Laying out the Thoughts

Wow. It has been quite an adventure in my mind since I have arrived. I had the initial homesickness, the prolonged homesickness, and boring registration all the while telling myself this is going to be an amazing and fun experience. The past couple of weeks I couldn’t actually believe myself. I won’t go into all of the sad details but I would spend tons of time online talking with people from home, going to bed early, waking up late, not doing much of anything. There isn’t much to do around campus so I felt like I might as well do something I will sort of enjoy.

Doing that something isn’t what I came here for though. I can browse the internet, talk to my friends, and sleep at home. I came here to meet new people, experience new things and most importantly learn something new. I told myself this was just the first weeks and because it is school it really can’t be anything but boring. But really, everything is what you make it right? I just couldn’t seem to make those days NOT boring. This weekend finally changed that.

I went into Nairobi Saturday morning. Monica, Alyssa*, and I shopped at a couple malls, and ate out until about 8 o’clock in the evening. We also got to go to a small market where almost everything was handmade and beautiful! I will be going again so if there is anything you want let me know! Having a full day felt really good and helped the boredom. We all, Laura included, stayed the night at Jan’s. She is a missionary type worker who works for Daystar US and is working a few years here. It was so nice of her to let us stay in her home because she had to know we would eat something and sure enough we drank her pop, cocoa, and tea and ate her bread and eggs! Over there we watched the movie Return to Me and then I went to sleep!

We had to get up early because we were going to visit a church just outside of Nairobi. This was the Nairobi Pentecostal Church in the city Karen. To be honest, I didn’t really like it. Everyone was welcoming and the singing was great but the preaching was just…we’ll leave it at that. This easily could have been the topic of the sermon, divorce, and why it is not good at all. It is really hard to listen to 45 minutes of how marriage should work and why not to divorce when it is such a common thing in the culture I grew up in. The service was basically opening songs, greetings, announcements, offering, and sermon – with a few prayers thrown in. I really missed the structure of my service at home with all of the different pieces and songs throughout. Anyways, it was a good thing to experience.

After the service the welcoming committee invited all visitors for tea, the four of us were the only ones who stayed because they talked us into it! I don’t like tea, the kind they drink here, but they had drinking chocolate so I tried that. I didn’t like that either but I had to be polite so I drank it. They also had some sort of pastry…it tasted like deep fried dough or something. It wasn’t anything to brag about!

When we all finished we headed over to the Bomas of Kenya. This is a place where they have models of the different, or many of the different, tribal villages set up. It was really cool to see this, the different sizes of huts for first wives, second, and third and the way they tribes built them differently. I was amazed at how small many of them were and there is no electricity, not many windows, not much for warmth, and a bed of sticks. I cannot believe some people still live like this!

We had lunch there and boy was that fun! Everything we wanted they were out of and we had no idea how anything was made or what was in it and if we would like it! Eventually we picked something and I hate seasoned/marinated/dressed chicken which was really a big step for me! During lunch I saw a monkey! It was far out in the woods and I couldn’t see the whole thing but I did see one! We also saw three warthogs! Boy are those things ugly, they were just walking around near tables and eating the grass.

After lunch they had traditional African dances. We could only stay for a little while because the bus to come back to campus left at 5. The dances I did see were all amazing and it took a lot of talent for them to be performed. I cannot imagine doing such dances and being able to move in those ways for so long!

Anyhow, my mindset is a little bit more in the right direction now. There is still a lot going on up there in my head but hopefully I will sort it all out soon.

*Alyssa is from Washington and arrived a week ago, she will be a student here for a few years and get her degree from here.

My Room

My dorm room is pretty small. These are some pictures of the bedroom part, I got stuck with the top bunk! There are two of these rooms, a small kitchen, toilet, and shower. There are no fancy couches, carpets, ovens, or refrigerators!

Some Photos

We had a midday treat and filled our bellies! Thanks Mom!!

This is mostly the international group of freshman or exchange students, some others popped in for the picture! We have Cameroon, Korea, Canada, and the USA. There may be some other African countries too!

This is my dorm. The done half, they are working on the other half. I will put pictures of the front later! There is sort of a courtyard in the middle, it is really just empty space!

