How to start my Monday...

What better way to start a Monday than with homemade carrot cake & cream cheese icing for breakfast? I’ve set myself up for a brilliant week after pouting last week over these stupid cold sores (which are looking much better today I am happy to report).

I just have to say that I went out for a run Sunday morning & the digital sign at Addis round-a-bout read “08h08- 27 degrees Celsius”. It was almost enough knowledge to send me straight back home but I was motivated to tackle some stairs…and no rain. This is almost unheard of- usually this time of year when the temperatures reach the high 30s (someone told me it reached mid 40s on Saturday) we are guaranteed a good rain to cool things down. Ah well, I suspect the weather will change again very soon & we’ll get our rainy season. The clouds are rolling in as I write…

Otherwise:
a) I am composing a blog about my 2009 reads so look out for that one,
b) It’s December tomorrow- I can hardly believe how fast 2009 has sped by, and
c) there's a big family wedding planned for Saturday- can’t wait to share photos!

What could be worse than a cold sore?

Any ideas?
How 'bout two cold sores on the same darn lip?! My bottom lip is decidedly swollen and I am highly irritable. How unfair.

If it gets really bad I'll take photos & post them- muhahaha.

Driving in Zambia

Could you imagine spending a night in police cells in the heart of Lusaka for running a red light on a Sunday evening? I’m sure glad my Pop got pulled over in broad daylight and was able to pay the fine on the spot with no questions asked…

22h00 last night, I’m about to jump into the tub when Alvin says “Dress up, we’re going for a ride”. Turns out our good friend had been arrested by the police and thrown into cells. We were asked to pick up her vehicle because she didn’t want the car to get vandalised overnight. Unfortunately for us (& her) it was too late to visit her to pick up the keys, and there was no one working who could accept the payment of the fine. All this for running a red light on a Sunday evening- if you can believe it.

I’m sorry- I think this is all utterly fantastic. If you’ve never driven in Zambia before, the road laws are merely a suggestion (unless you’re caught without a seat belt &/or speeding- right Pop?) Muhahah. Ok, but seriously- traffic cops generally work a 9am-5pm Monday to Saturday; which means a lot of people do terribly illegal things when they know the police will not be on the street. For example, on my early morning runs I will be accompanied by a great number of overloaded trucks (many that do not have brakes) that ferry farm vegetables into the markets for sale. These trucks are most obviously not roadworthy, which is why they transport goods in the early hours- when they are almost guaranteed no trouble from traffic police. There is also a serious problem with drinking and driving. Every weekend the accident rates must go through the roof. On my Saturday morning runs I have seen many a vehicle in the ditch with men sheepishly calling their wives to help bail them out. I actually detest being in cars at night because there are generally no street lights (it’s dark my friends- dark) and there are often recklessly drunk people behind the wheel (in fact, it is not uncommon to find taxi drivers with a bottle of Castle or Mosi between their legs- & that’s on any given day).

All that to say that I feel my friend’s arrest and mandatory night in cells is horrible; if the manpower is there to make an arrest, shouldn’t there also be a person who can accept the fine? I spoke to her this morning & she was giggling so I’m assuming that all is well & we’ll have good fuel for stories this week!

Oh the drama.

Baby Grace Mutale

At least somebody appreciates my early Christmas decorations*hahahah*

My niece came over for a visit on Saturday afternoon & was mesmerized by the Christmas lights, what a cutie.

Otherwise, the centre-piece Santa that I adore has been much ridiculed. My sister-in-law thought it was a mop at first & couldn't figure out why I should have it hanging up...and Kolo got the giggles as to how anyone would come up with a white, dread-bearded Santa. But I love it- I'm into the Christmas spirit early and it seems that the only supporters are baby Grace & Alaina*wink*

A rain for Gran

I’ve been smiling since the rain started coming down last night- our first big storm of the rainy season. Lightning lit up the house & thunder rumbled so loud I jumped out of the tub lickety split. It was the kind of night my Gran taught me to savour. Happily- after more than two weeks in hospital- Gran has made it back to her little pad in Saskatoon & reports have it that she’s doing well. I’m enjoying the cool wet day for the both of us.

