By Way Of Introduction

Hi.

I have absolutely no idea how many people are going to read this, regularly or even at all. But, for what it's worth, here we go. I've greeted you all.

If you do read this, I would love it if you'd let me know. I know, I know, the cliché author-not-so-subtly-begging-for-comments ploy. But I'm serious. The more interaction I get through this blog, the more I will want to keep writing.

So. What's this for? My thoughts, mostly. I'm in Kenya, living at home again. I've withdrawn from Wheaton. I'm interning for a fashion design company, KikoRomeo, here in Nairobi between now and July. I'm finally doing what I love. So this is so I can remember the things I was passionate about once these six months are behind me--to be able to go back and look at my ramblings and remember what I felt while it was all happening. Also, several people have asked me if there will be a way for them to keep track of what I'm doing. This is it, folks. (And, I am horrible at keeping a journal. Somehow, I've convinced myself that I'll be better at this.)

On to actual news. My grandmother and I arrived safely in Nairobi a few days before Christmas, despite delays in both Chicago and Brussels. We did our last minute shopping, went to the lessons and carols Christmas Eve service (African style) at the Anglican Cathedral, and hosted the NEGST faculty Christmas luncheon. In short, there was a lot going on, and lots of people I hadn't seen in a long time as well as some new faces (who, of course, knew who I was even though I had no idea who they were). It was lovely, really, to have Christmas at home again. New Years was relatively quiet, I stayed up late talking with a friend from high school, and watched a few fireworks that my brother and his friends set off. In the midst of all that, I hung out with a few high school friends, went to an alumni gathering at Rosslyn, and caught up for my 2.5 year absence. Also, at long last, I am reunited with my beloved Ethiopian food. Yay!

Nairobi has changed since I left. There are more cars on the roads, and it feels like there are more people. The roads are better in some places, and there are several new and improved malls (with new and not-improved prices). I haven't been to many of my old haunts yet, but I keep hearing about things that are different. NEGST (the campus where we live) has changed too--mostly in terms of people who aren't here anymore and new people in their places. It's still my Nairobi though, and my NEGST, and it's still wonderful to be home.

My family is traveling up to Mt. Kenya for a few days at the end of the week for a small weekend away before Jordan starts school on the 12th, and I'm hoping to get a few loose ends tied up with KikoRomeo before we go. I'm hoping to visit, and to talk to Isabel (my contact) and Ann (the head designer) about what exactly I'll be doing. All I know at this point is that I'll be learning dressmaking, pattern design and draping, all of which are very exciting. They work with only Kenyan materials, and make designs with a specific ethnic focus, calling it "radical Nairobi chic". For those of you who want to explore what they do, their website is www.kikoromeo.com. Right now, their website is not functional as they are redesigning it, but it should be back up soon. In the meantime, you can see some of their designs (and those of some other Kenyan and African designers) at www.fafakenya.org. Festival for African Fashion and Arts is an exciting new venture for Kenya, a week of international fashion shows with a focus on peace initiatives that was set up in reaction to the post-election violence in 2008. And, it's hosted in Nairobi in April. I'm excited to be here for it this year!

I think that's enough for an introduction. I have to leave some news for my next post, after all.