Chill Bumps

Also known as goose bumps.  They happen when you get cold.  And I had them today, for the first time in a long time :)

Today has been a busy day already, and it's only 3:30!  The morning started out with my final two periods of teaching before we go into second period testing next week, so I was trying to cram about 2-3 days worth  of material into 40 minutes.  Whew!  As soon as class ended, I headed to the van and we left to go into Monrovia for a town hall meeting at the US Embassy. 

Before beginning our trip, Ann Elizabeth and I both registered our stay with the US State Department, so we occasionally get emails with information about events, etc., in Liberia.  A few weeks ago, we received an email about this town hall meeting - open to all American citizens, used as a forum to get information and ask questions.  We decided it would be good to go, at least to see the Embassy (we had not been there before).  So this morning we were able to see the US Ambassador to Liberia for the first time.  I really enjoyed hearing Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield, her passion for US-Liberian relations, and her firm conviction that Americans will never again have to be evacuated from Liberia (all non-essential Americans were evacuated during the civil war in the late 1990s).  US personnel in Liberia are working hard to support the Liberian government, help them in being a democratic state, and reducing the problems of the past (corruption, etc.) that sent the country into violence time after time.  After the Ambassador spoke, we heard from the Head of Consular Services, Mr. Steven Harper.  His role, at least as portrayed in the meeting, is to help with relations between the Embassy and Americans in Liberia.  He was also very friendly and welcoming.  Although we didn't meet too many people at the meeting, it was fun to go to the Embassy, hear from the Ambassador, and feel like we were part of yet another community here in Liberia. 

After the meeting, we decided we needed to take advantage of our time in town.  We had someone from Ricks drop us off before the meeting started, and he's not picking us up until later this afternoon, so we decided to walk down the road to a hotel we had dinner at once and treat ourselves to a delicious lunch.  As I type this, I feel totally full (and happy!) after having a cheeseburger, french fries, a cup of coffee (yes, another one!), and a chocolate dessert of some kind.  Mmmm-mm!

Now Ann Elizabeth and I are both sitting on big comfy couches in the hotel in the air conditioning.  The chill bumps happened while we were at the Embassy this afternoon, but it's nice and cool in here too :)  It has been fun to just take a day to relax and enjoy ourselves.  This is also the first time we have gone anywhere without someone from Ricks with us, which somehow makes the whole experience feel more "normal" and like something that could happen any day at home.  It was been another wonderful day; another chance to experience more of Liberia and appreciate another amazing and unique day.