"Education is the man that will never leave you" 
                                                -Dr. Karambu

I open my eyes

Beauty surrounds me.

Yet with it, comes reality.

The truth of the poverty strikes hard.

Little hands reaching out.

 Yellow eyes staring 

They can see right through me

I tower over their thin, malnourished bodies

But what can I do?

I smile.

They smile back.

The chorus of poverty sings on

 We left our host families yesterday (so sad because I had got so close to our Mama Karimi, host brother Kevin and we finally got to meet our sister Doreen)  and it was bittersweet as we have so much to look forward to, but goodbyes are never easy. I learned so much from my African mother and siblings and it's humbling to know I will always be welcome if I ever have the chance to come back to Meru. Saying goodbye to our neighboring street children was really hard, as well. The thing I looked forward to most everyday was walking down the street to our home and having them run into our arms and walk us to our doors. I had so much fun playing with them and seeing how much joy they have despite how little they have. I could tell by their lack of uniforms that they don't have the opportunity to go to school and it's so sad to know that there are not many opportunities available for them to escape their poverty. Again I want to keep them all! It's just really hard to see their physical state and home lifestyle and have a positive outlook. I would seriously give up my education if I knew that it could be guaranteed as an outlet for them. They have so much potential but what are the chances that people will see it shine... 

We also went to Ripple's baby orphanage. No. Words. 

Working at a daycare back home, I realize there are so many safety and sanitation regulations, that aren't even considered at care centers here. The main consideration is that the children have food and shelter, things that are simply a given for us. I had so many mixed emotions being there, as the children were so adorable and friendly. As soon as I walked in the room (a room of around 25 babies with their cribs stacked up around the walls.) I was happily overwhelmed as we walked in the room and the babies crowded us reaching up their hands to be held and hugged. My heart was honestly melting. I wanted to take them all home. I just want them all to have the best lives possible and I know it doesn't seem realistic…but I wish I could adopt them all!

Some of the babies in the orphanage

Brenda the little girl on the right was such a sweetheart, I couldn't put her down the whole time!

We had tons of fun painting the wall mural at the IPI orphanage with some of the children and Dr. K. It came out really well and they really enjoyed it! I enjoyed it too! I love spending time with them. Just seeing them smile makes me so happy. 

For now we're staying at the Bio Intensive Farm. All of us girls are staying in one big house and the boys are usually there, too. We've had some good times and with Mo's facilitating we had some effective IGR and i definitely feel like I have a better understanding of our group dynamics! I'm really excited for this last week with the group although it's gonna be a hard goodbye. Thank goodness we all go to the same school.  Our little African friends on the other hand...not so easy. One little man imparticular is Mark or Munene (the king!) He's the most adorable little boy ever and I will never forget his smile and laugh. He was part of our family at bio intensive and such a bundle of joy. I'm seriously gonna miss him so much!

WE GO ON SAFARI TOMORROW!!!!!!!

Dancing with my problems! (as Dr. K would say)

I've come down with the usual travel sickness…sometimes you just can't beat it. But because I've haven't been as busy as usual I've had a lot of time to reflect and think about all that I've encountered so far…

I can't help but keep thinking of Dr. Karambu's words and her big question: "Why are we here?" I mean I love Africa with a passion and so I suppose much of it is the selfish reason of being able to experience their lifestyle... but at the same time aren't I here to help, as well?

It's a difficult place to be, because of course we want to help but at the same time we don't want to have the attitude that we're here to try and fix everything...I mean who are we to think we can fix them and try to make them like us? America has it's own problems and is our lifestyle really the right model for them? They have their own culture and lifestyle. A BEAUTIFUL ONE that's all its own. I just feel so blessed to be a part of it! There is so much beauty and grace in the way they carry themselves and live their lives through their faith in God. Despite their lack of resources and many many problems, they have so much grace and joy I can't help but want to be around them and learn as much as I can.

I guess something that has had the most impact on me is seeing all of the children whether it's in the schools, around town, or on the streets when we come home to our host family. I've always had an unconditional love and appreciation for children and childhood in general. It's such a beautiful time in life, one when the mind has limitless opportunities and a surplus of creativity, imagination, and resilience. It's so amazing to the smiles on the children faces and how they interact here… and just how similar they are to the kids at my daycare back home…kids everywhere! Children just have an amazing capability to make the most out of everything and bounce back from any setbacks that come their way. Being around them, there's never a shortage of smiles and laughter and I truly feel I am around the most esteemed, significant, wonderful people in the world. Children are truly the future and it is so important for them to have their childhood as long as they can.

