Camp JCA

Camp JCA, originally uploaded by yoel1984.

These guys look down on me because I don't have an iphone. Well, they can enjoy their little cult. I'm not drinkin' that koolaid.

succulent flowers

succulent flowers, originally uploaded by yoel1984.

This is at the garden at JCA. These flowers, which are dime-sized, grow from an iceplant-type succulent.

Sweet Birds

I didn't feel like studying for the GRE anymore so I took a birdwatching break and scoped out the backyard from my window. Spotted a flock of about 15 Cedar Waxwings on the neighbor's tree! That's a first for me. Northern Flicker was also in the neighborhood, along with Lesser Goldfinches, Juncos, White Crown sparrows.

mud oven

We made a very small pizza oven out of mud at winter camp this week at JCA. I don't know if it will actually work but it was good practice for the future. Having enough natural clay in the soil is very important. The dirt at camp is very sandy and barely holds itself together so we added white clay slip to the mixture to get the right consistancy. I told the kids to make little mud "turds" out of the adobe and they got really excited about me saying that word, so I think it helped get them motivated. The mud is layered over a mound of sand to form the correct dome shape, then when it all dries out on a few days we'll scoop the sand out and the hollow shell will remain.

Language Lessons

This is in Thousand Oaks in Satwiwa. Winter Solstice day December 21st. Alicia supplied the white sage. Ndili bwino kaya inu? I'm well, and you? Ndili bwinonso zikomo. I'm well too, thanks. Chumbudzi chili kuti? Where is the toilet? Abambo anga ali bwino. My father is fine. Sakusangalala. She is not happy. Sindimakonda mpunga. I do not like rice. Ndatopa, ndikufuna kugona. I'm tired, I want to sleep. Mwalandilidwa! You are most welcome! Modzi 1 Wiri 2 Tatu 3 Nayi 4 Sanu 5 Nidmachokera ku USA. I'm from USA. Now I'm ready to go to Malawi!

Decentralization, my friends

"This video was produced to promote public participation in local government in Malawi. Music by Vita Chirwa and the Kalimba Band. The catchy tune was popular on the radio and in discos nationwide, encouraging people to take an active role in government affairs to promote development. Filmed and produced by Adam Rogers, United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF)"(Source: UNCDF, YouTube post). Plus, the translations are hilarious!