2 months and 2 weeks to go!

Ok, one of the factors that I don't think about every day but I love to remind those that are waiting for me at home, how much longer...well today it is 2 months and 2 weeks to go.  I knew that the months were going to fly by starting in November, with many things and travels to take place.  I still have exciting times ahead for me, as a trip to Mombasa, and a possible trip back to Mt Longonot, the mountain that conquered me in not feeling so well.

Today I have been told to get a Canadian Flag and be proud that the Canadian women beat out the American's at hockey!  Monday's orders are to have my office look Canadian!  Especially since the Canadian's have the same amount of Gold medals as the USA, we are doing just as good as them!  Talk about extreme patriotism!  Hopefully Canada can come through this weekend in Curling and the men's hockey...I so wish that I was able to watch the games, but atlas the internet news stories are my informational resource!

So...see you all in 2 months 2 weeks...once the winter thaw has commenced!

Highlight

Ok, after the day of everything going wrong, I had a good reminder that in all things big or small give it to God.

After all the fun things I did this past weekend, I forgot what was the highlight for me...I got to watch the Opening Ceremonies of the 2010 Olympic Games.  Fortunately I was in the right place at the right time, being at RVA there just seems that everything is that much more special and enjoying it with family, I will always remember where I was when I watched the Olympics.

We even enjoyed some of the commercials, where are rare here, having a good laugh at the Coke commercials, and even enjoy Tom Brokaw's view of Canada.

I also wanted to mention...check out the little surveys along the side I will be sure to write a whole blog on what I miss the most, craving and what I don't take for granted anymore.  I want to hear your views!  And in no way will they affect my votes!

Be Blessed!

Some things...!

Well the excitement of the caterpillar continues, last night I found a rash in a spot that I am not too happy about!  Lets just say, caterpillar must've been on my underwear.  I know almost too much information, but just as the spot on my arm is disappearing and has been itchy all week, welcome to the world of bugs in East Africa.

So this weekend was a blur, I managed to get up to RVA for the first time in a few months, ok since Christmas, and yes I did miss a whole lot of fun things.  RVA has had the worse flu out break the last couple of months, with a stomach virus, cold/flu, and H1N1.  So I smartly avoided the place like the plague!  All is better now, but at the worse point they had over 120 students and staff sick.  The stomach virus, which I wasn't so lucky to avoid started at Christmas, ended up being directly affected by their water, which is usually fresh well water, is now being treated.  Also, one of the teachers (actually Titus' second grade teacher) was diagnosed with a severe case of typhoid, being unable to teach for the last five weeks.  So in my right mind, I didn't...wasn't willing...to expose myself to that!

So this weekend up at RVA was Senior Banquet, this is almost as exciting as Graduation, but all the girls came out in their best dresses, the men in their best suits and the class sponsor all cleaned up well looking spiffy and nice.  It was a great time to experience, the hall was decorated as they were going to Greece, it was spectacular!  With a huge Mt. Olympus in the background and the test of Greek that we knew...I even asked if Hummus counted...not so lucky!

The kids are all changing once again, I walked in and Ella unfortunately had a huge fall in the afternoon and had the littlest fattest lip ever, she was trying to ice her lip and eat at the same time.  Cassidy, was amazed that my hair looked nice (thanks Cassidy) but then noticed that my makeup was done, and I was dressed nice...I told her that happens when I just come from work.  FYI my hair gets drastically shorter up at Kijabe, there is definitely more moisture in the air there.  Titus was intently telling me about the spiders that they found in his old bed, that caused him to get a new bed.  Guess where I was sleeping that night!  Guess who tried not to think of spiders that night!!

Ella, has changed so much since I was out last, she has taken to speaking in full sentences, and pronunciation.  From the little girl that called me Aunt Joe, it is now Aunt Jo-elle, and clear I might add.  She then was excited about going to see the decorations for the banquet, but as we were getting ready she said that she was going to the banquelet, and then quickly corrected herself to say the Banquet, and then proceeded to laugh hysterically at herself for saying it wrong. 

Cassidy and I played with her Polly pockets this weekend as well, and as a 30 something year old...does playing pretend ever get old?  Well I tell you...it gets more fun!  Cassidy was pretending something...but then didn't like it...so she declared she was erasing it and starting over.  I was like...you can erase? I thought you just pretend again!  We laughed, ok I laughed and couldn't stop!

