Kenya: Week 1

Or, Toto, I Have a Feeling We’re Not in Kansas Anymore…

[I had notes on my daily activities in Kenya stored on my iPod, which had been out of commission for the past few weeks due to repair after an unfortunate incident (see Day 3/May 29). Now that it's back in action, I can finally give some account of events that took place May 28-June 22, 2010.]

Day 190

Or, Fetching Water

I really like this picture. Don’t worry, this isn’t some lame self congratulation for an underwhelming photographic achievement. I like it because it captures a moment when it especially struck me that we ain’t in Kansas no mo’, Toto.

Day 189

Or, Choose Your Own Adventure

A while ago we got on a discussion about how to figure out “God’s will for your life”. I cringe at that phrase. There’s something so burdensome, unforgivingly authoritative, so…church-y about that it that I have to do the finger quotation marks every time I use it, lest anyone think that I, with all my postmodern and irreligious thoughts, would be caught seriously using such a phrase.

Day 176

Or, Oh Hey There!

I know I keep promising different people that I would eventually get around to writing, but as it turns out, the best motivation for me to write is a long list of lectures and readings that I haven’t done for school. (Big surprise there.) That, and the 12.5% ABV dessert beverage I’m currently consuming. (Big surprise #2? Liquid courage/kick in the pants, hah.) Regardless, the point is that I’m here. Writing. Finally.

Day 166

Or, In Regards to Kenya, etc.

I’m a believer in the power of words – that eloquently and beautifully composed ones can move you at a particular time and evolve with you so that they are infused with new layers of meaning each subsequent time you encounter them.

The more you know

As unlikely as you might have thought it to be, it’s true — as of April 30th [Day 159], I’m 1/4 way closer to having 2 extra letters at the end of my name. Summer has never felt so refreshing. You might be wondering, “So what have you learned in a whole year of school?” Well, wonder no more:

Day 151

Or, Mincing Words is for Sissies

Sorry to disappoint, gentle reader (that would be mostly you, S), but school’s been riding me like a city-mouse college student on her first John Deere, so I’ve been resorting to cop-out posts. Unfortunately, this is another one of those cop-outs, but it’s a really good one because the link is stellar. Behold: Shit My Dad Says. The content is exactly as the title implies. A sample:

“Your brother brought his baby over this morning. He told me it could stand. It couldn’t stand for shit. Just sat there. Big let down.”

As I am well known for my maternal instincts, this website especially resonated with me. I can only hope to someday be as wise (and crass?) as Papa Halpern. (And let my children know if my grandchildren are a let-down. “Wow… I hope she’s funny.”)

For your enjoyment: Shit My Dad Says

p.s. In case you haven’t gathered, there’s some explicit language involved. Viewer discretion is advised.

Day 148

Or, Well, Ain’t that the Truth

“It is a curious thought, but it is only when you see people looking ridiculous, that you realize just how much you love them.”
— Agatha Christie, An Autobiography

via Slaughterhouse 90210

p.s. Please excuse the constant theme change; my indecision is pathological.

Day 142

Or, From Colorado with Love

Day 135

Or, Pardon the Silliness