It's been really hard to see the physical condition of a lot of the children around here and the malnourishment that is a daily reality for them. I want so much to know that they'll have bright futures but I see the tight hold of their potential fate that exists within their roles in their family and their limited resources.Seeing them in their torn, worn down clothing walking around in socks because they don't have shoes... with their probably very hungry bellies, you can't help but to cry because you want so much better for them. It just doesn't seem right!

On a brighter note, our workshops at the secondary school seem to be going really well. The photography one i'm working on with Sophie and Jenna has been a huge hit...almost too much of a hit as everyone's crazy about it but we only have two cameras and limited ink and paper to print photos. We've done our best to make sure each student at least has a portrait of themselves to take home and keep as many of them have no photos of themselves, but many of them want some with their friends and (secret) significant others (it's against  the rules to date at Bliss but of course it still goes on) but we only have so much time and resources. I just wish we could give them all pictures of anything and everything! A photo is truly the best gift you can give someone, a recorded moment frozen in time that they can remember forever. I don't know what I'd do without my camera! I want to give them all one! 

Everyone elses' workshops are going well, too! Other members in my group are doing sex education/AIDS awareness, diversity projects, and even Chinese yoyo, all that the students enjoy and are learning a lot from. I think it's such a great opportunity for both groups to benefit. I know I'm learning so much from them and i'm sure it goes both ways!

It's crazy to think that you can live a million miles away from someone, essentially on a whole separate planet and have so many mutual interests and understanding. It is so true that we are all the same, and I can't help but believe that if we could all get past our differences whether it's religion, race, politics, or simply ignorance we  could find common ground and truly understand one another and see just how similar we all are. I've got to spend a lot of time with my host brother Kevin (Kimeru name: Mutuma) and I think of him like one of my really good friends back home. We're virtually the same age and at around the same stage in our lives and it's just fascinating to think how different our lifestyles and pasts are yet we have so many common interests and experiences. I just wish everyone could see the universality that exists when it comes to human nature and our capability to love and help others. We all want a life of meaning… to feel like our existence is actually making a difference… we all want to love, to be loved, to be viewed worthy in the eyes of someone..whether it's God or a significant other. We all long for the same things, so why is it so hard to find the common ground that's obviously there and get past our judgements.

One of the most important things I've realized is just how powerful the media really is. I mean I knew, yes...but I guess I never put it in context in terms of my views on Africa and their views of us. In America we have come to view Africa as this large continent of hostility and thin, fragile bodies sitting on the side of the road begging for food. The media portrays them as all the same and it is not always clear of the diversity that exists within Africa and each country itself. Within Kenya there is much diversity between different communities and tribes. They each have their own language and lifestyles. So when it comes to countries there are vast differences that are not always seen from our tinted glass windows provided by the Media, and it goes both ways... when they see "Mzungu" (white people) here, they see us as rich, successful, materialistic...which of course does not apply to all of us. It's so hard for them to grasp the concept of African Americans and Asians in America because they view the US as one big country of unified rich white people...again this is the Media but what can we do.

I guess if anything I am assured that by being here I am helping to clear any misinformed ideas they may have of Americans as well as clearing up many of the stereotypes I may feed into without noticing. I'm am so grateful to have the opportunity to be here and learn about their amazing culture...as well as teach them about mine. 

Yes, I love Africa and I want to spend as much time here as I can. But not to save them. Sure, there are countless issues that I feel the need to help with and make a difference...and I feel by being here I am fostering relationships and making a start... but before I can go about changing anything... I need to learn and appreciate their culture and to build relationships that I can then create a partnership to help solve problems in a sustainable way. And that's why I'm here :)

My heart beats for...

So we've been in host families for the last couple of days without internet access so it's been difficult to stay in touch. So much has happened in these few days and my mind is spinning with all that I am learning! 

Our host mom Judy is so amazing! She's does so much in the community! She used to be a teacher, she worked in an orphanage, and she also started a group in the community for widows (her husband passed on a few years back). As I was telling her about my life, she also told me how she was planning to start a support group for wives with alcoholic husbands who neglect their children, as that is a big problem here. Because her two children are away studying/working in Nairobi, she tries to keep busy so she isn't lonely. She hosts families a lot..so she is very good at it! I'm staying with Catherine and Laura and we are having a grand old time.

