Rainbow Spectacular

I collected my kanga material, Ugandan made, rug this afternoon, made by Kampala Fair. It is now home, in my little apartment. I love it! It is so colourful and bright...just like the rest of my lounge actually(...I think I will have to tone everything else down a bit). Plus, the bonus is that it is super soft for bare feet!

After all my moaning about shopping in Kampala, I have just found somewhere new to spend my Shillings. Yeaaaay!! I also walked away with two new cute dresses, that are very Mad Men (apparently... I am behind in getting 'into' the show).

This made me very happy today, but here are some more...
3 more beautiful things for today.

Sweet goodbyes, success and spreading it on thick!

• Reading some really sweet messages from pupils in my class to a pupil that is leaving. We created a leaving book today and it is clear that EVERYONE is going to miss this amazing wee boy.
• Successfully downloading my photos from my phone... for the first time.
• Spreading lemon curd on my slice of toast, having it with a cup of tea now - mmm,mmm,mmm!

Stylish Blogger Award

Last week I was kindly awarded the Stylish Blogger Award by ...and Bob's your uncle!

It has taken me a while to post my new award, as there are a few responsibilities that come along with accepting this award! Just like a real beauty contest!

7 things about me
Me, talk about me...oh, ok then...

• I was born in Bahrain and feel at home hearing the call to prayer from the mosque.
• I think I was a Jew in my past life!
• When I was younger I wanted to be a STAR, then a pathologist, I think I just liked the word!
• I would rather dance at a ceilidh than at a club.
• I am happiest when eating good food and drinking wine with friends or family.
• I only learnt to dive into a swimming pool at the age of 27, my friend Sven taught me in Falika.
• I am a hasher (through and through). On-On!

Share the love
These are some of my favourite blogs that I am reading just now:

• A Wee Bit of Cooking  - my recipe go-to, beautiful photos that always make me miss Scotland! 
• 3limes  - a beautiful writer and photographer and friend in Uganda.
• everyday musings - anyone else that loves food is alright by me!
• the chirpy bird  - even photos of butter melting are great...yes, more food!
• Long Story Short - she reminds me of my friend Erin and her posts make me smile! Now I want to go to Belize on holiday!

Hope you like them too!

If you have been awarded the Stylish Blogger Award, do as I have, or read this, Jo makes it very clear :)

Eating Out

"ARSE I have to put up with from you people. You ponce in here expecting to be waited on hand and foot, while I'm trying to run a hotel here!"

Basil Fawlty

Lodges and service in Uganda is amazing outside Kampala...in the city, everything is hit and miss! Here in Kampala, you go out before you are hungry. If not, the experience is not funny but annoying. As...

you might go out for breakfast, but there will be no eggs for the omlettes at the cafe. Or you'll order a Bloody Mary but be told, 'the chef has gone home' (haa- this still makes me laugh now, the response of my friend to the drinks waiter was hillarious!!). Or you'll wait 30 minutes for a coffee and be pleased it didn't take too long. You're forever sending corked wine back or worst still be told by the French manager, that no, we could not taste the wine before ordering it...it would not, he knew, pass the test. You see a rat the size of a small pony running through the restaurant/bar, so decide not to go back..for a week. You laugh when you see the sign, 'please allow 2 hours for pizza delivery' but appreciate their honesty! Ordering off the menu is always a mistake, in fact just best to ask waiters what they have, rather than read the menu at all. I'm still waiting, a year and a half later of being in the city, to be able to try a lemongrass martini...

Maybe, just maybe, if I am here long enough, I won't find all this entertaining anymore.

Exotic Escapes

Hump day was yesterday, a beer was had to celebrate, but still the weekend seems to be taking a while to arrive.

So when I read a post about a trip to Belize (here) on the net, I took a mini-break from sitting on my sofa and had a  wee day dream about my next escape. Not Belize for me, another time perhaps, but Cape Town in April. To run a bit, visit some vineyards, drink some wine, eat some yummy food, see some penguins and wander round Long Street. Sounds perfect to me!

I also can't wait to head back to the beach in Kenya. October perhaps. Sighhhhh

Yep, Zanzibar would also be nice!

We can daydream...

Photos from my last trip to Zanzibar.

Wouldn't it be wonderful to sail away now?

Yes, daydreams help...

Bread, milk, Chie Mihara shoes...

Although it is a bit early to start the count-down until the summer holidays, the talk at the 'w' place is already about them.

