Karicho

Yosemite backpacking

2010-08-16T16:32:00.000-07:00

Story to come later. video for now http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=np44mVvbCWA

Story time

2010-07-22T21:11:00.000-07:00

My Visit after a Long Time
In the middle of nowhere there was hardship and risk, but it was a low price for a heart’s satisfaction.
When I was a little boy, I used to live with my aunt in town. It was not a big town like the capital, but still big enough to sustain a town’s life style. But all of my family lived in a rural area, or what I like to call an "upcountry". Most of the things a kid of my age had to do while growing up, like studies, happened as I was close to my aunt right in the same town.
My one year schedule would be summarized as: going to school, playing in the weekend and holidays (vacations). After a long time of the same thing happening again and again, I was also growing bigger and bigger, I decided to visit my close relatives in upcountry. Initially it was just a baby thought, but as the time went by, it matured enough to wake me up, board a bus and start my journey.
It was April of 1999 when my vacation was just a few days old. “Ha ha! It will never be another tomorrow,” I said to myself after getting into the bus. I felt the bus moving slower that day. I cannot tell which seat I sat on in that bus till now. The most prominent memory in that bus is that I slept with my eyes open. Almost all of my thoughts were always like five miles ahead, and the more the destination was closer, the faster my thought moved, and the slower was the bus. “This is the final stage, everyone should leave the bus now,” the driver of the bus said to us.
T here I was at the middle of a road, a grade five boy with luggage which looked like a soldier’s, watching the bus as it turned back. I let my eyes wander around, the yellow golden grass here, scattered acacia trees there, hills by the horizon and woodland just before the hills. Waiting to gather all the information my memory could afford, “The place I was to go had a lot of big trees,” I said to myself. Finally I realized that I am to walk a longer distance than I anticipated since there was no public bus or taxi to board, only a private one. At this time I was all alone because the entire crowd of passengers whom we came with was all gone.
“The journey has just started,” I said to myself after deciding to proceed but not to board a return bus, a thought which had flashed a couple of times before then. It was a straight road where I could barely see it end. It looked Just like a needle pointing away from me. The sun was still above me slightly on the sunset side which made my shadow to lead the way. I tried to walk faster but my legs tended to be speed limited by the luggage I was carrying until I could try to walk faster no more.
I felt a little tired but also the dark was beginning to show after few minutes. All land was silence, listening to the sound of crickets, owls and night moth. Soon I approached the wood land. From fear, my ears became alert in a way I could feel even a leaf falling from a tree. My legs never stopped moving. I came across a trail which I guessed to be the right one from an influence of the little memory that I had from the last time I was there. But I was not lucky; the road just took me deep into the woods. I could not imagine myself without a phone in the middle of wilderness where I was not sure how safe I was. Once I thought of making a few screams and listening whether there will be someone to call back. But I corrected myself when I realized animals might respond too. I could just see about a five meter radius. Beyond five meters looked just like black walls. I experienced how human ancestors (the cave men) experienced when they had to stay in the forest. I decided to go back again and use a bigger road to find anybody to ask for assistance. But the larger road turned out to be a long lonely road full of sounds of insects, rodents and unfamiliar animals.
It was 8:00pm when I finally emerged in this shopping centre. Everyone was busy doing something, some buying, others selling or trying to sell, some playing board games under electricity light, others surrounding the best players while they play, others chatting under pressure lamp’s light. Though the centre was lit inside, outside the compound was total darkness. I continued my eye around to see whether I would know any of the people without a success until I introduced myself where a couple of people claim to know where I was going. I took a big sigh when one of them said he is even my relative whom I could not have identified without his knowledge. “Here we will use the bike on the way home” the boy said. “It is a strong bike,“ I complemented after sitting on it. The light was bright; he said that he modified it from a car projector. He continued with stories of his passion to his bike. After some time that seemed not too long, we were in front of a gate. It was wooden, the fence was made from well-pruned live Cyprus tree, with some cows on the other side. “We are home” he said.
My heart felt like his word was music. If after entering I never found myself in between relatives who were happy to see me, I would have asked him to repeat it again and again. Finally I felt the entire struggle with my journey was worthy. We chatted, we ate together, and any time was like a party.

HA HA! GOD SENT IT .

