so i decided to start a new blog for my worldwide adventures....aka outside of Kenya
check it out here:
www.kickitwithkatty.blogspot.com
don't forget to smile today :)
Tuesday, 15 April 2014
Tuesday, 12 November 2013
Thursday, 7 November 2013
Adventure Time!!!
some updates on my trip to Kampala, Uganda. I went a few weeks ago to visit my friend Sarah who was working there!
16 hours on a bus ride: and there is The Nile River!
Things you learn on a 16 hours bus ride: patience, the roads in Kenya are much worse than in Uganda, going through the Uganda border at 5am is ridiculous, the drive is beautiful, and you can read a lot of Game of Thrones.
Here is one of the markets! It is SO MUCH less overwhelming than Nairobi's famous Masai Market- let me tell you. I did get some cool pants out of this trip.
casually doing a handstand at the Baha'i Temple- gorgeous view of Kampala and it's hills- I was then yelled at, "This is not a place for physics, but for meditation and prayer" whoops- guess I will have to stop doing "physics" - that gave us a good laugh.
Here is a panoramic view of the Baha'i Temple- It was truly beautiful.
If I were religious- I could dig this.
Some old cars at the palace.
I lost some of the photos I have from our trip to Lake Victoria- but I tried Nile Perch (which was actually delicious), and we did a boat ride around sunset on the lake, which was beautiful! Hopefully I can recover some of those photos from a friend.
Any who... since then I have been working with Fruitful and dealing with some both amazingly generous and great people as well as some just terrible soul-less creatures. I mean that in the nicest way. Unfortunately I had to meet some people who just don't care about, well, other human beings. Actually this was more fortunate than unfortunate. It was, yet again, another learning experience. Dealing with people who for some reason are working in the NGO/ development field with nothing behind them but their paycheck. I had to come across them eventually right? And now I know how to respectfully and rightfully deal with them. Time to move on ahead team.
Also my grad school applications are coming along slowly but surely. Anyone have any tips for writing a personal statement? You would figure since I love talking about myself so much a personal statement would come easily. But no sir (or mam). That is not the case. Alas another challenge to overcome in the next week or so.
Also a few friends and I went out for halloween! Which was a lot of fun, and went much later than I'm used to staying out. But we were the cast from Adventure Time! (cough cough- check out this posts' title), here's a photo of Princess Bublegum and Marceline:
ALSO A HUGE SHOUT OUT TO MY BABY SISTER FOR NOT ONLY GETTING INTO HER TOP CHOICE SCHOOL BUT GETTING A SCHOLARSHIP. I am so so so proud of you Erin! go celebrate for me! And I will buy you a mango juice to celebrate once you get here :)
Last but not least- the adventure's I am about to embark on.
I have been planning this for a few weeks now, but it's official I am traveling for three weeks!
I am starting off visiting Eliza (my roommate from last year, and one of my best friends), in Tanzania and am going to kick it with her around the rural parts for about 10 days.... then off to Kigali Rwanda for 5 days, onto Gisenyi for 5 days (solo travel- SO EXCITED)...then finally to Burundi where I'm meeting Andrew who I have met both in Nairobi and Kampala. Then I fly back to Nairobi late on the 8th of December. BOOM !
Then NOT ONLY THAT but the day after I get back, Kyle is coming to visit, so the plan is to go exploring around Kenya, and I'll finally get to see Hells Gate and hang around Naivasha.
So basically I have an incredible few weeks ahead of me- If I ever get my grad apps finished that is.
I won't have internet in Tanzania but once I'm in Rwanda I should have time to post an update or two.
I could not be happier right now, I'm so glad I decided to take a year off and volunteer and travel. In the spirit of Turkey Day (which- I will celebrate while i'm in Rwanda)- I am thankful for the opportunity to work and travel and having the most supportive friends and family anyone could ever ask for.
don't forget to smile today :)
16 hours on a bus ride: and there is The Nile River!
Things you learn on a 16 hours bus ride: patience, the roads in Kenya are much worse than in Uganda, going through the Uganda border at 5am is ridiculous, the drive is beautiful, and you can read a lot of Game of Thrones.
Here is one of the markets! It is SO MUCH less overwhelming than Nairobi's famous Masai Market- let me tell you. I did get some cool pants out of this trip.
casually doing a handstand at the Baha'i Temple- gorgeous view of Kampala and it's hills- I was then yelled at, "This is not a place for physics, but for meditation and prayer" whoops- guess I will have to stop doing "physics" - that gave us a good laugh.
