I recently visited Ethiopia for the first time and learned that they have 13 months in their annual calendar. What does that mean? It means they are celebrating the millenium until September. That's right Y2K. I took a picture of a tourism sign that said: "Ethiopia, giving the world a second chance to celebrate the millenium." That also means in Ethiopia I'm still in my twenties - fancy that seven years shaved off just by stepping off the airplane!
I also learned from one of the staff in Kenya that a greeting is not complete until the greeters shake hands or hug. Simply waving or saying "hello" is not sufficient and could be considered rude. So, if you are ever in Kenya, make sure to include hand shakes in your greetings.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Sold!
I haven't kept the blog updated on the saga of selling my home. To put it gently, the process was long and painful. We came close to selling many times, and none worked out for a variety of reasons. Thankfully, as of May 9 the house has a new owner. Hallelujah, one less bill! Actually, six less when you count property tax, insurance, mortgage payments, gas, electric, and home owners association dues. Now if we could just decide on different rental property for next year...
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Marital Mis-Communications
Each time Kenyon and I travel to New Mexico we go to a movie with my family. Every time Kenyon says, "I don't want to see a girly-girl movie. I want to see a shoot 'em up movie." Once we went to see a family flick, last time we watched a guy adventure movie.
Last night we were at the Red Box. He couldn't decide on which movie to rent. I walked away and came back to see he had something in his hand.
"Which movie did you decide to rent?"
"Shoot 'em up."
I'm thinking he must have rented a guy movie. As we are walking to the car I open the case to find - there is an actual movie called "Shoot 'em up." I laughed. I'm sure this movie was made specifically to appeal to the male gender.
It wasn't that good, not even Kenyon liked it. There were a lot of bullets, so it did live up to the title...shoot 'em up - who knew?
Last night we were at the Red Box. He couldn't decide on which movie to rent. I walked away and came back to see he had something in his hand.
"Which movie did you decide to rent?"
"Shoot 'em up."
I'm thinking he must have rented a guy movie. As we are walking to the car I open the case to find - there is an actual movie called "Shoot 'em up." I laughed. I'm sure this movie was made specifically to appeal to the male gender.
It wasn't that good, not even Kenyon liked it. There were a lot of bullets, so it did live up to the title...shoot 'em up - who knew?
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
things that don't make the news, but should...
When I travel I get the opportunity to visit organizations doing interesting things all over the world. At the end of last year I visited an organization called "Amani ya Juu" meaning "Peace with God" in Swahili. This organization helps women in need, it gives them a job and skills training. They teach women to dye fabrics, sew and design - then they sell the items for income. I came when they were preparing for a large fashion show. I was so impressed with the work they do that I signed up to be on their mailing list. A few days ago I received this email:
April 30, 2008
Dear Amani friends,
This is a sad day for the Amani family. Charles Mwatha (husband to Anna), our faithful gate keeper, was killed on Monday. We are all grieving the loss of someone who was loved by all. Everyone who visited Amani knows Charles because he was the one everyone first met as he opened the gate. Charles was due to testify in court next week against a policeman who had beat and robbed him last year as he was on the way to the bank with his hard earned savings. Charles’ family had pleaded with him to drop the case, especially after he received several threatening telephone calls, but he was determined to follow through for the hope that justice would be done.
Charles leaves behind his wife Anna and an extended family for whom he was responsible. Please pray for Anna that God’s peace and comfort will carry her through this tragic time in her life. The Amani women are with Anna constantly giving her the love and support she needs.
In His peace,
The Amani ya Juu family
April 30, 2008
Dear Amani friends,
This is a sad day for the Amani family. Charles Mwatha (husband to Anna), our faithful gate keeper, was killed on Monday. We are all grieving the loss of someone who was loved by all. Everyone who visited Amani knows Charles because he was the one everyone first met as he opened the gate. Charles was due to testify in court next week against a policeman who had beat and robbed him last year as he was on the way to the bank with his hard earned savings. Charles’ family had pleaded with him to drop the case, especially after he received several threatening telephone calls, but he was determined to follow through for the hope that justice would be done.
Charles leaves behind his wife Anna and an extended family for whom he was responsible. Please pray for Anna that God’s peace and comfort will carry her through this tragic time in her life. The Amani women are with Anna constantly giving her the love and support she needs.
In His peace,
The Amani ya Juu family
Gonzales Family Talent Show
A typical family reunion involves picnic tables, grilled food and matching t-shirts - my family is not typical. We get together and have a talent show. That's right a talent show...we have so many people who want to be on stage there had to be rules - one performance per person and there has to be a Gonzales by blood in each performance. My family is full of talented singers, dancers, musicians and all types of entertainers...instead of T-shirts, both of my uncles’s had CD’s on sale and we could purchase a DVD in order to live the party again and again.
The event was fun and educational…I learned my Grandfather earned a Purple Heart when he was a Sergeant in the Korean War because he was shot in the head. I also learned he never grew hair in that spot again. He died when I was a little girl and I have no personal memories of him, only pictures, that was a priceless piece of information. I also learned that my Great, Great, Great, Great Grandmother was the daughter of a rancher. She was put up for adoption because she was half black. It was quite scandalous because the husband of my Great, Great, Great, Great, Great Grandmother was a white man. Any one who thinks family reunions are boring should meet my family...we are anything but boring!
The event was fun and educational…I learned my Grandfather earned a Purple Heart when he was a Sergeant in the Korean War because he was shot in the head. I also learned he never grew hair in that spot again. He died when I was a little girl and I have no personal memories of him, only pictures, that was a priceless piece of information. I also learned that my Great, Great, Great, Great Grandmother was the daughter of a rancher. She was put up for adoption because she was half black. It was quite scandalous because the husband of my Great, Great, Great, Great, Great Grandmother was a white man. Any one who thinks family reunions are boring should meet my family...we are anything but boring!
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