Today's Accomplishments

• Drove around Merida in a persnickety van and got thoroughly lost - several times - but found my way without phoning a friend.

• After six days without any caffeine, downed a French press in the morning, a frappe-plus-two-shots-topped-with-whipped-cream-and-cajeta (my guilty pleasure, ordered in flawless Spanish and prepared by a barista who greeted me by name) in the afternoon. (CouldthisbewhyI'mstillawakeandblogging?)

• Finished I Chronicles and rejoiced with King David in seeing the hearts of those I lead devoted to God. (It's been nice reconnecting with David after II Samuel killed him off.)

• Spoke lots of Spanish.

• Drove someone to the emergency room while being given directions in Spanish. (He's fine.)
  

• Made tea out of fresh chamomile - so fragrant - necessary, after all that caffeine.
  

• Shared the tea.
  

• Prayed specific prayers for people - I'm sheepish about how uncommon that is.

• Conveniently forgot to make that phone call I keep putting off.

• Said good-bye to a dear old friend that I see every couple of years or so.

• Had amazing conversations with girls I love - most of them over coffee.
  

• Saw a baby gecko.

• Delighted in my calling.
  

• Investigated this story about my beloved Turkey - note the difference in how it's spun. (This piece may tell it like it is, but what a cheesy/peynirli/con queso title for a column!)
  

• Divulged.

• Named said persnickety van "Guacki Junior" (after Guacki, a very large avocado that became our team's mascot but slyly snuck off to Chetumal in someone's backpack this morning).

• Gave hammock advice.

• Gave lentil soup advice.

• Gave relationship advice.

• Gave personal hygiene advice.

• Gave migraine advice.

• Gave pursuing-the-Lord advice.

• Acquired 20+ new mosquito bites, but scratched a tad bit less.

• Heard God speak - never gets old.

• Sang an old song that I haven't sung in years.

• Made a list of the day's accomplishments and posted it online.

Factoids

Paranoias

• That I have forgotten to lock the door at a public restroom and someone will walk in on me. (I always double check. I've only forgotten once.)
  
• That I have something unsightly between my teeth. (Not entirely unfounded - I eat a lot of broccoli and raw almonds.)
• As a child, that my fingers would get stuck in the drain at the bottom of the pool and I would drown. (Hasn't happened.)
  
• As a slightly older child, that I would be attending a wedding and when the preacher said that if anyone saw any reason why these two should not become one they should speak now or forever hold their peace, I would accidentally blurt out, "I object!" (Hasn't happened...yet.)
  

Wish List

• Vintage cowboy boots - brown
• A spice rack
• A pair of kitchen shears

If I had all the time in the world and most of the money...

• I would spend half of it baking delicious things that are good for you but don't taste like it.
• I would spend half of it traveling the world, visiting old friends and making new ones.
• I would spend half of it renovating an old farmhouse.
  
• I would spend half of it planting a garden, canning produce and drying herbs.
• I would spend half of it learning how to dance.
• I would spend half of it reading those books that have been on my list for years.
  
• I would spend most of it doing what I do now, while wearing my vintage cowboy boots in the kitchen of my renovated farmhouse, baking delicious things from my garden, and dancing.
  

I've recently discovered...

• That my eyes turn turquoise when I cry.
• That bourbon truffles are to die for.
• That I might be addicted to caffeine.
• That brushing my teeth with baking soda is not as bad as I expected.
  
• That new friends and old friends, far-away friends and right-here friends, are worth the risk and the effort.