March Madness!

Man..I'm soo ready. March madness in my family has always been a big thing..I guess when you have four older brothers and a Dad who loves bball, you either join the fun, or keep your mouth closed! I'm all for fun...so I join!

Unfortunately, when you don't live in the land of plenty, all the fun and excitement tend to get forgotten when other things, like just surviving, become the new "madness"! I remember this time last year...our "March Madness" consisted of this...



...waiting for our precious new latrines to be built on out compound in the village!

We sat around and waited for those things for what seemed like eternity! They finally were finished though...and "March Madness" was glorious. You no longer had to use the old latrine, where every time you stood up the entire village would shout out your name! Victory was had and we felt that no matter who won "March Madness" here in the states, we owned it in that village!

This year I'm back though....I got my picks..I've e-mailed the fam..and I'm ready for the games to begin! Tonight as I sit back and watch my boys play..I'll think back to the sandox and the wonderful "madness" that seemed to be around every corner!

Mosquitos

The other day while I was sitting in my little cubicle in the office...yes, many day's I actually feel like I live the life of the show "The Office"...anyway, while I was sitting and typing and pondering life, a little mosquito looking bug flew straight into my face. Now, I have not seen a mosquito since living in the sandbox, so was a little surprised that this curious little creature was buzzing around. My immediate reaction was, "I must kill this blood sucking, disease infested thing or I will surely get the awful malaria and die". As soon as I thought that, I thought, "Sarah..get a grip...you live in America now...and if all else fails you still got some sandbox drugs in your top bathroom drawer at home!".

It has been funny the many experiences I have had since returning to the land of plenty and my reaction to those experiences. The normal person would look at the innocent little mosquito and 1) let it live it's little existence buzzing around, or 2) end it's little life right off the get go. I, on the other hand, tend to look at things through my "African colored lenses". I don't see a cute little bug that is just buzzing around. I see disease. When I go to restaurants, I don't see the nice and laid out dish ware. I look for foods on the menu that would be easiest to eat with my hands. When there is a noise or flicker in the house, I don't just assume someone turned on a new lamp or put the garbage disposal on. I prepare myself for the electricity to go off.

These are not always my reactions, and as times move forward, I am sure they will become less and less of them, but for the time being I embrace it. I proudly wear my "glasses", embrace the stares and awkward silences when I say something out out of the norm, and remember the blessings of my time in the sandbox and all the many lessons I learned. At least we know I'm prepared!

* no mosquito's or mosquito looking bugs were harmed in this blog

It's been awhile...

So it's been a whole year since I've blogged...and a lot has happened. I am out of the sandbox..for now, and living a new crazy life in the land of plenty. I won't bore you with details of the last year...but I will share some memorable pics...so get ready!



...this is my FAVORITE tree in the village...many a day was spent under here reading, people watching, and daydreaming...



...my women sitting under the shade...we did this..a lot...they sure liked those stories...



...who could say no to a party like this...especially being one of the only white people in the village at the time...




....our heli in to the village...and the amazing view from up in the air...




...last night in the village...

...so i rejoice for my time...I long for those days...but I delight that God is faithful and mighty and saves those who call on him...I pray Zephaniah 3:17 over that village, that country, those people, and over you..."The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you with his love; he will exalt over you with loud singing"...and I promise to be a better blogger...inshallah ; )

Stopping traffic...literally...

So here in the sandbox when you have to cross the street, it's kinda a take at your own risk adventure. The cars don't and won't stop for you, so you must always be aware, move quick, and never ever stop. Me and the sisters have grown somewhat accustomed to this way of living, but occasionally have a few mishaps, here or there. It was a day, not to long ago, that a mishap occured...and I stopped traffic....

It was normal day with the sisters. We had just spent some time in the internet cafe, checking e-mail and talking to friends. We decided, as is also a normal occurance, to stop at the dukan down the street to get a diet coke (pepsi here, but I like to pretend it's coke) and a candy bar...or two. Upon exiting the dukan, my sister May turns and say's, "Anyone want some tamia (filafal) for dinner?". Well me and McCaine quickly agree, and we all venture over to our favorite tamia man, across the road. I was lagging behind...no particular reason...just was, and got caught in between cars zooming by. I looked left and then looked right and thought I had plenty of time...but quickly realized there was a motorcyle and big bus headed straight toward me. I froze up for a minute, and then snapped myself out of it and charged ahead, telling myself the whole time, "You can do it...just don't stop!". Next thing I know, the motorcycle comes to a halt about 10 inches from my body and then a huge crash. I look at the motorcycle guy, who has just been hit in the back by a rickshaw, smile my stupid khawaja smile, and walk to the sidewalk. The bus zooms past just as I reach the safety of the sidewalk, but all the cars behind the motorcycle just sit tight. I fumble to my sisters, that I think I just caused an accident, which in turn May responds, "Well you had right of way!". I look back at the poor motorcylce guy, whose just sitting still, stunned a bit from what just transpired. I yell out, "Malesh" and retreat quickly into the shop. Afraid of what might come...can you get arrested for stopping traffic?...I stay in the store, looking every once in a while out of the window. The man sits for a while, staring at the ground, while others behind him honk. Next thing I know, he spots me staring, nods his head, and heads off into the sunset...ok, there was no sunset, but you get the point. Traffic once again continues, and I make sure to stick close to the sisters, and cross only when there is a good opportunity!

* * No people or cars were damaged in this act of khawaja stupidity * *

Birthday!!

So many of you know that I got the wonderful privilege of celebrating my 24th birthday out in the bush. I didn't really know what to expect, but the sisters told me they had everything taken care of...so I went along for the ride! I woke up that morning to May singing happy birthday and telling me the plans of the day. We got to take some amazing hikes the last time we went out there, so they decided that today would be another one. Me, her and the new sister, set off for the day, water in hand and chaco's strapped to our feet. The day before we had gone down to this huge rock, but decided to head in the other direction this day. With much laughter and our feet semi hurting, we hike up to this big tree. I, of course the crazy one, decide to climb the tree...it seemed like the perfect pic. As I got closer to the tree, I noticed that it hung over a ledge...and when you look straight down, there is nothing but sharp rocks...doesn't stop me though...I'm a Herzog...so I climb up and May gets a few shots. The last time she had sent a sister up a tree, we had some problems getting her back down...so we joked about that as i clamored back down...her promising to never tell my mother I did that ; ) We sat for awhile admiring the view, and then decided it was time to trek on. We headed up this ridge and over...and just seemed to walk forever. It felt great to be out there and get to see some amazing views..who knew they had those out in DF! As we were coming down the last ridge, we were met by some women who had gone down to the Wadi to get some water. We greeted them and then kept on going. As a group, at least one of as at any given time tends to wipe out...usually for now apparent reason...we will be walking along and then down on the ground! So as I'm moving down the hill...trying to catch up with my sisters after greeting the last woman, the next thing I know, I'm flying thru the air. I had tripped on a rock and thought I would be able to catch my balance...but the next thing I know I'm laying flat on my butt, laughing hysterically. The sisters run over to make sure I haven't hurt anything, realize that I can't stop laughing and join in. As I stand up, I notice up the hill, the women we greeted laughing and pointing...I guess I became the entertainment for the day! We head on laughing all the way and happy that nothing too bad happened.

That night my wonderful roommate gave me a pedicure..in the middle of the bush...and made some amazing pasta. We laughed and joked about birthdays of past and then went to sleep. A few days later when the last sister joined us, I got some special cookies and a fun 50 cent hat...don't ask! All and all it was a pretty sweet day!!