I'm determined not to let this time go to waste, though I do find motivation more challenging than usual. When you live a normally high-stress life, to experience a lack of stress for an extended period it's really an unusual feeling! I'm working on projects that we would never have time for, normally, and I'm loving it, though I also really look forward to what it will look like when things are as back to normal as they will get.
I've been in South Africa for over a year now, and it's gone by so quickly. I was in Liberia for a shorter period of time and it felt like it dragged on forever. This dream job is still a dream and I'm looking forward to spending the next few years here without the anxiety of moving to another country on the horizon!
A few recommendations on content I've engaged with this week (and links for easy access)
1619 - a podcast series from the New York Times, which has really opened my eyes to some of the gaps my whitewashed elementary school history class taught me, as well as the decline of black farmers in the south and the history and politics of universal healthcare. It's just six episodes, I listened while cleaning my house, doing laundry, cooking. Very much recommend listening.
Unlocking Us - Brene Brown is one of my personal life heroes, her content on leadership and engaging with vulnerability has shaped how I interact with the world. I was thrilled when she finally started a podcast, and this episode is How to be an Anti-Racist. It's a bit more cerebral, which I love, but if you've never engaged with anti-racist messaging before, you might want to try something else.
White Women's Toxic Tears - a conversation between Jen Hatmaker and Lisa Sharon Harper outlines the history of women crying to get what they want, and it's not pretty. Excellent watch for white women and those that love them.
White Fragility - I've had this book for awhile, I read it the first time maybe a year or so ago, and found it so uncomfortable and wonderful and sickening and freeing. Now I'm reading it again while I wait for some of the other resources I ordered to come in. We must be willing to consider that unless we have devoted intentional and ongoing study, our opinions are necessarily un-informed, even ignorant. (pp.8) I haven't linked to a particular book store, but I encourage you to buy from an independent bookstore instead of amazon (more on this in an upcoming blog)
and finally...
Queer Eye Season 5 has finally released!!! This show is just so, so beautiful. There's so much love, acceptance, generosity, hope, laughter... all the things we all need in our lives right now. You don't have to have ever watched it before to jump right in and enjoy any episode, so don't let that stop you. You will not regret it. On Netflix.
Well, that's all I've got for today. I meant to write this over the weekend and somehow the weekend got away from me, so thought today I'd send y'all the update on life in South Africa. In short, it's pretty much the same as every day :)
A few photos of my Jay because everyone loves photos.
