Observations | LJ, Banquets, and Mail

BOYS’ DEAN’S OFFICE – You people at home think you love Taco Bell. You think because you go towards the Border Menu a couple times a week over a lunch break, you and TB have a relationship. You think that the occasional desire for a 7-layer burrito constitutes an addiction.

Oh, you don’t know, you don’t know…

Since I’ve got here to Kenya, every care package from home is filled to the brim with candy, Chiefs games on tape, and other goodies. But the absolute first thing I check for is a baggie of Taco Bell sauce packets. These little guys, taken so for granted by you, have become my lifeblood. I truly don’t remember the last time I cooked something in my room without adding at least 2 packets of “TC Sauce,” as my mom calls it, to the recipe. Every day for lunch, I pocket a handful and take them to the cafeteria in the event that we have burritos, ugali, or pretty much anything else lacking a much-needed kick.

It’s not just me, either. Doug Hartzell has two buckets, filled to the brim, with sauce packets. I’ve taken them to lunch before and watch students salivate. One of the kids, a freshman named Hanna, went so far as to take one of my used packets that I’d just squeezed 90% of the life out of and drink from it. Just picture it; she took a seemingly endless packet of sauce, milked the half a drop still in it, and dropped it on her tongue.

You think you love it, and I’m here to inform you that you don’t; you just like it.

For those of us that’ll be going 9 months (at the least) without a Gordita or Quesadilla or Baja Blast or even just a simple burrito (no onions), we know the true meaning of love. When I get back to the States, I promise that the first thing I take a bite of will be a 7-layer burrito. Or I’ll starve until I get it.

Three Observations:

1. A true heart-stopper. I can only imagine what my guys were thinking, peeking around the doorframe, into my office, where their dean sat, earphones turned up at full volume, staring into the computer screen and whispering to himself “Get the first down, c’mon!”

The Chiefs-Raiders game on Sunday might have been one of the most trying, stressful times I’ve had since I stepped off the plane in Nairobi. It was imperative we win, not just because it was Oakland or to save the season, but to save face in front of the whole NFL. The Chiefs have been a mixed-message to the league this year, winning over half their games but still not really playing like a contender. This game was huge.

I suffered through an underwhelming first half in the office, through study hall and most of the hour after lights out. When the announcers announced halftime, I dismissed the RAs, unplugged the laptop, and rushed it back to my apartment as not to miss a moment of Chiefs action.

An hour later, I regretted my decision. After getting up on the raiders 20-9, Oakland came back with a couple touchdowns and a 2-point conversion to go up by a field goal. KC was in dire need of points, and I was in dire need of sleep. Bad combination.

The Chiefs matriculated their way down to the field, finally being stopped with a timeout left on the 37-yard line. With every pass, every penalty, every catch-and-run out of bounds, I hopped up from my computer chair and paced the room. “C’mon guys, you can do this. C’mon…”

On LJ’s 36 yard catch to the one-yard line, I could take it no more. I jumped and hopped, repeating my “KICK THE FIELD GOAL!” advice to Coach Vermeil. I wanted to yell and scream, but Elvin was in bed just a room over. Had to keep it down.

Ball spotted on the one. 5 seconds left. Last real play. TD wins it. Vermeil decides to go for it. Team lines up. Praying for no penalties. The snap… the handoff… the jump…

Touchdown.

I popped up out of my seat, pumping my fist with my right arm, covering my mouth with my left. I don’t remember a more exciting victory, especially considering my game-enjoying circumstances. Go Chiefs.

2. Be my banquet date! With banquet coming up here on Sunday (of my weekend on), there’s be a sudden mad rush of people hooking up as dates for the event. On Sunday, there were apparently 10 couples going together; today, 25 couples.

Hand in hand with that is the fact that at MAA, students typically buy each other gifts rather than corsages. Of course, the girls are already ready, but the guys have yet to shop. So tomorrow, on my town trip, I’ll be responsible for picking up banquet gifts for like 5 guys who “never got around to it” (forgot). They know that if the girl likes the gift, “Mr. Webb picked it up for me,” but if she doesn’t, “I had to buy it myself.”

3. I want mail. There are apparently 4 packages in the mail right now from my mom that haven’t made it to me. Apparently, the USPS says they got to Africa safely – the problem is once they’re here, there’s no telling where they are. Every time I talk to my mom, the first question is “Any packages today?” “Nope, nothin’.” *Sigh* This wasn’t a major observation, you know. Just wanted to let ya know. I’m praying every day for it, so hopefully it’ll all work out soon.

Ok, This is all for now. Later!

-cw