First (Cliche) Post

So let me start this blog off in a very cliche manner... "My name is Erin. I am a 21 year old Peace Corps Volunteer in Kenya. This is the first time I've kept a blog." Ok, now for something a little less superficial. I've decided to start the blog for three main reasons...

(1) to keep everyone who is interested informed about my life in Kenya; hence the name of the blog, "Maisha Yangu Katika Kenya" literally means "My Life in Kenya"... really original, I know

(2) so I can have a diary of my daily events, and

(3) because journaling has always been therapeutic for me, so I figure blogging with have some of the same perks.

I will write a post that gives a better background of my current situation soon, but for now I'm going to tell a little story. This is actually what prompted me to really start writing a blog. I created a blog account yesterday with the intention of deciding in time whether to actively write posts, but this mornings' events made me realize that there are so many little situations that I want to share with people, most of which are hard to remember when I'm writing my monthly mass emails or days later when I'm writing letters home. But this blog will allow me to get these stories and experiences down not long after they've happened. Ok, so the story...

My biggest "test" of self-assurance and confidence comes at 6:30am, about four times a week. Even though people do not usually run for exercise in most parts of Kenya, I did not want to compromise this stress-relief activity that is important to me. After a week at my site, I started running laps around the soccer (football) field next to my home. As for the "test" of being secure with myself, I constantly have to remind myself not to care about how strange it must look that I'm out there...running (for no apparent reason) in circles. And I say "for no apparent reason" because I have been told on multiple occassions that when someone is seen running, people's initial reaction is that they are running from something. I have actually been asked on multiple occassions if "everything's ok" when I'm running. One time, a police officer even offered to escort me; I assured him that I was fine and continued running. So this morning, I had a realization moment (I have many of these every week, if not day; they are gentle reminders that, "yes, Erin, you are in another country"). After about 10 minutes of running, I looked up an saw a group of about 7 young men sitting on the back step of a nearby house, just watching me run. It was like they were watching a sports event, just relaxing and taking in the entertainment. One of them had even walked a little closer and was standing with a cup of coffee, just looking on. Interesting, huh? And the thing is, they weren't making me uncomfortable or bothering me in any way, but simply found it an interesting way to pass the time. So every morning that I go running, I now understand how it must feel to be a professional athlete, knowing that people are entertained enough to just watch... Well, minus the free gear from sponsors, fame and celebrity status, and often very large paycheck that allows for early retirement. I'll just have to remember to keep my "Volunteer" status in mind when day-dreaming about my cheering fans and swelling bank account.

So I hope this blog serves as a good way to keep people updated on my life, as well as to stay in touch with everyone...

Best, Erin