Many thanks

There are some very special people in my life back in Canada (actually...people all over the world) who stay so well connected with me & my life here across the many miles.

I wanted to send some photos as a kind of THANK YOU (on behalf of the whole of BSA) for the loot I managed to take back with me in August. My 3 fellow coaches are sporting new whistles. Alinafe and Mulemwa (Coach Mule, pronounced moo-lay) balance a handful of girls and the under 15 boys team (see following blog for exciting news on the U15 boys)! The other loot includes various pinnies, numbers for jerseys, cones, & these beautiful basketballs. The kids still surprise me each day. I wish I had time to introduce each one of them…I cherish my time with them, and how they’ve grown with me. Thanks especially to my Pop & Sue for sharing my happiness & contributing to our programs at BSA. It’s all very humbling for me.

Here are a few of the items on display during our training sessions. Taken with the photos in the next blog...I hope it gives everyone a good idea of just how happy we all are??!!

Coach Alinafe in action

Gift (Bupe) sporting a Bellerose Academy pinnie!

Here's one of the few girls we have participating...for now she's training with the U15 boys.

Cones, pinnies, & Basketballs galore!

Under 15 BSA team

We at Breakththrough Sports Academy are thrilled to announce that the BSA under 15 basketball team has won their first league game! Coach Alinafe was out of town for the big match, so Coach Mule led the team to a 12-6 victory against the new Taifa Panthers team!

Aren't they beautiful?!

The pre-game huddle















Coach Mule mid-game














Abeo



















Close up during a time out...















Coach Mule (mulemwa), and my co-coach & good friend Kennedy

It's raining jacarandas!

My friend Paul inspired me when I saw some of his photos of jacarandas in full bloom. He took some great shots of the ‘mystical mauve’ petals against the bright blue skies. The next day I set off for work, I carried my camera & thought "If I can capture some morning light…who cares about looking like a tourist"- right? (Only I'm really bad at that & usually pawn my camera off on others to take photos)!

Nonetheless, I dug out my camera (and you can probably tell by the photo below that I paused long enough to take the shot, and hastily moved on, not worrying about morning light at all- I only hoped no one had noticed my mid-stride photoshoot)*grin*.

Funnily enough, my sights weren't drawn to Paul's sky views...but my attention was diverted to what was below the jacarada trees. Underneath the jacarandas lie huge beds of the fallen purple flowers. Call it the Canadian in me, but I wanted to tromp through the petals as I would the crackling fall leaves that should be present back home this time of year. But the petals are not at all crunchy, & I let my imagination run wild as I felt a spring in my step. I reminded myself of the gummy bears, after they had drunk their “super juice”, and sailed through the air. Ridiculous I know. I really giggled as I certainly had extra bounce in my step while diverting myself from the main road, to the earth spattered with the flowers that have blown off from the jacaranda.

Still, the smallest things amuse me.

Catching up

I hope to post a couple of blogs today...I had written some last weekend but never had the chance to upload, so sorry if there are things a bit out of order*smile*

Here goes (keep your fingers crossed that the electricity doesn't cut as I'm about to hit "publish"). Zambia- I love it!!

Sultry summer daze

After a long cold season, the heat is back. I was trying to think of good descriptors -for the heat- during my afternoon walk…I didn’t come up with any keepers. The intensity of the sun is incredible, then all round there are colours- bright petals of the bougainvillea (hot red or a screaming orange), the greens of the banana trees colliding with the clear blue Zambian sky. What did make me giggle was the relief from a breeze (not a cool breeze, just a slight shuffling of hot air). I was watching for movements in the trees- the breeze is so slight, that the petals of the flowers move, or the leaves on the trees- not the branches themselves. And that barely perceptible ‘breeze’ nearly made me cry out in bliss.

(The next day I was heel toe-ing it to the pool. The heat was yet again intense. This time I noticed the slight breeze moved the soft hairs on my back & arms; who thought it possible to feel such a cooling effect only from the shifting of hair?)

