However, it's now: You know you've been in the South too long when you can out-talked Allyson. (Danielle, she the Sunday afternoon talker). Yeah, so the beginning of coffee yesterday started with me doing the majority of talking, though she did take her turn in the end. Maybe it's not the south. Maybe its the caffeine or the excitement. Regardless of the cause, I kept up with Allyson in conversation yesterday. What's happening to me?
This morning finds me equally as talkative and equally as caffeinated. But I think I need to condense my weeks impressions before unleashing my yammering onto the world. Already this morning, I took over an hour to compose an email that was in response to two lines.
I've been getting my fill of people this week and have loved how the timing has worked out.
Saturday I drove up from Memphis, spent the night at Karen's house in Kokomo. I went to church w/ her and the family. After lunch I proceeded to Oxford and Elisa's. Traveling straight, I arrived when I originally expected. I spent the evening and night at Elisa's. And left her place at 10ish. I proceeded to lovely Purdue. Spent the afternoon sitting in the shade enjoying the breeze-beautiful day. At 4, I had coffee w/ Charlene (she asked if I still remembered Christine, which is highly amusing since I consider Christine as the connection that brought me into the closer circle of getting to know Charlene). Then I arrived at Courtney's right on time. I spent 2 nights at Courtney's coming and going. Which has been great and has also given me some quiet time, though no internet. Tuesday lunch, I got to meet up with my cousin Jodi, her husband and daughter. I had not seen Jodi in about 2 years and had never met her daughter. I was then suppose to have dinner w/ Munazzah, but I never heard from her, though I tried to call her a couple of times. I was worried that she had sent an email w/ time and place, but this morning, via email I found that her mother had had an accident and she had to take care of her. So things are find with her mother and I am relieved that I didn't stand her up. That also translated as a second dinner night with Courtney, which was again wonderful. Wednesday morning, I had coffee with Allyson, then lunch with Rebekah. Went back to Courtney's for nap time. Had a late dinner w/ Mindy and spent the night at Mindy's. This morning, I am sitting at Cafe Royal, enjoying a cup of tea and high speed internet. The plans of the rest of the week are: dinner tonight with Lora. I have a hotel room tonight for a better night's sleep. I travel again tomorrow and will probably have lunch with Sarah in Elkhart before having coffee with Jessica in the Fort. Friday evening, I will be home in Decatur for family time. Saturday is the parents' anniversary and Sunday is Dad's birthday. Sunday I will be driving back to Memphis.
Now imagine a verbose recap of the last couple of days.
Though I have culture shock days and lonely times in Memphis, I don't think I have ever regretted my choice. And as much as I love the time I am getting to spend this week, I realize before my trip that this can't be home anymore. Which has actually made my trip better. I think when I first planned it, I was looking for belonging or something to that effect. But as I left and drove up, I remembered why I left and appreciated the wisdom I had in moving on. As I talk with many of these women, they too are sometimes lonely and don't feel like they belong. It has been a great time of mutual encouragement. Of seeing how the Lord has previously provided and is providing. And a great time of iron sharpening iron. I needed and have immensely enjoyed this time. But for much different reasons than I originally planned it. Some people like big parties and being the center of a huge groups attention. One on one time is exceedingly precious to me. Especially since it often seems to take a bit longer for me to fully convey what has been going on in my life. I think it was the second late night with Courtney that she got a better picture of the guy I'm crushing on. Oh and I've been enjoying giving biology lessons. Last night I got to explain to Mindy about chemical bonds: ionic and covalent bonds, electrons and electron orbital shells, and some electronegativity. And no Kim, her eyes did not glaze over. I'm trying to decide if I want to admit that that conversation happened around midnight or later. I love my non-science friends who let me explain and are interested. Elisa has a good biology background and I explained more my research to her. Her reaction was that she understood and followed me, but that she was so glad that I was the one doing it and not her ;) Fair enough.
