Overdue and overly brief update...AND HAPPY NEW YEARS

It’s been a while since I have updated my blog. So many stories and images are in my mind and my mind alone. It is time I attempted to share them through word. I will write this in present tense as each spark and thought that enters my mind will appear in the following paragraphs. I am thinking of which story to tell first, I have stopped thinking as the answer to the said question is as clear as day. I must talk about what has been at the forefront of my mind and tickling my heart for the past several weeks. No, it is not Christmas is Orodara, no, it is not New Years in Ouagadougou, no, it is not the dusty taxi rides nor my well manicured garden. No, it is not the camping excursions, no, it is not my love for teaching nor is it the intensity of joy that I experience spending time with my fellow teachers. Each one of these things deserves a story of their own. Frankly, those stories will probably all remain in my brain and my brain alone. However, the seminal event that has stolen the stage the past couple of days is the arrival of my beloved mother and beautiful older sister. I should clarify and correct the previous statement be saying that I have greatly anticipated the EXPECTED arrival of my mom and sis. To make a long story short, to completely place to the wayside intense anxiety and to save words and time, visa troubles delayed the arrival of my loved ones three days. Many panicked phone calls and pulled strings later, they will be arriving January 2nd, two days from this moment. I have been living at Rouamba’s house, Rouamba being best friend and fellow teacher, sleeping on a dirty short couch and eating to with mystery sauce, awaiting their arrival. The hospitality was warm but the only thing colder and smellier than the food was the latrine bucket baths. An upgrade was in order. Voila, I am staying in a volunteer frat house, more or less, using speedy wireless internet and sipping jack and coke. The whole experience is lovely and bizarre at the same time. I will leave you with this as the volunteers in front of me have finished watching their episode of Glee. Pray for the safety and health for my mom and sister as they travel around the world to see my new life in the fourth poorest country in the world. What a blessing it is to have a family that loves me so much. The rest of my blessings aside, of which there are many, my loving family is enough to sleep easy.

First Month at Site