xmas and elections
December 29, 2007
hello all. christmas is over which i think is a good thing. this was the worst xmas ever, not that it was that bad but the previous 21 were soo good. elections were the 27th, but the results of the presidential election are not out yet, should be later today. peace corps will nto let us leave our sites until january 1st, or later. i would be lying if i said i wasn’t nervous about the state of kenya. there is violence, none near my site, and i doubt there will be, but after the president is announced i think many places will get hot. so don’t worry about me, but worry about the normal kenyan who feels the need to go to the city or to a rally today…pray for peace.
in better news. i had two other volunteers visit for xmas and its was nice to see other “mzungu”s. we enjoyed our time although at no point did it quite feel like christmas. i wish it were snowing here, i know it is in CT, but here its just hot, always hot. anyway. i am well, excited for school to begin, jan 7. and i will talk to you all later. love you all. bob
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1.
Jesse | December 29, 2007 at 4:37 pm
Hey man. Glad to hear from you. Brian and I were talking like 2 days ago about how we don’t know how to get in touch. Glad to hear you’re doing well overall.
So digestive problems eh..? What’s that like nothing but Taco Bell for a week? I’m sure you’ll power through.
The weekend before christmas, all the PCers got together just to catch up. It was fun but not quite the same without you and Ian.
He’s gonna be staying in china until after the olympics. He got a job catering for the US team.
Good luck when school starts man,
jesse
2.
Gianni | December 30, 2007 at 11:23 pm
Hey Bob…good to see another update. I know how you feel about the Holidays and being so far away from home. In retrospect, if there was one thing I learned about being away, it was how much I seemed to take for granted that every X Mas, I would be in CT with the family. It’s rather humbling (as I’m sure you’ve found) At any rate, the time seems to be flying by…seems like just yesterday it was your party, and a keg was finished, and Pooch managed to impale herself while walking.
I am sure you’ve heard about our problem dog (oh wait, I talked to you over X Mas) She’s doing fine and seems completely oblivious to the fact that she nearly off-ed herself. It’s raining tonight, and it still feels like summer (though not as much as in Kenya I’m sure) The temp. around here this time of year averages about 50 degrees, making it very uncomfortable and cold for your local Hampton Roads local, who think water freezes at that temp. When I dress in shorts this time of year I seem to get called a “Yankeh” more and more.
Alright, take care, write more when you can, etc. etc. Most of all stay safe and happy. We’ll be praying for you as always.
Ciao,
Gianni
3.
Mom | December 31, 2007 at 12:14 am
Hi Bob-
I would be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous about where you are. Please keep us posted and stay with the others. I have been reading up on the elections and although your area seems safe, there are really no safe areas there right now. Please be careful…We love you and know that you always lead with your heart…please remember to use your head as well. In the meantime, you are in my prayers. I know your strengths both physically and spiritually…don’t forget to use them wisely. Be safe…Love, Mom
4.
Danimal | December 31, 2007 at 5:18 am
Hey Bobbo,
I wanted to wish you a Happy New Years. I hate to spend this holiday without you. Please be safe, we are all thinking about you and praying for you.
PS: Are you sure you should be teaching math? You’ve had 22 Christmas’s before this one, not 21. (this was your 23rd, old man)
Love Danimal
5.
Eileen | December 31, 2007 at 3:37 pm
Hi, Bob! After just reading the news reports about the after-election troubles, I must say I said a quick prayer for your safety. I hope order is restored there soon; in the meantime, know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. Rich and I are at the Cape this weekend…we’ll toast in the New Year here…probably before midnight, though! I hope you have a great 2008 pursuing your dream to teach over there. Be safe…take care! love, Eileen
6.
Mary | January 1, 2008 at 4:25 pm
Happy New Year Bob! Did you celebrate by watching Ryan Seacrest and Dick Clark in Times Square? hahahaha Just joking of course
Don’t worry you didn’t miss anything exciting… the ball still “dropped” same as always! We celebrated by sitting at home and watching episodes of the Sopranos… it was a quiet night but still nice. Today is a beautiful day, we went to the beach with the dog and then went running.
