Junie's Online Thoughts
Friday, May 21, 2004
Yesterday, I bought a pink strapless dress at Target. A Pink. Strapless. Dress. What the hell has happened to me?????
Actually I bought three dresses, after having a FABULOUS time trying on oodles of clothes (including swimsuits!). Target is huge and bright and full of ready-to-wear clothes. I obviously havent lost my tendency to always buy SOMETHING at Target. And its funny how a year and a half in Ghana can turn trying on items from the clearance rack into paradise.
We visited Mike next, and he was doing okay. The infection in his stomach/intestines came back with a vengeance, so they are treating that with some new meds. But because of the infection and because his fluids are down too low, he can barely talk and gets confused really easily. Hopefully, in a few days, once the treatments have taken hold, he'll return to his normal self and start to get stronger. The surgery is postponed until he's able to handle it...probably a few weeks out yet.
After making a stirfry for supper, we went to the liquor store (closes at 8 pm in St. Paul), then to Cheapo's (went a little crazy on the used CDs), then to Cafe Latte (couldnt resist the lemon curd tart, the triple chocolate strawberry tart or the raspberry almond cheesecake). We didnt get home until 10 pm, and I dont know why I ate the cake so late. It totally gave me a sugar headache and made me crash hard. Good thing I was already going to bed.
Slept like crap, but so it goes. My dearest sister is picking me up in Chippewa Falls today so I can help her this weekend with my cousin's baby shower. I'll be back in MN on Sunday night with Earl, the car. Im pumped to see my family. Its been too long.
Otherwise, I love 90.3 FM. Damn, I missed good radio music.
AND...its return of the Midwest Allergens!!! I havent been up here in the spring for literally six years, and all these old allergens are kicking me in the arse. I should be used to it. I spent almost 23 or 24 years going to the allergist, I shouldnt be surprised when pollen and climate changes make my head swell, my nose run and the sneezes start. But these allergens dont exist in Atlanta or Ghana...so Im gonna need to buy some Sudafed when I get into Wisconsin. I'd forgotten what this feels like.
Squeak FINALLY gave me some love last night. I've been pestering the fool since I got here. Pushing without being scary, but wanting so badly for him to leap in my lap. We played the catch-the-feather-from-under-my-leg game, and he purred for the first time that afternoon. Then, when I was laying down in my sugar coma, he came on the bed. Before, he would join me in a mamahug--he'd climb into the crook of my arm, pretend to nurse on the flab of my upper arm and purr loudly. In the last few years in Atlanta, he'd stopped the licking part (thank god. He would turn my arm into a red, raw thing.). But this time, he needed a few days to make sure I wasnt just going to disappear again. He laid there for a long time...longer than I remember him ever doing it before, and purred for me. I wanted to weep I was so happy. Ive missed him so badly and feel crappy for leaving him for so long. He finally got up when Jeremy climbed into bed. Squeaks been a little tweaked out since he saw my backpack by the door, but Im glad Jeremy will be around this weekend to assure him that we're here for good this time.
I'll write more later, but all's well in the U.S.A.
Wednesday, May 19, 2004
Right now, we're enjoying the fabulous blur of novelty, where everything we've missed is the best thing ever. Lilacs! Washing machines! Street lights! Sidewalks! Smooth roads! Summer fruits! Customer service! Being cold! Having my cat shun me like a stranger! Being able to talk on the phone for more than eight minutes before the payphone starts beeping at me and disconnects!
Its been terribly easy to spend money, and too easy to be appalled at prices at the same time. (I was all excited to try a Peanut Buster Parfait from Dairy Queen and couldnt actually get one because it was $3.25! I can get a whole pint for that much!) And we've been eating WAY too well...Vietnamese, Turkish, Greek, beer, desserts. I ran for the first time today and nearly passed out. But I gotta nip it in the bud or I'll be watching my butt expand as each day passes.
Bought some jeans and a coat at Goodwill. What a treat to wear them. I havent had to use a sweat rag ONCE since I've been home, and I havent seen a single ant. I could weep with joy.
Im going home for this weekend for my cousin's shower. And Im going to Shopko to buy some new underwear.
Bring it on, America!!!
Monday, May 17, 2004
We're home and safe in MN at Trish's house.
Exhausted. Jet lagged. But enjoyed Vietnamese food with broccoli and the smell of lilacs.
Many, many thanks to Leah, our hero yet again. (You too, Dianne.) And thanks to Trish for picking us up and letting us stay here. You ladies rock.
Sunday, May 16, 2004
We are leaving today!
The party last night was crazy and big, but not as nuts as it could have been. Kegs, jello shots, cake, and okra stew wrestling by two of the girls in the house, one of which is leaving today. It was a weird, disconcerting spectacle to watch. First of all, okra are grated to make the stew, and as they cook they disintegrate into a thick, mucus-like consistancy. They had a local lady make a giant BARREL of okra stew, and found a blow up kiddie pool. There were multiple troubles. First of all, grown women, one of whom fights for equal rights and civil liberties, strip down to bikins, and proceed to thrash about in snot soup in front of hundreds of people. (Including too many guys running up to snap photos as their suits fell down, and as the girls started kissing each other.) Second of all, this is Ghana. Millions of people starve every day, and here's a bunch of white folks, buying enough stew to serve fifty familes and dumping it all over two girls and the grass. Third, it just makes me lose a little faith in my fellow women...performing for the male fantasy, turning into "girls gone wild Accra" because they're totally blitzed.
Anyway, we stayed until 2-ish and then left.
Today we're taking photos of the neighborhood, worrying about overweight baggage and connecting flights, but gearing up to be home soon soon soon.
More later........GOODBYE GHANA!!!!! I'LL MISS YOU!
