I found my calling....

I am destined to be a gardener.  I LOVE making a mess and I have no qualms about DIGGING IN!

Thanks for gardening with me today Akira, Mommy and Bada.  I had a great time.

Shhh....quiet in the library

Today, Akira and I learned all about the library.  We learned that you have to talk softly in the library.  Akira remembered that you also have to be quiet at church, and he remembered that you get to sing songs at church, so he thought we should also sing songs in the library.....but Mommy explained that the church and library were different places and that at the library we just try to talk softly so we don't disturb the other people there who are trying to read. 

We also learned that the library lets you check out or 'borrow' books for free!  Wow....there doesn't seem to be much that is free in this world, can you imagine?  Mommy let us each choose one book to take home for the week.  I chose a book about being little and big at the same time (as Mommy says often, it's all relative). 

I also learned that is is very sad that people are not supporting public libraries much.  There were so many people waiting for the library to open today.  But, not many of those people looked particularly influential in the government process.  There were older people, and people with disabilities and people who didn't drive their car but took the bus to the library....lots and lots of people who were very anxious to use the services of the library.  But, because of budget cuts, the library isn't open too often.  It didn't open until 1 today and it closes at 4.  Not too much time for people to check the internet or do important research.  hmmmm....well, I know I want to support the library and all it has to offer.  I can't wait to go back...oh, except that means I have to take my book back.  I guess it's ok, since I am only borrowing it and there are SO MANY more to choose from. If you haven't gone in a while....go check out your local library, it's worth the visit!

Berenike in Berkeley

Today Mommy and Aki and I met an old friend in new territory.  Nike is a German student studying at Berkeley, just down the road from our house.  Two years ago she volunteered at Cradle of Love in Usa River and took care of Akira when he was a baby.  Last summer she came to Arusha again to volunteer and I got a chance to meet her. 

Today, we met her for a healthy, Berkeley-like lunch of veggie soup, salads and sandwiches.  Then, we headed to the science center where they have a section just for kids!  It was sooo fun and great to see her.  She seems to be really enjoying her time in America (we are too!). 

Thanks for taking time during finals to hang out with us Nike and a HUGE special thank you for taking care of my big brother when he needed it most. 

Happy Mothers Day!

What a happy day and how happy to have a mommy and a grandma.  This morning, they went to brunch without me though, which was a little unfair.  But, they made up for it by spending the afternoon and evening with Akira and I and having a great home cooked dinner. 

Most important though is that I am so lucky to have a forever family.  Today I do miss my biological mommy though, and my sister Veyce.  I know Veyce checks in on me through my Mommy and I feel really lucky to have a family here in America and a family back in Tanzania that loves me.  So, even though today is about moms, it's also about kids who are so so lucky to have mommies. 

Saturday

Just another Saturday at the park in America!!!!  I love this life!

It's been a year!

I have had a forever family for a whole year!  And what a year its been!

Today we celebrated with a day at the park and a night out to a 'shei shei de mayo' celebration.  Thanks to my forever family for a really fun day and a great year!  I can't wait for the next one.

Lynn and Lukas

Today Mommy and I took a trip to Santa Cruz, just a bit down the coast, in order to see one of her old friends, Lynn.  Lynn and Mommy have known each other for over a decade, but haven't seen each other in many many years.  Lynn has a little boy now, named Lukas, who is 2 years old.  They live in New York but were out on our coast for a short vacation, so we all got to meet up.

I don't get out very often with just my Mommy, so it was a really special day for me.  We had lots of fun.  We played at the beach with the sand and shovels and buckets.  That can keep me entertained for a really long time.  After that, we all decided to take a walk on the boardwalk.  It is full of scary looking roller coaster rides that Mommy plans on never ever letting me ride until I am 28 years old.  And, it is full of greasy food that Mommy never ever plans on letting me eat, not even when I'm 28 years old.  But, the GREAT, AMAZING, FANTASTIC thing that the boardwalk has that makes you forgive all the rest of it, is a Merry-Go-Round.  I've never seen one before, nor have I been on one before.  But, today, Lukas and I rode the merry-go-round with our Mommy's for the first time.  It was really fun and neither of us wanted it to be over.  Our mommies both promised us that we would get to go on a merry-go-round again very very soon.  I'm going to hold her to it!

Thanks for such a great day Lynn and Lukas.  Come again soon! 

A Day in the City

Today we took a trip around San Francisco in order to find some weird paintings on the side of buildings.  Some guy named Banksy paints them apparently.  I don't really know much about it or care.  But, my Mommy and my Uncle are both Banksy fans and have seen his work all throughout Europe.  Uncle Gogo has his room decorated with a lot of prints of Banksy's work, so they were interested to find these weird paintings.  I was mostly excited for the eating portion of the day.  Mommy packed quite a picnic for us.  Crackers, cheese, strawberries, bananas, popcorn, hummus and bread, plus pineapple juice, yum!  We played some ball and ran and laughed....we laughed a lot!  It was so much fun and we haven't had much of that lately, so it was pretty necessary.  Thanks for such a fun day with my family!  I hope that there are lots more to come.