Junie's Online Thoughts
Friday, June 27, 2003
Let's see....I dont really have much to say. Another slow day of lazing about, emailing and working out. Dont know if we are going to the beach for the weekend or not. Will decide tomorrow morning, I guess. Jeremy bought a non-stick pan while he was home, and gosh that thing is great. Nothing sticks to it! Amazing! Ok....for fear of growing lamer, Im out for today.
Thursday, June 26, 2003
Weird. Blogger is different today. Hmmm......
Anyway, its good to be out and about in the world. Tuesday I was homebound because I had a head full of curlers. I'd slept in them the night before and kept them in all day, hoping for ringlets like a superstar. Unfortunately for me, my hair prefers to be bone straight, so it was all for naught. By the time we got to the airport to pick up Jeremy, there were no curls left. I did however, have a new dress, new shoes and buckets of nervous energy.
After a brief delay, Jeremy arrived and boy, was it good to see him. I missed that boy! Lothar took us home, we ate, and Jeremy showed me all of the things he brought back. This included plenty of stuff for me, including gifts from friend Susan (thanks susan!!) and Angie (thanks angie!!). I was most excited by these and by my pile of mail from the Georgia p.o. box (thanks kim!!). I liked the other stuff (thanks jeremy!) but mail holds a special place in my heart.
Yesterday we were voluntarily homebound--hanging out, smooching and napping. Today we had to leave the house....we're running out of fresh food and other errands beckoned. Gosh, its bright out here!! But all is well...Jeremy's back, Im happy, and life returns to normal.
Monday, June 23, 2003
When I left Towers yesterday, I headed toward the bank. Hanging at the ATM machine was this hilarious sign:
"As part of our Customer Week Celebrations, a nurse is available at the branch on June 26, 2003 to check you out.
Kindly participate and stay alive.
Standard CHartered bank your right partner"
What? Is that a threat or a wishful thinking?
It was after noon, so I hauled my weak, sick butt all the way up to Koala. As I walked home, some Ghanaian guy in shades struts by, looking me up and down like Im a hot Philly cheese steak. "You are looking goooooooood today." To which I reply, "Mmmm hmmm, yes, of course." I looked down at myself--sweaty, dirty black tanktop, oversized plaid pajama bottoms, sandals, dirty bandana on my head, sunglasses and a sexy greyish hue to my skin. Youre right! I AM looking good today!
On the corner near where we live, two guys pushed a stalled car past me. "Obruni! I want to marry you!" Twenty steps later, a third guy driving a huge truck hoots at me. "How are you doing today?" as he gives me the eyes. Just peachy, thanks. Hmmmm....Maybe I should work this sick look. After all, when I hooked up with Jeremy I was sick as a dog. Maybe my inner sexiness is only revealed when I feel like crap and dress like a bum. Or maybe men feel compelled to take care of me when I appear ready to retch or faint. Or, maybe not.
Today is turning into a growly day. Didnt plan on it, but it is. Went to the market with a long list, including some fabric for our friend Heather, who is flying home today. I searched all over creation and didnt find her fabric. I did, however, get overcharged and harassed and irritated by the folks around me. Sometimes Ghanaian culture can be very taxing. Its not worse or better than mine, but sometimes my Western sensibilities get really pissed off. I trotroed to Keneshie, and finally found something like the desired fabric. Its not exactly right, but Im running out of time to keep looking. Oh well. If Heather doesnt like it, I can keep it.
On the way to Tema station, I finally saw proof of a rumor I'd heard. Someone told me that judges here dress up like the olden days, but I didnt believe it. Well, I saw it with my own eyes. When we passed one of the courts, a judge came out...dressed in a long black robe and wearing one of those powdered white wigs with giant curls. How weird is that??
Ive got a few more errands to run before heading to the airport, and more things to do tomorrow before Jeremy returns. (Yayyyy!!!!!!) Im tired!!!!!!! This homecoming business is exhausting. And I bet that Jeremy never puts in half the effort I do when I come home from a trip. I cant tell you how many times Ive cleaned the house. Oh well. He's bringing lots of treats for me, and bringing himself, so thats fine with me. Ok. Im out. Have a good day, all y'all.
Sunday, June 22, 2003
Okay. Take two. Computer decided to eat my first blogger. I hate Towers. Sundays suck because everything is closed and this is the only internet cafe that's open. Yesterday was a magical day turned sour. I woke up at 4:30 am to watch the sky burn into periwinkles, salmon pinks and daisy yellows until the blazing fuschia sun arose. I met Erin, Terry and Lothar for a crepe breakfast, then laid on the roof to enjoy the overcast, cool day. I emailed, worked out hard, then had delicious Indian food with Erin and Terry. My full stomach burned happily. We watched Amelie, one of my all-time favorite movies, and it reminded me to add a little magic and play into my life. When I returned home, I spotted a gigantic cockroach near the bathroom ceiling. Im working on cherishing all life, bugs included, but cockroaches force such a visceral reaction that my stomach clenched. I panicked and grabbed some Raid. I sprayed. It ran behind the door. I sprayed, and continued until it ran into the shower room, flipped upside down and started wiggling. Then I smashed it with my shoe and did the icky-grossed out dance while my heart raced. I didnt pick it up right away....what if it wasnt quite dead?
Shortly after my stomach flared up. BADLY. It was probably one of the worst cases of acid reflux/indigestion Ive ever had. I tossed and turned on the bed, but my chest still threatened to erupt. And I knew from past experience that making myself throw up would only make it worse. I thought, why not try some Tums? (this was at 2 am-ish) When I checked the medicine bag in the wardrobe, it was covered in ants. Apparently they like Tums too. It took nearly an hour to clean out the bag and kill all the ants (another bug I need to work on before I can cherish). Then I tried the sofa, I tried sitting on the toilet, I tried leaning against the wall, I tried walking around. Nothing worked. Then I tried Alka-seltzer. And some bread. And some water. Proceeded to make myself feel worse. Finally, at around 7 am, I fell asleep out of pure exhaustion. As always, I felt better this morning after some sleep, but my stomach is still twitchy and I tire easily.
Erin stopped by this morning and thankfully she disposed of the cockroach. Normally I can suck it up and do it, but I just COULDNT do it today. After emailing (Ive got to escape this stupid Police Academy movie that is playing right above my computer), Im going home to defrost the frig, clean and basically take it easy. Jeremy comes back on Tuesday and I have way too much to do tomorrow to be sick another day. At least I will be feeling better by then....thats something.
