Buffalo Soldier

Idleness on the blog usually means exciting things for me here. Apparently things haven't been so idle in the blog world as you may have noticed by the various postings. This blog, surprisingly, has made it to the "Blogs of Note". What does that mean? Well, I'm still wondering myself. However, what I have learned is that on the main blogger.com page there is a link to my blog which has led various individuals to my page who have them made comments. For all those strangers and friends from around the world thank you for the kind words, they are much appreciated. Wednesday Fr. O' Brien, Stan, and Peter (the Les Aspin Marquette crew) landed in for a visit while they are here working on their USAID Anti-corruption training program. My heart was a glow the moment I saw their faces, both from the site of good friends and familiar faces. They hung out for a while and then took off. They were kind enough to invite me to Safari Park Hotel for their conference, which I was quick to take them up on. I was only able to attend for Friday, but it was a lovely day (even if it did take 2.5 hours to get there). I then got to see Cephas as well. For those of you who don't know Cephas, Fr. O' Brien and Stan were my professors when I studied in Washington, DC and when I came to Kenya and Tanzania in 2005. They are friends, family, mentors and a true inspiration. Being there allowed me the chance to listen to a insightful speaker as well as interact with East African professionals and diplomats; a much needed time away. Friday we rose with the sun and traveled to Kitui. This time it was to show Stan and Peter the footings. Gaia, Paul, Kierstin, Natalie, Peter, Stan, and I all ventured the 3 hours roller-coaster like ride to see the experimental work in progress that is the Nyumbani Village. Seeing it a second time allowed me to catch the things I had missed the first time. Also, Colonzo, the social worker, showed us around instead of Nicolas, the Village Manger, giving a whole new outlook on things. The 80 km takes much longer with Friday Nairobi traffic, so the migraine kicked in hard. Having migraines here is a bit of a struggle. Traveling, long days, hot weather, and other random things trigger them. However, its just one more fact of life that puts me on the same level as the kids; not always being at 100% but having to live like I am. Some common side effects of HIV are headaches, mouth sores, nausea, abdominal pain, etc. Its really unfortunate and rather hard. I was never the kid who had to get out of the soccer game early or the one who had to take their inhaler before gym class; but these things really do impact a child's life. Ironically though, these things are hitting me later in life. Allergies, migraines, and well that's about it. See, I don't have much to complain about. Thus, we should all thank God for what we don't have. :) Have you ever thought about that, thanking God for what you don't have? I'm going to say my prayers tonight for what I don't have. Interesting, huh. Today we went to the Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage... say it all together now... awwww. We got to pet them and watch them play. Oh it was fun fun! After we had some pizza, relaxed, went to a Masaii shot and Mat-ed home. Good day! Today, however, I am reminded of how everything is a 'process' here in Kenya. If I want to make a call, print pictures, go to town, do anything really, there needs to be a lot of time, patience and flexibility involved. I will give you a few examples so that you may better understand my points. Today we wanted to go to see the elephants, well the feeding is only between 11 and 12. So we are near so we leave at 10. We walk to town (ok), must bargain for a Mat (annoying, but fine), the Mat goes to the wrong stop, we get off ask the Park woman if we can walk through she says no, you must go around, bargain for another Mat going back the same way we just came from, check our book to make sure its going the right way, get off, walk 2 km to the park, get the wrong direction and have small children tell us which way to go, and finally arrive there at 11:30 with 30 minutes to see the lil buggers. I have many examples, but I think you get the point. This is by no means me complaining or upset, the day was a good one; however, this is what most things take to get around here. Life is not the simple 1,2,3 that we are used to, especially for foreigners who don't know the system and who they try to over charge. So my patience is being developed on a much greater scale than Id ever though. If you thought nothing bothered me before, oh, now its really going to take a lot. ha. It's really been a learning adventure, which is good. Monday class starts. YAY! If you have any good ideas for Drama, Id love to hear them. Cephas invited me to some fancy smancy dinner next Friday as well. I believe it as at the house of a UN official. After being with children all day, one of the things I really miss is politics and conversations concerning the like. Being at the Les Aspin/USAID Conference really made me feel at home. At home because I was able to speak and understand African politics. In fact, one of the women actually approached me and asked how long Ive been here for and I said 'two months'. She was shocked and said that 'you seem as though you know the politics, people and culture so well'. It was a compliment that I took to heart; took to heart because it is something I have worked to achieve. As much as I can get my hands on them I'm reading the news papers, watching the news, taking in what the kids are reading during homework time about farming, history, etc., doing homestays, traveling alone, doing things the Kenyan way instead of the 'tourist way', always asking questions and most importantly having an open mind and being willing to listen to whoever around me wants to talk. Through all those ways I am able to par-take in a conversation concerning African politics and not only understand but also contribute and contribute with a perspective that inst Western, but an open minded one. Another woman compared me to Hillary Clinton and asked me to speak to a Youth Convention. My shock blew her away. Although I was honored, I think she may have seen more than what I am. I don't know, Ive noticed that its a whole new ball game here and I'm going to have to kick my ego back into place before I head back and find a job in DC where I will be lucky to find a job. However, I'm realizing that my standards are high. I don't think I'm willing to open mail for 6 months before I get to read the mail. I don't think I'm willing to be answering the phones for someone. Maybe this will all change, maybe it wont. All I know is there is a lot of change to be done in the world and not contributing to some sort of change will eat me alive. It isn't because I think I'm 'above' mail or phones, no no. Heck, I sweep and mop here. It isn't that at all, I just want to be making change is all. There is so much to be done. Why Buffalo Soldier as the title? No reason really, other than the fact that the music video was playing in the Mat today and I LOVE Bob Marley! :) Its a good song. If you've never listened to the lyrics or researched the history, Id suggest you do, makes you appreciate it a bit more. Alright, dinner time. Have a wonderful day! Again, thanks for all the comments and emails, they really keep me motivated and inspired. You are all angels on Earth, bless you. Peace and love.