Shorts, Pork and Hugging guys

Well a title like that it can only mean one thing: THE REPUBLIC OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

For those of you who didn't know I made a short jammed packed appaearance on that side of the Atlantic. I was in the states May 4-26. The reason for my visit was my Grandparents 50th anniversary and my presence was a complete surprise to them. Probably my best memory is hearing my Papa in his southern accent say "Well I declare" and then Grandma "Oh my word". They are easily two of my favorite people in the entire world and I wouldn't have wanted to be anywhere else. Without them and their influence in my life I wouldn't be half the young woman I am today. So kudos to you.... love you both and congrats on the big 5-0!!!

Most of my time was spent with my mom and you know that can only mean trouble. We're the same old same old...picking up right where we left off. I was greeted with 2 dozen pink roses at the airport and sent away with freshly polished toes and nails. We shagged whenever my mom would finally give into my pleading. I'm sure the man that lives under us is glad that the beach music has finally stopped. We shopped until we just couldn't take it anymore...and then we shopped for Wyatt. I also had the lovely opportunity to guiniley freak out the people who work at United Way of America. They just kept staring at us both and saying "oh my gosh there is two of them". HEY Melissa & Will!

Speaking of other family I'm happy to report that Wyatt can now run, say Fofo and has a healthy love of farm animals & the outdoors. At one point in Arkansas I called Amina and was obviously speaking in zarma and he flipped out. Jumping up and down and running around the room. I guess someone finally speaks his language. If that gives you an idea of what zarma sounds like... my toddler nephew loves it! Nate as always is still beating me up and thinking he's a cowboy, sweet Jesus when will it ever stop? Uncle Rod still dreams of times when we're in the same room and I'm not hugging him... you know I'm your favorite niece!!!

And no visit home is complete without friends. While mom was on a field trip to Pittsburg with UWoA I made a short visit to Lynchburg, Charlotte and Raliegh. I mostly ran from one friend to another sometimes only spending 2 hours with them but we made it count. I was also able to give a presentation to the entire 8th grade and Tyler Finley's class in Lyncburg. The kids had good questions most notable "Do you like Africa better or America?"... I handled it like a politician and threw in a healthy dose of partial truth to my answer.

My vacation was topped off with a trip to the Outer Banks to spoil Wyatt just a little bit more. And those last few days were the only time I can recall relaxing. But it will be my only trip home during my 2 years here and I can't thank my mom enough for financing said trip.

I wish I had more to say about how the states was different but it was honestly all too much to take in. I nearly cried in the vegetable section at the grocery store. I stopped saying "I feel so clean" at about the same time I was able to sleep a full night indoors...around day 4. I ate everything on my plate because I felt guilty about throwing food away. I can say that it was nice to blend in. Nobody screamed "white girl" to get my attention but at the same time nobody would really look me in the eye on the street. I think once I have some time to mentally process my vacation I'll get back to ya.

I 'm not going to write about any exciting stories... because quite frankly there are too many. Well they may not be exciting to you. So let my express my vacation in numbers:
5...pairs of shoes purchased
4...skirts/dresses purchased
0...days I wore something past my knee caps
6...average # of times I said "Because I can" after following some action like bathing
2... hours spent with Cameron, Ashley C and Sarah Price (sorry you all got the short end of the stick)
3... minutes I would let pass before hugging whoever was in close proximity to me (IN PUBLIC)
1...estimated of number of pigs I consumed
6>lbs<10... class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">pumpkin pie and Grandma's cookin'
10...# of flights to get there/during/return
+60... hours I spent traveling in the past 3 weeks
2...# of flights missed (US Airways is off my Christmas list)
22...vacation days used
1...vacation days earned (from the presentation)
90... degrees when I landed at 2am! (this is my reality)
6... inches cut off my hair
2...new pierced ears!
2...pedicures & manicures
1...injuries sustained...broken toe (don't ask)
3...times I cried (I can barely believe it myself)
<100... class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Ipod
3...new books purchased (GRE Study Guide, Anne Lammont, 9/11 commission report)
14...months left in Niger


3...people waiting in line to use this computer *sigh*