Changes

You may have noticed some changes to my blog. The name, for example (Thanks for the suggestion, Jeff!). At Mom's request, I'll continue posting on here from time to time. I'll try to focus mostly on my re-integration, culture shock, and processing my study abroad experience. Of course, that will also involve a lot of talking about what's going on in my life now.

To start, I'm back in Kalamazoo. I am moved in to a house right next to campus (yay!) in a cozy room on the first floor. I'm living with three other girls, two of whom I didn't know before moving in. My room is the only one on the first floor, so I have the downstairs bathroom to myself. My room is already feeling very home-y, which has made me excited about living there this quarter.

One challenge I'm facing now: I'm always cold. The cold of Kalamazoo (should be freezing or below all week) is compounded by the fact that one of my housemates wants to keep our thermostat at 65 or below, plus the fact that I'm still accustomed to warm weather! My feet haven't been warm since I stepped off the plane in Detroit, I'm pretty sure. Just to make things more interesting, I'm missing two of my blankets. NO idea where they are.

Another thing that has been getting to me is how much stuff I have. Clothes and school supplies and bedding and all kinds of STUFF that I just don't need. As I was unpacking, my friend Caity got to hear me say over and over again, "Why do I have so much clothing?" "I don't even remember this shirt!" "What am I doing with all this stuff?" Needless to say, she was amused.

This quarter, all my classes are on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Most of my housemates have 8:30 am classes MWF like me, so we can carpool the one block to campus (It's not far, but it is cold!). I'll have my Tuesdays and Thursdays free to study--my challenge will be utilizing that time well.

All in all, I'm really excited to start this quarter. It's my fourth to last quarter at K, and my classes shouldn't be too hard. It's so wonderful to see my classmates who have been missing from my life for almost a year. I'm looking forward to lots of story exchanges, a fabulous circus show in three weeks, maybe some swing dance festivals, and cool shows on campus.

Adjustment

I've been home just over a week now. Or rather, in the US. I got home to California last Wednesday night, after a long travel day. I still get weirded out all the time when I realize just how few black people live around here. I never see them, and when I do, they're so light-skinned! It's just not the same as being in Africa. I know. Duh.

As I tell stories about study abroad, I've noticed that I talk about my "other" life in the present tense. I'll say, "Whenever I go to this boutique, I talk to this one jaaykat..." and then realize that I don't go there anymore, and no one knows what a jaaykat is. (It's a vendor, by the way.) I've been pretty good about not speaking French to people who don't understand it, and I've been not speaking Wolof in general (sadly). I don't want to annoy people by saying things to them that they don't understand, but sometimes English just doesn't express exactly what I want to say. It's like trying to talk to someone who doesn't understand a particular vocabulary word. You can rework your sentence to use another word, but it's not the same.

In general, I've been enjoying my almost excessively comfortable bed, my pretty room, hot showers, clean feet, and family. It's nice to be back around people who understand me so well, but I miss my Senegal friends a lot.

Back in the Zoo

I got to Kalamazoo early this afternoon, thanks to the time sacrifice of my fabulous friend Colleen. It was such a relief to have her come pick me up at the airport and to have a little rest before going to campus. Thanks, Colleen!

I got to see all my K circus friends! I went to a circus practice and teared up a little just watching them practice moving into formations for an act for a show. Something about the facilities we were in and the cold and the people was just emotionally overwhelming to me.

I hear myself talking about Senegal almost any time I open my mouth to speak. Every time someone talks about something, it reminds me, "In Dakar, _______." I'm trying not to say too too much about it, but it's hard not to.

Tomorrow there is another circus rehearsal and then swing rehearsal, and Tuesday there will be more circus (playtime!) and then we're celebrating my 21st birthday! I'm so touched that my friends are taking time out of their last week of the quarter (always a stressful time) to go out with me and celebrate. I'm so lucky to have such fabulous friends in my life.

I'm staying with Nolan, which means good food and company. I'm looking forward to the next few days, and to going home on Wednesday.

Re-entry

I am in New York, at the airport. I'll post when I have more battery on my computer and am less overwhelmed, but I'm back in the country safely.

It's been a crazy week, and I can't wait to share about it.