United Airlines Sucks

That's all I can say right now. They have wasted countless hours of my life trying to get one ticket resolved.

hmmmm

I wonder if anyone reads this garbage.
I have ADD and can't concentrate on work.
I can't concentrate enough to write a paragraph.
I am mad at Denver.
I miss my friends. (Hi y'all)
My little feelings are hurt. (awe)
I actually like coming to work now.
Even though I can't concentrate.
I miss my friends.
I have a headache.
Sometimes I wonder why I even try.
I want to be rich.
I miss my friends.
I want someone to clean my house before I get home from work.
My kickball team is still undefeated.

Life is good

1. Our kickball team is undefeated
2. Stupid people are gone
3. Alicia Keys new song is the greatest
4. I have a ski pass
5. I got a raise

It's hard to put into words

I am back from Kenya and can't really put into words the feelings going through my mind right now. It was an experience that I will never forget. Being in a third world country so far away from everything I know was a bit scary at times. Thankfully, everyone on the trip was amazing and made it a lot easier to adjust to life there.

One of the first things I noticed when I arrived in Kenya was how friendly everyone was to us and to each other. You can't walk down the street without someone saying hello to you. You actually notice other people around you and want to interact with them.

It was really hard for me to see how people live in Kibera and Maai Mahiu. I tried to tell myself that it was all they knew, so maybe it wasn't bad for them. The fact is - no human should have to live that way. We should all be able to walk around in a pair of shoes, breath safe air, eat a healthy meal, and have the ability to work to sustain ourselves.

Every night for 2 weeks we had a prayer service and reflection of our day. I was moved to tears almost every night over the experiences that we shared, the personal discoveries that we made, and the feeling of focusing on things that really matter. I have never been a religious or spiritual person. I feel like I have led a very fear-based life because I don't really have the faith that many others have. During the time I spent in Kenya, many things happened that made me want to have a closer relationship with God. I have never experienced anything like it. It was really the only thing I had left - the only thing to make me feel safe and feel like everything would be okay.

My trip to Kenya has definitely changed me and I am still trying to figure out exactly how. Since I have been back, I haven't really had the desire to talk to or be around anyone. Its hard to be around people right away who haven't just gone through an experience like that. Its even harder to come back to people who don't really get what I actually went through - those people who continue to only talk about themselves and the meaningless things that they did while I was away. I just can't do it. I need time to put things in order and figure out what I am supposed to do next.

Hi again

This internet access is really slow and they are charging me by the minute so I will need to make this quick. Things are good. We have already planted 3500 trees. Today we participated in a workshop to educate the community about the environment and HIV/AIDS. The days have been very long and exhausting. I can't really put into words the experience I have had so far. The people are very nice and welcoming. I have a woman named Sally who wants to come home with me. I have tried to tell her that I can hardly support myself, much less her and her 2 kids, but she is being very persistent. I can't even get over the way that people live here. It has definitely made me appreciate what we have more.

Saturday morning we are leaving to go on our safari. I am really excited - I hear that there is a a swimming pool and they put hot water bottles in your bed at night. By the way - it is freezing cold here!

One more thing - some of you might have heard me freaking out about the recent earthquakes. There have been several in Tanzania in the past few days. We felt another tremor last night. I just had an email in my inbox from the US embassy in Kenya and it said the rumors of them telling Americans to evacuate are untrue. I guess that makes me feel better.

That's all for now! Oh - I might be coming home a day early. For some reason, my flight was booked to leave a day later than everyone else's, so I am in the process of trying to change it to leave with the group. That would mean I would get in Friday instead of Saturday - if anyone wants to pick me up at the airport! Text me!!!

xoxo

I'm here!

It's Saturday about 1:47 pm. We are at Village Market in an internet cafe. We just ate lunch - Aimee, I branched out and rather than tuna fish had some Thai Food. As I sit here typing this, I wonder when I will have to bolt to the bathroom. Let's just hope that doesn't happen. I took a pepto before I ate.

