Evolution and Election

I am really going to miss my morning chats with Ruth. Since I've been house bound more or less, it has become a routine to get up and eat breakfast while chatting about life, travel, kids, etc. Yesterday I asked her what her biggest dream is. She wants to be a chef and own a small restaurant. She already has one promised customer.... me! Though I asked the question, I didn't have my own answer when she turned it around on me. Oops. I have never really thought about it before. I have lots of dreams, no question, but what is my BIGGEST dream? Yes, I want to go to college, and yes, I want to start a family some day, but there is a lot of "dream-seeking" time and "finding-out-who-I-really-am" time in the midst of all that. I admire that Ruth knows exactly what she wants. She reminds me of Edith in a lot of ways. They have similar mannerisms and dispositions. They both know what they want.

While you're pondering pursuing all your biggest dreams, I'll fill in what you missed over the past few days.

The election heat has simmered down quite a bit. Uhuru Kenyatta was named president of Kenya by just a hairs width. He needed over 50% to be elected. He got 50.07%.  That was enough to make a lot of people really.... let's just say, frustrated. I didn't have much opportunity to get out and about until yesterday when I decided to visit the Nairobi National Museum.

There was a stuffed example of just about every type of animal that Kenya has, with male, female and adolescent versions. There are what seemed like 100 types or bird, or more. I had no idea that pelicans were so gargantuan until I was face to face with one. (stuffed of course)

The museum also features a room following the path of humanity in Kenya. They have some of the world's most important fossils of human skeletons showing how we've evolved over millions of years. They have an exhibit called the Turkana Boy which is a full skeleton of a young boy who lived in Northern Kenya. His is the oldest full skeleton ever found, dating back 1.5 million years.

They have a conjoined snake exhibit where I got to see lots of rad reptiles, and few not so snakey creatures like snails, and fish, and turtles. I wouldn't want to mess with some of the snakes they've got. I was grateful for the 1" glass that separated me from the 3 meter long snake.

I spent a good few hours walking around to the different exhibits and learning about the history of the maasai tribes, the coming of age rituals, the introduction of the railway system in Kenya and the list goes on and on. I usually find history really dry and boring, but I would consider this a day well spent. Maybe I'm developing a greater appreciation for life's finer things like history and black coffee and Jane Austin. It's official. I am middle-aged and I have no problem with that. The most ironic part for me about feeling mature while living in Kenya is that I couldn't be farther than the truth. Everyone I've met has thought I was 16 or younger. (Here's a scary thought, I'll be 19 in a month. When did that happen?!) So I'm feeling years older than I am, while looking years younger. Maybe those Spanish explorers were looking in the wrong place. The fountain of youth is in Africa! Ruth surprised me yesterday by telling me her age. (I won't spill the beans) but I had thought she was at least 10 years younger than the age she told me. I'm becoming less and less surprised by what I learn about Kenyan life. At first it was all so different and everything came as a shock, but I think I'm getting over the initial shock and am coming to terms with the differences. For example, many families consist of 7 or more children.

Speaking of children, I head back to the Nest this afternoon. I miss the kids. I've been a way for far too long. what if they don't recognize me after being away for a week and a half?!? Maybe we'll have a new volunteer waiting for us when we get home. That would certainly spice things up a little. I know , however, that there's a Swahili lesson plan waiting for me when I return.

I recently found out that one of the schools I've applied to has independent swahili classes. All I have to do is become fluent in the next three months, and I'll have college in the bag. I'm really excited about this school. Language is taken seriously and there are a lot of options for a language junkie like me. Just. Waiting. For. The. Letter. Of. Acceptance. I. Am. Going. Crazay.

To take my mind off of the await of a college acceptance letter, I'll go for a walk. It is absolutely beautiful today. The rains clouds that were teasing me for the past few days have blown away, and big fluffy ones have replaced them.

XOXO

ps here are some pictures form the museum