One Way to End a Stressful Wk:

.....Join a Hash!

Yeah, I did. First of all, on Friday I typed out a randomly mad blog, then it got lost (net stopped working apparently), about my crazy week. I have now officially signed on a trial run of being an aide for a 3rd grader with "Behavioral Issues." (Basically it just takes a TON of patience!) I partially got a little of the stress out Th. by scarily joining the Intermediate Boot Camp here on campus. We are supposed to run 6mi. by the end of 8 wks. Yeah I know right?! Insane. Then I ended the week with prayer meeting, a deliciously stuffing-your-plate-full Indian meal, then set up in the morning and went shopping in Kin, with my teacher-friends then came back for our RUN. . .
The Kinshasa Fortnightly Hash House Harriers has officially begun! We ran approx. 3 mi. around the Kinshasa streets (while the Congolese people greatly enjoyed laughing at the mundeles (sp? white person in Lingala) complete with TOGAS made of African fabric! Then we stopped off at the Ambassador's home for a Drink Stop, and then partied till we dropped (literally) with a band (J'Affroz) and the best chicken in Kin, Mama Colonel's (apparently there are pictures of the place floating around FCBK, they even bring a basin for you to wash your hands!)...Boy was it a rockin' party! I danced & sang with the band. It was really truly fun.

I know some people will think it's just crazy; some people reading this will judge & hate and all the rest, while others don't care (or don't even read this anymore) or some will feel guilty for me, or be shocked by my behavior, but I want people to know (just in case you were concerned), I DO care about my witness; I don't want to judge, judge those who judge, nor do I want to be judged, so therefore I go be myself, enjoy a party or a drink or two (or 4), and laugh and cry over the beauty of freedom. I want to enjoy life at its fullest, be all there, and live life on the edge, to the hilt! What's the matter with that?! Part of living the spirited dance is that we begin to try to realize (but we still can't fully) the paradox of living a balanced life. ME, balanced?! ha, no, I don't think so. But I know that is the key to survival! One can't be extreme extremist black & white all the time, because real life is full of grey matter and gray areas, is it not?! I just want to share my love for life (while all the while looking fwd to heaven someday), and not have to worry over guilt or anything. Moderation is key. Let's live,laugh,love in the middle of the road!
"Be ashamed to die until you have scored a victory for mankind." Dr. TP Kalogris