Journey to the Free World

    I have been planning on this post since two weeks ago. Bear with me, I feel like I've been immersed in a whirlwind. So, yeah... I'm here! Where to start...
    The flight was smooth enough. Honestly I thought I'd be insanely terrified; I am acrophobic after all. The entire Achieng clan, and then some, took me to the airport. I'm pleased, and a little surprised,  to report that there were no tears! I was absolutely geared up to cry my little heart out. Anyway, I actually enjoyed flying. Sat next to a pleasant American headed to Maine, who was nice enough to bear with a clueless first-time traveler. Food was good, entertainment was on-point, crew was friendly... BA's got it right in my book. I definitely would've enjoyed it more if I didn't have such big-ass suitcases to haul around though, as predicted. So after 27 insanely long hours, 4 of which were spent sleeping, I landed in New York.

First glimpse of the US as seen at a crazy high altitude

    Of course, my journey would be incomplete if it didn't include weird encounters. The most memorable one was when I was checking in in Chicago. Some dude with a really long weird looking beard notices my beaded bracelet of the Kenyan flag and asks, "Are you from Africa?" So, first thought, he can recognize the beads, but not the country he saw them in. I just smiled and nodded, clarifying that I am indeed from Kenya. He goes on to inform me that he's been to Nairobi, where the villagers made him similar beads. Ok, this is me operating on four hours of sleep and already feeling the effects of crossing so many time zones, hence, forgive me for not thinking of a comeback, I let it slide. The other not-so-crazy one was with the customs officer who asked me where I'd learnt English because apparently it was pretty good. For a second I actually thought that might be a trick question. Almost asked even. But I guessed that he'd probably had prior experience with not-so-good English speakers.
    I'll admit I'm one of those people who had the notion that they'd find out of this world things in the US, like it's in a realm of its own. Well, if you're like me and you're reading this, prepare to have your bubble burst. It's all very normal; it's different, but the same, if that makes sense. Basically everything we have, but better. About the school... love it! It really is beautiful. People are friendly (for the most part), the food's not that bad (doesn't make up for chapati; nothing ever will!), and professors try their darndest to be funny. I'll admit it was...odd, and a little daunting, knowing that I'm now part of the minority, more so because I'm the only black person in our hall, but I forget that pretty quickly since no one really makes it a point to bring it to your attention.

I'm not alone...flags of countries represented at U of R

    Listen to this: I have an accent! Me! Not only that, they can't understand it. I mean, I don't pronounce the rrr like they do (you know, dancrrr, prrrfect...you get the picture) and I enunciate my t's. Oh, and my speech doesn't entirely consist of the word 'like'. That's about the extent of my so-called "accent". Oh, well. Needless to say, I repeat myself a lot.
    I think that's everything I have to report for now. Oh, I've lost 4 pounds since I got here! Take that, Freshman 15! Feeling a tad nostalgic already. Definitely miss the food, speaking Kiswahili whenever I want, even the psychotic matatus...oh, and sharing certain jokes with people (the number of times my math professor says the word fundamentals...I just can't). Gotta go. Ugh, I do homework now. And don't get me started on having to carry backpacks around again...

MAB out;)