"Reasonable people adapt themselves to the world. Unreasonable people attempt to adapt the world to themselves. All progress, therefore, depends on unreasonable people."
- George Bernard Shaw
Showing posts with label Change. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Change. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Monday, January 24, 2011
Monday, November 1, 2010
Free and Independent
Also, being that tomorrow is Election Day I encourage you all to read an article put out by Aid Watch about the importance of a 'Coffee Party'.
My favorite reason:
"10. Our country is based on the ideals that ALL “are by nature equally free and independent,” and have “inalienable rights, among them life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” men and women, blacks and whites, gays and straights, immigrants and natives, Christians and Muslims, citizens and foreigners, rich and poor. The Coffee Party wants our country back."
To read the other (wonderful, right-on) 9 highlights of Coffee Party rule - see here.
Okay, now go figure out where to vote and who to vote for ...
My favorite reason:
"10. Our country is based on the ideals that ALL “are by nature equally free and independent,” and have “inalienable rights, among them life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” men and women, blacks and whites, gays and straights, immigrants and natives, Christians and Muslims, citizens and foreigners, rich and poor. The Coffee Party wants our country back."
To read the other (wonderful, right-on) 9 highlights of Coffee Party rule - see here.
Okay, now go figure out where to vote and who to vote for ...
Thursday, October 14, 2010
now
"The best time to plant a tree is twenty years ago. The second-best time is now."
- African Proverb
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Ready for a Rant?
DISCLAIMER: If you're not in the reading mood - skip to the second half.
Tonight. I* almost didn't go. I'm tired of being alone. I'm tired of venturing to events alone. For paying for parking alone. I'm tired of being the loner the corner. Tired of creeping people out by attaching too quickly - talking too much - trying to force/flatter people into being my BFF - & if not forever, at least the evening.
I almost didn't go. I went in circles around Dinkytown trying to find free parking. It was a failed attempt. I was going to have to fork over an hour of pay for a mere two hours of parking.
I almost didn't go because I walked in the wrong direction. With my phone (aka safety net) sitting where I accidently left it - the driver's seat of my car.
I paid an hours worth of pay for parking. & I was arriving late (from walking out of the way) to an event where I knew full well I'd be the girl hangin' solo in the corner.
But, Alhamdulillah I went to the Not for Sale sponsored event at Bordertown Coffee to listen to James Stewart lecture on what it means to be an an abolitionist. The twist - Stewart is a historian and his claim to fame is expertise in the US abolitionist movement during the transatlantic slave trade. Back in the days of the civil rights movement when he was 23 and in college - he asked - how did we get here? How did we get to this movement? & has spend the last 45+ years figuring it out. & has been quite successful.
So why is Mr. Stewart is a bit annoyed? Because he has spend his entire career studying the grassroots and political movements that eventually abolished slavery ...no regrets... BUT today - there are double the amount of slaves in the world in comparison to time of the transatlantic slave trade. Yes, I said DOUBLE. 27 million enslaved people today. So this guy - abandoned the Historian way - and started using his knowledge of history to bring awareness/progression to the future. Because even if you don't understand modern day slavery - we must question - where are the lines between slaves and oppressed persons?
Are you catching the drift that I love anyone who motivates me? Therefore, I love this man. His humor. His drawl. His analogies. e.t.c.
Stewart asked as all to become abolitionists. Not half hearted abolitionists. Not tomorrow. But today. This is where I wish I could quote/would have taken better notes - ready for ramble? He said that in all his studies, all his books, travels and research he found it was the committed, full on abolitionists that found success. The people like Frederick Douglass, Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman and John Brown weren't all that different from you and I - but they, they woke up abolitionists. They brushed their teeth as abolitionists. They wanted slavery to be abolished yesterday.
He asked us to look at the person next to us - and truly imagine owning them. He asked us to close our eyes and imagine being the forced prostitute, child solider, enslaved laborer - and attempt to feel owned the way in which they do. Afterwards, can you really feel comfortable with what's going on around the world?
Maybe it was easier back in the day. Slavery was visible. It was acceptable. There were records. There was something/one to fight. Today, the average person cannot stand up to a trafficker, we're dealing with the secrecy of the Internet, there is no opposition, the industry is HUGE, slavery is not in our faces. But slavery is in our world, in our state, in our city. It is in our products. Our chocolate. Our coffee. Slavery is still everywhere.
