9 days till departure

This is not really an Africa-related post so much as it is a research and family-related post. Today, my sister met four members of the British royal family at two separate events. The second event was a send-off for the upcoming royal visit to Canada. One hundred and forty "interesting Canadians" living in England were invited, including artists, executives, academics, and public figures. My sister was one of 5 PhD students present, and was probably included as the past president of the Cambridge Canadian Club. In the end, she had brief conversation with Queen Elizabeth about her research on the Arctic, of which the Queen was very supportive. My sister also charmed the heck out of Princes Philip and Edward, and Countess Sophie.

This is a moment for counting blessings. Sixty years ago, not all my grandparents were able to finish high school. They worked hard so my parents could have more opportunities, who likewise worked hard so my sister and I could grow up to be anything we wanted. Hilariously, that turned out to be a historian and an anthropologist. We have been lucky so far in funding and travel, and have worked very hard on our respective projects. We believe in our research. And today my sister's work was validated by the Queen of England. I feel really good about that!