I have the best job ever

Not only is everyday packed full of new and exciting things, I get to go on awesome trips to experience even more cool and exciting things...see my post on The Newlin Weds for deets on the most recent trip 

I love spending time with the artisans of Azizi Life and their kids...this is Mose (Mow-say)...and the way he acted and looked up at me reminded me so much of my nephew, James (when he was younger)...

Do you see the resemblance?

If you don't, then I guess it was the way he acted that hit it home for me...he's James' Rwandan brother :)

Nevertheless, it's wonderful to meet the treasures that the artisans work for.

Much love,

Emily Elizabeth

banana leaf twine

one would not think that this much twine would take over an hour to learn how to do...I mean, it looked simple, really

But alas, it was not...my teacher insisted that my fingers be exactly like hers...and that I use the exact technique she used...and, well, my brain was just not catching on as fast as she would have liked :) But she was very very proud of me when I finally caught on!

Then, to show her that I wasn't totally mentally inept when it came to handicrafts, I showed her my mad crochet skillz...

She snatched my hook and yarn from my hands and started crocheting the exact pattern I was doing...I wonder now, after the fact, if she was showing me what a fast learner she was...or maybe what a wonderful teacher, I was! :)

It was actually very fun and I hope I will get to send my teacher a crocheted washcloth the next time Azizi Life visits...because, you know, presents are the best.

Much love,
Emily Elizabeth

Dear Coca Cola,

You are no Dr. Pepper, but thank you for always hitting the spot.

Much love,
Emily Elizabeth

crochet to-do

I believe this will be at the top of my projects list when I get back to the states and start the task of using my  yarn stash

That's right, Mom...granny squares...and hexigon ones at that :)

I have yet to make a blanket for the hubbs and I...and I believe this pattern would make a cute wedding present, too...I would just have to get started way before the love birds got engaged :)

The pattern can be found here

Much love,
Emily Elizabeth

greetings

One thing that we were told on our first walk about town was that greetings are extremely important to Rwandans...when you go to a party, you must greet everyone in the room upon arrival...so when I get to work, it is best for me to do the same. And then you say goodbye to everyone before you leave a place...

Yesterday, the hubbs and I went on a "cultural tourism" outing that Azizi Life is refining as one of their products. We traveled about 10 minutes by car and 30 minutes by foot (down a path that we were not looking forward to hiking back up) to a villiage where a cooperative of Azizi Life weavers live...the women who make up the Abarikumwe Association (meaning, people who are together), were our hostesses for the day.

Our activities included such things like fetching water from the community pipe in large (and small) water containers...carrying rocks (on our heads) to a house that one of the members was building with her family, sharing a meal, and learning how to weave with sisal.

You probably know me well enough to know that the weaving was my favorite part :)

My finished ring! Florida (sp? sounds like "floor ee da"), my teacher, made me a beautiful one as well.

I think my favorite thing about our trip to visit Abarikumwe were all the times we prayed. When we arrived, we prayed. Before we ate, we prayed. And then, before we left, we prayed. I love that. It was as if prayer was their greeting. 

Praying with visiting friends before they set off for home is a beautiful tradition...one that the hubbs and I may want to make our own.

Much love,

Emily Elizabeth

{it's like being a show pony...}

This is what Christi compared being white in Gitamara to...being a "mazungo". And can I say that she was right on. Little children say the word with a smile on their face, point and giggle...mothers ask their children if they saw us...we are a novelty...and it causes me reflect on the way people in the U.S. treat foreigners...

Here, if they are talking about you...it is most likely kind words of excitement. Christi, knowing the native language, said that when she finally could understand what people would say to each other as she walked by, they were things like, "Oh, look how well dressed she is!" and "Oh, she smiled at me! How nice!"

What words have I spoken in the past about foreigners...people I didn't understand. I wish I could say that it was as kind hearted and excited. I believe this is just the beginning of the things the Rwandan people will teach me...without ever even knowing it...

Much love, 

Emily Elizabeth

sending love from Rwanda

Hello my lovelies!

The hubbs and I have started to settle in at our new home in Gitamara, Rwanda.

Isn't it beautiful? We have a room with a double bed, wardrobe and couch that has its own entrance and porch. The first night we slept here, it rained and the noise was so comforting and soothing...just what we needed to relax from the crazy trip that brought us here.

Since I am taking a hiatus from crochet for the next four months, I want to introduce you to my classmate Jocelyn.

She is working with Krochet Kids, a non-profit working in Uganda to provide jobs to women through crochet. They currently make things like hats and scarves...and even sell their products through Neiman Marcus! Cool, yah?

So here is her blog if you would like to keep up with her time in Uganda...http://jocelyns-stitches.blogspot.com/
And here is Krochet Kids site, as well.

I start my official work with Azizi Life on Tuesday...so stay tuned for pictures of beautiful people and products that I will become more familiar with.

Much love,
Emily Elizabeth

see you in Rwanda!

check out our adventures here!

Much love,
Emily Elizabeth