normalcy

So, things are pretty normal around here lately for me.  I had Malaria about a month ago...but got some medicine pretty fast and was feeling better within a few days.  We had a great ladies' retreat where we talked/learned all about time management and being good stewards of the things we have.  This is the last week of the quarter for school here so my students are busy working like crazy (some of them at least) to try to get as many PACES completed as they can.  I got two new students last week....since the ACE school system is self-paced it doesn't really matter that they're coming into class the last week of the quarter.  They're doing ok I think....I have started the process of applying for my Ghana Residency Visa.  That means instead of a tourist visa that I have to renew every couple of months (and pay every couple of months) I'll only have to pay once a year.  It will probably save a lot of money in the long-run because the last 2 or 3 times I've renewed my visa there has been some sort of problem and I've had to pay the renewal fee AND an overstay fee which is more than the yearly cost of the Residency Visa.  So, I'm excited about that.  My nephew's 14th birthday was yesterday...I called him to wish him happy b-day and he said he'd been waiting for my call all day...I guess having an aunt that lives in Africa is pretty cool.  Anyway, I can't believe he's 14.  I was 14 when he was born...he'll be learning how to drive soon!  My niece is starting school next fall and my other nephew is going to be 10 in December.   They make me feel old sometimes.  I'm planning on traveling to the US this summer...I'm in the process of getting my ticket changed so I can be there for my friend Sara's wedding in July.  I'm a little excited and a little nervous about going back "home" again this summer....it's complicated.  I know that I will miss Ghana A LOT!!  I'm at home here now.  Well, that's about all I can think of for now so until I see you all again.....
Peace & Love