Hum, Hum, Hum-Hum, to Me!

Well, if you don't recognize this post's title, it's a familiar song that we sing to people when they become another year older. So, I'm singing to myself. I just celebrated my 23rd birthday, my first ever birthday out of the country. I can't believe I'm 23!

This birthday was my first birthday away from my family, which was hard for me because birthdays have always been a time where I love to be surrounded by them. Fortunately, I will get to celebrate with them very soon. Also, God provided for even my birthday needs. I have made some awesome friends here who took me out for ice cream, made me dinner and breakfast, and baked a cake for me. I have felt very loved, though I still miss my family. God's provision is amazing!

Look at that huge cookie sandwich cake! Oh so good! Oh so sweet! I am so thankful for the McIntires. Having them here really has made the transition easier.

Happy B'day breakfast! My roommate made me breakfast for my birthday. I was really excited! She made biscuits and gravy. It was a great way to start off my day. The candle in the biscuit added a nice touch. Don't you think?

Yeah! This is my huge B'day Bash! Okay, so maybe it wasn't for me; it was the staff Christmas party. But my friends surprised me with a cake. What better way to celebrate than with a party you can pretend is all for you? That cake actually has 23 candles on it, but it's really hard to blow candles out when you're laughing.

Great B'day! Thank you God for another year! I am very blessed!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

Well, it may not be the Christmas look I'm used to, but I am thankful I got to help decorate one of my friends apartments as well as my own. It's been challenging to get in the Christmas spirit here because Christmas isn't as big of a deal here. I don't know that that's a terrible thing. At least, the focus of the season isn't on gifts, gifts, gifts. It makes me stop and really reflect on what the true meaning of Christmas is. I do miss the lights and decorations and the atmosphere of Christmas in the states, though. I am looking forward to being with my parents for the holidays.

This Christmas tree was in our back courtyard when we got here. It was in need of some help, though. The top was completely broken off, but we thought for sure some duck tape would fix it. Well, it turns out duck tape alone is not a fix-all. Can anyone say "A Charlie Brown Christmas"?

This is our repaired Christmas tree that is decorated and ready for the holidays. My roommate duck taped a stick to it, and "wa-la" it's fixed. I'm very thankful for the people who loaned us some ornaments and decorations. It feels a little bit more like Christmas.

This is our dining table set for Christmas. It even has a plate of cookies. All that's missing is a note to Santa and a glass of milk.

Even our lamp man gets in the Christmas spirit with his nice red bow tie. Little drummer boy?

My roommate fixed up the entry to our living room while I decorated the Christmas tree. Unfortunately, it didn't last very long. Nothing really sticks to these walls. But, it looked nice for a little while, and we both got pictures before it fell down.

Tabaski

Around the time of our American Thanksgiving, my Senegalese family celebrated Tabaski. Tabaski is a Muslim holiday celebrating Abraham's sacrifice. It was quite an experience to spend the day with them. It reminded me a lot of being with my family at Thanksgiving. The men slaughtered the rams and then watched football (soccer) all afternoon. The women cooked and then when in a back room and talked for the rest of the day.

I was warned before I went that I would probably have to eat some liver. I'd never had liver before, so I couldn't honestly say I didn't like it. However, the thought of eating liver didn't sit too well with me. Needless to say, God and I spent a lot of time talking about this before I went for Tabaski and as I was sitting helping cook. I kept telling myself that it isn't really that odd. Lots of people eat liver. My dad likes it. It'll be fine. Then when I saw them serving it, I tried to convince myself that I wasn't really liver. Anyway, I ate it, kept it down, and didn't make a face. I would say it was a successful tasting but not one I want to repeat anytime soon.

I was told I had to wear nice, Senegalese clothing. This is my nicest outfit, which I only wore on the trip there and on the trip back. They made me change into another outfit to help them cook so that I wouldn't get mine dirty. It was an interesting experience. This was taken at the end of the day right before I left. I was there for about nine hours and was a little tired.


This is one of three rams that the family sacrificed. The men were in charge of preparing the meat. Two of the three men who worked on the rams ended up cutting themselves. Needless to say, I kept a safe distance.

The women cut up lots and lots of potatoes for french fries. They make some of the best fries!

The infamous liver (if liver can be infamous) cooking on the "grill." Thankfully I only had to eat one bite. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Phil. 4:13

Brothers and sisters around the world love to torment each other. Senegalese siblings are no exception. I just had to get a clip of this because it reminded me so much of me and my brothers, only I was the little one.

Pictures are a great way to end fights. After getting the above video clip, I told them I wanted to take their picture. Immediately, they were all smiles and hugging each other. Cameras are an amazing weapon to have when kids are around.