Welcome Non-Readers:
So what? What do you do? How can you even start to end something so gigantic. & the answer is - what you're good at. This is where I got excited. Because it doesn't take someone powerful and famous to make a change. Anyone can be and act as an abolitionist. Because the only way modern day slavery will ever come to an end - is if we can create a movement. If we can start seeing human beings. It can end if its demise is engrained in our everyday. If we can agree - that it should have been obsolete yesterday.
Some people, can go out and be committed lawyers for victims of human trafficking. Others can write heart-wrenching/warming pieces about slavery today. Myself - I can educate my blog readers & refugee co-workers/clients & beyond! You - could choose to read a book on modern-day slavery. Or donate a book to a library, a high school. Not a reader? Watch a documentary on modern-day slavery - then pass the title on. Watch it with friends. Are you an artist? Create. Are you teacher? Teach. Are you a crazy person? Do something crazy. Bring your talents and abolitionism together. It's possible. & together - everyone teamed with their passions/talents - can create a movement. We can end it. Because we've done it before.
& so. When I left. I wasn't alone. At least my parking spot was an hour's pay rather than a week, or the value of my sold body. I left part of a group. A movement. & with that friends will eventually come. & until then - at least I have my voice and freedom. & some energy. Come on. Call yourself an abolitionist.
Tonight. I* almost didn't go. I'm tired of being alone. I'm tired of venturing to events alone. For paying for parking alone. I'm tired of being the loner the corner. Tired of creeping people out by attaching too quickly - talking too much - trying to force/flatter people into being my BFF - & if not forever, at least the evening.
I almost didn't go. I went in circles around Dinkytown trying to find free parking. It was a failed attempt. I was going to have to fork over an hour of pay for a mere two hours of parking.
I almost didn't go because I walked in the wrong direction. With my phone (aka safety net) sitting where I accidently left it - the driver's seat of my car.
I paid an hours worth of pay for parking. & I was arriving late (from walking out of the way) to an event where I knew full well I'd be the girl hangin' solo in the corner.
But, Alhamdulillah I went to the Not for Sale sponsored event at Bordertown Coffee to listen to James Stewart lecture on what it means to be an an abolitionist. The twist - Stewart is a historian and his claim to fame is expertise in the US abolitionist movement during the transatlantic slave trade. Back in the days of the civil rights movement when he was 23 and in college - he asked - how did we get here? How did we get to this movement? & has spend the last 45+ years figuring it out. & has been quite successful.
So why is Mr. Stewart is a bit annoyed? Because he has spend his entire career studying the grassroots and political movements that eventually abolished slavery ...no regrets... BUT today - there are double the amount of slaves in the world in comparison to time of the transatlantic slave trade. Yes, I said DOUBLE. 27 million enslaved people today. So this guy - abandoned the Historian way - and started using his knowledge of history to bring awareness/progression to the future. Because even if you don't understand modern day slavery - we must question - where are the lines between slaves and oppressed persons?
Are you catching the drift that I love anyone who motivates me? Therefore, I love this man. His humor. His drawl. His analogies. e.t.c.
Stewart asked as all to become abolitionists. Not half hearted abolitionists. Not tomorrow. But today. This is where I wish I could quote/would have taken better notes - ready for ramble? He said that in all his studies, all his books, travels and research he found it was the committed, full on abolitionists that found success. The people like Frederick Douglass, Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman and John Brown weren't all that different from you and I - but they, they woke up abolitionists. They brushed their teeth as abolitionists. They wanted slavery to be abolished yesterday.
He asked us to look at the person next to us - and truly imagine owning them. He asked us to close our eyes and imagine being the forced prostitute, child solider, enslaved laborer - and attempt to feel owned the way in which they do. Afterwards, can you really feel comfortable with what's going on around the world?
Maybe it was easier back in the day. Slavery was visible. It was acceptable. There were records. There was something/one to fight. Today, the average person cannot stand up to a trafficker, we're dealing with the secrecy of the Internet, there is no opposition, the industry is HUGE, slavery is not in our faces. But slavery is in our world, in our state, in our city. It is in our products. Our chocolate. Our coffee. Slavery is still everywhere.
