Thoughts?
It’s been a busy, busy couple months and it’s all coming to a head when Erin & I hop on a plane and head to New Zealand in just over 2 weeks. We’ve got a one way ticket and are likely going to be there until May. This is the second extended excursion we’ll be taking and one thing we absolutely loved the first time was hearing from YOU and checking out the places you’d been, and connecting with the folks that you knew. So… if you’ve been to New Zealand or places near (how’s that for vague?), or know people who live there who we could connect with, we’d love to hear about it/them.
Nothing is too small or too big and it’s all greatly appreciated.
Thanks so much!
Getting Soaked by a giant wave on Lake Superior - Near Knife River, MN
Passing Through #1 - Exit 69 @ Hwy 29 & Co. Rd. T near Howard, WI.
After a whirlwind return visiting with family and helping pull together last nights Give & Take event, I’ve finally got a chance to get photos from my recent visit to Ethiopia online. If you’ve got a few free minutes, take a browse through the rest of our images.
As I just exclaimed, I leave for Ethiopia in less than 48 hours. I’ll be heading there with my partner Erin and her father, Mike, to help build a school for early childhood education. It has been almost exactly a year since we had our first meeting to discuss the possibility of doing this project. In that time, we have raised the funds, acquired land, designed the school, created partnerships with The TESFA Foundation, Architecture for Humanity: MN, & 50 Lanterns, established a sister school in Green Bay, and begun site work to prep for building. Once we arrive, we’ll do our best to get the school as far along as possible before our departure. One of the shots above is a rough drawing of what we’ll be working on.
The design has always remained flexible, as we’ll be using methods and materials we’ve never worked with. Even though this will be a challenge, we remain confident in what we’ll be doing - thanks in large part to my childhood friend Cien (who is helping out with the project between graduating with his Masters in Public Health and a 2 and a half year stint with the Peace-corp) who brings with him years of construction experience and international travel.
As we make the final preparation for the trip, I’m filled with a sense of excitement, a little anxiety, and a great deal of wonder for what this experience will bring - emotionally, physically, & spiritually. However large or small, I just hope we are able to make a difference.
THANK YOU to everyone who has helped make this project a reality.
I’ve got over 40 hours of air travel ahead of me… What book should I bring?
Fun feature on the NWA flight status page. Looks like my parents are entering Tennessee airspace.
I’m heading to NYC in a week - What should I do when I’m there?
Arts, culture, entertainment, food, fun, anything!