I was so wired today. I rode the bike over to the Youth Basketball League games this morning. I’ve been to chicken to cycle what with all the traffic, potholes, & other cyclists. I think I fared rather well, despite the fact that I don’t really trust the brakes. And the gears have this bad habit of randomly changing. By the time I made it home in the midday sun, I was dripping with sweat. Kolo suggested swimming earlier, which I declined as I had made running plans with some other friends. As soon as I reached my doorstep (I didn’t even put the bike away or unlock the door), I called Kolo & asked where & when we should meet to swim.

It turned out the be a lovely afternoon- it was great to have some chill time with Kupela before she heads off to the UK to study for her Masters degree. Aren't we a lovely group?!

Kupela, pregnant Vicki & Kolo















This is Kupela/ Shakira:-)



















Kolo and me chillin

Another one bites the dust

Ok, that's certainly not the most diplomatic way of saying goodbye to another friend. Marilyne has left Lusaka after seven years here (with at least a little drama)*giggling*. I suppose after seven years, she may as well have left with a little bang. She is a former colleague, turned friend. She's been a great support to me in Lusaka, & is taking a big step to start a new life back in Montreal.

That's all I want to post today. I have lots on the go...but this one's for Marilyne!

c/o Canadian High Commission

It's only taken three years...but officially- wait for it




here it comes



I have my own Post Box number now!!!!! Well, let me rephrase that, you can reach Alvin & me at the same post box now. I have been assured that incoming mail should be more secure (fewer hands should have access to taking)- so I thought- let's give it a go!
Please please don't disappoint me & send something to our brand spanking new EMPTY box*hahaha*.

You can send Alvin or me mail at:
Post Net Box 358
P/Bag E891
Manda Hill Centre
Lusaka, Zambia

Can't wait to hear from you via snail mail. It is a small wonder to receive words, thoughts, or pieces of my friends from around the world- so please share even the mundane details- they don't seem so routine to me!

Thanks bunches in advance!

Eureka Farms

The trip to Ndola was foiled by a minor transport dilemma. But Plan B was great fun for all! We decided to check out a ‘game farm’ only minutes outside of Lusaka. We headed out after a delicious nshima lunch- destined for swimming pools & adventure.

We settled into our comfortable lodgings, swam, & savoured cold Castle on a steamy hot day. After we’d dried off, we thought we’d take a short walk to see what the farm had to offer. Well actually, the fact that a group of Zebra parked in the campground looking for some nibblies inspired us to see what else was out there. To our surprise, we headed just outside the gates to face a small heard of buffalo. These beasts are massive (Alvin & I reminisced about the lion vs. buffalo Kruger Park video on YouTube that was all the rage while we were home- in Canada). I certainly wouldn’t want to get on the wrong side of those horns!

Even more shocking than the close proximity of the zebra, puku (or kudu…I’m not sure which type of antelope were bounding nearby), buffalo, and monkeys were the giraffes. I had no idea we would be able to see such creatures at Eureka Campgrounds (guess I didn’t fully research this quick trip)*grin*. I think giraffes may be my favourite African creature (so far). They look so awkwardly put together, yet are ever elegant; watching them run is a wonder.

Here are a couple of shots…& now back to work.




Jenny, Gabi & I. Mmm, Caslte!


Our rustic accommodation



Look how close we are!



This shot is for you Tom. Gabi, Al & a giraffe- & NO Castle. Hmmm.



Hellooo*tihi*

Labour Day

Well, things have been pretty hairy of late…so unfortunately, I haven’t found time to post. Forgive me, my loyal readers*grin*

This morning I’m feeling back to 100%! Like Canada, Monday was also a holiday for my High Commission. However, in preparation for the “results-based management” training offered through CIDA from Tuesday through Thursday I worked for a couple of hours in the afternoon. When I arrived back home from the conference facility, I was exhausted and I crashed out. I was woken up for dinner & found myself hanging my head over the toilet, rather than enjoying a meal. It was awful. I have no idea what set my stomach off, but I was sick! I didn’t manage to make the first day of training on Tuesday. I slept for most of the day. Wednesday I found myself feeling much better, & I headed out to the training. This morning I’m connected to Chaminuka wireless updating all of ya’ll on my whereabouts*smile*. I’ll be back in the office for my half-day of work on Friday…& then off for adventure on the Copperbelt. Details to come!!