Welcome Non-Readers:
So what? What do you do? How can you even start to end something so gigantic. & the answer is - what you're good at. This is where I got excited. Because it doesn't take someone powerful and famous to make a change. Anyone can be and act as an abolitionist. Because the only way modern day slavery will ever come to an end - is if we can create a movement. If we can start seeing human beings. It can end if its demise is engrained in our everyday. If we can agree - that it should have been obsolete yesterday.
Some people, can go out and be committed lawyers for victims of human trafficking. Others can write heart-wrenching/warming pieces about slavery today. Myself - I can educate my blog readers & refugee co-workers/clients & beyond! You - could choose to read a book on modern-day slavery. Or donate a book to a library, a high school. Not a reader? Watch a documentary on modern-day slavery - then pass the title on. Watch it with friends. Are you an artist? Create. Are you teacher? Teach. Are you a crazy person? Do something crazy. Bring your talents and abolitionism together. It's possible. & together - everyone teamed with their passions/talents - can create a movement. We can end it. Because we've done it before.
& so. When I left. I wasn't alone. At least my parking spot was an hour's pay rather than a week, or the value of my sold body. I left part of a group. A movement. & with that friends will eventually come. & until then - at least I have my voice and freedom. & some energy. Come on. Call yourself an abolitionist.
*my apologies for the whinny I I I I I talk, but it got better, right?
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
The Help
I just finished reading The Help by Kathryn Stockett. First of all, it's fabulous. I literally read for days straight. Stockett did some serious character building and I feel like I personally know each narrator (2 domestic workers and 1 college graduate/journalist). It's a beautifully written story of the relationships between white housewives and their African American hired help in 1960s Mississippi. I won't try to explain more, I can never do books justice. There is a reason it's on the bestseller list.
The Help is a fictional story, but it's words and stories are true to many. I was pretty disturbed/saddened by the stories of blunt violence, sickening discrimination and outrageous rumors about minorities. Because really, these events didn't happen all too long ago (& still happen today). I also spent a lot of time thinking about how hard it must have been for all those people involved in the civil rights movement, especially those who lived in the south. It's embarrassing, but I don't know if I ever truly thought about the risk they put themselves in. I have a whole new appreciation for all those involved, and I am beyond thankful for them.
But then I turned on the news.
& any relief that I may have felt - disappeared instantly. Have we really come that far? Stories of male government officials telling their female colleagues to "go back to the kitchen", funding being cut for domestic abuse shelters and in-home care, Wal-Mart being called out for years of paying women less then men (for the same work), oil leaks, and Arizona officially stripping away the respect and dignity of it's Hispanic population. Death threats seem to be the new love letter ... and I don't even know when this started. When did our country start becoming so hateful again? Did it ever stop? Was I looking away? Everyone seems so angry. & feel overwhelmed. Sometimes, I'm scared my voice isn't loud enough, that I'm not doing enough.
So, to those of you who speak up for greater good - thank you.
& to the Grand Canyon, I'm sorry - looks like I won't get around to seeing you.
The Help is a fictional story, but it's words and stories are true to many. I was pretty disturbed/saddened by the stories of blunt violence, sickening discrimination and outrageous rumors about minorities. Because really, these events didn't happen all too long ago (& still happen today). I also spent a lot of time thinking about how hard it must have been for all those people involved in the civil rights movement, especially those who lived in the south. It's embarrassing, but I don't know if I ever truly thought about the risk they put themselves in. I have a whole new appreciation for all those involved, and I am beyond thankful for them.
But then I turned on the news.
& any relief that I may have felt - disappeared instantly. Have we really come that far? Stories of male government officials telling their female colleagues to "go back to the kitchen", funding being cut for domestic abuse shelters and in-home care, Wal-Mart being called out for years of paying women less then men (for the same work), oil leaks, and Arizona officially stripping away the respect and dignity of it's Hispanic population. Death threats seem to be the new love letter ... and I don't even know when this started. When did our country start becoming so hateful again? Did it ever stop? Was I looking away? Everyone seems so angry. & feel overwhelmed. Sometimes, I'm scared my voice isn't loud enough, that I'm not doing enough.
