Hey Upper East-Siders...

Secretly I have been watching burned DVDs of Gossip Girl left behind by some other volunteer at the Volunteer House. "Who knew I would have to come all the way to Kenya to get hooked on Gossip Girl" - Andrea K.

This somewhat meaningless addiction is quite symbolic. For those who are better off, and oblivious to this show, I will give you a brief synopsis. The show revolves around a group of teens who live in the Upper East Side of New York and are privileged to all the luxuries of having rich parents. They take limos to school, have parties in their million dollar condos, and enjoy labels galore. At some point in my teenage life and - to be even more revealing - up until maybe this past summer living in Paris, I strived to be apart of this upper echelon. Not in terms of my wealth, as a nurses salary clearly would not cut it, but by perhaps trying to obtain and experience the finer things in life. As defined by the limitless bank accounts of the worlds millionaires.

It only takes a short time in Kenya, at least for most normal individuals, to realize that happiness is not correlated to materialistic possessions. Clearly, this concept has been in discourses for years upon years and, more so, before my current awakening. But what is important about my present realization is a resurrection of this concept to the forefront of my consciousness. It is the fact that happiness comes from the inside and everything else should be viewed as a million layers of icing on what should be a simple vanilla cake.

The people of Kenya, without meaning to, have taught me the true ingredients to my new cake - or happiness. It involves cherishing the little things in life. The sound of the wind, the music in everyday noise, the greenery that surrounds us, and a simple loaf of bread or a piece of fruit. Thinking of this brings me back to walking through Kibera - the giant slums outside of Nairobi - on my first day in Kenya. What those people have would cause thousands of North Americans to delve into a deep depression with little hope of recovery. But to these people, what they have gets them by everyday and, to them, there aren't expectations of what tomorrow will bring. So, for now, they make the most of what they have been given, whilst working hard to get maybe one extra layer of icing.

It is an invaluable trait that the Africans possess. In some respects, it may seem as if ignorance is bliss; however, they do know what is beyond their reach and I am sure, if handed to them, they would grab at it in a second. Until this country changes and experiences economic growth - which unfortunately will not be in my lifetime - the residents, who may appear to have nothing, are the ones with the richest of cakes. They have their heart, happiness and a beautiful, vibrant soul. As most of us know, when you go into a kitchen with these three things the outcomes are limitless.

Nothing exciting today in the clinic, just regular patients. It was kind of boring after the chaos of yesterday but much needed to recuperate. I am trying to make plans for this weekend and so far I have come up with taking a three hour long matatu ride up to Nakuru - a small village town which is host to the Nakuru National Park. This park has a beautiful lake filled with African flamingos and rhinos. Should be spectacular. Beauty is here, you just have to look at it with open eyes.

'x-o-x-o',

Jake