Mission Safari: The Next Chapter(s)

Where Are You From?

During our first month back in the U.S. I have often been asked the question, "Where are you from?"  I have found that my answers have been a bit hesitant and a bit different depending on who I am talking to.  So far I have answered "Newberry", "Greenwood", "South Carolina", "the St. Louis area", and even "Nairobi".  It has been kind of strange. 

Marti wrote a post a long time ago titled, "What's My Address?"  I knew what she was talking about then, now I really understand.  I have always felt at home most places that I have lived.  But during this visit to the U.S. I don't know where I am really from.  Am I from Kenya now?  Newberry or Greenwood?  Illinois?  On one hand I am a true global citizen - living in different countries and enjoying it.  But it makes me kind of sad to think that I don't really have a home.

As I process this I have two recurrent thoughts.  First, if you happen to live in the same place you have always lived, consider yourself blessed to have roots and tradition and home.  Second, if you have lived all over the place, either in the U.S. or abroad, consider yourself blessed to have been able to experience the rich diversity of this globe.  Both situations are a blessing.  It is our attitude that needs to be like Pauls - "content in all things." 

The Horn

One of the things I have noticed lately is that I am not having to use the horn on my vehicle.  It is kind of a weird thing.  In fact, the other day I realized I hadn't used it in several days and just honked the horn just to hear it.  To my great concern, I realized that it was a bit difficult to use - you really have to bear down on the horn to get it to honk.

I also find it concerning that I actually miss using the horn on the car.  It must mean something significant but I don't really know what it is.  Maybe some pseudo-psychologist reading this can intrepret this problem for me!

OK, Ok!!

I am glad to know that several of my readers have been reading my blog.  Since I have taken a bit of a break in posting I have received some emails asking if things were ok.  Yes, things are ok.  I have been quite busy just visiting with family and friends and have had less time to get on the blog.  However, I do have several posts in mind and will get them going here the next couple of days.

Like I said, it is nice to know that folks are actually reading my writing.  It gives me the motivation to continue on.  Have a great day.

Back in America - Part Two

Ok, so the title of part one was "Back in the U.S.".  I could change the title, but I won't.  I am too lazy to mess with that right now.  Anyway, I was thinking last night about what it has been like to be back in America right now.  And I realized that the most interesting thing is that it is the little things that I have enjoyed and appreciated.  The following is a list of "little things" that have made our first week back in America enjoyable.

1. Driving on Smooth roads!

2. Stopping at a red light and waiting even though there was no traffic coming.

3. Parking lots with spacious spots.

4. Buying a cup of coffee at McDonalds.

5. Hearing rednecks talk.

6. Driving through the rolling hills of South Carolina.

7. Jogging in South Carolina (quiet, smooth, and safe!).

8. Eating at Cracker Barrel with my parents.

9. Buying a Yankee Candle at Cracker Barrel.

10. Buying a cellphone at Wal-Mart.

11. Asking questions of the Wal-Mart employee who gave good answers to my questions about the cell-phone.

12. Watching ESPN SportsCenter.

13. Reading USA Today.

14. Enjoying the hot humid weather of South Carolina (really!).

15. Drinking water out of the faucet!

Back in the U.S.

Well, we are back home for a long summer.  We departed Kenya last week and 36 hours after leaving, we checked into a hotel in the Charlotte area exhausted but glad to be home.  We slept well the first night and celebrated our return home by eating brunch at Cracker Barrel with my parents who were in the area visiting my brother.  We then drove to Greenwood, SC where we will be spending the majority of our time this summer. 

We are excited to be home for a little bit of rest.  The culture fatigue from living overseas can not be underestimated.  Although we will experience some of that here this summer, the U.S. is home.  And as Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz reminds us, "there's no place like home."  We look forward to our visit with friends, family, and supporters.