Not, where everyone is going, but what everyone will be buying. One friend is heading to the shiny, air-conditioned malls in Dubai to go retail mad...I like her style! Could I fit in a weekend in Kuwait? Perhaps not!

I have an ongoing shopping list of essential buys for the summer, so that I won't get overwhelmed when I enter bright shops, full of glitzy and glamorous and totally unpractical items! I have written in capital letters; TWO BOOKS ONLY! I always get a bit carried away on this one- there are actually book shops in Kampala and Nairobi - but I get a bit over excited when I see new books with fresh pages.

There are always a few necessary items which I kind of begrudge having to buy; the new pair of trainers (a must, but so expensive), the sports bras and socks, some new outfits for the 'w' thing, the stickers for school etc. They are also on the list.

As well as...jeans. Jean shopping - something that is never as much fun as it should be. I think I may allocate two days to this task in the summer - I will start early and have breaks and try not to cry in the changing rooms!

Since I am on a budget, I should really stop looking online at Chie Mihara shoes...shouldn't I???

slowly does it, appreciation and party guests.

Sunday's 3BT - a few of the things that gave me pleasure today:

• "That man is a veh-hicle!!", exclaims one of the security guards as an incredibly fast runner over takes me in today's 7 Hills run in Kampala. I was a bit slower (!), but never the less, I completed the 20km hilly run and dare I say it...enjoyed it!!  I feel SO much better about running the Two Oceans in Cape Town at Easter! Whoop to that!
• I took my hard working feet for a pedicure as a treat. They are now happy again! They have ran over 30km this weekend. Well done feet.
• Reading all my comments on my blog from yesterday's party. Thank you!

Around the World in a Day - Uganda

The mosque's call to prayer has been my time keeper for many years.

I still hear it, a quieter version, here in Kampala. I'm glad for that. There is something calming and reassuring about hearing the imam, where as the loud and passionate pastor from the many nearby churches often sounds quite frightening.

Welcome to Uganda!
So, this is where I am for now, Uganda. Thank you for visiting-I hope you get to go Around the World in  Day. What a cool concept. For more expat posts from around the world, click on Happy Homemaker UK's link My post today is a bit about ex-pat life in Uganda. Sorry if it jumps around a bit, I hope that you still enjoy the party!

It's All About Me!

I have spent over half my life abroad. The Scottish accent, that was never really clear to begin with, is now hardly detectable, like for many ex-pats, it has now become 'international'. There are many expats in Kampala. Many people that come with a few belongs and buy a few more, to sell when they move in a few years. Not many that call Kampala their home. Kampala also attracts many short-timers; those that come for 6 months, or maybe even a year, with their 30kg of luggage. It is hard to make friends with people in that category; you can't even plan a tennis game with them as they might leave any day.
It only takes you three months to become a regular at yoga classes. It will only take one month to be forgotten; the way it is when so many people come and go.

Pearls in Africa
It is easy to live in Uganda. Everyone can afford to have staff to shop for you, cook your food, clean the house and guard you when when you sleep. You can always get someone to help, with a smile, a "Wabali" and a coin or two. You can go to work, play tennis, have a swim and still have time to go out for dinner with friends, in one of the many restaurants (never short of choices on that front!).

Yet, it can be frustrating as hell, living here, sometimes. But it can be anywhere, when you've had 'one of those days'.

When the pot holes seem bigger, the queue is even slower, the teaching assistant is asleep in the library, the boda-boda swerved a little too close in front of you, there is no water and the power is off...again. Nobody has the responsibility and power to solve your problem, everyone is late because of the rain, everyone is late because of the heat or the traffic police are 'directing' traffic. Yes, it can be frustrating at times, but these are just reminders that Africa is just outside the door. Red roads, dust and dirt.



The man by my road that makes bricks.



In Kampala you go by the rule of 'one job per day' (that is, if you have to do any yourself!); a visit to the bank or going to the post office,taking books to the exchange, going to the Surgery etc. Keep it simple and you will stay sane.


Safari
Kampala is a means to Uganda; for quiet safari and wide open spaces. There is no denying why Uganda is the Pearl of Africa. 



Kisses at Kidepo National Park



A safari truck is a buying essential near the start of your stay. I have travelled to places that are so beautiful and remote that really you shouldn't drive there...but it is so worth it if you do (just make sure you have good insurance!) Uganda, has so much to offer on that front. Outside Kampala, especially, you are treated like a favourite returning guest and no matter where you stay or what you do, you will not want to leave (unless their happens to also be three overland trucks parked...then you want to get out of their quick smart!).

