Today marks 1 month since I came back from Burkina Faso. Today is also the second day of classes. I’m back at Indiana University to finish out my last two semesters for my two degrees. I first thought that it was going to be great to have something to come back to, going right back […]
I really enjoy the New Year. The parties, dropping of the ball, popping of champagne corks, and hoping to find that special someone to ring in the New Year with are all great. What I really enjoy about the New Year, however, is making New Year’s resolutions. I’m always trying to improve myself in one […]
The past few weeks have been some of the most trying and crazy weeks of my life. I, however, have come out on the other end better, stronger, and wiser after it was all said and done. It all started with the false positive HIV test that I wrote about in my post A New […]
“You’ve been here two years? It doesn’t feel like two years, maybe less than one… It’s because you’re kind. If you’re kind you could be here ten years and it would feel like you arrived yesterday and if you left for a few days it feels like a month.” -Alu
From the plains of Niansogoni, a monolith juts from the ground. Winding up a path that is quickly disappearing, being reclaimed by nature, you find remains of a culture now gone. Rock lines delineate past walls, fields. Scrapes in the stones, form mortars used to grind grain. Eventually, the regrowth forest gives way as the […]
A few months ago, I spent the day with my local jeweler. He has made a few rings for me and I’ve always been impressed with the quality, given what most would call a very crude setup. The silver he uses usually comes from either recycled jewelry or old french francs. The gold comes from […]
Yesterday, I was told I tested positive for HIV. I was called into the doctor’s office, after having blood drawn for my Peace Corps end-of-service physical, and was told I tested positive for HIV. I sat there still, hearing the words be replayed in my head. I was told I tested positive for HIV. How? […]
Last sunday, I spent the whole day walking through village taking pictures. I left my house at 6AM and did not make it back to my house until dark. I discovered new paths, new people, and an entirely new village. For instance, I did not know that my village made pottery and ended up making friends […]
Currently sitting under a mango tree trying to get some thoughts out onto the screen. As I type this, I realize that typing on a computer really has little of the romantic value associated with good old pen and paper copy. Yet, I don’t know if I would ever share the thoughts I write in […]
Over the past twelve years, eating has been a rather introspective and conscious activity for me. Whether for moral reasons, my personal health, or the health of the environment, I’ve spent a great deal of time thinking and rethinking my food choices.