As most of you know, I returned home to act as a groomsmen in the Kalluas-Ashcroft espousal. The ceremony, dinners, and reception where absolutely spectacular. This was my first actual "participation" in a wedding ceremony ever, and it was a privilege to travel the distance to participate in the union of two very good friends. To elaborate, the groom and I have attended school together since...well, since kindergarten when you first attend school. More so, we were freshmen roomates in college, and I was a "foster roomate" our sophomore year when the two started dating (my actual roomate at the time had a severe snoring affliction and I took up living with friends during the night).
Yes, in all of the photos, I am quite distinguishable as the person who returned from the Peace Corps to partake in the wedding. But, hey, what's a wedding without having "that guy" as part of the ceremony, right? One day, when they procreate, their child will point to me in the pictures and ask "Who is that guy?", and they will say "Well, that's crazy uncle Frank!". And, believe me, one day I will make a great "crazy uncle Frank".
The night of my return, Minnesota received a nice little snowfall; which is rare at the end of April. In fact, I think I might have been the only person in the whole state who was happy to see it! For me, it was quite nostalgic; the only snow I ever see is on the tops of the mountains about 2000 meters (6560 ft) above me.
In addition to celebrating the lifelong union of two very good friends, I also celebrated my personal reunion with friends, family, and a former life. Sounding cliché, I know, I find it hard to put words to my sentiments of that time. I've had innumerable moments down here in which I've longed to speak with, embrace, or pass time with my loved ones. Most people fail to appreciate how much they depend on their social networks in challenging times. The Peace Corps can be absolutely congested with such moments. But you learn to persevere independently; which can make one weary. I believe that my personal relationships and experiences are beyond enviable; and this is not something I take for granted. Finally, I was able to see, speak with, and hug the hell out of the people with whom I've have spent nearly a year without. Please, at my request, be sure to inform the ones you love, that you do in fact love them; there is never an inappropriate time for this. Even (and especially) when you're living on the top of the world, you should come down and express your gratitude to those who helped you get there.
On much lighter notes, my trip to The States served as a reminder of the oddities to which I have become accustomed. For example, while in The States, I went to the market (I believe you still refer to those as "grocery stores"), and I happened to notice that those working not only wore gloves and kept the food in refrigeration devices, but that there were also no flies hovering over everything. I noticed that eggs were white, and they did not have goopy-feathery-slime attached to them. I noticed that roads were smoothly paved with asphalt and that public transportation was comfortable (in comparison, anyway). I noticed that everywhere I went people had a clean and functional bathroom (with complimentary toilet paper). However, the most brilliant thing that I saw all-together was something that I think people in The States take for granted...I saw success, happiness, and diversity.
That last point really rings true for me. Daily, I watch and hear as people talk about me and my physical characteristics. In all honesty, I can't blame them. For, I am a completely different color, with strange hair and eyes, I stand about a foot taller than most, and yet I can speak their language and am partaking in the same daily routines. However, I was helping a great friend of mine return his U-Haul truck when we stumbled upon a store full of customers of Asian, Middle Eastern, European, Latin, and African decent. They were all there, for similar purposes, and not a single one of them commented to one another about how strange the others looked. It's such diversity that makes the beauty of the World. To encounter such diversity is why people set forth on travels in the first place. But, here it lies directly in front of us, and often unappreciated. Before my most recent experiences, this was something that I failed to find so significant. However, now, more than ever, I see the beauty that is the distinguishing characteristics of our backgrounds. America (as it is supposed to be), is the land of the free, diverse, and of opportunity. We must never let the negative aspects of globalization and the media persuade us otherwise. To live in such close proximity with incomprehension of our differences is beyond ignorance, it's mere foolishness. Let's learn from our neighbors. Afterall, we're all in this together.
