Auntie Sarah

Weeeeeeeeeeeeee, Alvin's young brother & his partner Ethel had their baby girl on Saturday! We're all happy that both mum & baby are doing well. It is obvious that the baby has come from basektballers- she's got the longest baby fingers I've ever seen! I suppose it's either basketball or piano for this little tyke*grin*.

Here are a happy mum & dad

Our good friend Kolo came to visit the baby as well- clearly she's much more comfortable with newborns than Auntie Sarah...

Trouble-shooting Friday

The water disaster lives on. Gah. For the past few days we’ve had a problem with our hot water tank (when the Lusaka Water people put in our separate metre they apparently did not re-attach the supply to our hot water tank properly). That resulted in a number of baths where the warm water would not even cover my thighs, which led to washing my hair under the cold water tap. Boo. (Especially since it’s getting to be cold season here & the evenings and mornings are frigid). Finally Alvin convinced the Lusaka Water guy to come back & resolve the situation. What do I find on Wednesday? A hot water tank that is overflowing. Imagine. They start charging us by consumption and then ensure that water is being wasted. Of course we couldn’t let that situation persist for a few days, so Alvin sourced another plumber guy to fix the connection between hot water tank & regular water supply. Last night was heaven- a full steamy hot bath*sigh*. Only to wake up this morning with NO hot water. Turns out the guy stopped the leaking but left us with only that tank of hot water. Cheers to boiling water on the stove this morning and bathing in a bucket. Oooh the hardships…& Friday no less.
The funny bit- one of my girlfriends who I met in Lusaka is now living back in Canada & I was explaining to her about our water fiascoes. She simply said “You know, those are the things you miss when you live in Canada”.
This morning I’m thinking “Right, girl- just like a toothache”.

The good news is that it’s a Friday leading to a long weekend- Happy Africa Freedom Day!!

Flowers & other bits & bobs

Isn’t my newly planted nasturtium beautiful!? I hope that it’ll fill out in the coming weeks (I think my composted soil looks better than before- though that could simply be my optimism shining through). I think I’m one of those horrible people that smiles at the simplest things; this photo will become my new screen saver…I wonder what will happen if it ever flowers*hahahah*

Of other note I feel like I should boast that I finally made it through Bill Bryson’s renowned “A short history of nearly everything”. I have to confess that I’m not a big fan of Mr. Bryson- but this book did have its share of fascinating tidbits. In fact, the only parts I suffered through were the ones reminiscent of grade 10 chemistry (which I never did pass)*giggling*.

I’m going to leave it at that because really there’s not too much exciting happening with me. I’m counting down for my trip home, trying to focus on school so I can relax while home, and still enjoying my coaching (three BSA players have officially made the under 16 National team- we’re so proud)!!!

Trains, planes, & automobiles

Right, I know it's a bit pathetic to be so excited about booking our train tickets from Toronto to Ottawa- but I'm thrilled! The trip is actually coming together. I'm looking so forward to the visit to the Motherland. Countdown's on.
xo.

Mosquito dive-bombs

I think the most annoying sound in the world is swarming mozzies dive-bombing your head when you’re trying to rest. Horrors. Early this morning the power cut & the hungry mozzie sounds woke me up at 02h19. With the fan off, no longer able to blow away & drown out the mosquito humming, I was fit to be tied. I slept -& sweat- under a heavy blanket (that the mosquitoes can’t bite through) & Al sprayed the bedroom in hopes of wiping them out for the few more hours of rest we needed. I made it out of bed this morning for my cold bath (still no electricity) unscathed- I can’t believe it! But now I’m told the water has also been cut as Lusaka Water is installing new pipes- which in the long run is a good thing, but no water & no power- it’s another crazy Monday.

We did have a lovely weekend though; lots of visiting, a bit of swimming, & no running. I had zero desire to run so I enjoyed some yoga & swimming & will try to get back on track this weekend. Sure felt good to rest!

See below a photo of BSA’s under 12 basketball team. One of our coaches has an aunt who lives in the UK & she sent over these little blue golf t-shirts for the boys “warm-up” attire. They seemed to bring a bit of luck as the boys beat their opponents (ranked 1st place last year) by one basket- it’s fun to be excited about such little kids playing ball. Love it

Warming up

Pre-game posing