Bad ponytail day

I know we’ve all had bad hair days, and my reliable solution is always to throw my hair back into a ponytail. Ponytails have unfailingly been my “go to” hairstyle for years. Until yesterday; it seemed that no amount of tugging, combing, begging, and straightening would make my ponytail look normal. I looked like a blonde sumo wrestler for the entire day- horrors!

But I have chalked up the minor hair crisis to the weather. Seemingly overnight the reliable dry heat (that I so adore) has evaporated into the sticky humid heat that I dread. (I have not forgotten my prairie upbringing)*grin*. The heat was nearly intolerable yesterday and then out of blue skies fell a light shower. Unfortunately, when there’s no heavy downpour the light rain tends to cause more heat- the water seems to rebound off the dry ground rising in a steamy mist. I contemplated skipping yoga when I was drenched in my own sweat during my 10 minute walk from work to class. I was dreading ‘hot yoga’ Zambian style- sorry cousin Fitzy, I just don’t see the joy of performing yoga tricks in a sauna. But off I went and I enjoyed class nonetheless.

And today is a new humid day and I’m beginning to wonder if rainy season is around the corner…

Neon sunglasses and jerseys with numbers

I think a nomadic Canadian left these neon sunglasses at my flat once upon a time. I finally cleared them out- Ben happened to be the lucky recipient of the day. Such a cutie.

Then, eons ago a supporter back home in St. Albert donated some numbers that could be ironed to basketball jersey's. My star Alinafe convinced a friend who works in the screen printing business to adhere the numbers to our lovely jerseys. They have debuted...and brought a loss*hahahah*. Despite losing, we still had a great day.

Rhubarb crumble

I was so exited the other day. I’d gone into this grocery store that I don’t usually visit because it’s on the other side of town (I had to pass through there for work)- and lucky me- I found rhubarb! In the five years I’ve lived in Lusaka I have not once come across rhubarb. I scooped it up without a second thought and prepared a delicious rhubarb crumble that evening. There is nothing quite like rhubarb, is there?

Other tidbits that may be of general interest now that I’m not spending most of my evenings studying

- I finally got my grubby hands on Dambisa Moyo’s acclaimed book Dead Aid. Good read, pertinent to my work with CIDA, and only a few times I caught myself saying “Ok, that’s a bit of a stretch”; I think it would be good “Development 101” material. It does support my recent desire to go corporate though, hopefully as soon as this fiscal year is over…fingers crossed.

- My outdoor yoga class continues to challenge & stimulate. I was thinking I should take some photos- it’s a rather romantic setting, especially when hanging upside-down when the sun is setting*grin*

- There is a fuel crisis in Zambia- has been for a couple of weeks now- so I am spending more time walking/ cycling than I had in the previous months. It’s been lovely. And the iPod has become ‘well-used’ (I may have mentioned to a few of you that I don’t think some of these toys are made to withstand Zambian heat- the earphones have been melting & the cool running band that Tommy bought for me is quickly losing the Velcro)…but the music still plays so all’s golden.

- My hubby is now busy studying for exams, thus all the photos of me with the girlfriends. Surely when he’s done we’ll throw a small co-ed party

- I’ve indulged in my first mangoes of the season- sorry Carly!!! Deeelicious

And my fave Dilbert comics. Does any body else find them as amusing as I do? Perhaps I should stop posting them, but they make me giggle & then I want to share them*sigh*
Hmm. Perhaps there’s not too much that’s interesting- signing off.

1st birthday

Well me & my two girlfriends who do not have children were rather horrified to learn that we're "at the age" where we're invited to our friend's children's birthdays*muhahaha*. That being said Laurane throws one heck of a party & we had a blast on Saturday afternoon. Here are a couple of my fave shots on Tafika's first birthday.

The birthday girl with In'utu

Chikwanda, Kolo & Nawiti- & yes, that's a chicken bone in baby's hand*hahah*

Sportswomen- yay!















There was a jumping castle & a little pool that provided much entertainment on a smokin' hot afternoon (for the children I mean)*grin*
















Vicki with her daughter Ndinawe beside Tafika & her aunt.
















Proud Mama.

I’m ba-ack- anybody miss me?

