Why I Still Need My Mother

"What on earth, Cara? You're twenty-seven years old and you still need your mommy?!"

While that may be your incredulous thought, the answer is yes, I do. :-) After a long and very good day in the ER, I came home to find this in my room:


[the note reads "TRADE: You must toss at least one formally white tee]

I was confused for a moment. I already have two white long-sleeved shirts, right? Why would I need new ones? Then I started laughing.

The long-sleeved white tee I wore last shift to work had no problems anywhere a person could see, but the body of it had mold stains from Mada that wouldn't come out even when washed with bleach. I figured it was okay because only the sleeves showed - everything else was under my scrubs. Upon closer inspection, I saw that white tee #2 was white...but only compared to dirt. After two years in Madagascar, that one wasn't turning white any day soon, either. :P I really just don't think about these things until someone tells me!

Also the chocolate + pretzels shows how well she knows me. *grin*

I'm glad I have a person in my life willing to step up and tell me "What Not to Wear," and spoil me rotten with treats. :D

Currently Reading...

I have had MUCH fun being back in a land where books are in English are readily accessible. Fiction, non-fiction, medical, missional, books I can turn off my brain and read and books that require concentration have all made it into my collection of the last few months.

[edited]

Malagasy Students

“My tribe has a taboo against eating pig, so I don’t eat pig.” The girl informs those of us at her table.

“Did you know hot dogs have pig in them? I didn’t know that until I had lived here in America for a couple years.” Responds a Malagasy guy.

“Hot dogs have pig?! Oh dear – I eat hot dogs sometimes!” The girl looks slightly troubled.

“Yeah – another one I learned was ham. Ham is pig, too!” The boy puts his arms wide in the ‘who knew?!’ position.

“Oh no – I eat ham sandwiches every day!!!” The girl says with a look of horror on her face.

It has been a blast getting to meet some of the Malagasy students here in town. I have been especially amused by their initial thoughts of and adjustments to America. They arrived at the university a mere week before classes began (in English, of course), barely knowing the language! They said the first month they were here they just hoped to get in line at the cafeteria behind someone who wanted a yummy meal, because all they knew how to say was, “The same!”

My family very sweetly went along with my idea to invite all of the students over (we had about 20 people for supper) to our house. It was fun showing them my pictures from Mada because I have been to several of their home towns and they were excited to show their friends where they lived. One guy also knew one of my Malagasy friends in my photos (the one above)!

Some of the students want to head back to Madagascar upon graduation, others want to visit then return, and still others want to stay in America. They are a diverse group, but all agreed that, for Madagascar to develop well, people (especially in government) need to have a heart and mind change.

Thanks for praying for my language ability. A bunch of vocab came flooding back as I was speaking with them, and several of them complimented my language skills (following the normal pleasant Malagasy culture they would have regardless, but hey, I’m choosing to believe some of them were sincere!), so I could tell you guys were lifting me up. :)

Tratra ny Krismasy!

Merry Christmas to all, and to all in Africa, goodnight.

Here in America, however, it is still mid-day Christmas Eve. The tree is lit, the goodies are made, and family is, indeed, gathered near.

I wanted to let you guys know that I was able to attend an international dinner with the Malagasy students at my sister's university and have them over to our home. It has been utterly delightful getting to know them and speak Malagasy with them. I will blog about it soon, but for now I am merely hopping on to say Merry Christmas. :)

A Different Proposal

Here I was missing the oddities of living in another culture and I get one in my own. :-)

Stopping at Burger King to get an icee on my way home, I called my little brother and ask if he’d like one. “No, but I want onion rings,” he answers. I lower my window to order.

“What can I get you today?” The faceless man through the box queries. “I’d like an icee and medium onion rings, please.” “That will be a bamedium…arg…seeicee…arg! An icee and onion rings? Sorry about that, I got my words mixed up,” announces the box. I chuckle and tell him it’s no problem.

Arriving at the window, a gentleman in a red Burger King visor leans out. “That’ll be $1.57.” “One fifty-seven?” I ask. “Shouldn’t my total should be more than that?” “Yeah,” the guy grins and looks me in the eye. “I’ve got a proposal for you.”

Oh dear. The last dozen proposals I’ve received have only been for one thing: marriage. But since this guy and I met mere moments before, I’m hoping it’s something else…

“Here’s my proposal. You take the satisfaction survey, tell them V** gave you awesome customer service, and I’ll give you a free icee!”

I ponder quickly. Hmm…can he do that? Give away free food for good reviews? Is this corruption on the lightest level? I guess he knows the rules better than me since he works here. A free icee would be nice. I definitely consider free food awesome customer service, so…

“Sure,” I say. “Thanks!” He turns around, tossing the onion rings into the brown sack. “I’ve got one more surprise for you.” Reaching out, he hands me the bag. “It’s a large.” Smiling broadly, the guy bids me goodnight and I pull away.

I don’t know if this is normal in America now, if he does this to everyone or just people who are nice to him when he stumbles over his words, but I certainly was laughing on the way home, sipping my Coke icee in bliss. ;)