My website turned five years old this month. Happy birthday American Robin!

Five years ago, I started posting here.

Four years ago, I was living "the single life" in DC while E traveled to Mali and Burkina Faso for weeks at a time with his new job.

Three years ago, I was newly married, adjusting to life in Mali, and getting ready to travel to Timbuktu and Madagascar.

Two years ago, we were still in Mali, counting down to Tabaski in the midst of WIDESPREAD DUST.

One year ago, we were newly installed in a DC apartment, dealing with the shock of living in the U.S. after more than two years in Mali. I planned to take a short hiatus from this website.

Then, a few more sporadic posts notwithstanding, I took a long hiatus, during which I got a job, got pregnant, quit the job, and had a baby boy.

I'm going to try, in between diapering and feeding the now 9-week-old baby, to start posting again here. So y'all come back now, hear?