My flights were pretty good. Thanks to the drugs, I pretty much slept the entire way. I got a little nervous when I got to London and didn't meet up with anyone on the trip. I was afraid I would land in Nairobi and not be able to find anyone there either. Luckily, it wasn't a problem. I found them and off to the luggage carousel where I waited in suspense as everyone's bags came off the plane. It took a while, but mine finally arrived. There are two people on the trip who never got their bags.

We got to the place we are staying shortly after midnight I think. We got in the car and Zane and the driver of the other car were discussing which way to get to the place. They kept mentioning certain roads because they are "safer" at that time of night. We were all kind of wondering what exactly that meant. Apparently carjackings are not all that uncommon here. I am not that worried though. So far, everything has been great. The people on the trip are awesome, just as I thought.

Tomorrow we are going to church in Kibera and spending the rest of the day there. Monday we start planting trees. We are working with 100 other volunteers on Monday to dig 3000 holes. No, that was not a typo, we are digging 3000 holes. On Tuesday, our group will go to pick up the trees and on Wednesday we are planting them.

So far, I don't really feel like I am that far away. The place we are visiting today is very Westernized. We saw some amazing sights on the drive here. Women walking down the street with bags of rice (?) on their heads, little huts with vegetables and other items. The craziness will start tomorrow. Looking forward to it!! Hope everyone is doing well!

I can receive text messages on my cell phone, so if you think about it send me a text! I might not write back but I will for sure get it.

xoxo
Aimee

I'm going to Africa Y'all

Holyyyyy crap. See ya. I'm out of here. I'll miss you guys!

One more day

Tomorrow is the big day! My flight leaves DIA at 12:45. I get to fly to Chicago where I will connect to my plane to London. I found out a couple of days ago that my friend Briana, who got me involved in this gig, may not be able to make it on the trip. She sent away for her passport about 4 months ago and still hasn't received it. (She's sitting at the passport office in L.A. as we speak! -Good luck!!) So, there is a chance that I am going on the trip with a group of people that I have never met before. I sent one of them an email asking her if she could tell me how to find the group in London so I am not totally lost. This was her response:

I talked with Briana today, and you don't need to worry about a
thing...we will have fun. I am bummed she can't make it, but maybe a
miracle will happen tomorrow with the passport. Everyone is meeting in
London to fly together...everyone but me...I will ask Glen to wear his
black CTC t-shirt that says Ubuntu on the back. If he has it clean, I
am sure he will do it. Otherwise, I promise...don't worry...you will
find the group.

That makes me laugh:
1. So, hopefully this dude has his t-shirt clean so he can wear it
2. "i will find the group" - oh, ok - I won't worry - seriously?

Aimee came over last night to drink wine and help me pack. She was very helpful - she read everything off of the packing list so I could make sure I had everything I needed. She tried to tell me that I over packed on tuna fish. I had to watch her carefully to make sure she didn't go behind me and try to take some out of my bag. I think she has a secret love for tuna fish and just wanted something for free. You can't trust anyone these days.

Somewhat of a plan

I just got this email from the organizer of the trip:

Friday the 13th is soon arriving! Our first two teams have come and gone and all has gone extremely well. Shawn and Nicole arrived a few days ago and we are getting things ready for your arrival this Friday.
I'm mainly writing to let you know that all is well here in Kenya and to warn you about the problems we have had with luggage. It appears that British Airways is having serious luggage problems...over 8,000 displaced bags in London! My bags were lost for my first 3 days in Kenya, one person on our Medical Team and another on the Community and Faith Team never received their bags. I say this to advise you to pack all necessary items in your carry on bag. If you are a light packer I would try to pack just one bag and carry that bag on if possible (there are washing and drying machines where we are staying). I would also encourage everyone to contact BA and find out what they're advice is in dealing with this problem. Hopefully this team will not have any difficulties, but I wanted to warn you just in case.

No need to pack sheets or pillows. St Julians has all of that. You may want a fresh towel...St. Julians towels are a little funky! Also if you want to go for the one bag carry on we can always go into Nairobi and get any toiletries you need. There are plenty of locations where you can purchase your western needs.

I will be at the airport on Friday and we will go straight to St. Julians for the night. Saturday will be a day of rest, Sunday we will head into Kibera slum, and Monday begins the week of trees!

