xkcd.com

"correlation doesn't imply causation, but it does waggle its eyebrows suggestively and gesture furtively while mouthing, 'look over there'"

Bon Voyage!

So I know it’s been a while, but I’ve recently gone through a lot of big life changes. After I left my job I became bitter toward Corporate America and decided to shun it and all of its technological advances. During the months of solitude and introspection, I came to realize that one of the most important things in life to me is the daily reading of this blog and all that it discloses. Each word is another reason to breathe and imparts new meaning into my life.

Since you all have nourished my soul during these past dark months, I decided that it’s time for you all to feast on the wealth of my experiences. You may have heard about my recent engagement- scratch that- MARRIAGE! Las Vegas Baby!!!! We really enjoyed having The King perform our nuptials. The chapel was styled in a lovely post modern, deco, colonial, gothic, arts and crafts combo. My sugar daddy, Kevin, was so thoughtful to surprise me by picking out this very chapel because he knows how much I love extreme architectural vomit.

Just had to update the blog before we jump on the plane for our Somali pirate cruise honeymoon getaway! Can’t wait to enjoy some seafood, target practice with our renegade friends, and dining on the full entrée of your delicious posts upon our return!

Shout- out to Wardo: I’ve recently become a foodie!!!

Love ya'll,
Abby

El Gato es muy feo.

Our lives since we last blogged:

Moved to Crestwood.

Keith lost job.

Elaine hired at Cornerstone.

Elaine quit job.

Guatemala.

Elaine started at Cornerstone.

Keith bought screen door.

Keith thinks of Kanakuk often.

Elaine picked tomatoes from garden.

Keith takes CPA exam.

Keith got new job.

Elaine applies for Spanish citizenship.

Davis household decides to henceforth speak only Spanish.

Realizado we solo bloggiadoed on Elaiña’s blogio.

Muy Convictioñado.

Keith changes nombre to ChaCheé.

Will be more consistienté with life changes on Treinta Travelerjalos.

Mi amor. Bailamos.

~ChaCheé & Elaiña

A Big Hike & An Everlasting Promise

I first knew that I really loved Erin when she confessed to me that her greatest joy in life comes from reading the Thirty Travelers blog. I, being the absent minded bloke that I am, knew that if I am going to be faithful to this blog for the rest of my life on earth, I would need a companion who would run fast and hard alongside of me towards the prize of Most Consistent Blog Updater. Ever.

So to get started with that goal we thought we would share the story of our engagement.  I took Erin on a pilgrimage to the top of Mount Sinai. After my time at Beach Project, my red skin was like the flames of the burning bush. Hiking up that mountain was a difficult task, as I was carrying two stone tablets inscribed with the top 10 reasons why I want to spend the rest of my life with this girl. When we reached the top and Erin read these confessions of my heart, a clap of thunder (some would say “The blessing of God”) filled the air. Erin cried with a loud voice, “Alpha Omicron Chi Omega Epsilon Pi!” (Which in Greek, of course, means “With all my heart- YES!”) After descending from the mount, to commemorate the occasion, we immediately melted down all of our jewelry into a small gold slice of key lime pie.

The happy couple just after our descent

We are so excited to extend a wedding invitation to you all!! Please RSVP by posting on the blog!

- Matt

Ducks and vodka

Will, you crack me up.

I'm trying really hard to think of something creative to write. To bring a snort to your nose. To bring an ache to your side.

Nada. Oh well.

But I did just return from a trip to Zhongguo (otherwise known as China) with 4 other Malaysian Chinese students to visit one of the first students I met when I came to Malaysia for the summer back in '06. She moved back to her country in 2007. Thirty Travelers meet Zoe:
The trip reminded me much of our trek through Italy; although, I'd say that many key elements were missing. There was no Rick Steves. No Sims to plan everything (Thanks again Sims for all you did!) No white wine. Oh wait, there was some white wine, or maybe vodka? Our tour guide took us to a place where they make a Chinese medicine consisting of snake venom with alcohol to 'cure whatever ales ya.' (I'm not sure exactly what it's for; I still can't really understand the Chinese language.) I'm pretty sure the snakes in the jars were dead...I guess dead snake soaked in vodka also does something for ya.

No, I didn't buy you all snake oil juice for Christmas. I know you're sad now.

Back to the trip. We rode in a train. A much nicer train than the ones we took in Italy. We took a night train to Shanghai. My bunk was on the 3rd tier. We went to the top of the Oriental Pearl in Shanghai, strolled through old villages (600 year old villages), climbed Huangshan (yellow mountain), spent the night in tents and woke up to see the sunrise at the peak. (Will, I did eat quite a few peanuts on that hike and thought of you!) Actually, the Malaysian girls I went with (who served as my translators) decided to take the cable car up the 1,864 m mtn. Me? I chose to climb with a Chinese couple who spoke no English; it was an interesting climb to say the least. But we made it to the top and i was albe to see another great sunrise!

