Wow. ~ By Amanda

I'm home, tomorrow makes two weeks. Have I adjusted? In some ways, yes. There are just certain things you never forget how to do, like getting in our car- and buckling up too. But just because we didn't forget how, doesn't make it normal, as we're doing it now. I believe there are parts f Utila we all miss. Today as I was washing dishes, and not having to dip them into bleach, I decided I wanted a mango... but there was no main street to walk down, so side street to turn on, to get me to the big mango tree today. The friends and fellowship I had enjoyed so freely as I sat on our porch, or walked through the stores, now is farther away. It takes a phone call, a calender, a stop at mapquest, a car, a stoplight, and much more time. And it doesn't always happen. Family Camp was a great adjustment time. We were in the States, around the people we are used to seeing here, but we walked everywhere, and there were golf carts, bicycles, friendly people, even if you didn't know them, they would smile, wave, and ask how your day was going. It was great. One down side to camp, was that I had a horrid headache one day, accompanied by a fever, and I felt SO cold for about an hour, that I couldn't stop shaking. ...The next day it was pretty much better, I still had lots of "tent time" though. Andi got it the next day. Mom set a doctor appointment for us on the day we came home. Our bites were still oozing, and appearing in places they weren't before. Any scrape or scratch we would get soon became this oozing sore. The diagnosis: We three, Stephanie, Andi and I, have staff infection. We were given antibiotics, and were supposed to go to the doctor again today, but as I was typing right now.... I just noticed we forgot and missed the appointment. I'll call Mom about that, anyway.... We then went to my memaw, and pawpaw's house. Memaw made us the most amazing peach milk-shakes.... that's a good reason to be home :D That night, Dad took us to a football game. Raiders vs Texans. Dad was cheering for the Texans, we were for the Raiders... I'll explain later. On our way, we noticed that we wanted to take pictures of everything. OOOooo, look at the Texas Motor Speedway, isn't pretty tonight, it's so amazing... oh and look at that huge tower.... look at all the cars, where's the camera!? So, we decided we will have to do another picture post soon, to show you all the amazing things that are here! I mean, I haven't been in a Wal-Mart yet, or for that matter any other store besides Tom Thumb, but I have been to the post office a lot, the gym, and to the library. There are SO many people here! I mean when we walked into the football stadium for the Texans homecoming, we all just kind of stopped. There were probably more people there, than on the entire Island we had known for so long. I felt like i did when I had first come to Utila, you know, eyes darting everywhere, unable to look where you're going.... My dad had gone to this high-school , and his dad. So Pawpaw and He were very excited when Texans shot in the lead... We have lived across from L.D. Bell for ten years, loved to hear them practice, and are rather faithful to them, so although we were on Northwest's side.... we still cheered loud and hard for the Raiders. The man beside us said, "Man I love having the competition right beside me!" With just a few minutes left to the game, L.D. Bell almost made a touchdown which would have tied the game.... and from where I was sitting, it looked like they had.... too bad, the Texans got it, and managed to make a second touchdown before the game ended. It was fun, even if my team didn't win :p I've been to my church now for two weeks. It's so nice being back, worshiping with my church body, not having to work at all to understand sermons. Next week though, we are going to Restoration Church for their Spanish service. That will be nice. We'll get to know some more Spanish friends around us.

I am enjoying having my instruments back, I'm working on Pachelbel's Cannon in D on my hammered dulcimer :) We're getting back into our school schedule, I'm finishing drivers-ed, and will take my test soon... that's cool :D And.... on Thursday we all start speech and debate, except Steph.... she's a graduate :p We're having a friend over tonight. That's nice. We'll try to put some pics up soon.

'Till the Sunrise,

Amanda ~ who misses Utila SO much.