Giving thanks

I realized a bit too late that I forgot to mention that I don’t have internet over the weekend, so you’d have to wait till Monday to hear any news…and I concluded with a mildly troubling post. So sorry, for any of you waiting in suspense, especially you grandma, but I’m sure you talked to mom and she was able to tell you. But before I write another blog I just wanted to send a thank you to all of my readers! I’m happy that people are interested at all. I really helps my writing when I know I’m not the only one reading it!

Also there are a few people I would like to thank individually. Mom and Dad for starters, for letting me go on these wild trips even if you knew you couldn’t stop me, for still supporting me and eagerly reading my blog and sending me updates. As well as obviously funding. I also want to thank my grandmother, who prays every night and probably everyday for my safe return. As well as helping me fund some of my excursions even though I know she’d rather have me in Seattle. Next I want to mention the Smith family, who I not only consider my family but also have been helpful by offering multi babysitting hours as well as donating to get my Kenya trip on the ground. Not to mention Claudia’s stories of Kenya and her suggestion to go to Lamu, which I wouldn’t change for anything.

There are three people in Sweden I would like to thank first the SSAG for funding my whole trip basically, and Sten my advisor who paid for my ticket out of his love for Burkina and the need to share it with other people. And finally obviously, Bjorn, for letting me be myself and follow my interests no matter how much it frustrates him that I moved to Sweden only to leave again, again, and again. It takes a true amount of something, I don’t know what, to be able to accept me and my crazy work the amount of times I’ve done it with you, please don’t stop.

The last and final person I need to thank did not intend to help me chose a life path as much as he did but he got the ball rolling. Thank you uncle Jim for five years ago writing an email, asking if I wanted go to Tanzania with you. I know you didn’t know what you were starting, and I’m sure if Grandma had known what she knows now she would have stopped you, but it is greatly appreciated. And all I can say is that if you ever want to do it again, I will answer the same way I answered you five years ago.

“Africa? That would be fucking awesome.”