Carpe Diem . . .

Almost like a scene from “Dead Poet’s Society” , the past few weeks have included moments of inspiration with the onset of a new school year, mini-moments of victories against insidious flying demons (mosquitoes . . . like about 3 ), more unintended medical safaris, and the ongoing payment of “The Normal Tax”.

Part 1 : School Begins.

And they love it.

So what’s the difference? Like their previous school they have great teachers, but here they have more time in Art, Science, and Music . . . and even dedicated rooms for these subjects. Additionally, they get more time outside for recess and PE . As a reformed teacher, it’s music to my ears to hear about a focus on project and inquiry-based learning. They are excited so far about their classes and new friends they are making.

Part 2: Flying demons (aka mosquitoes)

We forgot that we should care about these guys b/c in Nairobi they don’t carry malaria . . . but like many places, mosquitoes still seem to only fly between the hours of 10pm-6am with that awful whining noise that is right above ones just-about-r.e.m.-state-were-it-not-for-that-sound head. We tried ignoring it, we tried almost accidentally suffocating ourselves under the blankets (that was just me) in an attempt to really thwart them, we tried several attempts at makeshift mosquito net arrangements that only ended up smothering one or both of us, and now we finally have a solution that works. thanks to Tony. So last night we slept.

Part 3: Medical Safaris revisited again

We’ll keep this short and without any pictures: bacterial infections are not a dieting solution. Thankfully we live in an area with access to great medical care and provision of antibiotics. The safaris continue.

Part 4 : The Normal Tax

Even if one has traveled to Nairobi oodles of time, stating the obvious, it still is different getting settled here. I call it the “Normal Tax” the price one pays to get back to whatever normal is for themselves. It’s not a whining tax , which would be more of a bemoaning all things different. Instead, it’s just figuring out how to get adjusted to a new rhythm and routine. There are so many good things about this: like asking questions, being surprised, learning new things, and adapting along the way. The only downside is the test to one’s patience and assumptions. Coming from a place of massive privilege, maybe that’s not such a downside after all.