did i mention we were doing an apple fast mon-thurs? so from yesterday afternoon until thursday morning we are allowed to consume the following things: apples, tea, water, coffee (no cream). I'm also avoiding any sugar... might as well flush out as much as possible!
so here is a list of all the random cravings I have had thus far:
spinach salad
boiled eggs
mozzarella sticks
chocolate covered raisins
soy latte
plantain chips
scrambled eggs
that is all for now... i'm sure there will be more later =)
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Getting close!!
SO- officially- we have received our first (of I'm sure very many) emails from our Rwandan program coordinator. His name is Justus and our other coordinator is Willy. We were both pretty excited to hear from our on-site contacts this far in advance. He told us that Willy would meet us at the airport in Kigali (with a sign!) and gave us a little more info about the program. Their organization seems to be doing a lot of work in Kigali and surrounding areas so we're of course getting wicked excited. Check them out: http://www.faithvictory.org/home.html.
When it comes to travel we've been continuing to research options out of the states and into Africa. The most feasible option (budgetary and otherwise) is to fly into Entebbe/Kampala International Airport. From there we're researching the bus options into Kigali. We've been reading user reviews and blogs and basically anything traveler-created to see what the bus situation... Although of course we'd loveeee to fly in directly to Kigali, the price difference is pretty significant AND we could score some tickets that have sick layovers in Dubai- and that is a place that I am dying to see. or another option has a pretty long layover in London, which would also be awesome to see.
so we're continuing down our road of budgeting, researching and getting some sweet travel options. Our parent organization offers some discounts on participating airlines, so we're looking into all of that as well.
Fingers crossed, all our program fees will be all paid off by the end of September, so we can spend October saving up for the flights and booking before we leave DC-- EEP!!! so exciting =)
When it comes to travel we've been continuing to research options out of the states and into Africa. The most feasible option (budgetary and otherwise) is to fly into Entebbe/Kampala International Airport. From there we're researching the bus options into Kigali. We've been reading user reviews and blogs and basically anything traveler-created to see what the bus situation... Although of course we'd loveeee to fly in directly to Kigali, the price difference is pretty significant AND we could score some tickets that have sick layovers in Dubai- and that is a place that I am dying to see. or another option has a pretty long layover in London, which would also be awesome to see.
so we're continuing down our road of budgeting, researching and getting some sweet travel options. Our parent organization offers some discounts on participating airlines, so we're looking into all of that as well.
Fingers crossed, all our program fees will be all paid off by the end of September, so we can spend October saving up for the flights and booking before we leave DC-- EEP!!! so exciting =)
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Swifty Times
Well, here we are- almost done with June, getting closer to epic July 4th vacation. We are taking a fun roadtrip (perhaps the last!!) from to DC, back to my hometown for a wedding, a quick visit to my alma mater, then to Manhattan for a couple days, then to asst 2's alma mater for a quick stop over and lastly, spending 4 glorious days lakeside in New Hampshire. I cannot wait - I hope I don't accidently lose my blackberry...
anyway- both of us are like a couple seniors embarking on spring week. needless to say- i hope to have some more blog updates coming through on here!!
anyway- both of us are like a couple seniors embarking on spring week. needless to say- i hope to have some more blog updates coming through on here!!
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
No Woman, No Cry
I have been addicted to a Pandora station. No really, it's starting to become unhealthy- I'm pretty sure I know the words of every song that play- and if I don't, the pretty much get a thumbs down vote. I'm really surprised at how much music can affect my mood (not as much as weather, but a close second or third). I can put on headphones, turn up my music and jam out while working on projects or sing along with a song that makes me smile. As you can probably ascertain from our previous posts, both of us really enjoy working out- and we try to vary our workouts with things like masala bangrha, spinning and boxing. Perfect example- our spinning teacher loves using music to keep us motivated throughout her torturous 45-60 minute classes. I've taken to posting a "Lyric of the Day" on my twitter feed in whatever inspires me for that day. Music has a way of being cathartic, even if you're not actually creating anything- besides maybe an off-tune rendition of "chasing pavement" by adele ;-).
So it makes me think about how cultural music is and like my partner in crime mentioned earlier, dance is the same way. I'm really pumped to find out what kind of music makes Rwanda go 'round and the role it plays in their society. I wonder what they sing about, is there rap, soul, folk? I've never been one that is known to have an absolute ability for carrying a tune- but I'm excited to see what kind of music women sing to themselves when they walk around the village. I wonder what kind of music kids listen to while they do their homework, or what plays on the radio in the city.
I think as excited as I am to do really solid volunteer work in Rwanda, I am equally excited to experience a new culture- so different from my own. Sure I've traveled to the East coast from the Midwest which was certainly a kind of culture shock- but this is a brand new continent, with people who don't speak my language and -naive or not- I am psyched to experience the culture shock. Kind of like with electrical outlets, a shock is what we need to reboot. For me, rebooting is putting things in perspective, learning to live out loud and relearning what it is to feel like a participant in life, not a bystander.
