Here Comes the Bride . . .

I went to my first Kenyan wedding! Irene is the daughter of Gladys, who so wonderfully helps me out around the house. I was a bit nervous and unsure what to expect. The invitation said 10:00 but when I asked Gladys when I should come, she said they would ‘steal the bride’ around 10 and should be at the church at 10:30. So I showed up around 10:45 and the entire wedding party was hanging out outside the church.

Gladys and me! She looks so pretty!

The service was sort of what I am used to. I ducked in after the groomsmen had walked down the aisle and sat in the back. Unfortunately, right when the bride started walking down, the music stopped, and so did she. After standing around for a few minutes, she just walked the rest of the way in relative silence, accompanied by two cell phones ringing and a car alarm. Oh, well.

Other unusual features: the bride and groom sang a love song to each other in the middle, but I couldn’t see much of it as there were three men with video cameras standing right in front of the happy couple. An offering was taken (“Never come to church with empty pockets!”). Most of the service was in Swahili, with a long prayer in Kikuyu, and occasional phrases translated into English. There were at least 3 short sermons on love and marriage.

While we started the wedding in the last populated pew, the church was packed by the end. Around 2:00 the service ended and we started to head out to reception . . . but then it started pouring rain and everyone filed back into the church. As I got colder and colder and there was no food in sight, my mind started wandering toward the big-deal soccer and basketball tournament happening at RVA. At the encouragement of some other staff in attendance, I borrowed an umbrella and scurried home in the rain. So, I didn’t actually finish out my first Kenyan wedding . . .

But I did hear the honking horns hours later as the cars drove by. And I got to see RVA win the soccer tournament . . . the game went into penalty kicks and we finally won after 16 shots. It was quite exciting.

Superfans. This picture also explains why I might sometimes be confused for a student.

Carnival

I know it's a bit late, but I had to share a picture of our costumes . . . and invite you to imagine these four staff members marching around during the titchie costume parade.

Derby Days

I can't NOT put up some pictures of Pinewood Derby, only the biggest event of the TERM . . . all of my students made cars, which is a big deal since this is the first year they are old enough to enter a car of their very own. This also means they had the first 'heat,' at 8:50 on a Saturday morning . . . but well worth it. (Doughnuts for sale again!) I was so impressed with their hard work and especially with my dorm kids who don't have the privilege of working with a parent on their car. It is just another example of the great community here, all the dorm parents and volunteers who spent hours at the wood shop helping my wee babes . . .

You can see our track is quite sophisticated, complete with electronic sensors that rank the cars and a video camera for live feed of the finish line . . .

The above picture gives you a feel of the speed and excitement, something akin to the Indy 500, I imagine. The picture also provides a glimpse of a personal highlight - the guy sitting in the corner is our school counselor and RVA celebrity - he won the CNN Hero award last spring. But he climbed a few notches in my book when he DJ'd the event all day long. Everything from Taylor Swift to Toto and air drums to go with it. This is the type of crazy people we attract out here in Africa . . .

And just in case you're wondering . . .

It's Election Day, and little fanfare as of yet around here . . . although my students enjoyed a long discussion about elections and made some interesting connections to the crisis here in January. It puts it into perspective knowing that regardless of who wins, there will be no rioting on Wednesday morning. Americans will still have access to food, gas, and ATMs. I'll be joining the 5am crew at the student center to watch the results roll in. And yes, I voted absentee. Just doing my part!

And . . . I ran today! Although I don't think it could be termed a "run" in any way. More like a "lope." Graceful as a gazelle, I am. But even though it was short and unsatisfying and my ankle was wrapped halfway up my calf by Nurse Amanda (thanks!), I am not suffering any unsual pain and I think I'm on the road to recovery! Whew.

Water Conservation

Saturday night we got a call from the phone tree . . . the tanks are almost empty and Titchie dorms and surrounding homes are without water. Try not to use water, please. This came as particularly bad news to me, since I hadn’t showered since Friday . . . or was it Thursday? As seasoned RVA staff told stories of past shortages where dorm hygiene consisted of a common bucket to brush teeth out of, I envisioned a campus of unwashed staff and students staggering around, followed by clouds of dust.

The initial panic was resolved a bit when updated information allowed for 3 minute showers. Phew. Never been so happy to have a shower limit before! You can get a lot out of the 3 minute if you turn the water off while you lather up. It kind of feels like camp, only in my own house.

I’m trying to do my part with the conservation effort. I haven’t washed a dish since the announcement. =) I get very paranoid about watching water go down the drain and try to dump any water I have into a bucket so I can use that to ‘bucket flush’ the toilet. I’m getting better at it . . . I only get water all over the bathroom floor half the time. But it is way better than not flushing – of that, I am not a fan.

So . . . we haven’t had much update since Saturday night, except someone told me it’s down to 2 minute showers. I’d like to do laundry sometime soon . . . but I’m not going to be the only person on campus with laundry flapping in the breeze. That’s like having the one green lawn on a street of brown lawns in Edmond.

Making Memories

It's November already! With the promise of vac¹ just 3 weeks away, we are plowing ahead full steam with a very busy schedule. I can’t believe how packed the weekends are around here. Last week we had Pinewood Derby, which may be the biggest event of the term. This week was Carnival (pictures pending) and Titchie Skate Party. Of course the next few weekends are packed full of tournaments, dramas, music concerts, coke dates, and my favorite future event. . . Titchie Hayride.

So, some pictures . . .

Titchie Skating Party

I don't know how all these rollerblades made it out to Africa!

Titchie Birthday Bash

This activity was particularly hilarious . . . we were running low on ideas. Each teacher had a 'birthday game' station and we ended with cake for everybody. I got the limbo.

¹vac (n.) abbv for vacation. Begins November 28 and continues until January 4. My family will be visiting. A time of joy, right around the corner.