Things I have learned so far...

Now there is no way this could be a complete list, but since it is the start of the year I thought I would cover some of the things I have learned so far.  So, in no particular order:

Having what you need is very important.  So is needing what you have.

Beauty is as hard to define as love.  You know it when it is there, but it is hard to describe to someone else.

Having a village is important.

Having the right tools for the job is important.  Not having the right tools does not make the job impossible.

Nigerian Pepper Soup is really good.

Chopsticks (kuài zi) are one of the most useful kitchen tools ever.

I have been mispronouncing Chow Mein my entire life.  Oh, and Chow Mein noodles is redundant.  Kind of like software programs.

Nigerian women need to teach the rest of the world's women how to walk.  It is an art.

Prejudice is human nature, overcoming that is civilization.

Maggi is for lazy cooks.   Yeah, I used a lot of it.

To really understand a people or a culture, you have to work at it.  Everything you think you know when you start is probably wrong.  But if you are open and truly interested, people are will to show you.

Never let a politically motivated person stand behind you, and if you have no choice, watch the cutlery.

I don't bounce.  Not even a little.  Damn.

The great food I had in the little shops on Changxing Dao made me regret I never got the opportunity to try little shops in Nigeria.

At some point I have to go to India.

And, for all its faults, the US is a really nice place to live.