Well, I finally moved to Northern California. Though I can not say I am actually moved in when in reality 90% of my belongings still are in storage in Phoenix. With that being said, I am able to live a full life without those "things" and keep wondering how I can make them magically disappear. If anyone is interested in a full storage unit let me know. Maybe I should just put it up for sale on craigslist: "FOR SALE one fully furnished storage unit. Comes with complete bedroom, kitchen and full bath. Some assembly required" What do you think? Any takers? I guess it is a good excuse for me to go back to Phoenix sometime soon.
I miss it more than I thought I would. I miss my friends and just the established life I had made there. But when I left my head up from my laptop and look out the window.... well my view is incredible.
Where I am living in Oakland is beautiful. I am fortunate enough to have an amazing friend who I am staying with and their house is so beautiful. They have a view of the bay bridge and every time of day brings about its own spectacular beauty. The people in the East Bay are so laid back and very genuine.
After many attempts to find the PERFECT job, I realized that there is no such thing when you are coming from having your own business. And actually there is not PERFECT in that either. So, after many interviews and many offers, I decided to go full time with a small spa in Walnut Creek which is not far from where I am at. I had originally planned to work in the city, but sometimes you have to go with the stability before you go with the fun. This job is going to be full time and the women that I will be working with are very nice, professional and have really created a feeling of family.
I have looked into volunteering for the Bay Area Crisis Nursery and I have a meeting set up to look at a youth homes as well. I am excited to get that going. I have realized I would prefer to spend my free time working with kids than doing much of anything else (except maybe attending the Farmer's Market on Saturday! How nice to have so much FRESH produce and yummy local food!!).
I titled this "where ever you go, there you are" because I realized that the longing in my heart is not going away. I thought moving to a new area that might offer me more in terms of culture and diversity would help fill the void in me that I have felt ever since I came back from Uganda. But it is still there. I think that I now just have to figure out how to accept it. Whether people admit it or not, I think we all have a space inside of us that tends to feel a little lonely. I know I question how I can do more, be more or ask "what more is there?" on a daily basis. I do not know if I will ever find the ONE answer, because I think it goes beyond one answer. I do know that I have to keep asking and that I have to keep feeding that part of me that wants to serve. I am here in Oakland right now because I know I have to work. Because I need to save money and pay my bills and afford to live. But, I know my heart is still in Uganda and Zambia. I know that I want to be sitting next to my little Fiona, helping her to read and giving her a hug and holding her hand telling her how beautiful she is.
I spoke with her on the phone today. I called my friend Kristina who is still living there and she had Fiona next to her. I asked Fiona how she was doing and asked if she was still in the school choir. I could hear the shyness in her voice and the smile behind her words as she said, "Yes, we sing in village." And so of course I needed to hear her sing, and she did. She sang me a sweet small song and it brought so much joy to my heart. To be able to hear her sing and to encourage her to keep learning and keep following her heart.. that fills the void. I hope I can follow her as she goes from grade school into university. I plan to watch Fiona as she unfolds into a successful woman doing exactly what she has dreams to do. I want to help her and other girls like her. Kristina is planning to go back to Uganda next year for a very long extended stay. She is planning to find a house in the city center and I am planning to spend some time there with her too. We are considering speaking with some people in hopes to Foster a few girls. We could help sponsor them to go to school, help them in their studies, teach them other skills like cooking, sewing, and anything else that could help them start small business. We can help them with microloans and set them up to be a success! I need to be there. I want to be there.
In the meantime I have found an awesome new website. Some of you may be aware of it. It is called kiva.org, a non-profit that allows you to lend as little as $25 to a specific low-income entrepreneur in the developing world.
You choose who to lend to - whether a baker in Afghanistan, a goat herder in Uganda, a farmer in Peru, a restaurateur in Cambodia, or a tailor in Iraq - and as they repay their loan, you get your money back. It’s a powerful and sustainable way to empower someone right now to lift themselves out of poverty.
Check it out!
That is all for me right now. I send this with well wishes and to let you know that you are all in my heart and I think of you daily. Missing my old home more than you know!
Peace and Blessings,
Heather
