Hello my friends, my apologies but I am all UBUMWE all the time. To see what we are up to check out www.ubumwebasketball.org.
Other than that, saw the PFR street kids today! That was amazing. I really love them. They all wanted to go play "basket" so that is a good sign. At least they enjoyed it. We are making great progress with the camp and I really look forward to starting next week. Nothing much has changed, Denis cracks me up every other day and I am enjoying seeing everyone again. I am adjusting to the new roomies, all very nice (but miss my old ones). We are going on a camping trip tomorrow. I am feeling kind of sick with a cold but I am hoping it will pass. If I wake up sick tomorrow than I may have to miss it but I do not plan on it. Aside from all that, life is good. I miss everyone and am trying so hard not to dwell on what's next, it sucks to be in my head. If anyone sees any job openings that don't demand a piece of meaningless, overpriced paper, (yes, I said it) hit a sister up!
Love you all.
Friday, November 12, 2010
Friday, October 29, 2010
Get OFF THE GRASS!
It is illegal to walk on the grass in Kigali - if the police feel like it, they have the right to arrest you for it.
Fun fact for you...
Fun fact for you...
Monday, October 25, 2010
Muraho Kigali!
I arrived. It is very strange but it feels like a second home. Do not fear, I am taking my medication and being cautious but I am very comfortable and happy here.
I arrived Saturday night and was greeted at the airport by Benjamin, Dadi, Denis, Marc and Kharim. It was so nice to see them. They all commented on my weight saying that I have disappeared and one even asked where my bum went. I have only lost 10 lb but I was not expecting such a response. I am sad to report but I have fallen out of Rwandese supermodel status. It was a sad day in Kigali for me.
After I arrived Saturday, the PLP guys took me to drop off my luggage and then for tea at “The Land of a Thousand Hills Coffee” formerly know as “Star Café.” Not sure of the purpose of the name change but thought it was worth mentioning. I was surprisingly not as tired as I expected - especially since I slept for four days last time but I think that was more of a “what the f did you do?” rather than tiredness.
Sunday was great as well. I went to church in the morning (love the music) and the whole time I was reflecting on where I was emotionally last time I was here and where I am today. I am so thankful to God for all that He has done to help heal my heart. At church I was able to meet up with a couple more friends and catch-up with Herve and Joel. After church, I was able to hangout with Angel and Dadi. I am so happy to see all of them. I know it has only been five months since my last trip so I should not have expected anything to be different but it really isn’t. We started off right where we ended.
Sunday evening Benjamin, my colleague from AWF, invited me to his house for dinner. He was recently married so was very excited to have me over to share dinner with him and experience his wife, Jane’s, cooking. Unbeknownst to me, his whole family was there! Luckily a couple family members spoke English and Denis was there as my sidekick – per usual! I was very impressed with Jane’s cooking. I have never liked African tea but she made me a cup and I actually finished it! I was very surprised; usually I can only have a sip and try to mix up the cups so no one can tell it is mine. It is offensive not to finish.
So, the first weekend was eventful and I am ashamed to admit that I miss being called "fat" because it was a compliment. Haha, yes I know I am crazy, but positive affirmation is one of my primary love languages so I can not be surprised. Other than that, I have a week full of events planned for UBUMWE and look forward to getting started. And, I CANNOT WAIT TO SEE THE KIDS (from Prison Fellowship). I can’t wait!
I arrived Saturday night and was greeted at the airport by Benjamin, Dadi, Denis, Marc and Kharim. It was so nice to see them. They all commented on my weight saying that I have disappeared and one even asked where my bum went. I have only lost 10 lb but I was not expecting such a response. I am sad to report but I have fallen out of Rwandese supermodel status. It was a sad day in Kigali for me.
After I arrived Saturday, the PLP guys took me to drop off my luggage and then for tea at “The Land of a Thousand Hills Coffee” formerly know as “Star Café.” Not sure of the purpose of the name change but thought it was worth mentioning. I was surprisingly not as tired as I expected - especially since I slept for four days last time but I think that was more of a “what the f did you do?” rather than tiredness.
Sunday was great as well. I went to church in the morning (love the music) and the whole time I was reflecting on where I was emotionally last time I was here and where I am today. I am so thankful to God for all that He has done to help heal my heart. At church I was able to meet up with a couple more friends and catch-up with Herve and Joel. After church, I was able to hangout with Angel and Dadi. I am so happy to see all of them. I know it has only been five months since my last trip so I should not have expected anything to be different but it really isn’t. We started off right where we ended.
Sunday evening Benjamin, my colleague from AWF, invited me to his house for dinner. He was recently married so was very excited to have me over to share dinner with him and experience his wife, Jane’s, cooking. Unbeknownst to me, his whole family was there! Luckily a couple family members spoke English and Denis was there as my sidekick – per usual! I was very impressed with Jane’s cooking. I have never liked African tea but she made me a cup and I actually finished it! I was very surprised; usually I can only have a sip and try to mix up the cups so no one can tell it is mine. It is offensive not to finish.
