iM dating my computer

So one of the downfalls of being back in the states for 8 weeks {only 4 weeks 3 days to go} is having a relationship with my computer. Seriously it dictates my day. THEboy and I are 9 hours apart in time which creates some logistical challenges.

I wake up at 7 which is 4pm his time. HE gets off work and usually we skype for a few hours when he gets home. Usually starting around 11/12 and lasting until we run out of things to say or ETC network goes down, or the light is out and his computer dies.

I mean LOOK at that face! Who wouldn't want to SPEND HOURS on SKYPE?

After that I attempt to be productive- gym, work for VOH, planning for expedition, emailing my program manager in Ethiopia, hanging with the fam, catching up with friends.

It’s hard, I won’t lie. I’ve been in and out so much that I haven’t really gotten settled into a routine. Right now I am in STG helping Morgan watch “The Girls” aka my crazy hyper nieces ages 5, 3, 9months. It’s fun & exhausting.

I told THEboy it is a great deterrent to wanting a family. He seemed ok with that, for now.

After I fake productivity for a while, eat dinner with friends, drive BACK to my parents house it’s time to call THEboy again. Usually around 10pm our time which is when he is waking up. We talk for a little bit, say our [good morning/goodnight]. At which point he says either:

1. Today at work will be slow lets Skype or Video chat

2. Today is going to be busy can I call you when I get home from work

If I hear option one that means I will be awake until the wee hours of the morning either talking or typing. If I hear option two it means I can get to bed at a decent hour, but iM sad… I know pathetic right? But its true. Any computer time I can get with him I will TAKE! I mean its how we date as of late.

The best part is he sees me looking like {TRASH}. No seriously he does. I am usually either just back from the gym, just waking up or about to go to bed. Not the three most attractive points in my day. I have no deluded sense of self. I know what I look like [tired/sleepy/sweaty] and its not a pretty sight.

Yet he always says: BABY you look gorgeous, seriously you look so pretty.

Then I remember why he is soooo perfect for me! And when we have to say good bye he usually sings a little song, or says I miss you too much you know, or its been a privilege to get to talk to you today. I feel lucky we had so much time.

And when I make silly faces via skype he laughs and he gives me one of these beauties in return.

Then I laugh hysterically.

And iM happy all day

And it makes the days left seem like they are flying bye.

Downfalls of dating your computer:

• 
  
  The network in Ethiopia is crap so sometimes you have to call 6 times to get a decent skype connection
• 
  
  The network in Ethiopian is crap so sometimes you are online for an hour and your BF can’t get a connection
• 
  
  The network in Ethiopia is crap so sometimes when you attempt to call, you have to call times before the call actually connects
• 
  
  Or they are out of the service area, or their phone is off, or their line is busy. All of which don’t actually mean that they are out of the service area, their phone is off or busy. The network in Ethiopia is crap and sometimes you just get a random message.
• 
  
  Sometimes you forget the time change and wake them up or are woken up and inopportune times.  
  

  
  

BUT it is worth it...

♥ Single Girl

We wish we were Lunching Ladies

Instead we go to Vegas every year for a girls weekend! It’s our second annual, and I think we are planning to keep it going (so long as at least 2 of want to go, there WILL be a trip)

Last year was a little more planned. This year the agenda included LAYING OUT…laying out….and eating. We seriously didn’t even shop! It was sooooo relaxing. I had to come home during Ethiopian elections and Ashley jumped on the chance for a weekend away and a GREAT deal at the Bellagio. Be Jealous…it’s ok, we know you are!

Day one we were in STG. Had brunch, hit up target for pool snacks and made our way to the city of sin. The Bellagio is amazing. It really is. Our room was soooo comfortable- for me anything is better than my bed in Kersa.

The staff were friendly and the Valet was QUICK. We got checked in, headed to the pool to soak up the sun. We realized that go get good sun on Saturday we would need to be down to the pool early, lounge chair space was at a premium. So much so that Ashley looked into getting a cabana…next time?

After a day in the sun we headed to Serndipity for dinner and dessert then walked towards the MGM to see Letters to Juilet. We were the ONLY people in the theater on opening night. I guess Movies are a huge Vegas Attraction? It was weird and a little creepy. But fun because we could talk out loud when we were bored and no on gave us crusty look.

