Thanksgiving 2006...quite possibly the worst and most depressing holiday of my life. I promise I'll get over it shortly and will stop feeling sorry for myself, but for the moment I'll just let the depression sink in while my mind drifts towards thoughts of jello, mashed potatoes, orange rolls, and turkey sandwiches. In reality though, Thanksgiving (and any culturally unique holiday for that matter...only obviously including other things) doesn't really exist without family, football, turkey, and Katie Couric, so it's not so much that my Thanksgiving was shitty as much as it's that Thanksgiving for me didn't exist this year. Which I guess means I'd better do everything I can to make up for it next year, and in the mean time should do my best to not dwell on it's current absence from my life. I suppose I never really understood how wonderful Thanksgiving was and how much it personally meant to me until I realized how much my current Thanksgiving void blows. But I suppose there are worse things; thank goodness I'll be home for Christmas. Missing X-Mas would be more heartache than I'd be able/willing to handle right now...mainly because of the presents...only kidding, it's definitely because of Jesus. But anywho, Happy Thanksgiving everyone (lucky bastards); tis the season for stuffing your face, emptying your pockets, and most importantly, loving the shit out of your family (even if they're 12,000 miles away), so enjoy it while it lasts and may someone bless you. In other news, it's hotter than a George Foreman grill right now, t-minus 18 days and my body will go through the biggest and most ridiculous temperature change of my life, and if I sound like I'm at all pissed or annoyed it's because of everything I have to get done for this ridiculous University in less than 3 weeks (and mostly by Monday)...and who would have thought that attempting to buy X-Mas presents in Africa could be so damn confusing and stressful...it's admittedly kind of fun though and rather amusing too, I just hope it all gets done. Oh and with any luck (and with Megan's aid) we now have paragraph breaks, which in itself is another reason to celebrate...woohoo, go eat some more turkey...and I'll eat some rice... Hmm...what to say about my fast approaching departure...? Yep, still confused, missing the shit out of home, not sure if I'm ready to leave, kinda wish I had more time to get everything done, yet know that I'd probably shoot someone if it came to that. More on that later... Highlights of the last two weeks: 1. FIFA friendly between World Cup qualifier, Angola, and our very own Taifa Stars. The game was admittedly not as crazy as my first Taifa Stars experience (as that match was opening round of African Cup qualification and understandably more important/nuts), but breathtakingly sweet-ass nonetheless. In truth we should all just be glad that it happened. Tanzania's first attempt at getting the Angolans to show was a complete failure-something about missing a plane that never existed in the first place. All was reconciled, however, and in just four days after the originally scheduled date the two teams played what was possibly the Stars last game in the National Stadium (before they move to their new stadium being built by the Chinese that'll supposedly be done by January). The game was sweet, the first half was action packed and really exciting to watch (especially when TZ scored), but the second half trailed and at some point lost it's luster...probably when Maximo took his starting keeper out and the Angolans scored...game eventually ends in a draw. All in all, quite a peachy experience. 2. International dinner at our safari man's house: As a thank you to our safari guides for an amazing safari experience AND for inviting us over to Fikiri's the week before for some killer ugali na mbogaboga, we (meaning Karanga, Suzanne, Nina, Laura and I) decided to combine our various international meal-making resources and influence in hopes of whipping up a spectacular chakula cha jioni (dinner) for the guys. Being that we had no access whatsoever to cooking materials and equipment, we were allowed to use Gabriel's kitchen (he's the owner of the company and the one who Suzanne is sleeping with) under the condition that we rocked his world with our excellent international cuisine. In the end (and after nearly 4 hours of cooking...dinner was served at like 11:20pm...and spending entirely too much money on way more food than we needed...whatevs though), we treated them to generous helpings of Suzanne's authentically German potato salad, a sampling of Laura's meaty (and really salty...though excellent) Finnish meatballs, various portions of me and Karanga's vegan-chocolate-banana pancakes (Karanga's vegan, I can't cook anything except for steaks, burgers, ceaser salads, and macaroni n' cheese...and maybe spaghetti, but I haven't really tried...but whatever we both love pancakes...they're American, right?), and Nina's ridiculously delicious vegetable curry (although it's not Austrian at all...but I must say that the girl is talented...pole sana for screwing up your rice though Nina. Hopefully I'll master it someday...), and topped it all off with some fresh fruits and veggies (we diced up the largest and tastiest pineapple I've ever had/seen in my life). All in all an excellent night of fun-filled cooking with friends in a kitchen that was way too small and entirely too Tanzanian for what we were doing, but hakuna matata. Also, Gabriel's little brother, Brian, is a freakin genius who's entirely too cute for his own good, loves to dance to reggae music, and is going to be fat now that I've introduced him to pancakes. 3. A rememorable and interesting night to say the least (although genuinely unique and slightly weird), of watching the Michigan vs. Ohio State football game via satellite with the US Marines at their barracks/private frat-house/American college kid paradise at the US Embassy...stories to follow...I don't really wanna talk about it. 4. University Life:....no wait, University life sucks. Although I do look forward to frisbee-Wednesdays, volleyball, and Admin Lunch Thursdays. 5. If there's one thing I'll miss the most next semester, it'll definitely be teaching at Mlimani. Those kids freakin rock and I like teaching (allow I really can't say I've experienced the down sides and tough aspects of it, I've just been lucky enough to show up two times a week, entertain the kids for awhile, grade a few papers, and then leave) so much more than I thought I would...and to be honest I'm kinda good at it too. More later... Um...not really sure where I'm going with this right now, and considering that I have dance class in less than 15 min. I'd better consider wrapping it (whatever "it" is) up. I'd say you could look forward to some further elaboration about my life, but I'm not sure I'm comfortable with promising things I can't fulfill. To be honest, I have no idea when I'll find the motivation, time, or even a reason to ramble some more. For now though, be comforted by the fact that I'll be seeing most of you real soon...and if not, go draw a picture and dedicate it to me. I'm not sure what that means. End random post now. Peace-boozie Okay...now.
