Facelift for Seattle Against Slavery!

After a long time coming, Seattle Against Slavery finally has a new website! You can check it out HERE.

It seems I will acting as Advocacy Manager for another year although I will need a good team in place as I am not available the way I used to be!

My boyfriend has some awesome skillz and is the developer behind the new site. Appreciate that he took on the freelance job for us!

Music in Cathedrals

I attended this concert last night with two of my favorite ladies. It was as beautiful as I expected it to be.

Adult Checklist

While I have accomplished many things on the "growing up checklist," I still have many more to look forward to such as:

--joining Costco and having my own card (not just mooch off boyfriends and friends!)
--have a washer/dryer in my own housing unit
--at some point in the far off future, having my own paid work parking pass (oooooh)

just a taste of the outstanding list :)

Still Here!

Wow, I guess it has taken me almost four months to recover from school. I hereby pledge to be much better about weekly/daily updates, even if it is as small as a sentence or picture. Yet I will still try to make it more interesting than when I was in jr high and resolved to write in my diary every day. Sometimes it was exciting as the sentence, "today I took a shower." Really 11-year old me? That was noteworthy even if it was just to myself? But then again, maybe it was when living in freezing WY and stepping outside a warm shower onto cold tile floor meant death to my skin.

Anyways, I did actually graduate! Passed my thesis and all that jazz. My supportive crew even had booze for me to drink in a gatorade bottle immediately upon exiting the room in which my defense was held. And the chair of my committee, who was also my past boss, mentoring professor and friend was just appointed a high court judge of Kenya. Even more reason to visit Kenya in the near future! Read about it HERE.

In the last few months I landed a job, got my first apartment all on my own (!!), furnished that apartment, and chopped my hair off.

My job will require me to manage an interactive website complete with lots of blogging, so I plan to do some practicing on my personal, albeit rusty blog.

My idea of the perfect date

Indoor or out, if I was suprised by this, I would be in heaven. Plus some movie watching or out loud reading with of course some wine and cheese.

Goodbye World

At least until my thesis is completed in the next 5 weeks. Deep breath.

But it's time to reveal it! Check out my thesis website HERE

And if you are hesitant about slogging through a thesis, don't worry. I intentionally chose to present my work online to make it more engaging and accessible. So go explore! And I will disappear for the next month in order to actually get more content/writing up on the site.

But I did promise some good Paris memories. So before I disappear for the last time amongst grad school responsibilities here is some sharing.......

Good wintry Paris weather made for cheaper prices!

Free ice skating inside the Eiffel Tower. Loved it.

While everyone talks about how "romantic" and beautiful the city of Paris is, this was actually my favorite part. A whimsical bridge covered in locks symbolizing love yet a funny metaphor if you ask me. Still spent a lot of time on that bridge finding my favorite locks--including my name!


Iron and Wine Concert in Paris! Heavenly. Although it was mostly Americans there which I thought was funny.


I don't have a camera other than my itouch so I am very picture-limited these days. Yet another thing on my list to buy once I have a job. (It's a long list right now!)

So all online posting will be on my thesis website for the next 5-6 weeks. Here I goooooo

Thoughts on Eternity

Ok, so I definitely need to share some Paris memories. After the quarter ends! Soon.

But for now, here is food for thought. Controversial. Heated. And I'm fascinated. Mainly because the entire framework used is asking, "What is God like?" which is very akin to my constant desire to know WHO God is.

Excitement

For Iron and Wine Concert. In Paris. This Thurs.

My tickets came in the mail right before I left (no will call option apparently). They are very shiny and very French.

XD

Musing

To read the Bible and reflect on it “is to realize that we have not a series of answers, but a lot of questions.”
--Bible historian Elaine Pagels

2010 It's a Wrap

I actually didn't watch the Space Needle fireworks this year. The last time I watched a Space Needle New Year, there were technical difficulties and one side just sort of sizzled, smoked and burned. Maybe I'm too unforgiving, but Space Needle fireworks just haven't tempted me since. This was the first year in a few years that I was in Seattle for New Years. I had some incredible company and we found ourselves at a really fun party in downtown Seattle right next to the Seattle Art Museum. So much fun, I couldn't even believe it was time to count down when midnight rolled around. And after lots of group kissing, it was back to dancing.

