I recognize that a chapter is closing for you, too, who have been so kind to share this experience with me. You who stood in spirit with me one year ago on the night I first arrived in Palau and fought back tears of stress in my dark apartment with my shattered and missing belongings spread across the world. You who were practically with me during every sea snake sighting, the day Daniel sprayed vomit off of me and dragged me onto my bed, and all of the times I felt a little homesick and lonely. As odd as it sounds, as I say goodbye to the church kids who told us about "pornomography," the sunsets over the ocean, and every piece of Palau we've grown to love, I feel like I'm bidding farewell for all of us.
But amidst those farewells, here are today's pictures and distractions:
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| Heading out the door this morning. |
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| I made it to the paella! A new record! AND someone figured out how to switch the treadmill to English! It's a Christmas miracle! |
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| My apartment during the middle of box packaging. It's been three days and it still basically looks like this. |
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| Paul Simon can have whatever hair he wants. |
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| Cops stand out on the road during rush-hour in Palau, directing traffic by repeatedly blowing whistles and waving at the cars to keep going. This one isn't even standing in an intersection. He's just in the middle of the street, reminding everyone not to stop to talk to their friends. |
*****
Stranger Picture of the Week
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| From Steph: A chipmunk munching on a dinner roll that has a smiley face and was thrown out into the woods the day before. |
Crap to distract you from whatever you're supposed to be doing:
Awkward years project. Thanks, Margee.
Yacht cats. What the crap? Thanks, Matt.
The happiest and healthiest cities in America. Go Salt Lake! Thanks, Krishelle.
Read the comments for yesterday's post and have your faith restored in humanity.
And while we're on the topic of heart-warming stories . . . Thanks, Krishelle.
Unlikely, but not impossible pictures. Something kind of soothing about this. Thanks, Tom.
Wonderful outhouse prank. Thanks, Chad.
Cat pictures you won't believe are pencil drawings. Thanks, Sarah.
~It Just Gets Stranger
I'm crying! I'm so happy you've shared so much with us. When I started reading Stranger, I had no idea how emotionally connected I would get to everyone here. Ya'll are amazing people. <3 And a huge thank you from us for brightening our days and letting us walk with you, every step of the way.
ReplyDeleteOmg, you posted my cat picture pencil drawings link! I'm famous! I just want to add that the comments AFTER the pictures are what's REALLY worth looking at. Trust me.
ReplyDeletePaella, huh? Somehow, that does not come to mind as what I'd want to eat after a long run. I once had a boss who convened a meeting where he was supposed to address some serious budget issues-- all of the managers came into the conference room, in crisis mode, bracing ourselves.... and he decided to spend an hour telling us how to make paella instead. With PowerPoint slides of said paella, even.
ReplyDeleteHe didn't last too long.
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ReplyDeleteI have loved vicariously living in Palau. I will miss reading about it, but I'm sure the adventures with Strangers will continue to be a highlight in my daily internet diet.
ReplyDeleteI will miss reading about your adventures in Palau. It'll be good to read about your adventures in Salt Lake though :) I love how you have a Paul Simon CD. Paul Simon is pretty awesome! :)
ReplyDeleteEven better! It's a Paul Simon guitar book! My dad bought it in the '70s and I've been carrying it around with me for about eight years. Don't ask me how many songs I can play in it though.*
Delete*Zero.
I have friends from Palau and it has been enjoyable learning about their homeland through your eyes. I can't wait to read weekly distractions from SLC! Every time we visit I inevitably say to my husband, "Only in Utah..."
ReplyDelete"But for Manny, his overcast soul was the true reason for his dissatisfaction."
ReplyDelete~Yacht Cats
Thank you Eli. Thank you.
Is that a couch from the church? Because that looks like the couch that used to be in our foyer.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe you only have a week left. It's gone so fast (for those of us not living through it every day.)
No, just a couch that's been in my apartment since probably 1993. It smells like people. But, like, people who don't bathe themselves.
DeleteWhen I grow up I want to be a Yacht Cat!!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on running those 16.2 mets. (Mets?!?)
ReplyDeleteSo you seriously weren't joking about the whole packing peanuts everywhere business. Intense.
ReplyDeleteOh, honey. And it got so much worse than that.
DeleteLong time reader, first time commenter. Just thought I'd let you know that I saw Daniel in Santa Fe today. Walked right by him in the plaza, did a double take, considered saying, "Hey Daniel." just to freak him out . . . but thought it might weird him out too much considering he might not know how famous he's become due to your blog :) Might I add, he is a very giant person. The pictures don't do his tallness justice.
ReplyDeleteYou definitely should have said hello! He would have loved that!
DeleteHa ha, aw shucks! Opportunity missed. If our New Mexican paths ever cross again, I'll definitely say hello.
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