The current phase on baby Indjamba’s path to potty training is him stepping through the door from inside the main house onto the small brick landing at the home’s entrance, usually pants off but shirt on, and arriving at the bricks’ edges, taking a leak in the sand. His form is perfect. Back straight, head… Continue reading Learning to go
Mvhura tazi roko- probably one of my favorite sentences in Rukwangali. Directly translated it is kind of weird; it's like saying the rain is raining, but direct translations aren't always the best, so let's just say it means that it's raining. There is nothing particularly beautiful about the way it hits my ears or rolls… Continue reading Mvhura (Rain/Year)
This Facebook post seemed to resonate with a lot of people, so I decided to post it here as well. I am having one of those feel like being honest reality check moments. This is for those of us that have or have had romanticized views on serving in the Peace Corps, or volunteering abroad… Continue reading It’s the small things…I guess?
I’ve always loved to cook. As soon as my eyes could peek over the stove top I was cooking simple things: scrambled eggs, grilled cheese, toast, etc.. Part of this was from the necessity created by growing up in a single parent household, but the other part was a strong appreciation for good cooking, an… Continue reading Meals From Mpungu
So much has happened since my last blog post, and since I waited so long, it is difficult to summarize it all in a way that captures the essence of my holiday season and captivates the reader at the same time. But since I feel like an update is long overdue, and I find myself… Continue reading Holidays in Namibia
One thing that has to be consistent for all Peace Corps volunteers, despite country or sector of service, is that we get pretty dang creative with the limited resources “we are having.” (inside joke for my fellow volunteers in Namibia) The movie Friday always comes to mind when I think about this. The scene I… Continue reading Put Some Water On IT
Inequality kills is pretty harsh language, so in order for it to be true I think it has to be established that life for the poor is also harsh - so harsh, that being poor is not only life altering but life threatening. There are many ways to enter into poverty. One way is to… Continue reading Does Inequality Kill? Part Three
In this section I will explore whether inequality is unavoidable in a capitalist economy. It turns out, for me anyway, that concluding inequality is somehow an inevitable outcome in a capitalist society is quite challenging. It is difficult because the exchange of goods and services for money doesn’t operate outside of public policy and societal… Continue reading Does Inequality Kill? Part Two
(From my old website: relevant now as I am reposting on my 33rd birthday) Have you ever heard someone profess that their thirties was the best decade of their lives? I know I haven’t. People regularly tell stories about their childhood, high school and college years, and then something strange happens - people all of sudden turn… Continue reading Thirties Questions: Just a Few
(This was posted in my old blog and I finally tracked it down. The issue of inequality hasn't gone away, so I will be posting all three parts of this piece on this website as well.) This will be a three part blog exploring a claim made in the Pope’s most recent Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium. In chapter… Continue reading Does Inequality Kill? Part One