2010-03-24T22:30:00.001-07:00

I LOVE YOU (john15:9) I have called you by name( isaiah43;1 )and you are mine.Before i formed youin your mothers womb,i knew you,and before you were born, i conscecratred you (jer1;15), you did not choose me,i choose you( john15;16) .because you are precious to me and honoured, i love you( isaiah 43;3)I have loved you with an everlasting love,so i continue to show you my constant love( jer31;31).Can a woman forget her own baby and not love the child she bore?yet, even if she could forget , i will not forget you.see i have curved your name on the palm of my hand (isaiah41;13). do not be afraid, i have redeemed you( isaiah 48;1). I am with you( isaiah 43;5 )and be sure of this;I AM WITH YOU UNTILL THE END OF TIME (MATT28;30 )Do not let your hearts be troubled.TRUST IN ME (john 14;1)I will help you.( isaiah 41;14 )When you pass through deep waters, iI will be with you.Your trouble will not overwhelm you. The hard trials that come will not hurt you(isaiah43;21). Do not worry (luke12;9). Even the hairs of your head have been numbered. so there is no need to be afraid of anything (matt10;30).The mountains may depart, and the hills might be shaken but my steadfirst love for you will never end(.isaiah54;10.)Come then my love (songs of songs2;10) come i will lead you into solitude , and there i nwill speak tedary to you,My heart will be true and faithfull to you. I will constantly and faithfully make you mine forever.Iwill keep my promise forever, and you will really know me as never before(.hosea1;14,19,20 I) LOVE YOU!!! AFFECTINATELY YOURS, I AM WHOM I AMI AM THE LORD YOUR GOD I AM THE LORD THE FAITHFULL GOD.

Poems time :)

2010-03-11T16:00:00.000-08:00

The World is a table.
It took hours for the stupid physics teacher to deceive me it was a circle.
It would have taken forever if I had never heard more crazy people saying it is a cycle.

I know why a ship slowly disappears by the ocean’s horizon; they run away from...
I know why satellites view the world as a circle; they are drunk from disabilities.
I know why the horizon exists; it is because I cannot see farther.
I know the world is table. Because I just fell off the edge.

If is it is not a table, somebody tell me why I passed by a cup of tea.
If it is not a table, somebody tell me why I see eyes by the edge.
If it is not a table, somebody tell me why I smell chicken curry.
If it is not a table, somebody tell me why I had to be stung by a fork.
If it is not a table, why is this sharp knife lying on my way.
If it is not a table, why did I have to fall off the edge?

Yes I want the world to be circle; as sharp knives will be on the trailing horizon.
Yes I want the world to have gravity; to hold me firm.
Yes I want world to still grow flowers; as they reflect the most beautiful light.
Yes I want world to still have The River of Life; as I need water.
Yes I want satellites and my teacher to be right; though the right thing always wins.
Yes I want the world to be circle; as I will not have to fall off the edge.

STORY TELLING

2010-01-22T00:53:00.000-08:00

The Wild Marathon
I have run three full marathons, one of which remains the most suspenseful and surprising in my life. Running a marathon would be a memorable experience under any circumstances. But in most marathons, all of the competitors are human. Three years ago, I had an experience of running a marathon among wild animals.

I remember one day that we registered for it in my country, Kenya. At first, I thought that the marathon was the same as the one I have been used to, forty two kilometers of hills, sun and pushing yourself hard. But when we received the booklet containing the map and the detail, we realized that it was to be done in a game reserve. Everyone thought for a moment. Finally one of our friends broke the silence after realizing that the animals were to be scared away from the road by a helicopter, and shouted “let’s do it!“. I kept my worries inside and agreed with everyone. When the race started, things turned ironically.
The helicopter protection was mostly effective to people in the lead. And small plane kept on circling the loop we were running on. Though I wasn’t in the group that was leading, I kept on worrying about my friends behind me. After finishing, I waited for my team mates not yet starting to be happy. I kept myself busy by watching people finishing, though some collapsed. The faces they made while finishing entertained me most, as I knew I also made one. All of a sudden, I found myself looking at a wide open mouth. “I know this face” I said to myself. He was my friend trying to make a difference at the last minute. Then, the rest of my friends started arriving one by one sandwiched in a number of strangers. Most of them smiled at me while trying to sprint to the finish line. But the case was different to one of them, my friend. He looked more exhausted and little embarrassed. He ran with same pace until he crossed the finish line. “I will be glad to give massage” I offered. “No worries I will be okay” he responded. Later on he started talking.

