundry. I was on my way to the clothes line with a tub of wet laundry when I stepped in a hole and fell down scattering my clean clothes. Well, the hole was there because earlier we had a leaky water pipe in the spot that had to be dug out and fixed. Guess who's big foot broke the pipe when she fell in the hole and sent water spewing in all directions....yep it was me. I ran and turned the water off, waited for the pipe and hole to dry, then fixed it the only way I knew how.....lots of duct tape. Currently the pipe is just slowly dripping (which I consider a victory) but we'll see how long my handy work lasts. With my track record, I'd say I only have a few more minutes. I'm starting to get a complex that everything I'm near falls apart.
The very next day I was doing laundry. I was on my way to the clothes line with a tub of wet laundry when I stepped in a hole and fell down scattering my clean clothes. Well, the hole was there because earlier we had a leaky water pipe in the spot that had to be dug out and fixed. Guess who's big foot broke the pipe when she fell in the hole and sent water spewing in all directions....yep it was me. I ran and turned the water off, waited for the pipe and hole to dry, then fixed it the only way I knew how.....lots of duct tape. Currently the pipe is just slowly dripping (which I consider a victory) but we'll see how long my handy work lasts. With my track record, I'd say I only have a few more minutes. I'm starting to get a complex that everything I'm near falls apart.
Friday, June 19, 2009
But it's a Dry Heat...Yeah, Whatever!
I pride my self on being from the south. Yeah we talk funny, but it's a great place to call home. I grew up in eastern North Carolina where in the middle of July and August, you have to cut your way through the humidity. It gets so humid that it takes your breath away when you first go outside, and there is no use in trying to fix your hair because it's just gonna end up looking like a frizz ball.
Now when I heard about temperatures out west reaching well over 100 degrees, my friends and I would look at each other and say yeah, but it's a dry heat. I have to admit that we said it with kind of a snooty attitude as well. Sure it was a little hot over there, but nothing could compare to an August day with 125% humidity. I never had much sympathy for those dry heat people until I moved to Africa.
It only took me a couple days here to figure out that when it's 120 degrees outside everyday, it doesn't matter if it's wet, dry, or just a little damp.....it's HOT and that's all there is too it. so I'm sorry for all my snooty "but it's a dry heat comments." It will take a long time for that phrase to ever come out of my mouth again. When it's blazing hot, it's blazing hot.....no matter if your hair is beginning to frizz or not.
Now when I heard about temperatures out west reaching well over 100 degrees, my friends and I would look at each other and say yeah, but it's a dry heat. I have to admit that we said it with kind of a snooty attitude as well. Sure it was a little hot over there, but nothing could compare to an August day with 125% humidity. I never had much sympathy for those dry heat people until I moved to Africa.
It only took me a couple days here to figure out that when it's 120 degrees outside everyday, it doesn't matter if it's wet, dry, or just a little damp.....it's HOT and that's all there is too it. so I'm sorry for all my snooty "but it's a dry heat comments." It will take a long time for that phrase to ever come out of my mouth again. When it's blazing hot, it's blazing hot.....no matter if your hair is beginning to frizz or not.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Giraffe Kisses
I'm on vacation!! I'm out of the desert and have been hanging out in Kenya! It has been so great so far, and so green.....there's trees everywhere here. It's been awesome to have a break, hang out, and eat lots and lots. The first day I was here I had chicken quesadillas, an ice cream sundae, cheeseburger and fries, and some chocolate pie my mom brought me...I know--amazing. I kinda haven't stopped eating like that either, but you can't be ashamed about it during vacation. I've gotten to see a lot of friends along the way which has been so great. I'm so thankful for the chance to catch up with old friends....tried to think of something profound to describe the moment, but it's not really working.
Probably the funniest moment of the trip was when I kissed a giraffe. Yep sure did. There's a really cool giraffe park right in Nairobi, and you stand on this platform which makes you eye level with the giraffe. They let you feed them and although their tongue is super long and slimy...it's a pretty good time for everybody involved. Well the guy who worked at the park put a piece of food in his mouth to get a giraffe kiss. I couldn't let him show me up...
As you can see I've had a pretty interesting vacation. Thanks to all who sent me cards and pictures through my parents...they mean more than you will ever know!!
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Kiss the Rain
So I experienced my first rain yesterday in over 6 months. I was really excited to see it. Me and the roommates just went out and played in it. We let ourselves get soaked to the bone and when the wind blew, we would marvel at the fact that we had chill bumps on our arms. It was the first time in so long I've genuinely been cold. I wanted to go put on a jacket just because I could have worn it without sweating, but I decided to enjoy being cold instead. We danced around singing "Kiss the Rain," even though we could only remember those 3 words....so we just kinda sang them over and over again.
It was a fun afternoon, and really refreshing that I can truly appreciate something like a big rain. I mean I've always liked rain, enjoy the smell, like watching clouds roll in, but I don't think I've ever been thankful enough for it to just stand outside in the midst of it...to run and play..and take pictures...and just be a part of a moment that before had just been a routine occurrence. I'm not saying that I appreciate everything like I should....there's stuff to be a part of everyday and to simply enjoy it.......but yesterday, I was a part of the rain....and it was amazing.
It was a fun afternoon, and really refreshing that I can truly appreciate something like a big rain. I mean I've always liked rain, enjoy the smell, like watching clouds roll in, but I don't think I've ever been thankful enough for it to just stand outside in the midst of it...to run and play..and take pictures...and just be a part of a moment that before had just been a routine occurrence. I'm not saying that I appreciate everything like I should....there's stuff to be a part of everyday and to simply enjoy it.......but yesterday, I was a part of the rain....and it was amazing.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
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.
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.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
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!!
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