July 26 - Last day at "home"

Well, I was cooking dinner, but the power went out, so I decided to take this moment to journal.  I CANNOT believe that this is my last night here.  I don't want to leave!  I feel like I've finally really gotten settled and really found my place here. At the same time, I really do want to go home. I just want to know that I'm coming back here!

I think it's going to be easier to leave now, since Jayme and Danielle are gone, but I have so many friends here that I will miss terribly.  At least most of them have Facebook. :)

I am just about all packed, I've taken a shower, and I've charged my iPod, so I'm ready to go! (I just have to find my heart. Malawi seems to have stolen it.)

This morning at the nursery, Mwawi was helping me figure out my ride to the airport, and Zuze said, "She's not leaving tomorrow - I'm going to steal her passport." 

This morning, while we were at the nursery, Mike all of a sudden left for the main office.  When he came back, I asked him what he had needed to do there, and he said, "I went to talk to Feneck to make sure everything was set up for your ride to the airport tomorrow." I told you he was a good friend! :)

I am really hoping the power will come back on soon.  I'm getting hungry!  Mike and I are making pizzas (without cheese.) Should be pretty good anyway, if the power comes back on!

(Later)
Well, the power did come back on and we were able to bake our pizzas.  I made an alfredo sauce for mine and it was almost like having cheese. It was good!  After dinner, we just hung out, talked, and washed dishes.  Pretty chill. :)

Now we're watching Big Brother with Fred and Mark. BB is the most boring, overrated thing ever, but Fred, Mark, and Laita love it and watch it all the time.  Let's just say I won't miss it when I leave.

Laita just called me into her room and gave me a chitenje! It's one of the really nice, expensive ones and it's not like one I already have. It's tan with black pots on it. It's really cool and I almost cried when she gave it to me. Gah, I don't want to leave!

I have dough in the kitchen to make cinnamon rolls in the morning. It will be my last breakfast. :(

(Later still)
I'm about to go to bed for the last time here in my Malawi home.  The cinnamon rolls are out of the oven and I got off the phone with Mom a little while ago.  She told me to tell Fred (and Laita, if she were awake) thank you for taking care of me while I was here.  I did, and Fred said, "Tell her thank you for letting you come! And tell your parents thank you for raising such a beautiful and well-mannered daughter. I'm so proud of you, Casey. You have to come back!" Then he hugged me and I almost cried again. I hate this!