A New Addition (pictures to come)

September 25, 2006

Alo again!
It's been a while since I've updated and I apologize. Life has been passing me by rather quickly and I haven't found the time to sit down and check in.
Work is going well here. My NGO is progressing along and my work at American University is becoming a highlight in my weeks. I also have a couple of English clubs each week that prove to be entertaining and effective. The clubs are full of people of all ages, two of my favorite students being a middle-aged classical musician and dentist. The two of them are never absent and full of banter for the class.
I have a new addition in my apartment. Her name is Molly and she's a little kitten that's now reigning over my home. She's about six weeks old and loves attention. She cries when I'm home and not holding her. She also nestles herself right up next to me when I sleep. I now have problems sleeping if she's not near me. She is also very good at keeping the cockroaches and moths away from me. I have a serious fear of moths (I know, that's ridiculous, but we can't control what we're afraid of) and whenever I see one I'll put her on the prowl and within minutes it becomes a non-issue. As far as the cockroaches go: there aren't many around, although I did see one of the biggest ones I've ever seen in my apartment last night. I have no idea where he came from, but little Miss Molly was on top of it!
I've got to get going now.

I love you and miss you all!

Annie


September 18, 2006

It's been one year here. One year ago I was spending my last night in Philadelphia and the states. I was full of emotions Icouldn't really even grasp. I was scared, excited, anxious, worried, happy, sad, etc. And here I am. One year later. A year older. A year wiser. A year away. I've learned so much. None of the things I learned came without challenge, but all of them came at just the right time and in just the right way although I questioned some of it at the time.
I feel like I was just there, living my life in Colorado and thinking of leaving. Now, I'm here with so much behind me and still so much to look forward to. I remember meeting my host family for the first time. Going to sleep in my new bed for the first time. Eating breakfast in the summer kitchen. Walking to class. Meeting friends and people that have become great influences on my life. I remember questioning everything, being homesick, and wondering what was going on in my old life. I remember missing friends, family, coworkers, sorority sisters, and mentors. I remember feeling like I would never really be at home here.
Now, I'm at home. I'm writing this on my couch at my apartment in my city that's now my home. I do want to go home sometimes. I know how easy life can be there. But, I'm not done yet. I still have a little more to learn here, a little more to do, a little more to see.
It's never really easy here, but why live an easy life? If it's not a test, why challenge yourself to do it?
I miss my family. I miss my friends. I miss the ease of the states. But seeing the people here, seeing how spending an hour here or there makes a difference in people's lives that they never would have expected, it makes it worth it. We're supposed to live for other people, right? Well, here goes 15 more months, then I'll live for myself again, maybe.