Its 2:31 a.m. My body wants to sleep, but my mosquito bites are itching and my mind is full. All weekend, I have been surrounded by friends concerned for my safety. Between riding my bicycle to and from school, taking public transportation, and generally jumping into Tanzanian culture with both feet, there are certain risks….
Category: Thoughts & Musings
Pianos, Prayer, and Pain
Isn’t life ALWAYS uncertain? Sometimes we just take it for granted that we THINK we know what’s going to happen next. And so we fall into what may be a sense of false security. But when those plans come crashing down around our feet, and we start freaking out… This past week, when life seemed…
Writers Influenced and Influencing
“There must be a resemblance, which does not depend upon their own will, between al the writers of any particular age. They cannot escape from subjection to a common influence which arises out of an infinite combination of circumstances belonging to the times in which they live; though each is in a degree the author…
Counting Gifts
The last month has seen a barrage against my family. Nearly two weeks ago, my parents had an accident on their tandem bicycle, leaving my mom with several broken bones, and rendering her mostly immobile. The following week, Dad collapsed at work and was admitted to the hospital overnight for monitoring of an irregular heart…
First Day of School!
“The test of a good teacher is not how many questions he can ask his pupils that they will answer readily, but how many questions he inspires them to ask him which he finds it hard to answer.” – Alice Wellington Robbins Tomorrow is the first day of school at Haven of Peace Academy in…
Settling In
I know that I promised another Q&A post, and it is coming. Eventually. I’m putting it off a little because one of the first questions people asked was what a “normal day” looked like for me here in Tanzania. Right now, I have no idea. Right now, there is no such thing as a “normal…
Time to Ride
The world of a cyclist is full of wonder: The wind breathes freedom into my veins and hurries fear away into sweet song. The sun chases clouds into swift retreat, even in the rain. The incline gives glories untold as lungs gasp for precious air. The wheels fly, pedals spinning, muscles screaming, chain singing. The…
A Squeaky Wheel Kind of Day
The shopping cart I chose today had a squeaky wheel. A very squeaky wheel. The kind that screeches and whines down every aisle. The kind that leaves every single person in the store with a piercing migraine. And yes, of all the carts available, I chose the one with the squeaky wheel. This afternoon just…
Autumn Leaves
Upon the breeze, the autumn leaves Are carried thither, yon: They rest at last, upon the grass One moment…then they’re gone. They’re tossed about and in and out They fly across the way; And up and down, they sail around- The wind they must obey. Now, if you please, the autumn leaves Are much like…
Habari!
Hello from Iringa!Language school started on Monday so I am officially learning a few Swahili words. Some of my favorites are the word for horse, the word for spider, and the word for goat. Unfortunately, I don’t know how to spell them yet so it might be best for you to look them up on…
Ride Fierce Racing 