A Sad, Sad Day

I still can't believe it...the game went into double overtime and then penalty kicks, but they just couldn't win it...tragic...truly tragic...

Sisterhood

Webster Dictionary gives the definition of "sisterhood" as "the solidarity of women based on shared conditions, experiences, or concerns." This week I have realized that we four white mothers have reached this degree of unity. As I talked with two white mothers that have already been reunited, I began to wish that the four of us were all together again. I began to long for the quaint little apartment we shared that was filled with giggling, teasing, and tears. This past week I received a text from a fellow white mother that caused me to come to a certain realization - we have formed a bond that will last a lifetime. We have developed not only a friendship, but a sisterhood. You are all my sisters, and I know that no matter what happens (whether it involves awkward and somewhat spastic conversations, logorrhea, spilt hot chocolate, or criminal abetment in gummy shenanigans), I will always have three girls that will love me unconditionally. I don't know if you remember a television series entitled "Sisters" that aired from 1991-1996, but the show's following tagline is a perfect summation of our relationship:

"The men in your life may leave you,
Children grow up, parents pass away.
The only ones who are there for you,
From cradle to grave,
Are your sisters."

I know the whole part about the men of your life leaving is a little extreme (and probably not something that any of the white mothers should think about since we're already terrified of it occurring), but I feel that the rest of it impeccably describes sisters. It describes us.

Thoughts of Today

Hmmm....right about now you are probably trying to figure out the amazing things that I am going to say. Well, here are my random thoughts at this moment: I love talking to Whitney on the phone and wish she were here to talk to. Just because it's summer semester we are discriminated against and I am not allowed to use my favorite computer on the second-row to the back and fourth monitor left in the SWKT computer lab as they have confined us to the first two rows. I wonder how Jenny's latest job interview went. If I ignore the massive load of math that I have to do, it might magically disappear on its own. How much time does Sarah have to write on her blog and keep up with all the latest and most amazing music? Why am I not in New York with her? Hmmm...I'm kind of hungry, but the lunch I packed seems fairly unappealing at the moment. Could I work with a cooler group of people? Why does everyone here look the same? Does Africa miss me, or have I already been forgotten? I need to get moving and get some amazing Africa pictures on this blog. Brazil will dominate Argentina and the whole World Cup without a doubt. Is there any question? Calculus. Hungry. Calculus tests and homework. Hungry. Africa. Typing. Bored. Leaving. Missing you all.

What to do?

Do you ever wonder why we wanted so badly to preserve our agency? Sometimes I do. While I generally feel grateful for the gift of choice, there are other times (like right now) when I would love for someone to just tell me what to do. Just make the choice for me. Take it out of my hands and leave me with the consequences. Maybe I should be thankful if that's the case because it means I don’t see a lot of harm in any of the options before me. Really though, what it comes down to is that I don't just want someone to tell me what to do. I want somebody to beg me to stay as they profess their undying love for me. I want somebody to share the rest of my life, share my innermost thoughts, know my intimate details... Someone who'll stand by my side and give me support, and in return he’ll get my support. He will listen to me when I want to speak about the world we live in and life in general. What can I say? At least Depeche Mode understands me...

Wow. Here I am sitting in the computer lab in the SWKT after my math class waiting for my religion class to start. I have now been home for 3 full days. As I walk around I can't help continually thinking, "Where am I?" Poor Jenny has had to deal with my readjustment issues. I got back up here on Saturday night, and we talked until like 1:30am, slept for a few hours and then got up for Church. Still not being completely over my jetlag, I went to bed at 7:30 (Jenny insists I was knocked out by the time she got home at 7:45), and slept until my alarm went off at 6:30 for my 8am class. Wow. The funny thing is, I am still looking forward to going to bed again, but I won't allow myself to take naps until I'm completely over my jetlag.
As I was driving from California to Utah on Saturday, I kept looking out the window and thinking how happy I am to be back, but how much I don't want to be here. I keep remembering my friend harassing us for being in class too long and not playing soccer with them, watching World Cup games, hearing the word "tomorrowsday" many times as they practiced their english (which completely makes sense if you think about it). I can't start with my thoughts because they will never end. I just keep thinking about how uncomfortable I am here and how I am worried that I will become comfortable again and forget everything I have learned and become. Anyways, I'll stop boring you with my thoughts.
It has been great to see everyone and catch up. I had to cut off HBW because I had to go somewhere, but then my cell battery is running out and I can't find my charger so I couldn't call back. Sorry HBW! I am excited to catch up with Sarah, and I definitely would love a reunion. You guys are great. My family is amazing. Friends here are so amazing. But that doesn't keep my from missing Africa. Oh well, I must move myself off to my religion class now. Love you all!

Welcome Home!

Jo!!!! Welcome back to the US of A! I'm not even sure if you're home yet, but I figure that by the time you read this you will be. I think a major celebration or some sort of festivities are in order, don't you? We should have a reunion and all catch up on our two months of adventures and highly unsuccessful spring flings... Unless there's something you aren't telling us, Jo! :) Spring is behind us, but summer has just begun and the possibilities are endless...

The Bitter and the Sweet

I'm done. I just finished my last final, and I realized that I am now done with the "BYU experience." As I walked out, I contemplated the next phase of my life, and I realized that I am still very unsure about things. I'm still trying to figure out what it means that I no longer have to check out a book from the BYU library, I don't have to write any more papers, I don't have to worry about grades... I am a college graduate. Being a college student provides you with a nice little bubble--you know what you are going to do every day. Although I know that I am going to work until August, I don't know what is going to happen after that. Where will I end up? All of that is still an unknown. However, I have decided that I have been too nostalgic about graduating. It happens. You move on, find a job, and live somewhere else. People do it every year. I just never thought about me as one of them.

Kaká

This is my future husband. He's attractive, a foreigner, and a soccer player for one of the best teams in the world...let’s be honest, that's about as good as it gets. My mom told me that it would never work out because if I married him and lived in America, people would mispronounce my name as "Caca," which just happens to be the Spanish word for "poop." I told her that it would be worth it. I'd be married to a very attractive foreign soccer player, so who really cares if I'm being referred to as excrement? Alas...this is a dream that will never be fulfilled. This hunk a hunk of burnin' love is already taken. Aren't they all girls? Aren't they all...