Small victories

This is completely random, but I’ve been so chuffed with my personal filing system of late. Hear me out- I’ve earned a reputation for my terrible capacity for short-term memory. It seems countless times in a day that I will reach my destination, & forget why the heck I wanted to go there in the first place. And the usual things, such as misplacing my keys, forgetting one item for my run to the courts- either a sports bra, socks, or my contact lenses- it’s always something.

So this week I told myself that there were two documents I needed to find in my house. One is an email sent from a colleague that had a whole bunch of brilliant information on Universities. The second is a magazine that has an article on this mystical Zambian lake (that I’m planning to find on a road trip next month). And surprise- I’m two for two! I found both pieces of information in the first places I looked. I laughed so hard when I read the date on the email- October 2005.

I’m a machine!! At long last, proof that there is method to my madness.

Asleep at the wheel

My posts regarding my trip home are fairly rushed. I’d like to post once more, a few more memories of our (mine & Alvin’s) trip to my motherland.

We happily linked up with our Zambian friend Kelvin (who has lived in Canada for the past year). There was much to catch up on, & plenty of basketball to play!





























I took a lesson from my dear Gran on how to make her veranike. I thought I had mastered the perogy-making methods on my Lusaka countertops…however, Gran provided me with some short-cuts & some good ideas! It’s always fun spending time in the kitchen with Gran though she must never have cooked with measuring cups…

The all-American game of baseball…we had a great time with my folks & the Haley’s at Edmonton’s Cracker Cats game. Astoundingly, they won (though I must admit we didn’t stay until the end of the game…I was ready to go after the 7th- or is it 9th? inning stretch)*giggling*.




















Folk Fest, as always, is a highlight of Edmonton summers. Family had come up from Seattle & I got to catch up with my friends, & some of “Tom’s” friends. I think it may have been folk overload for Alvin though…in fact, four days has become too much for me!
















This guy had us in stitches...he must've been Scottish in a past life. You know how they always joke about what's under the kilt...YIPE!































Four strong in the beer tent*wicked smile*
















This was a great night. Like old days, surrounded by good friends, too much booze, & too much laughter. I'd like to point out two things in this photo: first, that tantalizing plate of nachos (someone was quick to get the photo because they didn't last minutes). Second, those wine glasses. Wine tasted better from that glass...I wonder if I could find something similar in Zed...


Again, it was so great to be surrounded by so many loving people! I was hoping to catch up with the Ottawa clan in September, but unfortunately I will not attend training in Ottawa this fall. I suppose the next trip will be equally as busy*smile*. Please don’t be offended if you didn’t make my blogspot…I kicked myself on several different occasions for having left my camera at home. Plenty of memories are residing safely upstairs though- so thanks to everyone once more.

Where to start?

Well, I certainly have a lot to say…& have been delaying this post perhaps because I don’t know how to include all that I need to say. Please be patient while reading this post that will undoubtedly become disjointed.

I guess I’ll start where I am. It’s about 10:30 pm, I’m fresh out of the bath & typing away on my new laptop. Yes, a reality that should encourage me to write more…but I haven’t opened it since landing back in Lusaka Sunday afternoon. (Part of the reason for that could be a bizarre drive to finish reading Uncle Tom’s Cabin before allowing myself other simple pleasures). Classics, gah.

Yesterday I grinned all morning. As I brushed my teeth I adored the cacophony of dogs & chickens outside my window. Everything looked fresh & open on my walk to work; everything was new & exciting after 3 weeks away. Today, the shine wore off a bit with what may have been a dose of jet lag:-).

