Friday, July 13, 2012

Life Mottos: Africa Edition

It's been 5 weeks and I feel like I can officially say "I've lived in Africa". Easier said then done I'll have you know.. I've learned a lot of life lessons along the way. Here are just some of my many new mottos that you should keep in mind next time you plan on coming to Tanzania!

-Write a list of Goals/Bucket list on the airplane ride there
-Always sleep with the bug net
-Remember: Coke Light is NOT Diet Coke
-How to wash my laundry with a bar of soap... and always remembering to double rinse!!!
-To make friends with all the Muzungus you see... because you will definitely see them again, most likely at Glacier
-Nakumatt is a home away from home. An African Walmart if you will.
-You really can make soup with just a little bit of chick broth and some cut veggies
-How to kill a cockroach and spider with almost no fear
-To share a bed with your little and have the most ridiculous conversations to the point where you are waking up the whole house from crying with laughter
-Hide yo candy, hide yo granola bars and hide yo trail mix because they are snatchin' all the food up in here
-Drink Chai in the morning and savor every morsel of mondazis.
-Don't hang your clothes on the line or they will get rust all over them
-Talk to muzungus outside of Unique (clothing shop) just so you can find out that it is your LONG LOST SORORITY SISTER who graduated from USU years ago
-Don't walk to the ocean or you will step on a sea urchin!!! let the tide come to you!
-Have as many tickle wars with the kids as possible
-Teach the kids how to deny high-5s like its their job
-Eat cabbage, rice, then repeat.
-Take some fighting lessons before you decide to wrestle your little on the beach
-Take the Dola Dola (aka Dolla Dolla $$$$)
-When adding numbers in your phone... put something else significant next to their name (i.e. Glacier, Nairobi, Chrisburger, etc.)
-Have fun with the kids... but be the one to when they come to when they are tired so they fall asleep in your arms
-Guard your headlamp with your life!!!!
-Let the dogs follow you into town... somehow they always find their way back (2 mile walk every day one way)
-Wear keens... even though you look like a fool.
-Bring clothes you actually LIKE because you will go out more than you think!
-Dance with the old ladies at celebrations ("2 more minutes" turns into 20)
-Sometimes... you just gotta sneak away and have roomie bonding time under a rusty shack
-If the power is out (which is always basically)... light a candle! (NOT ON YOUR BED!)
-Print pictures of your favorite people before you go on an extended vaca so you don't need to stalk them on FB 3 days a week
-Pay a little extra money to take a nice bus
-Order beef in Africa... not chicken.
-Don't lay in bed talking about what you want to eat from America for more than an hour with your bff or nothing will ever suffice
-Keep a quote book and an African Proverbs: aka things we learn in Africa section in the journal
-ALWAYS journal Thursday/Friday/Saturday nights
-Cuddle the kids during movies... its the most action you will get in months
-Stick to the "Rules" list you hopefully made before you got here.
-Document everything
-Make sure you go with basically your favorite person and someone you know you wont get sick of
-Make sure you have Bejewled downloaded on your phone (and your friend does too so they dont always steal it)
-When your not in the mood to socialize... act like you speak Spanish!
-Live by "YOLO"
-Hang out in Tree Houses sometimes
-Act like you care about the World Cup even if you don't
-Don't litter (OBVIOUSLY) or you will get fined (aka your friend)
-Remember... even though you THINK that this is normal life, it's really not. so don't take it for granted.

But like I always say... "That's Africa, Baby!"

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