A Developing Nation
Kampala is changing at such a rate that so much of the country; like the infrastructure, can't cope. New roads are being built, but not fast enough to cope with the rising number of cars on the road. New bars and restaurants are being opened for the rising young middle-class Ugandans to spend their money in and more art work is being bought by oil rich ex-pats. Even I have seen it change; the bi-pass opened, turning a quiet dusty road that I used to run on, into a busy main road. Nobody is sure how the oil money will effect Uganda's development, everyone waits with baited breath.



Love them or hate them, the boda-boda is
a sure way of avoiding jams.

Communication

You learn a new language when you live in Kampala, this is not Lugandan, but a type of Uganglish. You start saying things like "slope down", "now now", "thisaone", "ju-is" and "bis-quit". It makes things easier, but you must remember to stop using this Uganglish once you step on an airplane!

Tips and Tricks
Everyone will have their own experiences and advice about living in any country. Bring high heels, don't bring high heels, bring a hat (yes, do this for the Goat Races, the event of the year!), take antimalarials, take vitamin B, bring a tent, bring bedlinen and duvets, don't bring winter clothes... etc etc. I'm not going to give lists of advice, if you would like to ask a question though, please do. What I will say is...hand washing will ruin your clothes, even though it is VERY expensive to buy a machine here, do it...or forever hold your moans!
Anyhow, finding all the best restaurants,the short cuts in town, the most popular hairdresser, is part of the fun and adventure of being an ex-pat. You meet people in your new host home, you ask them, then you meet up again. Wouldn't it be boring if you were handed a book full of do's and don'ts. A little advice is enough. Too much is scary and overwhelming.



Good advice!

Shopping

 I rely on the odd care package from friends and family; Marks and Spencer's underwear, creamy chocolate and shortbread. The post has always arrived, it may just be a few months late. Funnily enough, my Runner's World and Self magazines (American editions) ALWAYS arrive on time.



I get so spoilt! These packages arrived with
Christmas gifts in March!

 I brought enough shampoo to last me a year and only recently bought a face wash here! The choice is minimal, (I have had a few moans about this in the past, read here) but you can buy most things (at a cost) here, but have lots of fun doing it!



Road side shopping in Uganda





I get a bit excited in shops when I find unusual
items...and Irn bru!

 But if you can't find what you want (which is more than likely!), it is easy enough to go to Nairobi and have a spree. (By the way, my next job is not actually to work for the Kenyan Tourist Board ...although it might seem so!!)


The Social Side of Life
One question I have been asked is; whether you make friends with local Ugandans. My answer to this is; Ugandans are very friendly people. If you have things in common then you will easily become friends. Many Ugandans go to church, so this is where you may meet some new friends. If you don't have anything in common with a person, usually you don't become good friends, whether they are ex-pats or locals. If you met people before in the last place you lived, you will meet people again here. There are lots of organised events; like this morning I ran a 10km fun run with Alliance Francais, a passport in my hand, getting stamps at the different embassies...fun! Oui - je parle Francais en Ougandan!! There are book clubs, balls, a strong Hash House Harriers, yoga classes, country clubs, sailing clubs and if all else fails...the Irish pub.

I'm leaving Kampala at the end of June and moving to Nairobi. I will be sad to say goodbye but excited to move on. I could easily stay longer in this country, but it is nice knowing I'll only be across the border. I already have my first weekend visit (back) booked!

Speaking Giberish.

I read a wee online discussion here  the other day, about what makes people English vs British? As a proud Scot, I threw in my two pennies worth, but I must have offended someone (moi!!??) as I got deleted.  Anyhow, that is not the point, but it did start me thinking about a few things.

Last year on International Day at the 'w' thing, I turned up wearing the St.Andrews flag proudly as a sarong, Braveheart blue painted on my face and my university shirt (grasping at straws...but a bit hot for tartan tights!) and I was surprised at how many people didn't realise I was Scottish.

Having lived abroad for more than half my life, my use of language (as well as my accent) has become 'international'.

My mum always says that my first language was 'Giberish'  (not meaning offence) but I picked up an accent from living in Gibraltar and that I spoke in a sing-song voice. (I just found a definition of Giberish on-line and I love it - "A language that is not known as one, but it is. It's easy to learn but you have to learn it from someone that knows it really good!" Ha! Hysterical!)

