three cups of tea

Today, I went to the Patisserie for a 3-hour reading session from Three Cups of Tea. The book made me even more passionate about education, especially with my interview with Teach For America coming up. While the achievement gap is stunning in the United States, we at least have schools. What Greg Mortenson is doing to provide education to the most remote regions of Pakistan and Afghanistan is amazing. If you haven't read it, I highly recommend it. I finished my essay but not the book... spring break project indeed...

The advice given Mortenson by his Pakistani mentor was profound in his dealings with Pakistan. "The first time you share tea with a Balti you are a stranger. The second time you take tea, you are an honored guest. The third time you share a cup of tea, you become family, and for our family, we are prepared to do anything, even die" (150). This concept is amazing, even standing alone. However, I think it has profound implications for us in the United States. We desperately need to slow down. We need to build relationships. And, like Mortenson, we need to need to be willing to take chances, acting on what we believe to be right.

On a separate note, I enjoyed being a fly on the wall as a mother sat with her two young sons, I'm guessing aged 4 and 6. The youngest was excitedly telling his mother how he'd helped his friend Jonny tie his shoe earlier and how his friend had thanked him. He was so proud and boldly stated "I'll never forget this." And he beamed. Oh, for the simple life.