1) most are scared of Nairobi traffic, and don't really want to drive
2) it's freezing cold...at least it's way colder than they ever thought Africa could get
3) you kinda have to know how to cook
4) everything takes at least twice as long as you think it should
5) it's a beautiful place
6) we do have good restaurants, stores, and malls
7) what you think would be cheap are expensive, and what you think would be expensive is cheap
8) power/electricity is not consistent...especially when you're trying to cook taco meat for 18 people on your electric eye because you don't have a gas tank yet. with your head lamp on.
9) your shower's electric instant water heater can shock you
10) bugs, and bug bites, are a normal part of life
Karibu Nairobi, Kenya!
Welcome to Nairobi, Kenya!
Jul 25, 2012
snippets of reflextion
My “summer to do list” review:
1) renew my driver’s license- check
2) figure out how to renew my teaching license- kinda check
3) turn in my request for an absentee ballot- check
4) buy and learn to play guitar- nope
5) figure out and apply to grad school- uh, nope
6) become a Daughter of the American Revolution- almost!
7) start a class of 2006 newsletter- working on it
8) do my taxes- nope
9) practice archery- nope
10) learn about the UN- check
Things I am anxious to get back to:
1) my classroom
2) my new house
3) driving without rules
4) cheap fruit
5) my students
6) a schedule/deadlines (I like to work)
7) being unpacked
8) friends (new and old)
9) the rest of my closet
10) Ethiopian food
Things I will miss (besides the usual: family, friends…):
1) my niece
2) fast food
3) hot water in my sink
4) green: grass, trees, etc.
5) mom’s cooking
6) mountains and hills
7) my pastor’s preaching
8) wall-mart
9) krispie kreme
10) real ice cream
Highlights of the summer:
1) my niece knowing me and loving me
2) seeing practically all my family
3) catching up with friends
4) looking at fossils
5) eating homemade food and ice cream
6) sleeping, a lot
7) watching tv
8) fast internet all the time
9) shopping
10) relaxing
1) renew my driver’s license- check
2) figure out how to renew my teaching license- kinda check
3) turn in my request for an absentee ballot- check
4) buy and learn to play guitar- nope
5) figure out and apply to grad school- uh, nope
6) become a Daughter of the American Revolution- almost!
7) start a class of 2006 newsletter- working on it
8) do my taxes- nope
9) practice archery- nope
10) learn about the UN- check
Things I am anxious to get back to:
1) my classroom
2) my new house
3) driving without rules
4) cheap fruit
5) my students
6) a schedule/deadlines (I like to work)
7) being unpacked
8) friends (new and old)
9) the rest of my closet
10) Ethiopian food
Things I will miss (besides the usual: family, friends…):
1) my niece
2) fast food
3) hot water in my sink
4) green: grass, trees, etc.
5) mom’s cooking
6) mountains and hills
7) my pastor’s preaching
8) wall-mart
9) krispie kreme
10) real ice cream
Highlights of the summer:
1) my niece knowing me and loving me
2) seeing practically all my family
3) catching up with friends
4) looking at fossils
5) eating homemade food and ice cream
6) sleeping, a lot
7) watching tv
8) fast internet all the time
9) shopping
10) relaxing
the past few months
The past few months:
Where to start… the school year seemed to end in a blur of activity. I was stressed, busy doing (probably) too many things, packing in as many lessons as possible into each work day, house-hunting and then moving, trying to share a car amid it all, and then entertaining the best guests possible- my parents! I had some hard days in there, but I also learned some good lessons. (More to come in a later blog about my biggest lesson learned this year.)
The highlight of it all had to be the visit from my parents. I had been dreaming of the day someone would visit, and felt confident my parents would come, at least. However, I did have my doubts. Until the tickets were purchased, I didn’t believe they were coming. But they came! My last week or so in Kenya was spent with my parents by my side. Since this was their first time to Kenya, first time to Africa, I wanted them to do the touristy thing. And I love being a tourist. It’s my favorite. I knew they would get tired if we sat around, so we didn’t. We ran a crazy race that took us to all the sights around Nairobi, Karen, and to the Masai Mara. We visited Karen Blixen’s House and a tea plantation like tourists, yet played with orphans in a slum. They saw museums and colonial homes, my school and church, my “luxurious” old apartment and “rustic” new house, my favorite children’s home and open markets. They experienced the third world at its finest. And African savannah at its best! The Masai Mara is incredible! We saw practically every animal you could expect, stayed in a beautiful lodge, and got covered in dust. It was perfect.
