Cosmic Debris

~Who you jivin' with that Cosmic Debris?  Look here brother, don't you waste your time on me...~

Unlike some folks, I happen to find astrology very fascinating and sensible, as it interprets what influence the movements of the planets and stars might have on our lives.  Lately, I have felt a deeper interest, as I'm experiencing a "Saturn Return".  This astrological pattern occurs when Saturn completes its cycle through the zodiac and returns to the spot it occupied when you were born.  Because this cycle takes 29-years, you will experience this time of endings and new beginnings as you approach 30-years as well as 60-years old.  Saturn is considered to be a taskmaster planet that forces you to confront reality, so this transition period can bring about a sense of urgency; a feeling that you must try to accomplish everything you've ever wanted or planned to do, and goals come sharply into focus.  I must say, the reality that this Saturn Return has urged me to consider, is a bright and colorful one!

So, I've officially left my beloved 20's in the past, and am starting to see a bigger picture and color it in!  Turning 30 in The Gambia was exciting and I was able to celebrate it just right.  Dinner with friends, Dirty 30 Scavenger Hunt, Katchikali Crocodile Pool...

In other news, my sister Adou has moved to her husband's village.  Marriage in The Gambia is a gradual process or series of events and the woman's family must provide her with various things before she can go to her husband.  My mother finally supplied the cooking pots, buckets, bowls etc. necessary for her to start her new life.  My grandmother and close friends of my mother gathered at our compound to see her off.  The tradition is that the man's father will come to collect the woman and bring her home to the new family.  I waited until 11:30 pm for this to take place, then gave up and went to bed.  Gambians stay up so late!

My brother Njaka miraculously passed Grade 1 and will start Grade 2 next week.  To celebrate, I took him, Sally, and our cousin Daat to the Abuko Nature Reserve.  They dressed in their best clothes and even cleaned their shoes for the big outing.  Their excitement and anticipation melted my heart.  It was a beautiful day out and we had a blast.  The highlight was watching the feeding of the hyenas!!

We fed groundnuts to the baboons at the animal orphanage!

And watched the hyenas fight over a ram's head!

The planets and the stars are working wonders!  It's out with the old, and in with the new!  But as I  reflect on the past, i feel that I've lived a good life and accomplished some amazing things.  This Saturn Return definitely has me feeling like a proud 30-year old lady!