I never seemed to pick up a Scottish accent, even though my parents gave me regular Scots lessons around the kitchen table and still buy me dish clothes with phrases that any good lass should be able to pronounce!
"Awa' an bile yer heid", I would tell them. (...Yeah right!!)
It obviously didn't work, well, it did a wee bit, but I've always wished  to be more easily identifiable as Scottish.

The English language has changed, it has become more 'international', just like accents.
At a braii (a BBQ)  hosted the other night by Belgium and South African friends we began talking about this. A frequently returned-to subject actually.
I ask my American pupils to use their 'erasers when correcting errors', and use 'trash' as well as 'rubbish'. British English has probably Americanised because of all the TV shows, and although many people wouldn't chose to use certain vocabulary from across the pond, we usually (speaking generally) understand its meaning. I say usually, because my teaching partner is American and I give her some stick; even though  we 'hussle' with the "kids", when she talks about her "soccer" matches, she is honestly talking a whole other language! And vice-versa, there is great confusion and funny looks when I ask for a poly pocket (it is a slimy) or a rubber!

Anyhow, there I go speaking Giberish again...back to my vague point...

I love accents. I love Scottish accents. I wish I had one.

Recently, at the England vs. Scotland rugby match, (that I watched in the Irish pub in Kampala), someone asked me who I was supporting. As I don't have a passport stamp on my forehead, or a can of Irn Bru permanently in my hand, or a strong accent...I think I should wear my tartan tights more.

Just thinking about Japan

I've returned home to my bathroom in a bit of disarray; my tolietries have all been knocked off the shelf. The only evidence in my flat of the small earthquake that I didn't feel this morning.

The Earth may have moved for many people this morning in Kampala, but not for me! The quake was measured at 5.0 in magnitude in the Lake Albert region, West of Kampala.

It didn't effect my day, but it did give us all a reminder of how awful it has been for those in North East Japan; experiencing a 8.9 earhtquake, resulting in a tsunami, then after shocks of up to 6.0 on the Richter magnitude scale. 

Many of my pupils also felt this morning's tremor and this led onto a great discussion about Japan and what we could do to help.

My friend and I lead the Community Development Club, and are always thinking about new ways to raise awareness and funds; the last being a Survivor event. Fun!

But I am now scratching my head; my buy a wish (setting off balloons) idea wasn't received well. Bake sales are tired and not BIG enough. We need an easy to plan event so that we can get the ball rolling straight away. Make calligraphy cards in art and sell them? The Crane project? A mufti day- dress in Japanese national dress (eek-is that P.C?) A kareokee battle?

I would love your ideas?

Update  -30.03.11
Just to let you know what we went with in the end. We decided to 'send our love to Japan'. We are mapping a route of hearts from Uganda to Japan. Pupils/parents buy a heart as a donation and stick it on the map. We have pink, red and gold hearts that vary in value. Cute idea or what!? I love it. We are doing well, but are still hoping more people will purchase them. I'll add some photos soon!

Currency converter

I 'treated' myself to some Kellogg's Fruit and Nut cereal this weekend. I usually don't buy cereal in Kampala. It is exorbitantly expensive and sometimes soft or just funny tasting. But I couldn't find Dorset muesli the last time I was in Nairobi...I know, the city is slipping from its pedal stool!

But this weekend, when I saw the box, I thought, well it is only $7, about 3KD, that is probably not so much more than it would be at home. Is it? I now realise that I am a bit out of  touch with things.

My mum used to always complain that my dad had no idea about the costs of things as he had lived away for so long.  This is true. This is also the man who has panic attacks at the thought of getting on public transport in the UK (Concord and Boeings are not in this category),saying that, I think he got on a boat or train in 2006 actually! (Dad??)

But what does it matter what the cereal would cost in the UK. I was willing to pay $7 dollars for the cereal today in Kampala, I might not next week. In Kuwait I paid silly money for silly things, P&Q bread being one of them...but that was when I was being paid silly money.

I'll ration the cereal! 3 times a week perhaps, my Tiptree Lemon Curd is for weekends, I can have fruit for the others!

Getting ready to run

I've had a couple of bad runs recently. I have been so short of breath during my runs,but I think it is more the  thought of the Two Oceans getting closer than Kampala's hills! (I also have been thinking that maybe I have Bilharzia...always a good excuse in Uganda!)

So, I asked my running buddy/coach, if we could go on an 'easy' run together. I needed to boost my confidence a bit; at the moment I feel I am not going to be able to run for 21km in 5 weeks time, even if it is at sea level.

So, our weekend long run was a little easier. We avoided hills (well a lot of them...no mean feat in a city that stands on 7 of them) and went a bit slower (mainly so we could catch-up on happenings in each other's lives). The cool weather was also to our advantage.

