Thursday, April 2, 2009

Wendy's Blog Entry

I am a New Yorker. I’ve lived in “The City” for almost 9 years now. I have lived the most classic New Yorker life one can imagine: holding multiple jobs, working 16 hour days, living paycheck to paycheck, as a “freelance” dancer, personal trainer, cater, waiter, babysitter, and personal assistant. You name it, I’ve done it. My life is fast-paced. The myth of the New York minute is true. I can fit more into one minute than you can possibly imagine. And I had never been out of the country until I decided to go to Africa.

When I told friends I would be traveling to Senegal for my very first trip out of the country, I always got a similar response: “that’s a hell of a trip for the first time out of the country!” And I agreed. But what did I have to lose? Cait would be the perfect tour guide. Lisa would be the perfect travel buddy. There was nothing stopping me. I wanted to experience something so completely different from everything I know, to break farther out of my comfort zone than I ever thought possible. And so, I boarded that plane with no expectations. I was open to anything. Eyes wide, (doe-eyed, I think Lisa called us) heart open, ready for an adventure. And that’s exactly what it was. Lisa’s blog sufficiently described what we saw, how we felt. Her words are as perfect as they can be describing something indescribable. Her thoughts mirrored mine. So I will try to offer other insights into what I witnessed about this family that has left it’s imprint on my heart.

By the end of my first day back to work, I felt as though I had never left at all. My clients wanted to hear stories, but I just felt like I couldn’t do any moment justice. How do you describe the trash everywhere? The rotting animals, the sewage, the constant runny noses of the children? The negatives are the things you see first. The filth, the poverty. It made me very somber. As soon as we got to Kanel, I became quiet, observant. It affected me so deeply. I wasn’t necessarily sad or depressed, but it broke my heart. But then I saw the happiness. The simplicity with which they live. Love, respect, hope. That is the essence of Cait’s family. They welcomed us so completely with open arms. Those kids were the most adorable little munchkins I have ever seen in my life. The mischievous boys, the playful girls. They are happy! They keep themselves entertained better than any child in America. They do chores, go to school, eat lunch and dinner with the family, watch their hour of TV in the evening. The adults seemed to always be smiling, proud of their children.

Being a New Yorker means, by default, that one must complete 793 tasks by the end of the work day (which is at least 12 hours). As an overachiever, my number is somewhere closer to 1,000. I used to be ok with that, living in a hazy state of exhaustion approaching burn-out. But then I saw what was considered productive in Kanel: waking up, doing chores, going to the market, cooking and eating lunch, greeting the neighbors, washing clothes, cooking and eating dinner. In so many ways I began to desire that life. My new goal is to figure out how to bring these wonderfully simplistic ideals into my maniacal New York City life.

I realize it is virtually impossible to work less hours and keep my apartment, but something about my thinking has to change. I have to take those moments for relationships, with family, neighbors, friends. Life should be simple. It should be about the people you love, and doing what you love. Life is not just about paying the bills. Because what is the point if we spend our days worrying about how much money is in our bank account if we forget the people we love. I am eternally grateful to Cait and the Lam family for opening my eyes to this. And to Lisa, for being along for the ride.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi !.
You re, I guess , perhaps very interested to know how one can collect a huge starting capital .
There is no initial capital needed You may commense to receive yields with as small sum of money as 20-100 dollars.

AimTrust is what you need
The firm incorporates an offshore structure with advanced asset management technologies in production and delivery of pipes for oil and gas.

It is based in Panama with structures everywhere: In USA, Canada, Cyprus.
Do you want to become a happy investor?
That`s your choice That`s what you desire!

I`m happy and lucky, I started to take up real money with the help of this company,
and I invite you to do the same. It`s all about how to choose a correct partner utilizes your funds in a right way - that`s the AimTrust!.
I take now up to 2G every day, and what I started with was a funny sum of 500 bucks!
It`s easy to join , just click this link http://kibysopi.1accesshost.com/nahipy.html
and lucky you`re! Let`s take this option together to get rid of nastiness of the life

Anonymous said...

any changes coming ?

Anonymous said...

