I had Christmas down in Africa!

I suppose it's time that I blog about my experience back home. Let me just say- it was amazing. I loved being home, seeing my family, seeing my boyfriend, but I think one of the things I really loved, was being back in the country of the DRC. (No, that's not the Dominican Republic. I get that a lot.) It never dropped below, let's say, 76 or 80 while I was there. It was sunny most of the time. I could wear shorts, and my two-piece in the middle of December. Anyways, what I'm trying to get at is that I loved being back.

So! Let me think. Oh yes. The day I left. Just so you all know, I am a horrible packer. I always pack too much, or my suitcase is too heavy. So this time, I was determined to make it under 50 lbs. And I did! I got to the airport early, I was bouncing with happiness! And then when I got to the counter, the clerk checked in my one bag, gave me my ticket, and just as I was walking away, said, "I think your carry-on is too heavy". My immediate reaction was "LOL no it's not. I weighed it, 'foo." Buuuuut then she said that my carry on and my personal item were only allowed to weigh 12 pounds. Together. O_O So yeah. I think, as an international traveler, the most humiliating thing you can be made to do is unpack your entire suitcase at the check-in counter. Just sayin'. But I was determined not to let anything ruin my mood. I was going home!! I unpacked, re-packed, packed-in, packed-up....and ended up just checking my carry on anyways. I had my shoulder bag, and that's what I needed. I met up with an old friend in the airport, got my last Starbucks before getting on the plane, and despite all the caffeine in my system, the minute the wheels were up, I was out. I slept for most of the plane ride (I always do, it's a skill.) and then I watched a movie, and went back to sleep.

We touched down in Paris at the ungodly hour of 6 a.m. when none of the shops are open. Let me explain something for those of you who have never traveled to Africa. In each airport that is in Europe, there is what we TCK's endearingly call 'The Africa Terminal'. This terminal is the crappiest in the whole airport. They kind of stick you in there, with a very limited amount of things to do, and an even more limited amount of space to roam. But, you get used to it and it really isn't so bad. I plugged in my computer and alternated between sleep and facebook until it was time for my flight to Congo, by which time I couldn't stop smiling. People must have thought I was crazy. This flight, I slept most of the way again, but when they told us 5 minutes to touchdown I was WIDE awake. And grinning. Again.

We touched down and I immediately texted my mom and my boyfriend (who had come to pick me up at the airport), forgetting that the president had banned texting in a preemptive effort to stop election violence. The minute I stepped off the plane, I knew I was home, because...the heat...the sweat....holy crap. Massachusetts winter ≠ Congo summer. But I was wearing light clothes, so it wasn't too bad. I flew through customs, got my own bags (protocol didn't show), and ran outside to where my mom and my boyfriend's dad were waiting. After hugging them both and heading over to the car, I saw my - you know what, I'm tired of typing 'boyfriend'. His name is Daniel, not to be confused with Josh's Daniel who is much too young for me. Anyways, Daniel and his sister were waiting for me by the car, and after huge hugs from the both of them, we were headed home. They both slept over on campus that night, one at my house one at my brother's house. I must say, it was an awesome homecoming indeed.

The rest of break was great, as well. I had a reunion lunch with a bunch of people from my senior class that was nice, we all missed each other, I think. Christmas morning I woke up super early, but I knew something was wrong with my mom because it was 10 a.m. and she still wasn't out of bed. She was sick, but she got out of bed to open her presents anyways, which was nice of her. I think she loved them. I had Christmas dinner at Daniel's house, which was interesting. Diplomats and army guys...anyways, I dressed up - I love to dress up. Giving him his Christmas presents was also pretty cool. Then my brother (Alykhan) and I hosted a New Year's party, with half of the festivities being at his house, but the countdown and (fake) champagne poppage at the pool. The girls (my brother's girlfriend Jennifer and our friend Clarissa) spent the night at my house, while the boys (that Josh mentioned) spent the night at my brother's house. We were up until a good 4:30 in the morning. It was a hectic few days, but it was all pretty awesome. My other brother (Nat) came home a couple days after New Years (he had been evacuated because of elections). It was nice to see him. A week later, school started for my high-school buddies, and a week after that, it was time for me to head back to Amherst.

The Friday before I left, Me, two of my three brothers, Daniel's sister Kaity, and I went out for dinner at a shmancy restau' called Limoncello, with an evening at a lounge called Spice afterwards. It was all pretty nice, we had a good time, laughing and talking the entire time. Then on Sunday, I went to Daniel's house and said my goodbyes, sobbed a bit because I was (and still am) confused about my life, and headed to the airport both Daniel and my mom. Right as they called me for boarding, I burst into tears again, but once I got on the plane I was okay. I remember what Daniel said to me: "Keep your chin up." and I've been trying to do just that.

Being back isn't so bad. It snowed the night I got in, but it melted the next day. I'm still counting down the weeks until I can go home again, but hey, it works for me.