We all three flew home together to enjoy a summer full of nothings. At least, it wasn’t very busy. I was able to relax and sleep like I hadn’t done in a year! It was marvelous. I spent my precious weeks between Tennessee and West Virginia. I visited with almost every family member possible, and saw my closest friends. The highlight of my time spent at home, was getting to know my niece. The last time I had seen her, she was 6 months old and standing up. Now, she’s 1 year old and running. Phone calls and Skype don’t really allow babies to get to know someone, so my little Emma had to get to know me this summer. I decided that if she just recognized me (and liked me) by the end of the summer, I’d be doing good. I think we passed that goal. Since I lived with her half the summer, we got pretty tight. But she’s just a year old and we’ll probably have to do the whole thing over again next time I see her. Oh well. This summer was wonderful memories I will cherish.
Where to start… the school year seemed to end in a blur of activity. I was stressed, busy doing (probably) too many things, packing in as many lessons as possible into each work day, house-hunting and then moving, trying to share a car amid it all, and then entertaining the best guests possible- my parents! I had some hard days in there, but I also learned some good lessons. (More to come in a later blog about my biggest lesson learned this year.)
The highlight of it all had to be the visit from my parents. I had been dreaming of the day someone would visit, and felt confident my parents would come, at least. However, I did have my doubts. Until the tickets were purchased, I didn’t believe they were coming. But they came! My last week or so in Kenya was spent with my parents by my side. Since this was their first time to Kenya, first time to Africa, I wanted them to do the touristy thing. And I love being a tourist. It’s my favorite. I knew they would get tired if we sat around, so we didn’t. We ran a crazy race that took us to all the sights around Nairobi, Karen, and to the Masai Mara. We visited Karen Blixen’s House and a tea plantation like tourists, yet played with orphans in a slum. They saw museums and colonial homes, my school and church, my “luxurious” old apartment and “rustic” new house, my favorite children’s home and open markets. They experienced the third world at its finest. And African savannah at its best! The Masai Mara is incredible! We saw practically every animal you could expect, stayed in a beautiful lodge, and got covered in dust. It was perfect.
We all three flew home together to enjoy a summer full of nothings. At least, it wasn’t very busy. I was able to relax and sleep like I hadn’t done in a year! It was marvelous. I spent my precious weeks between Tennessee and West Virginia. I visited with almost every family member possible, and saw my closest friends. The highlight of my time spent at home, was getting to know my niece. The last time I had seen her, she was 6 months old and standing up. Now, she’s 1 year old and running. Phone calls and Skype don’t really allow babies to get to know someone, so my little Emma had to get to know me this summer. I decided that if she just recognized me (and liked me) by the end of the summer, I’d be doing good. I think we passed that goal. Since I lived with her half the summer, we got pretty tight. But she’s just a year old and we’ll probably have to do the whole thing over again next time I see her. Oh well. This summer was wonderful memories I will cherish.
I'm no saint
Dear brothers and sisters:
Thank you for not forgetting me in my long absence from the world-wide-web. I am so sorry I have not kept you better informed on what has been going on the past few months. Before I tackle a little bit of that, let me muse on why I have been absent.
I don’t like to write. I never have. As far as I can remember, I’ve received an “A” in all my English classes, so I do have the ability to write. But only when forced. Let me change that, only when needed. And this is a need. I need your continued interest. I need your prayers and support and encouragement. I need you! But since I live on the other side of world from most of you, it’s hard to get you interested in my life. I can’t hang out with you, see you at church, or run into you at Wall-Mart. Writing seems to be the best avenue to accomplish my goal. So, because God made us missionaries needy people who are forced to rely on Him first and then on you, fellow believers… I am writing again. I hope not to bore you with my pointless ramble or snippets of information, but to give you some type of insight into God’s work in my life. In my mind right now, I will branch out and write about deeper, more interesting things; but we’ll see. I have been encouraged by some dear friends, and with a prayer, I will succeed. Stay tuned.
Thank you for not forgetting me in my long absence from the world-wide-web. I am so sorry I have not kept you better informed on what has been going on the past few months. Before I tackle a little bit of that, let me muse on why I have been absent.
I don’t like to write. I never have. As far as I can remember, I’ve received an “A” in all my English classes, so I do have the ability to write. But only when forced. Let me change that, only when needed. And this is a need. I need your continued interest. I need your prayers and support and encouragement. I need you! But since I live on the other side of world from most of you, it’s hard to get you interested in my life. I can’t hang out with you, see you at church, or run into you at Wall-Mart. Writing seems to be the best avenue to accomplish my goal. So, because God made us missionaries needy people who are forced to rely on Him first and then on you, fellow believers… I am writing again. I hope not to bore you with my pointless ramble or snippets of information, but to give you some type of insight into God’s work in my life. In my mind right now, I will branch out and write about deeper, more interesting things; but we’ll see. I have been encouraged by some dear friends, and with a prayer, I will succeed. Stay tuned.
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