I like moni. It can be made with either corn, millet, or flour. They are all yummy in taste but different in appearance ranging from baby pink to brick red. My favorite is corn moni which looks applesauce yellow. It is my vanilla soy latte but better because I don't have to wait in a Starbucks drive-thru dreaming of the hot liquid that has the magical ability to take the edge off. But instead of the processed taste I get the most natural, comforting warmth going straight into my stomach, instantly reminding me of my mother's tender kisses on my forehead. Moni for breakfast is usually a once a week deal and my whole family knows how much I love the stuff. I see the anticipation in my brothers and sisters eyes waiting for me to exclaim, "moni diman n ye!"
But I remember the first day I had the corn poridge almost a year ago thinking,"okay, this is weird, but I can get used to it." I thought it had sour milk in it but after learning how to make it I realized the sourness came from limes. It was also around this year mark that I remembered that attitudes could be sour too. Time is an often misjudged factor in an equation.I've heard so many people say," I thought about doing the Peace Corps, but 2 years is too long or I'll go back to school someday but I don't have the time right now." Time takes care of itself so one doesn't need to make it.
Being in the Peace Corps for a year now, I have learned that time is one of the keys to success. Many people, like I did, question the 27 month commitment but in retrospect I know it's just right. Like my recruiter told me, the 1st year is about integrating, learning who you can trust, and getting comfortable. The real work starts your second year. Every volunteer's experience is different but so far mine has followed that timeline. I have heard drums talk, I have seen babies die, I have tasted Kola nut, I have smelled the mango season, and I have felt nothing but gratitude for being given the time to do it all.
