My daily grind is a bit strange and hilarious in comparison to my life in Ghana and my notoriously busy routine in SF, and I absolutely love it. Each day, I get to play faux soccer mom to my 11 and 14 year old brothers -- taking them to school, doing homework, cooking healthy dinners, watching games, attending rehearsals, etc. -- which is all stuff that I missed while living in the Bay Area. It's great to be a part of their daily lives this way as their uber cool Big Sister.I have grown so much closer to them and have learned so much about their wonderful personalities.
Ronald, 14, is in 8th grade and is probably the coolest teenager I've ever met. Granted, he has his total ass hole moments, I've never know a kid to be so wise beyond his years. We are taking tango and salsa lessons together with a bunch of Hammond seniors, and he is better at it than I am! He's also super involved and awesome in sports and is excelling in track as a runner. I justed signed him up for his first trithalon! He's way too good looking and has girls drooling over him left and right, but thankfully he'd still rather stay home and play video games with his buddies. and DUH - hang out with ME! This kid cracks me up with his sarcastic shit head commentary about the world and is great to just shoot the shit with. I cried the other night after he went to sleep just thinking about him as a fat little baby: I used to give him baby mohawks and desperately chase him around the yard with clothes during his "streaker phase." He's a little man now and it's bittersweet for sure.
Andrew, 11, is in 5th grade and is equally amazing. He is a total drama queen in every sense of the word. He's in acting classes at the local theater in Valparaiso and has been selected to play the lead in both shows that he's participated in. We have a love-hate relationship these days because I make him do his homework (love to study with him because it's toally a prep course for the GRE's) and eat his vegetables -- all completed daily with dramatic (and hilarious) protests. He primarily hangs out with the girls and rides his unicycle which serves as my daily entertainment. We watch Nick at Nite episodes of Home Improvement before he goes to bed each night (his favorite show -- what the hell is that about!?) and read the Twilight series in our 2 person book club.
When I'm not helping Ma out with the kids, I go to Curves and Weight Watchers with my Nana. I totally tried to pawn that shit off like I was "just doing it for her" but in all honestly I kind of love it. Those meetings make me feel great! and Curves is the most convenient (and dorkiest) workout I've ever been able to stick with. Whatever the case, it's a perfect way for to get Nana out of the house and a perfect venue for us to be closer than we ever have.
I love that I am able to stop by my Uncle Paul's house for coffeetalk, go out with my favorite cousin Lisa , kiss ALL my cousins' beatiful babies, enjoy Sunday BBQ's with Nana and Pampa, visit Dad and Suzanne (and Harpo!) at their dreamhome in Madison, kick it with Alex (23 y/o bro) in Bloomington, and end the day laughing with my Ma over a bottle of vino -- ALL on the regular. It's a luxury I haven't had in my adult life and it's lead to a lot of healing and growing on ALL fronts.
Best of all, this has been the perfect transition from my stay in Ghana. Living in Ghana changed my life in the most wonderful ways and I am so grateful for my time there, and especailly for meeting all the amazing people I now share my life with. Though I miss Ghana consistently, I am tremendously blessed to be able to return to my roots for some serious regrouping and figure out my next big move.