On our walk home I heard the WEIRDEST thing: "I got midget strippers"

I checked with a stranger to make sure I heard it correctly and YES I did. My two LEAST favorite things in the world combined…oh Vegas….how I hate SOOO many thing about you.

Saturday we lounged and Ashley friend Lauren joined us. We headed to Wichcraft for delicious sandwiches for lunch. Where we met up with MUMU {AKA April} and Emily! It was a fun reunion and a great eat.

Ash, Kris, Lauren and I headed back to the pool. We scored a spot in the COLDEST POOL IN THE WORLD. No seriously they were chilling the water. There we met some old dudes that spent hours hitting on us, trying to get us to go to a [show/dinner/club] with them. They were all funny and nice, bought us free diet cokes and were SHOCKED we were mormons.

The Bellagio has an older crowd that has some benefits. These guys all had private planes and penthouse rooms. One has lost 13K in poker the night before. It was entertaining.

Guy: Ladies when you see a manly man like me does it make you want to renounce your religion for ust one night?

Guy: So you’re like Mormons? So you don’t smoke, drink or do the nasty?

Guy: Hey you are you Mormon?
Girl: No
Guy: Sorry ladies she is not a Mormons so I am gunna to try to work that, don’t worry I’ll be back if things don’t pan out.

Hilarious. Mostly because THIS guy who was so in LOVE with Ashley it was amazing. He was sitting on the end of her pool chair and made her uncomfortable. She started slowly sneaking off the end.

When she stood up there was a teeder totter effect and her end flew into the air, and he hit the ground HARD!

Everyone was laughing, mostly because it looked like Ashley pulled the chair out from under him. SHE swears it didn’t happen like that, but can you blame her?

After declining all the free stuff we later wished we had accepted we headed to a little dive that Kristen and Ashley discovered on the food network. The 4 Kegs lived up to ALL my wildest dreams. Best part a HUGE dinner for 3 less than $30!

....our waitress was classic, knee high lace up converse!

We all slept well that night & headed home in the morning.

So as always ladies, thank you for a LOVELY weekend. You really are my BESTIES!

♥ Single Girl

My first 48 hours

Back in the STATES was a serious rush. My Dad came out to Ethiopia to spend some time working on the program development, check out my life in Ethiopia and Spy on THEboy for my siblings.

They sent emails asking my dad if he met his future son in law, silly emails asking me if I was going to register for a donkey for a wedding gift, and serious emails asking on a scale of 1-10 how serious am I being. When I picked a 6 none of us knew what a 6 meant in real life

When we left I said some sad, sad “see you later”s…

I may or may not have gotten teary eyed.

We hopped on the plane. Flew for what felt like a week but was really closer to 36 hours. Landed in SLC. I grabbed all 18 bags…ok it was like 4 & my dad grabbed the car and we started the 5 hour drive to Saint George. We arrived in STG well after midnight. I walked around my parents new house, then crashed. Woke up on schedule the next day, got ready, shopped for a mother’s day present*, and Attended Dixie State College Graduation for my brother in Law TYLER SCHAAF! Good job Tyler!

Above: Celina &  Morgan at the DSC Graduation. There are more pictures somewhere...I think on my dad's camera

The NEW Graduate J. Tyler Schaaf and His Beautiful Wife Brooke!

My brother crazy brother Michael & Jess the proud parents of the cutes little girls EVER

After that we headed to Hurricane High School wehre we participated in our second annual Relay for life. I made around the track a few times, snuggled my babies and then went home to sleep.

The best part of Relay was my "Girl Talk" with Ashtynn in the tent. She asked me about my boyfriend, why I had peach skin and he had brown skin, why all my friends from Ethiopia have brown skin & if I was getting married.

Ash: Nina is THEboy your best friend?

Me: Yeah he is my best friend.

Ash: Ok THEboy can be your favorite big friend, but who are your two favorite little friends?

Me: You and Avery {OF COURSE}

Ash: ok as long as you don't forget us.

She then told me all about how smart she is in school and her boyfriend Jakob who she kissed at Mc Donald's and her dad was mad.... Good luck Michael!

Relay for life was followed by a day of errands, a Graduation BBQ and mother’s day. Followed by the long drive home.

 

Dad made a big mothers day breakfast for all of us including Mike & Sherri Schaaf. Jessica made Mumsie a nice mother's day dinner and Morgan made a s'moore cake...YUM! I didn't dare try it, my stomach hadn't adjusted to the US yet.