So, to those of you who speak up for greater good - thank you.
& to the Grand Canyon, I'm sorry - looks like I won't get around to seeing you.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Dr. Give Me the News
I realize this is a high tension subject for many: healthcare.
& to be 'sensitive' I've been keeping most of my (liberal) opinions to myself, but this article just makes too much sense to not pass it on.
Health Reform Bill Summary: The Top 18 Immediate Effects
& to be 'sensitive' I've been keeping most of my (liberal) opinions to myself, but this article just makes too much sense to not pass it on.
Health Reform Bill Summary: The Top 18 Immediate Effects
Many Thanks and credit to Steven Athay for finding and sharing this article!
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Something Old
Do you ever just need some inspiration?
I sure do.
Normally my mind goes like this: inspiration = new.
How could I possibly find a fresh idea in something I've already experienced? Then starts the seeking out of new art exhibits, books, parks, clothes, places to travel ...
This week though, I've found my inspiration in the comforts of old (and been loving it).
The streets, restaurants, and overall culture of Ames and Des Moines have reminded me of the beauty in the known. & at the same time, the beauty in the unknown - for it's important to remember that there was a day when I knew not a soul nor street in this state.
A simple re-evaluation of past internships, travels, and jobs has increased my confidence, excitement, and worth which have all been slipping from my grasp for far too long.
Most importantly, I've discovered a new, refreshed, proactive sense of motivation after bottomless cups of coffee with good conversation and old friends.
& to think, I've had all these revelations in old clothes. :)
Something to do Today: Appreciate the things that are right under your nose.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
LSI
I have just learned that Lutheran Services in Iowa, Refugee Resettlement Cooperative of Des Moines is closing it's doors. The program will continue on for the next six months to ensure that the last refugee families are provided care until they are self sufficient.
My heart goes out to all the LSI staff, volunteers, and the Des Moines refugee community.
It was within your guiding hands that I found my true passion. I will never forget my time as an Intern with the program, and I am forever grateful for the amount of trust, support, and confidence you all had in me.
During my 320 hours of service I learned more than I ever imagined I could about: strength, carrying mattresses, culture, non-profits, sharing, refugee issues, patience, governmental systems, Des Moines, war, family, hard work, resettlement, fear, apartment hunting, courage, language (both verbal and non), volunteering, donating, the importance of humor and a smile, compassion, and love.
You have forever made an impact on me and the lives of thousands around the greater Des Moines area. May the future be bright for all those impacted by this loss.
To read their statement go here
TV and Caffeine
Things I've been trying to cut back on: negativity, TV, worrying, sleeping too late, and caffeine (the hardest and most commonly failed).
It's not even noon and I've already failed TV.
& while most commercials get little to no attention from moi... one did. It was for Pepsi's Refresh Project. I did some more research and it's really neat. Basically, Pepsi is giving away millions of dollars monthly to individuals, business, and non-profits who want to/are making a positive impact on their community; within the categories of Health, Art & Culture, Food & Shelter, The Planet, Neighborhoods, and Education. Anyone can submit an idea and anyone can vote!
I realize I'm always pumping out websites for people to check out... but take a minute to see what people around the country are trying to do for their communities!
My whole point is this: Find a Cause.
I personally put a lot of my energies into the issues of women, cultural awareness, and refugees. What do you feel passionate about? What changes in the world do you want to see. & what are you doing to make it happen?
Something to DO today: examine your passions.
that Pepsi commercial made me want some caffeine...
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
No Worries
I never know what day of the week it is. Seriously, if it wasn't for Christmas trees, presents, and twinkle lights I'd probably still think its November. I'm convinced someone or something is eating time. Anyway, here I find myself more than a month out of Cairo. A month of cold, a month traffic laws, a month without falafel, a month without hearing Arabic.
I can't lie- I thought that by now my world would be rocked. I'd be slipping around on the ice of Minnesota as a new person.
Every day I change and learn new things, but travel presses my buttons. My high school trip to France started me up for business. I learned to take charge and lead in Australia. Rwanda infused my whole being with the love of people and culture. And Cairo? Two months in Egypt ... still waiting. What the HECK!? Where is my breakthrough!? So far, I've only been seeing the breakthrough or rather, breakdown of my bank account.
