The Friday List (nice things you did for yourself this week)
As Kelly and I were discussing here last Friday, there’s a bit of the hermit about both of us (and probably about some of you–fess it up). So my nice thing this week was putting on a skirt and a nice enough top last night and going out to novelist Laura Fitzgerald’s house listen to an author talk about something that KICKS ASS. (That’s right, I spelled the whole word, no **s. Because it’s just that cool.)
The author was Masha Hamilton, whose new novel is The Camel Bookmobile. It’s based on an actual traveling library in Kenya. These librarians travel hours and hours across the scorching desert, on foot and by camel, bringing what few books they can scrounge up to people who would never have books otherwise. As Masha describes it on her website:
“The actual Camel Bookmobile brings books to semi-nomadic people in Northeastern Kenya who live with the most minimal of possessions, suffering from chronic poverty and periodic drought. I visited the region during a period of drought and made several hours-long walks through the African bush with the bookmobile. I cannot describe how moving it was to see the people, particularly children, crowding around as the traveling librarians set up straw mats under an acacia tree and spread out the books. The excitement is palpable.
“The Camel Bookmobile books are primarily in English. The children are taught the language in outdoor ‘classrooms’ under acacia trees for the younger students, indoor classrooms for the older students. They particularly like children’s storybooks, though all fiction is also sought-after, as well as books about math and astronomy, biology and other sciences. As you can imagine, the camel library always needs more books — the trip is hard on books and, as these are a semi-nomadic people known as pastoralists, not all volumes are returned.”
At her talk last night Masha described how transfixed these people–the children in particular–are when the librarians set out the books under the acacia tree. Such respect, such eagerness for the stories. Such hunger for the words.
When the bookmobile began a few years ago, 85% of the people in that part of Kenya were illiterate. Now there are one-room schoolhouses where children of nomadic families can spend a few weeks at a time learning to read as they pass through an area. And often the only books available in those classrooms are the ones brought by the camel library. Each book matters so much.
Someone asked Masha last night why she decided to support this cause, out of the many many others out there to choose from. She expressed what a lot of us feel: “When I think about all the problems in the world, I just get overwhelmed. I feel like I can’t do anything about any of them. But I decided this is one thing I can do. I can give a book to a child. It’s very simple.” And she’s seen with her own eyes that it does make a difference–seen that joy on the people’s faces when all the books come out of the boxes.
So today is one of those “Do one thing nice for yourself by doing something nice for others” kind of day, if you’re up for it. I was last night. I wrote a check–non-tax-deductible, let me warn you–so that Masha can buy more books to send to those librarians in Kenya. Because that’s one thing I can do. If you feel like doing that, too, you can either pack up some of your own books and mail them to the address shown here, or you can order books off the Amazon or Powell’s Wish List Masha and the head librarian have compiled. Check here for all those details.
Now for another nice thing you can do. I saw this on Kelly’s website last night. A lot of you know Michele from Scholar’s Blog. If you feel compelled, be a mensch and help her out. Kudos to Kelly for being the instigator.
And finally on this long-winded Friday post, let me remind you all that today is the official beginning of Mother Reader’s 48-Hour Book Challenge. You can read your way through your massive TBR piles for 48 hours straight any time between now and Monday. But it has to be 48 consecutive hours. Go look at the rules if you want to be all legal.
Okay! Your turn! What fabulously kind things did you all do for yourselves this week?
Technorati Tags: The Friday List, Self-Care, Pampering, Kindness, Sweetness, 48 Hour Book Challenge, Reading, Books, Masha Hamilton, The Camel Bookmobile, Librarian Heroes on Camelback
June 8th, 2007 at 6:51 am
The only things I’ve done for myself this week have been nice ones.
1. I bought a desk.
2. I went to the zoo with my best friend.
3. I had sushi for lunch.
4. I re-read Philip Pullman.
5. I sang karaoke.
6. I admitted to a colleague that I need her help with my work.
I should probably stop being so self-indulgent, huh?
June 8th, 2007 at 7:27 am
Oh that’s so awesome that you saw Masha. She emailed us about that, and we posted about it once, and I hope it garnered a bit more attention for the cause, though I don’t know.
And there’s a hermit in me, too.