It was a great and relaxing weekend, though quite needed after the ride up there, where I almost got ran off the road at one point and then the same dude decided to park in the lane that I was trying to turn off in.  But I made it there and back unscathed. 

Otherwise the week was quiet, but busy on the work front, I have had my first full week in the office with Alan, and things are going well, I am learning and stretching at the same time.  Figuring out of what I need to do and how to do it, and learning to work more with the Kenyans or the Kenyan way to do it.  Nothing is easy.

Today was one of those days that everything that could go wrong did, I managed to lose a pretty important document, tried to figure out how to order books to end up in Kenya ended up ordering books that would've ended up at mom's house in Canada (thankfully I managed to cancel it)  I was ready to cry at this point.  But as I was able to figure it out, and still unable to find the document, ....ok...as I was typing this...I replayed it going through my hand and found it...it was tucked in a slot between my desk and the drawer...I am happy...two big major issues...all good now!

So as my day has gotten better, I am done...ready to go home!

Have a great day...as you all start yours!

Be Blessed!

Unstability

For those that are interested and for some great prayer warriors, Kenya needs prayer!

This week the nation has been marred by scandals, not all happening this week but there were many things leading up to this.  The latest is the clash between the President and the Prime Minister, most of you remember the violence that over took Kenya in late 2007 after the elections.  Well, these two are back in the spotlight. 

Recently there has been scandals in our education system and in our agriculture system, both have been targets of corruption amidst their leadership.  The Prime Minister had suspended the leaders from parliament, the President revoked the suspensions.

This has sparked protests, so far that have been quiet and we maintained.  But there could be many more to come if the pot keeps boiling.

Beware of...

The cute little black fuzzy caterpillars!

Yes it is true, this seemingly harmless cute creatures are not so cute after all!

I was about to blog about this yesterday, but then I thought I was just freaking out at something small.  Well, last night as I was watching TV, I saw another one...crawling across the floor.  I am convinced that I have an infestation, after only see two!

So, why the freak out you ask?

Well, yesterday morning as I was getting ready for work, I was in the shower and instantly my arm felt like someone pinched it, so I was rubbing my arm, the pain wasn't going away.  I continued on in washing my hair, and as I looked towards my towel, I see this black fuzzy caterpillar, I look back at my arm and the outline of a swollen one inch length line forms...the shape of the caterpillar.  Well I jumped out of the tub, the towel went in...the black fuzzy caterpillar, down the drain, with some panic help by me.  At this point I am dripping wet, sans towel, the one I had was not being used on me.  Meanwhile, the spot on my arm was growing, so I ran and got some antihistamine, and started to wash the affected area.

Well throughout the day, my arm started to look like it was normal, just a glance down it looked like I had a scar.

Well, when I got home from work, I was still a little paranoid, so I washed all the towels again that were with the other one that I pulled out.  Looked around the area, hoping that I didn't find more.

Then a few hours later, there was the one crawling across the floor, I went to pick it up...not with my bare hands... with a caterpillar picker uper contraption...and it fought it...seriously!  But once I got it...I disposed of the ugly creature.

Today my arm is swollen, itchy, and red!  Body is full of antihistamines once again.

So beware of the cute fuzzy caterpillars...they are nasty!

Love is in the Air

“I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore, I have continued my faithfulness to you.”  Jeremiah 31:3

Well, after a whirlwind weekend I am at work today, thankful for the love that God has for each of His children!  My Valentine!

For those that didn't hear me Friday, but did you know that the Olympics started in Canada this weekend???  I know, it is the Winter Olympics and we are in the midst of Summer here!  But, it is so totally exciting as the Olympic venues are all in the area where I grew up.  And I got to visit most of them before coming out here, so I feel a part of the games.  Go Canada Go!

It was a great weekend, with nothing really exciting to report.  I bought myself a dozen roses, after fighting the crowds and paying for over priced flowers, totally kidding, there were flowers at almost every corner and I only paid $3 for them all.  I got a good start on my prayer letter that is now over a month more like over two months overdue...wow...I should not have counted.  It will be out soon...or at least before the ground thaws back home you will get two.

