To Do Lists

It’s a busy, busy, busy time at the moment. Where does time go? Time feels like it flies by and I spend my life putting things on my ‘to do’ list and then never getting round to doing them (of course, this is also because I am the Queen of Procrastination).

When I’m in Ethiopia, time seems to have a completely different rhythm, a completely different meaning. Time stretches forever – or that’s what it feels like! – and you can take ages doing little things. I remember K and I climbing Asherton Mountain when we were first in Lalibela, having breakfast and then going to have a nap ... and discovering it was only 11am! We were convinced the clock was wrong. It felt like we’d done a full day’s activities and yet it wasn’t even lunchtime!

It was the same during those endless afternoons while I sat on my little wooden veranda, creating teaching resources or reading a book , and drinking tea. The day stretched on forever and everything around me was peaceful, unhurried and calm.

Of course, this is totally romanticising everything, I know. And – as usual – I wasn’t so good at appreciating it at the time. I was too busy thinking of all the exhibitions I’d go to back in London, all the books I’d read, the friends I’d see, the plays I’d watch. I missed my busy life in the UK and really looked forward to returning to the buzz of things.

But actually, when I relaxed into it, I loved the stillness and the slowness. I learnt so much from living like that and from the attitudes of my friends in Lalibela: a lot about living in the moment (as cheesy as that sounds), about enjoying simply spending time sitting with friends and about not being scared of the silence and the space.

I have bought some of that home with me. I move slower now, I spend more time just sitting, and I no longer sit on a train whilst reading a book, listening to music and texting, all at the same time. Of course, the rest of London is still manically busy, which occasionally causes a problem ... but generally I’ve reached some kind of equilibrium.

Which, I suppose, is a roundabout, self centred way of saying that things are busy with Hanna’s Orphanage! We’ve had quite a few donations, so we’re busy sending out thank you letters, and I have a backlog of emails from people requesting information about Hanna’s Orphanage, Ethiopia and what they can do to help. Meanwhile, supporters in Sudbury, Suffolk, are preparing for the cake sale and stall on 19th June – if you want to get involved, please email riewhs@hotmail.com

We are also in the middle of recruiting and selecting two volunteers to teach English at the summer school at the orphanage. Sending volunteers to Ethiopia has never been something we planned to do – we simply don’t have the money or capacity to support people there. However, we are currently working in partnership with Cass Business School and sending two of their students over in August. It’s looking really positive at the moment and we’re all really hopeful!

We are also working on getting the word out about the 5 people who are doing tandem parachute jumps to raise money for the orphanage (see next blog for details!). Any money you can donate will be much appreciated!

So, it’s about 7pm on a Sunday evening, and I have a huge to do list sitting on the sofa next to me. I’m determined to stop procrastinating and get this all done, so I can curl up in bed later with a book, and enjoy the rest of the evening ...