Tremors

Alright so its not that I'm ignoring this, its really Internet trouble. Ive written twice now and lost it both times, Sometimes our power goes out, sometimes our Internet goes out and sometimes the Internet just closes itself. So Ive written some pretty good stuff, but its lost somewhere in cyberspace. :)

Day to day life is pretty typical, but amazing. I had a planning meeting for the teens retreat and discovered that its sort of a high for me. I remember back in college (ah, I never thought I would be able to say that... I'm old), when one of my profs ever asked if we've had a natural high, one beyond the roller coaster feeling, and I couldn't think of it. One kid answered saying when he shot his first buck, another responded with scoring the winning goal in a soccer tournament, I on the other hand was left to think if I had ever experienced that natural high. Well, I may not have been able to think of an answer before, but I can now. I walked away from that feeling knowing that with just myself I had the ability to make a change for the better and I knew that there were people behind me in the process. So since the few days have passed I have had a few meetings and planned two retreats as well as come up with multiple other ideas for them to consider once I'm gone. I knew I came here to do more than sweep, bond with the kids and teach; I have found a purpose. I know that I wanted to come to learn and grow, but to me that is secondary to the needs of the kids here.

Funny story you say? So I'm in bed about a week ago, couldn't really fall asleep, its hard to when its like 50 degrees and I only have two very thin blankets. All of the sudden the dogs are barking, the birds sound like they are dying and my bed starts to shake. I hear rattling outside, I'm not sure what it is, but I'm freaked as ever. Finally it all stops. Maybe we are getting bombed, China is mad that the US is sponsoring nuke detectors. What if the Mugiki (a violent sect who have killed-even beheaded, over 100) learned how to Google 'bombs'. Or maybe its worse Starwars like, or maybe I'm just going crazy. Initial instincts are very different after 9-11 (I think bombs) and after being around 12 year old boys for an extended period of time (starwars). Finally, I compromise that I just had a long day and need some sleep. Life goes on as usual and I think nothing of it the next day until I get back to my room the following night and a small group of volunteers is huddled around the tiny 13'' tv Elizabeth bought. “Tremors Anne, oohhhh” Elizabeth says, which Kat clarifies with “Did you feel them yesterday, the Earthquakes?”. I couldn't believe it; it was true. Since then we have had about 9 tremors ranging from 4-6 on the Richter scale.

Crazy huh? If you have never felt one, its an indescribable feeling. The ground is shaking and there is nothing you can do; your world is moving and you are powerless. Which metaphorically led me to imagine life as a Kenyan, life with HIV, or life in poverty. These things are out of their control for many and their life changes and moves without their consent, and they just have to roll with the punches. I know with all of us life goes on, but imagine if it was bigger, imagine if it was life threatening; I don't know if and how I would deal with it. For just a few seconds I was able to see someone else's life from my own shoes; I was able to empathize and it was heartbreaking.

On a more positive note last weekend we had a group called 'Unleased', no they weren't a provocative entertainment group, here. They brought shirts and paint and all the kids got to use their creativeness to design shirts and have some fun. It was great! They were a group from the US that travels around the world for fun and always makes a philanthropic stop along the way.

Monday we had our volunteer meeting and I will be teaching Standard 6 Math and English as well as Drama. Beth and I chose to teach drama because we wanted to have a way for the kids to express themselves. We haven't laid out the groundwork yet. But ideally I would like it to be something the kids can use as an outlet for their emotions. Wednesday was Birthday night so I cooked pasta and such for the boys and we had a wonderful birthday party for two of the boys. Saturday we (Gaia, Paul, Beth, Kirsten, Natalie, Anita and I) all hiked the Ngong Hills. If you have ever seen or read Out of Africa you you recognize the place. It was quiet the trek and I may say that my bottom is still a little sore. Today we matatued into Junction and watched Shrek 3 and had some good food at Java House. Now we are back. Clemonce, the French volunteer, recently accepted a position with the UN in Ethiopia. So, Beth and I are thinking about making a trek up there to visit her. I would have to extend my stay about a week, so I'm going to check into that this week. Hopefully Virgin Airlines will be willing to let me change my flights. :)