squatting exercises

i set out on this journey i had a few questions in mind.

before i introduce some grand thinking questions, i have to inform you that we have arrived in St. Louis and all [most] of us are alive.

I'm kidding we've gotten some golden freedom, showers, and toilette's, we couldn't be more releived.

Keur Sadaro-

All of us seem to really be enjoying getting know new people and becoming a part of a new community. Some are repairing schools, some are helping cure bacterial infections, but what threads between everybody's task is the will to become a part of something outside of themselves. The names we are given like "Bige Bop" are actually not only our name, but the name of all our siblings as well. Names in american culture often define a large part of our identities: where we come from, who our parents are, which leads onto greater things to be assumed and shape us. Here, our names are not our own and stand as a symbol for being a member, a segment. Names define kids as the offspring of a father, the word 'individual', has a different significance. If the unit to which people see their foundation is their family, not just themselves, what can be answered if one were to ask: why do you get up every morning

Families, communities, are the point of relevancy. This makes the tasks at hand need a different system of completion. The idea of purpose is changed. I know that's obvious but when you live this variation, it creates completely different dimension by which you can choose to live by. Everything that you have every done has a million alternatives and everything you can do becomes measureless. That option, this new choice, is either loathed or embraced and your vanity is useless. Villagers live for more then just themselves and singular endeavor is not understood.

I know it took me a while to get to this, i beat around the bush [ because i'm young and stuborn and i don't like to admit i'm moved].

But i promise there is still enough time to relax and be less overwhelmed.

I step out of my room and I see kids, compounds, sand, and 1 tree, the borders of its shade wrapping in the people. The evenings are beautiful, a favorite time. You lay on a mat in the courtyard and the best part is, its too dark to see how dirty you are. The breeze is refreshing, revitalizing compared to the hot wind during the day, heating instantly and making you perspire the spicy lunch you just ate. No, the best part of the night is calming down and sitting with all the members of your family. Everyone is fatigued and eventually it evolves into feeling looney, this is where the best interaction occurs.

Now, the beach of St. Louis calls, so till tomorrow.

-mona k