4.12.2011

27 and a day


I realize after visiting an orphanage where kids need shoes and band-aids and books that my complaints are exceptionally trivial and frivolous.  I am going to complain nonetheless.

Seriously, is it too much to ask to sit down on my toilet in my bathroom in my house and not have a lizard staring back at me?  Or how about turning on the faucet in the shower and not having brown water rush out.  Is that too much to ask?  Is it too much to ask to come home and not find a cockroach in your bedroom?  Or sit at the computer and be distracted by the gigantic ant that just fell on the mouse?

Is it too much to ask to have a romantic dinner on your birthday with your husband?  Because last night he attended a reception to which I was not invited.  Luckily the woman who I consider to be my closest friend here is also persona non grata (read: not FSO) and so at least I didn’t have to be alone, but I still really think it sucks that I didn’t get to see my husband until at 8:30 pm on my birthday.  Like the person for whom the reception was held a) knows Joey, b) cares to know Joey, or c) would have even noticed if Joey wasn’t there.  But who am I to ask?  I am just Joey’s wife.  And I have a birthday every year.  Not like it was my first birthday out of the US and my first birthday where my family couldn’t call me to wish me happy birthday.  It’s okay, I didn’t want Joey around anyway…

I’m just really feeling negative.  Hence my not blogging much lately because they’d all sound the same way and that’s no fun to read.  I realize that I need to change my attitude and that I’m not going to be happy until I do that and I realize I have so many things to be thankful for, including a husband who I know would have rather hung out with me on my birthday and running water and a generator and my dogs and my health and a supportive family, not to mention an amazing trip to Europe planned, etc., etc.  I did end up having a really enjoyable dinner with my friend at a nice restaurant (even though my risotto cost $30 and my martini $20).  I received many touching birthday emails and lots of Facebook well wishes too.  I have some great stories and pictures from our trip to Lagos for the wedding and the last month.  I just have to stop feeling sorry for myself first.  I'll get there...

7 comments:

  1. Hang in there. It's hard and that's okay. You'll get there and it's okay if you whine a bit on the way. I must say that you have some of the best stories of anyone I know (starting with packout).

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  2. Oh I so understand, my little baby! I was in total mourning yesterday. It was your first birthday that I didn't get to speak with you or wish you a "Happy Birthday" and as a mother, it affected me greatly. While I'm not happy it was not a good day for you - it is nice to know you had the same feelings as I did. My thought was, "so now, Melissa is all grown up and gone" and I didn't like how it felt. I love you beyond words. You will have more birthdays to make up for this one. Make it a birthday week and celebrate each day. <3

    ~ Your momma

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  3. I LOVE your posts! Your stories are awesome and your complaints are totally justified :) They show that you are a normal person living in a very difficult place and you have a pretty good sense of humor about the whole thing. Keep writing!

    Also, Happy Birthday :)

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  4. Happy belated Birthday! I'm sorry you didn't have the day you had hoped for. I totally understand. My family forgot my birthday with our move to this post. Didn't help that it was on a very stressful first day of school with the kids crying that they HATED the school, and hubs had a horribly stressful day of work, things broken throughout the house, and no way to get away from falling short on every thing. It does get better. If not, it goes by and it's temporary. Just keep that sense of humor and enjoy the high points wherever/whenever they can happen. I declared my birthday canceled and still am looking for a better time to reschedule it.

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  5. Hi Melissa, I so enjoy your blogs. You are very brave with all you're going through. And naturally, as Joey's NaNa,I must say, you have the best husband in the world... i wish you both the best. I miss you both so much. I do like the idea of changing the name of your blog.Love, Evie

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  6. Sorry you had the birthday blues (a term I stole from the reality show, Bethanny Ever After...) Keep your spirits up, a masterpiece is in the mail to you (aka a picture from Levi).
    We miss you, but love reading the blog and loved getting to skype with you on Sunday!

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  7. Hi sister! Sucks not having you home. I miss you a lot. Miss our chats and randomly popping up at your place once in a while. It was weird having cake in the house but not being able to celebrate your birthday with you. Especially not being able to just ring you up and give you the ever annoying birthday call. I know you have a lot to complain about over there, but at least you guy are set and have stability together! Wish I could afford to come see you, but I know I'll see you soon enough. Love you <3

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