A little note about going home after you've been at college for a bit: I think you tend to appreciate everything more. Especially your family. It was nice being able to see my mom, get home cooked meals (NOT Sodexo!) and even arguing with her all felt so familiar. It was nice to see my little array of people I call my family: my brothers, Alykhan, Nat, and Josh, my sister Kaity, and my boyfriend Daniel...the people that matter to you...maybe it's just me, but I guess you really realize how good something was when it's gone, and it makes you appreciate it so much more when you get it back. Even my dog and cat seemed nicer to me, haha.

Anyways, last semester was sort of disastrous, but...it's 2012!! and I am determined to look at this year with a positive note. It's going to be hard, but I'm going to put in all that I can to make it work. My schedule is hectic with several back to back schedules, but I'm sure that I can manage it. Daniel encourages me: "If anyone can make it through, it's you." So...I'm remaining positive.

I know it's been a long post, but let me just end with a quote I came up with a while back, that I still like to remember from time to time: "Carpe Diem. No time for regrets."

Home is where I want to be.

"Well, I'm home." - Sam Wise Gamgee. Couldn't have said it better myself. I don't know what it is about this semester but I feel great about it! I think I can largely attribute it to the emotional, physical and spiritual re-charge I got over Christmas break. So good! I got to see almost all of my old friends and we hung out at our old stomping grounds, but what I think really did it for me, was the time I spent with my family. My Mom and I still talk and such like good friends, Emily is the best little sister ever and I'm glad that we've stopped fighting so much, Daniel, man, well, he's a red-headed son of a missions wife so he's going to be special in all sorts of awesome ways. And then there's my dad. I think I went through a period of time when I didn't really appreciate what he did for us and the effort it took and I'm not proud of it, but in recent months I feel like I've come to understand who he is and just how much he has helped me and worked hard so that I can goo to this school and type these things and do what I want to do to become who I want to be. He's an amazing man and father. My family is one of a kind and I wouldn't trade them for anything. Where ever they are I think will always be home for me. But I also live here in the U.S of A. and this is my home as well. They say that home is where the hear is and I would agree. The thing is, I've had the luxury of living many different places and I love almost every single one of them. If I could live everywhere, I would. But I also could be happy living in one place. Such is the life of a TCK.

And now here is a little something I wrote in Kinshasa with te intention of posting, but I forgot with all that was going on. I'll let you know when I'm typing in the present again.

"My trip over here was eventful to put it mildly. It all started when I woke up on Saturday morning thinking my plane left St. Louis U.S.A at 3:00pm. Something prompted me to re-check my schedule and I found the my plane did not leave at that time, but it left at 12:00pm. At this point, I look at the clock and note that it is 10:45am. And using the fastest times I've ever had I get 30 min to pack two bags, 20 min to the airport, 10 min to check in, 10 min walking through the airport, 20-40 min for security and then maybe I'll get there on time. Do the math and that's nearly two hours... and 10:45am plus two hours is much later than 12:00pm. So due to my inability to control the space time continuum in a manner that would not effect everyone adversely I missed my flight to Washington D.C. Fortunately, that's a popular location and there was another flight out there soon enough for me to make it on and also make my connection in D.C to Brussels. After paying $70 to the nice man at the kiosk and booking it to my gate I assumed I was out of the weather. Come to find out, I was only going to have around 15 min in the D.C airport to get to my gate. I don't know how many readers out there have been in this particular airport but it's MASSIVE with a capital big." (back to 2012) so yeah. Big airport, no time, running like a scared tourist with a illegal souvenir. Fortunately for me, I don't panic easily so I made it there quickly and on time. the rest of the flight went smoothly and I arrived in Kinshasa unscathed and sleep deprived. That's when I learned they had lost my luggage... Three days later, I got it and all was well.

During the trip I had to many adventures to count so I'll talk about one of the biggest: The New Years Eve Party. Oh man do we know how to party. Passion fruits, dancing the can-can, fooze-ball, pool, swimming, countdowns, movies, food and more food. It was insane! I have my good buddy Alykhan to thank for it. Along with Daniel, Michael, J.D, Momo, and, to a lesser exstent Amilio and Arman. Thanks guys! I didn't mention the girls because I'll leave that to Shanti. Can't let me have all the fun.

The flight home was ok I guess. Boring and long. I got the St. Louis and guess what?! My luggage was missing!!! Yes. I lost my luggage both ways... I don't know what it is about my bag in particular but they like to not put them on the plane. Perhaps to look through my things and take the cool stuff. I lost an electric razor and two sets of headphones on the way there... Not cool. And I know it's an American worker who did it because they got past my TSA locks... Just goes to show that it's not the location that makes people corrupt. It's the person.

On a lighter note. I'm done with homework for the night and tomorrow is looking good so I'll sign off with this: Home is where the heart is, but my heart is where I want to be.

If there was a fish that could fly, would his name be Harry or George?

