Brazil is nice...but West Des Moines is better!!..?

As some of you know, Dylan  is currently working, making money, and probably seeing some cool things in Brazil.  He left yesterday morning and will return home this coming Saturday.  At first, I was slightly envious.  Who wouldn't be?  It's Summer where he is.  There are beaches where he is.  He can wear shorts, get a tan, and buy some cool new books.  However, I can honestly say that I live in a place where I can do pretty cool things too.  The place is West Des Moines.  Take a moment.  Think about what I just typed....then allow me to illustrate my point.  

1.  It's Summer in Brazil, and Dylan gets to wear shorts.

That sounds great, doesn't it?  But heck, yesterday's temperature reached 52 degrees.  Today it was near 50, and by Tuesday, it's predicted to be close to 65 degrees...in West Des Moines!  Who needs Summer with temperatures like these?!  Plus, I don't like shorts.

2.  Dylan gets to ride in airplanes and see the clouds.

FACT:  When flying in airplanes, one might experience turbulence.  Driving around this weekend on the pothole laced streets made me feel like I was experiencing turbulence.  Did I get to see clouds?  No.  But with all the rattling, banging, and bumper car-like driving I've done, I have seen my life flash before my eyes...which in my opinion, is a little more magical than clouds.  And it all happened in West Des Moines!!

3.  Dylan gets to eat exotic foods and try new things.

So do I!  Did you know that in a place like West Des Moines, there are stores that sell different flavors of syrup?  I'm not talking syrup for pancakes--I'm talking latte syrup.  I actually bought something other than caramel flavored syrup yesterday!  So, what exotic flavor did I try...and later buy?  VANILLA!!!  Look out world, Heidi Baker is breaking out of her comfort zone and is officially living dangerously...and exotically!

You see?  West Des Moines is...better.  Right?  I do know that it would be better if Dylan was home.  But I know he'll bring home lots of pictures, antique books for himself and Mike, and an interest in my week.  That's when I can tell him about the dangerous animal I saw somewhere in or around our house.  I can say that it will rival anything he's going to find in Brazil... 

(Stay tuned for a blog dealing with that monster!)