OK Go

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qybUFnY7Y8w

Naomi sent me this video and it makes me smile for a lot of reasons. It reminds me of life. Of my time in Mali. Over a year and a half ago I pushed that little red truck into a stack of dominoes and so much has happened since then. Times have been chaotic; times have gone smoothly. Moments of busyness followed by long stretches of relaxation. I had many expectations without really knowing it at the time. Thinking I had come in with none, this is interesting to look back upon. My hopes and dreams at the beginning of this adventure have slowly faded away. It seems once something has been set in motion there is no stopping it. For better or for worse.

Sorry for the disjointed thoughts. Chalk it up to evasive sleep at two in the morning due, in part, to a massive head cold. Strange to have a head cold when it is so hot. Lows over 80, highs just under 110. It doesn't cool off. Thank goodness for airconn and swimming pools. Listen to me. Airconn and swimming pools. As if that were normal for a Peace Corps Volunteer. I am spoiled. Big time. To the point where I should no longer be considered a PCV. I suppose I won't be in another week. Funny how that works. Things change so quickly. I go from a month of European paradise, to a poor, African farming village scorched by the summer sun, now to the expat life in Bamako, like a nice summer vacation, to the upcoming snows of Northern Michigan. Maybe all that explains the head cold and lack of sleep.

I am getting tired of Goodbyes. Goodbye to Naomi. Goodbye to Europe. Goodbye to Bougouni - my banking and market town. Goodbye to the village. Goodbye to my mud hut that I put so much work into. Soon I will say goodbye to Bamako, my friends here, Mali, and Peace Corps. I could use some Hello's. Hello America. Hello Family. Hello Home. Hello old friends. Hello Ann Arbor. Hello Naomi. Soon enough. Soon enough.

I am sweating sitting here at the kitchen table. I believe it is time to go back into my airconditioned room and give sleep another try. We shall see if these angry sinuses will allow such a thing. Wonderfully cold bed: here I come.