Our usual day consists of Swahili lessons at BLISS, teaching technology to BLISS graduates who couldn't afford University or have been unable to find jobs so they don't really have anything to do, and then we go on random excursions or do our after school projects with the students. We're usually back at our host families at 5, in which we walk around the neighborhood and meet locals (Fred<3) until it gets dark (super early) and we head home for dinner (always delicious!) We then watch Kenyan soap operas or dance shows SAKATA 2! Sleep and repeat.

The excursions are always interesting! Yesterday we visited a local orphanage called IPI (International Peace Initiative). The most empowering and inspiring woman named Dr. Karambu started it  after seeing many children lose their parents to AIDS at such a young age. Her story is amazing! She went to school in America and paid her way by finding scholarships online on her free time. We started sketching a wall mural that we are going to paint with some of the children from the orphanage. I can't wait! It's gonna be really fun and they'll love it!

She has an amazing kind of social entrepreneurship! I guess I never realized how charity can many times be more of a handicap then an aid when people start to become dependent on it. It is so important to provide aid in which the people can sustain themselves. That is what is so amazing about Dr. K's orphanage. Out of the hundreds of orphanages she visited, she said nearly all of them depended on other charities to provide for them, but  in hers they provide for themselves by growing the food they eat and making jewelry and hosting visitors to cover the finances. She says it's been difficult and they've have many setbacks, but hey that's life. She definitely opened my eyes on how to really approach issues and make a difference. 

Something else I learned after talking to Dr. K is just how difficult it is to obtain a visa. Moses the principal of Bliss was denied 3 times before he was able to come to speak in the U.S., as well as Dr. K. They had to get a letter from a senator and even then they were really negative about it. I'm realizing how blessed i am to travel freely. I can go anywhere in the world, an opportunity so many people don't have! The U.S Embassy makes it virtually impossible to get a visa and get into the U.S from Africa, yet for us we just pay $25 and we're good to go. It just doesn't seem right. I truly feel so blessed!

Sunday we had the opportunity to go to Church with Judy and many of the other host families. It was a really interesting service. There was a lot of upbeat music with dancing and clapping! Christianity is big here, and the whole of the community is Christian with a few Muslims here and there. One of the girls in our group, Laura, is an orthodox Jew and follows a pretty strong .. in which she can only eat Kosher foods and She can't use any electronics or drive on Saturday before sundown. She taught a class on her beliefs at BLISS and all of the children were really into it…however when she got to the big ball drop…the fact that she doesn't believe Jesus Christ is her savior… they all were like WHAT!? They are taught other religions but I guess none of them are that different. That was a very difficult concept for them to grasp!

I'm learning so much about Kenyan culture…so much of it that breaks my heart. Here in Kenya, 50% of the population in under 18 mostly due to death from AIDS. Most of the children we interact with have lost at least one of their parents to AIDS. And the saddest thing is that Kenya is one of the most developed countries here receiving the majority of support and funding for AIDS.  Walking around our host families neighborhood we met the nicest boy I've probably ever met. His name is Fred (he wouldn't tell us his Kimeru name saying "I like Fred better because i'm a friend to all!". He lost both of his parents to AIDS and he lives with his grandmother and three brothers and sisters. He is seriously so smart and sweet. I just want him to succeed so bad, but in reality such a small amount make it University! 

Walking around the neighborhoods there's no telling what you'll see as one house can be really wealthy and right next to it will be a really poor family! You can see poverty so clearly just by the way the children are dressed and their physical appearance. Yellow eyes and red in the hair are both signs of malnourishment and we see it a lot...

I have so much more to say but limited time and internet! I'm seriously ready to write a novel!

(Pictures To Come!)

WE'RE GOING TO PLAY WITH THE KIDS AT THE PRIMARY SCHOOL NOW! SO EXCITED! SO EXCITED! SO EXCITED! PICTURES TO COME :) :)

Rosekindi is the sweetest thing you'll ever meet!

The kids loved Shakira! This is some of them singing and dancing :) They're all little bundles of joy and so much fun!

And what is this thing I've never seen before?

Usual rooster crow at 6am and I'm up...

So today we went back to BLISS!

We sat in on a poetry classroom with one of the teachers Simba and it was fascinating to see their teaching styles. All of the teachers are really skilled, they're just underpaid and they're are not many available. All of the students were really into it though and some of their poems were pretty amazing! This one girl Linnet was seriously so empowering. She wrote a poem about African women and oppression and how they need to speak up and do something about it! It was pretty inspiring. We also had a great discussion about American womens' rights and how they've evolved over time. I feel like we cleared a lot of stereotypes and learned a lot, as well!

