We're here!!!.....Sort of... We're still in the capital (Dar es Salaam, aka across the country from my site). The flights all went relatively smoothly, and we got in Saturday morning as planned. We have been in a wonderful Benedictine guesthouse ever since. There are so many stories to tell, but I am at an internet cafe, and Simon (a Johnnie going to the other Tanzania site in Sumbawanga) gets my computer in 5 minutes. Don't worry though, I've actually been doing pretty well at writing in my journal so far.
The title is from our most recent story/hero. A monk named Br. Francis just arrived from a visit to South Korea. It turns out he studied for three years at St. John's School of Theology. After a weekend of the busy guestmaster hoping to avoid eye contact so as to not be asked if we could be taken to internet, this man has swooped in and taken over! We finally got to have a great conversation (he speaks pretty good English) about the politics and state of Tanzania and Africa (something we've all been craving after all the conversations consisting of awkward silences with smiles, giggles about their broken English, and hearty laughter at our attempts at Swahili). It's been a very pleasant stay, but Francis brought back a little sanity, AND, he brought us to this very internet cafe! He's even bringing us to the Indian Ocean beach! There's that wonderful and worldwide Johnnie connection!
We leave for Hanga...sometime...by bus...or car...with Br. Patrick...or Br. Cassian. You see, we are learning firsthand that Africa time is quite different. "Later" means "anytime from now until a really long time for now" and "Monday morning" means "no sooner than Monday morning". We are also learning not to plan too much, because there are about thirty different plans that different people have for you, and one of them is bound to work.
I will try to have a better reflection up sometime (no plan), but now it's Simons's turn! I hope all is well!
Monday, August 30, 2010
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Brave New World Part 2
I know what you're thinking, and yes, I did steal this title from one of the greatest episodes of Boy Meets World, and no, I'm not ashamed of that. The "Part 2" has no significance other than the fact that the episode was one of those "to be continued..." deals, and the second half was better.
Oh yeah, also, I'm flying to Africa today. 8 months, 2 bags, and room to spare! I've heard that less is more when travelling to Africa, so I figured I'd test out that theory. Honestly though, I feel like I'm bringing plenty.
I've told quite a few of you about the little hop, skip, and jump that my volunteer partner, Michael Jaeger, and I will be doing, but I figure it's worth one more review in case anyone wants to know:
It begins at 3:39pm today
MSP to Chicago.
Chicago to Frankfurt, Germany. (first time in Europe)
Frankfurt to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. (first time in Africa)
Addis to Kilimanjaro, northern Tanzania.
Kilimanjaro to Dar es Salaam, eastern Tanzania at 3:15am (EAT- 8 hrs ahead?) Saturday
*Oh yeah, then we still have the 12ish (I've heard it can be quite a bit longer) hour bus ride across the country to Hanga, our destination, in the Southwest corner of the country.
I'm figuring my two flying experiences and 1 abroad experience has prepared me well enough for it all...
Finally, before I head off to my little Brave New World, I have to reflect on how lucky I am. I wish I could have said goodbye to everyone in person, but I will be back before I know it. I was constantly reminded this summer how phenomenal my loved ones are. I am truly surrounded by the best friends and family I could ask for, and I have just had so many blessings in my life, including this unique and challenging experience ahead.
Since my love for Boy Meets World is almost equalled by my love for quotes, I'll combine them:
As the wise teacher(/neighbor/mentor/principal/professor...) Mr. Feeny told his students at the end of the very last show (Brave New World Part 2, what a coincidence),
"Believe in yourselves. Dream. Try. Do GOOD."
Oh yeah, also, I'm flying to Africa today. 8 months, 2 bags, and room to spare! I've heard that less is more when travelling to Africa, so I figured I'd test out that theory. Honestly though, I feel like I'm bringing plenty.
I've told quite a few of you about the little hop, skip, and jump that my volunteer partner, Michael Jaeger, and I will be doing, but I figure it's worth one more review in case anyone wants to know:
It begins at 3:39pm today
MSP to Chicago.
Chicago to Frankfurt, Germany. (first time in Europe)
Frankfurt to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. (first time in Africa)
Addis to Kilimanjaro, northern Tanzania.