We went for lunch at a resort and saw him on the way out! There was a spot on the fence he tried to get through, he was following me down the road!

I got some Kenyan style braids! Well, littler girl ones anyways!

Hand Washing and Room Switching

All the clothes I washed at this time, there are a bunch of socks down at the end too! Me and some of my clothes!

Raija and I

My friend Raija told me that she would help me wash my clothes, since I have never actually hand washed before. I called her to let her know I was ready and we were going to meet. After I loaded up all of my clothes and was ready to go she called and said that she would be getting her permanent room and it would be about 10 minutes. Over a half an hour went by and I decided to start myself and see how things went.
I do not blame this on Raija at all. When she finally showed up she said that she STILL hadn’t gotten a room change. This has been happening all week, people are told they will move, and then they don’t many times. It is a huge mess. Right now I am waiting to move with nothing to do because everything is packed up to go!
Anyways when she showed up she told me I was doing it wrong. Apparently brining detergent from home wasn’t a good idea. The kind here is made for hand washing, so it works much better. Raija went to get hers to let me borrow it. She pretty much washed the rest of my clothes for me; I helped with a few things and did most of the rinsing and hanging. It really was pretty hard to do this and I didn’t even do most of the work! It was pretty crazy. I am so glad she showed me how though; the clothes I washed first probably aren’t really that clean.
I am definitely nervous about them hanging outside though, especially my expensive clothes. The problem is they are way too wet to hang inside…but maybe that will keep people away!

And the classes begin...?

I was supposed to have my first class on Tuesday. Tuesdays and Thursdays begin with breakfast, then mandatory chapel, and then, if you have class, class. Chapel got out late so I went straight to class. I put my stuff down; no one was there so I went to use the bathroom. When I got back there still wasn’t anyone there. I checked the class number and room number several times and finally one girl showed up. However, that was the extent of that.
After waiting about 15 minutes we were about ready to leave when the lecturer came in. She of course decided it would be pointless to start with that few of students so class was cancelled. I was told this is the case of most upper level classes the first week of school.
Today I had class at 12:30; I was trying to do something and made it to the room just on time. Pretty much the same thing happened except there was someone’s stuff in there first and I didn’t use the bathroom. When the professor came in she prayed for us and the class. She also gave us a brief history of Daystar, but was really just passing the time.
I have been waiting for classes, which is very unlike me, because I am bored. There really isn’t much to do here when there aren’t any classes. There are a few things I need to accomplish, dropping a class, getting my insurance cleared, but the lines for these are so long that I feel it is simply better to wait. I have even tried but then run into problems!

Photos

This is my friend Ann and I at our orienation dinner! I will add more pictures of it soon, it is really slow to do so!

This isn't the best picture, but this is called the Amphitheatre. They hold Chapel here, Sunday services, and any big meetings.

A Few Days and A Few Friends

Being in orientation groups has helped the transition go much more smoothly. There are still a few obstacles when making friends but for the most part these groups helped. I live in an upper class, semi-expensive dorm, well the most expensive they have. This puts me away from most everyone else here at the moment. Right now it is all freshman, except for orientation leaders.
My group was prominently girls and I would say I could consider most of them “facebook friend” quality. There are a few girls however that I am feeling may be more than that. Ann and Raija have been hanging out with me a lot, or vice versa, and we get a long pretty well. They remind me of friends back home, talking about boys or hair, and just being silly! I am curious to see how this lasts once classes start. I will be taking mostly 2nd year classes while Ann is in pre-university and Raija is in her 1st year.
I have also taken liking to the other American international students. I am sure this isn’t a shock to anyone. We all have a lot in common compared to the Kenyans. I am glad that we all share this bond, but am hoping that we can soon start spending more time apart and feeling more comfortable with other students. I think Monica and Lora have already found this pretty easy to do, and slowly I am becoming more comfortable with it as well.
Last night I hung out with Ann, Raija, and Felice without any of the other international students. I had a good time and really enjoyed it. They are very easy to get along with and can make me laugh a lot!

Registration/Orientation

It is orientation week at Daystar and it is very boring! We have been divided into groups and have a lot of time just sitting together playing games. I do enjoy this part because it takes my mind off of home. The problem is all of the lectures about registration and school here because most of the information doesn’t pertain to me.

