I'm just a little bit in love with you.

So, of course everyone knows by now Obama has officially won the Democratic nomination. Obama’s father is from Kenya- the Siaya District- an area a few kilometers away from here (by few, I think my friend Andrew means 100, but I’m not sure). I don’t know how people are reacting at home in the US, but everyone here is thrilled. I’ve heard there are even parades in his father’s home town. However, I’ve heard his family received the news with an expectant calmness claiming they, “aren’t surprised.”

Quoting from the morning paper, “For the first time ever in the western world, a person of African heritage has been chosen by the people to run for the highest office in the land… This is a moment Kenyans can savour with pride” – Mr. Odinga (prime minister, and also a member of the Luo- the same tribe Obama’s father is from!).

When I came into work today, everyone was tired from staying up and watching the speech. All asked me if I’d seen it. I replied that I hadn’t and a few minutes later someone handed me copy of it from the newspaper. Very impressive.

The truth is Obama’s father left him at a very young age and had nothing to do with his life. Obama was raised by his other grandmother in Hawaii. But Kenyan’s are still very excited. Why? Well, he’s made history as the first African-American ever to win nomination to vie for the presidency of the world’s sole super-power. He’s the son of an African. He’s the son of a Kenyan. That’s a pretty big deal. People are excited that he might implement “African-friendly” policies. I’ve been reading the newspaper here, and Bush is pretty liked, but Obama is really really really liked!

On June 11th (next Wednesday), there will be more elections here in Kenya. Five parliamentary seats were left open after the disputes at the beginning of the year. Two of the parliamentary seat members were murdered, so they have to be replaced, and then the others were rigged. Andrew’s district will be re-voting next Wednesday, and he explained that “politics are not like how they are in America. Our democracy is still immature. People can be bought and sold, and the party systems are broken down by tribe. In my hometown, the Kipsigi and Masaii will be battling for representation (hopefully this time peacefully!)”

When I was out yesterday, I noticed the huge rocks on the side of the road and the potential road blocks in place. (One of the things people did to protest was close down all the roads by covering stretches with lots of rocks about the size of a baby). Leading in and out of towns were the bigger road blocks- trees and cars on fire blocking the roads, etc.

Although I did just include a long entry about how we should look twice before dismissing everything as tribal violence- I hope I didn’t give the impression that it doesn’t exist. It is very, very real. On Tuesday, two people were hacked to death and 20 injured from two tribes fighting over land. Although Patti and James and the others had to be airlifted from Tenwek (with armed guards), a few months ago because of the violence- I dout we will see any here at Tenwek next week. If anything does happen, I can promise you we’ll see it in the casualty room! John Wright said tonight at dinner that during that time the hospital was CLOGGED with people. We had dinner at the Fitzwater’s tonight and it was a blast. Krista made a great chocolate cake!

Today I said goodbye to Joseph because tomorrow he goes to a home in Nairobi! I got to hold him for like two hours. I almost escaped getting peed on- I was so careful! But as I was putting him back in his crib… ah. I think a baby died today, the chaplin was there with the mother, and then when I was sitting outside holding Kip I heard wailing. Kip Korir and his twin sister have been here for a month, but they were discharged today! Their mother helped me practice my swahili. They left the hospital in matching sweater suits- covered from head to toe. It was adorable!

In the nursery today it was me, Julie, and Juliana. We kept trying to get Joseph to smile, but he’s just too serious!! I also got to spend a good hour at ped’s. The kids are so so so sick and so beautiful. It’s because they wait until the last minute to come in. John Fitzwater says when patients come in he looks at them and “sick isn’t the word.. it’s more of a ‘can’t believe they are still alive’ state.” Patients will wait weeks or months before coming. On a totally different note, suicide is a much bigger problem than I thought it would be.

Anyway, tonight we had ice cream! I have really been craving some good chocolate ice cream and Smartfood popcorn!! We just got back from Mount Montigo. John drove us up there to look at the stars. We borrowed the Roberts car and it was some serious off-roading, but when we got up there- wow. It’s weird to think the stars are different than the ones everyone are looking at back home because we are right near the equator. I would think it would be like half and half, but I couldn’t find any of the constellations except the Southern Cross. I remember Dave pointing it out to me in South Africa.

It’s mind blowing to think that there are 100 billion stars in our galaxy, and then like a 100 billion galaxies.

“Sometimes there’s so much beauty in the world, I feel like I can’t take it. Sometimes I feel like I’mm seeing it all at once, and it’s too much, my heart fills up like a balloon that’s about to burst.”

“Don’t ask what the world needs. Rather ask – what makes you come alive? Then go and do it! Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”