Historically important days: 9 June 2007

I've been looking for a plot of land to begin a African women's community gardern/agriculture project, and, beyond all expectations, we were offered a plot in less than a week. It's 3 raised boxes (enough for a few rows of veggies) on the roof of Boston Medical Center. The possibilities are endless! Amazing.

The Coming Week

Greetings,

I'm pretty excited about next week: my parents are going to be here. Last time they came it was really rushed and crazy because Eugene and I were about to get married. This time we can relax and enjoy the summer for a week together.

The house is still a bit of a disaster area, but the cupboard looks great.

So, this week had 3 main new beginnings:
I went with ummanim to Busa farm and got 3 varieties of bell pepper plants. I read that it's possible to grow bell peppers in containers-- don't know if that's true but I'm going to try.

I began a new part time job today. One day a week I'm coordinating a medical residency program and trying to design a good curriculum. I think it's hard to know what it will be like, but I want to learn and apply myself to what has to be done. I realised one major challenge is to stay out of the politics of an office without being self-righteous or high and mighty.

I began a new blog: The Concrete Gardener (concretegardener.blogspot.com). I'm trying to learn about urban gardening and urban living-- really thinking about what health means, particularly as a Christian. I would like for it to become a resource, and so have a wider audience and maybe one day make money for Eug and I. A way to learn, reflect, and put something out. For now, I'm just trying to dedicate time to write one post a week.

Thanks for reading and keeping me updated on your lives.

On NY, Plants, Graduation and Spring Cleaning in Summer (Not in order of importance)

Last Thursday we had a short visit to NY to see Sam. He treated us to Mamma Mia- my first musical in NY! It was good seeing Sam, and seeing the ship. I think meeting Sam in NY is always a time when I am amazed how quickly and dramatically our lives can change (the externals, at least). NY always makes me think about how lucky I am because it's very obviously a world center, in a more obnoxious way than London or Cape Town or Milan. Eug and I also saw my cousin, which was lovely.

This past Friday was graduation at Wellesley. Madeleine Albright gave the speech and Gladys graduated. This the last year where I really have people I know and love graduating-- next year will be a bit strange I think.

We've begun Spring cleaning, finally. It's like we're moving in again-- and we've only lived in our place 6 months (less than).

In other news... our plants are doing well. There have been a few deaths but nothing major, considering the conditions. It's a pretty good challenge to learn to be healthy and well-balanced in Boston. In Durban it was relatively easy so I took a lot for granted-- even the basil grew faster than you can imagine! But here it's not quite as quick. I'm going to try and visit the farm where we got a share to begin our vegetable eating summer. It's going to be great.

Ok, I have a few more pictures but I'll stop here. We're so excited about Durban and Cape Town in less than a month! Yeah!