She's back!

I know this is a little late, as pretty much everybody knows I made it back safe and sound, but I just wanted to talk a little about going home and being back.
I had a great time in America.  I got to see a lot of people I had missed and do a lot of things I had missed doing.  It was awesome how quickly it felt normal hanging out with friends and family I hadn't seen in almost 2 years.
Overall, the U.S. wasn't as shocking as I thought it would be. Some things did take me by surprise: The grocery store was miraculous, albeit a little overwhelming.  Driving a car again was fun, and the way American traffic is so organized and choreographed was beautiful/astounding/miraculous (that word describes a lot of American things.) Eating American food was amazing. I worked through my whole list, and it was all delicious.  I would like to thank everyone who had a part in me gaining 7 pounds in a month.  I appreciated it all so much! Along the same vein, throwing "spoiled" food away freaked me out more than I thought it would. Never thought I'd be so upset about having to throw away some old leftovers, but don't worry the food was rescued and my stomach of steel handled it just fine. In the end, I'm really glad I got the unexpected 2 week extension on my trip.  It allowed me to do a lot more casual hanging out with friends and family that I wouldn't have had time for otherwise.
The trip back was great. On my 2 longest flights, I had an open seat beside me. I got horribly misdirected in some Canadian airport, but that just led to me seeing the beautiful terminal where the international flights to nice places leave from, then getting to ride on an express moving sidewalk two different times, (It travels faster than a person walking on a regular moving sidewalk- like running only you're standing still hoping you'll figure out how to get off when the sidewalk ends.) and getting to pass through customs with the wave of a card like some celebrity.  Overall very good travel experience, and then at the end of my travel, friends had come to get me at the airport.
Once back, I got to hang out with a lot of people from the group I arrived in the country with 2 years ago, and then headed back to see my family here. Baby Muhammed Ken started walking just a couple of days after I returned to the compound, and I was so excited I didn't miss that. I don't know how its possible, but somehow he's even cuter now that he can walk.  We had a big celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Peace Corps a couple of weeks ago, put on by the president (of The Gambia). It was very cool. We all got to shake hands with His Excellency, and heard many speeches of Gambians appreciating the Peace Corps and what we have done in the country, and plus there was a ton of delicious food.
Part of the reasoning of going home was to see if I was ready to stay in The Gambian another year.  Although it was awesome to be in America, I think the opportunities I have here for the coming year are too exciting to pass on. The work for the next year, provided that it works out, sounds like it will be challenging and a great experience. Looking at the job description, I can't believe someone thinks I am qualified to be doing this, but I have the opportunity to give it a try and I can't wait.  And its not just the work I'm staying for.  I really do enjoy living here.  I have people here I enjoy hanging out with, and there's something about being here. Everyday, there's probably going to be something that will drive you absolutely crazy, and definitely ten other things that are just hilarious and a few things that make you really happy, and probably something that will make you think about how lucky you are that this is your life. Its a roller coaster, but I like to be on it, and in my experience, its way more up than down.  So, barring any unforseen circumstances, I'm proceeding with my one year service extension.  That means I get to look for an apartment next week!