Now for some 2010 higlights! You knew it was coming.

Kenya (again)
I went to Kenya a second year in a row. All summer. I was a TA for the first part, a researcher for the middle part, and then a tourist for the last part. I loved going back because I was able to see all my friends and grow my relationships there even more. I spent an entire two weeks in Ngecha with the artists, staying with them in their homes. Reflecting back on it now--it still seems unbelievable that I had that opportunity. When 'younger' grad students ask me for advice on research, internships, etc. it's hard to know what to say. My story is so out of the box and hard for anyone else to repeat. I was there at the right time in many ways, able to take advantage of programs and opportunities that aren't even being offered anymore. I am blessed. Even when it is hard. God provides beyond what I could imagine. Really. Truly.

The many amazing people in Ngecha who helped me in my research. And supported me.



Oh yeah? That guy? Only a certain someone who came all the way out to Kenya to see me! Oh, and vacation and travel. There he is leading a website training to all the artists on their very own website. They don't look very interested now do they? :P I will say that he got some very very good deals on incredible paintings he self-selected in their gallery in large part based on his status as their "web developer." :)

A Guy

How do certain things happen when you never expect it? And someone who indulges me in my traveling!

Iceland


Kenya. Running barefoot on the beach. Complete with a random dog.


Just me and my two days alone in Amsterdam on my way home.


Up next: San Francisco, followed by Paris! Ticket purchased just tonight. Yup yup.

School (again)
So that little word, "school" just about controls my life. For now. But I completed my International Development Certificate! And I have coordinated all the logistics around my thesis. AND conducted all my field work for it. AND coordinated multiple art shows on behalf of the Kenyan artists (PHEW to that one!) And added to my bookshelf, which I always love, I admit it.

A small note to celebrate a huge accomplishment. Completing and presenting our huge capstone project to earn our International Development Certificate


Seattle Against Slavery
So many new developments in this area. I took an official position with them as Advocacy Manager. Unpaid. As is my general trend. But I'm loving it and working with amazing people. A coalition is all about collaboration and I work to network and help mobilize the community to advocate (lobby) for legislation that better fights human trafficking in the State of Washington. I am in the state capitol a fair amount and often meeting with legislators. Check it out http://seattleagainstslavery.org
And hopefully when you do check it out, our new (and amazing) website will be up and running!

I'm seeing this logo a lot these days :) And public speaking a lot too!


And 2011? Well, I plan to stay in Seattle this summer. As much as I love Kenya, I need to take a traveling break. And I'm looking forward to that. What else does 2011 hold? At least I hope? Graduation (yipee!). Moving and living by myself for the first time? Although that is contingent upon getting a job? A year of transitions seem to be ahead of me. Bring it!

Time to watch hulu

Snowy

I am watching Husky basketball on tv while staring at snow falling outside.

loverly

now if only I wasn't also writing an econ paper

What I did this summer

Well, 3 days out of the summer.

Punda Ride

Many people I know think it's unfathomable that pundas don't casually roam every street in the world.

Good thing I do have a shaggy pony as a neighbor.

Words

Transition
Adjustment

Learning

Teaching
Future Unknown


Advocacy

I try to spread out the words above to fit how scattered I am. But the program fixes them into a list. A line. I try to fit outside the box, and I get forced back in.

Home again

Major fast forward. The Nairobi program ended, I completed my field work in Ngecha, traveled to Uganda and the Kenyan Coast, went to Amsterdam, and am now home and about to start school for the very last time.

And I'm sick. Apparently that's a pattern too. I come home from Africa and get an awful cold.



Meet my camel friend. I met him on Shelah beach. He also knows that I owe you all a lot of stories and pictures. Maybe once my room isn't a complete unpacked disaster and I can breathe out of my nose again.

Blink and It's Over

We are going into the last 3 days of the study abroad program. Pretty incredible. Internet is actually fast right now and so I am braving all the mosquitoes to post. I could crawl under my mosquito net, but by moving my computer, I am too afraid that I will lose internet!