Wasn't some BIG change part of my package deal?
Of course, this is drama speaking. Not a day goes by that I don't think of the beauty and hospitality of my friends in Egypt. Or the colors of a country filled to the brim with ancient culture and people. But I'm talking about me. What has changed about me?! Other than a higher tolerance for noise and fiber.
Well...
Tolerance is the key word, I think. Tolerance.
Not exactly what I would have predicted pre-Cairo, but nevertheless, I think TOLERANCE has been my gift from Egypt. Shukran Egypt for your creation of civilization, beer, language, etc etc ... and thank you for tolerance.
Tolerance, patience, understanding, sympathy ... however you want to say it, well, I think I've got it! After two months of living amongst some 19 million people, without the right of freedom of speech and movement, a schedule on 'African time', and uselessness of English. This year's holiday shoppers, long lines, bad winter drivers, crying children, and a few extra cookie calories are nothing. "No Problem/No Worries" was the English phrase I heard most in Egypt, and did I ever pick it up.
The phrase and mindset of "No Problem" have become a daily essential in my life. Because really, what are we stressing about? Why are we in such a hurry, and what is the point of dwelling? We've got a life to live people, and we're living it amongst a world full of unpredictable human beings. LET THINGS GO. This new level of tolerance may or may not be my Egyptian breakthrough, but whatever brought it on - I like it.
Life presents itself more beautifully when we're not worrying about the small stuff.
Happy Holidays and Hakuna Matata!
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
onetwo
2 weeks into home life.
2 days into job searching.
Who knew depression and discouragement could set in so quickly.
I’ve been pretty bummed lately, feeling really out of control and sad in this whirlwind of readjustment, job-hunting, and frankly- loneliness. Welch Minnesota is the prefect place to sit back and enjoy the peacefulness of Mother Nature, not so much for entertainment. Although, watching Ringo be chased by our new chickens did throw the family into a fit of giggles.
The other week during my visit to Ames, my beautiful friend Megen told me that she had made the decision to be happy.
Made the DECISION to be happy.
Made the decision FOR HERSELF to be happy.
Made the decision to be HAPPY.
Today, it finally set in what a wonderful idea that is! Who wants to hire a frumpy, unenthusiastic, bitter recent graduate? My disheartened attitude has done nothing but hurt the people who are closest to me, and put me further behind on the ‘to hire’ list.
SO. I started with a smile and a library trip.
Book List:
“Guide to Internet Job Searching” Co published with the Public Library Association.
“The Perfect Resume: Today’s Ultimate Job Search Tool” by Tom Jackson
“Resume Buzz Words: Get Your Resume to the Top of the Pile” by Erik Herman and Sarah Rocha; it just might work!
“The Vagina Monologues” by Eve Ensler; because she keeps me spunky, and the courageousness of women keeps me motivated.
“Three Cups of Tea: One Man’s Mission to Fight Terrorism and Build Nations… One School at a Time” by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin; I am constantly on a hunt for inspiration, and my lovely IRIS crew tells me it is a must read.
DVD List:
Michael Moore’s “Sicko”; I’ve got not health insurance …
Ugly Betty Season One; simply, I love her.
2 weeks until all these things are due back to Redwing Public Library.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Lizard in the Bathroom
I have so many things I want to show, to share, to teach, to tell, to learn ...
There are so many things that I do not understand, do not like, do not believe, do not deserve, do not think I'll be able to live without when I leave...
My thoughts, my journal, my sentence forming skills - all a mess.
For weeks I've been forming this mini-list of things I'm going to appreciate when I return home. I've thought it would be a cute lil' diddy to post, but for reasons unknown until now I haven't been able to. Mostly I thought nothing of it; blamed backspace and my spaced-out mind.
Today I realized that it is because my list isn't very cute or funny.
A shower, comfortable bed, bug free kitchen/bathroom, English, familiar people, the concept of lines, manners, reliable electricity, cross walks, clean air, laws against litter, a basic trash program, clean water, freedom of dress/movement/media/speech...
Even I can't see where the line between superficial worries and political issues begin and end. List typed, I still don't know where to go with this.
