7/21/07 Kigali, Rwanda
Omigosh. So far, I've been in Africa for less than a day and all I've done is WAIT. Wait, wait, wait wait. I am at my wits end here with waiting. Africa has a weird concept of time - it's called NONE.
So Lisa's luggage is lost, and we've been here for hours at the Rwandan airport. Stepping off the plane was kinda surreal -- we stepped down stairs straight onto the runway. The wind rushed as I looked around the lush, hilly landscape and tried to convince myself I was actually in Rwanda. I am now convinced. Rwanda is a lot nicer than Nairobi that's for sure. Oh - I almost forgot, that is a thing about Africa, most people smell really bad.
Right now I am sweltering and it's supposedly winter here. I am outside of the airport and some guy is talking to us. He wants to come to the U.S. It is hard for people to come to the U.S. We are lucky.
I am hot, tired, and sick of waiting. I miss the U.S. right now.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Memoirs of Africa - My Series
I haven't felt like keeping up a blog lately. I think it's because I'm forced to write at a computer all day long, and the last thing I want to do is write some more when I come home. However, I found a solution. I'm going to begin a series my friends - one that features my journal entries from Africa, raw and uncut. Let me warn you before I begin, the entries don't paint myself in a great light -- but that's okay because I like to say I'm unpretentious, and I feel like they should be shared.
So part one takes us back to the London airport in late July...
7/20/07 - London
Our flight to Kenya is just about to take off. It's amazing how big the world is. I mean, you hear about these places in the news, but they aren't real until you are there. London's airport has more diversity than I've ever seen. It's different watching British news, and paying $8 for a stupid latte. There's just so much we don't know. Jesus, I pray you would help me to love others during this trip as you do - humbly. Show me yourself Lord. Seeing all these different kinds of people and places not only makes the world bigger, but it makes God bigger as well.
7/20/07 - On the Airplane
I am still on the flight to Kenya from London. I've slept most of the way and even still this is a long ride. It's been amazingly nice though, because the flight was so empty that we got our own row and got to lie down. We all slept. We will end up getting to Nairobi in an hour - which I think will be about 10:00 p.m. Nairobi time.
I've made friends with one of the flight attendants, and he's convinced that he's taking my group out to the Nairobi pubs after the flight. "In Kenya, one beer means two," he said as he handed me a second free beer (best thing about Kenya Air!). I told him he was lying and he said, "No! You will see, I will take you out to the pubs. You ask for one beer, and they give you two!"
He's a nice flight attendant, but I'm pretty sure we're not going to the pubs:)
OK it's 9:30 Nairobi time here - another hour means 10:30=LATE. Even though I just woke up I feel I could probably sleep another eight hours with the help of an Ambien. This sleep/clock/jet lag thing is going to be ridiculous.
So part one takes us back to the London airport in late July...
7/20/07 - London
Our flight to Kenya is just about to take off. It's amazing how big the world is. I mean, you hear about these places in the news, but they aren't real until you are there. London's airport has more diversity than I've ever seen. It's different watching British news, and paying $8 for a stupid latte. There's just so much we don't know. Jesus, I pray you would help me to love others during this trip as you do - humbly. Show me yourself Lord. Seeing all these different kinds of people and places not only makes the world bigger, but it makes God bigger as well.
7/20/07 - On the Airplane
I am still on the flight to Kenya from London. I've slept most of the way and even still this is a long ride. It's been amazingly nice though, because the flight was so empty that we got our own row and got to lie down. We all slept. We will end up getting to Nairobi in an hour - which I think will be about 10:00 p.m. Nairobi time.
I've made friends with one of the flight attendants, and he's convinced that he's taking my group out to the Nairobi pubs after the flight. "In Kenya, one beer means two," he said as he handed me a second free beer (best thing about Kenya Air!). I told him he was lying and he said, "No! You will see, I will take you out to the pubs. You ask for one beer, and they give you two!"
