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.

It's nothing huge, just the fate of the world.

Right now I'm sitting in the "study bubble" in our dorm hall. Obviously, I am not studying. I'm people watching and reminiscing about my day. Not much of a day but I feel I got a lot done.

I woke up and went to the last Writing As Critical Thinking class of the semester (can I get a woot woot?)!! Got a B+ over all and I feel good about it! Muwahahaha. Did some Christmas shopping and due to the sensitive nature of the information contained I cannot post on this blog that which I bought or that which was looked upon with consideration. Sorry guys.... No peeky peeky here. Haha! *ahem* So I also learned that I cannot cash checks in Kirksville which makes for an awkward moment with the cashier at the bank. But crisis averted and all is well. Got the problem sorted out an I should have my money soon.

I am also slightly disturbed at the elections in D.R.C... Postponed for another day? Really Congo? How hard is this? Count the votes, elect winner. End of story. Thank you and goodnight.

Ok. So this current paragraph is being written at 2:37am (central U.S time) on 12/9/2011.

Thought I'd touch up my post before it hit the internet. With what? I don't know. But really what's on my mind right now is the sheer amount of intolerance that is out there towards Christians. Especially Christians in politics. People may say that we should separate church and state but that does not mean taking God out of the equation. The church is an organised group autonomous from the state but both fall under God's command. It's fine and dandy to ignore the truly religious minority (and those that are, are becoming more and more rare) and generalize Christians with all the other Christians; but say a Muslim is like all other Muslims and they all blow things up will likely get you sued, shot, hate mail or all of the above. Say the same thing about Jews and you're suddenly Hitler. Say it about the GBLT and you're intolerant in the highest degree. But, say anything you want about Christianity and you're golden, you're praised, you might even be given a Nobel prize. Regardless of your beliefs, I'm sure that as an intelligent individual you can see the target. It's simply not fair and it needs to stop.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PAJNntoRgA

Can't you see that it's just rainin', ain't no need to go outside...

Well, if you can deduct from the title, today was a cloudy, rainy day. But surprisingly, not too cold. I woke up, and it was raining which resulted in the instant desire to burrow back under the covers and go back to sleep. So I did, because I didn't have class today. :) Anyways, that said, I only slept in until about 10-10:30, at which point I decided to get up and get online, check Facebook and such, went to lunch, and then decided to go to town. I was in a pretty good mood, and I popped in my earphones and jammed all the way there on the bus. You don't need to know the boring details of what I did in town, but I will say this...if you have a giant gash on one of your fingers, DO NOT, I repeat do NOT go get a manicure. They will put nail polish remover and cuticle sticks all up in there without even thinking that they may be making you want to cry. But, all in all, at least my nails look prettiful.

When I got back from town, I got to Skype with almost my entire family, (minus a brother), which was really nice. Then I headed to the Bridge for dinner, and have been working/chilling/skyping with said missing brother since. All my finals are due on Friday, and then I am officially done with my first semester of college! I think celebration will be in order. But now, with the rain pattering on my window, I think I should get some rest.

Side note: Congo election results are posted today at 6pm EST, or midnight Kinshasa time. Please keep Congo in your thoughts and prayers, and hope that no violence befalls the beautiful country.

With that, goodnight, folks. I will post again on Saturday!