Who are you callin' a blog slacker??

Ummm, I guess that would be me- according to Julie:-)

This week hasn't been busy, but it hasn't been not boring either (what exactly is the right word to use for the opposite of busy?). I have settled nicely into a routine that goes something like this- sleep, work, sleep, work, sleep, wor.... you get the point. I am 3weeks into my month of insane overtime and can feel it! When describing what it was like to work night shift to Julie, she said- "oh, like being jet lagged." That is exactly what I feel like 95% of the time. I have officially become a night shift person. I have a really hard time sleeping at night on my days off, and have no energy when I force myself to be awake during the day. Thankfully I'm at the start of a four day weekend and feel like I have just received a "get out of jail free" card, (or at least a weekend pass) to get as much stuff done as possible.

My sister Sheli comes in 1 week! I'm sooooo excited to see her! This time in PA has been great. And I can honestly say that I haven't been nearly as homesick for my family as I was last fall, I am starting to miss things about California. Mostly my family (and the beach and bionico, and Cuban food). I miss having people around all the time, laughing at the dinner table, not having to worry about the dogs being let out...etc. I would say that I am close to all my sisters in different ways and have very special relationships with each of them (I have 4 sisters total). Sheli is the youngest (15) and has only been my sister for a year and a half. I don't know if it's because we're the only two siblings living at home, or if it's because I was there when she moved in, but Sheli and I have an especially special relationship, with a unique bond- so much so that when Mel and Jamie came to visit and I had to sleep on the couch, Sheli made a bed on the floor beside me every night. She'll be working at a youth camp in Mt Gretna for three weeks before she comes to stay with me for a week (although I'm going to go visit her long before she comes to my house) Having her here is like having a piece of California in PA. If "California Sickness" is going to set in, I think it will be then!

I got a surprise call from my Uncle Phil today. Phil is my uncle who resides in Africa. He and my Aunt Becky were in PA for the day and wondered if I had spare time to see them. I just saw Phil about a month ago but haven't seen Becky since they left for Africa last November. It was soooo last minute and I didn't know if I could squeeze it into my day. Not that I didn't want to see them, but I had a long "to do" list for the day and driving an hour each way to see them wasn't on it. I went and was glad I did. I love spending time with them (those of you who know them understand why), even if it is just a few hours with a last minute request. Becky told me that being heavy in Rwanda is beautiful (I think I may have found a new home:-). She was leaving a hotel gym where she works out and someone said "My, you are big aren't you." A comment like that would have crushed me, but to Rwandan nationals, the more weight you carry, the more attractive you are simply because it means that you can afford food (another true story- if "baby got back" thats all that matters). Of course, my desire to go to Africa is only stronger. And after looking at the pictures, I may just bring back a brewd (sp?) of Rwandan children when I go.