He's a nice flight attendant, but I'm pretty sure we're not going to the pubs:)
OK it's 9:30 Nairobi time here - another hour means 10:30=LATE. Even though I just woke up I feel I could probably sleep another eight hours with the help of an Ambien. This sleep/clock/jet lag thing is going to be ridiculous.
Saturday, December 8, 2007
DUH
OK I just had to share this headline because I thought it was so ridiculous. It's from ABC News, which isn't exactly like the worst news source in the world. Anyway this is the headline:
Mall Reopens After Deadly Massacre
Oh really? I thought that it was a non-deadly massacre. I'm glad you used the proper adjective or I would have been so confused.
So DUMB.
I have been so annoyed with the way the media has been covering this Omaha thing. The headlines have just been so dramatic. Yes, I understand that it was a horrible thing and a huge deal. But its like the media has to glamourize the horror. Oh --- and so apparently the killer said that now he would be famous in his suicide note. Well I'm glad the media fulfilled his dreams! DUMB. Don't cover him saying that now you're just going to inspire more people to do stupid selfish acts like that for "fame."
Hmph. I'm annoyed and now going to sleep.
Mall Reopens After Deadly Massacre
Oh really? I thought that it was a non-deadly massacre. I'm glad you used the proper adjective or I would have been so confused.
So DUMB.
I have been so annoyed with the way the media has been covering this Omaha thing. The headlines have just been so dramatic. Yes, I understand that it was a horrible thing and a huge deal. But its like the media has to glamourize the horror. Oh --- and so apparently the killer said that now he would be famous in his suicide note. Well I'm glad the media fulfilled his dreams! DUMB. Don't cover him saying that now you're just going to inspire more people to do stupid selfish acts like that for "fame."
Hmph. I'm annoyed and now going to sleep.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
What Up.
What up. Yeah I haven't been writing a lot lately because I've been busy writing whatever else I write. I just know I'm going to go blind at age 35 from staring at computer screens for hours on end on a daily basis.
Well good news in the hood. I skyrocketed my GRE score yesterday! Woohoo. I think perhaps I was just freaking out the first time I took it. Fortunately, my quantative stupidity was a false alarm - I am, in fact, average:).
Other weekend events include the realization that Cristina is going to Congo. She is leaving in February! Crazy stuff. The fighting there continues to get worse and it's just a tragic situation that seems relatively ignored by the world. Perhaps because there are so many areas of need demanding peoples' attention.
I am so unmotivated to work today. What's new. Ok subject change - so the Teddy Bear teacher in Sudan was released to Britain this weekend. I am assuming most people have heard of this situation. I just have to say one thing. I really feel sorry for all the moderate Muslims out there - because it seems that their religion is just being made a mockery by the fascist extremists. And the world is really sick of these extremists. Oh, what are you going to do I guess.
Well good news in the hood. I skyrocketed my GRE score yesterday! Woohoo. I think perhaps I was just freaking out the first time I took it. Fortunately, my quantative stupidity was a false alarm - I am, in fact, average:).
Other weekend events include the realization that Cristina is going to Congo. She is leaving in February! Crazy stuff. The fighting there continues to get worse and it's just a tragic situation that seems relatively ignored by the world. Perhaps because there are so many areas of need demanding peoples' attention.
I am so unmotivated to work today. What's new. Ok subject change - so the Teddy Bear teacher in Sudan was released to Britain this weekend. I am assuming most people have heard of this situation. I just have to say one thing. I really feel sorry for all the moderate Muslims out there - because it seems that their religion is just being made a mockery by the fascist extremists. And the world is really sick of these extremists. Oh, what are you going to do I guess.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
I have a Good Idea
I just came up with a really good idea. Well according to me it's a good idea, and I'm the final judge of good ideas so it is:).
I think for Christmas, I am going to get my family only gifts that like benefit charity. So I know Gap has the Red line, American Eagle has some scarfs that benefit charities, and I'm sure there are others as well. I just have to check them out. Anyway, we should all do that. Save the world! Spread Christmas cheer! Buy Gap!