It didn't take long to realize I wasn't just another American cruising the Nile, eating mangoes, and checking out the Pyramids. A new arrival though is the weight of being more fully emerged into a different culture.
The longer I'm here, the more I see. The more I see, the more I understand. The more I understand, the more I learn. The more I learn, the more I realize- I have no. freaking. idea.
It is a good thing I journal. It helps me process this mess of thoughts, and keeps me from talking to myself too much. Works as a good calendar too - I actually sat and stared at the date for a while today. When did my return date get so close? I can't wait for that bed ... and shower ... and ...
There are so many things that I do not understand, do not like, do not believe, do not deserve, do not think I'll be able to live without when I leave...
My thoughts, my journal, my sentence forming skills - all a mess.
For weeks I've been forming this mini-list of things I'm going to appreciate when I return home. I've thought it would be a cute lil' diddy to post, but for reasons unknown until now I haven't been able to. Mostly I thought nothing of it; blamed backspace and my spaced-out mind.
Today I realized that it is because my list isn't very cute or funny.
A shower, comfortable bed, bug free kitchen/bathroom, English, familiar people, the concept of lines, manners, reliable electricity, cross walks, clean air, laws against litter, a basic trash program, clean water, freedom of dress/movement/media/speech...
Even I can't see where the line between superficial worries and political issues begin and end. List typed, I still don't know where to go with this.
It didn't take long to realize I wasn't just another American cruising the Nile, eating mangoes, and checking out the Pyramids. A new arrival though is the weight of being more fully emerged into a different culture.
The longer I'm here, the more I see. The more I see, the more I understand. The more I understand, the more I learn. The more I learn, the more I realize- I have no. freaking. idea.
It is a good thing I journal. It helps me process this mess of thoughts, and keeps me from talking to myself too much. Works as a good calendar too - I actually sat and stared at the date for a while today. When did my return date get so close? I can't wait for that bed ... and shower ... and ...
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Murabeho
I'm beeeehind on my blogging.
Last week we had a good fix to our homesickness. We met Jodie and her son in the airport. She lives in Texas and tries to come and visit her family at least once a year. So we were kindly welcomed into the home of her sister, for a BBQ Rwanda style. It was such a nice night, and extremely relaxing. There was a lot of food and even more dancing.
This past weekend we traveled to Butare, smaller city in the southern part of the country. We were able to visit the National Museum of Rwanda, the National University of Rwanda, the biggest Catholic Cathedral, and the Murambi Genocide Memorial.
The National Museum of Rwanda was interesting and I was able to learn a lot about the history of Rwanda. There were tons of artifacts there, and they were all gorgeous.
The National University was fun to drive through as well. Before leaving I read the book “Left to Tell” which was the story of a genocide survivor, and she attended this university. During the genocide the National University was attacked and many students were killed.
We went to mass on Sunday at the Catholic Cathedral. It was interesting going to a service in all Kinyarwanda.
The Murambi Genocide Memorial... I do not think I can possibly explain the things I saw there in a blog. I still have not even been able to write about it in my journal.
This week... after being the truck for so long during the weekend all of us girls felt like dancing. So Aloys told us to check out the Kigali Business Center's nightclub. We went there on Sunday night and danced the night away. It was so fun, and I think we all needed to move around.
We've been trying to spend as much time as possible at the Orphanage. We've had a day of frisbees, another of fake tattoos, and yesterday- we got to see some amazing football skills. Turns out the kids are even better when they are playing with real balls- and not plastic bags tied together.
This might be my last blog for a while, or until I get home. I'm sorry they have been so vague lately we've had jam packed days and limited Internet access. The time here has been going so quickly, and I am both excited and devastated about arriving back in the US on Sunday.
Its going to break my heart when we have to say goodbye to the children today. Not only the children but all the people we've meet since coming here. The first day we got here, many people told us “You will never actually leave Rwanda” ... knowing that my flight to Tanzania is looming tomorrow- I'm starting to feel the reality of their words.
Throughout this trip I have seen some of the most beautiful and the most heart wrenching things of my life. The pain and suffering the people of Rwanda have gone through is impossible for me to imagine- and their strength and forgiveness amazes me every single day. I hope that I can learn from the people of Rwanda and take their strength, motivation, optimism, and willingness to work towards change into my own life.