I registered for classes and had a hard time choosing. I really wanted to take Kiswahili and actually learn the language many people here speak but found it at the same time as another class I really wanted to take, that would transfer back to my major. The classes here are one day a week in blocks. All of my three credit classes are three hours at once and my two credit class is two hours at once.

I will be taking the following courses:
· History, Systems, and Schools of Psychology
· Introduction to Community Development
· Interpersonal and Group Communication
· Abnormal Psychology
· Introduction to Christian Counseling
· Art in Africa

I am hoping that I can learn enough from the culture in the way classes are taught and from how I am living. I would have liked to take other classes more focused on learning about Africa or Kenya because really it is a great opportunity, however I will be honest, I didn’t come here to learn about the country’s history or literature, I came to meet the people, see the landscape, and do something different.

Nairobi

The first full day I was here we traveled back to Nairobi to go shopping and buy some things. The drive is roughly over an hour, but can be longer with bad traffic. This was the first time I really got to see out the windows being it was dark when I had arrived. There were some things I saw that I loved and some that bothered me.

The landscape is just gorgeous, not in a, “I spent thousands of dollars to have my backyard done” way, but in a very natural, “this is God’s creation way.” I saw some Zebras and other animals on my way out. Some looked like cows and were probably of some relation, and not many others nearby.

The living conditions were very various. I saw some villages or towns of the sort that looked like they had been made out of old tin roofs or anything one could really find. I saw some homes that were much bigger and prettier than mine at home. It is difficult to see because it is all very close together and very extreme differences.

There were many roadside stands along the way, some selling produce, clothing, mobile cards, and a ton selling coca-cola products.

In Nairobi we were dropped off at the Daystar campus there and taken on a quick tour and then brought around the small area of the city to shop at a Nakumatt. This is a store very similar to Wal-mart. I had my first experience changing currency here!

On the way back we had to go through Athi River, the closest city to my campus. The route drops off staff near their homes. This way had many more bumpy dirt roads and made for a ridiculous ride. Thank goodness I didn’t have a full stomach!

I bought a cell phone in Nairobi and have been able to talk to people at home. It is free for me if they call, but costs them. It has been really nice to hear people’s voices. The only problem is the more I talk to them the more I want to talk but I know I shouldn’t. I have been told by others who have studied abroad that the thing they regretted most was trying to have a lot of contact with home. Doing this detracts from the experience. I’m hoping I will get over this phase soon and just put up with the fact that I am not home.

Daystar

When all was said and done we reached school at about 10 o’clock at night. We were greeted by Esther and her friend whom I am still having trouble remembering her name (she will be my roommate soon). We found beds but they weren’t our permanent ones. I am staying in the room next to my future room in a Hostel (dorm) called Dupa. Right now I do not have a direct roommate, but a “suitemate,” Monica. She is from Canada and will also be spending the semester. The rooms are fairly small; I will put up a picture shortly.

After getting beds made and stuff locked up in the closet I went to sleep. Or should I say I tried to sleep. This definitely wasn’t easy my first night. A lot of my expectations of Daystar had been let down and I was missing my family and friends a lot. It took me a long time to fall asleep, and then I woke up, and took me a long time to fall back asleep again.

These are the things that shocked me the first night I got here, although they probably shouldn’t have. First, there was not wifi. I can live without a constant connection and I have been for a few days but I was told I would have it. I didn’t have any way to contact my mom or Jordan that night. The hot water for the showers wasn’t supposed to be working; I was told we would have it. But I guess it did work for my roommate, however it didn’t really work for my shower. But it was better than the freezing water the other dorms have. Before I came I was told that Esther would be my roommate for the semester and we had been talking over the internet, but she is leaving in a few days to Study Abroad in Korea.

Instead of listing everything I have been doing, although I would like to, I am just going to assume you don’t want to know ALL the details, I will give you a quick summary of what life has been like here at Daystar.