It has been wonderful having a few days off work (despite the fact that most of the time I had to study). I feel so good- & I hope I can remember this feeling even when the results come back*hahah*. I’m happy to report that post-examination I jumped into a nearby pool; only learning later that is was 41 degrees Celsius while swimming. Incredible. My hubby & I spent the evening in the air conditioned luxury of the movie theatre*hahaha*. Though with every good holiday there has to be a bit of drama...

I tucked myself in on Tuesday night after a day full of walking, writing the exam, swimming etc- ready for a fitful rest. Unfortunately my deep sleep was interrupted with panicked knocking and shouting on my door. I pushed Alvin into action to find our security guard shouting warnings about thieves coming into the yard with guns, looking to steal a vehicle. Panic set in. We were on the phone to the security company and the police within minutes. Shortly thereafter Alvin went to the window to see if he could see any movement in the yard. Meanwhile the guard comes back hammering and shouting and fearing for his life. There happened to be two guards working that night so the non-shouting (non-hysterical guard) is gesturing to Alvin that actually the man is mad- there are no thieves in the yard.

Exhale.

We lay back in bed to hear the man start wailing- crying for his mother, shouting to the gods not to let him die here in this strange yard- at least let him die in his compound. He is literally inches away from me- through the wall & window- on my patio. This is even after Alvin’s stern warning for the man to quiet down because we all had to work in a couple of hours. After about thirty minutes the woman who lives in the flats above us sticks her head out her window and shames the guard into quiet…very briefly. We waited for the security company or the police to show up & take this crazy man from our yard. We waited until 03h30 and still no sign of help- but finally the mad guard fought off his demons and sat quietly.

Complete disaster.

Alvin & I were giggling most of yesterday at how ridiculous the whole situation was (I was thanking my lucky starts that I’d completed writing my final- I would’ve been a wreck going into that one without my sleep). And now I’m back in the office, sipping strawberry tea, thrilled to not be a student again until next year!

Hope everyone (ok Canadians) enjoyed the Thanksgiving weekend. I did muster the energy to whip up a batch of perogies yesterday afternoon…maybe I’ll roast a chicken next weekend*wink*.

Over & Out

Well I'll be signing off for a few days, heading underground for this upcoming exam...I do always find it refreshing to refrain from the joys of cyberspace for a few days. Wishing all my Canadian folk a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend. My dinner with all the trimmings will have to happen after the long weekend.

Let me sign off with another amusing Dilbert comic. Catch up with all of ya'll when I'm back.

This time of year

I love nothing more than the 37 degree Celsius heat we’ve been experiencing in Lusaka. For whatever reason, it doesn’t oppress me like it does some- I feel exhilarated & excited about the options for fun in the sun. Perhaps it was my Edmonton upbringing- each warm day was spent outside for fear that the next day would bring snow*laughing*. Even after five years in Lusaka the appreciation hasn’t worn off. The days are bathed in a purple haze from the blooming jacarandas - breathtaking.






























Dear Kupela held a farewell dinner party on Friday evening- here we are looking b-e-a-u-tiful*grin*. Laurane, Kups, me, & Vicky...that was after dinner & a couple of drinks.

Lil’ rant

I’m not too sure who’s leading the latest charge in “the fight against malaria”- the “African Leaders against Malaria Alliance” or the “international donor community”…but whoever it is – I’m disappointed in the plan. Imagine $3 billion to distribute 240 billion insecticide-treated bed nets. Let’s be frank- that is putting a band aid on a sore that won’t heal.

Let me give my humble abode as an example- the area in which I reside has a terrible drainage system, meaning mosquitoes breed in the swampy heat and then infest homes in the surrounding area. Putting up a mosquito bed-net will protect me during the night when I sleep (providing that it does not have any holes and that my limbs do not end up outside the net- which tends to happen with me). Keep in mind I have a particularly small family by Zambian standards- I think the average household is about 6 people- so how many bed nets are they distributing per household? And will they still be effective if four kids are kicking up the sheets in one bed? Also- bed nets do not dissuade mosquitoes from biting me when I sit and eat my dinner in the evening, or watch TV- shall I move the bed net into the sitting room? I suppose I’m so upset because I’m looking at the amount of money that is being put into bed nets- $3 billion, that money could develop drainage systems throughout the whole of Zambia and provide a much longer term solution-no? Mosquito bed nets remind me of nylons- they’re good for about one wear before they get a run. I may sound a little cynical but I’d like to understand who’s collecting the $3 billion dollars for supplying the nets.

