Getting Personal

Dear Christine,

You're right it's a good thing I am a touchy-feely person, because these Africans love to be close and physical. I spent many minutes straight just holding hands with a African I just met. They a lot of times finish handshakes, not with letting go, but just holding hands. Piled in with 22 teenage Liberians into a van for 8.

Also, you would think everyone was yelling at you because they like to talk very loud and forcefully. I thought of you and how you would cry even though they'd only be trying to help you. I joke.

Dear D. Higgs,

The Africans don't need P90X, they are already all ripped... well a lot are.

Also, I memerized a young boy with my ability to do a bridge while shuffling. It was like magic to him. I promise I'm not stealing all their money by beating them in poker.

Dear Tradd,

The Liberian would not appreciate your bathroom habits with so many multiple visits you like to take daily seeing as the water to flush the toilet you have to pour in yourself. And that water comes from a tub and the water in the tub comes from long walks down from a river or well.

Also, someone tell Tradd to read this, otherwise he'll never see this. He probably thinks I'm dead already.

Dear Alicia,

For once people are not surprised when I tell them me and my sister are ten years apart, because most families have multiple children with large age ranges. Also many people think you and Craig are rich because he's a doctor. I tell them otherwise.

Dear Hattie,

Found no British people yet.

Dear Caroline,

A group of kids laughed at me when I told them I don't have sex. They explained that 'all' kids before my age are having sex.

And don't act surprised why I'm telling you this! No, I'm kidding I don't have a reason. Everyone else is reading along too anyways.

But don't worry I encourged them and talked with them about accountability groups in churchs. Apparently they don't do things like that. I think it would be a good idea. They agreed.

Dear Mother,

I am alive still.

Dear Everyone,

I just got back from a Youth Camp this weekend. I have learned so much about Liberia culture through the teenagers here, but of course where else would you get the truth. I have also learned about their terrible misconceptions about America. Not bad ones, they actually think to highly of us in my opinion.

"Your women are beautiful. In the movies and TV we see them and they are so beautiful." I quitckly explained that's why those ladies are in the movies and that not all American girls are that beautiful. But of course all the girls I know and are reading this blog are some of the most beautiful in the world... heh.

Also, speaking of America, they love talking about the elections. I thank God I voted for Obama, because you think they all think he's the next coming. They think he's made such great changes, but I avoid telling them that there haven't been much change yet considering that change takes time haha. But it's great they support us and optimistic for our leadership.

Speaking of beauty, I got voted and awarded "Most Attractive" at the youth camp. They had this pagent and talent show thing and at the end of the night many awards were handed out. They said they think I look like Justin Timberlake (psh JT wishes he looked this good). I was honored... I'm not sure if it was a joke though.

I made a lot of friends with those kids and I sad the camp ended. I really hope I get to see them again.

Speaking of those kids, they freaking love the song, "(Don't Make Me) Fall in Love" by d'BANJ. The artist is from Nigeria. Look up the song, it's the jam. It's the theme song of my stay here, because I've probably already heard it a hundred times. And man do they jump up and dance like crazy to the song. It really is catchy. I can hear it off in the background right now. I shall never escape it and I don't know if I really ever want to.

My home for the summer. The Kulah's residence.

This is some of kids in the van that I got very close with (on multiple levels haha) on the Youth Camp.

Here's some guys who introduced me to some popular Liberian jams, like the foreign sounds of Neyo and T-Pain...

Oh and thank you to Christine for the great messages she has left me on Facebook. She's the only one...

And don't worry Christine, I didn't get raped in the Nigerian airport while waiting outside all alone in the airport by myself.