So, the first weekend was eventful and I am ashamed to admit that I miss being called "fat" because it was a compliment. Haha, yes I know I am crazy, but positive affirmation is one of my primary love languages so I can not be surprised. Other than that, I have a week full of events planned for UBUMWE and look forward to getting started. And, I CANNOT WAIT TO SEE THE KIDS (from Prison Fellowship). I can’t wait!
Monday, May 24, 2010
W O A H.
I will be on a plane in 6 days. 6 days.
I don't even know how I feel. I am experiencing a whole range of emotions. It's all slightly overwhelming. I am really looking forward to coming home but I am fearful too. Rwanda has been such a blessing. I am so thankful for the experiences I have had and the friendships I have made. I will never be able to fully articulate my experience here but there is just something different about this place, about these people. I love home and I have loved the people at home longer but right now I can't imagine being anywhere else but here. Rwanda will always have a piece of my heart and it's a scary thought to leave such an important part of you somewhere.
I am overcome with gratitude towards God for sending me here. As much as I fear coming home, I am ready (I hope)!
I love you loads. See you soon!!!!!
I don't even know how I feel. I am experiencing a whole range of emotions. It's all slightly overwhelming. I am really looking forward to coming home but I am fearful too. Rwanda has been such a blessing. I am so thankful for the experiences I have had and the friendships I have made. I will never be able to fully articulate my experience here but there is just something different about this place, about these people. I love home and I have loved the people at home longer but right now I can't imagine being anywhere else but here. Rwanda will always have a piece of my heart and it's a scary thought to leave such an important part of you somewhere.
I am overcome with gratitude towards God for sending me here. As much as I fear coming home, I am ready (I hope)!
I love you loads. See you soon!!!!!
Sunday, May 16, 2010
woot woot
Today is the first day that I woke up genuinely excited to come home....yaaaaay! 15 days and counting.
Lot-o-love coming your way.
Lot-o-love coming your way.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
No One Likes A FATTY
16 days and I will get getting on a plane. WOAH. I am so excited to see everyone. I can not believe that it has been seven months! It is so crazy to me because I feel like I have been with you all along...weird, I know but it does. I think (and hope) everything will pick-up just where we left off.
I've been thinking a lot lately about my transition back to the good ol' US of A after being here for so long and it is going to be interesting. It is different here and the people are different. One thing that I have thought about a lot recently is how I am not looking forward to going back into image obsessed America. Once you have been away from it for awhile you realize how trivial it all is and how we are all so vain! Here they say embrace your African curves or work-out, that's it, end of story. No, o I'm so chubby (actually usually the opposite of I'm too skinny) or hating on oneself, most people, at least the ones that I have come across are comfortable and don't give it much thought because "its just how their body is." One story that really comes to mind is when Andrea and I were with Marc at Bourbon and we were talking about weight and yada yada and Marc said you guys talking so much about your weight makes me self-conscious about my body. I never thought of it that way. He is/was fine with his body until we started dissecting ours, by doing that, he started to do it to himself. They just don't do that here.
And, the magazines. Oh my goodness. I read my first "western" (from the UK) magazine in six months and was borderline horrified. It is such trash. I never even realized it before but all I could think of was who cares?!? It was so terrible. I think I have ruined myself for stupid things. (That sounds really harsh and this is for me, not for you. If you like trashy magazines, do you!)
So, those are just a couple side comments. Take them of leave them. I just hope I am able to come home and not be as obsessed as I was because that never helped, ever. Never lost a lb by obsessing over it, usually only gained two in it's place. I just want to be healthy and happy, for me. Not for anyone else. Basically I will just continue doing my SHRED videos and reminding myself that no one likes a fatty - not because I'm fat but because it's fun.
That's all folks. LOVE YOU. SEE YOU IN 18 DAYS!!
I've been thinking a lot lately about my transition back to the good ol' US of A after being here for so long and it is going to be interesting. It is different here and the people are different. One thing that I have thought about a lot recently is how I am not looking forward to going back into image obsessed America. Once you have been away from it for awhile you realize how trivial it all is and how we are all so vain! Here they say embrace your African curves or work-out, that's it, end of story. No, o I'm so chubby (actually usually the opposite of I'm too skinny) or hating on oneself, most people, at least the ones that I have come across are comfortable and don't give it much thought because "its just how their body is." One story that really comes to mind is when Andrea and I were with Marc at Bourbon and we were talking about weight and yada yada and Marc said you guys talking so much about your weight makes me self-conscious about my body. I never thought of it that way. He is/was fine with his body until we started dissecting ours, by doing that, he started to do it to himself. They just don't do that here.
And, the magazines. Oh my goodness. I read my first "western" (from the UK) magazine in six months and was borderline horrified. It is such trash. I never even realized it before but all I could think of was who cares?!? It was so terrible. I think I have ruined myself for stupid things. (That sounds really harsh and this is for me, not for you. If you like trashy magazines, do you!)
So, those are just a couple side comments. Take them of leave them. I just hope I am able to come home and not be as obsessed as I was because that never helped, ever. Never lost a lb by obsessing over it, usually only gained two in it's place. I just want to be healthy and happy, for me. Not for anyone else. Basically I will just continue doing my SHRED videos and reminding myself that no one likes a fatty - not because I'm fat but because it's fun.
