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
Thursday, 31 October 2013
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.
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