Photo Project: Serene

I'm late, I'm late for a very important date. 

Well Folks, the photo project is back on the scene. There is even a weekly schedule and I have already tmanaged to miss the first deadline--hence the tagline. 

I found this definition for the word serene:

calm: not agitated; without losing self-possession; "spoke in a calm voice"; "remained calm throughout the uproar"; "he remained serene in the midst of turbulence"; "a serene expression on her face"; "she became more tranquil"; "tranquil life in the country"

As I was walking the streets of Glasgow, Scotland I knew I needed to find this weeks photo. I didn't have to walk far. This photo is a statue called "the rise"  by Andy Scott in Glasgow Harbour. Literally, right outside Debbie and Paul's, my lovely Scotland hosts, apartment. 

This sculpture is gorgeous and I could sit and watch her for hours.

Once I saw her, I knew this was my photo.

"I don't think we're in Kansas anymore"

And no sign of South Africa either

(written the other day, even before daniel cook brought to my attention that I hadn't blogged. I am alive for those of you wondering.)

Dilemma One :

For over am month I have been receiving an email from BMI (airline) saying my flight had been rescheduled-- and I assume nothing too out of the ordinary was at stake, except for the fact that my actual flight got canceled-- IMAGINE that. So at the customer service desk, I find that I have been rerouted to Edinburgh rather than Glasgow.

Dilemma Two:

Then I realized I needed to reorganize and get my thinking cap on. I am only allotted 20 KGs as opposed to my last flight which was 23 as opposed to my last flight which was 26 is--God bless Kayde for taking 3 KGs worth of crap (which i expect to get back in the future)-  I keep getting screwed with weights.

But with that said on this travel excursion, I started with 4 bags (small bag, pack, camera bag, purse) plus one princess wrapped care package.

As i'm talking to the BMI customer service agent before I officially checked in-- "I made a plan." That's when I first realized I wasn't in South Africa any longer.

Fact: Saying "Don't worry I'll make a plan" like them South African's do is not humorous to an Englishman. My first reaction was "Well, I thought I was clever."

Oh yeah, back to my 20 KG plan-- process of elimination. My travel pack weighed 16 KGs whilst my camera back weighs about the same. So with some very meticulous* repack at the repacking station and much praying I got everything down to 3 bag. No method or order of where anything is--it's like roulette. It is all luck and no strategy.  I checked one bag and am carrying two. Slightly I will sneak on my second bag, which I’m deeming as a purse.  Anywho back to my sulking about not being in South Africa any longer— I roamed terminal one looking in FCUK. Diving! As well as roaming for a sbux, mainly to find some familiarity. I could find no such thing, I settled on Preg coffee and some carrot juice as sustenance to make my estimated 20 minute trek to my gate only to find out these boots were not made for walking any longer. Then it occurred to me that I left my black flats with Jayde. Oh South Africa. But luckily with my meticulous repack, I had a pair of my elephant tusk sandals—painful to walk in but felt so good. I continue my trek as the bag lady and plop down my things at my gate and have my coffee. Finally I look down at my bags and see an unopened box of rusks. Logically, this shouldn’t be allowed in the way of rusks. I dip my rusk in my cup of coffee and think. For this moment, I am in London Heathrow, awaiting my Scotland adventure,

“I’m not in South Africa any longer.”

I’m not in my bright pink twin-sized bed with three year old Kayla waking me up at 6:30.

 *Meticulous: forcing as much excess as possible with the use of every spare space.

lazy day and too many thoughts

too many thoughts and ideas running through my brain to actually type an educated simple blog.

You'll will thank me later.

But for now,

As of late.

please, no judgment on my dirty feet.

the life of a solitary

Ella Duerme Sola

translation

She sleeps alone.

she wakes up

goes to the kitchen and turns on the kettle

french press coffee

the purple skillet placed on the stove

eggs

basil

tomato

and of course

apricot yoghurt

there is always apricot yoghurt

every so often, something different

but

it never tastes just right

she places it all in front of her

holds her coffee cup in both hands

takes a sip

the first drink

and sets the coffee cup on the table

or floor, wherever she decides to place herself

because she can

she picks up her fork to eat

now the day can begin

She plays solitaire

shops alone

travels alone

comfortable with the company of herself

"times are a- changing"

she smiles and

looks to the sun 

"thank you" 

Michael Children's Village: Joy

"In me, in you. Orphans, kingdoms Wide eyes and paper crowns.Time will hold us, Time eroders .We're wrinkling children now. 
              -Brook Fraser, Orphan's, Kingdoms"

As you fill my heart with gladness

and pour out your unabounding love

you reveal

you restore

you're people

are overtaken by you. 

and I am left in awe

of the wonder of you 

majesty

healer

ruler 

friend

above all,

My God

you are 

[.love.]

Michael Children's Village. You are a place that is covered with joy. You are a place that is armed with healing. You are a place that is flowing with restoration.  Your dwelling is laced with beauty and holds the heart of the father. I'm beyond blessed.

Two years ago MCV was just a framework. There were no children roaming the property and no house parents to take care of the children that  now run around with white-toothed smiles and constant laughter.  Two years ago, Jean and Teisa Nicole were asked to take apart of this vision and run wild with it. Two years ago, I and a few others had the opportunity to take part in the vision and physically see results. From painting the houses, from home visits, to actually stay on the property and praying that the God of Peace continues to roam freely there and that spirit of safety will be within the outline of the place and in the homes.

Now, the place has been up and running for almost 2 years and I had the opportunity to go back. It was so great to actually see how far MCV has come. 

This place is joy even with all of the bad that surrounds these kids lives, internal and external.

One day, Kasia (a girl that stays at MCV) and I were sitting in the Visitor center doing who knows what and hear a knock at the door. Which is nothing out of the ordinary. Kasia answers the door and immediately dies laughing. 

I rush to the door to find these two boys dancing away. They had taken palm brances for the trees and were tribal dancing, or their version of tribal dancing. Although Kasia and I encouraged them to take the shirts of to be more "ethnic." I laughed for quite a while and it this set the setting for the week. 

more stories to come.

Photo Project: Spring

Sorry guys for failing at blogging lately, I've been out of commission with internet. My trusty blackberry was the only thing that kept me somewhat in the loop with the outside world. That's a whole another story.  That will be shared in due time. But first thing is first.

So, these photo projects. I was totally for them at the beginning but then I realized it a task. One that I need to be involved with. The last few themes, as great as they are, I've been having difficulty actually executing them. 

Without further adieu, I share with you. 

Josslyn. 

This little one year old has personality. One that produces mounds of joy and laughter. Love her. 

She is the definition of spring. At least my version of it. She is bubbly and she keeps you on your toes.

 

 

Today, I'm feeling rather giddly. Maybe it's the loads of caffeine I've already had. Or the REAL coffee I actually had, and not the instant crap "goodness." Or maybe caffeine is just my excuse. 

:)