Africa

Hey Friends. Thanks so much for your GREAT advice. I really appreciate the thought that went into your comments. As a quick note, I have decided not to go to Africa this winter for several reasons. The biggest being that I just don't think it would be a wise move on my part. There is something to be said for living in the moment and siezing opportunities, however I have been desiring wisdom lately and this seems like a good time to exercise it.

I'll probably write more later, but in the mean time, I wanted to plug this book. Amazing photos. Great heart behind the message. Informative in ways that compell you to action, not guilt you into it. Enjoy.

Should I Stay or Should I Go?

Friends, the opportunity of a lifetime is upon me. A dear friend of mine has been doing missionary work in Africa for the last year and a half and will continue to be there for at least that much longer. Over the winter months, her father has decided to go visit her and has invited me to come with him. The purpose of the trip, however? Hike Mount Kilimanjaro and raft the Nile River.

What???

I seriously have the opportunity to HIKE Mount Kilimanjaro. In high school, every year, they had you fill out "information sheets" should you be selected Student of the Day (which I was, all three years, baby!). On this sheet, you had to list three of your life goals. Mine were:

1) Go to KU (which I didn't do because I decided I wanted to be a NAME, not a number)

2) Become a lawyer (no longer a desire. Wahoo for work experience saving me THOUSANDS of dollars on law school)

3) See an African sunset before I die.

I kid you not. Africa is not exactly a tangible thing for me. It has always been this unattainable goal, short of going over to work in missions, which I do not feel called to do at this point in my life. I would be CRAZY not to take this opportunity when I would be going with someone I trust to take care of both me AND all the arrangements.

But, yes. There is a catch. There are a few catches.

1) I would have to quit my job. I don't have that much vacation time stored up nor am I given that much vacation time a year. I have been thinking about moving on for a while now anyway and was actually prepared to do so when things with my Grandma looked like I might be needed with her. And things at work lately have been somewhat encouraging me to want to look elsewhere. So this may not be a bad thing, per se.

2) It would take essentially all of my savings. And maybe then some. AND, the job I would resume when returning would no doubt pay less than the one I have now. I want this to be a wise decision.

3) I would be making a major climb, fulfilling a dream... without my dad. I have never hiked worthwhile mountains without him. All of the mountains in the background of that picture, I have stood on top of... with him. Some of my favorite memories are of him pushing me past my internal boundaries to fight for the summit, then sitting on top of the conquered mountain saying to us, "Girls, a man who doesn't love this life is crazy." It would feel wrong to do it without him. But at this point in his life, he thinks I'm crazy for even wanting to do it to begin with.

So, there you go. Am I crazy for even giving it a second thought? I do not want to be irresponsible with my money or my career. However, I also want to LIVE. I want to see an African sunset before I die. I want to spend the night under a blanket of stars, miles above the ocean. I want to do what I can when I can. And right now seems like the perfect opportunity, sans the aforementioned "catches".

Thoughts? ... Advice? ... Wisdom? ... Anyone???

Kristina

I received a verbal lashing yesterday. Apparently, feelings get hurt when links are deleted from my list of favorites. Apparently, the importance does not lay with whether or not the deleted link has been updated (which it hasn't for almost SIX months now). Apparently, my love is completely conditional, dependent upon whether or not you update your blog. Let this be a lesson to you all. If you want me to love you, you will update.

Cos, I've re-added you. But on a probationary basis. It is for the good of the masses that I demand you update. A life with insight as good as yours deserves to be told. In the mean time, please accept this hasty limerick as a heartfelt apology.

There once was a girl named Kristi
Who could be at times quite risky
I broke her heart
With an inadvertent dart.
My dear, would you please forgive me?

Something to Talk About

This is a quote I just overheard in my office.

"You can marry more in a day than you can make in a lifetime."

I like the way this man thinks.

Hobo's Meditation

Wouldn't it be great to be a hobo? Where you live your life in towns along the railroad? Where new friends are always just a stop away? I wouldn't ever do it alone, of course. I would want a friend with me, to share the journey. To know me. But I really do think I would love to be a hobo.

I start to get restless every now and again. I've been here for two years and am trying to figure out what the next step is. I thought I knew, but things didn't quite work out as planned. So, it's back to the drawing board.

Hobo's don't have to worry about making money or being successful, as the world views it. Hobo's aren't preoccupied with material objects. Hobo's aren't always running off the the next meeting or event; they simply enjoy where they are. Once they no longer enjoy their surroundings, they move on. Sure, they smell from time to time. But being dirty and smelly is a small price to pay for a life full of new things and adventures. People do judge hobos, but it's the type of judging that allows them to feel better about themselves. I don't mind making people feel good about themselves.

I think it would be good if I were a hobo. I could go from town to town, be the cool new girl (once I get showered and clean), work odd jobs to survive, and stay as long as my welcome isn't worn. People get annoyed with me after a small amount of time anyway so once I see my "newness" has worn off, I'll move on to make new friends.

I really don't think this plan sounds too bad.