So it makes me think about how cultural music is and like my partner in crime mentioned earlier, dance is the same way. I'm really pumped to find out what kind of music makes Rwanda go 'round and the role it plays in their society. I wonder what they sing about, is there rap, soul, folk? I've never been one that is known to have an absolute ability for carrying a tune- but I'm excited to see what kind of music women sing to themselves when they walk around the village. I wonder what kind of music kids listen to while they do their homework, or what plays on the radio in the city.
I think as excited as I am to do really solid volunteer work in Rwanda, I am equally excited to experience a new culture- so different from my own. Sure I've traveled to the East coast from the Midwest which was certainly a kind of culture shock- but this is a brand new continent, with people who don't speak my language and -naive or not- I am psyched to experience the culture shock. Kind of like with electrical outlets, a shock is what we need to reboot. For me, rebooting is putting things in perspective, learning to live out loud and relearning what it is to feel like a participant in life, not a bystander.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Masala Bhangra and Other Reasons My Shoulders Hurt
This weekend brought "The Study of Dance as an Expression of Joy", or, a Masala Bhangra class on Saturday. Masala Bhangra is a modified version of northern Indian dancing style involving a lot of shoulder shrugging, bouncing, and brightly-colored-handkerchief waving. It was awesome.
I think, being that we're a collection of many cultures and originally founded by Puritans, dance is not really a universal cultural expression in America. To me, dance has always been about expressing sexuality - I have been known to describe that amazing connection between two people on the dancefloor as "sex with all your clothes on" - and culturally that always seems to have been the dominant mindset. I believe our society has trouble with almost every form of self-expression. We try not to be too happy, too loud, too sad. And that repression leads to these formless outbursts of sexuality, bumping&grinding in clubs, but it feels good and it's dark and I can't say I have a problem with it, even if I sometimes wish someone would bust out a choreographed dance with me possibly involving the tango or the last scene from Dirty Dancing.
But Bhangra is completely different. It is meant to be a loud, choreographed, spontaneous expression of joy (yes, it can be both spontaneous and choreographed). We spent 20 minutes learning a basic 4 minute combination of steps and then the next 40 minutes doing them over and over to everything from traditional Indian music to Lil' Wayne remixes. It was awesome. I kept having too much fun to remember that I was supposed to be dancing and would suddenly accidentally stop in the middle and just start laughing.
Also my shoulders and knees are KILLING me now but that is beside the point.
So in addition to wanting to find out all about spiritual traditions in Rwanda, I now want to seek out dance to see what it tells me about the culture. I need to do a little background on the history of dance and spirituality so I can keep a watchful eye towards the impact of colonialism on those traditions.
I think, being that we're a collection of many cultures and originally founded by Puritans, dance is not really a universal cultural expression in America. To me, dance has always been about expressing sexuality - I have been known to describe that amazing connection between two people on the dancefloor as "sex with all your clothes on" - and culturally that always seems to have been the dominant mindset. I believe our society has trouble with almost every form of self-expression. We try not to be too happy, too loud, too sad. And that repression leads to these formless outbursts of sexuality, bumping&grinding in clubs, but it feels good and it's dark and I can't say I have a problem with it, even if I sometimes wish someone would bust out a choreographed dance with me possibly involving the tango or the last scene from Dirty Dancing.
But Bhangra is completely different. It is meant to be a loud, choreographed, spontaneous expression of joy (yes, it can be both spontaneous and choreographed). We spent 20 minutes learning a basic 4 minute combination of steps and then the next 40 minutes doing them over and over to everything from traditional Indian music to Lil' Wayne remixes. It was awesome. I kept having too much fun to remember that I was supposed to be dancing and would suddenly accidentally stop in the middle and just start laughing.
Also my shoulders and knees are KILLING me now but that is beside the point.
So in addition to wanting to find out all about spiritual traditions in Rwanda, I now want to seek out dance to see what it tells me about the culture. I need to do a little background on the history of dance and spirituality so I can keep a watchful eye towards the impact of colonialism on those traditions.
Friday, May 29, 2009
I'm About To Come Alive
I've got this song stuck in my head, it's all I want to listen to lately: "I'm About To Come Alive" by Train (don't judge, Train is fucking awesome). I feel like the last few years have been a list I've needed to check off, and while there was the occasional joyful experience to get me through to the next, I am actually of the opinion that EVERY DAY should be a joyful experience. I know that might seem unreasonable. No one is happy all the time, and we grow from grief and even from discomfort. But being joyful is not the same as being happy. This might be controversial, but I am someone who has happy moments - I do not think of myself as someone who is happy.
Paulo Coelho has a monologue in one of his books in which a character says, "I say, are you happy? And they say of course. I say, do you want more? Do you want to travel more, make more money, meet someone to love? And they of course. I say, then you're not happy."
I believe some people achieve real happiness. They get all the things they want. I think my mother is one of them, most days. I am not. I have learned to always want more, strive for more, fight for more, work for more - so happiness, looking around and knowing you have everything you want, I don't think I will ever have that. What I WILL have, I hope, is joy and contentment. I am content every day with my life. If I died today I would have no regrets, but I would have many things I hadn't done yet. As for the joy, I put a lot of joy on hold in order to check things off the list: recognizable professional accomplishments, growing impressive resume, opportunity to live and work among powerful media and political elite, check check check.
