Day thirty-one.

A sheet of ice landed over Manhattan last night, so today's classes were canceled (a rare occurrence!) My family walked (or slid) down to Panera early in the morning to eat some bagels.

While doing some homework, I listened to one of my favorite podcasts on NPR called Radiolab. "In this episode, Radiolab steers its way through a series of stories about getting lost, and asks how our brains, and our hearts, help us find our way back home." I thought the entire segment very interesting, but I would especially recommend listening to the last bit called Finding Emilie. A truly unique and inspiring story.

Day thirty.

This is from tonight's weekly Ichthus dinner where we had some tasty enchiladas. I'm very thankful to be part of this group of people.

Day twenty-nine.

Before I forget,

I sat in as my sister interviewed her elderly friend for a class project called, "Life in review." I sometimes forget how interesting & beneficial it is to listen to older people share their stories. This 93 year old woman has lived through the Kansas dust bowl, great depression, wars. And has felt the pain of losing a brother.

Katie asked if she had a secret to her happiness. Her answer, "why be sad?"

And, what tips would you give to stay happy?

"Stay busy, play cards."


Happy Kansas Day.

Day twenty-eight.

I purchased a hot dog with sweet sauce, mustard & ketchup from this vendor. He explained that he's an attorney, but enjoys selling hot dogs on the side to shake things up a bit--especially on sunny days like today. Since the weather was so great, I went for a walk and started my 'walk to run progression program.' Walk for 5 minutes, jog for 1 minute, and repeat 5 times. The sun was setting as I reached my turn-around point. That, and being able to move faster than walking-speed (even with a limp), felt wonderful.

Day twenty-seven.

Sunrise doesn't last all morning, a cloudburst doesn't last all day.

7:00 AM, my mornings are full of color.

Day twenty-six.

The art history class that I'm in takes place in a lecture hall of 300 or more students. It's my last class of the day, and because it's so humongous, I thought I'd take a picture.
SO,

after "discretely" capturing my photo while sitting in the back, my professor (who I thought was intimidating even before today) stopped his lecturing and asked, "Who just took a picture?" I raised my hand, and of course, my face reddened immediately. I didn't use flash for this reason!

He then walked up the center aisle and asked why I would do this. I said I wanted a picture of the class because I had never been in one so large.
He chuckled, walked back to his podium and said, "I can do that, too." Right then he pulled out his phone and took a picture of his 300 students from where he stood. Then he said, "You guys think I don't pay attention, but I do."

No kidding.

There's the run-down of today's photo moment. An embarrassing one, but at least it makes for an interesting caption.

Day twenty-five.

January 25, 2011

When it's chilly outside, like today, I drink plenty of tea, hot chocolate, and coffee.

Day twenty-four.

Okay, it's been a few days.


January 24, 2011



My mom and I went to the pool tonight (Monday). It was some nice theraputic relief on my foot--not to mention, probably the most energy I've exerted in 2 months.
I would have taken a picture of the pool, but I forgot my camera at home.

Before bed I broke out my new sticks of charcoal and sketched a drawing of my feet. I believe I have some obsession with hands & feet, since I seem to draw and take pictures of them often.

Day twenty-three.

I'm in my church's handbell choir, and today we played some tunes during the service. This is one of my favorite things to do during the week, which sounds really nerdy, but I like it. Each person plays a series of bells, and when they all come together it sounds harmonious & lovely.

Day twenty-two.

I work at a group home with a neat bunch of guys. Each of them have their own quirks and attitudes. Today we had the opportunity to go to a women's basketball game. KSU vs. Nebraska. It was a fun game to watch, and the home team won, 64 to 37 I think.

Tonight, a few of my friends and I saw The Social Network. I thought it was a good movie, but I don't understand business & investment very well, which is a lot of what creating Facebook and social networks are about, I guess. Still, it was fascinating to see that all come together.

Day twenty-one.

I'm tired, but I'm going to upload yesterday and today's pictures.