I'm not even going to discuss what time it is right now. If you want to know simply look below at the time stamp below the post.... You back? Ok good. Yeah, I know it's absurd but I can explain. A really long night on reading day eve (aka: biggest party night of the year) plus sleeping in until 3pm today plus having to re-write 4 different papers for my WACT class plus packing and cleaning and all that equals this hour. I'd have gone to bed by now but I'm waiting on my laundry to get finished and then all will be well. And in case, you're wondering, my papers did get finished and I'm happy with all of them! =) (and that is the last emoticon you will ever see me use on this blog).

And in other news we will soon have a new author: Cassie! She is another TCK and she also happens to be one of my close friends and she graduated with Shanti and I from The international School Of Kinshasa, or, TASOK. I'll refrain from saying to much about her lest she have nothing new to say when she gets here but just know that she's a great person and we should all give her a warm welcome!

Speaking of this blog, I'm reminded of other blogs. Three to be exact. This one: http://coolbeans3.blogspot.com is written by my mom. She's an amazing lady and a talented writer and a mother of three. All that and she can post on the internet? What madness is this? That's right guys, my mom rocks! Another blog that's actually pretty new to the internet is this one: http://alexaestelle.blogspot.com/ and it's run by one of my good friends Lexi. She's pretty awesome herself and she used to go to college with me (long story, maybe later). And the last one I have for you today is this blog: http://shepherdandsheep.wordpress.com/ by my good buddy Zach. He's a Shepherd and is that wasn't cool enough he's pretty much the go-to guy at the BSU which is AWESOME to say the least. And perhaps now that I've posted their blogs maybe I'll get a mention or two? Well.... guys?

And alas tomorow (fine....today) marks my last day of this semester. I have a meeting at 8:00am and a final in my theater class at 12:30pm. So a bit more time to pack in there and then I'll be off to my Grandpa's for Thursday night, then I'll go to my Aunt's house in St. Louis on Friday. Then, on Saturday. my plane leaves!!! And 30 or so hours from there I'll be home!!! And sadly I very likely will not be posting while due to bad internet and busy schedule. But I promise I'll keep a log and post when I get back as I'm sure Shanti will as well and possibly Cassie. But this can be a good thing for you guys! You see. If we don't post then you wont read and then you can enjoy your break by spending time with your friends and family instead of reading the most awesome blog on the planet! See how great this is!?

So this is me saying sianara, chao, adios, aurevior and goodbye for now. I'll see you either in a day or so, or maybe a month. Time will tell. Merry Christmas and a happy new year guys! Take Care!

Ps. We just broke 500 total page views! #party

my stupid, logger-headed, hasty-witted, canker-blossom of a phone

Sometimes a day will open with a sigh and close with the exhale. Kinda like today. I woke up, was on my way downstairs for some tasty coffee and I had the misfortune of looking out the window and seeing some strange powdery white stuff on the ground. My mind was thinking powdered sugar or cocaine or something when I realized that the people outside not only looked miserable but also cold, very cold. Then, my product-of-Florida-and-D.R.C brain arrived at the conclusion that what I was seeing was neither of the aforementioned things. But in fact, frozen bits of H2O that had come from the sky; or (as most non-science majors call it) snow. I would have given up and gone back to bed right then but my class in really only 80 feet from my front door.... Figured I had to at this point. So I showed up with a doughnut and coffee (much to the envy of everyone). Then I returned to my dorm and went back to sleep thinking of waking at 12:30pm right? Wrong, my stupid, logger-headed, hasty-witted, canker-blossom of a phone decided that it was only going to go off on Sundays......So I woke up at 3:30.... Fully refreshed but behind. Moral of this story: Move to Florida and don't assume the intelligence of your mobile device.

On a slightly more personal and certainly more important note: Congo election results are being announced today. Really hoping there's no violence this time and praying for a smooth transition of power or a secure maintenance of the current leader. It's not really like he's done a bad job, he just has a lot to work with a lot working against him.

AN: I have just been informed that the results have been delayed 24 hours.

Perfectly Melancholy

You know those times when songs meet mood combined with the weather? I'm sure most of you do. But think of it like the idea of Christmas music with snow on the ground. But it happened to me the other day and it was simply beautiful. It was a misty, cold and rainy Sunday morning. I was listening to Mayday Parade's new album and something just clicked. I was thinking heavily about home and the potential for trouble there and I was also thinking about some recent and rather upsetting life events between both me and my friends. But those whole moment was just so beautiful I just stopped (I was standing in the middle of the road....) and prayed. It was a simple prayer and I'm not sure I could even tell you in words what I said. But it was certainly heartfelt and I would do it again anytime.

And ever since then I haven't been quite able to shake the melancholic feeling. I think I'm slightly homesick or something. Maybe I'm tired (staying up till 2am will do that when it's 5 days a week). But a shout out to all those reading this between freshman and senior high school years... Enjoy your sleep while you have it. You think you don't have any now. Oh man. It gets worse. >:]