Here is a panoramic view of the Baha'i Temple- It was truly beautiful.
This is the King's Palace. I didn't realize Uganda had kingdoms still- and two parliaments! One for the government does political affairs and the kingdom's parliament deals with cultural and traditional affairs. Learn something new everyday!
If I were religious- I could dig this.
Some old cars at the palace.
Any who... since then I have been working with Fruitful and dealing with some both amazingly generous and great people as well as some just terrible soul-less creatures. I mean that in the nicest way. Unfortunately I had to meet some people who just don't care about, well, other human beings. Actually this was more fortunate than unfortunate. It was, yet again, another learning experience. Dealing with people who for some reason are working in the NGO/ development field with nothing behind them but their paycheck. I had to come across them eventually right? And now I know how to respectfully and rightfully deal with them. Time to move on ahead team.
Also my grad school applications are coming along slowly but surely. Anyone have any tips for writing a personal statement? You would figure since I love talking about myself so much a personal statement would come easily. But no sir (or mam). That is not the case. Alas another challenge to overcome in the next week or so.
Also a few friends and I went out for halloween! Which was a lot of fun, and went much later than I'm used to staying out. But we were the cast from Adventure Time! (cough cough- check out this posts' title), here's a photo of Princess Bublegum and Marceline:
ALSO A HUGE SHOUT OUT TO MY BABY SISTER FOR NOT ONLY GETTING INTO HER TOP CHOICE SCHOOL BUT GETTING A SCHOLARSHIP. I am so so so proud of you Erin! go celebrate for me! And I will buy you a mango juice to celebrate once you get here :)
Last but not least- the adventure's I am about to embark on.
I have been planning this for a few weeks now, but it's official I am traveling for three weeks!
I am starting off visiting Eliza (my roommate from last year, and one of my best friends), in Tanzania and am going to kick it with her around the rural parts for about 10 days.... then off to Kigali Rwanda for 5 days, onto Gisenyi for 5 days (solo travel- SO EXCITED)...then finally to Burundi where I'm meeting Andrew who I have met both in Nairobi and Kampala. Then I fly back to Nairobi late on the 8th of December. BOOM !
Then NOT ONLY THAT but the day after I get back, Kyle is coming to visit, so the plan is to go exploring around Kenya, and I'll finally get to see Hells Gate and hang around Naivasha.
So basically I have an incredible few weeks ahead of me- If I ever get my grad apps finished that is.
I won't have internet in Tanzania but once I'm in Rwanda I should have time to post an update or two.
I could not be happier right now, I'm so glad I decided to take a year off and volunteer and travel. In the spirit of Turkey Day (which- I will celebrate while i'm in Rwanda)- I am thankful for the opportunity to work and travel and having the most supportive friends and family anyone could ever ask for.
don't forget to smile today :)
Thursday, 31 October 2013
days like today,
remind me how fortunate I am to have such incredible people in my life.
Today was a roller coaster of emotions, one I don't think I've had in over two years. But at the end of the day everything came together.
More details to come once I'm not so emotionally/ physically drained.
But an ENORMOUS thanks is due to those who helped support NYA Kenya through social media, or a donation, or just gave me a word of encouragement when I was stressing.
Not only did NYA reach it's goal, but we raised more than the $2000! It could not have been done without my family, friends, and strangers. I am beyond humbled today because of that.
After one of the most frustrating days I've had- ever- this enormous goal was accomplished. I honestly cannot express any of my feelings currently with any english (or kiswahili) words.
So for now a simple thank you. thanks you for being yourselves. thank you for being wonderful.
and please, please, please- don't forget to smile today
<3 Katty
Today was a roller coaster of emotions, one I don't think I've had in over two years. But at the end of the day everything came together.
More details to come once I'm not so emotionally/ physically drained.
But an ENORMOUS thanks is due to those who helped support NYA Kenya through social media, or a donation, or just gave me a word of encouragement when I was stressing.
Not only did NYA reach it's goal, but we raised more than the $2000! It could not have been done without my family, friends, and strangers. I am beyond humbled today because of that.
After one of the most frustrating days I've had- ever- this enormous goal was accomplished. I honestly cannot express any of my feelings currently with any english (or kiswahili) words.
