Ok, so... I worked a lot in Djibouti. Like a LOT. so... I'm sorry for the post-dated updates, but want to make them before I forget all about the trip.
But the days were sunny early (like 6am and sunlight was streaming through my window). But at 4:30 it was already getting dark. But it didn't matter too much because it just made the air cooler. If I could live in early November Djiboutian weather constantly - that would be great. It was dry and warm and and great. I had to walk about 3/4 of a mile to get to the dining hall and I tried to do that as often as I could. I also got my fair share of good Starbucks Cinnamon Dulce coffee (perks of being on a US base!).
The people there were great. It was a camaraderie, although I would struggle a whole lot with being gone for long periods of time.
Let's talk about the two times I got off base.
The first time was random. It was unexpected. I was literally blindsided and told we were going on a drive. I had nothing (not even my cell phone for pictures). We went through all the security to get out into the country. We turned left out of the main gate, and down the main stretch out of the city. There is trash lined up all over each side of the road, and cars whiz by on your left or on your right. There are no speed limits and there are no traffic laws. It's pretty much your own risk if you chose to drive in Djibouti. And the ongoing joke is that a cab ride in Djibouti would be the ride of your life... probably even the last one.
The trash started appearing farther from the road and I got to see the village of Dooba, Grand Dooba, and Little Dooba. The villages were made of hundreds and thousands of shanties made from sheets and sticks. Just past the Dooba villages was a booth and three men with guns. We stopped, the guys looked in our car, and waived us through. Ross then told me we went through Somalian checkpoint #1. We drove a little further and saw a major fire on a hill on the left with a fire on it. Apparently it was the Djiboutian landfill. I am still not sure where all the trash came from, but it COVERED the mountain. We continued driving and passed another booth - Somalian checkpoint #2. I was then told that the next Somalian checkpoint would be entering into Somalia, and that was NOT going to happen since I was an American woman. Eeeesh! But before the third checkpoint there was a golf course on the right side of the road. And when I say golf course, I hope you are not picturing rolling green hills and man made lakes and a country club. This was a 9 hold golf course with holes dug into the tough dry dirt for the balls.
On the left hand side just past the golf course was the Cheetah and Wildlife refuge. Ross took me there and we went in to see everything. Out front there was a camel and an ostrich in pen's (like metal wire fences about 10 feet high that you might keep a dog in). We went in and saw baboons, a male and female lion, and cheetahs. (all behind the same type of fence mentioned above). We then went into this walking section, and got to walk with other types of animals. I got to walk along an ostrich (I would say it was probably about 7 feet tall!), a Wildabeast (yes, like from the lion king!), and a zebra (which I got to pet). It was REALLY cool. I was surprised by how small cheetahs and zebras actually are. There was also a hyena there - and maaaaaaaaaaaan are they ugly!!
And since it's late, I will have to wait for the 2nd outing. Sorry!
Chronicles of a Fake Grown-Up
Showing posts with label adventure. Show all posts
Showing posts with label adventure. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Plans...?
There is this song I heard for the first time when I did summer staff with Younglife at SharpTop in Georgia. The song was written by a man who lost his 4 year old child, lost his home and fortune in the Great Chicago Fire, then sent his family on a boat to Europe and the boat sank and his four daughters all died.
It is a terrible story, but after this, the author creates this beautiful song called 'It is well with my soul.'
It is a beautiful point when you come through a struggle and can look up at a Holy Creator, and honestly profess that it is well with our souls.
But it is also good to have that peaceful contentment and honesty even when we are not going through tumultuous waters.
Things haven't been perfect, but they have been well. And I love that I can say that, and say that I am abundantly full with feelings of contentment, excitement, joy, peace, and fervor for what is coming up next for me :-)
I have great friends, fellowship, and family, (and most times a great job) and can not wait to be completely enthralled with them all over the next few weeks.
Ok, and so let me also add in here about my most recent obsession. You have heard me talking about running the Philadelphia Rock'n'Roll 1/2 Marathon in September, and you may even recall reading about getting a personal trainer. But I have also changed my diet in the last few weeks. Specifically changed it to incorporate more of the yummy healthy stuff and less of the heavy junky stuff.