9 Comments:
Hey Zach,
Don't worry . . . be happy! You will have stories and memories to last a lifetime from TZ. . . I am proud of you that you embarked on this semester experience. It is not the easy life of Johnny Boy in Lugano as he travels here and there every weekend. However, it is the travel abroad experience that was right for you at this time.
Both you and John have learned to live among all new people, make new friends, live daily life differently and less comfortably as here in the USA, miss your family and friends, be away from life at Luther, etc. However, it is what you have gained that needs to be applauded!
In a few short weeks you will both be home to connect with family and friends at Christmas and in no time moving into the Cluster Life at LC. We look forward to seeing you during 2nd semester.
Embrace these last few weeks of your life in TZ. . . it is an experience you will never have again.
Hang in there,
Pat Meyer
Mother of TZ Survivor Scott
Mother of Swiss Man John
11/24/2006 06:25:00 PM
I love you.
11/25/2006 08:25:00 AM
Hello, friend!
It hurt my heart to read your post on Thanksgiving! I couldn't help but think of the Thanksgiving when I came to see you and your family in Denver at your grandparents' house. Hang in there, my friend, and I as was said above, cherish the little bit of time left. I talked to Nathan the other night, and he and i both miss you like mad, and I cannot wait to have some saucy man time when you return.
In much peace, hope, and love,
Jamie
11/26/2006 06:27:00 AM
oh pretty face...
1) I'm really sorry that we all gave you shit for not writing with paragraphs. I went into your blog and you did write in paragraphs, but it doesn't translate through to the version we all read. I don't know how to fix it. I'm sorry, but people will get over it especially since you only have two more weeks away.
2) We will have to recreate Thanksgiving when you get home, so you don't have to be so sad about missing it.
3) It's nice to hear that you are so excited about the Jesus part of Christmas.
4) We are decorating for Christmas, so our room will be all decked out when you get here.
5) Linds might be staying at Luther for second semester... so get excited!
6) this is turning into an email rather than a comment, so I will be done.
7) I love you!
11/27/2006 07:00:00 AM
hi friend-
I'm sorry you had a sucky thanksgiving. Mine was sucky too so we can bond on that!
Anyway, how excited am I to see you?????
(the answer is super duper excited)
And yes, the rumors are true...I may be here 2nd semester! holy cow!
Ok well you should start making a very organized list and/or outline of all the things you want to tell us when you get back. Becuase I'm planning on listening. alot.
keep your head up these last couple weeks! You're in the home stretch (i feel like john..sports analogies) you can do it!
peace,
linds
11/27/2006 10:14:00 PM
oh goodness, boozie. i am conflicted. first of all, john's mom stole my 'don't worry be happy' and then megan stole the thunder of my 'haha, that jesus thing made me laugh'....
and now all i'm left with is a strange feeling in my belly. i am sorry about your thanksgiving... in many ways, you'll probably learn to appreciate your holidays with friends and family more than in previous years..... on the other hand, talking with john this weekend and now reading your blog has made me realize how goddamned long i'm abroad. jesus. a whole year? am i crazy?
don't worry about the last few weeks, you'll be chumming it up at the LC in a few short weeks- enjoy your weather, the authentic food, and the lack of consumerism and fat people....
much love,
oh, and ignore the whole online relationship with megan.... it's complicated....
kevin
11/28/2006 12:37:00 AM
Zach! It's me, Nathan! I'm an asshole and procrastinator and jerk for not writing sooner, but know that my guilt has eaten me alive every day. I'm not sure why said guilt failed to inspire action, hopefully you're not too mad.
Yesterday I saw the BEST MOVIE. 'Stranger Than Fiction' starring Will Ferrel, Emma Thompson, Queen Latifah, Dustin Hoffman and maybe some others. It. Was. AMAZING! I can't wait to watch it with you.
I saw the movie with my NEW GIRLFRIEND. Her name is Kim and she works at Red Robin. You used to work with her. She is hot. And cool. But mostly hot.
My roomate, Jeromy, bought a house in Clifton and we moved in last week. We have a third roomate who is super swell.
I quit my job at Albertson's. I know work for Schlumberger (pronounced Slumber J). It's just like Haleburton except our uniforms are blue instead of red. It is the greatest job of all time. I'm the head of my own department so I write my own schedule (weekends off!) and each day flys by.
Your postcard was beautiful. Thanx for spending so much time on it. It is cherished (no exaggeration).
Again, sorry for not writing but know there hasn't been a day I haven't thought about you. I'm so proud of you and I can't wait to see the mark this journey has made on your life (and to hear you play your new drum)
I love you, man.
Nathan
11/29/2006 06:54:00 AM
dude, did you make it back safe? we've been worrying about you for almost 3 months!
2/08/2007 08:01:00 PM
Zach! It's Suny Gao... it's pretty random but I ran into your mom in grand junction a while ago and she gave me your link and told me I should write you so I finally thought I should. It's been a long time, and it sounds like you're doing some amazing stuff! Are you back in the states yet? Keep in touch, this is my email: Suny.Gao@colorado.edu
2/11/2007 11:29:00 AM
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