Bah.

Disclaimer: I am not suggesting that I have the solutions, I am merely suggesting that there are alternative measures that should be considered in the 'fight against malaria'. (Apart from drainage systems screens on windows and doors make a big difference, I also have heard that Cuba has a system of residual spraying that has stopped malaria in its tracks. Not that I believe in chemicals, but I don't believe that 240 million bed nets will significantly decrease the instances of malaria)*sigh*. Like I said- I'm not an expert- I spend most of my evenings wearing long clothing to avoid the inevitable mosquito bites- but I guess I just want to throw out an argument to show that these 'good' and 'noble' ideas are often not the best solutions for development.

The girls from work

Last weekend I had some girlfriends over & this weekend one of my former colleagues hosted a wee luncheon for the girls from the office- what fun!

Here are my dear friends Alison (left) & Priscilla. Priscilla & I got for yoga together- & Alison is promising to join us*grin*

Here I am with Priscilla's lovely friend Patricia

Luckily- mid-way through the event, I remembered it was Miriam's birthday on the 28th- so rather than bringing the cake out without any pomp or ceremony- we used edible candles (carrot sticks) & sang to the birthday girl. What a laugh.

Here's Alison's beautiful daughter Nandi helping Miriam to cut the cake.

And as is custom at any Zambian event (or so it seems to me)- the dance floor opens*grin*

Friday Humour

I wanted to start the weekend off with a few giggles. These Dilbert comics crack me up.

The girls. And their girls.

It just struck me; I’ve been living in Lusaka for five years now- crazy how time flies! During this time I have learned a thing or two about hosting small parties...

1) Plan to have far more people over than you invited
2) Plan to prepare a solid mix of Zambian-safe and Canadian-safe cuisine
3) Don’t plan a thing!

That may not make sense but let me explain; I got the giggles Saturday morning because in the afternoon I was set to host a few girlfriends over for some snacks, drinks, and a lot of gossip. I told myself I would not cook anything; I’d planned a Canadian veggie platter, cold cuts & fresh rolls for snacking alongside a couple bottles of wine. Good thing I’d planned not to cook because the power was out from 09h00 to 13h00- any good Canadian host would’ve been in a panic by then, but I had been assured by one of the girls that a braai stand (barbeque fuelled by charcoal) was on its way over. The bakery I had planned on picking up the rolls from also had no power…no fresh rolls. But with the meat on the way I didn’t have to plan a thing & it all worked out!

I had a blast with the girls- three brought their gorgeous daughters, and everyone pitched in so that there was plenty of food & drink.

Early in the day the photos are coming out nice & clear, by the end of the evening I'm not too sure if the camera was on the wrong setting or if the photographers were too inebriated...

Kolo & Boni getting the meat started.















In'utu (red dress) is just back from completing her Masters degree. It was some kind of programme she found- she studied in England, Manila, & Switzerland- she's truly a woman of the world (she completed her undergrad in Cuba)*grin*. Great to have her back!















Here's Laurane & her sleepy baby Tafika.














Vicki's daughter Ndinawe arrives & she's quickly scooped up by Kolo.

Ndinawe posing. She's such a cutie- but you can imagine just how naughty with those big brown eyes!

I thought Kupela's "no nonsense mother look" was too priceless to leave off the post!

Here's Kupela's beautiful baby Nawiti with a blurry Bwalya (honestly, I wasn't taking the photos)!

Tommy's 30th

Another one of my hair-brained ideas...it was my big brother's 30th birthday yesterday so Al & I decided to host a small pizza party. I invited over my in-laws for pizza, wine & apple muffins*hahaha*. It was a lovely evening. And we bid happy birthday to Tom despite being separated by a lot of land & water.

The big nasty assignment for Uni was submitted on Monday so I'm enjoying a few days of relaxation before preparing for my exam in October.

I feel so free, and rather optimistic about every little thing.

