adjusting

We're getting reasonably settled into life here in Newark...Dexter had a week of orientation last week which was a nice way to ease into our new life - for all of us! He had shorter, easier days.  This week the real work begins. Already tomorrow he has a meeting at 5 PM and has to be in class by 7:30 am on Wednesday. Sigh.

The past few weeks have been running around getting things done: setting up the house, getting car insurance, finding the local library (and going to story hour!) getting our New Jersey driver's licenses and other mundane things.  But it feels good to be checking them off the list.

There are a lot of changes for us these days, the biggest being Dexter's 12 hour days, once you throw in the commute time. It feels strange to blow him a kiss goodbye when I'm barely awake in the morning and then not see him all day. I miss being able to walk down to the clinic to see what he's up to.

There are other, surprising changes, too.  When in Kenya, I dreamed of fast, unlimited, reliable internet, which we most certainly did not have there.  But, it turns out that fast, unlimited, reliable internet is expensive, and at the moment, internet in Kenya was better! Imagine.  That's one of the reasons the blog has been quiet - I have to be careful with my time.

I admit, last night I was feeling kind of cranky and overwhelmed about everything and was only seeing the negatives: I have no friends, no sense of community, nothing to do all the day long, Kyalo's not sleeping well (again, or - has he ever?), etc.  But then, today, it was okay! We were able to explore the local cherry blossom tree park, and are getting to know the area a bit more. I'm on the hunt for (free!) things I can do with Kyalo.

It will take time for this place to feel like home, but we're getting there. 

And, in other news. Today is the eve of Kyalo's first birthday! And my dad's birthday. Last year he sat by the phone waiting for news of the arrival of baby Mulandi.  Feels like just yesterday, not a whole year...