Last week we had a good fix to our homesickness. We met Jodie and her son in the airport. She lives in Texas and tries to come and visit her family at least once a year. So we were kindly welcomed into the home of her sister, for a BBQ Rwanda style. It was such a nice night, and extremely relaxing. There was a lot of food and even more dancing.
This past weekend we traveled to Butare, smaller city in the southern part of the country. We were able to visit the National Museum of Rwanda, the National University of Rwanda, the biggest Catholic Cathedral, and the Murambi Genocide Memorial.
The National Museum of Rwanda was interesting and I was able to learn a lot about the history of Rwanda. There were tons of artifacts there, and they were all gorgeous.
The National University was fun to drive through as well. Before leaving I read the book “Left to Tell” which was the story of a genocide survivor, and she attended this university. During the genocide the National University was attacked and many students were killed.
We went to mass on Sunday at the Catholic Cathedral. It was interesting going to a service in all Kinyarwanda.
The Murambi Genocide Memorial... I do not think I can possibly explain the things I saw there in a blog. I still have not even been able to write about it in my journal.
This week... after being the truck for so long during the weekend all of us girls felt like dancing. So Aloys told us to check out the Kigali Business Center's nightclub. We went there on Sunday night and danced the night away. It was so fun, and I think we all needed to move around.
We've been trying to spend as much time as possible at the Orphanage. We've had a day of frisbees, another of fake tattoos, and yesterday- we got to see some amazing football skills. Turns out the kids are even better when they are playing with real balls- and not plastic bags tied together.
This might be my last blog for a while, or until I get home. I'm sorry they have been so vague lately we've had jam packed days and limited Internet access. The time here has been going so quickly, and I am both excited and devastated about arriving back in the US on Sunday.
Its going to break my heart when we have to say goodbye to the children today. Not only the children but all the people we've meet since coming here. The first day we got here, many people told us “You will never actually leave Rwanda” ... knowing that my flight to Tanzania is looming tomorrow- I'm starting to feel the reality of their words.
Throughout this trip I have seen some of the most beautiful and the most heart wrenching things of my life. The pain and suffering the people of Rwanda have gone through is impossible for me to imagine- and their strength and forgiveness amazes me every single day. I hope that I can learn from the people of Rwanda and take their strength, motivation, optimism, and willingness to work towards change into my own life.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Not this Saturday, but the next.
I am already in love with Rwanda, and we haven't left yet.
As a group we have been so fortunate to be able to speak with a variety of people who have travelled to Rwanda, for a wide range of reasons (tourism, working for the ape trust, promoting forest conservation, they are natives to the country, a 'son's' wedding, ... ). It has to be mentioned that each and every one of the individuals who has taken time to speak to our group, has been extremely wonderful, helpful, and kind. I have yet to meet one person has hasn't had both a glimmer in their eye, and a grin on their face when they spoke of their experience(s) with Rwanda, and the country's people. Normally, I'd just say 'there must be something in the water', but maybe instead when in Africa, 'there is something in the Malaria pills'.
Or even more likely, the 'glimmer' and 'grin' are instead products of this 'contagious optimism' that we've been told covers Rwanda. I cannot comprehend but at the same time am simply amazed that a country who saw horrific hardship just 14 years ago, can now have have 8 Millennium Goals that focus on improving areas such as, women's rights, education, healthcare, poverty, the environment, etc. ... and are succeeding at them! I am curious about the dedication, leadership, forgiveness, hard-work (...) I am utterly thrilled to go and immerse myself. To:
experience.
help.
observe.
touch.
taste.
smell.
hear.
see.
listen.
learn.
Its an interesting/confusing feeling knowing that you are going to have a life changing experience. Its a mixture of fear, expectations (positive and negative), excitement, anticipation, hesitation... [insert all other contradictory emotions here]. Slowly I'm attempting to prepare myself in basic ways, such as worrying about my packing, clothing, medications ... Soon I'll have to start doing my 'mind opening' exercises, because I have no doubt Rwanda, Africa is going to take up a lot of room in this small little world/head of mine.
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