Something must have exploded in my body during the 36 hour plane ride back to Lu because I went from everybody back home telling me I looked great, slim & happy to Zambians commenting on my growing girth. Getting dressed for work I was horrified as I struggled to do up the zipper on my skirt- where did all the fat come from overnight?! My suspicions about having gained weight while home were re-confirmed when one of my colleagues said “You’ve grown big”, and one of the guards opened the car gate for me instead of the pedestrian gate “since I’m now fat”. Horrors. Thank goodness the hot season is on its way, I’m sure I’ll drop a couple pounds by bloating myself on ice cold water…my obsession when Lusaka steams up*giggling*

Part of the delay to write has to do with the fact that I have no idea how to thank everyone who contributed to me having a brilliant trip back home. I was so touched by both the little & large efforts of people to be in touch with Alvin & me during our brief stay at my parents’ place. It was flattering & humbling to have so many loving people inquiring about our lives back in Zambia.

My last excuse (promise) is that office life is upside down. We all know after a 3 week holiday how many messages land in the ole inbox…but for me, there’s another complication. While home I heard news that one of my colleagues passed away. Chola worked for the Program Support Unit (directly supporting the Aid Section where I work). Chola & I had worked closely for sometime. Her absence has affected all of us in the office. Sadly, I was unable to attend her funeral as I was still in Canada; I feel no sense of closure & have caught myself picking up the phone to ask her a quick question several times in the past two days. Chola was a special woman; described often as the heart & soul of the PSU. Anyone who passed through the office would remember her for her professionalism, drive, and hearty laugh. If something needed to get done, one only needed to ask Chola, an incredibly efficient and reliable person. A few sentences on my blog seem rather like an affront to the dynamism of Chola. Like I mentioned, selfishly I miss her; but mostly I feel for her family- she left her mother, siblings & two sons. I can’t imagine how her close friends & colleagues are dealing with her loss. September will be a tough month as several members from our team at CIDA HQ (who all knew Chola well) will be visiting- we will long feel her loss.

On this sober note, I shall close this post. It’s getting late & I will regret staying up past my bedtime when my alarm rings tomorrow at 5:15*grin*.
Once more, a humble thanks to everyone who traveled, called, or found a few minutes to visit with me while back in St.Albert. Everything was (and still is) a bit overwhelming. Thanks for your patience also, as I attempt to fall back into routine. Goodnight.

Jasper

Three years away from the mighty Canadian Rockies is hard on any prairie girl...so thanks to Marty, Tom & Devyn for making this trip happen! (And of course my dear Pop for lending us the Suburban). And Carly, thanks for spending your 20-something-th birthday with us!! Too much fun.

Here we are settling into camp.



Marty & I heading to (is it) Edith Cavell glacier? Or Angel glacier- I'll never get it straight*grin*



Car & Al & oooh those mountains*sigh*


Alvin was given the name "The ice whisperer" (Thanks Devyn)!!


We oohed & aahhed up & down Maligne Canyon...then as we were leaving I caught a glimpse of the skyline. I feasted my eyes & olfactory senses for the couple days we were there...couldn't ask for too much more!

Strawberries & Cream

What's a trip home without your favourite foods?! Everyday I have fresh strawberries, raspberries or blueberries. I'm drowning in gluttony but trying to make up for almost 2 years berry-free. My morning Cheerios (which I also can't find in Zed) always start my day out right!

Other than food (yes, I know it sounds shallow), I have been SO lucky to make the most of my time with family & friends! My cousin Al & Aunty Martha made a quick turnaround trip from Saskatoon, while cousin Marty & Tom & his Devyn planned a killer trip to Jasper. I could mention all the friends who have made long drives & altered their schedules to make time for me & Alvin, but then I'd forget someone & feel like an ass. A few of them are in the photos below, but some managed to escape the freeze frame. I've found that the beauty of visiting after some time is that it doesn't really feel like I've ever been gone*smile*

So far, I can only thank everyone who has made the time to call and/or meet up with Alvin & me. We've been SPOILED! Here are a few shots of the past week & a half, as we gear up for another week of adventure.



