“Hello?” “Are you there?” “Did I lose you?” This has been the story of my life the past eight weeks as my boyfriend has been in Africa. The initial excitement that a phone call comes through is soon lost in the frustration of a dropped call. Now it seems that there is a bad connection for me in general with phone calls now that I live in Hamilton. It is understandable being in a different country, but I am still in the USA (right…?). You can imagine how difficult it can be receiving calls from Africa when both signals are weak. To talk this morning I stayed home in one place and got close to a windows upstairs where I had enough signal. It is kind of amusing to figure out places I can at least get 2 bars of 3G network. In Tulsa I had full 4G at my house. Just another small town adjustment. Bad connections aren’t limited to just my cell phone though.
While there are many great connections I’ve made in Hamilton, here are some examples of things that just don’t connect well with me.
*Humidity.
I naturally have wavy, curly, red hair. (That made me think of the girl on Charlie Brown Christmas…moving along…) When I blow dry my hair and style it straight or curl it, it goes crazy in humidity. The past couple of weeks, I’ve spent an hour getting my hair ready only to have it flat by the time I got to work (which is a 3minute drive away). Also I’ve learned that my clothes that I hang up to dry as opposed to putting in the dryer never really dry here due to humidity. I now understand why people hang their clothes outside around here. Brings a new meaning to “fresh spring scent”
*Slow paced life.
While I enjoy having a few hours to wind down and read, this slower paced life really takes some getting used to.
*Allergies.
This has already been mentioned but bares repeating. I’m not connecting well in this area.
*Bugs.
I’ve never seen so many bugs in my life. Honestly. It is a fight to get into my door especially at night with all the flying creepy things. I’ve always been the extreme girly kind of girl. When I was outside as a kid I was never playing in the dirt or handling rolly pollies. I instead enjoyed collecting smooth rocks (true story I had a large collection) and writing with chalk on the driveway. There is a type of bug here that looks like a daddy long legs. My best friend swears they aren’t that, but I don’t know what else they would be. They are everywhere but my favorite is when literally dozens spray up off the sidewalk of my apartment when I walk by. Now I know what you are thinking. Its kind of magical right? Sweet swarming serenades of these little critters greeting me, cheering me on as I go about my day. It reminds me of moments in Disney movies where animals serenade whatever Princess and her love. If their intent is to woo me, I’d rather they not. Instead of being a graceful Princess I usually have some random darting and hopping to get through them. Yes I am really girly. Where are my two brothers to kill bugs for me when I need them??
The great thing about bad connections is the opportunity to still have a positive outlook. Among these situations I just find myself laughing and thinking at least I have something to write about :-)
Until next time I’ll breathe in the freshly cut grass smell and listen to the crickets chirp away!
Today’s Walmart count:1! I ALMOST hit my two day goal, but I needed scotch tape and soy milk. I have high hopes for this week though :-)