Onward & Upward

It’s funny to me what brings people back into focus. Whether it be just getting out of your house for more than an hour, finally getting in some sort of exercise, meeting one new person, talking to a few of old friends, or even to some new ones. And then when all else fails, there’s good old Mom to tell you that it is perfectly fine that you’ve spent the last 2 days watching seasons 2 and 3 of Scrubs. For me, it was all of the above. But when you do find it, coming back into focus and realizing there is things to be done, is refreshing.

A little backstory to this rambling. I’ve done a bit of traveling in the last couple weeks or so- a much needed mini vacation. It started off with a regional meeting that a bunch of different volunteers in a variety of stages (different years in) attended. It was really cool to meet all these people and hear their experiences thus far. I then went on to meet up with a wonderful friend of mine- where we hung out, ate some great food, went to beautiful waterfalls and just relaxed. We also cooked for ourselves for the first real time- fettucini alfredo with chicken... awesome.

Waterfall in Ouzoud

The next step in my trip brought us to Marrakech where I was never so happy to forget my passport. Because of my forgetfulness, we were not able to stay at the smaller hotel where a lot of the other volunteers were staying, but we went over to an amazingly nice riad. A riad is basically like a hotel, but it’s that nice traditional Moroccan style housing you see on House Hunters International- with the courtyard in the middle of it and all the rooms stemming off from that. Long story short, it was the best mishap I’ve had in a while.

Looking down in our Riad in Marrakech

After this, we made our way down to a music festival where we got to see and meet a lot of other volunteers and see some great music. Bear with me, I’m trying to summarize and I apologize for lack of pictures- my camera died towards the beginning of the trip, figures, so I have to steal them from my other half. So all in all, the traveling was a lot of fun, but towards the end I could not wait to get home. And I think that feeling alone, the feeling of wanting to go home, was a great little accomplishment for myself. The fact that I’ve associated my new community as my home and I can call it that, makes me happy.

So, now.. I’ve moved into my house, I’m taking the decorating aspect slowly, getting use to all the quirks and charms that my mud house has to offer. But all in all, I’m really coming to like my place. Although my landlord, without me knowing about it, is building a new house in what use to be half my yard, I still enjoy sitting in my breakfast nook with my oatmeal and looking outside. 

Aspects about the house that I’ve been asked: 

Yes, it’s a mud house. No, it does not get all muddy & crumble if I get water on the floor.

Yes, I do have locks on my doors. I think.

The toilet, yes, it is a hole. (Check out the picture below- that’s for you Jill & Steph)

Though I have no running water, I’ve gotten down a sweet system for washing dishes.

It does get cold, especially with no heating, but a wood stove is in the thought bubble.

I did bring my hair straightener, because, frankly.. you never know.

Hand washing clothes, not fun.

My Front Yard...

...roof access

the salon room

yes.. the bathroom

this is for you girls... you're welcome :)

My kitchen- which has a new counter next to it now

My Oven...

a little breakfast nook

My room.

gnome, those are not troll sheets.

All in all, this is the first time I’m actually living on my own. No roommates - yes, it’s hard, no cuddle monster. Though, I am cat sitting for 2 weeks, so....

Thank you Mom and Grandparents for the wonderful packages. It’s pretty pathetic, but I’ve gone through a good amount of each package if not the whole thing. But no worries, I did share.. some of it. 

I hope you all enjoyed your Fourth of July!! I can only imagine the celebrations back on the island. I really wish I could have been there for it, but alas, I decided to take a two year hiatus. And even though I wasn’t stateside to celebrate, there was some definite patriotic happenings over here. There was flag hoisting, there was baseball, there were walks, there was potato salad, homemade cookies, Bruce Springsteen songs, and above all, there were fireworks. Okay, so it was steel wool used more like sparklers.. but it was still awesome. Here are some pictures from the day...

So the question I’ve gotten a few times recently- am I happy? (As I engulf a spoonful of American PB and Momma O’s homemade jelly... and yes that did just happen). And while my feet will be permanently dirty for the next two years, my hair constantly feeling like a knotted, dry, horses’s tail; my clothes never truly clean because of my lazy hand washing skills; my house continuously crumbling because lets face it- it is mud; and the occasional ‘what the frick am I doing here’ thought; yes, I am happy. Most days.. haha. 

I’m especially happy right now being that Jill taught me to forget the bread and just dip the spoon in the PB and then the jelly (thank YOU!). Which reminds me, Mom.. if you happen to make another batch of strawberry rhubarb, you know what to do, it’s sad, but I’m almost out. Maybe throw in some peanut butter as well...

So yes, I am happy. Plus, I have to years to read all the books I’ve ever wanted to read, learn to cook a buttload of things from scratch, meet people I never thought I’d meet, see places I’ve always wanted to, all of that cliche stuff! Leaving the states I took on the responsibility of people living vicariously through me, so I will do my best to deliver. Any requests??

Side note: I was so happy to talk to those I did from home. It meant a lot to me, you don’t even know.