Trying to explain Psychology and other majors such as Political Science and International Studies was a super difficult task as those type of studies don't really translate. Students here have to decide what they want to do in high school because it's a straight on career path from there on! The fact that a few of us were in University and were still undecided blew their minds! They know what they want to do and all the details because they have to! It's a super strenuous/competitive curriculum. They take form 4 (12th grade) cumaltive tests that last for something like 6 hours! I can't imagine!

Another thing that is mind-boggling for them is the diversity within our group. They're always asking us if we're sure we're all from the same country because we're all so different. We have to be careful when asking questions because they always start with, "in your country..." and we can't really generalize answers for all of America... It's definitely been something they find really hard to grasp.

We also went souvenir shopping today!! Got errybody some nice lagniappes (my newly discovered word for gifts found on thesaurus.com!) Be excited!

Some kids I met on a bus by the souvenir shop!

We move to the host families tomorrow! (Internet access doesn't seem liable but I'll try to keep everyone updated.) We're also going to a graduation party type fiasco. Can you say CULTURAL INTEGRATION!? Can't wait!!

“I wish the world was flat like the old days. 

Then i could travel just by folding a map.

No more airplanes, or speed trains, or freeways. 

There’d be no distance that could hold us back."

We went to Mt. Kenya today!  Mt. Kenya is the biggest Mountain in Africa next to Kilamanjaro, and I love hiking so it was a really cool experience! We hiked up about an hour...It was more tiring than I expected it to be! But it was still a great time! Lots of highlights. Peeing in holes in the ground, peeing in ant colonies and being attacked... a lot of peeing I suppose...

Mt. Kenya!!

Hole in the ground...bathroom?

It was about a 2 hour drive there of INSANE BUMPINESS. No words could ever explain. At one point our van was literally sideways! It was great looking out the windows, though. Endless beauty and fascination.


My favorite: driving by all of the children and seeing them wave and run up to the car! *thingsthatmakemehappy103


I'm exhausted though, so I'll fill in the blanks more tomorrow! It's an early day with breakfast at 6:45am! So goodnight all :)

FYI: I am not invincible to the African sun. You know me, gotta learn the hard way...


P.S. I TOTALLY SAW A MONKEY TODAY! 

Let me teach you how I take this for granted...

Jambo my American loves,


Today we went to BLISS (Bishop Lawri Inthiu Secondary School)and met some of the children and teachers at the high school we'll be working with. I'm. in. love! The students are seriously so well behaved! The whole time we were there the teachers were not even in the classrooms and the students were sitting silent in their seats!#thingsyoullneverseeinamerica

It was so amazing to talk to them and get to know them and they had so many questions for us, as well. Some of the questions asked:  "In your country, are girls who become pregnant seen as outcasts?"  "Who is better, Beyonce or Rihanna?"  "Do you have a boyfriend?" "Do you guys swim together?"(not sure what that one really means...)  Apparently they're not allowed to have them until they graduate high school but they still do... it was also said that having a boyfriend here is like having a fiancé for us...you're expected to marry that person. Pretty Crazy! Some other hot topics: Obama, how we felt about the death of Osama, and abortion! 


The visit to the school definitely had a huge impact on me. I realized just how much we really take free education for granted. Out of the 380 students attending BLISS only 70 of them actually paid for their education and Moses (the amazing principle at the school) was forced to send them home until they could... When they came back they paid as much as they could ranging from $30 dollars to a banana. It's just so amazing to see how grateful and hungry to learn they are. I hate that I don't always take advantage of my education and make the most of it. I seriously feel so blessed!


 We also had a chance to visit some of the primary students as they were on their break. SO ADORABLE. They we're all bundled up with matching hats and sweaters, as 70 degrees is really cold for them. They were so friendly though and they had mad love for the cameras. I'm so much more excited about our camera project because both age groups are so fascinated by cameras and photos. It will be such a great opportunity for them!

 

We finished at the school pretty early, as we were just visiting today and not teaching...so we got and got sim cards for our matching Razrs so we can keep in touch with each other while we're here. I'm not in love with the idea of having a phone with texting/calling while I'm here just because I feel it takes away from the whole experience of being abroad.. I mean I already have internet access...even though it comes and goes and wont really be a constant thing...but still. It just doesn't seem right... But it was paid for, so I've got one for emergencies. But feel free to hit me up on my flashy Razr if you wanna chat: 0704912853...but not really though cause it'll probably cost you about half a millionish, and I hope you don't love me that much...