It was a rhino! During the race, one of the groups that he was in got harassed by a black rhino. At about mile seven, most of the people were tired in their own style. Some craved for the next water point, some taking a couple of steps and stopping, some kept a constant relaxed motion and others with their tongue out. “Rhino” one of them shouted. By this time every one’s eyes were up, followed by a sprint in a different direction. One or two of these people’s lives were laid on the mercy of a knife like horn of a rhino. Fortunately, a man patrolling with a loud motorbike appeared and rescued them by the fact that many of wild animals except reptiles don’t like loud noise.

From that day, I swore not only to avoid running such marathons, but also never to advise anybody to go to a game reserve without a four wheel drive car.

DID YOU HEARD ABOUT ME AND WATER COLOR PAINTING? Cool

2009-09-07T00:03:00.000-07:00

This are some of activity that i am doing before the classes start. this picture it is special it is my second one in the USA and third ever picture to paint. i used michael father tool after his motivation and the picture supported him too.

This is me and brian michael's younger brother at crater lake

this michael and em assuming they did their wedding in kenya

THE SUMMER TRIP

2009-08-26T16:04:00.000-07:00

The plan was to visit Kate on July 17th in San Francisco, Em’s parents on the way to Oregon, and hang for some time with some people (a community of small and important friends around here) in Colorado where they were hiking. I remember the days dragging themselves, especially the week before this date, even seconds turned into minutes. I could hardly listen to em or Michael telling me about the places they thought would be interesting to visit in both their places, Oregon, and Atlanta. Finally the big day was here right at our door.

San Francisco July 17 2009

At around 5:00pm, Kate, who is my friend from Kenya, picked me up. This was just like the plan. We drove to her husband mike’s place of work in Palo Alto, after which we met some of their friends. They were all Engineers, their language moved around teaching, engineering, devices and students. I found it interesting of what it means choosing a career. Kate and I drove to San Francisco, where their home is. By the time we reached the home, I had already started being sleepy. After she showed me my room, we chatted for some time, and then I slept.

On Saturday and Sunday I ran, we went to a gym, drove around visiting an aquarium and watching a movie, Harry Potter the 7th, on Sunday evening. These two days were more fun than I am able to write. I remember Kate, after looking at a bird flying on one of the tallest buildings in San Francisco, was wondering why people have not made a bird robot. Mike told her that they have made some, though they fly for some time and then crash. On Monday, Kate took me to the airport for my next flight.

Atlanta 20 July 2009

In Atlanta, the only similar things with San Francisco were the aquarium and having fun. Their way of doing things was a bit different. I noted that right when em’s sister picked me from the airport. On the way home, just like a true American, she talked a lot. She told me about the eastern history and showed me the high school em and the rest of the family attended. She spoke mostly of the eastern states and the country patriotism. Later she thought I might not be interested and asked what I thought. Though we didn’t share the same idea, I felt I was fond of her country. But I still have mine, and by that angle I was confident to say, “That is right.” The life in Atlanta was adventurous. I visited coca cola museum, aquarium, art museum and the Martin Luther King Junior museum. I was happy to have em’s mother’s care. Thanks Alex for sharing that with me. I had fun hanging around with Alex (em’s little brother) and his friends as well.I hard a chance to meet a kenya in atlanta and he invited me for a dinner it was fun talking my mother tongue for sometime and sharing story that i am more familiar with. Two weeks were over and I still had no idea of being bored, but I had to board another plane to Colorado. This time em’s mother gave me a ride and I felt like I was to run immediately when the car stopped or make myself forget saying good bye, but em’s mother told me she was to give me a hug. Cool!

Denver Colorado august 5 2009

At one time I was in the plane and the next I was in Colorado. Trent and Natalie picked me up from the airport. I was glad to see them, as they are my friends and part of a community I value very much here. The destination was the Foley’s family; I never talked that much because I fell asleep. The next morning all the community made it to the Foley’s, Jonathan Lipps, Jessica Howard, Dan Urban, Justin Smith and Eliza Kienitz. After two days, Michael joined, after a time that seemed to be long. Later Paul Schick, an American friend from Kenya, joined. I was happy to see him after a real long time. We had the type of fun that probably would occupy a couple of pages to explain. We hiked some of the taller mountains in Colorado. The fun of being together scrolled the days and before I realized it, I was in the airport thinking of how to say goodbye once again. Next was my trip to Michael’s parents in Oregon.

Portland Oregon august 9 2009

Oregon hoyee!.... Oregon hoyee!....

In Oregon, life was not different except new experiences, ideas and going to church as a family. Michael’s mom and his younger brother Bryan picked me up from the airport. We were excited to see each other.