I mean, you could just give a straight up donation in their name, but then people are usually discreetly mad because they wanted a gift. This way, they get both! I'm so smart! Ok whatever I'm not I just have too much time to think.
Please let me know if anyone finds any other holiday gifts that benefit charity and are cute and awesome at the same time.
I think for Christmas, I am going to get my family only gifts that like benefit charity. So I know Gap has the Red line, American Eagle has some scarfs that benefit charities, and I'm sure there are others as well. I just have to check them out. Anyway, we should all do that. Save the world! Spread Christmas cheer! Buy Gap!
I mean, you could just give a straight up donation in their name, but then people are usually discreetly mad because they wanted a gift. This way, they get both! I'm so smart! Ok whatever I'm not I just have too much time to think.
Please let me know if anyone finds any other holiday gifts that benefit charity and are cute and awesome at the same time.
Friday, November 23, 2007
Thanksgiving: Family, Turkeys, and a Little Too Much Information
"Kids these days are so irresponsible, they lack common sense," my uncle complained at our Thanksgiving holiday. "I was permiscuous during my days, but I used contraception. They just need to use contraception."
At this point I'm thinking too much information seriously. Yet, it got worse. My mom piped in. "Steven, sleeping with a whore in another country is not responsible," she said.
WHAT! I turned to my uncle, flabbergasted, "you slept with a hooker!" He's like "I was young and dumb (and ended the phrase inappropriately..). Plus I was in Vietnam, I couldn't find a girlfriend!"
Omigosh. And you thought your family is crazy. Well, does your 60 year-old uncle talk about sleeping with hookers at Thanksgiving?? Mmmmm, hopefully not. My dad's side of the family is a little crazy. I'm not sure how my dad turned out so normal. Maybe because was too young for the Vietnam draft.
That night I was watching Knocked Up (which, is really funny despite its vulgarity) with that same uncle and my mon. In the movie the dumb guys are smoking pot with a gas mask on. I guess it gets you more high or something? I don't know, sounds idiotic. Guess who comments again? Good 'ol uncle Steve. "I used to do that back in vietnam!"
My mom rolled her eyes. My goodness. How did we all end up so tame. Maybe because my mom's side of the family is ridiculously conservative - so my mom helped level out any craziness my dad inherited from his side.
Another funny story from the happy holidays. My aunt smokes cigarettes, and my parents keep one lowly ash tray in the garage for use by guests. So my aunt took the ash tray outside. She's smoking, and as usual, puts her cigarette out in the ash tray. To her surprise, a giant flame explodes from the ash tray - about three feet high. She screams. We run outside. "What the hell was in that ash tray?!" she shouts.
My dad comes over. "Oh you used the ash tray? There was paint thinner it it, I was using it to hold the paint thinner."
"Who puts paint thinner in an ash tray!!!!" My aunt yells, obviously a bit peturbed.
Well obviously, my dad. Ha ha, thank goodness no one was hurt and the most that resulted was a hilarious story. Happy Thanksgiving, from one strange family to the other.
At this point I'm thinking too much information seriously. Yet, it got worse. My mom piped in. "Steven, sleeping with a whore in another country is not responsible," she said.
WHAT! I turned to my uncle, flabbergasted, "you slept with a hooker!" He's like "I was young and dumb (and ended the phrase inappropriately..). Plus I was in Vietnam, I couldn't find a girlfriend!"
Omigosh. And you thought your family is crazy. Well, does your 60 year-old uncle talk about sleeping with hookers at Thanksgiving?? Mmmmm, hopefully not. My dad's side of the family is a little crazy. I'm not sure how my dad turned out so normal. Maybe because was too young for the Vietnam draft.
That night I was watching Knocked Up (which, is really funny despite its vulgarity) with that same uncle and my mon. In the movie the dumb guys are smoking pot with a gas mask on. I guess it gets you more high or something? I don't know, sounds idiotic. Guess who comments again? Good 'ol uncle Steve. "I used to do that back in vietnam!"