Kilimanjaro to Dar es Salaam, eastern Tanzania at 3:15am (EAT- 8 hrs ahead?) Saturday
*Oh yeah, then we still have the 12ish (I've heard it can be quite a bit longer) hour bus ride across the country to Hanga, our destination, in the Southwest corner of the country.
I'm figuring my two flying experiences and 1 abroad experience has prepared me well enough for it all...
Finally, before I head off to my little Brave New World, I have to reflect on how lucky I am. I wish I could have said goodbye to everyone in person, but I will be back before I know it. I was constantly reminded this summer how phenomenal my loved ones are. I am truly surrounded by the best friends and family I could ask for, and I have just had so many blessings in my life, including this unique and challenging experience ahead.
Since my love for Boy Meets World is almost equalled by my love for quotes, I'll combine them:
As the wise teacher(/neighbor/mentor/principal/professor...) Mr. Feeny told his students at the end of the very last show (Brave New World Part 2, what a coincidence),
"Believe in yourselves. Dream. Try. Do GOOD."
Friday, August 20, 2010
Typical Test/Title Explanation
Hello!
No I have not left the country yet, and yes I am writing my first ever blog partly for the sake of making sure I know what I'm doing. (On that note, consider this my advanced apology for any future spelling and grammar mistakes- I was a math major...)
First of all, thanks for reading said blog, and please respond and keep me posted on what's going on in your own life.
Second, I'll attempt to explain the title. You may have expected a catchier title, in which case...thank you for your high expectations! I promise I thought long and hard about what the title should be, and I kept coming back to this. I should start by explaining ZPD:
Education people (and definitely Breakthrough people) will recognize this. It stands for Zone of Proximal Development. When teaching, you have to consider the level of difficulty of the content. If something is too easy (in the comfort zone), students will be bored and learn nothing new. If something is too hard (frustration zone), students will get frustrated and learn nothing new. In the middle is the Zone of Proximal Development. It is still challenging and outside the comfort zone, but it's more of that just right level. It's the zone where growth occurs.
This trek to Tanzania (TZ for short...is this starting to make sense?) is definitely part of a realization that this is a time to "do what scares me" (thank you Jack Ries) and "be comfortable being uncomfortable" (thank you Breakthrough). I am stepping out of my comfort zone and into Tanzania, and I am hoping for growth. I hope to grow spiritually, emotionally, and professionally. More importantly, am I am hoping to help others to the same.
So, short story long: This blog will be my tale (likely in a long-winded manner) of stepping out of comfort zones and growing from new challenges and funky adventures. I hope to keep it somewhat interesting and slightly shorter than a novel.
God bless!
No I have not left the country yet, and yes I am writing my first ever blog partly for the sake of making sure I know what I'm doing. (On that note, consider this my advanced apology for any future spelling and grammar mistakes- I was a math major...)
First of all, thanks for reading said blog, and please respond and keep me posted on what's going on in your own life.
Second, I'll attempt to explain the title. You may have expected a catchier title, in which case...thank you for your high expectations! I promise I thought long and hard about what the title should be, and I kept coming back to this. I should start by explaining ZPD:
Education people (and definitely Breakthrough people) will recognize this. It stands for Zone of Proximal Development. When teaching, you have to consider the level of difficulty of the content. If something is too easy (in the comfort zone), students will be bored and learn nothing new. If something is too hard (frustration zone), students will get frustrated and learn nothing new. In the middle is the Zone of Proximal Development. It is still challenging and outside the comfort zone, but it's more of that just right level. It's the zone where growth occurs.
This trek to Tanzania (TZ for short...is this starting to make sense?) is definitely part of a realization that this is a time to "do what scares me" (thank you Jack Ries) and "be comfortable being uncomfortable" (thank you Breakthrough). I am stepping out of my comfort zone and into Tanzania, and I am hoping for growth. I hope to grow spiritually, emotionally, and professionally. More importantly, am I am hoping to help others to the same.
So, short story long: This blog will be my tale (likely in a long-winded manner) of stepping out of comfort zones and growing from new challenges and funky adventures. I hope to keep it somewhat interesting and slightly shorter than a novel.
God bless!
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