Hujambo!
In five weeks and one day, I leave for Tanzania. The closer I get to July 25, the more nervous and excited I become. Nervous because there are so many challenges in Tanzania, culturally and physically, and excited because I’m only going to climb Kilimanjaro once, so here’s my chance. (Actually, that last thought makes [...]

I’ve finished my round of antibiotics. The wheezing in my lungs is almost gone. I can take a deep breath now without feeling like I have a fist-sized rock in my right lung. Yay!!! Now it’s a matter of getting myself back on track exercise-wise and head-wise. Should be simple. But I admit, I’ve enjoyed [...]

Alas, I have hit a bump in the road. The last time I gave an update regarding climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro, things were looking good. I was exercising regularly, getting stronger, and even planning to run the Tacoma City half marathon on May 3. But I caught a cold two weeks ago which has since morphed [...]

I remember once telling someone that I had spent several months preparing for a trip to Africa in 2007. This elicited raised eyebrows, followed by an unspoken vibe: “Geez Louise. Talk about overkill. Should be a snap. All you have to do is throw clothes and toothbrush in a suitcase.” I found myself explaining, but [...]

Progress Update: Okay, last week I was a total superwoman. I worked out everyday at the gym, lifted weights, did the stairmaster, ran for miles on the hamster wheel, until my knees finally reminded me that I’m no spring chicken. “Hey,” my knees protested, “Just who do you think you are? A spring chicken?” So, [...]