1.  In America, we wait in line for things.  Here, we wait in mobs.  Such is the case for public restrooms.  There’s this unspoken rule in the States that in a public restroom, we wait in a line a safe distance from the row of stalls.  Here, you wait in a “line” that hovers around all the stall doors, and it’s perfectly okay to walk past the person at the “front” of the line in order to stand in front of another door.  You essentially have to beeline it to the next available stall to claim it, even if you’re “next.”  This can be stressful if you really have to pee.  It can be more stressful when your 4-year-old really has to pee.

2.  A few nights ago, I had my first dream in the local language.  Sure, it was language a native toddler here could speak, but I was still really surprised.

3.  This morning at breakfast, Garbanzo sneezed about five times in a row.  Chickpea examined him closely and said, “Yep.  I think he’s homesick for America.”

4.  It’s officially summer now.  We’re starting to sleep with the A/C on.  Oh well…  it couldn’t last forever.  But I’m surprised at how much more tolerant I am of being sticky and hot than I was when we first moved here.  Granted, our first summer was unusually brutal, but I remember being obsessed with how hot it was, that it was all I could think of.  So far, it’s been a passing thought, even when everyone’s stinky with sweat on the bus.  I’m curious if I’ll feel that way in August.

Yesterday, over dinner:

• CHICK: Dad, guess what?  Kyra’s going to come over and play with me tomorrow!
• KABOB: (to me)  Is she going to S-L-E-E-P  O-V-E-R?
• ME: No, not this time.
• CHICK: What did that spell?
• KABOB: It’s a secret.
• CHICK: Oh.  Well, are we going to P-Q-R-S-V-X-X-Y-R?
• ME: What does that spell?
• CHICK: I don’t know.  You tell me.

Today, Chickpea was doing one of her chores – putting up the silverware from the dishwasher:

• CHICK: Mom, I just can’t do my chores!  I don’t have any power (said dramatically, of course).  I’m so small.
• ME: (trying not to laugh) Okay, well, why don’t you pray and ask Jesus to give you strength to do your chores?
• CHICK: That’s a good idea.  I’ll ask him in my head.  (quiet for awhile)
• CHICK: He said okay!  He’ll give me strength.
• ME: Oh good.
• CHICK: Oh!  And he just gave me a hug and a kiss on the cheek.
• ME: Wow!  That’s really cool.
• CHICK: And he says to tell you hi.

A few seconds later…

• CHICK: Mom, I just asked God if I can take my pink blankie with me to Heaven, and he said yes, because He loves me.

He meets our needs, the big and the small ones.