I am starting to get a little nervous. I can't believe I am leaving in 2 days.

7/7/07 At the Rio

Last Saturday night in Denver before my trip!

I got a new camera

I bought a new camera today. I love it a lot. I also went to target to buy things for my trip. The picture below showcases some of these items. It was the longest trip to Target that I have ever experienced. I really hope I never have to do that again.



I went to sushi with Kim tonight at my new favorite sushi place. It also just so happens to be right next door to my liquor store. I snapped this photo below. There is a drive up window. I did that last night. Its fun.



This is the sushi place.


I leave in about 5 days now. I am starting to freak out a little. Although, I am really excited!

Bring a golf club to defend your self from critters - From Cody

Apparently these are the animals you are most likely to be attacked by during you trip. Commit them to memory and run like hell if you see one!


Thanks for the warning Cody.

Less than a week...

Holy crap. At this time next week I will be on a plane flying from London to Nairobi. I don't even really know what that means. I am so excited and freaked out at the same time. It will be a serious 180 degree turn from my life as I know it and have known it for the past few weeks. (Cheers to hair dancing, keg kickball, jazz in the park, and hangovers.)

Although I won't be bringing my laptop, I will try to update my blog while I am there. Y'all be good while I am gone. Don't have too much fun without me.

You can be my cowboy...

I somehow ended up at the Cowboy Lounge over the weekend. Not one of my finer moments. I have visions of me being twirled around to David Allen Coe by a co-ed with cigarette and bourbon breath. It made me want to throw up. I tried to tell him I didn't know how to dance, but let's face it, we all know I can't hide my skills for very long.

There was also a moment when I tried to recall the steps to do the "Cotton Eyed Joe." I had my sweaty armpit on a poor strangers shoulder. I feel like I need to apologize to her. I didn't know the steps, but I just hopped around trying to fake it. I feel like there is a picture out there somewhere showing just that, and I will post it as soon as it comes my way. And there it is...


Aimee got a bike for her birthday. We all liked it a lot.


Jazz in the Park was a success...

I leave for Kenya two weeks from Thursday. I have some news to report. It has been brought to my attention that the packing list that states "bring your laptop - you will have wireless internet access" was wrong. I knew it was too good to be true. I will not have the wireless internet access I was told I would, so I won't be able to update my blog. Not sure anyone even reads this thang, so it probably won't matter all that much. I am kind of sad though. Briana told me to bring a journal. That seems so ancient. My hand will start to hurt from writing and I will just abandon my journaling prematurely, I'm afraid. I will update my handy blog with my recollections and photos upon my return. For myself, if no one else.

If anyone is interested, the new issue of Vanity Fair is a special issue on Africa guest-edited by Bono. I just picked my copy up at Target on my way to work this morning. It looks like it will be a very informative issue.

That's all for now...

things don't suck today

I am slowly coming out of my bad mood. Denver isn't so bad and I'm making some great friends. yay! It's about time, people!

Things I am looking forward to at this moment:

1. I get to see Whitney Friday! She always puts a smile on my face! Love her!
2. Aimee and I are going to the baseball game after work tomorrow. (I made a new friend named Aimee. I am not my own imaginary friend)
3. Tomorrow is Wednesday. It's better than Monday.
4. Jazz in the Park with new friends on Sunday. It is the best time ever! If you are in Denver, you must go!
5. Kenya is only 4 weeks away. I can't wait!
6. My dad and step-mom get in town on Sunday for a long stay. This is part of the reason why I moved to Denver...family time!
7. Driving range on my lunch break tomorrow

Think about the positive things and positive experiences will come your way. That's what they say at least.

Interesting Observation

I hate doing dishes. I really do. I just walked by the sink and realized that we may have a problem. You see, the number of wine glasses out numbers anything else in the sink. We haven't had a party recently. Haven't had any visitors for that matter. Hmmmm...i love wine. (see post #1) That's all. Just thought you all might want to see my sink.

UPDATE: Yes, the glasses in the sink are all from tastings. I wouldn't go so far as to calling it trashy, Shawn. Napa is high class...those tastings can be pricy. Don't trip.