So for now a simple thank you. thanks you for being yourselves. thank you for being wonderful.
and please, please, please- don't forget to smile today
<3 Katty
Tuesday, 15 October 2013
So apparently I'm terrible at giving updates.
Sorry it has been so long! I forget that not everyone in my family is on facebook! So lets start with some fun photos.... then stories.
Rooftop view just outside city centre Nairobi
Most of the NYA Team with our certificate of registration and an INGO!!
(again trying to reach $2000, every dollar helps just as much as every share!)
https://fundly.com/network-for-youth-advocacy-kenya
www.facebook.com/NetworkforYouthAdvocacyKenya
www.twitter.com/NYA_Kenya
Maria (my roommate) and Ruben at Kwani? Open Mic night downtown. just being silly, mom I know you'd enjoy this one.
A view of city Centre Nairobi I took from a bar balcony.
Adam & Haron (neighbors) from Sarabi before their performance at Blankets & Wine (a day festival where you sit on blankets and drink lots of wine.... also we brought a picnic)
Roommates at Blankets & Wine! (Maria & Ian)
After Sarabi performed at Blankets & Wine
Some friends at Blankets & Wine! (and apparently red bull and mango juice)
Maria & I outside our house before Blankets & Wine
All the roommates together at Blankets & Wine!
Sorry all of the photos are from Blankets & Wine, I don't generally bring my camera unless there is an occasion... but once I upload my photos from the big camera there will be photos of animals and my kids performing acrobatics !
So I have been in Kenya officially 1 month. I have kept busy with fundraising for NYA Kenya as well as volunteering with Kibera Fruitful Talent center, helping to fundraise and also teaching gymnastics. I've had time to reconnect (and also run into- both figuratively and literally) old friends!
It's strange coming back somewhere after being gone a year. Especially if that somewhere is not where you grew up. Relationships change, people grow.... you think I would remember these things, but of course not. What I think I forgot the most about Nairobi is how much it smells. Like really terrible in a lot of places. I guess I was just used to it last time living here, I definitely am now again. But when I first arrived, damn I forgot about it- although I missed it terribly. I even told Maria I woke up one morning to the smell of garbage burning outside my window and had never felt happier, I was back.
Ok so now I sound mad, sniffing burning garbage and all... but it's the small things... right?
Any who.... I also have a lot of down time because I make my own work schedule, and a lot of it is done from home. This means that I am spending too much time in BuzzFeed (www.buzzfeed.com for those family members unaware) and reading Game of Thrones. I downloaded it onto my nook before I left luckily. I can't put it down when I pick it up, the other day I realized it was getting dark in the house I hadn't eaten anything because I was so caught up in the reading! Immediately made myself about 4 (slight exaggeration) servings of pasta and veggies once I realized how hungry I was.
SPEAKING OF FOOD. I've been so good on my no meat diet- by diet i mean I am trying to go vegetarian for health reasons (aka I have no idea what people put in meat anymore so I cut it out). I don't think I've ever eaten so many eggs... for protein or just because they're quick to cook. Except the other night after going out we stopped in town to get chicken I totally forgot I wasn't eating meat. But besides that I've been meat free. so HIGH FIVE! also no bacon dreams yet.
I've met most of the current AU students abroad, we all went out last weekend and had a great time! (well at least I had a great time... I can't actually speak for them, so for now lets just assume).
Oh I almost forgot! one of my lovely sorority sisters who is currently working in Kampala, Uganda came to visit Nairobi with a few friends so I was able to do some fun touristy things, see giraffes eat yummy food, etc. As a matter of fact I plan on going to visit her in Kampala this weekend! First trip outside of Nairobi ! I am actually really excited to go.... mom I know you want to go... and I promise one day we will!
to any friends back home reading this: THANK YOU for chatting with me via facebook or skype, while you still make me suffer from all your posts about #fallteur I hope everyone is dancing their pants off for me <3
ok so I am wrapping this up.... I promise I will post more photos once I get them uploaded.
don't forget to smile today.
Rooftop view just outside city centre Nairobi
Most of the NYA Team with our certificate of registration and an INGO!!
(again trying to reach $2000, every dollar helps just as much as every share!)
https://fundly.com/network-for-youth-advocacy-kenya
www.facebook.com/NetworkforYouthAdvocacyKenya
www.twitter.com/NYA_Kenya
Maria (my roommate) and Ruben at Kwani? Open Mic night downtown. just being silly, mom I know you'd enjoy this one.