Being home so far has been (pick your favorite) [weird/amazing/fun/hard/different/the same/boring/exciting]

♥ Single Girl

 

*I found the PERFECT gift. A frame that talks. I put a picture of moi in it {OBVIOUSLY} and it says: “Motha….burried treasure” so that my mom doesn’t miss her favorite daughter or saying while I am gone.

the ONE thing I promised I wouldn’t try while I am here

is Raw MEAT or even Kitfo lab lab (lightly cooked ground meat). I mean I don’t WANT to die, on purpose while I am here. My mom can’t even get a rare, RARE steak in a nice restaurant in the States. I barely like a little pink in my burger back home.

So there is nooooo way, I am going to put THIS in my mouth and down the hatch. When ordering a burger here I say: BURNT PLEASE

...Its one {ETHIOPIAN} dish I am FAIRLY confident that I can make. I mean how hard can it be to make?

Step I: buy meat [beef/goat/sheep]

Step II: chop said meat into pieces

Step III: pour copious amounts of berbere on said meat.

Step IV: EAT!

But boy loves it… I don't know why. BUT I SWORE I'll never try it.

At least it will be easy to NOT cook for him...

♥ Single Girl

iM in {LOVE}

With this guy

& we spend hours talking on the phone everyday

and SKYPE-ing

Sending emails back and forth

chatting

I spend the rest of my time distracted. <--part of why my posting has been so terrible since getting back to the US

 Working (kind of).  Catching up with people and ummm...waiting until I can talk to THEboy again.

♥ Single Girl

Dear Blog/blog world

I have not forgotten you.
iM still alive, back in the Provo area, have tons to blog about.
I just didnt have a computer.
or time.

and now iM busy catching up with [friends/family/coworkers/church people]

next week will be better, {PROMISE}

♥ Single Girl

made it home made it Home

Well by home, I mean I made it back to the US.
which is kind of my home, as my family lives here. 
but iM not in my mom's house. 
or in my old apartment. 
and my stuff is scattered. 
&it weirdly doesn't feel like iM home anymore. 



♥ Single Girl

I didn’t mean to break your heart…promise

Sooooo Meet Ahimed.. he is a nurse on the VOH compound and has worked here for a few years. When I was out here last April I think Kymbra had a crush on him. This time around, he most defiantly had a crush on me.

It started out innocently enough.

I was working with the Village Health Extension worker Toleshi.
Ahimed mentioned that he liked her, but was too shy.
I taught him how to talk to girls. How to flirt. How to be direct.


He then turned that on me and used all that I had taught him to try to win my heart. I didn’t even notice it at first. I mean we talk at work. We joke, we laugh. BUT I do that with everyone. Whenever I go somewhere in the village I usually take someone with me, just so if I need translation or to help me find place or for funsies.


Hussein is like a little brother and usually goes along with me. As of late he has held my hand while we walk. TOTALLY platonic.

*******SIDE STORY*******

He recently confessed he has been in love with my much [nicer/cuter/smarter] little sister Morgan. He has been for years. Get this the first time we came Morgs was 14 and had braces. Hussein fell in love with her right then. When she asked how old he was he instantly replied 16- A TOTAL LIE….he was almost 19 at the time. He said: But she was so young and cute I didn’t want to scare her so I lied…

Hussein has been rapidly aging through the years, we all finally know why.

OK back to the story. So Ahimed had asked to accompany me on several of my village excusions. He even held my hand a few times, or walked with his arm around me.


I thought {NOTHING} of it. HONESTLY, I did.


Until the birds….and the weird conversation….and the fact that his doctor diagnosed him with “depression” then asked if he had recently fallen in love.


So I knew I had to talk to him, and you know straighten things out.


And I did. I asked him if we could talk. HE obliged.

Me: Why did you give me those birds?
Him: Why do you think?
Me: I don’t know, that is why I am asking (sometimes playing dumb is a good way to start these thigns out)
Him: its very hard for me to say
Me: Well I’m waiting so just say it.
Him: ummmmmm
Me: did you give this to me because you like me?
Him: I love you Celina. What is your response?
Me: I am going to be honest.
Him: ok
Me: I don’t love you. I think of you as a brother, like Hussein or Fayisa.
Him: wow
Me: I am sorry if I gave you another idea.
Him: do you have a boyfriend?
Me: ummm. But I have another.
Him: does he want to marry you?
Me: I do not know at this time
Him: Why not me? Why don’t you love me? Am I not a good guy? Am I not enough for you.
Me: You are a nice person. I just don’t love you. I will never love you. I want you to be like my brother. To treat me the way Hussein and Fayisa treat me.
Him: that’s not enough.
Me: It is all I can give you. There will never be more. Its bacca. You need to find a new girl.