Now, I'm feeling better about my fitness. The hill training is brutal, but it has helped. I just wish I had known Cape Town was hilly before I signed up for the race!

I read some good advice recently and that was to only think of the mile that you are in. That is so true, if I run and think, "I've only ran 4kms, I'm never going to make it to 12 today", then I won't .

This evening I am going to swim some laps. In the coming weeks; a few more intervals, some more hills, a few more long runs, then I'll be ready. I hope.

Storms and signs for tomorrow

It rained last night. Not much, just enough to tease us.
The heat of the day was then postponed, for a short while, a welcome relief to my morning run.

The sun did come out though, with its heat. Sweat was dripping through my dress at the shop. Now, only 5 minutes later, a storm is brewing. With that, before it rains, winds that whip up the dry, red dust, reminding me of the sand storms that I experienced in Kuwait, the days of seeing only a red sky.

I pass people dressed in their Sunday best, rushing to where they need to be, anticipating the rains. Not wishing to spoil their white shirts and recent hair weaves.

I sit in my lounge, the windows are shut, but the frames don’t fit all the sills and there is more than a bit of a draft. My many notes-to-myself are flapping, my hair blows into my face and doors bang shut.

The power will go off soon.

Will the rains come? Maybe the storm will blow over us, making us wait for a week or so more.

Inspirational Ideas!

The word of the week at the 'w' place would be; uninspirational.

I would rather write reports in my lunch hour than go to the hot,stuffy, uninspiring staff room...isn't that incredibly sad!

So, I have been thinking about all the things I would do if i didn't need to work. (I am trying to be (a little) realistic, so have held off listing all the APT World Tour matches I would go to!).

• I would have a flat stomach! I would go to yoga every Monday and Friday morning and run every other weekday morning!
• I would start taking golf lessons again, once a week.
• I would play tennis more regularly.
• With all the exercise, I would be able to go to have lunch at Rocks and Roses (a cute cafe that closes at an inconvenient hour, so not to allow those that work go to it).
• I would make sure the ice tray was always refilled...for my G&Ts that I would have whilst I played scrabble!
• I would join the PTA! (Actually...I am not even sure I would do this if I had all the time in the world!)
• I would empty my last box that I got shipped from Kuwait. What is in that anyway?
• I would PLAN my gallery/coffee bar.

swinging hips, job done and long weekends.

My 3BTs

• The Fashion Modelling Club went for a walk on the catwalk at our morning assembly. I think this made everyone smile!
• Reports are completed and being printed.
• An announcement from the Ugandan government, Monday will in fact be a holiday for Mayor elections! I let out a loud scream in the staff room!

s'more safari

My safari in February now seems like quite an age ago, but it is always nice looking back at photos.I realised that I have jumped around a bit with my previous safari posts, so I am going to try and go through it in a bit more of an orderly fashion this time.

The last RUT (Robyn's Ugandan Tours) experience was five days, so we did a wee loop around western Uganda.

Our first stop was Mhingo Lodge at Lake Mburu. So beautiful. No real chance of seeing big game, but lots of hoofed animals; antelopes and zebras, breathtaking views and great food. Kerry (my very important client) and I were both very sick but we still managed to fit lots in
.

Tracker Purdie

We were lucky enough to gain another safari buddy, Nick, for the trip. He was then able to drive (and stop!) for us on our journey West.

Our next stop on safari was camping at Queen Elizabeth National Park. We only went here for one reason, to spot lions! So as soon as Kerry and I were better we set of on the hunt.

We also saw lots of ele bottoms at QENP



Celebrating our 'spots' at bush lodge



After all that hard work we deserved to be pampered and went to the newly opened Kykinga Lodge near Fort Portal.  As soon as I arrived I wanted to stamp my feet and scream, "You can't make me leave!".

We did leave though.

International Women's Day

Today we celebrate women. We celebrate being a woman and having beautiful, fabulous women in our lives.

A lovely day.

It is a holiday in Uganda. The only other celebration I know by the governement (apart from the day off!) is a talk on maternal health.But I wonder how many feasts are being cooked today, byyyy..?
What about celebrating the freedom of expression? A thought.

My 3BT -Sleepovers, killer runs and pretty, long dresses.

