book stack

Here are the books on my stack. A snapshot of some things running through my head:



What's on yours?

my new nickname

When Sara lopped off the tree branch and brusquely shoved it into the back of her little red truck before we set off on an all-day journey through Mozambique, I had no idea she was giving me my first lesson in the amazing, resilient moringa oleifera tree.

Innocently, she started a educational revolution by jabbing that smooth-barked nutrient-packed stickling into the soil of every remote community where she partnered with people. Sticklings that flourish in dry,poor soil into a fruitful, flowering reproducible tree within the time it takes to wean a baby. Did I mention it purifies water?

Under the moringa spell, I have been yabbering about this incredible tree to friends in Congo, Niger, US, UK...

And now it has turned into the topic of my research essay due in several weeks. My librarian gasped in delight when I asked for help in my search. He grew up eating Moringa pods in Sri Lanka. So the next week when I arrived at the library, there were a few moringa 'drumsticks' (that's what the pods look like) waiting for me!

Have a look (photo taken in Niger)...
http://www.treesforlife.org/our-work/our-initiatives/moringa/moringa-tree


My classmates have started calling me 'Moringa'.

Up to no good

Yes, I am eating very well. All too quickly lost my African skinny.




Doing the local tourist thing- the famed millenium bridge and St Paul's.



Heading back in history, at Henry the IIX's controversially lavish palace. Traveled back home by river boat on the Thames.




Not afraid to be lost...




I love multi-lingual scrabble! Voici, une amie favorite en londres.




...and hanging out with superstars who visit me on their vacation! I'm so lucky!




Let me know if you need anything translated...




Everything is old here- even grapevines planted in 1796 that still make fruit. This one also made the Guinness World Record for being the looooooooongest vine in the world.



During Easter I took an innocently forbidden photo, which I share with you now...



And three other pass-times include
1) looking out the window (we have an incredible back garden) or escaping to the wood
2)baking bread (for the first time)
3)and oh yeah...studying. Actually that's why I'm here!
4)and wearing green pants.