But anyway, we had a lot of free time on our hands today so we were free to lounge around the pool and explore Thiiri (THEY HAVE SWINGS!). We also hung out at Nakumatt (the local Walmart) to pick up some essentials and get our phones..

          

            

Highlight of the day: RUSHING TO THE VAN TO SEE ELEPHANTS IN THE STREET. MOSES THE PRINCIPAL OF THE SCHOOL JUMPED IN THE VAN WITH US AND PUSHED UP AGAINST THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER. MESS!

It's been an interesting day and it's not even dinner yet.


Tomorrow we go to Mt. Kenya!!!!

DAILY WHAT THE CHUCK:
Chuck's outfit of the day: (not as exciting as yesterday..but still it's Chuck):

First Day On A Brand New Planet

Okay Wow...So where do I start!?

My first whole day in Kenya.. in Africa... in PARADISE.

I have no words to suffice the countless beauties my eyes were subjected to today. It's seriously everything I dreamed it would be. It hasn't really hit that I'm truly here, I'm still at this place in between, where I can see everything as a reality around me, but it just doesn't seem real. A too good to be true situation I suppose.

We started off the day with 7am breakfast, however with lack of communication it was actually a last-minute 8am breakfast for me and my roommates, Sophie and Grace. Again, an amazing breakfast with passion fruit juice! You can never start a day wrong with that!

 After breakfast, we all gathered with our luggage at the main check-in office of our hotel, where we were serenaded with Christmas music, a true American soundtrack I suppose...it was definitely homey..."It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas... I mean it is winter here, so I can work with it. I would kill for 75/80 degree winters! It's so crazy to see all the local children here bundled up in jackets and hats when it's only 70 degrees. Of course for their bodies this is cold for them, but it's just crazy to see hour different our bodies react to these temperatures. I'm sure we truly couldn't "take the heat"!

We then began our 7 hour van ride into Meru. Talk about a bumpy ride. Not only were the roads rough, but their are really no rules to the road so the traffic was pretty wild. Weaving in and out, slamming on breaks... It was quite an adventure! My van members: Sophie, Johanna, Ixchel, Laura, and Jenna, and of course dressed in the most non-American fashions, the famous Chuck Ransom. It was quite a journey in which looking out my window never got old. Everything was so fascinating. All of the communities literally hang out on the side of the street. Looking out my window was like looking into a documentary of their lives. I learned so much in just those few seconds that passed. Their  daily duties, interactions, and even their expressions say so much about their lifestyle. I can't wait to learn more!

                                                Crazy Kenyan Mtatu driving...

                              

                                         Buildings and Street Vendors we passed.

                            

                                      Some local children.

We arrived at the Thiiri center (Thiiri=peace in Swahili) around 6pm (Michigan being around 7 hours ahead of time it would be about 11am there. I'm actually surprised how well my body took to the time change, but I guess sleeping on the plane as well as sleeping through the night at the hotel will do it. It's gorgeous here though, and all of the staff are so friendly. I can't wait to get to know them better! Our rooms are nice as well. Although we were told the showers tend to shock you so don't touch them! I'll definitely remember that!

Where we are staying!

African Huts!

Right now I'm sitting outside  on the patio, Frank Sinatra a soundtrack in the background. Beka's apparently a big fan. I love learning more about my group members. People are so unpredictable and I love it!

Tomorrow begins at 7am with breakfast and our first trip to Bliss the school we'll be working with. I can't wait!

Daily What the Chuck!?

Chuck's outfit of the day: red and blue Clowns Jersey with matching hat and Indiana Socks. 

Playlist for the van ride:
Bumpy Ride- Mohombi (SUPER BUMPY RIDE) 
Kids/Rill Rill- Sleigh Bells
Helena Beat/Don't Stop (Color On the Walls)- Foster the People
Up Up Up- Givers
Matisyahu- Smash Lies/We Will Walk
Arcade Fire- The Culture War
Eternal Summers- Childs Mind
The Mountain Goats- Never Quite Free
Grace Potter & the Nocturnals- Apologies
The Feeling- Set My World On Fire
Dead Man's Bones- Pa Pa Power
The Films- Breezeblocks

Vaguely Happy People.

