warm greetings from brussels!

Look, I'm still blogging! This is progress. Don't know how many of you are actually interested in hearing from me so frequently, but I know my mother is, so I will update.

Currently in Brussels, where it is about 8:30am. (2:30am in KC.) The weather is very cool. I hope that I packed warmly enough for Kenya...it is supposed to be in the 60s and 70s (winter!). I just ran into a girl with a KU hat in the bathroom...she got a little freaked out when I asked her if she is from Kansas (forgetting that she was wearing it on her forehead). Small world.

The flight was fine, except for the fact that it was absolutely FREEZING. Even with my (special fuzzy) airplane socks and cardigan and blanket and scarf (which I even wrapped around my head at a point). Despite all of my attempts to get an aisle seat (which weren't that extensive, except for the fact that it is listed on my 'preferences' on our work flight-booking site and it's always yielded aisle seats in the past), I was smack in the middle of a 5-seat row. I guess it could have been worse. I didn't feel too claustrophobic. Watched Hall Pass (not terrible). Read some. Ate some (not terrible) food. Napped. Felt the need to stretch my legs but didn't really have the opportunity.

So now I have a bit of time in the Brussels airport before I head out to Nairobi, which will be...just checked...EVEN LONGER than the last flight...9 hrs 35 min vs. 7 hrs 28 min for the last one. NAIROBI IS REALLY FAR AWAY. Why do *I* work with all the really far away places?? So many of my coworkers have these lovely 4 hour flights that don't even take them out of the TIME ZONE. Luckeeee. (At least I don't have to get up at 4am to catch those flights.)

Okay. Think I'm going to sign off for now and do some actual work before I have to get on the plane again. (I will really try to do that instead of watching the Grey's Anatomy dvd that is calling my name right now.)

See you in Nairobi!

about that whole "blogging" thing...

...I guess I'm not very good at it, if good = consistent. But, I'm getting ready to leave the country again for a bit, and might have some typing-time available while I am traveling, so...maybe I can try?

So I'm on my way to Kenya for a little while. I'll be participating in a conference and will also visit a couple of our offices, then will return home.

I had a lovely ride to the airport this morning in one of the 'shuttles.' I was the only passenger, and was able to talk with the driver, who is from Sudan. We talked Sudan politics, religious diversity, life in Kansas City. He's been here for almost 8 years, and so I asked him how he feels about living in the U.S: "It's great. There are so many opportunities."

It's good to hear that...to be reminded. The fact that I have a job, that there are educational opportunities, etc etc...sometimes I get jaded about my own society, and forget to be grateful. I'm feeling a little more grateful today: for my home, and for the chance to share a little life with a stranger...

oh my friends.

Colin: you should fake your own explosion
and then i'll do the same
and then we can start new lives as unexploded people in the big city
nate can fake his own explosion too. we don't want to exclude him.

potential vs. poverty

So, yesterday a friend showed me this video...



While I think it's a little sad (does any kid [or adult for that matter] need to watch a movie that's so violent?), I appreciate the sentiment of focusing on potential rather than poverty. It's good to see some media that celebrates the dignity and spirit of people rather than glorifying the "pitiful." Eh??

you know you're getting old...

...when you spend your whole evening trying to stay awake until an "acceptable" bedtime (which is NOT 7:30pm).

what happened to fun and exciting Sara??

I've been ruined.

...so that every time I go to the supermarket I'm freaked out. All I can think about is how little the 'food' that is available to us actually resembles real food. And how absolutely ridiculous it is that we have literally dozens of options of bottles fruit juice, chips, butter-like substances. Who knows where these 'foods' come from, or what's actually in them?

It is probably a little dramatic to say that I've been "ruined." Perhaps I should say that I have been opened up to the possibilities of food, and have become blessedly more aware of my connection to the earth and to my community...

This is not some sudden awareness; I've been ruminating over these thoughts for several years now. But only recently do visits to the supermarket actually make me a little anxious. And a little angry.

at the end of the week, I'm exhausted.

at the beginning of the week, I'm exhausted.

...

that's all.