•  I enjoy having my own place, but it is so nice to say goodnight and good morning to someone. The bed is now messy and the flat is empty; Jane has left.
• A killer 1 hour 50 minute morning run. Not a beautiful thing really, but I am stronger for it. A nice thought.
• It is a holiday, the sun is shining and I'm off to play in a pool and wish my friend a happy birthday. My loud dress says all of this! 

As I am in the mood for celebrating, tonight I will make pancakes!

Happy day!

TIA -This is Africa!

We all have those 'I hate Uganda' days (don't we?).

We dream of air conditioning, of orderly queues, of good service, shops etc etc. For my fix of 'civilization' I go to Nairobi. No boda-bodas weaving in and out of traffic, quick and good service at a restaurant, coffee to-go, Artcaffe (enough in itself!) shops with things I would like to buy...the list goes on.

Then...around the dinner table in Nairobi with The African Adventurer and his family on Sunday, the comment "I need to get out of Africa" was said. It was said many times that weekend actually, by different people. It is fine if you can hop on a plane to your house at the coast, or Europe...but this isn't always possible.

So, Nairobi has its many frustrations. I have no doubts that this is true, I just don't live there yet and am too overwhelmed in the supermarket to see them! (I spent five minutes looking at the different salad dressings on Saturday. I didn't buy any!).

But the grass is always greener, apparently so lush in Cape Town or Dar that I won't want to move to Nairobi when/if I visit.

My solution was to suggest a visit to Kampala, then everything in Nairobi will seem much easier!!

(By the way, today is not one of 'those' days. It is always hard to leave Nairobi,(yesterday made harder by Kenya Airways!) but today has been hassle free. I was awoken by a fairy this morning who made me coffee, had power to write reports, I caught up with lovely Jane and I'm off out for dinner with a friend after a hot shower. A good day!)

The Name Game

As tour guide of RUT, I pride myself on my ever growing knowledge of African wildlife.

"That one is a lion. This one is a lioness. Over there is a giraffe."

After over a year in Uganda, my knowledge is expanding and I can now name quite a few birds (mostly water birds) by sight and even by sound, thanks to my twitcher friend Sven. The hadada ibis (the clue is in the name!) being a good one for beginners, yet will still gain impressed nods from those novice safari-goers around you.

My African Adventurer then tried to take my enthusiasm for spotting one step further and started to test  my knowledge on acacia trees! I have a long way to go (!), but he obviously can see my potential, as has suggested I try and gain my safari guide badge once I am in Kenya (don't tell me if there is no such thing!!). My friend Kerry laughed out loud (a bit too loud!) when she heard this. Yes, indeed, it may be a bit harder than gaining our Girl Guides cooking badge at the age of 12...but I am up for a challenge!

My most recent RUT customers were a bit harder to please than some! How was I to know that one client, Nick, had spent over 20 years in Africa and knew a hyrax when he heard one (not a hyrux) and an eland (not an islander!) when he saw one? (All were slips of the tongue...honest!). We had a bet in the car on which animal we would spot first on safari; I said the Ugandan Kob...surely a easy win. Not, as I found out 5 hours later, when you are in Lake Mburu National Park (like we were at that time) and they don't have any! Bugger! Nick did continue to try to steal my thunder on a couple of occasions, but I wowed him with my extensive knowledge of trees!

It might take me a while to settle in to being a safari guide in Kenya; I think they have different giraffes there!!!

Topi

Ugandan Kob

Spotting from the Hide at Lake Mburu

The battle of the ultimate safari guides!

tingly arms, colourful skirts and express delivery.

My 3BT

• I woke up with tingly arms from swimming laps last night. They might not look toned, but they feel it!
• I chose a non-school skirt from the other side of my wardrobe this morning,  as I'm going for coffee after school with a glamorous friend. The material is from Zanzibar and it is bright and colourful, perfect for a Thursday!
• I signed for a DHL package today. Sometimes I forget that somethings things 'work' here! That is enough to brighten my day!

Time to train.

I am not someone who is easily motivated if left to my own devices. I don't find it hard to put on my trainers and cap, but I find it difficult to walk out the door with them on!

I need help! Help through motivational quotes from Runner's World magazine sent to my inbox daily and  through running buddies. I even signed up for the Two Oceans race and bought a flight to Cape Town, at  huge expensive, in the hope that it will make me get out running, regularly.

I rely too much on running buddies, and my buddy/coach is away at the moment, so am trying to get out on the roads alone more. This makes getting out the door harder, but as I am two weeks behind in my training schedule, I have no time for excuses. I just read that thinking alone, about my muscles will make them stronger (!), I better not chance it...so...

I'm off out for a run, alone.