Check out the website I've designed for Umoja. It's definitely a work in progress, as it includes a couple of text problems, some silly pictures of the faculty, and one incongruous photo of a person in a snow outfit. That being said, it's exciting that our server's finally working: www.umoja-arts.org. Just please don't show it to any of our potential funders yet.

Lots of work to be done surrounding the January opening of the arts center ... legalities with the Tanzanian government, getting furniture, setting up our teaching schedule, and easing the transition for our expatriate families, who are used to US coming to THEM at their international school. Tables have turned a little on that front, but we still really need their support, so hopefully nobody freaks out about having to drive a little further for their lessons.

Our first benefit concert is November 30, and I'm performing 2 movements of the Bach D minor Partita as part of a fairly short program. We three violinists are also performing a couple of trios arranged by Michael McLean, a fantastic arranger and Suzuki teacher whom I met while at Ogontz this summer. His pieces are wonderful pieces for advanced students and they're also nice crowd pleasers.

In the meantime, I'm dreaming about all the things I'm going to eat during my three-plus weeks at home. On the agenda, for sure, is Asian food; specifically Thai, Japanese and Vietnamese. Also real bagels with cream cheese. Also everything that's involved with McSweeney/McCrorie Christmas festivities: that amazing chocolate bark stuff with peppermint chunks ... my mom's fudge ... antipasti ... shrimp cocktail ... and, of course, anything Tyler cooks for me.

Somewhat in secret, I am training for the Kilimanjaro half-marathon in March. This isn't as impressive as it sounds -- it mostly just means I'm running four times a week -- but it feels really good to work towards some kind of athletic achievement. We'll see how all that goes once I get to the frozen tundra of Massachusetts in wintertime. I'll be happy to see it, however gray and cold it might be then.