My nice thing this week: Though I’m currently taking a break from librarianship, I’ll be doing some storytelling tomorrow (and volunteer storytelling, as it’s for a really good cause). And it feels really great to be doing storytelling again (not that I was ever a professional one, like Alkelda, but I used it a lot in the school libraries where I worked), and I even learned a new story, which is sooooo beautiful. And, though I’m nervous, I can’t wait to storytell!
Jules, who missed so many of your great posts this week as I’ve been cramming on these stories (but I just added very after-the-fact that I’ll bring coffee to the fantasy potluck) . . .
June 8th, 2007 at 8:00 am
Yay, Diana! What a great list! Thanks for setting the bar high this week.
Jules, Masha was really cool. She may need to come to the potluck.
Good luck with the storytelling this weekend! You’re right–that does look like a great cause. How nice for the parents and the kids that you’ll be there to entertain. A nice use of your skills, wouldn’t you say?
June 8th, 2007 at 8:03 am
Hi Robin,
I actually JUST finished leaving my donation for Michele. And it did feel good to do something, instead of just sending good wishes (though of course that’s important, too). I struggle with that question sometimes - so many good causes, how do you decide? But I like Masha’s response about just giving a book to a child.
For a nice thing purely for myself, after a red-eye flight on Wednesday night and work yesterday, I slept 13 hours last night. Such a gift, and something I can’t recall doing in a LONG time. Today I’m stopping for lunch at my favorite local pizza place where I’m visiting (yes, that’s a recurring theme for me), and then seeing my oldest and dearest friend and her family. The 48-hour book challenge is going to have to come second to that. Though I’m certain to read with her kids.
June 8th, 2007 at 8:08 am
I put the notes that were stored in my head on paper. And after doing so, there was more there than I had realized. Like the possibility for sequel(s).
Yay for organization! I should do that more often.
June 8th, 2007 at 8:13 am
Jen, 13 hours of makeup sleep sounds delicious. What a treat.
I’m glad you said that about the 48-hour challenge. It’s so easy for me to get into this competitive mode (competitive with myself, not any of you), and drive myself nuts. But this afternoon I have the chance to spend a few hours with my niece and nephew, and if that means I don’t read as much as I otherwise could, oh well. Time with people we love does get to come first. So you have fun with yours, and I’ll have fun with mine!
Heather, yay for the Writer You! And as one of your future readers, I thank you. Get those stories out of your head and onto some paper so we can read them.
June 8th, 2007 at 8:31 am
All I’ve really done this week is read Harry Potter and play Super Paper Mario on Wii. Ah, unemployment - how lame you are.
As for nice things I’ve done for others, on Sunday I rented a zipcar and drove my friends out to IKEA even though I didn’t need to buy anything myself.
Maybe that doesn’t sound like such a big deal, but when you consider I was driving home on the Beltway in the rain with a badly tied-down tarp flying up to obscure everything behind me while having to control a truck with the worst alignment ever and NOT yelling at anyone…I think it was a pretty nice thing to do.
June 8th, 2007 at 8:36 am
Lizzie, I think that qualifies you for angelhood. Seriously. What a nice friend you are.
Sorry about the unemployment! What’s wrong with these people? Don’t they understand how brilliant, self-motivated, and high-achieving you are? Come on, world, Lizzie has important contributions to make. And while reading Harry Potter is a wonderful thing (looking forward to it myself), it may not be the highest and best use of our Lizzie’s talents. So get a clue and put her to work.
(Hope that helps.)
June 8th, 2007 at 9:12 am
Oh, speaking of HP and the 48-hour book challenge, my roommate, who has never read the HPs before, has gone through over 1,000 pages in the past 48 hours.
He finished the third two nights ago, read the entire fourth yesterday, and is now about 400 pages into Order of the Phoenix.
I’m trying to pace myself so I finish the 6th just as Deathly Hallows comes out, so can I count his reading as my own for the challenge? He is only feet away, after all.
June 8th, 2007 at 9:30 am
You’ll have to speak to Mother Reader about that. I’m happy to say that for once I’m not in charge!
June 8th, 2007 at 9:56 am
Okay, so I was SUPPOSED to be set up with a vendor spot at a bluegrass festival this weekend. The nice thing I did for myself was deciding, after my VERY EMBARASSING AND PAINFUL INJURY, to not be superwoman. I didn’t bite the bullet and do it anyway, as is my tendency to do. I didn’t. I instead stayed home. And vegetated. And took lots of painkillers.
