The June Backlog pt. 2

June 11 - Nukriani Youth Concert

It was rainy and gross off and on all day, but Sopio, Mariam and I were on a mission to attend the Nukriani youth concert for their project helping people with disabilities. It wasn’t nearly as well organized, well attended or well executed as the Borjomi or Marneuli ones, but it’s important to start somewhere. Luckily by the time we arrived the rain had stopped, since the concert was in the park. It was short and without costumes or mics, just music blasted from a car to accompany dances in jeans, but the kids had a good time.

High: The fact that the concert happened at all, and the adorable little ten year olds dancing their routines.

Low: The parents were snarky and grumbling about mismanagement under their breath, which was definitely the problem of the regional coordinator and youth group, not us.

Glitter: Spending time with the girls is always a good time, even if we arrive two hours early for the bus and even if it’s rainy all day.

June 12 - Fabrika 

Personally, today was actually a really good day. It feels like an injustice to be cheerful when the US is facing such tragedy, but I haven’t processed it yet and don’t want to commit my thoughts on the shooting to print just yet. So just today, half a world away, everything was normal. Rachel re-dyed my hair, I made brownies, we checked out the new Fabrika space where hostels, bars and creative spaces are slowly taking up residence, chatted over beer and got to watch graffiti artists covering the facade with murals, and even stopped at McDonalds for french fries and snacks which we ate in a little hidden park I’d never seen before. It was sunny, I wore a new skirt, and strawberry scent wafted tantalizingly as we passed street vendors with stacks of summer fruit. I came home to watch Hamilton sweep the Tonys, and even got to skype with my sister and see her new tattoo. 

Books: I’m about halfway through Chernow’s Washington: A Life, and realized that when in the musical, Hamilton tells Washington after Laurens duels Lee, “You’re right, I should have shot him in the mouth,” it wasn’t just idle anger, but referenced the fact that John Cadwalader actually shot Thomas Conway, nonfatally, in the mouth in a duel in 1778. The depth and references, both historically and to hip hop, in the lyrics to that musical is amazing. 

High: Rachel came over and re-dyed my hair electric blue, which just makes me so happy every time I glimpse it out of the corner of my eye.

Low: The mass murder in Orlando at Pulse.

Glitter: It’s Tonys night, and Hamilton performed and won SO MANY AWARDS.

June 13 

I dunno. Can't remember. My feed is flooded with tragedy and political spew, but also really beautiful Tonys moments. 

June 14 - Peanut Butter

I attempted to make peanut butter again with much more success. It’s in the fridge ready to take in tomorrow.

June 15 - Almost Vacation Productivity

It’s the day before vacation, and I spent a really productive day at work with Tiko planning out our social enterprise and pollination project and Future Problem Solving. We have such a short time left, and so many things to fill it with!

High: Setting dates for our projects, in the hopes that everything will be organized and functional by September. FPS may well become a reality.

Low: Pollination project is still on the drawing board and will have to wait until vacation is over.

Glitter: I see Anna in less than 24 hours!