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

Weekend shenanigans

Well. This weekend was just a barrel of fun! I went and saw Donald Glover live, I went to a huge party (to which Glover showed up!) and I was reminded just how weak and un-educated us men are when it comes to women. I shall begin at the start.

So, Donald Glover. Many of you may know him from the show "Community"? Well that's the first place I heard of him. And since then I've learned that he's a rapper and a stand up comic! And he's hilarious! I mean yeah, a lot of his jokes were a bit off color but most of it was just straight up funny. Although....the guy who opened for him was crude and not as funny. But that's what openers are for right? Making the next guy look good (or better at least).

So after that I went out to a party with some friends. A charming place called the Aquadome. Sketchiest place I think I've ever seen. The floor and walls shook in increments measurable in inches with the beat of the bass as we all danced. Very fun. We danced, laughed, jumped on a bed watched crazy people do questionable things and made memories to last at least until next weekend! We got there around 11:00pm and reluctantly left around 3:00am for a long walk home. Good times in K-ville, good times.

Also, I've recently started talking to my ex-girlfriend, and things are quite weird, at least for me. I'd like to think of myself as a pretty articulate guy, but when it comes to telling her how I feel I can't seem to get it out. I love her still but I can't tell her because I want her too be happy as she is. Not a day goes by when I don't wish things could have been different between her and I and I can't stand it. I know she's happier single and without the heavy burden of a long distance relationship but I still feel the way I do. I've never fallen this hard for anyone before and I hope my words can make a difference. Like I said, I somehow can never tell her this in person because I'm a guy and women can turn even the bravest of men into the most cowardly lions.