I didn’t drag my injured arse up and down the basement stairs with heavy boxes and fixtures. I didn’t sleep on a field (for the two hours I ended up barely sleeping) and wake up the whole field of people while I screamed in agony every time I rolled over, I just woke up my neighbors instead.
I didn’t injure myself worse by ignoring my injury. I didn’t ignore the warnings my body was screaming at me despite my disgustingly high tolerance for pain.
I instead stood in the middle of my living room (since sitting was painful) and practiced my fiddle. And napped, when the spasms would calm for a bit. And read a book.
Don’t ever pull THAT ligament. The one that hooks into your hip socket at the back. Where your arse is.
I’d like to say I thought of other people this week, but that would be a lie. I’ll catch up with all that next week. Oh, but this falls into that category and is really freaking neat, especially for those who camp–
http://greenspeak.org/mx/solarflashlight.html
Imagine that. A flashlight that doesn’t conform to the Murphy Definition of it as a fancy holder for dead batteries.
June 8th, 2007 at 9:59 am
Wait a second… Who authorized this living arrangement? Wait.. Don’t tell me.
But tell me this, is he reading out loud?
June 8th, 2007 at 9:59 am
BJ, I’m sure I am not alone in wincing on your behalf. Yow. Poor little you. Please, please, please continue to take care of all the associated body parts. Owwwwww.
June 8th, 2007 at 10:11 am
Partick, are you referring to the fact that I’m living with a guy, or that neither of us has anything better to do than sit around reading Harry Potter and playing Wii all day?
And unfortunately no, he’s not reading aloud. But I have been getting updates every 50-100 pages of where he is in the story.
June 8th, 2007 at 10:59 am
*Patrick
June 8th, 2007 at 11:03 am
Uhhh, Yes?
June 8th, 2007 at 11:10 am
Welcome back to the end of the week everyone!
My nice things for myself this week:
I went to my monthly supper club and indulged in things completely out of my diet. Wine. Bread. Chocolate. Wow.
I grilled steak to perfection.
I listened to the same song about 25 times (not in a row).
I watched The Princess Bride… again.
I found a website so I could translate my cool 1918 postcard from Swedish.
June 8th, 2007 at 11:16 am
Hey Robin! Thanks so much for the mention of Michele’s fund and for you know what (official thank you coming later). I think she’ll be online and soon!
Hooray for you, Robin, for putting on the skirt and making it outdoors. I heard Masha on NPR I think (maybe Talk of the Nation?) and was super impressed. I’ll read the details about book-sending. I certainly have books.
My nice thing: Realizing I had taken on too much and coming to terms with relaxing the pace a bit.
Next nice thing: I’m going to take a nap. Right now. Before even posting a Poetry Friday post. I am just that tired
June 8th, 2007 at 11:26 am
Nancy, THE PRINCESS BRIDE!!! What a happy life you lead!
Kelly, kudos on the nap. You and Jen are hittin’ it on the sleep thing. Thanks for keeping me inspired to get my full 7 every night–and if not, to make up for it with a nap. I really feel remarkably better since I started the Great Sleep Experiment.
Good job taking care of yourself!
June 8th, 2007 at 11:40 am
A nice thing for everyone:
http://mfrost.typepad.com/cute_overload/2007/06/rule_of_cutenes.html
If you don’t know cuteoverload.com, I suggest you take some time to look around. Seriously, there’s nothing that website can’t cure.
If that’s not enough, there’s http://dailypuppy.com if you like your puppies fuzzy and big-eyed, and http://icanhascheezburger.com/ if you like your cats hilarious.
p.s. http://ihasabucket.com
June 8th, 2007 at 11:51 am
Lizzie, I’ll hire you just to send me stuff like that.
June 8th, 2007 at 2:45 pm
Well, this week was a week where I had to work hard to do anything that felt like being nice to myself, what with dental surgery and all, but I count substantial numbers of hours playing video games and sleeping–oh, sleeping–as being nice. Cannot tell you how nice it is to not have to get up at 6:30 and stay up for the remainder of the day (yeah, I’m a wuss, what of it?). Plus the pudding and ice cream and caramel coffee and all those other nice mouth-friendly things.