But I am about to come alive :)
Paulo Coelho has a monologue in one of his books in which a character says, "I say, are you happy? And they say of course. I say, do you want more? Do you want to travel more, make more money, meet someone to love? And they of course. I say, then you're not happy."
I believe some people achieve real happiness. They get all the things they want. I think my mother is one of them, most days. I am not. I have learned to always want more, strive for more, fight for more, work for more - so happiness, looking around and knowing you have everything you want, I don't think I will ever have that. What I WILL have, I hope, is joy and contentment. I am content every day with my life. If I died today I would have no regrets, but I would have many things I hadn't done yet. As for the joy, I put a lot of joy on hold in order to check things off the list: recognizable professional accomplishments, growing impressive resume, opportunity to live and work among powerful media and political elite, check check check.
But I am about to come alive :)
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Dear Maria
Today- FINALLY- and probably short-lived the sun came out! So I was pretty inspired to write =) also, I just had an amazing conversation with asst 2 and I'm going to just go ahead and publish it. I went to a Georgetown graduation ceremony last night and I looked around me and thought to myself "i have this feeling that after rwanda i have ABSOLUTELY no clue what i'm going to do."
I have all kinds of possibilities- I will only be 25 years old and will have amassed about 50 years of experiences, stories, and life altering choices. 25. If I'm lucky, I've only lived the first 1/4 of my life (oh yea, my stubborn self is totally going for 100!) and I've gotten to do so much. Meet celebrities, attend historical events, drink in bars that are famous, live in a city that is exciting, pay more in rent than my parents pay in their mortgage, and NOW- NOW I'm going to AFRICA!!!
And there is so much more that I want to do. I want to go to Burning Man. I want to live in Manhattan. I want to live in Los Angeles. I want to own a house in Indiana. I want to teach a class. I want to fill up my passport.
Maybe i'm just not meant to do this whole career til ya die thing. Right now, I don't love my job everyday I come into work- I get through the day- then prepare myself to get through the next day. I want to be so excited about what I'm doing. and- I don't want to settle until I find it. Maybe Africa is an interlude- but maybe, hopefully- it's a door that has been just dying to open for 24 years. Perhaps, I will be lucky enough that it is going to be the door that leads into something brand new and exciting.
So, when i leave DC, i'm leaving with a high heart- even though i like to complain about the city- there is no way would i have had it any other way. I would have dated the guys I dated, drank the amount I drank, lived in the scary basement apartment I lived in (perhaps I would have decided to take my laptop with me during that whole robbery thing- I really miss that little mac). I have gotten to live an entire 18 years worth of life in less than three years and I've never had to think "what if."
SO in closing, I want to end this with a quote from my friend Sam. He's lead an amazing life, he's young, a beauftiful family, he has an awesomely successful business- and his business is quite literally "Catalyzing social change with youth." It is a career that I envy so much.
"if this economic meltdown has taught you anything let it be that there are more important things than a career. let it be that you need to live, because you never know when things can be turned upside down."*
*disclaimer: I didn't get that exactly right, since it is from memory and it was about 3 weeks ago he said that. Sam if you're reading, go ahead and comment the quote below =) =)
I have all kinds of possibilities- I will only be 25 years old and will have amassed about 50 years of experiences, stories, and life altering choices. 25. If I'm lucky, I've only lived the first 1/4 of my life (oh yea, my stubborn self is totally going for 100!) and I've gotten to do so much. Meet celebrities, attend historical events, drink in bars that are famous, live in a city that is exciting, pay more in rent than my parents pay in their mortgage, and NOW- NOW I'm going to AFRICA!!!
And there is so much more that I want to do. I want to go to Burning Man. I want to live in Manhattan. I want to live in Los Angeles. I want to own a house in Indiana. I want to teach a class. I want to fill up my passport.
Maybe i'm just not meant to do this whole career til ya die thing. Right now, I don't love my job everyday I come into work- I get through the day- then prepare myself to get through the next day. I want to be so excited about what I'm doing. and- I don't want to settle until I find it. Maybe Africa is an interlude- but maybe, hopefully- it's a door that has been just dying to open for 24 years. Perhaps, I will be lucky enough that it is going to be the door that leads into something brand new and exciting.
So, when i leave DC, i'm leaving with a high heart- even though i like to complain about the city- there is no way would i have had it any other way. I would have dated the guys I dated, drank the amount I drank, lived in the scary basement apartment I lived in (perhaps I would have decided to take my laptop with me during that whole robbery thing- I really miss that little mac). I have gotten to live an entire 18 years worth of life in less than three years and I've never had to think "what if."
SO in closing, I want to end this with a quote from my friend Sam. He's lead an amazing life, he's young, a beauftiful family, he has an awesomely successful business- and his business is quite literally "Catalyzing social change with youth." It is a career that I envy so much.
"if this economic meltdown has taught you anything let it be that there are more important things than a career. let it be that you need to live, because you never know when things can be turned upside down."*
*disclaimer: I didn't get that exactly right, since it is from memory and it was about 3 weeks ago he said that. Sam if you're reading, go ahead and comment the quote below =) =)
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