We traveled to 5 cities in 12 days (which also reminded me of Italy): Hangzhou, Huangshan, Zhongxiagong (zoe's town), Suzhou, and Shanghai. My favorite part of the trip, however, was being with Zoe. She's not a believer but has heard truth from my co-workers and I off and on for 3 years now. She recently bought a restaurant that she's spent a lot of time investing in. Business is not good. Her marriage is not great (she's 35 years old...has been married for 2 years). She asked me countless times, "What's my purpose in life? I have no purpose in life!" I shared with her yet again about the purpose that I believe she was created for; she didn't really have any response. Please pray for her to find joy and satisfaction in the One we know paid the price for her and desires to have relationship with her!

Zoe eating in her restuarant

The last day I explored a bit of Shanghai on my own and stumbled upon a big fresh vegetable, fruit and poultry market. Here are a few pictures that I think capture some of the culture and food in China:

bao on the street.
so good. bread filled with noodles or pork or veggies or red bean. red bean was disappointing the first time i tried it: it looked like a big slab of chocolate. but it wasn't. it was red bean.

a few of the many veggies

my favorite: yes, that's a live duck being weighed on a scale getting ready to be bought. and skinned. and eaten. yum.

In other news: I'm training for a half marathon to be domintaed on 11th Oct in KK (the same city where Will, John and I conquered that beast of a mtn). I'll be moving to that city in January for a few months before I make my debut back in the states:)

Zoe and me about to go paddleboating.

Life is good. God is better.

Miss you all! Keep blogging!

Dude, man, it's been too long.

Many of you may assume that I’m still in DC teaching. Well have I got a ZOINK for you (finger touch John)!! I’ve decided to give in to my guilty pleasure and dedicate my life to pop music. I am currently on tour with Beyonce, serving as her sound mixer/ bodyguard. I first auditioned to be her lead guitarist/ back-up vocalist, but since she doesn’t actually use real musical instruments, I’ve had to settle for my current position. She has taught me so much, dude. She is my musical guru.

I really enjoy my job because my voice matters. I told Beyonce of my love for climbing the World’s Highest Peaks. In honor of me, she has named the tour: Above and Beyonce. The first stop is the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. Lucky for me, Beyonce just signed a 5-year contract advertising for Planter’s Peanuts. i.e. All the peanuts an avid hiker like myself could want.
But those peanuts aren’t the only thing that’s gonna keep me going. Peanuts and people. That’s what I need. This is where you come in, 30 Travs. Dude. Y’all are awesome. I freakin’ care about what’s going on in your lives. So you’re making a choice: to Will or to kill?

Sustained by posts (and peanuts), Will.

www.Above&Beyonce.com/Planterspeanuts

Thanks a Million!

Jamie, Jen, and Kris here.  What a whirlwind these past 2 weeks have been!  We have traveled the country of Ethiopia in its ENTIRETY.  Every nook and cranny has been scouted out by yours truly.  Kris met Jamie and Jen in Addis (after sneaking/ walking real obviously past security approximately 2,976 times to find Jen) and we headed to Finote Selam early the next morning.  The next three days were spent in the Finote, highlights include:  Jamie’s (almost) birthday celebration, an emergency shunting program at 0200 for Jamie, an informational cheeseburger program, and no showering whatsoever. 

On to Addis for the Ethiopian New Year Festivities.  Happy 2002…again…everyone!  Highlights include: dancing to Whitney Houston with Ethiopians, watching hours of Ethiopian music videos, Jen being put in the spotlight by an Amharic-singing Ethiopian entertainer (and Kristen simultaneously being chest-bumped…by the same singer…she was good folks), joining hundreds of Ethiopians at midnight in the cold to watch fireworks- psych! (too expensive this year, but no one thought to tell the entire population of Addis), and New Years day spent with a wonderful Ethiopian family. 

Next we had the great pleasure of meeting the man, the myth, the legend:  Mr. Million (Million is his first name).  We knew he was to quickly become our 4^th partner in crime…literally.  He looked the part, what with his red wind pants and sleek fashion sunglasses.  Mr. Million had entered our lives to escort us on a 6-day tour of southern Ethiopia.  And man, did we tour that junk. 

Day One:  The Dorze tribe (elephant huts, extremely resourceful with the false banana tree)

Day Two: 8-hour car ride to Jinka (numb butts, reading, and sleeping)

Day Three: Mursi tribe (VEEEERY aggressive people, lip cutting to insert disc, goat blood and milk drinking)

Day Four: Hamer tribe (watched women being whipped and naked man run across the backs of bulls approximately 6 times as part of the traditional wedding ceremony…wow.)

