Choices

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I suppose, like everyone is quick to point out,

having options is a luxury I should appreciate.

Decisions have to be made, however,

and with the time ticking by,

choices have to be made soon.

Tendencies to try to please others Continue reading →

Next Steps…

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I am excited. In August, I set off to live in a land that is not my own, that I have never even thought would ever be my home. I shall live in a rural area. I shall do public health things. And I know that it will be a challenge. As such, I look forward to it. When I was younger, I was absolutely fearless. I could jump onto a plane, a bus or a train and just survive wherever I landed. Now that I am older, having watched so many episodes of “Law and Order” and having seen a lot of pain, suffering and callousness in this world, I hope that I can still maintain that sense of wonder and that fearlessness from my youth. I leave in exactly eight weeks. I cannot wait. I feel humbled, blessed, anxious and ready, all at the same time. Ethiopia, here I come. I hope my next steps are firm.

Nottoway Plantation

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The South has a number of plantations along the Mississippi River, from the famous Oak Alley plantation, to the Laura plantation some miles from New Orleans. The family at Nottoway Plantation built a grand house with some very modern touches including a bowling alley for the children, flushing toilets (!!) and servant call-bells (like those used in Downton Abbey). It was pretty interesting to walk through the house, and learn about the history of the house and the family and how it survived through the civil war. Growing up abroad, I was never fully aware or educated about the slavery experience in the United States. Touring these southern plantations allowed me to catch a glimpse as to what that time period meant for slave-owners, traders, slaves, soldiers, ladies and families in the South.

ETC

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Some ETC bits and pips.

Baby Gator
Collection of Summer Clutches
Mammie at Easter
Farouk Hair Systems for Shine!
Mmmh Martini.
Favorite African Bracelet
Detailed Collar on Summer Dress

Golden State

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It feels like home.

The warm sun on my face,

the strange people in the neighborhood,

the fancy-named organic drinks

and paying for oxygen at a fancy bar,

people-watching on Sunset,

shopping at the grocery store with

girls who look like they are the next

big thing in the movie world…

and are the size of a half-stamp.

No more walking, only driving everywhere.

The beach is down the street,

and no more hurricane threats here.

It feels like home.

Through the smog, the traffic, and

all the beautiful and empty people,

flip-flop central and waves to catch.

Welcome back home.

Public Health Wednesdays: Polio’s Back?

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Public Health Wednesdays: Polio’s Back?

NPR – May 22, 2013
Kenya has recorded its first case of polio in two years, the World Health Organization said Wednesday….