The Reptile Zoo

My birthday was full this year. I had to work all day and had a dance practice that evening. So I wasnt' sure what to do. But then Fisher (age 4) had a brilliant idea! Why don't we go to Nannys house in Monroe...and what else is there fun to do in Monroe?...the Reptile Zoo! I have actually never been there before (amazing considering how long I have been a nanny) and really enjoyed myself. I think I had more fun than the boys! Our favorites were the giant turtles, chameleon, and the orange iguana. Our least favorites were the giant cockroaches and spiders. We also watched some people hold the devenomized black mamba, though the boys were not nearly brave enough for that!

Cultural diversity

Well, it may seem that I get the most cultural education from my experience oversees, my time working amongst different tribes in Kenya, etc. But last week I took the boys to a playground twice (I love nannying by the way) and heard Russian, Affrikaans, Indian and Japanese being spoken as the mothers chided their kids and engaged in casual conversation. I just can't get past the irony! It is a small world!

Culture shock

"Culture shock". It's a term used to describe the feeling of disorientation a person feels when they go from one culture to a very different one. It really is a "shock" in many ways. One that never seems to go away no matter how many times I cross the atlantic. I mean how can you just slip easily from one world to another. From conspicuous to invisible, from hot to cold (I can't believe it snowed again this morning, I was hoping for spring) from dusty to clean, from dry to wet. Yesterday I had the wierdest sense that my worlds were not too distant. A couple times I almost inserted into conversations about the "next door neighbor" who is next to my parents in Kenya or "when I get back to the house" 12,000 miles away. I stopped myself and realized the delusion. I think it's normal though. It's just culture shock.

Catching up

I havn't written in awhile as I get settled here Stateside. I still have to borrow my roomates computer to get online so it does hinder me from doing "non-essentials" online. But since it is 1 am I don't think I am bothering anyone. Sometimes being here seems like I never left. Same friends, similar activities, same house, and now I will be going back to my old job. But there are times when it really hits me how long I've been gone. There's alot in me that's changed, the way I see things has changed some. Some of my friends have changed quite a bit (all for the better, of course) My roommates have changed - now I'm the oldest in the house. I'm glad things change. Stagnancy should never be an option in the Kingdom of God