Waxing. No, not my legs.

I know, I promised philosophical last time and didn't deliver. Working on it. I think this is going to work best in “Top 5” form:

Top 5 Things You Wouldn't Know from Reading my Blog (not that you necessarily wanted to!):
>Shaving legs: totally unnecessary more than once a week. And anything above the knee? Haha...
>I have NOT gone a whole year without kissing anyone. Who? I'll never tell...
>Intestinal worms are just as disgusting as they sound
>I know 78 different ways to refuse an offer of marriage. Ok, that's not a real number. But really...
>Nearly every day, at least once, I find myself marveling at what a beautiful place I live in


Top 5 American Activities That I Miss the Most:
>Teens/Church/Young Adult! Nobody gets it here...
>Being able to talk to my parents/brother/extended family whenever I want to
>Sitting on the kitchen floor with Amanda when one of us has a problem
>Kickboxing/the Gym. Videos just aren't the same.
>Winter. Snowboarding. Sweaters. The sensation of being cold. Now, when it's below 80 I need a sweater.


Top 5 American Foods I Miss:
>Sushi. Cannot be recreated here
>Kashi Go Lean Crunch Cereal
>Whole grain products of any kind. Everything is white here (ironic, right?)
>Panera. Yes, I know that's not one food. Also miss the cathartic conversations I have there.
>Cheese/Yogurt. I eat the crap out of it when I'm in big cities, but it's just not the same as having it regularly. I fear for my tolerance of lactose when I return....


Top 5 Things I don't miss as much as I would have thought:
>TV (except Lost). It's actually kind of nice...
>Washing machines. There's something rewarding about scrubbing the crap out of your dirty clothes, and seeing them actually get clean.
>Running water. While I revel in the occasional hot running water shower, it's not such a bad thing to carry buckets on my head (my neck muscles are super-strong).
>Electricity. I appreciate it more when it's on, but when it's off, I manage.
>Refrigerator. What exactly did I use to keep in there?


Top 5 Things I didn't expect to enjoy as much as I do:
>Taking motorcycles, everywhere. It's exciting
>The sound of the rain pounding on the tin roof at night. It's remarkably soothing
>Going to the market—intimidating at first, but now routine and comforting
>Beer. It's in a giant bottle and only costs a dollar. And you can drink it at noon on a Tuesday, and no one thinks anything of it. Can't beat that...
>Staying close to home. Going to capital cities is just a hassle. Mamfe is mellow...


Top 5 Things I Don't Think I'll Ever Get Used To:
>Hats. People (especially moto drivers) wear the silliest hats here. I'm talking Santa Hats, Pumpkin Hats, Furry Hats, not to mention the traditional ones, which, though traditional, are in fact a bit silly looking.
>Gendarmes disturbing everyone while traveling. No, I don't have my passport. I have my residence card. That's all you need. Jerk...
>Palm Oil. As much as I love the food (see below), it's just soooooo oily....
>Bargaining. Hate it. A lot. Avoid it whenever possible, especially since I'm not particularly good at it.
>Super-slow internet. I'm paying an arm and a leg, and I still have to fight with it...lame...


Top 5 Cameroonian Foods I'll Miss When I Go Home:
>Koki. It's pretty much amazing.
>Burning Fish—whole grilled fish with amazing spices, served with bobolo...yummmm...
>Beans and Beignets. Who knew beans for breakfast was a good idea?
>Spaghetti Omelettes—Delicious and nutritious. Ok, maybe not nutritious...
>Fufu and Eru. The traditional dish of the Southwest. Hate it when it's forced on me 3 times in a day, but I missed it in Bafia, and I'll miss it when I go home.


Top 5 Things I LOVE About My Life:
>BEST. POSTMATES. EVER.
>I feel more independent and self-reliant than ever.
>My wardrobe is the best it's ever been in my life. BTW, my tailor (thanks Melissa!) is amazing.
>The US Government is paying me to have an awesome time. Thanks Obama!
>I have friends here that would drop whatever they are doing to come help me if I really needed it. Any time.


Top 5 Things I've Learned Being Here:
>“Wherever you go, there you are.” All the personal issues I've struggled with in the US have shown up here, sometimes in rare form!
>It's ok to relax. This will be a little hard to bring home, but it's kind of nice to have long vacations, and not feel bad about sitting around reading all day.
>I don't need a whole lot of stuff to be happy. Yeah, there's some things that I could have bought that would make my life a bit easier, but I opted to not live “Posh Corps”...and I'm happy with that.
>I'm pretty much a bad-ass, strong, tough, person. I don't let crap get to me the way it used to—you can't here, or you'll go nuts, because people say random, stupid, mean, inappropriate, crude, and rude things to you nearly every day. And I know that that's not about me, it's about them, and their ignorance, or their pain, or whatever. And I let it go.
>I'm a spiritual being having a human experience. Even when I'm not (physically present) in any community that supports me in that.

Ok, I think that's enough waxing? I'll update again shortly with a “Summer Wrap-Up”, detailing the hell-hole that is Bafia, my glorious return to Mamfe, and changes are a-coming to my school! 14 months down, 10 to go! Start getting ready for the party when I come back (make sure it includes the above-mentioned food items)!