My theme of the week was being invited to people's houses and cooking for them.  Yes, seriously, the first occasion was a test to see if a Canadian could cook Mexican food.  On the menu, Chimichanga's, what they are, is a deep-fried burrito.  The dish is typically prepared by filling a flour tortilla with a wide range of ingredients, most commonly beans, rice, cheese, ground beef, shredded beef, or shredded chicken, and folding it into a rectangular package. It is then deep-fried and can be accompanied with salsa, guacamole, sour cream and/or cheese.  Note to readers, I have never ever heard of these, let alone know what they look like to prepare or make.  

 This is pretty close to what they looked like, we filled them with rice, beans, and chicken and cheese.  I was in charge of shaping the packages, and deep frying...so my art of perfection of the best wrapped taco...paid off in this creation. 

I also was invited over to another families house, where they were having waffles, I ended up the kitchen making the waffles.  They thought it was funny as I don't go to their house much, but this time I came over to make them dinner.

Otherwise, Valentine's Day was really good, I did lots and got lots done.  It was just san chocolate...not a normal V'day for me.

Funny Moment of the Day

I started my morning with a truck in front me, the business name "Excloosive"

"Dial a Loo"

Nothing starts the morning like this with a good laugh at the Loo truck!

(for those that do not know what a Loo is...it is a toilet)

Now the best part...checked out their website

#1 in the #2 Business

We take Crap from anyone

You dump it...we pump it!

Before and After...and Random Happenings!

Well, this last week was one of those weeks where something would happen, then I think…ooh I should blog about that! So this is just fun random things that have happened, I could’ve chosen about 10 different titles for this blog.

Sex in a Pan
Are we there Yet?
What happens here…should stay here!

You know all intriguing titles…I was almost tempted to write at least three different blogs…but here they are all in one! Enjoy!

Sex in a Pan
The first funny story was the Sex in a Pan incident. Now that just sounds bad…funny! But as a missionary…I am referring to the dessert! Everyone clear your minds!

So the other night I was having dinner with a family here, and she pulled out dessert, as she was cutting it, I could not stop myself, I was ooh that looks so good, is that Sex in a Pan? Thinking that I haven’t had it forever, and not thinking that not everyone has heard about it! Well, the spatula dropped as well as her jaw. She asked, what did you say? Oh, well some call it Sin in a Tin, all innocent at the same time, my face dead serious. She was like, no Joelle, this is ‘something pie’, now I can’t remember the real name of the pie, because it was time for my jaw to drop and say…what you haven’t heard of Sex in a Pan? So one up on the American’s, we have Sex in a Pan…and they don’t! (if you have the recipe...send it to me...I want to prove my American friends wrong, that this 'pie' we ate was really a sin)

Are we there Yet?
Well, it is always interesting to hear Facebook statuses of people complaining in the snow covered roads that it took them forever getting home. Like the 20 minute ride took 2 hours, etc. Well I have been there, done that! This one kicks all other complaints that I have had in Canada…Friday night, it took me 40 minutes to go…4.5 km. No joke, there wasn’t any snow, strikes or riots. Just patiently sitting in the car trying to find the best route home, while enjoying a sermon from CSC, darn it though, I missed the last five minutes of it.

What happens here…should stay here!
Well, don’t tell mom, but my choices in footwear still gets me in trouble. You see, the ladies I use to work with, would make fun of me, for when it snowed or was -20 below, I would prance into work with the littlest cutest shoes, saying don’t worry, my feet will unthaw and they will be cute. Boots are unheard of in my wardrobe.

Well, my thoughts last week, when I am sitting in my office, looking out the window, looks like rain… hopefully it will hold off until I get home. Well, just as I thought that, the sky opened up, and the rain came down. Big huge pellets of rain drops… So, my next thought…well hopefully it will clear up before I leave…my choice of footwear was not made for rain. (But notice the beautiful pedicure, that only cost me $7.50)

Well, thankfully it did taper off a little before leaving, but there I was, prancing through the parking lot avoiding puddles.



