A chilly start to cold season

Hi all!

Time has flown by these last few weeks! First Halloween, then Thanksgiving, Tabaski, and now we are into December. Today is World Aids Day!

Unfortunately, I am back in the states on med hold and have missed my first Tabaski in Mali. (For more info on Tabaski, see related post.) And will be missing all the awesome activities that San Kaw (people of San, my banking town) will be putting on today. On the agenda: a soccer game between two rival teams at our local stadium with testing booths and an awareness animation during half time. I do believe there is also a dance scheduled to follow the game. I am sad to be missing it, but it leaves more to look forward to next year.

I am on med hold in Washington, DC but hope to be going back to Mali soon. I flew in on Sunday the 22nd after 18 hours of traveling. My grandma picked me up at the airport and later in the afternoon we picked up my mom who came in to see me while I am in the country. We have been having a great week, spending loads of time catching up, telling stories, and eating all the great foods I can't get in Mali. I even got to spend Thanksgiving at my grandma's house, a first for me. She had an amazing dinner, turkey with all the special Thanksgiving treats. I got to see my aunt and uncle and their kids, as well as my other uncle, all of whom I would not have gotten to see for another two years had I not been in town. So while I am bummed to be away from Mali and to be stuck on med hold, there is a silver lining to it all. I'm even enjoying the cold weather and the rain!

My med hold is nothing serious. I have lost some feeling in my leg and to rule out anything too big, the neurologist I saw in Mali suggested an MRI, which they do not have in country. I am here in DC running a few tests and meeting with another neurologist, but already my MRI's have come back negative. The radiologist even said I was normal!

I have a few more appointments at the end of this week and the beginning of next, but I am hoping to be back on my way to Mali after that. Thank you to everyone for their support, love and thoughts. I'm so glad to have had the opportunity to talk to so many family members and friends while I am here (much closer in time zones and much cheaper!) and look forward to connecting with more of you in the days to come.

hugs, kisses, and loves