Running errands with Ouko in Malindi, Kenya!

So it’s been 4 days back in the United States. I don’t have much to say on the matter. What could I say? I made a home for myself in another country, one that for most people might as well have been another planet. Not many can relate.

I have flashes of Kenya everywhere I go. Anytime a song comes on that was part of my Kenya soundtrack (since I listened to pretty much the same 20gb of music for a year), I fade into a trance, remembering the horizons, the people, the places, and the smells that once accompanied the song.

I feel out of place, sluggish, sometimes fumbling mentally to feel at peace, to feel like I belong here, whatever that even means. I know it’s only a 4 day sample, but I asked my parents about their experience “coming back home” after spending their year in Kenya in 1999. Their response?

You never “feel normal” again.

And I knew that. I sensed it when I was home briefly for Christmas. And I guess I want to say that I’m okay with it.

In the meantime, I haven’t even really unpacked. Haven’t touched my photos or video. Haven’t done anything besides hang out with my cats, family, some friends, and brainstorm a web TV series with my film buddies. I’ve also watched a lot of baseball and gotten my new netbook (Samsung N120!) set up.

I’ve heard from my Kenyan friends and they wish me well. I also sent off a WSO logo to be used in the Kalasha Film Awards that are supposedly taking place in June now. We’ll see!

Okay, if you were wondering how I’ve been, there it is! Be well!

I got my tickets to get back to Kenya. February 9th. It is written!

On February 2-4 I will be attending the Grant Writing Workshop in Columbus.

When this year working in Kenya to lay the foundation of WSO is over, much of my monthly support will likely come to end — though I’d love if people want to stay on board!

It is my hope that I might continue the work of WSO with grants while I get to work on my PhD. And I’d love to be able to roll my dissertation work into WSO!

I am still waiting to hear back from PhD programs. I’m sure I’m a good fit for some school out there. UCLA is the only school to reply so far, and they regretfully informed me they didn’t have a place for me.

In the meantime, I am preparing for a JustInKenya presentation for BG Covenant Church tomorrow. I’ve got my video almost finished and will post it here after it debuts.

Hope yours is wonderfully blessed!

Hard to believe I was just here a week ago!

Hello! This is my first American Kumi Na Tano ever! I’ve been trying to get back into the swing of things, albeit temporarily, for my holiday stay in Ohio. I’d be lying if I didn’t say I felt a little strange and out of place at times.

The holiday season is a great time to be home, though, and I’ve enjoyed catching up with friends, family, and cats! Perhaps I’ll run into you while I’m here, too?

But enough about me! It’s Kumi Na Tano, remember! Here is your reminder that I rely on faithful supporters who can’t be here with me (but still want to vicariously be a part of things with a tiny part of their income each month).

Please, if you’re still into it, use the big DONATE button over there. You could also send checks to the WSO office:

World Story Organization
1156 Dakota Court
Bowling Green, OH 43402

If you have already sent stuff my way this month, rock on! I appreciate you remembering me! If you have not sent your December support yet, you should do so now! Thanks!

An incredible sunset welcomed me home

Even the mailbox missed me

I missed these guys for sure

And them (and this) too

Well my bags are packed and everything is taken care of! Even if it isn’t!

Thanks to everyone for their support and prayers as I fly out today. I won’t let you down!

Here’s to the power of a good story, in hopes of adding to my own and sharing others from the around the world.

To go out, I would like to share the Africa song my brother wrote a couple years ago (and I adapted for the Benefit Concert a couple weeks ago):

If you like what you hear, you can get the whole album here:

JustInKenya concert photos up!

Check the flickr for the shots! Thanks for taking them, Kelly!

The JustInKenya Benefit Concert YouTube Playlist

Please go and enjoy the YouTube playlist I created with all of the performances from the JustInKenya Benefit Concert! Yes, Felix Thundercrom is up there!

I am working on a photo album for the show, and the mp3 downloads will be available shortly. I will post again to announce those!

[display_podcast]

Here is the video my brother and I made for my benefit concert last night. Anyone like the Strokes? Special thanks to Anti-Intellectual Muscle Head for his acting chops.

Please stay tuned here this week as I will be putting up more video highlights. I’m going to try to create a YouTube channel for the show where you could watch any song you like.

I wish I had better footage of the Bedazzlers, as they were sure a D-light!

Also, for those who missed their chance for the hard copy version, I will still be offering the JustinKenya Benefit Concert album on my brother’s new music store here:

michaeledwardsmusic.com/store

Only $5 for hi-qual MP3s of some artists from last night (actual studio recordings), as well as MP3s from the actual performance thrown in for free! Coming soon, too…

Thanks to everyone who made the show last night possible, and to all who came, supported, and even donated to me on my adventure. Bless you all!

Celebrate WSO’s official recognition by the State of Ohio and the IRS as a true non-profit organization by “testing out” the new DONATE links on the right side!

Of course, the money you donate will be real, and it will be good practice for all of you monthly givers who wouldn’t remember to send a check! But look how easy it is to just click, input, submit, voila!

Special thanks to Victor TenBrink for helping me set things up. I couldn’t have done it without his expertise and fast-tracking know-how.

So WSO is the real deal now – a 501(c)(3) org! Keep checking the web page there, it will be filled with content throughout the week, in preparation for some important meetings this weekend.

More on that later. For now, I hope to see you all Friday at the big show!