Clay Today!

Today was our first art class. It was really fun to introduce the 9 kids (6 learning center kids and 3 from a homeschooling family) to clay.

It's funny, living here makes me realize more strongly what makes up MY culture... It's America, yes. But it's also the granola-eating-and-hiking-on-green-mountains Pacific Northwest, the simplicity of my no-electricity growing up home, the conversation styles of my closest friends... And today I was thinking of the arts culture from my parents, the potters.

I love to learn about and integrate with the culture of Tanzania. But I also love to share the other cultures that God's given me in my life.

I Live at Planet Smoothie

 My favorite place in Nairobi is Planet Yogurt, Kenya's do-it-yourself frozen yogurt enterprise. We don't have one in Musoma. Alas, nothing like it at all.

However I realize: I LIVE at Planet Smoothie!!! Frozen mango, pineapple, banana, avocado, even dark greens... kiefer in the fridge, spices and nuts on the shelf. What more luxury could anyone ever ask for?! Planet Smoothie in my kitchen every morning. Ahh...

Welcome & Work

 I'm baaack! The travel from my parents' doorstep to mine in Musoma took less than 48 hours, a whirlwind of flights from PDX to LAX to IST (Istanbul) to NBO (Nairobi), a taxi to another city in Kenya, then car ride with friends(!) to Musoma!! It was fun: the people-watching, the Turkish meals, reading about the book of Romans, listening to music, sleeping... But, I have paid the price for the speed by having a cold ever since I got back.

I did have energy to go visit our once-a-week house helper, Mama Nik, and her family, which was lovely. And I visited our neighbors. And my friend Pascaria stopped by to say hello today. Visiting upon departure and arrival from a trip is culturally important... Maybe not conducive to loosing a cold though.

I'm hoping that today's rest will be enough to start the week fresh tomorrow... because I want this to be me, happily planning on the classroom floor for THIS semester, which starts in a week. (The photo is from last semester.)