No place like home

Wow...I don't really know where to start. It has been way too long since I have last written. As most of you know, I am back home... safe and sound. Missing Africa and the children with all my heart but comforted by the smells, sounds, and feelings of home...

To wrap up the end of my trip in this one blog would be difficult. Saying goodbye to the children, leaving my home away from home, and experiencing such closure was difficult to say the least. Once I left Living Water I endulged in a mini vacation in Zanzibar. Zanzibar is a tiny tropical island of the coast of East Africa. Stunning, quiet, and absolutely serene. Sleeping in stilted huts, sun bathing in hammocks, and swimming with wild dolphins in the Indian Ocean is something I never envisioned 4 months ago. It was the perfect end to a long journey.

Now, being back home has been challenging. Don't get me wrong, I love America but my goodness it was/is quite overwhelming to be back in the western world. I was in complete culture shock arriving in Africa; however, the shock on the return journey has been worse. Maybe it was because it was right before Christmas but the commotion and concerns of most the the people I observed were far from what I came from. I'm guitly too. My concerns were the same before I left. Hopefully, I can find an even balance between the two worlds; a lifestyle formed from two opposite, diverse cultures.

It is hard to believe that my Africa adventure is over and done with. Well, not "done" but my physical presence in that continent is gone. My trip was so anticipated. For months beforehand I was preparing for it; my whole life was altered prior to the actual departure date. Looking back and now looking forward I'm focusing on staying on two feet.

Going to Africa was the best choice I have ever made. All my concerns, worries, anxieties before were well worth the growth that happened within myself. As a human I struggle. I still will just like everyone else. However, I have finally reached the confidence in myself to acknowledge a struggle, consider my options, and put one foot in front of the other. I'm sick of playing the role as a victim. Everyone has hardships; everyone hurts. The second I started living my life not feeling like I was constantly under attack and quick to blame others, I actually started living again. It was a neccessary awakening and has profoundly changed my life, relationships, and love towards people. I'm so very thankful for the patient people, and the not so patient people. Ironically, all the missing puzzle pieces are slowing coming together...

I will continue to write on here as often as I feel. For now, I am Kates in Vegas. I will start school again in January while I am preparing for my next travel abroad...coming this fall! Please pray for my transition back to real life. It has taken quite the adjustment and I still have a long "journey" when entering reality again. Also, pray that I maintain the humility and surrendering lifestyle that I so badly want to keep. It's easier to be as "katie" as I want to be when I am away so I am searching for the courage to simply maintain. I want to live for others not myself; I truly believe there is no greater fulfillment.

Thank you to those who believed in me. Thank more for those who did not.

I have a burden to share my story. It is difficult because some people see my self expression as an act of selfishness, "look at me and my great deeds" kind of persona. The truth is far from that. As humans we are given the opportunity to find security and create an unending inspiration to overcome; I strongly hope that others will search within and simply invite change to take place. I needed to love myself before I could envision loving others. As for me and myself, I am completly surrendering my life, my story, my future...

May you have a safe, spontaneous, and joyful New Year.

mimi nina omwa sana!!

Whoa! It has been awhile! I have good and bad news. I'll start with the bad. I HAVE MALARIA! Its sucks...bad! To make light of my poor condition I have written a really ridiculous, cheesy, and silly poem:

I'm not a very good poet so I could be wasting your time,
I'm sick as a dog in bed so I thought I'd bust a rhyme!



You see I have malaria and it's not a pretty sight,
don't worry I won't die so excuse your possible fright.



I've got the migraines and the fevers too,
also the body aches, dizziness, and really runny poo.



I think I forgot to mention the cold sore on my face,
I swear those parasites are eating me like it's a fricken race!



I know I'm really disgusting for sharing my poor state,
Good thing I'm in Africa not worrying 'bout a date!



This is an addition to "You know you are in Africa when",
I have so many others from places I have already been!



This definitely tops the charts of "adventures" while I'm here,
I can't take much more, thank goodness the end is near!



I hope you get a kick out of this cuz it's helping me feel better,
Hop on a plane to Africa and let's suffer together!!



I've shed some tears and laughed a lot,
"Hakuna Matata" is what I've been taught.



No need to worry, no need to fret,
I'll be better in no time on that I would bet.



It's good to make light of the things you can't control,
If life wasn't challenging it would be so very dull!!



I need to stop before I make a bigger fool,
I have Malaria people and it really isn't cool!!!

So, yeah. I knew it was a risk coming here but didn't really hope for it! I was much more afraid of it in America. Now that I am here, its part of every day life. The doctor think I got it in Dar es Salaam. That was my first week here! I was tested my 3rd week but the results were negative. As unfortunate as it is, I am glad I finally know what has been making me sick. The meds are working great and I am finally improving! No need to worry anymore Mom and Dad! :)

Moving on! I have been at Living Water for the past week and a half. Last week was great! VERY busy and exhausting but really really wonderful! There are 32 children at the center. We did so much. Last week was there last week of school so we were preparing them for the closing day party. It was great fun! We taught them two Christmas songs. It was very strange because its summer here. I just don't feel like it is the holidays! I'm actually just going to bullet point some things I did to make this shorter.

- carried more cow poop on my head for the garden and planted loads of vegetables
-canoed around Lake Deluti. The water was pee green but the surrounding areas were really pretty
-went to maasai camp and danced!
-played loads of soccer and volleyball with the kids
-read, colored, entertained the children!
-ate banana bread and watched Finding Nemo
-learned African "hip-hop" and was sore for days
-spent all night baking cookies and making fresh juice for the party

The party was interesting! The two volunteers and I had to do an African dance, dressed as Africans, singing in Swahili for the children! I have it on video but I am embarrassed to show it! haha it was quite humorous and the kids loved it. Good fun. The kids also performed! The school choir sang, danced, and even did a drama. It was so entertaining!!!

Then Saturday night I got sick and Sunday I went to the hospital. Then these last four days I have been relaxing and sleeping quite a bit. I think these meds make me a little delusional so I will probably re-read this and laugh at what I am saying!

This is my last weekend in Arusha! I seriously don't know where the time went! I leave Africa in 12 days.. insane! I go to Zanzibar on the 12Th and then home! Pray that I am better because I am really looking forward to laying on the beach and delighting in a mini vacation!

Thank you everyone for all the support! I am looking forward to my return and sharing all my adventures!

PEACE,

katie koo