Pink House Studio

Once upon a time, in college, I had a beautiful friend named Namdhi Ellleh. He came here from Nigeria to study architecture-a shy, yet very bright, and introspective man. I met him because he wanted to learn how to swim, and my lifeguarding and diving practice always put me at the university pool. I noticed his humility right away. He shared only small parts of his story, but I will never forget how truly dignified and thoughtful he was. And his generosity- he was always sending off gifts like a cassette player to his brother or sister (he had 14). I had the privilege to visit his home-He lived so simply. He had only one precious item in his hodge-podge apartment home- a crystal in the shape of a pyramid. He told me it represented his proverbial "mountain". One day he would be complete with his journey here of acquiring knowledge and return home for the betterment of his people in his father's village. then he'd be complete with this "'mountain' task". As a dyslexic I didn't read as many books to attain stories from other civilizations as this speaker who causes me to reflect, but I certainly opened my heart to who those folks who show up as gifts in my city, in my university, and could share and expand my world. I am grateful for the exposure to the life stories i have come across- to put perspective on all the ways humanity can show up for each other, regardless of their origins. This woman, she makes a very powerful point. I want to say thank you. Let's think about our perspective before we judge.. we might notice we have far too narrow a view, and it is us that needs to change.

Ballet was tough! I love this comparison!

ooh, I love.