AHHHH! So I'm actually in Africa right now! No words. Seriously.

The last 18 hours of my life...pure air. Surprisingly it wasn't so dreadful as I started my initial flight with Disney's Tangled and a glass or red wine that resulted in sleep the rest of the 7 hours. We had a quick layover in Amsterdam followed by our second flight...this one 9 hours because apparently a volcano erupted in North Africa leading us to take the longer route over Saudi Arabia. Fortunately, Space Jam was amongst the collection of movies and I was able to sleep for the most of that one, as well. I would like to give a shout out to my narcoleptic ways as they truly helped me on this long journey. 

We just left the airport in Nairobi about an hour ago and loaded in the vans to Methodist Guest House, where we're staying for the night. It's a pretty snazzy place: 

(my top-notch mosquito net canopy)

Despite my constant rest while in the air, I'm still super exhausted and am so excited to sleep in a BED! Everyone's pretty sleep deprived as we lost about a 24 hours.

But tomorrow's a big day: We're touring Nairobi, and then driving to Meru for six hours loaded in vans... Can you say Lion King triology?  :)

Until then... Much love and excitement!

Soundtrack to my plane ride:

Radiohead discography. 

A Fine Day to Exit album by Anathema.

This was my fortune for the day :) I love when my life is accurate!

Please don't leave quite yet...

So today's the big day. Our ride to the airport picks us up at 4pm!

Right now I'm in the phase of "Am I really ready? I'm forgetting so much..I just need a bit more time!"  Crazy me, decided to jump ship and lose the comfort of my hiking bag for a smaller more "convenient" carry-on sized bag. Looking back now not sure what I was thinking, but in an effort to pack lighter here I sit with this carry on and then a smaller backpack. I'm hoping I can pull this one off without leaving too much behind, seeing that whatever's left is left to the heavenly dorms of Ann Arbor!

The real deal: In reality I know I'm more than ready, and once I'm sitting on the plane, I can finally be at ease. This is definitely not my favorite part of the whole traveling thing..but so worth it!

I'm seriously so excited to begin this trip and get to know my group members and the community on a deeper level!

So here's my confined luggage. It was a tight pack but it all seemed to work out pretty well.

just a small side note: OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG!!!!!!!SO SURREAL! THE DAY IS FINALLY HERE!!!!!

Forecast: Sunshine and Smiles.

It's hard to believe my first journey to Africa begins in just a few days. My excitement is immeasurable!

These last few days we've been in Ann Arbor for what I guess one could call orientation. We've been preparing our lesson plans and I must say I'm super excited for everyone's courses they are teaching as there is an array of diverse lessons filled with creativity and passion! Some of courses being taught: Diversity Education, Nutrition (as their daily meals consists of corn and beans), HIV/AIDS awareness, an educational wall mural, Beka's class that incorporates mathematics with basketball, and Andy's Chinese yoyo/physics/magic class!

 Then there's Sophie and I: She had an idea to start a photography project in which Dr. Clauw donated money for 2 digital cameras, ink and photo paper. Since I really wanted to do an art project with the children, we plan to combine ours into a photography/art scrapbook project that the children can bring home with them and have for the rest of their lives. Since most families in that region do not have cameras or even photos of themselves or their families, this will be something of value that they will never forget! We are also donating the cameras and printers so they can continue to use them after we leave!

As our main goal is to teach technology and help them to use the computers available to them we will be incorporating this into all of our lessons! Picnik, Flickr and Online Scrapbooking! I couldn't be more excited for everyone's projects! I really hope we can give these children interesting learning experiences different then their usual lecture/note taking school life.

4 more days till departure and I'm getting more and more restless with enthusiasm. I just can't wait to be on the plane on my way!!!!!!

Some crazy truths:

-It is hotter here in AA: 96 degrees, than it will be the whole three weeks in Africa: Mid 70's! Yayy for winter being in June/July!

-We're told our students are super obedient. Apparently a class room of about 50 four/five year olds left in a room alone are often found sitting in a single file line in perfect posture. Picturing my child care center kids I can't even imagine a good five students behaving that way here. FASCINATION.

Some of my favorite word combinations associated with our trip:

- Elephant Orphanage!

-Overnight Safari!

-18 hour flight. (Strangely enough i'm a fan of long flights. Thank God for my ability to sleep anywhere and everywhere although sometimes it can be a curse. It will be a great time for reflection, good movies, and getting lost in music :)