However, this past weekend was so difficult for me. I went to Younglife's Northbay Camp in northeastern MD and we spent the weekend serving. (Pictures and stories to follow shortly - I promise!) But we had Younglife food. And if you've never had Younglife camp food before let me tell you - they give kids what kids want. Cake, fried food, greasy food, pizza, baked goods, pretty much everything that will make a grown woman's thighs double in size just by thinking about it.
But as I came home on Sunday, I was feeling pretty icky. I thought at first maybe I was just tired, but the more upset my stomach got, the more I realized my body was more or less revolting from all the junk I consumed last weekend. It was terrible at the time, but it is really refreshing to know that even my body is jumping on board with this whole healthy lifestyle thing. Like the thought of brown rice and steamed broccoli for dinner beats some boneless buffalo wings by a mile these days!
Needless to say, that my smoothies, salad, over indulgence in water, and roasted asparagus for dinner last night combined with my nice 3.5 mile run (at a 10 min pace - YEA!!) was a welcome feeling after beating up my body all weekend. Phils game tonight and one-hour-major-butt-kicking-session with Allison tomorrow!
It is a terrible story, but after this, the author creates this beautiful song called 'It is well with my soul.'
It is a beautiful point when you come through a struggle and can look up at a Holy Creator, and honestly profess that it is well with our souls.
But it is also good to have that peaceful contentment and honesty even when we are not going through tumultuous waters.
I am excited for the future of Younglife at my high school, and my great high school friends.
I am excited that a bunch of them are going to camp for a whole week to have a great time and get to know God more closely.
I am excited for a Wegman's date with Emily on Saturday.
I am excited for the Derwood Bible Church softball team to start the season on Saturday.
I am excited for the Phillies v. Nationals game tonight - even though the weather is a bit icky.
I am excited for new friendships, relationships, and just getting to know the heart of people.
I am excited for my family to visit next weekend for Easter.
I am excited for skydiving in 2 months!!
I am excited for my return to social networking.
I am excited for the results I've been seeing with my personal trainer.
I am excited for my trip to Texas 2 weeks from tomorrow!!
I am excited to see old friends, and explore new places.
I am excited to move into the Ashley house in May.
I am excited for the new opportunties that are coming at work.
Things haven't been perfect, but they have been well. And I love that I can say that, and say that I am abundantly full with feelings of contentment, excitement, joy, peace, and fervor for what is coming up next for me :-)
I have great friends, fellowship, and family, (and most times a great job) and can not wait to be completely enthralled with them all over the next few weeks.
Ok, and so let me also add in here about my most recent obsession. You have heard me talking about running the Philadelphia Rock'n'Roll 1/2 Marathon in September, and you may even recall reading about getting a personal trainer. But I have also changed my diet in the last few weeks. Specifically changed it to incorporate more of the yummy healthy stuff and less of the heavy junky stuff.
However, this past weekend was so difficult for me. I went to Younglife's Northbay Camp in northeastern MD and we spent the weekend serving. (Pictures and stories to follow shortly - I promise!) But we had Younglife food. And if you've never had Younglife camp food before let me tell you - they give kids what kids want. Cake, fried food, greasy food, pizza, baked goods, pretty much everything that will make a grown woman's thighs double in size just by thinking about it.
But as I came home on Sunday, I was feeling pretty icky. I thought at first maybe I was just tired, but the more upset my stomach got, the more I realized my body was more or less revolting from all the junk I consumed last weekend. It was terrible at the time, but it is really refreshing to know that even my body is jumping on board with this whole healthy lifestyle thing. Like the thought of brown rice and steamed broccoli for dinner beats some boneless buffalo wings by a mile these days!
Needless to say, that my smoothies, salad, over indulgence in water, and roasted asparagus for dinner last night combined with my nice 3.5 mile run (at a 10 min pace - YEA!!) was a welcome feeling after beating up my body all weekend. Phils game tonight and one-hour-major-butt-kicking-session with Allison tomorrow!
Thursday, January 14, 2010
favorite things and dreams
I blogged a few months ago about one of my favorite things in the world... lilies.