Before and After
So I don’t even know how to start this one…but I guess I needed a haircut. I guess one thing I do is procrastinate on the most is hair cuts, I never enjoy the experience, and end up with a new cut, trying to figure out what do with it. Well, here I was enjoying my long hair. It was the longest it had been in years, though it needed a cut I debated long and hard about it. My first stance was that I could wait until I get home, no problem. Well then I started to notice, that my hair was getting dry and at the point that I desperately needed a cut. So yesterday, I said to myself, it is now or never. I walked to the hair salon, and asked if there was time for an appointment, he said, right now. So, I took the plunge, after getting hair washed, stripped and washed. A little extreme on the hair washing, like 3 shampoos and a 1 condition round later, I asked for a cut. I said, specifically, I would like the ends chopped off a little more than a trim, they are a little dry. But I don’t mind it short, but still long enough to put in a ponytail. My thoughts as I went in with a low ponytail, that it would be shoulder length.

As he was finishing up, and concerned that my hair wasn’t curling…he was about to continue chopping…I said, oh no…those will curl, they are just a little slow on the uptake! I just smiled as he made sure that it was poofed to his perfection, I felt like Barbie getting a make over, in the 80’s. Sorry no pictures of that embarrassment.

I ended up with a cute, shorter than I was looking for, new hair do. I actually love it, even though…I can’t quite get it all into a ponytail like I asked, the ponytail holder is now retired. You privileged folk of blog readers get the sneak peek, and before and after pictures.

And because I work in a Hangar full of men, no one has noticed yet, that I am missing six inches of hair.



Some other things!
Well, this weekend...I did things that I am not ashamed to say in public, you may all be surprised at my behaviour but here it goes. I baked two loaves of bread this weekend, a yummy oatmeal bread that is delicious, and...I baked a chicken, with potatoes and green beans! Along with Apple Crumble for dessert! I know...it is just not the Joelle you know, baking...cooking! Ok, maybe some of you could see it, I just kept it suppressed...far far away!

Be blessed!

It's getting Hot in here!

So it is late afternoon, and this week it has been a warm week in Nairobi. My office unfortunately doesn't have air movement (lacking a fan) so it is warm! I am not complaining...not at all, my thought today was that it is odd to be so hot, in February, this is when my body usually is freezing or frozen, waiting for the thaw of April to come. I am blessed to be so warm. This week the dry season has definitely come to town, it will be this way until March, so I am enjoying it while I can.

Well the milestone of only 100 days left has come and passed...wowsers! I officially will be home in 98 days. Really not that long if you think of it. Right now it is in the talk that I will head out to BC for the first week I am home, I know it is terrible for those in Calgary, but for my sister I can hardly wait. So that is in the plans right now, nothing like diving into things when I return. I will be in a state of shock of being overwhelmed. If you want to get together with me when I return, let me know, I am trying my best at organizing group meetings to share my stories and experiences with everyone.

This past weekend was the AIM Ladies retreat, and yes this was my first ladies retreat that I have ever been to, and possibly the first in many years that I did not plan. Wow, that says alot! It was a great day, as the theme was about prayer and there were many veteran missionary ladies and some still green (quite new) I was blessed to be with them. There was lots of laughter, coffee, and sweet desserts for all. I even was spoiled to a pedicure that afternoon, though dropping your cell phone on your foot hours before...not recommended, as I quickly learnt that I had bruised and cut my toe, just below the nail bed. Ouch! The highlights of the day, having a pedicure, trying my creativity at Wall Art...(guess what Jennine???), and being well known in all circles of the missions world.

Oh yes, that leads to a story...so as I spent the day introducing myself to people, and yes indeed wearing a nametag, people would glance down and be like, are you any relation to Todd Dubber? Why yes of course, he is my brother. Now, for some I voiced before I left, that I would be known as Todd's sister for this year in Kenya. It started, only nine months into my year! Well, the best reaction in introducing myself was at dinner, the lady sitting next to me introduce herself, I turned and introduce myself, and then like I was Angelina Jolie, "Oh my goodness you are Joelle, I have always wondered and wanted to meet you" in this high pitched scream, I turned around, almost shocked...I was like, I feel famous! And you could only imagine that it got more dramatic then that! And then around the table, it was a hum of oh yes, I have heard about you too, your family talks about you all the time.

WOW!

That is my brush with fame, no autographs please!

Well this morning it was beautiful, I was fooling around and figured that I haven't posted many pictures of myself, here I am on my way to work!