That's all folks. LOVE YOU. SEE YOU IN 18 DAYS!!
Friday, May 7, 2010
Guilty as Charged
So, as I type I am multitasking by talking to Morgan at the same time...sup Mogues! She brought to my attention that I have completely stopped blogging and all I have to say is sorry! I really have no excuse. I think it just comes down to the fact that this feels like normal life now. Like if I blog about it, you will all be bored because it's just the day-to-day stuff (at least for me!). No hot topics or anything like that to share.
But, that being said, that comment leads me to a rather interesting point. The point being that I still look at the same landscape everyday (mansions and shacks), still see the same street kids everyday, still feel the tension in the air (literally), still lose electricity at least every other day, still take showers with NO water pressure, still handwash my clothes, still get stared at for abnormal amounts of time per staring episode which happens at least every other person, still get excited when I actually get my list of errands complete and still wear the same four outfits I have worn over the last six months...the point is, this feels normal. Rwanda is my second home, so all of that stuff, that's just part of the day-to-day and how different is that from my "real" life?!?
It makes me think of two things:
1) How a person can become blind over time to his or her surroundings. Meaning, the extreme poverty that I witnessed when I first arrived here is the same that I will leave yet it does not evoke the same emotions it did initially. The prayers continue to be the same but the poverty, and/or acceptance of poverty, has become normal. Now, I am used to seeing people dressed in torn and tattered clothing, children dirty with no shoes, and people visibly hungry. It is normal. It forces me to be more aware and take a moral inventory of my behavior in my own country and what I see and accept as "normal". Do I let things that are considered "normal" that should not be, just exist. And, if so, what can I do in my day-to-day life to make a difference? One thing that I have learned here that I will take with me forever is that there is nothing more important or valued by a child than time. Everyone has time, it's amazing what you can do when your life does not evolve around the latest episode of Grey's Anatomy or Private Practice.
2) I should have written two down before I started writing too much about one! I know it was a good thought! Haha. So, to be honest, I have not changed much and unfortunately, I forget the original two...but, the new two is that In less than 30 days (27 to be exact), I will be back in Boston and then to NYC. Back in places where everything is at your fingertips and excess is everywhere. How the heck am I going to deal with that!?!?
LASTLY. Taking this trip was one of the best things I have ever done in my life. Everyday I feel blessed and everyday I think God is GOOD. I am ready to take on whatever is thrown at me when I get home, including MASSIVE hugs. Am I fully healed? Nope! But, I believe it is possible and that's enough for me.
I love you all and will see you in less than a month. And, no, I do not know what I am going to do when I get home and to be honest, I am not worried so nobody better try to push their fears for me, on me. I ain't scared :) (so you shouldn't be either!). I know how to work and I now know how to pray so I'm ready for the next adventure....woot woot.
But, that being said, that comment leads me to a rather interesting point. The point being that I still look at the same landscape everyday (mansions and shacks), still see the same street kids everyday, still feel the tension in the air (literally), still lose electricity at least every other day, still take showers with NO water pressure, still handwash my clothes, still get stared at for abnormal amounts of time per staring episode which happens at least every other person, still get excited when I actually get my list of errands complete and still wear the same four outfits I have worn over the last six months...the point is, this feels normal. Rwanda is my second home, so all of that stuff, that's just part of the day-to-day and how different is that from my "real" life?!?
It makes me think of two things:
1) How a person can become blind over time to his or her surroundings. Meaning, the extreme poverty that I witnessed when I first arrived here is the same that I will leave yet it does not evoke the same emotions it did initially. The prayers continue to be the same but the poverty, and/or acceptance of poverty, has become normal. Now, I am used to seeing people dressed in torn and tattered clothing, children dirty with no shoes, and people visibly hungry. It is normal. It forces me to be more aware and take a moral inventory of my behavior in my own country and what I see and accept as "normal". Do I let things that are considered "normal" that should not be, just exist. And, if so, what can I do in my day-to-day life to make a difference? One thing that I have learned here that I will take with me forever is that there is nothing more important or valued by a child than time. Everyone has time, it's amazing what you can do when your life does not evolve around the latest episode of Grey's Anatomy or Private Practice.
2) I should have written two down before I started writing too much about one! I know it was a good thought! Haha. So, to be honest, I have not changed much and unfortunately, I forget the original two...but, the new two is that In less than 30 days (27 to be exact), I will be back in Boston and then to NYC. Back in places where everything is at your fingertips and excess is everywhere. How the heck am I going to deal with that!?!?
LASTLY. Taking this trip was one of the best things I have ever done in my life. Everyday I feel blessed and everyday I think God is GOOD. I am ready to take on whatever is thrown at me when I get home, including MASSIVE hugs. Am I fully healed? Nope! But, I believe it is possible and that's enough for me.
I love you all and will see you in less than a month. And, no, I do not know what I am going to do when I get home and to be honest, I am not worried so nobody better try to push their fears for me, on me. I ain't scared :) (so you shouldn't be either!). I know how to work and I now know how to pray so I'm ready for the next adventure....woot woot.
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