I made it to Masaai Mara for a second time. While the animals are pretty cool (check out Mr. Lion below), it is really the landscapes that take my breath away. The savannah plains are just incredible and I saw multiple sunsets and sunrises this time. The colors--blue, red, gold, etc.--all play together in a way that makes you stare until you remember that your mother told you it was bad to stare directly at the sun. We went during the wildebeest migration and so the plains were dotted with thousands of wildebeests. and their poop--which apparently drives the elephants into the foothills. Just had to share that little bit of animal trivia with you all.



I've also visited Ngecha again and gave Ken, one of the artists, his requested computer. My experience with most Kenyan men and pictures is that smiles do not come very easily. But Ken's smile in this picture is so genuine and HUGE. It was awesome. When I return to Ngecha this Sunday, I will be staying for 10 days and rotating between the homes of four different artists. the hospitality is just incredible.

It has also been great to welcome such good friends to not only Nairobi, but also my apartment! We've already lost Mike to commitments back home in Seattle, but B is helping to co-direct the program, while M is conducting research alongside me as our work overlaps. So both girls are making my experience that much better.

I have been transitioning to focusing more on my research over this last week. I've been visiting art galleries, art centers, and talking with numerous curators and artists. While it is still very much academic research, it is also so much fun! It is such a fascinating and stimulating group of people to be interacting with and everyone has been so open and kind. Plus, I am being exposed to really innovative contemporary Kenyan art and sometimes picking up a few pieces for myself. Glasses. That's all I'll say for now, but consider it a pretty great teaser :)

I miss everyone at home! But already have less than one month before I'm back. And I'm now in the midst of research with vacation to follow!

Internet has been pretty bad lately. Below are a few pics from the boarding dorms from a primary school in Loitokitok. I also got my nails done in Loitokitok. I found myself wandering around town and was inspired to ask about getting my nails done. The work of art that you see was only about $2.50 and I simply told the gal to do her favorite design--that is what I got. Which is apparently "very Kenyan" and has gained me a lot of Kenyan credibility. The last picture is from a hike in Ngong Hills. Refreshing to be outside as always.






Today I listened to a 2 hour presentation regarding violence against women and then randomly had a conversation with a Kenyan business man who used religion to justify objectifying women. It proved a bit too much for me to handle today. I fortunately had a meeting with an amazing Kenyan women later in the day and I was able to vent frustration in a positive way. If that can ever be positive I suppose. It is interesting to me that today brought along one of my least favorite conversations so far this trip as well as my favorite conversation so far. What a day.

More Loitokitok

Some more pictures to capitalize on good internet even though I'm too tired to write much now.

When at the village market, I saw these two jackets at a stall which captured my life--UW jacket and Seattle Mariner's jacket. Of all things!

On the hike along the slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro, I trekked across a lot of corn fields.


Too sleepy now......

Swahili Tutor

This is a glimpse of my visit to Loitokitok. The students are working on a "right to education" project which affects young Masaai girls who are brought to school and "rescued" from early marriages. That meant we spent a lot of time at schools, and a certain primary school. A short Swahili tutor session was arranged and the primary school students (8th graders) helped us Americans learn some Swahili. The young girl in these videos picked me out of the crowd and was an awesome tutor! She is Maasai and will soon be taking her national exams to determine where she will attend high school--if she can even afford it. While public schools are officially free and subsidized by the government, there are always hidden fees, that roughly amount to $100 that families often cannot pay.

Me and my tutor


She taught me mostly through songs which was brilliant. It was so much fun, and I was able to spend time with her at least 3 other times. She wanted to sing the first song below just to show me and the second song is a common child's Swahili song which is directed to a mother and trying to convince her that my hands will soon be big enough to do work and help her. I might have a new pen pal! My first since at least 10 years :)

Recent Radio Story on Human Trafficking

While I am essentially on hiatus from my work with the Seattle Against Slavery coalition while I am in Kenya, I was just sent this recent radio broadcast, interviewing some of the experts in the field in Seattle.

Click HERE to listen! It's short so I encourage you to do so!