Friday, January 21, 2011 was a stressful day. My car was getting repaired for the 2nd time this week, so I needed to find some rides. I went to my astronomy class and then to work. While driving the company's 12 passenger van, I backed into a mailbox--which added to the stress. But in all, yesterday was good. Sometimes I just have to take a chill-pill. Toward the end of the night I read something about Orion.

Day twenty.

Today's picture is the Drawing I studio classroom. In class we gathered around a still life and sketched for a while.


In other news, my left foot is in a real shoe! Today I visited the orthopedic doctor to do more x-rays on my ankle. She said it's not healing as fast as she hoped or expected, which is a bummer--but she allowed me to ditch the cast.
Through this whole broken ankle journey I've learned:
-the names of some bones in my leg
-that our bodies have amazing healing mechanisms
-to give thanks for the little things I typically take for granted
-patience.

Day nineteen.

It snowed all day today.

I sort of regretted this moment, mostly because of this boot I have to walk in. But it was nice to watch the snow fall.

Day eighteen.

Spring semester classes began today. I'm officially a K-Stater! And I'm very excited to be taking art courses. It was dark outside and snowing after my last class, which felt kind of eerie. I believe a snow shower is on its way!

Day seventeen.

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." Words of truth by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.


For MLK day, my mother and I volunteered at the Art Center in town. A group of us put together this platform for future plays and then painted it black.

Day sixteen.

It was a sleepy day.

Katie captured the moment.

Day fifteen.

This morning my parents and I went out for breakfast. It's good to be back, but it does feel strange. I still imagine people walking the streets of Fond-des-Blancs, carrying water on their heads. My mind can't really wrap itself around the idea that things are still the same and circumstances over there will be the same for a while.

I hope to treasure up these memories and ponder them in my heart. Over time, I'm sure this experience will reveal itself in new ways.

Day fourteen.

Friday, January 14, 2011
Home sweet home. Everything is covered in snow, which is strange and slightly disappointing after sunny, 80 degree days.

One of the first things I did when I got home was eat a bowl of granola cereal with cold milk. I think being without my everyday comforts made it seem like we were gone longer than 10 days. It was definitely good to see the fam again.

Day thirteen.

Haitian kindness.

Thursday, January 13, 2011
Today was our last day in Fond-des-Blancs. On our 4-hour trek to the airport, we somehow drove across a river but got stuck in the mud on our way out. Fortunately, there were men on the side of the road to help us out.

I broke my ankle in November and have been walking in an aircast for about 6 weeks. Before the trip to Haiti I was worried about how I'd manage on crutches, but I'm thankful it turned out okay. The aircast is annoying, and quite a sight to Haitian children--but it's been a blessing. I still know only a few words in Creole, but I did learn 'kase pye' to explain why I was wearing a silly boot.
Also, maneuvering myself on the Haitian roads may have acted as some sort of physical therapy, because my ankle feels awesome. I said adios to my crutches & gave them to the local clinic in FDB.

At the airport in Port-au-Prince I bought a cold can of 7up. So good.
This trip has made me realize how fortunate I am to have food, clean water, a hot shower, soap, electricity. I live a luxurious life here in Kansas.

Day twelve.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Today marked the one-year anniversary of the magnitude 7 earthquake that rocked the island of Haiti. In a matter of seconds, a quarter of a million people lost their lives in the rubble. As we could see driving through Port-au-Prince, there's still much destruction, minimal clean water & sanitation. Tent cities have become the norm.

It was an eye-opener to be in Haiti, especially during this time.
As a way to commemorate the earthquake catastrophe, a festival was held at L'exode. We each brought supplies from home to lead various stations: face painting, crafts, nail polish, soccer games, parachute fun, and launching of water balloons to top it all off. Around 500 preschool and elementary school students attended. I helped paint designs on faces--a memorable moment, indeed.

In the evening, a service was held in the marketplace. Again, we couldn't understand what was being said, but we sat with kiddos all around us and listened to a choir of students sing. A main speaker gave what sounded like intense message, and men who appeared to be earthquake survivors gave their testimonies.

