any reason to have a party is usually a good one. as long as it doesnt involve feelings of obligation, dress codes or unnecessary presents. last night there were around 45 people here - not counting 10 kids and my family. lots of people to say the least. it was great to see people and it does not even seem like i have been gone for a year. but that being said - so much has changed and it never fails that i perpetually feel older and older. minus a few people - most all of my boys were together last night. not very often that all these folks are together - so it was really good. stayed up kinda late having good conversation and drinks, and just hanging out. i was pretty blown away that so many people showed up and it made me realise how much i miss some of these people. im glad i got to see everyone - it had been a long time.



most of my boys...

im back. back from the czech republic and here in mississippi. things are well. it has been an eventful week for me - so i will try to catch you up - because i realise that you are on the edge of your seat waiting...

the plane ride home was pretty uneventful. i was all worried about leaving the country, afraid that my bags would weigh too much or that passport control would say something about me overstaying my welcome a bit. turns out the only slight problem was the american customs guy in canada, who grilled me about every little freaking detail of where i had been. you give a little guy a gun and somewhat of a title - and they think they are the coolest guy ever. guess the good ole US of A doesnt think you should be gone too long, or bring back foreign chocolate for that matter... it wouldnt have been so bad if i wasnt to the point already of almost missing my next flight to altanta. for some reason since i flew through canada to get home - i had to recheck all my luggage and go back through security in montreal before i could fly to atlanta. wasnt too much fun - considering that i had two huge bags plus my carry on. i had to lug these across the airport with no help. sucked. but anyway - i made the flight - although just barely. but i made it to meridian on time and no problems.

this week i have gotten to see most everyone that i have wanted to see - and those that i havent - i will see them tonight. i am having some folks over to my parents house tonight. should be a good time. during the week i have been mostly working for my dad, helping him out some and working around the house some. mom had surgery on thursday - so i am trying to help out with her too. things have been steady and pretty busy. today i will get resdy for the party tonight and tomorrow will be the day of rest.

it is pretty hot here - although i think i have figured out the reason everyone here thinks it is hotter than i think it is. in prague hardly anywhere has air conditioning. i mean - shops and some restaurants do - but hardly any flats. here - you walk in a house and it is 70 (21c). my theory is that here you just never get used to the heat. how can you when you step back and forth changing 20 degrees constantly? anyway...

well i will write more soon. i do miss prague and the river, and going to the park. i miss the beer and i miss some friends. but home has been nice so far. i have eaten way too much this week - trying to catch up on the stuff i have been missing. but next week i am going to be back to eating good - no more of all this junk. sucks to get older and have to actually watch what you eat. bye for now...

so my summer officially began yesterday. cant say that i have accomplished much. just some packing here and there - and being really lazy for the most part. saturday i will be going back to the states for the first time in almost a year. there are lots that i am looking forward to. seeing my family, and having a chance to catch up with some friends. eating some food that i have missed, and seeing some familiar things. my cat delawrence and maybe some swimming and being lazy. i will spend most of july being in meridian - then in august i hope to spend most of my time with linds when she gets back from korea and mongolia. i havent seen her since may 23rd - but who is counting anyway...

saying goodbye is never easy - and i am probably the worst ever at doing it. sunday night after church i said goodbye to bekah, katie and kristen. last night i said goodbye to geoff. today at lunch i said bye to katka and there is no telling who else i will have to do the same with beffore i go. right now the plans are to come back here in september - but there is a lot of time in between now and then. you just never know what is going to happen. the nice thing is that i have made loads of lasting relationships here and i know that i will see these people again. makes it a bit easier.

anyway - the summer should be nice. i will be in the sweltering heat again in mississippi. maybe i will swing the sticks a bit or go skiing. whatever i do - i will just have to bum a ride. having no car in the states is not an easy task. bye for now..