today happens to be a brazilian holiday, and it's only 85 (YAY) so i was able to take a nice leisurely stroll through what ended up being an uber-charming neighborhood pertiiiinho daqui...
...and whilst strolling along, inspired by my dear friend brittany's perfect comment on my previous post invoking a phrase we coined and frequently used while working in mozambique (MAWA = MOZAMBIQUE WINS AGAIN), i reminded myself that while engaging in social work/international development/whatever term you want to call it, you are just going to feel ineffective about 99% of the time. literally. you try and try and try some more, but when you're dealing with such huge problems, it's just the way it is.
[if my oven had more than one heat setting i would start baking again to feel like i'm doing something productive: start, middle, end. VOILA.] [reminds me of what mom always used to say about dad: how she would leave the kitchen floor unswept so he could do that every night after work and feel like he did something real. tangible. IT'S SO TRUE.]
and speaking of mom... did i mention she's coming back in march? [!!!!!]
and that i also may potentially have actually finally secured a place for toni to live when he gets here in january? [i tell you it has not been easy!]
yes. all these things help immensely. and so do all your kind words. you are all much too good to me!
beijinhos,
joojie.
p.s. i took this picture a few mornings ago when i left my house only to find a pack of horses on my street. hahahahaha perfect metaphor for the completely haphazard, disorganized, and unexpected nature of my day to day here in ole' sorocaba.
3 comments:
Was that stroll in a neighborhood in Sorocaba? And horses on your street? it seems like it is too urban for that! i love that MAWA! So now we can say BWA?? I am coming in Feb actually which sounds even better!
Thanks for the shout-out...its sad but true. The huge plus is that you just keep on trudging through-- seeing beauty in the everyday and the inspiring in the heartbreaking. No I cannot believe its November and that I will become a mother this month...crazy! Love you-- miss you -- glad ze German won't be homeless.
Glad you have two very positive things to look forward to. January is not far off.
Love and Hugs
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