Warm African Dust

My book of choice for yesterday was a wonderful biography called Twenty Chickens for a Saddle.  Robyn Scott shares her memories of growing up in Botswana.  If you love Southern Africa, this book will make you smile.

My favorite part is below:


“Smell that, chaps,” said Dad, scuffing his veldskoen against the sandy track. “Nothing in the world like the smell of a dirt road in Africa.”

The cloud of dust, deep red in the rich light, hung still above the sand, glowing. Dad’s face glowed too: with the sun, and with pleasure as he inhaled loudly and gazed toward the light.

Once, on an evening walk, frustrated that I didn’t smell it too, I’d crouched down and stuck my nose right inside the dust cloud. “Just smells like dust,” I’d coughed, sneezing out a thousand tiny particles.

“When you leave Africa, Robbie—then you’ll understand about the dust.”

“There’s dust everywhere else.”

“Not like this.”

“Anyway, I’ll never leave.”

Even if I couldn’t smell the difference in the dust, as I watched the spectacular changing light—the polite thanks to the continent for tolerating the heat, sweat, and discomfort of the day—I was certain there wasn’t anywhere else I’d rather be.

“I’m sure you’ll leave,” Dad said. “But you’ll keep coming back. Can’t shake it off,” he sighing with contentment.

(Scott, Robyn (2008-03-27). Twenty Chickens for a Saddle: The Story of an African Childhood (p. 181). Penguin Group. Kindle Edition.)

I read this excerpt to an African friend the other day, and he smiled, knowing exactly what Robyn's dad meant.  

Patches in the Park

This afternoon was too gorgeous to stay inside, so I collected a sweet little lonely puppy from my sister's house and we followed a windy road to a state park.  We found a little section for ourselves, a decent distance away from the four other people in the area and put down a blanket.  

It was beautiful.  I meant to read, but between Patches and the sunshine, I found it a good time to think instead.  Sometimes, I just need to think.  And today was one of those days.  

I hooked about five leashes together to give Patches several yards of freedom.  She enjoyed it but I could tell she didn't like the limits! For a while, I felt like I was lunging a very tiny little pony as she ran laps around me, as far as the leads would let her go.  She settled next to me on the blanket a few times, but she roamed most of the time.  

She would come trotting back if she needed a drink or if she heard the rustle of anything that might be a treat for her being opened.  Patches was a very good companion for today's afternoon in the sun.

Going to the Car Wash, Baby!

Monday was an absolutely incredible day, with hot sun and a nice breeze.  I had plans to meet up with a certain Amy Jo and Co. Given the fabulous weather we decided to wash cars.  The boys got into the suds right away, and when they didn't feel we appreciated their help on my car enough, they drove their Gator over to wash that too!

Adorable.

Afterwards, it was time for a well earned rest on a towel in the sun.  These are the sort of Pennsylvania moments I've missed.  

The Elk Sleep Tonight

Today, Aunt Jackie, Marah and I were very brave.  We took three kids to the zoo: 2 years, 1 year, and 2 months old. The kids were great and it was such a fun morning to spend together.  The zoo was pretty small, but it was perfect for this age.

Anna wasn't too sure about the stroller.  I carried her until my left arm nearly fell off, Aunt Jackie took her for a bit, and then we finally were able to pop her in Marah's double stroller.  Kolton put his arm around her and said, "Cheese!" for the camera.  

I like to think this was my part of preparing
Anna for her trip to Africa next month.

So dear!

What a great way to spend a Saturday.  Emme slept most of the time, and the other two were really good.  The only tears shed were in the car on the way home, when a certain little girl was just too tired to do anything else!  

Cutest little feet ever.

Boston

I have had friends visiting from London.  They have wanted to visit Boston, and so after picking them up, we went on the road to Boston for a quick trip.  After a few visits, I'm a bit more familiar with the city and I was quite proud of myself for finding my way around.  I'll admit, I had a death grip on the steering wheel while finding my way to the hotel, but once we were using the T (public transport), I felt more capable to find our way around the sights.  The city was beautiful.

the BanAnna's birthday present!

A very loved little girl got a rocking chair from her Gran and Pap for her first birthday!  

I almost got her this book for her birthday present from me!  But I figured her parents would never read it to her...

She did enjoy rocking out to her new music toy from other friends.  Steel drums played from this toy and Anna started dancing.  What a sweetie!

Ready for a Saturday

It doesn't seem like my life should be too busy, but I certainly feel like it is!  I had a good reminder today from a friend to take it easier on myself and not expect myself to adjust to so many changes in a short time.  I'll work on it.

Between meeting with a group for my current class, running some errands, and writing up my weekly assignment for the class, I had four hours of Anna time!

She entertained herself with my sandals.

Just too sweet.