Also can’t tell you how nice it’ll be when I’m no longer obligated to get up at six for one if not two rather sizeable pills before tucking back in, but hey.
Also, of course, is giving myself total permission to be a book hermit today and tomorrow (I’m on a twenty-minute break to give my back a bit of a rest, as I generally read lying down with the book and my elbows propped on a pillow.)
I also have my first niceness planned for this coming week. Tomorrow afternoon, when I’m allowed to eat actaul food with actual particles again, I am going to do absolutely everything in my power to get out to a Cheddar’s and have a huge bowl of the loaded baked potato soup, a house salad, and at least three of those heavenly honey-butter croissants. And a Cheddar’s cookie monster too, if I can wrangle it.
June 8th, 2007 at 2:59 pm
My nice thing is that I’m on the road, and I just stole a few minutes to check in with Robin and see what’s happening with everyone. (Or is that blog addiction? I don’t know…)
Anyway, I also had the fun of giving books to young readers this week! I love the whole camel bookmobile thing, but I heard about a library in a juvenile detention center that was in desperate need first, so I sent them some books off their wishlist. (Link is over at Fuse#8 under “Increase Your Karma”) I don’t know about my karma, because I think all the credit goes to those library grad students organizing this, but it sure increased my happiness that day!
June 8th, 2007 at 3:58 pm
The nice thing I did this week was to see Knocked Up today,which more than made up for sitting thru Hostel 2(I know that I said I wasn’t going to see it,but my sister made me,I swear! There’s more of an explanation at my blog). I also picked up a couple of books-like I don’t have enough already from BEA!-The Starter Wife and Volume Two of Tanya Huff’s Blood books.
Anyone else watching The Starter Wife ? I never watched Will and Grace but now I see what all the fuss is about Debra Messing. She’s fabulous! Knocked Up is a good movie,btw. Don’t know why I had my doubts about it earlier,it’s so funny and touching.
June 8th, 2007 at 5:36 pm
For me:
1. Watched Little Miss Sunshine yet again.
2. Bought pink and red flip flops.
3. Ate Chic Filet sandwich without one drop of guilt over the fat content.
4. Planted honeydew melon plants, peppers and purple string beans in my garden.
5. Flirted shamelessly with a grad student working part time in a gardening shop-really cute and nice but at least 20 years my junior.
For others:
1. Bought my daughter bright pink jelly sandals she was dying for.
2. Bought my son his umpteenth pair of plaid pants and shorts without nary a comment (plaid is so happening in the tweeny/teen set).
3. Adopted a rescue hamster named Cottonball. Re-rescued her when she got herself wedged into one of those plastic hamster play tubes.
June 8th, 2007 at 9:04 pm
Miri, we don’t have Cheddar’s in these parts, but wow, that sounds like a feast! Not that the ice cream and caramel coffee don’t sound good. Way to treat your poor little mouth.
Sara, I saw that same post on Fuse #8, but did nothing. So thank you for handling your karma, because in a strange way it makes me feel better, too. Because now I can think, “Well, at least Sara did something. She made a dent in that problem. We’re moving forward.” Thanks for doing your part.
Lady T, I so want to see Knocked Up! I know what you mean about your initial opinion–how can this be for me? But it keeps getting such great reviews–including from you now–so I’m going. Except I really should read . . .
Deborah, every single item on your list makes me smile. Total sweetness. Kiss Cottonball on top of the head for all of us. While you and your daughter enjoy your girly footwear. Awww . . .
June 9th, 2007 at 2:17 am
Thanks for reminding me about the camel library! I had heard about it but your post inspired me to go buy some Australian children’s picture books today to post off.
This is supposed to be about something nice from last week, though…um, I went to the movies for the first time in ages and bought a yummy selection of lollies? Selecting out lollies from those bins always makes me feel like a happy child again
June 9th, 2007 at 6:03 am
Emma, how wonderful of you to send some Australian picture books! English is the official language of education and government there, so it’s great to help these children start early.
You deserve the lollies. Glad you gave them to yourself.
June 10th, 2007 at 5:56 am
Trust me, Robin, if you knew how much I love picking out books (especially picture books - no kids of that age around me at the moment!) you’d know it was just as much a nice thing for me as for the recipients!