Know that you are in our prayers and hope that things get better in Kenya. I know that things are crazy right now but maybe we can talk to you one of these weekends… Santa brought us an international phone card! I will email you first though…
Enjoy the start of 2008! Love you lots!
Mary xoxo
7.
Barb Labadie | January 2, 2008 at 12:28 am
Hi Bob,
Happy 2008. You are, as always, in our thoughts and prayers, but with a special emphasis on the state of politics in Kenya. Praying for your safety and the safe of all who surround you seems like such a small thing, but we are helpless to do more. I kow that Papa and God are watching over you.
In the meantime, your folks are beside themselves with worry. Keep in touch with them as best you can, and know that you have a whole league of people who love you, who are praying for Safety and peace in Kenya. Love, Barb & Tom
8.
Sandy (Solomon) Rolfe | January 2, 2008 at 9:37 pm
Hey Bob- It’s Mary’s friend and former roommate Sandy. Mary passed on your link so I thought I would check it out and see how you were doing with all the violence going on in Kenya the last few days. I use to live in Arusha (which is about 130 miles from where you are) and I have friends there and in Moshi (where Kilimanjaro is) so if you need anything please let me know and I can give you their info. We also have friends in Kenya but they are out in Nakuru and in Kisumu so that isn’t very close to where you are. If you need anything please let me know ok!
I can totally relate to your “not feeling like it’s Christmas”. I was there from about September to January so not as long as your stay will be but still a decent amount of time. I always thought it was funny that you would hear christmas music about it being a white christmas while you are sweating and the people listening to the music haven’t ever seen snow up close.
I love the culture of Kenya and Tanzania and the language. Phil (my new husband) and I hope to come back to Kenya/Tanazania sometime in the next year so I’ll be in touch with you about that since it would be great to see you.
Let me know if you ever have any questions or grips (I know I struggled at times with the culture since it is so different than ours in the US and it seemed like no one at home could relate!)
Good luck with your kiswahili classes! It’s such a fun language! My favorite word is hot pepper or pili pili ho ho! So ridiculous!
Anyways be safe and know that we’ll be praying for our good Lord to keep you safe while you are there! Have some ugali for me and I hope to talk to you soon. Here is my email address:
sandyrolfe@gmail.com
Take care and God Bless!
Sandy
9.
Eileen | January 3, 2008 at 1:52 pm
good morning, Bob! I was watching the news here, and thought I would let you know I am thinking about you, and praying for a peaceful resolution to the unrest over there. Stay safe…we love you! Eileen
10.
Barb Labadie | January 6, 2008 at 5:48 pm
Hey there Bob!
‘Hope that all is simmering down a bit there, and that you and your friends are safe. You should be proud of the choices you have made and the man you have become, as we all are.
I have been watching the news and reading a great deal of what is happening in your world. Funny, It looks like Detroit to me…
Be safe and know that we are praying for you and your freinds and cheering you on from the sidelines…
Love, Barb
11.
Eileen | January 8, 2008 at 2:13 pm
Good morning, Bobby! If today’s paper is to be believed, there could be an end in sight to the troubles, as the two opposing sides have agreed to work together. Thank heavens! Your Mom wrote that you will be starting to teach next week…good for you! I am sure you will be relieved to begin the job you went to do. Hope you can feel the unrest coming to an end where you are. Where we are, it is very spring-like this week…surprising after last week’s deep freeze. We know it won’t last, but it is nice to be able to go outside without worrying about freezing. Take care…we are all still keeping you in our thoughts and prayers. love, Eileen
12.
greg | January 8, 2008 at 2:33 pm
Hey Bob
I hear some of the rumblings about the state of Kenya, I hope you are safe and doing well. judging from the above posts, it seems that things are returning to normal and you are going to start teaching soon. Thats great. I got your letter, too. Thanks for that. I just moved, and have a new address, and once i get my mail set up you can expect a response. I’m pretty stoked to hear about how your class is going.
I’ll keep checking this blog…its great to keep track of what you are up to. until next time
Greg d