However busy my life was previously, it just got thrown into high gear. I've never been so exhausted. It's been an incredible and incredibly long weekend. On Thursday, Jen and Dano finally took home their son, Nathanael Niyonzima Jukanovich. He is beyond adorable and I loved hearing Jen say "You're an aunt again!" He smiles and gurgles and waves his arms and legs all the time. His eyes are huge, brown, and covered with the most amazing perfectly curled eyelashes. I could look at him forever - and I do.
On Thursday, I had some guys help me paint the studio, and did a little redecorating. I think it looks fabulous, and everyone else seems to think so too. I put sheets of banana leaf and hung them on the walls with the girls' class photos stuck to them. It's pretty exciting.
On Friday, Jo (roommate) and Amity (woman who teaches pilates for BR) had the opening reception of a their co-op store they've put months of work into. Amity took over the lease of my original studio and has since turned it into a beautiful store that sells various artisan's wares. Here's the three of us roommates on Friday night. (Megan, Jo, et moi.)
On Saturday, we had a small event to raise funds for installing hard wood floors. Unfortunately, it didn't go so well financially, but those of us who were there had a great time talking, dancing, and drinking wine.
Shockingly, I forced myself out of bed on Sunday morning at 5:40 to do a 7 mile run. It was incredibly hard (probably cause I had had my last glass of wine maybe 4 hours earlier) and definitely not my best run, but I actually made it 7.5 miles (12 minute miles though) and then fell into bed and slept for three hours...oops.
Wara's (pictured) parents had asked me to come to lunch at their house - I was completely zonked and exhausted and could not, for my life, imagine entertaining, but had agreed to weeks ago. I am glad I did - they were so kind and generous. Wara is by far one of my best and most naturally talented students. She was adopted here by Khadija, who is from Sierra Leone, and Ellwyn, who is from Trinidad and works with the UN here.
We had and excellent, huge lunch, and good conversation, and her parents are begging me to turn her into a prima ballerina. I've told them I'll see what I can do. The whole thing was 4.5 hours long - I thought I was going to fall over - especially because they made sure my wine glass was never empty.
The best part was when Ellwyn went into the closet and came out with a portable barre he had built her. They then put on a ballet dvd they found and Wara showed me how she practices every day. We watched her go through her warm up routine for about 15 minutes. It was so adorable. It hit me that I was sitting in Rwanda, watching a little girl practice ballet on a contraption her father fashioned for her. Mission: Accomplished.
On Thursday, I had some guys help me paint the studio, and did a little redecorating. I think it looks fabulous, and everyone else seems to think so too. I put sheets of banana leaf and hung them on the walls with the girls' class photos stuck to them. It's pretty exciting.
On Friday, Jo (roommate) and Amity (woman who teaches pilates for BR) had the opening reception of a their co-op store they've put months of work into. Amity took over the lease of my original studio and has since turned it into a beautiful store that sells various artisan's wares. Here's the three of us roommates on Friday night. (Megan, Jo, et moi.)
On Saturday, we had a small event to raise funds for installing hard wood floors. Unfortunately, it didn't go so well financially, but those of us who were there had a great time talking, dancing, and drinking wine.
Shockingly, I forced myself out of bed on Sunday morning at 5:40 to do a 7 mile run. It was incredibly hard (probably cause I had had my last glass of wine maybe 4 hours earlier) and definitely not my best run, but I actually made it 7.5 miles (12 minute miles though) and then fell into bed and slept for three hours...oops.
Wara's (pictured) parents had asked me to come to lunch at their house - I was completely zonked and exhausted and could not, for my life, imagine entertaining, but had agreed to weeks ago. I am glad I did - they were so kind and generous. Wara is by far one of my best and most naturally talented students. She was adopted here by Khadija, who is from Sierra Leone, and Ellwyn, who is from Trinidad and works with the UN here.We had and excellent, huge lunch, and good conversation, and her parents are begging me to turn her into a prima ballerina. I've told them I'll see what I can do. The whole thing was 4.5 hours long - I thought I was going to fall over - especially because they made sure my wine glass was never empty.
The best part was when Ellwyn went into the closet and came out with a portable barre he had built her. They then put on a ballet dvd they found and Wara showed me how she practices every day. We watched her go through her warm up routine for about 15 minutes. It was so adorable. It hit me that I was sitting in Rwanda, watching a little girl practice ballet on a contraption her father fashioned for her. Mission: Accomplished.
5 comments:
So cool to read about all the LIFE springing around you! And I'm so happy to read about your positive effect in people's lives...LOVE you!
Caroline:
WOW - you have certainly been busy! I love the pictures and write ups, it really gives us a great picture of what you are up to - 7.5 miles, whew!!!, in my dreams! Keep up the good work - you are building character that will serve you weel in any endeavor you care to undertake
Love you Kiddo!!
Uncle Andy
Hi C, FEARLESS!!I thought my mom was fearless---You win! Just finished catching up on your blog, we got a new puter and I can finally access it, I'm in awe. I love the juxtaposition of dance and journalism and so much more-- you did it!!!Can't wait for a picture book, I think you know a good publisher. Especially proud of how you have become an inspiration for so many----With love,and be carefuls!! Aunt Roberta
It's great to see how well you are doing over there! The children look lovely, and I wish you all the best as you help their lives improve through dance.
Love, Uncle John
Hey Caroline! The Studio looks beautiful, looks like you've found a small community of ex-pats (we always find each other, don't we?) - the three of you are all creating something together and must be a great relief to have that kind of support (and make the idea of staying more appealing?) Wow!
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