A couple of days away.

Happy solstice, all!

I'm writing this from lovely Brownville, Nebraska, in the very southeast corner of the state -- I can see the bridge over the Missouri River from where I sit. Just closing up a couple of days helping the Bookstore Maven at her satellite office. I'm not sure I was a very good sales surrogate -- three books in two days (though now that I'm ready to close up and hit the road, the shop is suddenly full for the first time).

But I've had a lovely, relaxing two days. I can see why Miz C loves it here. No cell reception, no errands to run ... nothing to do, really. Which suits me just fine after nearly a week of schlepping boxes one place or another.

After work last evening, I walked the little trail behind Brownville's historic homes. Peaceful.


But now I'm ready for civilization again. Stop in Auburn for a Diet Coke, blast some New Pornographers on the drive home, pick up my sis-in-law and finally go see the "Sex in the City" movie. I've heard it's really, really bad, but I don't care. I'm just in it for the fashion porn.

Leaving Lola.

Tomorrow I sign away my little bungalow. And just when all my little planting projects are finally coming to fruition! Those roses on the drainpipe are blooming for the first time in the three years I've lived here.

Lola has been a dear friend to me. I'll miss her ... but I'm ready to move on.

What I'll miss:

My backyard oasis ... sipping High Life on the patio, surveying my domain of salvia and penstemon, hostas and honeysuckle, monitoring the comings and goings of bunnies and crows, polka numbers seeping up from the Antelope Park bandshell, alone with my laptop or laughing with good friends.

Mowing the lawn.

Showering. (New digs are lovely and serendipitous but set up for baths only.)

On-call Internet.

My sunny yellow walls.

Getting my hands in the dirt ... weeding or finding space for just one more plant.

Lazy Saturday afternoons on the front porch, rocking on the swing while Miz Amy smokes on the steps.

Being surrounded by books I love.

The backyard parties -- pinatas, broken hoes and all.

What I won't miss:

The constant screech and whine of the Baptist brats next door.

Mowing the lawn.

The monthly mortgage.

The sad little things that needed attention I couldn't afford to give -- leaky faucets, peeling paint,

Where I'm headed:

I'm blessed to have a lovely new home to settle into, even if temporarily. Thanks to the Subversive Bookstore Maven!

Come tomorrow, no more Internet at home*. Come June 29, no more car. But I have everything I need: a badass bike and two strong legs to power it; an expansive front porch from which to survey a whole new neighborhood; a box of books, and another of wine; a portable iPod sound system; big ideas and dear friends to keep me company over the next two months.

*Read: No more obsessive emailing or blog/Facebook/MySpace posting! So don't panic if you no longer hear from me 1,000 times a day ... getting online will mean hauling ass to a coffee shop or my brother's house. Or figuring out how to use a phone card. If anyone can enlighten me on that, let me know ...)

Quote of the day:

"Not knowing how near the truth is, we seek it far away." – Hakuin

(from a returned Peace Corps volunteer ... interesting, no?)

It's in the mail.

The formal invitation finally arrived yesterday. Morocco: Yes! Youth development: Yes! Leaving in September: Yes, indeed! Now all I have to do is call Monday to enthusiastically accept.

I'd been thinking to get a part-time job this summer, mostly to fill time but also for walking-around money.

But I don't really see how I can fit one in, what with all I hope to accomplish in the next two months before I leave ...

My summer to-do list:

Brush up on my high school/college French.

Start learning Darija (Moroccan Arabic).

Read everything I can get my hands on about Morocco.

Download teaching methods and study tips on youth development.

Take long daily bike rides on the MoPac.

Improve my yoga skills. (So I can practice in Morocco ... ad possibly even teach others?)

Study transcendental meditation. (Don't laugh, there's a local instructor, and I mean to get in touch with him!)

Take up belly dancing? (You know, when in Morocco ... )

Stop telling myself I can't/don't cook, and practice a few dishes I can make with ingredients available from your typical souk.

Volunteer with Community CROPS ...

... and with Nebraska AIDS Project ...

... and with Lincoln Literacy Council ...

Spend more time with family.

Spend more time with friends.

Relax! (It may be my last chance for a couple of years)

This list is nearly as ridiculous as my Peace Corps packing list! But you can see why I can't find time to be employed ...

Let's party!

Looking forward to seeing many of you at the pah-tay tonight!

Besides the luxury of Miz K's presence, we just found a new reason to celebrate.

My placement officer called today. She's found me a new placement, and the invitation should arrive within a couple of weeks.

North Africa (I'm pretty sure it's Morroco). Youth development -- teaching English, healthy lifestyles and civic development. Leave Sept. 6.

Not at all the region or the work I'd envisioned when I first started this whole process. But I can see so many opportunities. I'm possibly even more excited than I was when I got the Tanzania invite!

Life works out. Thank you all for riding along on my emotional roller coaster.

Now I can enjoy a summer of soaking up all my lovely Lincoln peeps, researching my new home, maybe getting a head start on learning some Arabic. And maybe work in another trip to Tucson!

For those of you being held hostage tonight -- surely that's the only excuse for missing the party! -- don't forget Billy Bacon and the Forbidden Pigs at the Zoo on Friday night. It'll be Miz K's last night in town. Let's send her home with una mas cerveza!

Off the beaten path.

After a much-needed R&R in Tucson, it feels great to be back home at la casa, sitting on the patio with Miz K, both of us playing on our laptops and sipping on High Lifes. (High Lives?)

Tucson is a fabulous town -- hip and quirky, dry and hot, with fantastic hiking, food and people-watching. It was so lovely to see the culmination of Miz K's first year of work with Voices Inc. Her students, photography novices all, produced some amazing work, which is testament to both their own perseverance and their instructor's mad skills.

Went for two short but great hikes -- Gates Pass to the west, at sunset, and Catalina State Park to the north. A town surrounded by mountains and home to one of my BFFs ... why am I so eager to move overseas when I could just move down to the desert?


The Tucson trip was capped by a perfectly lovely evening listening to samba music at The Hut with K and her friends Sean and Monica. The musicians were mostly a bunch of gray-haired white men, flanked by a more traditionally rasta-styled drummer and a beautiful flutist of indeterminate heritage. Despite their anglo looks, the band was fantastic. Everyone -- all ages, all body types, all socioeconomic levels -- grooving together. We danced and danced and then went to The Grill for bad tater tots and sophomoric, giggly humor. Such a fun night.

Then we hit the road. First to Phoenix to see the Fabulous! Miz J and Mr M, as well as K's adorable extended family, then 2o+ hours to Lincoln. The drive from Phoenix through New Mexico is just phenomenal.


We saw many amazing sights along the way. Most defy description.


Miz K drove the whole way, by choice. She's quite the multitasker.


Now we're back, as if things had never left off last August. Amy's here with a pack of smokes and a bottle of Piesporter. William's on his way over. All is right with the world.