Cruising Around

I met up with my friends Trina, Michelle, and Kelley the other day for a cruise around the Seattle area. (We all taught 4th Grade together in my former school district.) We added more good memories to our friendship with a cruise around Lake Union, through the Ballard Locks, out to Puget Sound and back to the city. Good times!

"I Will Not Leave Africa Without You!"

Wrapping up some loose ends here...

Uncle Frank's visit was super! In reality, we had hardly seen each other in 2+ years, so this was long overdue. And, now that we've both spent the intense time together that we did in Senegal, our relationship will never be the same again (in a good way!). My experience in Africa will always hold the memory of his visit. He made me laugh, I thoroughly enjoyed his cooking, and I appreciate how he notices the details of people and life.

On our way from Dakar to Seattle earlier this month, some of our flights were delayed and others canceled because of the complications with the East Coast snow storm. At one point, I thought we might need to split up and take different flights (i.e., he would travel before me with a different airline). My uncle keep saying, "I will not leave Africa without you! I promised your mom I'd bring you home." Well, we did made it back together.

Thank you, Uncle Frank, for visiting me.

Home VS. Senegal

How quickly one adjusts to a new environment.

I wouldn’t rate this as my strong suit (a quick adaptation to anything), yet I can see that I have done it because it is inevitable. You don’t realize, until you return somewhere familiar, how you’ve grown accustomed to something else.

Weather and cold temperature aside, there are so many things I’ve noticed about my homeland that I had forgotten in a new one:

• The water out of the tap can be extremely cold (Senegal: it is always lukewarm to blazing hot)

• So many cars – especially SUV’s, barely any people walking around (Senegal: the streets are flooded with people at all hours)

• Coffee shops on every second corner!! (Senegal: corner shops/mini marts abound)**

• Flat, manageable hair (Senegal: moist air always has my hair strutting its stuff)

• Blue jeans and sneakers as the dress of choice (Senegal: tradition dress and bright colors)

• Facial hair on older men (Senegal: none really)

**I've NEVER grown used to the lack of coffee shops (or forgotten about them). I simply had to mention this because it is one of the best things about Seattle!

Exercise Videos

In the second video, notice the guy hopping in the background. Highly effective exercise (focus: hamstrings) called the Backward Bunny Hop.

Exercise Obsessed

I've been wanting to write a blog entry like this for a long time, but I've just been waiting for the evidence to write it properly. Let me say it simply - the Senegalese people are exercise-obsessed! All times of day and temperature level, you'll see the people of Dakar (mainly men) jogging around the city. Not only that, but they stop to 'pump it up' as well. Their pump it up activities could include digging trenches to do push-ups or jumping up with both legs splayed in front of them - v position - and then touching their outstretched legs with their arms (my personal favorite because I don't understand how easy they make it look!). They seem to do all the activities with ease. I hurt just watching it all!

Fun Times #3 - Tomorrow...

... I go home. I CANNOT wait.

That is #3!

Fun Times #2 - My Birthday

#2: My birthday was a couple of days ago. Another year passing me by...

This year it started with Senegalese smores on the beach with the Kelletts (colored marshmallows that tasted like Smarties, and cookie digestives in place of graham crackers) - I tell you the truth, they were delicious!

Then, a few of us met up at Sao Brasil for some yummy pizza. Bex, Gabbie, and Heather got the MOST amazing chocolate cake for me to end the meal. I loved it all!!

Fun Times #1 - Cookies

So many fun things have been going on lately...

#1: Holiday Cookie Decorating Party compliments of Stacey

Lac Rose Videos

Lac Rose

Lac Rose is a 'pink' tinted lagoon where salt is mined close to Dakar. A group of 10 of us drove there in style...instead of taking the clogged roads out of Dakar, we drove the entire way along the beach next to the ocean. It was unreal to say the least!! During the drive there and back, we drove through about 20 soccer games on the beach, saw sheep being cleaned in the water, had dogs chase our vehicles on several occasions, drove through sand dunes, had a picturesque lunch, and even had a scare with my car. (I got a little too crazy crashing over the waves, took on some water in my engine, and then had to remove my air filter to dry it in order to get my car working again!) To sum it up, it was a very cool day.

Birthday #2...Dedicated to MOM

Happy Birthday, MOM!!! Today my mom is approximately 52...inside. She keeps young with her passion for hobbies and caring for others.

I can't wait to see you in 7 days. Love you, Anya!

Sunset Photos

Happy Birthday, Adam!

It is my brother Adam's birthday today!!!!!!

These are some pictures from a few years ago (actually one of my birthdays in Seattle, although I can't remember which number of birthday it was!)...they really highlight the nature of my relationship with him. There was a lot of 'playful' beating on Crystal when I was younger, but I always seemed to come out with a smile on my face. Things haven't changed much.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, bro! I miss you!

Orca

I adopted a new kitten that I've named Orca. She is such a lovely little thing...loves to play with her mouse toy and is very affectionate.

Saly

Saly is a 'resort' town about 2 hours south of Dakar. I went there with a few friends over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. We rented a villa with 4 bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, and a small swimming pool. It was super relaxing...and the beach was a short 3 minute walk away. The differences between Dakar and Saly? For one, there's not as much trash around Saly. Another noticeable difference is that a lot of the shops in town have more of a western look to them.

Tabaski

Today was Tabaski. Muslisms celebrate this holiday in commemoration of Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son to demonstrate obedience to God. So, they sacrifice a sheep and have a feast with family members. You'll see an influx of sheep around this time of the year...those waiting on the side of the road, ready to be sold. Others already sold and being transported on the top of busses and cars. Priceless.

Three Thoughts

Well, a few items are simultaneously happening here...

1. I'm sick again. Yes, it is true. At this point, I think we can say my stomach is about as sensitive as a 15-year-old with severe acne.
2. It's good to have family here. My uncle has been taking good care of me - making chicken broth, sharing his medication with me (seriously, the guy brought a small pharmacy with him), and just simply looking out for me. It's been awesome.
3. I believe I've adjusted to the heat. Today was around 85 to 90 degrees. I wore: a skirt with tight fitting leggings underneath, a t-shirt, and a light weight cardigan on top. I was barely sweating!

Amazing.

Uncle Frank

My first family visitor, my Uncle Frank, will be here on Tuesday!!! YEAH! I'm really looking forward to seeing him. He'll spend 4 weeks visiting, and we'll travel back to the states together at Christmas time.

My uncle is notoriously picture shy, so I had my mom send me a picture from his tennis glory days...!

Swim to Gorée

A couple weekends back, a few coworkers from school took part in a swim from Dakar to Gorée. A 4K swim in the rough ocean water. I, along with some others, supported. The swimmers were amazing!