Today I would like to blog about something else that I love just as much. Pearls.
I think pearls are beautiful and classy and they come in all types of colors and sizes. They are formed throughout a long and painful process once the sand gets into the oyster. They are unique and original in each beautifully and naturally crafted pearl. They represent purity and beauty. They are of great value, and are the focus of my favorite parable in which a merchant sells everything he has to buy one.
Nothing makes me feel quite as beautiful as pearls, and nothing makes me happier to put on my neck, ears, or wrist. I love the beautiful texture, and it reminds me how in every way I can be beautiful and flawless, and refined to perfection once I find myself in the craftmanship and care of my oyster.
See that pearl bracelet on my wrist? That was my christmas gift from my mom and dad. This is the single most beautiful piece of jewlery that I have ever owned, and this gift almost brought tears to my eyes.
On to other things I love, my OJ (again with the nicknames) and I developed a list of adventures to go on. Some may know this as a bucket list, or a list of things to do before I die, but I just like to look at it as 50 adventures and challenges that I can conquer. So, in no particular order, here is my list of my 50 challenges:
Random thoughts, but all things that make me happy, and that I am very excited to check off slowly.
Today I would like to blog about something else that I love just as much. Pearls.
I think pearls are beautiful and classy and they come in all types of colors and sizes. They are formed throughout a long and painful process once the sand gets into the oyster. They are unique and original in each beautifully and naturally crafted pearl. They represent purity and beauty. They are of great value, and are the focus of my favorite parable in which a merchant sells everything he has to buy one.
Nothing makes me feel quite as beautiful as pearls, and nothing makes me happier to put on my neck, ears, or wrist. I love the beautiful texture, and it reminds me how in every way I can be beautiful and flawless, and refined to perfection once I find myself in the craftmanship and care of my oyster.
See that pearl bracelet on my wrist? That was my christmas gift from my mom and dad. This is the single most beautiful piece of jewlery that I have ever owned, and this gift almost brought tears to my eyes.On to other things I love, my OJ (again with the nicknames) and I developed a list of adventures to go on. Some may know this as a bucket list, or a list of things to do before I die, but I just like to look at it as 50 adventures and challenges that I can conquer. So, in no particular order, here is my list of my 50 challenges:
1- Ride an elephant in the Jungle (Indonesia)
2- Skydiving
3- Missions trip in a foreign country
4- Hike to the peak of a mountain
5- Take a sailing trip
6- Go on a cross country road trip
7- Learn to drive stick shift
8- Kentucky Derby with a big hat
9- Ice skate at Rockefeller at Christmas
10- Ride on the back of a motorcycle
11- Give everything I have to someone (can be everything I can give, everything I have at that moment… I’ll know when it happens)
12- White Water raft on the CO River
13- Run a ½ marathon OR do a sprint triathlon
14- Worship with a different culture
15- Dance freely in front of at least 10 people
16- Take a helicopter ride
17- Go rock climbing
18- See the Northen Lights
19- Visit and explore Rio de Janerio
20- See Victoria Falls
21- Visit all 50 states
22- Ride the biggest roller coaster in the US
23- Make my own wine
24- Read all 100 books (I have a list of 100 books to read)
25- Not be in control
26- Spend a weekend, just me and God
27- Do God’s will, not my own
28- Help build a habitat for humanity home
29- Spend Christmas at a shelter
30- Make a difference in someone’s life
31- Write and publish a book
32- Watch the 50 Greatest American Movies of all time
33- Be a loving mother and wife
34- Go on a safari
35- Spend mornings with my husband and coffee on the porch
36- Attend a professional tennis tournament
37- Act ridiculous
38- Live in the now
39- Start a collection of willow angels
40- Watch the mummers parade – live
41- Send my parents to a YL camp as adult guests
42- Drop everything to help someone
43- Have a life changing conversation with someone about faith
44- Go back to school
45- Stand out of the sunroof of a moving car
46- Grow a garden
47- Sleep under the stars
48- Build or fix something
49- Explore the beaches & ocean of Australia
50- Surf in the Pacific
Random thoughts, but all things that make me happy, and that I am very excited to check off slowly.
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