Day eleven.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

I love it when the date is especially interesting, like 1-11-11.
Tuesday was our last day of work. This kitchen was built next to the church so that the women would have a place to cook meals. A crew of us did the framing and added walls earlier in the week. Today the tin roof was completed, and a few coats of paint were added to protect the wood.
The church is also a place for preschoolers and kindergartners to go to school, so they watched as we worked. They were an exceedingly adorable audience.

Day ten.

Monday, January 10, 2011

Another one of my favorite moments was ESL (English as a second language). Students who were about our age and older would typically come to the school to learn the language on computer programs. But because we were there for a few days, we played some games and carried on small conversations. I was impressed with their English-speaking skills.

We asked them if they would consider visiting America. Some said they would, and others replied, no because they're happy here in Haiti. For some reason I had imagined Haiti to be full of brokenness and miserable people. Yes, Haiti is poverty-stricken and full of destruction--but it is still beautiful. The people are beautiful, naturally. And the land is lush, green, and beautiful. I could see why they'd want to stay.

Day nine.

Sunday, January 9, 2011
My first 3-hour church service experience in Creole. The language barrier definitely made things rough. Yet, it was neat to hear people sing and speak with excitement. We recognized the tune of certain hymns like "Nothing But the Blood", and sang along in English.

Day eight.

Saturday, January 8, 2011

We went to the beach after doing some light work in the morning. It was only 10 miles away, but it took an hour of driving due to the rough terrain.
I was able to take my aircast boot off and walk along the sand. Felt so good.

Haitians gathered around and watched us throw frisbees & lay our white bodies under the sun. We were quite a spectacle. One of the boys there showed us a live sea urchin he found.

Day seven.

Friday, January 7, 2011

In Haiti the roosters crow starting at 4 or 5 AM. Animal noises, motorcycle beeps, and colorful caravans (which I learned are called "tap-taps"), would keep us in and out of sleep.
Friday morning it was nice to wake up to the sound of rain, which they said doesn't happen too often. That day we went to the market.

Later on a few of us ladies from the group visited Jean & Joy's home. They have lived in Haiti for almost 30 years. We sat on top of their roof where Joy likes to watch the sun set, and listened to her tell stories about their lives in Haiti. This was one of my favorite moments in Fond-des-Blancs.

Day six.

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Fond-des-Blancs is about 80 miles from the capital, but it took about 4 hours of driving to get here.
We primarily worked at L'exode, the elementary school in town set up by Jean & Joy, the missionaries we worked with. Thursday we stacked donated library books on shelves and helped teach an art class with oil pastels and water colors.

Day five.

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Spent Tuesday night in the Ft. Lauderdale airport and flew out of Florida around 6 AM. The flight to Port-au-Prince was 2-ish hours.
Arriving in Haiti was like landing on a different planet. Nothing that I have yet seen compares to driving through Port-au-Prince. Choas & poverty to the extreme.

Day four.

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Our group of 30 students and leaders began our departure to Fond-des-Blancs, Haiti. After checking in our luggage, we were informed American Airlines imposed an embargo on over-sized baggage going to Haiti. It was a mad rush in the airport to transfer all of the school supplies and building materials that were in these blue tubs into regular suitcases. I don't quite understand the point of this embargo, but I know it's hindering. Thankfully, it worked out and our supplies made it to Haiti.

Day three.

Cereal, fruit, nuts, tuna, granola bars. Eight days of dry, packaged food. Tomorrow I leave for Haiti with a group of students from Ichthus--a student ministry organization at Kansas State University.
Which means I won't post January 4-January 14th, but I'll be anxious to report back!

My dad reminded me that a broken foot is somewhat advantageous--you only have to pack one shoe. He helps me look on the bright side.

Day two.

My friends Brooke and Becca came over for some crafting. I love spending time with these two during our breaks.

Day one.

In 2010 a few of my friends decided to document each of their days with a photo. I thought it was neat to look back at them, and I like to take photos. So here I go!
I worked an overnight shift on new year's eve, but when I came home my loving parents poured me a glass of champagne. I have no specific resolutions for the new year, but it's exciting to start fresh & anticipate bigger and brighter things.
Happy 1-1-11!