After arriving home, all I wanted was a nap, not even food. If I try to cut the story short, special times and moments still remain prominent. They are times like playing card games with everyone in the O’Neil family in the evenings; I remember chatting, watching movies together, hanging around with Bryan’s friends and family friends. One day I was invited to a wedding with them. It was fun attending my second wedding in the US after Michael and em’s. With most of the people I chatted with, I could see and feel they were glad to have me and they proclaimed it “we are so glad to have you.” I felt God deserved that more. I also remember floating in the river and rock jumping, hiking to visit Crater Lake, the Pacific Ocean, water color painting and running with Jake, who is Bryan’s swim coach and friend, later my friend too.I also remember an important time with john ngigi and his family. Michael's father had known him through marathon running on the second day he told me of john that he just won portland marathon. later in the day patty Michael's mother phoned john's place of work. After talking for some time john asked whether he can talk to me. We agreed on meeting and patty agreed on driving me there. patty said she was exited since john was known to be a famous runner. It turned out that i was to spend the night with john's family. we spoke in kikuyu and sometime in swahili when we were together but switched to english when his wife came. another day we went hiking visit some beautiful fall in oregon . nice trip ending.Again, I would like to thank Bryan for sharing his family’s care and love with me.

Generally, I thank everyone who made this trip possible in any way. Michael and em, O’Neil family, Kate and her husband mike, Martha Abbott- Shim and the community here.

SOME OF DIFFERENT BETWEEN KENYA AND USA

2009-05-22T15:19:00.000-07:00

I tried to analyze the differences between United States and my country Kenya I know there are many of them. But I am interested in only some of them. Some are small and some big but the things is they are interesting to me. When I first a lived in united states the first thing to note was that the cars keep right but in Kenya we kept left. After I investigated myself, I found out that I preferred keeping right more than keeping left, because I will have to use my right hand to change gears. But it was a serious problem for me since I knew I will have to cross them about a thousand times a week.
I also noted that in the language no one is willing to be the one giving bad news. I saw a signpost along the street written. 2 hours free parking. Which I thought it was equivalent with parking limit 2 hours. And the world is growing more interesting every day.Another day as I was biking inside Stanford University. I heard a sound from inside a house of a man screaming. I grew curios along as wondering whether the man needed my help or not or whether it is okey. I decided not to enter but to stay near the door. There was silence again and all over sudden the man jumped out of the house without any cloth on him I moved one step close to him, I never talked to him since I did have confidence in my spoken English by then. Somehow the man realized that I was asking what is happening. After screaming again he lifted his hand up and said ''we are having a party Wahooo" I jumped on my bike and started riding. Later on I asked my friend and after smiling he said people think that it is crazy. Another day a friend gave me Bay to Bay Breakers ticket, but my friends kept on wondering whether I will really like it since they were not aware that I know about the "crazy American" as they say. MY friend and also a teacher in Earocentre had already told me about it but encouraged me by saying “James you will be faster than them. I respect people culture and if I don’t proof of them I still believe I have duty to view them valid.

THANK YOU "MAMA" SUDIE AND YOUR HUSBAND

2009-03-15T22:41:00.000-07:00

Em: Ooh we have a parcel, may be its is your computer.

I said: Ha ha (moving toward the box)
Em: wait i grab a camera (She moved out and at the same time i found out that Michael send me text message into my phone that my computer arrived)

Em: (with camera at hand) this is a big gift.
I said:(after lifting the box) Yes it's big

I could not wait any longer to open it. And i dug into the box very quickly.

And finally my laptop face to face

mmmmmmmh

Thanks ''mama'' sudie. your Good Heart is much valued in here on earth and in HEAVEN.

God is perfect

2009-02-22T17:07:00.000-08:00

Never ever doubt what God give.
concentrate on a gift but not the quality of it.
once upon a time there lived a man.

He loved butterfly

And flower

He prayed to God for his need.
instead God gave him a Cactus.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In all of his strength the man reasoned and said.

God i know that you dont care/love me
Now i am walking on my own.

The days passed and the cactus....

Then it grew beautiful and beautiful

And then...
A beautiful butterfly

Have you ever received cactus instead of ...

Faith you prayed for?
Love you prayed for?

Now you know where you are.

God is great and smart always
He always figures out what we really need.

Question of the Day - #6

2009-02-11T16:40:00.000-08:00

E: What did you do last night?

K: After the day's activities, I went to Stanford University basketball stadium - where we had the host playing Cal State.

E: What did you think of the basketball game?

K: It has less rules than American Football [Karicho watched the Super Bowl with us in AZ and thought it was a confusing game]. I liked the game. It made me like basketball much more.

