Music...

It's the rainy season here in Rwanda and it's for real.  It rains almost everyday and often a lot.  When it rains everything sort of comes to a stand still.  The only way to get around my village is by foot, bike or moto, which no one wants to do when it's down pouring.  All the roads and paths here are dirt and when it rains they become mud.  The mud here is especially difficult because it's more like clay so when it's dry it's hard as a rock, then when it finally does rain it can't really soak in so there is rivers of water running everywhere.  Every time I go to school after the rain I pray I don't wipe-out in front of all my students because when it's wet, the dirt becomes as slippery as an ice skating rink and it all sticks to your shoes so once you arrive at your destination you've got about 10 extra pounds of mud stuck to the bottom of your shoes.  It didn't take long to learn, when it rains, just stay home.  So like a good Rwandan I'm sitting at here at home on this rainy, rainy day and it got me thinking and I decided to write a blog dedicated to music.  

I love music.  I love that there is music for every mood.  When I’m having a bad day I know exactly which music will make me feel better or will make a good soundtrack to my pity party.  There’s music that fits all activities: driving, exercising, cooking, cleaning, sleeping, thinking, working, and of course dancing.  And a single song can evoke so much emotion: happiness, love, sadness, hope, excitement, peace, gratitude, and the list goes on.  I also love that music can immediately take you back to a specific moment in time.  There are songs that when I hear them all I think of is my freshman year of college or a road trip I took with a friend. 

Music has been my saving grace here.  When I’m home either the radio or my i-pod are always on.  I rely on my music more than ever to lift my mood.  Some days are not so great and there isn’t always someone else to talk to about it, so instead I turn on my music and it usually does the trick.  It's noise when things become too quiet or too loud and I need to drown out the radio blaring nearby.  Best of all, it's always there in an instant and I can just relax and listen without having to give a thing.  

I thought I’d share some of my favorites that I turn to most often.  

·         The Head and the Heart

·         First Aid Kit

·         Florence and the Machine

·         Cloud Cult

·         Bon Iver

·         Band of Horses

·         The Decemberists

·         Rihanna

·         Frightened Rabbit

·         Jonsi

·         Mason Jennings

·         Neko Case

·         Regina Spektor

·         Sigur Ros

·         Iron & Wine

I’m always looking for new music, so if you have any good recommendations I’d love to add them to my list!

Although it isn’t music, podcasts have also helped me maintain my sanity here.  Specifically, This American Life and The Moth.  I’ve listened to This American Life for years and if we’ve ever had a conversation most likely I’ve mentioned it because I love it, but here it’s even more amazing.  I love listening to stories about America and what Americans are thinking about or doing.  It’s like a little bit of home.  I also love The Moth which are short stories told by real people in front of a live audience.  Some are sad, some are funny, but all are entertaining.  I actually don’t hate hand washing all my clothes anymore because it’s a mindless activity and an excuse to listen to my favorite podcasts all day.  If you haven’t already, I definitely recommend checking them both out, you won’t be disappointed.

Hope the weather is nicer wherever you are.  

All my love, 

Annie