Day Five: Abore and Konso tribes (sensory overload, get us out of the car… and out of the south)

Day Six:  Ganja and 9-hour car ride back to Addis (numb butts, reading, sleeping, brief illegal action encouraged and arranged by Million, arrive at destination in Addis: Mr. Martin’s Cozy Place)

Hanging out with a tribal woman, of course

So, overall a good time was had by all…even Papa Mills.  I, Jamie, look forward to welcoming home our little African travelers in a mere 2 months!!  Woohoo! 

One topic of our daily discussion has been the Thirty Travelers Blog.  As the founders, we feel it necessary to encourage the more consistent use of this tool for communication.  Jen was awestruck when she overheard Kristen and Jamie’s discussions of Matt and Erin’s recent engagement.  Kristen was likewise shocked to hear that Pat got new pants from Urban Outfitters 2 weeks ago.   I mean, how are we supposed to know these things unless you post about them? This is a crime and those found guilty of withholding such valuable information must be prepared to face the consequences.  So.  Be forewarned.  And light the fire…in my weary soul.  Fan the flame. Just do it people. On the blog.

Man who dances with bulls.  Bare butt.  Bleh.  Shun. 

There he is - bare butt in the flesh...well, not quite yet in the flesh, but we thought that may be a bit inappropriate for our family-friendly blog

Brook Hills

Oh, look at our ol' boy Platt in Christianity Today.

This is so Americanized.

Yo, Jen and Kris here.

So Will and John came to visit us, too! And we are happy to say that they have adapted.

Exhibit #1: They assume the appropriate position in the presence of extremely powerful forces of nature. 

Exhibit #2: They respond appropriately when tickled in the jugular by various Rwandans, as demonstrated below.

But seriously, our mini family reunion was ridiculously awesome and served as a great reminder of how wonderful our friends are.  Jen and I are coming away from the past few weeks so refreshed and encouraged and just feeling really blessed to have such great people in our lives.  Neither of us have laughed so much or so hard (see above) in a long time... well, you know, since New Year's.

Watching the guys meet my Ethiopian family and friends was my favorite part of having them in the land that boasts of 13 months of sunshine.  They literally met all of Finote Selam and were champs about it. John and Will were able to have great conversations with two of my closest friends, Mame and Teshager. I'm excited to go back and see what comes of that! Also, the family I lived with loved them and commented on their "good behavior." I'm pretty sure that just means they were good at eating injera and drinking coffee, but this is quite the compliment.

All three of us were quite ready to head for Uganda when the time came, however! Jen put us right to work, taking us east towards the Kenyan border to pass out mosquito nets and check out a community center her organization is funding. It was such a neat opportunity to see the great projects Jen is working on and to see how appreciative the rural communities are to receive supplies that will protect the health of their families. We also took a short hike to a great waterfall (again, see above photo).  On our last night in Uganda we went to a birthday party for Lino, a Sudanese teenager that is being adopted by the people Jen is working with. Jen, John, and Will were schooled in volleyball, we got to meet Jen's people, and there was birthday cake... Uganda is awesome.

But Rwanda is even better! When you flush the toilets, water swirls in the opposite direction. Clearly good things are happening there... we spent a few days visiting with the sister church of Will's church in DC and their awesome pastor, Deo, who coined the phrase that is the subject of this post when we introduced him to the concept of group hugs.  We had good conversation with him, met others in the church and just had a really great time there.  Then we went down to Kigali, toured some of the genocide memorials there and soaked up our last bit of time with the guys before they headed out on Tuesday night.  

So here we are, back in Kampala, trying to regroup for the months ahead. We find ourselves excited about what the next four months have in store, feeling supported and encouraged, and yet ready to come home at the same time. Having that taste of community leaves us ready to be with you all! Jen and I will both be heading home the last week of November and will be showing up on doorsteps looking for somewhere to live, so get ready!

John and Will came to visit!!

I felt like I was back at the 626.

I think John was winning at this point. Until I pounced on them both and took them out with the cushions...

They had a little too much fun with a plastic bag. Yes, they're the same plastic bags we have in the States (At least I think. I'm finding that the longer I'm here the more I forget about small details like that in America)

And they caught me doing what I do best: illegally driving while smsing...whoops

So good to see these guys again! We had a great time on the mountain, looking for monkeys, fireflys, and watching beautiful double rainbows expand before our eyes!

You never know what's waiting for you when you come to Malaysia!

In other news: I will probably, big probably, be staying in this wonderfully hot-all-year-round country (unless you're on the top of their tallest mountain) until March 2010. I'll keep you posted;)