E: Did it make you want to play?

K: I have not explored my feelings about that.

E: What is something different that you observed about the game.

K: The team has it's own mascot. In Kenya, they usually sing like the same as here - they sing for their teams. The team that plays at their home, it is more strong because of being motivated. They say in swahili, "mcheza kwao hutuzwa" - literally means "to play - home - to take care" so if you play in your home, you are taken care of.

Sunday

2009-02-09T10:51:00.000-08:00

The day started with Michael competing in a cycling race in Napa. Karicho and I went along as fans! After we got back, Karicho decided that he wanted to ride so Michael suited him up and took him out for a ride...

We then took a walk in the rain to a local market and bought food to cook a Kenyan dinner. Karicho took lead and directed the operation. We made chapati, rice, and the carrot-cabbage dish that I love!

Karicho is trying to block his first chapati that was a little too cooked :) He didn't want that to be on record.

Tucson

2009-02-04T17:30:00.000-08:00

Arrival into Pheonix

Finger Rock Trail

Michael, Emilee & Ryan

Hollywood shot
I got a new friend

The sun was sleepy

And we allowed it to rest

Question of the Day - #5

2009-02-04T16:48:00.000-08:00

E: What do you miss from home in Kenya?

K: I miss people a lot - mostly people ...I think just people.

E: What has been one of your favorite moments here so far?

K: My favorite was being with my friends - em and michael - and also friends that I have met here that I didn't know earlier ...and travel - especially trip to Arizona ...going to school.

Question of Day #4

2009-02-01T12:08:00.000-08:00

E: Where are you now?
K: I'm in Arizona.

E: Why are you here?
K: For one of our friends birthday.

E: Who is the friend and how do you know him?
K: His name is Ryan Moore. I know him through my friends Michael and Emilee. He also sent me a journal when I was in Kenya and we also use to chat in computer when I was still in Kenya.

E: What is one thing new that you have experienced in Arizona?
K: The experience is how to climb the hills. They are rocky climbs and the climate is also hot. Less people compared to California.

E: What is the thing you are sitting on in the picture?
K: The cactus...but I'm not an acrobat.

E: What is something that you have learned?
K: A birthday party is a big party in America.

Question of the Day #3

2009-02-01T12:03:00.000-08:00

E: What is a part of God's character that you know now that you didn't know before you believed?

K: He saves.

(part of a conversation in the car on the way to Arizona)

Question of the Day #2

2009-01-30T16:47:00.000-08:00

E: What is your new school like?

K: For the first day I was not comfortable in class - the students would stare at me...I was the only black person in the school. Mainly Koreans, Brazilians, Arabs, Japanese and also Russia...but these days we are becoming friends. They asked me questions about Kenya and I also asked them about their places. When they hear I am from Kenya, they want to know about running...they want to know about Obama ("Your home, is it far from Obama's place?" "How do you feel that Obama is from your place?"). They also asked me questions like, "Why do Kenyans run so fast?" I tell them apart from what I don't know, the part I know is that it is a high altitude and also in the high altitude you have to do your things, like go to school, and other normal things, but training is part of it.

E: What about your teachers?

K: The teachers are good. They are all American. They are funny - like that teacher called Anne, she danced in the class. There is one who we were supposed to go, called Walter, we were supposed to learn with this sunday but since we are travelling to Arizona, I told him it was impossible. Then he said, "Oh, you are running from here to Arizona." Then I tried to explain how Arizona is far...that you need a plane. Then he said, "You can run."

Question of the Day - #1

2009-01-29T20:00:00.001-08:00

E: What did you think of the plane flight?

K: At first I was very excited and then when I got into Nairobi I got confused a little bit. After Zach told me that Heathrow was huge and bigger than Nairobi, I expected to be much confused and I didn't have somebody to lead me. But when I got there I found a bit simpler. While we were about to take off, I trembled. There were good meals. I slept in the trip from Nairobi to London but not from London to here. I just watched movies. When I came out, I just followed the people that we were with but some were Americans so I followed them but I saw a huge askari [police] and he was at the custom desk. He asked me some question like (what are you here for?) and I told him I'm a student. He asked me the document to support that I'm a student. So after then there was that small electric thing you enter ...I didn't know what it was - it was new to me. That was the beginning of new things.

E: Was anything strange to you?

K: I think the whole plane was strange.

Arrival in California!

2009-01-29T19:49:00.000-08:00

British Airways Flight #203

Waiting and excited...

Greeting Karicho - Karibu!