The girls enjoying Heritage Days. Except for the shirtless morons.





LAKE DAY!!!- with Pop, Alvin & Marty. I revelled in a quick trip to the lake. I sure felt wobbly on the skis after 2 years...but I still loved every moment.


Nothing like a good match of drunken Cranium, a hysterical tradition.


We're just missing Clara...





A stop at the "Leg grounds" while we toured Edmonton.

Out to lunch

If there's one thing I haven't gotten used to in Lusaka, it's the lack of park space. Every now and again I feel the need to picnic, or be "out of the city" while still being in the city. All the parks in Lusaka have an entrance fee, which I find a bit bizarre, but I also cherish time spent in an area with no one hollering "mzungu", "madam", or "taxi".
Recently Alvin & I hit a park I'd never visited before called Dream Valley. It had its advantages...but was a bit strange with manure spread on top of the grass to encourage its growth...and random chickens skulking around.


The best bit about the chicken was that it didn't seem bothered that I had one of its relatives beautifully grilled on my plate!

Gorgeous though...

Christmas in July- 2007

For anyone who has ever attempted to send a parcel to Zambia, you’ll be sympathetic to this story! The Zambian postal service is (very politely) ‘unpredictable’. Packages & letters can take between one month and twelve to arrive! My friend Sarah's mom sent her a Christmas package that arrived months after Christmas- surprise! Fortunately for those of us who befriended Sarah, we benefited from the Christmas decorations & crackers this July. We had such a fun evening listening to Christmas music & eating divine food.





More than anything, (except maybe the wine) I enjoyed what Kakoma called "Millionaire's shortbread". I asked him what it was & he said "Well, you know ordinary shortbread"? Me, "Yeah, sure". Kakoma: "This has one layer of shortbread, one layer caramel, topped with chocolate". I nearly died after my first bite. I'm still waiting for the recipe...too divine. (And I've never before tasted a Zambian man's baking; cooking yes, but never a sweet course. He set the bar high)!

Zambian Gatorade

I've given up superstition! Friday the 13th was probably one of the funnest days I can remember; gone are the days of holding my breath past graveyards and avoiding walking under ladders.

Ok, maybe I haven't gone so far...black cats are still ominous.

Breakthrough Sports Academy threw it's second "drop in sports camp" of the year on the afternoon of Friday the 13th. There are a few reasons things didn't go exactly as I had hoped, but here, I mean only to highlight the beauty of the day.

I met up with my colleagues and we set off through various shanty compounds (townships) en route to "Tamanga Ground". BSA is split over three main grounds, we held the first camp in Garden compound at Kampala ground, so this camp was set for Tamanga ground in Emmasdale.

Three of us arrived at the grounds a bit later than the group who was facilitating the camp. Here's what we found:




We noticed countless kids watching the activity. We asked a couple of our coaches who weren't doing anything to get the kids into action. And action there was!



Zilole entertained countless kids with "bustele"- these are games, songs, & dances that every Zambian kid seems to know. I love watching Zilole lead children's activities...the kids simply adore him!

George also initiated a game of "Team Handball". I've never played this game before but couldn't resist- it was so fun! It's like soccer except without kicking the ball, the ball is passed hand to hand. Goals are scored by headers...brilliant.







After all the running, laughing & singing amidst the blowing dust we were all parched. About five of us headed back to the BSA office together. Mutale stopped to buy us all sugar cane to celebrate the fun we'd just had. As we ripped into the fresh cut cane, I couldn't help but think "ahh, Zambian Gatorade". There was nothing that would have brought life back to my taste buds better than the sugar cane. I don't think my smile faded throughout the afternoon.

Aside: There is a version of gatorade here called Energade. I'm quite sure it's made by Coca-Cola & it tastes just like energy drinks back home. But I never would have had so much fun pounding back a bottled drink while winding back through Mtonyo, Garden & Luangwa compounds, as I did sharing stories of the day in between bites of the succulent sugar cane.