A view of city Centre Nairobi I took from a bar balcony.
Adam & Haron (neighbors) from Sarabi before their performance at Blankets & Wine (a day festival where you sit on blankets and drink lots of wine.... also we brought a picnic)
Roommates at Blankets & Wine! (Maria & Ian)
After Sarabi performed at Blankets & Wine
Some friends at Blankets & Wine! (and apparently red bull and mango juice)
Maria & I outside our house before Blankets & Wine
All the roommates together at Blankets & Wine!
Sorry all of the photos are from Blankets & Wine, I don't generally bring my camera unless there is an occasion... but once I upload my photos from the big camera there will be photos of animals and my kids performing acrobatics !
So I have been in Kenya officially 1 month. I have kept busy with fundraising for NYA Kenya as well as volunteering with Kibera Fruitful Talent center, helping to fundraise and also teaching gymnastics. I've had time to reconnect (and also run into- both figuratively and literally) old friends!
It's strange coming back somewhere after being gone a year. Especially if that somewhere is not where you grew up. Relationships change, people grow.... you think I would remember these things, but of course not. What I think I forgot the most about Nairobi is how much it smells. Like really terrible in a lot of places. I guess I was just used to it last time living here, I definitely am now again. But when I first arrived, damn I forgot about it- although I missed it terribly. I even told Maria I woke up one morning to the smell of garbage burning outside my window and had never felt happier, I was back.
Ok so now I sound mad, sniffing burning garbage and all... but it's the small things... right?
Any who.... I also have a lot of down time because I make my own work schedule, and a lot of it is done from home. This means that I am spending too much time in BuzzFeed (www.buzzfeed.com for those family members unaware) and reading Game of Thrones. I downloaded it onto my nook before I left luckily. I can't put it down when I pick it up, the other day I realized it was getting dark in the house I hadn't eaten anything because I was so caught up in the reading! Immediately made myself about 4 (slight exaggeration) servings of pasta and veggies once I realized how hungry I was.
SPEAKING OF FOOD. I've been so good on my no meat diet- by diet i mean I am trying to go vegetarian for health reasons (aka I have no idea what people put in meat anymore so I cut it out). I don't think I've ever eaten so many eggs... for protein or just because they're quick to cook. Except the other night after going out we stopped in town to get chicken I totally forgot I wasn't eating meat. But besides that I've been meat free. so HIGH FIVE! also no bacon dreams yet.
I've met most of the current AU students abroad, we all went out last weekend and had a great time! (well at least I had a great time... I can't actually speak for them, so for now lets just assume).
Oh I almost forgot! one of my lovely sorority sisters who is currently working in Kampala, Uganda came to visit Nairobi with a few friends so I was able to do some fun touristy things, see giraffes eat yummy food, etc. As a matter of fact I plan on going to visit her in Kampala this weekend! First trip outside of Nairobi ! I am actually really excited to go.... mom I know you want to go... and I promise one day we will!
to any friends back home reading this: THANK YOU for chatting with me via facebook or skype, while you still make me suffer from all your posts about #fallteur I hope everyone is dancing their pants off for me <3
ok so I am wrapping this up.... I promise I will post more photos once I get them uploaded.
don't forget to smile today.
Tuesday, 17 September 2013
It's a big deal.
I'm so excited to announce Network for Youth Advocacy Kenya is starting to fundraise!!!!!
PLEASE WE APPRECIATE EVERY SINGLE DOLLAR AND EVERY SINGLE SHARE
please pass along this link, or give what you can, to help a great cause, that yours truly helped establish.
https://fundly.com/network-for-youth-advocacy-kenya
don't forget to smile today
The NYA Kenya group!
www.facebook.com/NetworkforYouthAdvocacy
www.twitter.com/NYA_Kenya
PLEASE WE APPRECIATE EVERY SINGLE DOLLAR AND EVERY SINGLE SHARE
please pass along this link, or give what you can, to help a great cause, that yours truly helped establish.
https://fundly.com/network-for-youth-advocacy-kenya
don't forget to smile today
The NYA Kenya group!
www.facebook.com/NetworkforYouthAdvocacy
www.twitter.com/NYA_Kenya
Monday, 16 September 2013
a few photos
you asked for photos! (ok, well, my mother did) so here they are... (PS these are photos from Barcelona.... also you can click on them to enlarge)
don't forget to smile today.
don't forget to smile today.
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