Category Archives: Portraits

For those of you who don’t know who “that guy” is – its Jonathan Shields.  Now I have only known Jon since I have been back in the states but he has already made quite an impression. The kid (and by “kid” I mean that he is the same age as me) is going over to Africa too, so I have been helping him get ready.  At first, I really freaked him out – but now, the feeling has reversed.  Most of our time has been spent with him being absolutely ridiculous and me trying to stay on my toes.  It is exciting.  I haven’t been around that much positivity and energy in a long time.  Refreshing and yet a little tiring all at the same time.  But the kid is a bundle of sunshine and I am so glad that I get to be his friend for this month of overlap in the states.

When I think about Jessica, I think about that REM song, “Shiny, Happy People.” She is just joyful all the time with big laughs and immediate hugs.  She and I are very, very different kinds of people – but I think it did us good to be around each other for a while.  Today is her Birthday, so Happy Birthday Jessica!

Kali has chosen to live here in my town and is fairly confident she will live here for the rest of her life.  She gets frustrated with the day to day life about as much as any other foreigner here, but she feels like the community she has made and the life she is creating for her kids makes it worth it.  She loves talking about music, art and culture.  When we get together it is so easy to converse and relate – which is rare thing living  in a culture where there are so barriers – that I have come to very much appreciate her friendship.

This is Philip.  He is pretty awesome.  He is four years old.  He loves punching, German heavy-metal music, water balloons, and hugs.  He lives next door and comes over sometimes to hang out with me, though I am pretty sure he comes over mainly to see if I have any cookies.

On my first day visiting the Women’s Center that my job here is connected with, I became awestruck with one of the mothers.  She is a countryside girl that can’t be older than 20 with a little boy just learning how to walk.  I first noticed her bumbling little boy trying to stand up by holding the bench I was sitting on.  His little hand-me-down onesie was ripped and dirty; a once white and fuzzy pajama now a brown worn out daily uniform.  But standing behind this snotty, dirty, little unstable boy was a very proud mother.  She wore a composed and almost regal look, even though she was obviously very poor and maybe without family.  I could not take my eyes off of her face.  She is probably one of the most beautiful women I have every seen.  Here jaw cuts a beautiful line, while the angle of her nose makes the most balanced profile.  Traditional cross tattoos circle around her neck, jaw, and chin adding even more character and distinction.  I have seen her twice since then and  just happened to have my camera with me the last time.  Surprisingly, the shy girl let me take her photograph.  Because of our language barrier, I don’t know her name or her story.  But by photographing her, I was able to communicate with her; form some sort of connection.