"If you join us, we'll be unstoppable."
Lately, life has been a whirlwind of metamorphosis.
February 14th, 2009, Valentine's Day = BLAST OFF to Amsterdam! We'll be spending Valentine's Day night twirling in the schizo lights of sin city. But that's okay- I'll lead Tyler to the floating flower markets, or the light-kissed bridges. And maybe we'll go back to the red light district, I'm not sure. It's something to see; a real life circus of lost souls and sadness. It gave me such a horrible feeling when I went there in 2007. But this time, we'll capture the beauty of the city. We can explore Oude Kerk, the Rembrandthuis, and the Van Gogh Museum.
After that, we're diving into the heart of Africa. Muhuru Bay, Kenya, is on the Kenya-Tanzania border. We're going to be volunteering at the opening of a hospital, started by Awilo Kithene.
On the way back, Bart is treating us to a SAFARI. And we're going to cruise the greatest restaurants and sites of Nairobi.
On Thanksgiving, Tyler and I had Thanksgiving lunch with my family and then ventured to Bart's house for "dinner." I was so stuffed that I could only have a few bites of jello! But it was so amazing to connect with his family. I talked for a long while with his Aunt Brooke. I also spent a majority of the night playing with Simba, Awilo's ADORABLE son. Oh my gosh, he's the cutest.
Then, after dinner, we all gathered around the television and watched the 2008 CNN Heroes show. It was just the most touching thing- Awilo and his wife Katrina actually attended the actual ordeal. Every testimony brought tears to multiple eyes in the room. Awilo is just the most gentle-hearted man in the world- he cried at every story. After the show, he got up and gave a mini-speech sort of, just saying how grateful he was to see this all again. It was so incredible to watch CNN Heroes and then to hear a speech from the 2007 Medical Marvel Hero himself! He told us story after story about the trials he went through as a child. Both parents dead, and six siblings dead. He slaved day and night doing dozens of odd jobs in order to pay for his education. Scholarship after scholarship and he ends up at the UW. He has the makings of a true hero- ambition, perseverence, brillance, and love. He has changed so many people, has saved so many lives. It's absolutely incredible. He is a walking miracle. And I am SO honored to assist in his greatest achievement! A chance of a lifetime.
Bart was telling us last night that we'll be treated like royalty when we come. We'll be accompanying Awilo, who is of god status to them, and because we're Americans that have come to help, we'll be treated the same. Dozens of orphan babies will be hanging on us, desperate for love, and people will apparently follow us everywhere. I'm going to document the entire thing via camcorder and write very single day. I know that I'm going to want to stay much longer.
Wow. I am just so overwhelmed right now.
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Tyler is coming over, and I'm about to prepare him a plate of leftovers. Mm, the sweet potatoes were so delicious yesterday! Haha, today, I took a nap and then hopped on the treadmill for 5 miles. And tonight I had miso soup for dinner.
LIFE IS TAKING A TURN FOR THE BETTER. I am so inspired! I can't get off of this thought train. I am so lucky. I want to do great things. I am being stirred like never before. To see all of these incredible things going on right in front of your eyes is something that is absolutely mind-blowing. MIND-BLOWING.