this all feels connected

Written 21 September 2013 My second day in my homestay was September 11. I mentioned this to my Papa, who said: “this is a big day for your country. This day changed your home.” Today, my friend Caroline was over at my house and we were flipping through channels and found the documentary, 102 MinutesContinue reading "this all feels connected"

this is why i came here

written 19 September 2013  We're sitting outside, my sister and I, the electricity out and searching for the cool breeze. We're talking about weddings and clothes and what to do when boys harass you on the street as they often do and the pressures for women which exist across cultures. Papa comes out to joinContinue reading "this is why i came here"

when the poem speaks loudly

Every night before I sleep, I read a poem from the best thing I brought to Dakar: Good Poems by Garrison Keillor.  I flip through at random and read. Sometimes they speak loudly, sometimes more softly, sometimes it’s hard to hear at all. But I like the process, because when it all aligns and theContinue reading "when the poem speaks loudly"

and so it shall be

Written 16 September 2013 Today seemed like a day of opportunity. Opportunity to learn and to discover. Opportunity to understand and ask questions and listen. Opportunity to laugh and sit and come together and be a part. Opportunity to take time, to think, to rest. Opportunity to greet others and build relationships. Opportunity to workContinue reading "and so it shall be"

she wakes up at six

So, here’s something. I told my host family I like to wake up early (which is true) and told them I usually wake up at six (which is not true, but I said it because I felt bad that I overslept the first morning).  They were very impressed, as my host dad wakes up atContinue reading "she wakes up at six"

Bienvenue à Dakar

written 12 September 2013 I have now been in Dakar for a total of about 65 hours. And they have been a wonderful, wonderful 65 hours. This week we are in orientation, so our days have been filled with touring the area surrounding our school and downtown Dakar, lessons on Sénégalese values and how thoseContinue reading "Bienvenue à Dakar"

list-form thoughts of senegal

These are a few random reflections and thoughts that I have scribbled down at various times through my first few days in Sénégal. They are not especially profound or telling, but at the end of these first days I have been so [happily] exhausted that it all comes out in lists: - In the pastContinue reading "list-form thoughts of senegal"

it’s leaving time

It’s that time again… I’m off on another adventure! This Sunday afternoon I will jump on a plane that will take me (via a few stopovers) to Dakar, Sénégal in West Africa where I will be living, studying, and working for six months. My bags are packed (I have a thing about being hyper-prepared wayContinue reading "it’s leaving time"

preparations

The following reflections were written over the past few days while I was enjoying the morning light by the lake at my family's cottage in Northern Michigan and gathering my thoughts as my departure date for Sénégal (September 8) draws nearer. The compilation paints a pretty accurate account of where I am right now: aContinue reading "preparations"

on such an anniversary as this, 2013

written August 14, 2013 On such an anniversary as this. Three years ago today I boarded the plane taking me to Kenya and to the discovery of myself. On this anniversary, I am thankful. Thankful for the immense honor and gift it was to live alongside, to learn alongside, my Kenyan family at such aContinue reading "on such an anniversary as this, 2013"

a favorite

Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, theyContinue reading "a favorite"

courage/making it really good

When I officially started writing about my Kenya experiences during my independent study, as I described in my blog 'i write', I had the idea that I would independently publish a book. In retrospect, this idea was a little far-fetched. As were my prior ideas of starting a company, opening an art gallery, handcrafting clothing,Continue reading "courage/making it really good"

this piece of paper

In my AP Language and Composition class during my junior year of high school, our first assignment was to take an 8 ½” by 11” sheet of paper and use the blank space to somehow convey, as best fit our strengths, what we saw as motivating us personally to succeed in the class, during theContinue reading "this piece of paper"

acquitted

I wrote these words just after learning of the verdict of the George ZImmerman trial. Now, after having had more time to reflect and process, my words may be slightly different -- more polished, less raw.  And so I share these words not as a political statement or as a representation of my full thoughtsContinue reading "acquitted"

transition(s) and adjustment(s)

In many ways, my life and its surroundings are in transition. In many ways, my life is just smoothing out after eighteen months of constant transition.  A list I've been making as I reflect on adjustment(s): 1. This is the first time I’ve at all slowed down since before I left for college. Really, sinceContinue reading "transition(s) and adjustment(s)"

i write

I want to write.I am about to commence the last week of classes of my sophomore year of college.  In the past two days, I have written twenty-six pages of final papers, research papers, academic papers, explanatory and persuasive papers. Tomorrow, I will write twelve more.  By the end of this trimester, I will haveContinue reading "i write"

the challenge is to stay

To this day, these are some of the most formative and grounding words I have ever read: "You know, the challenge is to stay. The challenge is to be present with that pain. As my mother was dying, I sat with her. You know, as my brother was dying, we sat with him. And there areContinue reading "the challenge is to stay"

confidence in ‘senses of place’

I’ve been feeling self-conscious recently about how much I talk about or bring up my time in Kenya.  I worry that I have become the “well, when I was in Kenya…” girl.  Potentially this is manifesting itself because three fourths of the junior class at my school just returned from their various study abroad experiencesContinue reading "confidence in ‘senses of place’"

maggie

A year ago today the world lost Maggie Harry. Maggie and I trained at the same dance studio, our paths crossing in classes, rehearsals, shows, and the often-hilarious, always-true conversation had over tying up pointe shoes and nursing sore feet.  Maggie was younger than I and we often hung around different groups of people, butContinue reading "maggie"