A living heck. No I am definitely kidding on that part but there are a few things that make me feel that way at times. Missing home for sure, every time I think about it, it is hard to hold the tears back. The food is not my style at all! So far I have tried different types of stew, beef, cooked bananas, some sort of floury doughy bread that looked similar to a tortilla, but tasted much different, and some sort of sausage. Most of these foods made me gag when eating them. I have been able to stand potatoes and bread pretty well, but the rest is a battle. I haven’t given into trying rice or beans yet, but I hope to soon because I am HUNGRY!!

Nice people. I have had my bed made for me, been invited for dinner, and have only heard kind words. All of the Kenyans offer their hand to shake and introduce themselves and for the most part are very friendly people. I wouldn’t say that I have become good friends with any of them yet, but I haven’t shied away either.

Variable weather. I was actually looking forward to the heat and sunshine but it is only here a few hours every day. From about 6, 6:30 at night until about 11 in the morning it is longsleeve or sweatshirt weather. When it gets warm there is often still a breeze that keeps you cool. Many Kenyans have made fun of me and the other girls from North America for not being as cold as them.

Unreliable. I hesitate to use that term but I like it if you can understand my definition. Among everything I listed already I have also found out that Beatrice, my main contact with Daystar will be moving to NY for some sort of schooling. Besides that we have been given schedules and absolutely NOTHING is ever on time, and it always goes much past the time it is supposed to end. Sometimes things just don’t happen, even though they are supposed to.

Pretty and dry. The campus landscape has many plants and trees and some beautiful flowers. It looks very nice, but as you can imagine the ground is pretty dry. I guess there has been a lack of water flow here and everything is a bit drier than usual too. It is supposed to be the end of the rainy season, but the rainy season hasn’t come.

Flight

There is always give and take. I feel that in my case I am taking a lot right now and others are giving to make it happen. I mean this in many ways, the financial gifts I have received, the tangible items I have received, everything that will be done for me in Kenya, and the fact that I am taking myself out of many peoples’ lives for a while. This is definitely hard. I can name many people and a few in particular who have let me take myself away, but not easily.

My mom, dad, sister, and best friends took me to the airport this afternoon. I don’t think any of them did it willingly. They all were very reluctant to let me go, even Alivia whom I don’t even get along well with. I discovered it in different ways but I will keep that between me and them. Needless to say it wasn’t much of a fun drive or check-in. Going through security was like having a piece ripped out of me. But I know that it will be for the better, eventually. There are just some things that you miss out on while experiencing others things and that is what is going to happen now. These next few months are going to be very difficult but I am hoping they are fun and keep me busy so that I don’t think about what I have lost very much. I’m hoping something similar happens at home for everybody else.

I had to wait a little while for the plane to board which gave me more time to think about what I was leaving behind. Not fun I tell you! I just couldn’t wait to get there so that I could have something to take my mind off of it. After boarding I took my seat, a window seat next to an older man. For a while I just tried to sleep but that didn’t work to well so I began to watch movies and mess around on the little computer/tv screen we had. Eventually the man and I started talking, nothing too exciting though! Finally we arrived in Amsterdam.

I quickly found my next gate and tried settling in and calling home. However I had no cell service and couldn’t figure out the pay phones! Eventually I gave in and bought some WiFi minutes so that I could let everyone know I was here safe.

I still had no idea how I was going to be picked up, just that someone would be somewhere at the airport waiting for me.

The flight to Nairobi was long but not too unbearable, I really thought it would be much worse. I sat next to a boy (young man, I suppose) who grew up in Nairobi and was going to school in Chicago. We talked a little bit and I learned a few things. The plane food was pretty hard for me to eat. Everything was covered in some sort of sauce or marinade and I do not like that. I got here just after 7 and the city was all lit up, it was already dark. After getting off the plane I had to go through immigration and find my luggage. The airport was very small compared to home. Outside, near the baggage claim, it looked like the set of the Today show or something, there were so many people crowded in a small place holding signs. I pretty quickly found one that said Daystar University and made my way over. I met Sylvia, a lady who works with connecting international students.

We brought my stuff to the school van and met Lora there. Lora is from Michigan and will be staying at Daystar for a whole year. We talked pretty much the whole way back which is quite unusual for me upon first meeting someone. Driving was pretty scary, many times it looked like we were going to be in a head on collision. Nairobi is not the place to begin driving!