OCD(ust)

When I was in elementary school you could describe me as being a pack rat.  I liked to hold on to everything that had some memorable value and these items took up home in my desk drawer.

Just ask my parents.

As I have grown older I can say that less is more… It is all about simplicity.  With these changes I can also say that I might be someone with OCD like tendencies. 

Just ask Mikael when she was living in Kitgum.

Everything in my home has a certain place, including the spices that need to be in alphabetical order.  Take a look in my cabinet and you will find cans of baby corn, chickpeas, string beans, and tuna all stacked to the same height.

Did you notice how those were in alphabetical order?  Seriously this is a problem.

Most of these things I an in control of… Thank gosh.  There is one thing that I cannot prevent happening and it drives my OCD bonkers.

Dust.

Uganda is a dusty place.  Roads are not paved, giving speeding vehicles the opportunity to sir up the loose sand and dirt.  People are burning their land in preparation to plant maize, millet, and sorghum; meaning ash fills the sky and manages to find it creeping into your home.

Houses in Uganda compared to those in America are not as tightly sealed.  What I mean is that some windows do not have screens and many doors are not aligned properly, leaving spaces for geckos to come in and an easy entrance for dust to come take up home.   You quickly get used and learn that this is just another part of everyday life.  Except if you have OCD; then this is an everyday battle.

My floors are never clean, even when I sweep, mop, and sweep again.  You can never trust to cut anything directly on the countertop because chances are a layer of dust covers the top.  Lesson: Always wipe it with sop and water beforehand.  My table is dark brown, except recently when the dust has turned it into a lighter shade.  And this all happens over night.

The compound where I stay is off of a dirt road but one that is rarely used.  The main road, also dirt, is maybe sixty yards away. 

Dad, you know how bad I estimate distances at but I am estimating…

How every speck of ash, dirt, dust, and sand manage to make home in my place is outrageous.  You would think that after a day of cleaning the least I could get in return are dust free floors and surfaces for 24-hours.

Not. 

To know that I will do this all again in the coming days is somehow relaxing.  It puts my OCD to rest.  I will yet again be given the chance to clean and put everything back in its place.  Ellie Goulding and Mumford and Sons will join me in my day, reminding me that this is just a way of life.

Future house and spouse, be prepared.  You can thank my pops; whose garage is his fourth baby.  Even my mom, who makes sure to vacuum multiple times a day to keep the dogs hair from collecting in the corners.  I have nothing but the most love and respect for them and could not be happier that I inherited some of their OCD-like habits.

And I sweep everyday.

Once upon a time this grout must have been white...