A slight pouty moment

And she decided the most fun toy she has is the tissue box,
which she proceeded to empty and refill several times.

This was a more challenging babysit for me, since it was longer, and I had a headache.  But she was a good little girl for the most part.  She wasn't happy with anything I wanted to feed her though, and I did end up wearing a little bit of apple sauce.  Thanks to those fast little baby arms, my reflexes are improving!  As soon as her mommy walked through the door, Anna was all smiles and reaching for her.  I'm telling myself that was purely because she loves her mommy so much, and not because she was so desperate to be saved from me!

My other entertainment today came in the form a phone call.  I had two calls from the same number.  I answered the second call, saying, "This is Hope."  A guy responded, "What?"  I repeated, "This is Hope."  "Help?" "NO.  This is HOPE."  The guy said, "I think I have the wrong number."  I've been getting lots of calls for the woman who had the number before me.  I figured maybe he was trying to reach her and I could let him know she didn't have this number anymore.  Still, I don't entirely know why, but I asked, "Who are you trying to reach?"

 His reply to my question was, "I don't know her name.  I only know her screen-name."

Ooooookay then.  I responded, "Yes, you definitely have the wrong number.  Goodbye."

Completely unrelated story: The other day, I was behind an SUV and I could see a little pony-tailed head bobbing in the middle of the back seat.  I assumed it was a child in a car-seat.  The ponytail started bouncing quite vigorously.  I thought, "Wow, that kid must be hyper!"  Then a golden retriever poked his/her head out of the window and I realized it wasn't a pony tail, but a "puppy" tail instead, attached to a very happy dog on a car ride!

Vacation Bible School

Last night, I truly felt like I had achieved greatness.  I taught two classes of about 15 kids each about making friends cross culturally.  The kids were grades 3 and 4, and Kindergarten to grade 2.  I find it easier to speak to an entire congregation.

I really had no idea how to speak to these kids.  What ages would they be? What is their comprehension level?  How long will they listen?  Do they even know where the UK is?  I don't know anything about primary school kids!

I started with a trip to Barnes and Noble to look through the kids books.  I didn't even know what I was looking for, but I figured at the very least, I could read a story.  None of the books caught my imagination, but the trip was helpful.  By looking at the books, grouped according to age and grade, I could get a feel for the average comprehension of the kids.

My sister gave me the next idea.  I was trying to think of a way to talk about the mix of cultures in the UK, and Joy suggested using tea as a snack and forming my talk around it.  Why, Eureka!  With Joy's inspiration, I decided to name my talk "Three cups of Tea."  :)

I pulled together numerous props, including two tea pots, 2 mint tea cups, and one proper tea cup.  I planned a very picture filled slideshow.  I racked my brain for creative ways to simply share my message of crossing cultural boundaries.  And Wednesday came.

My presentation touched on iconic London images, a little bit of personal history, and then I started to make tea for samples.  I first gave the kids "American" tea, which is sweet tea, served cold.  Next, I served them black tea, complete with shortbread biscuits.  I explained to them the role of tea in British culture, amid comments of "My grandma makes this kind of tea too!" and "We have an exchange student with us.  He's from across the ocean."  Next, I made and served Moroccan mint tea with plain tea biscuits.  As they sampled that tea, some were excited and some were very dubious.  After talking a bit more, I closed by asking them about the teas.  I didn't ask anything profound, but I wanted them to note how the teas were similar and how they were different.  I asked if they liked all of them and got the range of answers one would expect.  I tried to use that to illustrate that we can build bridges of friendship by focusing on what is similar, even when things seem very different, and we can also disagree on some things too.

Then the first group left, and the second group came and I started all over again.  My favorite moment with the younger group was when this dark haired little girl raised her hand and asked if she could have her tea in the proper tea cup.

By 8:30, I had packed up my supplies and was ready to start the hour drive home, exhausted.  Two thirty minute presentations for kids tired me out more than an entire Sunday morning.  Still, they were well behaved kids and I am glad I faced this challenge!

Adoring Aunt of Anna

I got to babysit for a little while today.  I took my camera along and before I knew it, I'd taken over fifty pictures.  Oh well, Gran and Pap probably need to see some more pictures of their little angel.  It's easy to take so many pictures, partly because she's so adorable, but also because she moves too quickly and I take more to keep up with her!

Where's my belly?

Daddy!  Outside?

Who's that?  I have a TWIN?

Chilling with Momma.

What a bundle of love.  She scoots up and down stairs and has started balancing herself really well.  No walking yet but we will see when she takes those first steps.

A Perfect Dinner Spot

Yesterday, we had temperatures reaching the 80s (26C and above).  I needed an evening of homework catch up, so I planned to be at home.  It has also been a busy week, and I think I just needed some time to relax as well.  