I wasn't kidding

I've been so bad this week. I was told that "wound" was probably too strong a word to describe some simple chafing. Which is probably true...but the comment inspired me to take a photo to highlight just how awful I've been feeling all week (walking is a problem let alone dreaming of running). Bah. The responses to the photo were too great to keep secret- so here- for all my loyal followers to eeew & yuk at:

The "abrasion" (thanks Sarah T!) has been a wonderful excuse to spend all my time like a recluse working away at my assignment that's due on Tuesday. So I'm really not complaining. The abrasion is looking much better this morning and if I'm still feeling so optimistic I may meet my running partner Saturday morning on my bike*grin*.

Much more exciting emails to come once the school pressure's off I'm sure. Happy weekend- weeee!

Falling apart at the seams

I must admit that I didn’t have the best weekend ever. But the reasons for not having the best weekend ever I find rather comical. I know self-deprecating humour is sometimes uncomfortable- but I really must share my ridiculous story.

In my commitment to get back into shape I thought the biggest hiccup would be breaking in my new running shoes; but I planned a 13/14 km run on Saturday morning anyway. Little did I know that the new shoes would be the least of my worries. I think all athletes have experienced some form of chafing- no? (My mom was worried if I told the story people would start calling me “thunder thighs”- but really, support me here- anyone who’s ridden a bike a few too many kilometres, or had the bra that didn’t fit quite right has experienced some chafing discomfort- no?) Well it was my luck to feel some burning during the run though I couldn’t quite figure out why; I had specifically put spandex on under my basketball shorts to avoid any discomfort. Unbeknownst to me, at some point during the run the spandex burst at the seam and my tender inner thigh was exposed to rough material for several kilometres. I have experienced the worst chafing of my life- I have an open wound on my inner thigh- is that not horribly hilarious? I have decided to postpone even yoga- I can just imagine all the stretching on my poor cut. If it doesn’t heal quickly my plans to do another half-marathon late September will not be possible.

But it’s not all bad (yes, ever looking for the silver lining)- I will work on my Research Proposal this evening & try to make more headway…perhaps this is a sign from the universe that I should focus on school & not fitness at the moment*grin*.

My other big exciting news of the weekend is that Al & I have invested in a big 20L re-useable water container. Weeee!! The water quality will be better than that of the boiled water we were used to, and I won’t be contributing to the landfill sites overflowing with plastic water bottles. Unfortunately drinking tap water from my home is not an option- so I feel that we’ve taken the next best environmental step- I hope so anyway!

Happy Labour Day Monday to those of you who aren’t working today*grin*. I’m off to make some tea…

Guilty as charged

I'm so keen to write something on my blog so everyone knows I'm still here...but there's not too much of general interest. Let's see if I can come up with something that's not too dull.

1. I'm just back from a work trip to Zambia's "Copperbelt" province. My colleague & I visited some great potential project sites- it was a worthwhile trip. My folks have inquired about the accommodation since when they were here we stayed in a place that was- hmmm, how to put this diplomatically- undoubtedly a brothel. Blue satin sheets to boot. More mosquitoes than I've ever seen in my life inside the mosquito bed netting*hahaha*. I'm happy to report that we stayed in a beautiful guesthouse complete with "princess" mosquito netting (that's my description- I thought it looked all pretty)- hahaha.
































2. Saturday basketball- I was so excited because my niece came to the game! She's only 3 months old but I got to have her on my lap for the whole second half- I wish I would've brought my camera- she's such a cutey. Her father lost the game though (which means my hubby's team won)*hahahah*

3. My dear Uncle Emil sent a couple of photos of his granddaughters; I'm borrowing this photo from him (without permission- sorry uncle Em) because I think it's such a beautiful photo. Malia & Olivia:-) Baby Olivia has grown a lot since we met her in June.
















4. I'm considering signing up for another half-marathon because people keep telling me I've gained too much weight...it's the only way I can motivate myself to start running again*smile*


5. There's lots of school pressure at the moment. I have my huge research proposal due in two weeks. If I don't pass no MA for me...I'll do my best & hope it's enough!


Like I said...nothing much of general interest. I'll come back with a vengeance once this pesky RP is out of the way*grin*.