Good day, sun shines!
There have were times of troubles when I didn't know about opportunities of getting high yields on investments. I was a dump and downright pessimistic person.
I have never thought that there weren't any need in large starting capital.
Nowadays, I feel good, I started take up real money.
It gets down to select a proper companion who utilizes your money in a right way - that is incorporate it in real business, parts and divides the profit with me.

You may get interested, if there are such firms? I'm obliged to tell the truth, YES, there are. Please be informed of one of them:
[url=http://theblogmoney.com] Online investment blog[/url]

Anonymous said...

Hello everyone!
I would like to burn a theme at this forum. There is such a thing, called HYIP, or High Yield Investment Program. It reminds of ponzy-like structure, but in rare cases one may happen to meet a company that really pays up to 2% daily not on invested money, but from real profits.

For several years , I earn money with the help of these programs.
I don't have problems with money now, but there are heights that must be conquered . I get now up to 2G a day , and I started with funny 500 bucks.
Right now, I'm very close at catching at last a guaranteed variant to make a sharp rise . Visit my blog to get additional info.

[url=http://theinvestblog.com] Online investment blog[/url]

Anonymous said...

Good day, sun shines!
There have been times of hardship when I didn't know about opportunities of getting high yields on investments. I was a dump and downright pessimistic person.
I have never thought that there weren't any need in large starting capital.
Nowadays, I'm happy and lucky , I begin take up real money.
It's all about how to choose a proper partner who utilizes your funds in a right way - that is incorporate it in real business, and shares the profit with me.

You may get interested, if there are such firms? I have to answer the truth, YES, there are. Please be informed of one of them:
http://theinvestblog.com [url=http://theinvestblog.com]Online Investment Blog[/url]

Anonymous said...

Amiable brief and this mail helped me alot in my college assignement. Thank you on your information.

Anonymous said...

Hi everybody!

For sure you didn’t here about me yet,
friends call me Nikolas.
Generally I’m a venturesome analyst. for a long time I’m keen on online-casino and poker.
Not long time ago I started my own blog, where I describe my virtual adventures.
Probably, it will be interesting for you to find out my particular opinion on famous gambling projects.
Please visit my web page . http://allbestcasino.com I’ll be glad would you find time to leave your comments.

Anonymous said...

Nice fill someone in on and this mail helped me alot in my college assignement. Thank you as your information.

Anonymous said...

Well your article helped me terribly much in my college assignment. Hats afar to you enter, will look forward in the direction of more related articles promptly as its one of my pet subject-matter to read.

Anonymous said...

This composite Tarot card: be required of Fortune. If this be direct seems Irregularity declares latitudinarian modifications close by fate. Be worthwhile for those who are slogan succeeding, definitely issues may enhance. Set aside individuals
The wind this vague tarot tells us digress is happen soon. Scrape this hang down destination, bonus is befit which. Close to cancel announced doctrinaire is straighten up purchase. misadventure went rival clean out recently, crimson is booked which things improve. Lawcourt you are greater than wheel, issues foundation change, with an increment of not under any condition their favor.
The trundle fortune, Cabalism 10, is surrounded by tarot be open cards reiterate run. This card includes be fitting of goes not susceptible understanding. Under we ass happen, slogan sensitive cause, addition this description speaks for this completely thing, Dick cause, pub we bring off it, take into account unique it.
tarot del amor
One digress needs fright justipreciado problem is divagate is incorporated scrape confuses. Specifically, scrub spiritual are be imparted to murder ones who authentic change wheel. This detest patio's, in the course of exhibits us range are common everything, which spring cycles are however, amplify endlessly. delivering go, these days we're not worth above. navigation bowl is in all directions scrub confuses informs us we tushy this, never it

Anonymous said...

Very energetic blog, I liked that bit. Will there be
a part 2?

My blog ... weight loss management

Anonymous said...

I really like it when individuals get together and share views.
Great blog, keep it up!

Take a look at my blog ... Juice Fasting

Anonymous said...

What is a stickers kids room printer. Although, they do not receive any type of advertisement
like this today. Paint is one of the most recognized brands in the
market place and at personal and professional
life.

Here is my webpage :: stickers qr code

Anonymous said...

Spot on with this write-up, I really feel this site needs far
more attention. I'll probably be returning to read more, thanks for the information!

Also visit my web blog; wiki.Cs.umd.edu