Anniversary

One year ago today, I flew from Senegal to the United States.  THIS BOGGLES MY MIND.  For one, I never expected to still be in Peoria after a year.  For two, it seems like way longer than a year.  For three, it doesn't seem that long since I walked the sandy roads of Fatick.  Hence the boggle.

I figure the best approach to an anniversary is to consider the past, present, and future, right?  Onward!

Past:  I kind of loved living in Senegal.  It took me awhile, but I must have reached that point, because now I can only look back through rose colored glasses.  I was at my healthiest in Senegal (physically, emotionally, and spiritually).  I was probably at my happiest too.  Although I am now remembering all the times I would get weepy from skyping with friends or mopey due to culture shock.  HOWEVER.  I have a lot of great stories from Senegal.  There were bugs in the shower, compost heaps that got eaten by invading goats, community platters of food, and spastic dancing. 

Present:  If you at all keep up with my blog, you know my opinion of Peoria flip flops like a waffle.  (No, I don't mean twice, it was a poor analogy, okay??)  The thing is, Peoria looks perfect on paper.  I have friends, I have a job, I have things to fill my free time.  But I don't know if my friends love me as much as I love them, I wonder if I could be doing a more fulfilling job elsewhere, and sometimes my free time feels like it's choking me.  So.  Conflicted feelings FTW!

Future:  I will probably be in Peoria for another year, since I've already committed to a Slovenia mission trip next spring (and WHAT, Peoria for two years?  HOW DID THAT HAPPEN and will I survive?)  Hopefully I will move out of my parent's house, and life will get better.  Hopefully I will invest in my junior high class (tonight I had some nice bonding with Daeja, so that's looking pretty good).  Hopefully I will feel secure in my friendships, or make new ones, or just go live in a cave like a hermit because I refuse to be pleased.  And then!  Hopefully God will lead me to some kind of overseas thing, and I will be brave enough to go, and it will be as awesome as Senegal (or awesomer!  I am always okay with more awesome!).

Senegal changed me probably more than anything I've yet experienced.  I was starting to be more confident in college, but it was Senegal that really made me self-assured and independent.  That's what moving to a new continent by yourself will do, apparently.  I'm so grateful for my five months there.  I'm in love with the friends I made there, and I can't wait to reunite with them in July.  I'm so glad I'm not the person I was before Senegal, because I always want to get better and deeper and stronger.

Bring it, future!