Long pause.


Me: do you want the birds back?
Him: no that was a gift. Maybe now you don’t love me, but you will look at those birds and think about me.
Me: I will bring them back tomorrow. I will never love you. I promise, I will never change my mind.
Him: Please keep it, it was a gift. From the bottom of my heart. It will break if you give it back.
Me: fine. I will keep them.


Pause


Me: I need to get back to work now.


He followed me to the gate

Him: WAIT

I turn he is there just starting at me.
I stare back.
He leans I turn my head and walk away.


Him: it’s done then?
ME: yes, it’s done.

Later he asked me not to tell my dad about the gift, or the conversation. I said I wouldn't (because I already had)

And that is how you break up with someone you aren’t dating while living in Ethiopia.

♥ Single Girl

Want to meet THEboy?

I thought you probably did…so here goes.

I am more than NERVOUS about doing this. It seems like the SECOND you make these thing public ie: Change your relationship status on facebook or blog about a boy, things come CRASHING down.

And since iM not quite ready for the crash. I have been avoiding this whole scenario. At this point in time I have too many stories that need to be documented and shared to worry about the side effects of going public…maybe I should rethink this before I hit publish.

Mad BOY..............................................................HAPPY BOY

Photos courtesy of Baby Grant (his five year old cousin)

&This is me and THEboy.

We're totally hot right? Yeah I know..

 No seriously it was FREAKING hot the day we took this picture...so CHECK out the shine.

And this is where your story begins....

He remembers meeting me in Addis in the MAI office. He was talking to one of the faranji’s that were in town and headed out to the farm. They were discussing hunting and animals and stuff. Bracken (the Faranji) was talking about a moose. Which is the Amharic work for Banana so I knew THEboy wasn’t sure what he was talking about. I googled a picture of a moose and gave it to him to look at.

When he talks about this being the first time we met, I believe him and remember it. But Its not what sticks out in my mind as the first time we met.

To me the first time we met was down in the village of Kersa. THEboy had come down with Mr. Paul to help translate. Paul was presenting a lecture series at the EAC (Ethiopian Adventist College) and THEboy was supposed to translate into Amharic. After the presentation, lunch and what not Mr. Paul and THEboy were on the compound.

Boy was sitting in a corner desk. Paul was talking to the staff when I walked in. I remember thinking, who is that? And greeting Paul and everyone else and sitting down for the staff meeting.

Everyone was just talking and laughing before the meeting started. Boy talked to me a few times, told me a story about his father and then talked to Mabrat who he knew from church.

When the other staff members asked how he knew mabrat he said: I know this girl from Church.

My ears perked up…he was…MORMON? WHATTTTT?

Paul started talking and THEboy automatically started translating.

Everyone looked at him

THEboy: I think this group needs translation

Paul: no they should be ok.

Mabrat: I do

Then he spent the rest of the meeting whispering to Mabrat.

After it was over Paul left, THEboy hung around, I forgot he was there and started flirting and laughing with everyone else.

20 minutes later he stood up and said: Everyone they love this girl huh?

Fayisa: Celina is awesome.

THEboy: she is so funny you know.

Then he walked out.

I thought nothing of it until he was at our crappy hotel that night, and I got to hear his funny stories over dinner.

At which point I had really taken notice of him, but figured…eh he is on his way to Beltu and besides he lives in Addis when will I ever see him again.

Only funny because THEboy readily admits that he did not like me at first. He thought I was funny but honestly didn’t take notice of me, or think I was someone he would care to get to know.

It’s a good thing my powers of attraction have been honed out here. And that I got bold, and almost instantly saw someone I was interested in. and that I SPENT YEARS in Provo trying to slyly get the attention of boys I [might/might] not like. Because of all those things my plan worked. He got to know me, became interested and here we are.

Now his plan is to make me fall in love with him. I know this because he told me so.
the weird thing is: iM not afraid of his plan &it might be working.

♥ Single Girl