Before starting my work, I made an easy dinner of spaghetti and moved out to the balcony.  The tree across the street has gorgeous flowers on it and it made for a pretty view while I basked in the evening sun.  I felt quite European, especially when I realized my clothes were still drying on the drying rack on my balcony as well!  After missing dryers for three years for their convenience, I am trying to be a little bit eco-friendly and use the drying rack when the sun is out.  

After the gorgeous day, I was surprised to be woken in the night by the loud booms of a terrific thunderstorm.  I woke with a start and then felt silly, realizing, "It's only thunder."  Despite England's reputation for rain, I can only think of two or three times in my three years there when I heard thunder.  

The rain is still falling this morning.  It's still warm enough that I haven't bothered to close any windows.  I love the smell and sound of rain.  It's lulling me into a slow Saturday morning.  I had a good lie-in, having set no alarm for this morning.  Now that I've had my granola and yogurt brekkie, I'm ready for some reflection, journalling, Pinterest, and Planet Earth.  :)

If you haven't watched Planet Earth, you really should.  I love BCC documentaries.  They are so well done and just fascinating.  I became an avid watcher of the Frozen Planet series when it aired in the UK.  At the moment, David Attenborough's wonderful voice is telling me about a place I would never explore: underwater caves.  My sense of adventure stops at deep water and dark places.  

Little Ones!

Our family met up for a birthday dinner out, a fairly rare occasion.  Normally, we celebrate our birthdays with a big family meal at the farm, but this was easier to arrange and a special treat.  While we were at the restaurant, I couldn't help but think how much these little one's have changed our family dynamics.  There are now three great-grandchildren for Nan and Pap to enjoy.  Truthfully, we all enjoy them!

We all thought Anna was eating her cheesy biscuit really well.  Until we saw the floor around her!  Her buddy Kolt was so happy to see her and kept trying to give her things from her diaper bag, which Anna would promptly try to give to someone else.  I suppose we can be glad that they both prefer to give rather than take!  

Twenty Eight

Well, I am now officially 28.

I'm not too concerned about now being in my late twenties.  On my birthday, I had to stop at the bank that is on a nearby college campus.  The teller didn't recognise me and asked if I had a good spring break.  I didn't bother correcting her with a reminder that college is more than five years in my past.

My actual birthday started off a little rough, with a low of missing a call from my parents.  I didn't hear the phone because I was driving and the windows were down.  I pulled into my destination a whole two minutes after they called and saw the missed call.  :(

The day got better though when a good friend came over and took me out to lunch.  In the evening, Joy and Anna spoiled me with presents, dinner, and "Sinfully chocolate" ice cream cake.  Joy even had a present for me from Mom and Dad, an edible arrangement of fruit.  It was pretty complicated balancing the arrangement and Anna for a photo op!

We even celebrated with an Anna sign :)  The next pictures will be for her first birthday!

The day ended much much better than it began.  Thanks, Joyful and Anna banana!  :)  

Spring is nearly here!

February 10, 2012

March 19, 2012

My Almost-Nephews

On Thursday, I was able to meet up with Amy Jo and her cute little hooligans.  The boys (ages three and nearly two) are getting used to me, which means they are talking more around me and are more playful.  Amy was also watching her niece and nephew, which meant we had our hands full for a bit!  It was one of those glorious Pennsylvania days, which meant the kiddos got to play outside.

Watching this little one set up his baseball (which his brother kept insisting was a golf ball), I couldn't believe that nearly two years ago, I saw him when he was 12 hours old.  

In the evening, the boys had a much needed bath.  Amy's sister came by, and she took Collin from the bath to put him in his pjs.  As Amy started to wrap Gavin in his towel, he pointed to me and said, "No, Mommy, I want that one!" We had a good laugh as he repeated it several times.  Apparently the boys are used to me, but haven't yet learned my name!  

New York

(Just a little note to point out that this is blog post 300!)

My good friends know me well.  For my birthday, four of us (we each live in different cities) converged in NYC for a fun weekend.  I have many memories of feeling slightly scared by NYC.  It always seemed so huge and overwhelming.  After living in some of the world's major cities for about four years throughout the last six years, NYC no longer feels scary!  Instead, it felt really good to be walking in a city again.  And after some cities I've lived and visited, it was delightfully easy to navigate the grid pattern streets.

We went to see the Lion King on Broadway, which was a very special experience.  I love Africa so much and after growing up on Rogers and Hammerstein musicals, I will always love a good song and dance routine.  

It was such a fun mini-break.  I took the bus, which was a rather lengthy 5 hours, but it was so much nicer than driving.  I was back to walking once I was in the city.  It was a little crazy because of the St. Patrick's Day celebrations and parades, but overall that added to a rather festive feeling for the weekend.  The city went green in a new way!