What's up Wednesday

What I'm eating today...

My mom, aunt, and I are going to the local Chinese restaurant for lunch today. Yum!

What I'm reminiscing about...

I've been missing this guy something fierce! My plan for this past weekend was to get away and ignore the world so to speak. Church services honoring fathers, Facebook posts about fathers, and so on and so forth... I knew it would be too much. So I escaped with my Mama on a mini vacation from the "typical" world around me, including Facebook. And while it helped a bit, I'd be lying if I said I didn't spend the majority of my weekend thinking about my Daddy...

And now to a less sad question :)

What I'm loving...

Oh Summer Break, I love you so.

What I've been up to...

Road trippin' with this lady :)

What I'm working on...

...using my phone less and living in the moment more :)

What I'm excited about...

...a goal I have set for myself. I'll post about it later. But I'll say this, it involves exercise, good food, and feeling better about myself :)

What I'm reading...

I've read it a couple times already. But I decided to read it again in preparations for Harper Lee's new creation coming soon...

What I'm doing this weekend...

I'm going to Florala. ...one of my most favorite places in Alabama :)

What else is new...

Not a lot... I'm enjoying spending a lot of my time with these two cuties, reading (for fun), and hanging out at home. Ah the joys of having summers off with pay :)

What I have planned for the 4th of July...

...a trip to a nearby city's park. There will be vendors, snacks, and fireworks. Fun times celebrating America's birthday.

Lessons Learned in L'Afrique

Oh Africa... 

You have taught me so much over the years. And the past (almost) 2 weeks were no different. Here are some of the lessons I learned during my visit to my "other home..."

Slow down.

Good friends can pick up right where they left off a year ago.

A hug from a child can brighten your day.

Reunions are nice.

West African mangoes are the best mangoes in the world. 

Yes. That is indeed an egg and fries in your burger.

Yes. Those are little cups of ketchup and mustard to enjoy with your pizza.

An all night long power cut is annoying.

Water cuts are also annoying.

Bucket baths may be a hassle, but end up being awesome on a really hot night with a power and water cut.

If you happen to wake up at 5 am and the water's actually on, go ahead and take a shower then. It may not be on when your alarm goes off in a few hours.

If it's really hot at night, sleep on the tile floor. It's much cooler.

It really is a small world after all.

Bug spray - Buy it. Use it.

Trust is important.

Homesickness is bound to happen eventually. It's ok. Let it run its course. 

Making a list of things that being you joy during your day is a good idea.

Most things take longer. Just accept  it.

The cool breeze coming from the ocean feels amazing!

Knowing someone on your flight is always nice.

Speaking in the native language may be difficult, but it's so worth it to 1) embrace the culture and 2) see the happiness on their faces at your effort.

Pray. Pray hard.

Be flexible.

Once Africa "invades" your heart, it never leaves. You are forever changed. The love you have for the country never leaves.