"my embassy told me to never get off!"

this morning i was walking down to roots organic market, and this man, about 60 years old, drove by. he wasn't fat, but he was big, and he was driving his mid-90's convertible with the top down. he was shirtless, and had a big bouquet of red flowers in the passenger seat. awesome.

yesterday i had two really great hang-out dates. first, i went to see dr. e at her new condo. it is fantastic - tons of space, well-picked colors, and it is very "her." i told her all about guyana, and she was so supportive and encouraging. i really feel like this whole trip is part of providence/fate/destiny/a calling/"plans to prosper... and not to harm," and it was nice to hear from someone who feels the same way. not like anyone really thinks it isn't, but try explaining providence to parents who would rather worry about things that are out of our control. anyways, she was very excited for me, and i certainly appreciated that. especially since she really knows the things i've been up to and interested in for the last couple of years.

later in the evening, i drove to karen's house and we went to julie and janelle's welcome home party. it was great to be with karen again, and just talk and driveand hang out. the party turned out to be the most enjoyable social gathering i've been to in a long time. a lot of the king's women's basketball alumnae were there, and it was good to see them again and listen to (but not understand) frantically excited talk about professional and local basketball. julie and janelle told some very animated and entertaining stories about their time in europe, and in doing so helped to quell some of the fears i have about homesickness. it was nice to hang out with a group of young women who identify themselves as "christian" and who i respect so much. good times. thanks, girls.

today, after blueberry crumble with dr. e, i am having my kickball party. i don't think there is a large quantity of people planning to come, but those coming are of top-notch quality. if there are not enough players and the game falls through, we can always feed the ducks and the geese and then come home and eat dairy queen cake and watch the challengers. fun day.