Friday, July 10th, 2009


After months of dreaming and planning, the time has come for me and my dad to board our flight(s). We’re first headed to Addis Abba, Ethiopia for a few days with dear friends and then off to Malawi to spend a few weeks with the various activities of UrbanPromise International in Malawi.

There will be lots of visiting with friends and making new ones. Lots of observing and questioning. And lots of adventures that are still to be seen.

I’ll be updating as often as I can – but I cannot promise that it will be often at all. In lieu of that, I’m posting our itinerary here.

July 11 – Fly from Philadelphia to Dulles to Addis Abba
July 12 – Land in Addis
July 13 – 15 – Spend time in Addis and with Corinne and Eric
July 15 – Fly to Lilongwe, Malawi and meet up with Lindsey and Andy
July 15 – July 19 – Spend time with YouthCare
July 19 – Travel to Dowa region of Malawi
July 20 – 23 – Spend time with RiseMalawi
July 24 – Travel to African Bible College for UPI Fellows Orientation
July 24 – July 25 – UPI Fellows Orientation
July 26 – Day Off
July 27 – Travel to Kambiri Lodge on Lake Malawi for Leadership Retreat
July 27 – July 29 – Leadership Retreat
July 30 – Fly from Lilongwe to Addis Abba
July 31 – Fly from Dulles to Philadelphia

Well, friends, that’s all. Whether you’re reading this on my blog, on your RSS feed or on Facebook, I hope that the next few weeks of your life is peaceful and productive. I’ll see you in August.

If you’ve never watched the wonder that is SYTYCD, know that it is far better enjoyed in a group. I, personally, recommend my group. We shriek and cheer and act as though we are in the studio audience and not an apartment in Waco, Texas. There’s also usually food. It’s pretty freaking fantastic.

But on to the dances …

One of the dances this week may rank as my favorite of all time – a profound and beautiful and haunting contemporary by Mia Michaels. There were a few other great ones, but I’m still tearing up at the one embedded directly below.

Kupono and Kayla – Contemporary – “Gravity” by Sara Barrielles

Randi and Evan – Hip-Hop – “Halo” by Beyonce

Janette and Brandon – Argentine Tango – “Libertango” from Forever Tango

(This was legit the best ballroom routine I’ve ever seen. When I talked about our group shrieking? Much of it was over this routine.)

Phillip and Jeanine – Jive – “Stuff Like That There” by Bette Middler

Janette and Brandon – Jazz – “Ruby Blue” by Roisin Murphy

(I’m calling it now – if someone other than Janette or Brandon win this thing, I’ll be shocked)