My mom rolled her eyes. My goodness. How did we all end up so tame. Maybe because my mom's side of the family is ridiculously conservative - so my mom helped level out any craziness my dad inherited from his side.
Another funny story from the happy holidays. My aunt smokes cigarettes, and my parents keep one lowly ash tray in the garage for use by guests. So my aunt took the ash tray outside. She's smoking, and as usual, puts her cigarette out in the ash tray. To her surprise, a giant flame explodes from the ash tray - about three feet high. She screams. We run outside. "What the hell was in that ash tray?!" she shouts.
My dad comes over. "Oh you used the ash tray? There was paint thinner it it, I was using it to hold the paint thinner."
"Who puts paint thinner in an ash tray!!!!" My aunt yells, obviously a bit peturbed.
Well obviously, my dad. Ha ha, thank goodness no one was hurt and the most that resulted was a hilarious story. Happy Thanksgiving, from one strange family to the other.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
not for the faint of heart.
In the late 70’s, a 14 year-old girl in labor was whisked into a Saudi Arabian hospital to give birth. Her arms were bound and she was strapped to the bed. She was a prisoner; and as soon as her child was born, she was to be stoned to death for promiscuity. After all, she had broken the Saudi Arabian law of chastity. How? Why, by being gang-raped of course. Her parents had left town for a weekend, and her brother had a party. In the midst of the party the boys took the girl and raped her while her brother sat in a corner; too drunk and high to react. The men denied the accusation – saying she came on to all of them. The girl had a baby girl. She then taken to be stoned, and died.
A lot of countries and situations anger me. There is a lot of injustice in the world, and a lot of it comes from poverty. But how is it acceptable that one of the wealthiest countries in the world ($446 billion GDP in 2007) COMPLETEY disregards women’s’ rights and no one does anything about it. Saudi Arabia angers me. The above situation took place in the 70’s as did a situation in which a 17 year-old girl was acquitted by Saudi courts for her intentional “promiscuity” (which didn’t include sex btw); and was handed over to her father to “punish as he please.” What did he do? He drowned her. In the family swimming pool. While the family watched. Legally. There are so many more horrible, horrible stories.
It’s easy to assume that situations evolve for the better as time progresses, but in 2007 Saudi Arabia still operates by the same backwards laws it did then. In fact, surprisingly, one situation is raising enough of ruckus to actually make the international media: http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/meast/11/21/saudi.rape.victim/index.html
I know every country has its share of injustice and corruption. This however, is ridiculous. It’s especially ridiculous that all the world does is look away because confronting Saudi’s money and political posture may threaten the protester’s stability.
I’m really glad that finally the country is getting at least some scrutiny from the media; so perhaps someday there will be a law enforced that won’t allow fathers to drown their daughters at will.
A lot of countries and situations anger me. There is a lot of injustice in the world, and a lot of it comes from poverty. But how is it acceptable that one of the wealthiest countries in the world ($446 billion GDP in 2007) COMPLETEY disregards women’s’ rights and no one does anything about it. Saudi Arabia angers me. The above situation took place in the 70’s as did a situation in which a 17 year-old girl was acquitted by Saudi courts for her intentional “promiscuity” (which didn’t include sex btw); and was handed over to her father to “punish as he please.” What did he do? He drowned her. In the family swimming pool. While the family watched. Legally. There are so many more horrible, horrible stories.
It’s easy to assume that situations evolve for the better as time progresses, but in 2007 Saudi Arabia still operates by the same backwards laws it did then. In fact, surprisingly, one situation is raising enough of ruckus to actually make the international media: http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/meast/11/21/saudi.rape.victim/index.html
I know every country has its share of injustice and corruption. This however, is ridiculous. It’s especially ridiculous that all the world does is look away because confronting Saudi’s money and political posture may threaten the protester’s stability.
I’m really glad that finally the country is getting at least some scrutiny from the media; so perhaps someday there will be a law enforced that won’t allow fathers to drown their daughters at will.
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