Things that suck

Aline and I went to Hawaii and I sat on an M&M on the plane. It sucked real bad.

I want to take this opportunity to document things that mattered to me today. I hope to look back on this day and be able to put things in perspective and realize that these things don't really matter as much as I let them.

1. Today I woke up to an ugly face rash. I thought it would be a good idea - a way to "treat myself" if you will - to get a facial on Saturday. Well, that idea turned really ugly this morning when I woke up to polka dots on my face. Thanks Revive. Now I get to lather ointment on my face 3 times a day until this nasty thing goes away. Sweet.

2. I made a special trip to the mall to return a couple of things that I purchased a while back. When I got there, it was brought to my attention that the credit card that I used to make my purchase has expired so I couldn't make my return. bleh.

3. I had to re-book my "rapid rewards" flight on Southwest Airlines. They told me they would redeposit the free flight into my account, but I needed to be sure to use it before it expires. Well, when exactly does it expire Mr. Cheerio eating telephone operator? Yeah, it expires June 20th of THIS YEAR. Rather than putting down his spoon and giving me all of my options, he basically said I was screwed through a mouth full of cheerios. It took a call back today to find out that I could pay $50 to extend my ticket for another year. So I did. But still, $50 bucks. That blows.

4. I forgot to pick up my dry cleaning today, and now I have nothing to wear to work tomorrow.

5. My savings account has a negative balance. No shit. How is that possible?

SAVINGS ( Create Savings Plan ) 914-2842xxx -$5.99

Maybe its about time for me to click on that nifty "Create Savings Plan" link. Its a scam.

That's all for now. I think. These things put me in a bad mood because I let them. Hopefully, I can change that soon.

Comfort the Children International

www.ctcinternational.org

Many of you may be wondering how I have the opportunity to travel to Kenya and take part in this amazing experience. It is all thanks to a wonderful organization that my friend Briana helped to start. My good friend Briana Carman helped to start this non-profit. CTC is a hands on, grassroots organization built on relationships. Their desire is not to help the poor, the sick, and the needy. Their desire is to live with the poor, the sick, and the needy. They believe that human love and concern for one another, when channeled in a focused effort, can transform pain into beauty, disease into healing, and loneliness into belonging by challenging the world to see that lasting changes begin and end in the connections and efforts made by the people, for the people.

I will be going to Maai Mahiu to live with the people there. This particular trip is the "Go Green" trip. Deforestation, littering and pollution are problems in Kenya. The objective: live 14 days teaching, learning,and mingling with the locals of Maai Mahiu discovering ways to preserve, restore, and care for the environment.

I am still raising money for ctc international to help the people of Kenya through funding education and/or medical
supplies. Any amount is appreciated! You can mail your checks to me, but please make them payable to CTC International. It is a tax deductible contribution.

I can read

I was told that I need to read this book prior to leaving for my trip. The author Wangari Maathai started The Greenbelt Movement in Kenya and won the 2004 Nobel Peace prize. We will be working with The Greenbelt Movement this summer by helping them to plant trees. Check it out at http://www.greenbeltmovement.org/. I'll let you know how the book is...in about a month. Kidding. Looks like its going to be a good one.

Wine, Sushi, Subway and Snowcones

In no particular order, a few of my favorite things. Seemed like a good title for my first post.

The reason why I am starting this blog is NOT because I think I have an exciting life and feel that I need to share it with everyone. Actually, having moved to Denver about 4 months ago, my life is bordering on the most boring time of my life, which leaves me time to write about nonsense.

I am leaving to go to Africa in about 5 weeks. I know, most people don't think I'm cut out to spend weeks in a small village in Kenya. I often question what I am doing as well, but I feel that it is something I am supposed to be doing. So, I am starting this blog so that all of you who wish to keep up with my 2 week journey may do so. I will try to post every day and add photos when I can. According to my trip literature, I will have wireless internet access. Seems kind of silly to me, but we'll see.

I am expecting this to be a life-changing trip and hope that it will help me to figure out how to make a difference in this world and to figure out the meaning and purpose of my life. A tall order, I know. I am up for the challenge.

I'm guessing I won't be able to get a snowcone in Maai Mahiu.