I happened to see this guy while traveling in Mwanza last week. I googled “colorful lizard” to find out what is his species … only to find that the Mwanza Flat Headed Agama is known as “the prettiest of all lizards”. He is truly beautiful with his red-violet and blue color combination. Females of the same species are brown and ugly (go figure). This species is only found in sub-Saharan Africa and loves basking on rocks during the heat of the day. Apparently its also in high demand at pet shops due to its uncanny resemblance to Spiderman.

I don’t know what happened to this guy’s tail. Perhaps he was trying to be too much of a hero.

I went to Mwanza, Tanzania this week for a work conference. Located about 1,100 km from Dar es Salaam (1.5 hour flight), Mwanza sits on the southern shore of Lake Victoria – the largest lake in Africa and and the second largest freshwater body after Lake Superior in North America. While Lake Victoria borders Uganda and Kenya, about 50% falls within Tanzania. The lake is a primary resource for food and water for the region.

Mwanza is the fourth largest city in Tanzania with a population of 220,000. It’s mainly a transportation hub for people going to the Serengeti or other cities in the northwestern part of Tanzania. The weather is pleasant year-round and delicious grilled tilapia can be found everywhere. There are lots of granite rock formations seen in the lake; the most famous being the Bismarck Rock (pictured below). This particular view has become the “landmark” for the city.

Every year my family gets together around New Years and I torture them with family pictures. They are used to it now and I think they secretly like the event. This year was no different. We were at a mountain cabin in the Shenandoah National Park in Elkton, Virginia. We had a bonfire every night, ate good food and way too many desserts, went to a local indoor water park, splurged on pedicures at the spa, made cotton candy and t-shirts, watched GT lose their bowl game, chased after Linus and Stella (the newest addition to the family), shared a lot of laughs, and toasted to a new year. It was one of the best weekends we’ve had together. Maybe I’m feeling a bit homesick (as I usually do when I travel), but I am truly blessed.

For more than 2 years, I’ve been walking past the Cathedral of Saint Matthew on Rhode Island Avenue on my way home from work. From the outside, the church just looks regular. Nothing out of the ordinary. Old brick building sitting between two office buildings. Usually one or two homeless people hanging out on the steps or on the street in front of the steps.

One evening last week, I was walking home around dusk, going my normal route past the church. The doors were propped open so I peeked inside somehow feeling like I was spying on someone’s house. I stopped and realized what I had been overlooking for so long. The inside of this church was stunning. One of the most beautiful churches I’ve ever seen. Full of life and color. What I noticed first was the cross. I was taken aback by its simplicity. And the magnificent organ on the side. This church is in fact … grand.

There were several people praying. Several people meditating and being quiet. Several homeless people sleeping on the back pews. I could hear the pews creaking as people sat down. I felt peace. And that’s when I realized God was giving me an attitude adjustment. A new perspective … which I needed that day.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-radio-and-tv-14836731

I’ve been living abroad the last 5 months. While I was gone, the “Occupy” movement started in New York, Washington DC, and other major cities across the U.S. I must admit I don’t really understand the purpose of this movement, but I became a little more informed today by visiting the Occupy DC at McPherson Square and reading The Declaration of Occupy DC. I guess I sort of get it a little more, but I plan on attending the next general assembly meeting to understand it better. Apparently, I would understand it perfectly if I knew the last 30 years of U.S. History.

Happy New Year!! May 2012 bring you happiness, good health, and adventure.

My family and I spent the weekend in the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia (about 2 hours south of Washington DC). It’s been a while since I drove through the countryside, past large open fields with cattle grazing. I love to look at barns. They are all unique, sometimes in need of repair but showing years of life.

Mom, Lois, and I visited the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial today. It’s the most recent memorial to be built in Washington DC, having been completed and dedicated in August 2011. The design is meaningful and moving. It sits in the middle of the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials. It not only honors a great man, but displays his beliefs, values, and dreams for this country. I think Americans could use a refresher on those values right now, so I think the completion of this memorial is perfect timing.

If we are to have peace on earth, our loyalties must become ecumenical rather than sectional. Our loyalties must transcend our race, our tribe, our class, and our nation; and this means we must develop a world perspective.
(MLK, Jr. – Georgia, 1967)

My dad and I are wrapping up an 8-day vacation where we went on a wildlife safari in 3 national parks. We saw hundreds of thousands of animals … more photos to come. Gotta sort through all (gulp) 3,000 pictures. After an amazing safari, we visited my favorite spot in Tanzania for a few days … Zanzibar island. We actually woke up on this Christmas morning to watch a stunning sunrise over the Indian Ocean (right photo). And it comes as no surprise that Santa even decided to take his much needed R&R (rest & relaxation) trip to Zanzibar (left photo).

Merry Christmas! Sikukuu njema!