100th post!

So, that's kind of cool, right?

I was flipping through some of my posts since I started this blog in 2007, and I realized that I haven't blogged about anything really of substance in a long time.....or maybe ever......well, don't get too excited, 'cause I'm not going to do it now. I love my blog because I finally have a forum where I can spout off my random thoughts and keep in touch with people. But if you want to know how I'm REALLY doing......you'll probably have to call or e-mail me.

OK, so I'll give you at least a LITTLE teaser of how I'm really doing, but only because A) I'm really impressed that you're reading my blog! Thank you!!! and B) Because I feel bad that I don't post more often, and there are folks out there who I think actually want to know how I'm doing, and are interested in my life in Venezuela!

Which to me is like, go figure, I mean, I think God could plunk you down in any corner of the world, and it would become hum-drum in your eyes. Life has finally "normalized" here for me, which probably explains the lack of blogging. I go to work, I go to church, I cook, I hang out with friends, I grocery shop, I call home, I go to work again, and so on. And I'm doing GREAT! In case you were wondering. This is definitely an adventurous place to live, in a word, but I'm having a great time and learning a lot. I'm mainly learning 2 things:

1) How to cook: This is a relative phrase, but I have made some pretty tasty dishes lately -- it's nice to be able to come home and have time to put together a whole meal. For my birthday dinner (the first time I've had more than a handful of people over for dinner.....like ever......) I made Eastern NC style barbecue (that's pork). And it turned out! Like, people ate all of it! I used my Grandpa's recipe and didn't even mess it up. Yum. I'm also learning:

2) To be a grownup. I've had a lot of growing up to do the past several months -- I've been working in the American Citizen Services section (yes, we're the people you call when you're overseas and your passport was stolen). But we get called about a lot of other things too -- arrests, natural disasters, estate disputes, international parental child abduction, fraudulent citizenship claims, plane crashes, you name it. So these crises arise, and I'm expected to take action. To solve a problem. To provide a service, and be mature about it and do it well. I am very grateful to my parents (especially when I'm dealing with custody issues and parents who are......I have no words to describe them). Sure, we're not a perfect family, but seeing the full spectrum sure makes you appreciate what you have. In fact, I'd say we're doing pretty dang good. Well, I mean. Anyway, my mom calls me a kind-of-social worker, which is sort of true, except we don't really provide any social services.....which sometimes upsets people. A lot. Which is why you have to be mature. *Deep breath*

So the moral of the story is, when you get yourself into trouble overseas, be kind to the consular officer when they are just doing the best they can. And then call me and ask if your story can beat out any of the ones I've got in my back pocket.....I'll bet it can't :)