Move over 2013! - Hello and goodbye

2014, I welcome you! 2013 has been a bit of a roller coaster with highs and lows, but this year is going to be about balance.
To work smart and to use time wisely, leaving me more time to do the things that make me happy. To be more balanced when it comes to food and to do a range of exercise, i.e to bring back yoga into my life!
This past holiday reaffirmed that my friends and family are what make me most happy and this year I plan on remembering that every day. I also know that I need to exercise every day to stay positive and sane! What I don't need so much of is technology...

I started my blog as a way of  keeping in touch with those I love, but it hasn't really turned out that way; although my parents have constantly been my biggest fans  (thank you!).
I've enjoyed sharing here and getting to know people through blogs, but I feel I am spending too much time on my phone and not enough of my time in the moment. So, as part of a more balanced year, I've decided to dip out of the blogosphere for now.

Family and friends know I will email with news of adventures or running photos (!) and if you would still like to see snapshots of what I'm doing, I'm still going to Instagram @africaandbeyond (I really like it at the moment- it is quick and easy- it's all about balance).

Thank you for reading my blog over the years. I've grown a lot since my first entry whilst I was living in Uganda. I've learnt a lot about myself during my adventures these past three years and writing about them has been part of my journey; first in Uganda, then in Kenya and now here in Kuwait, and holidays; in Holland, Spain, France, Germany, Ireland, Canada, Bahrain, Dubai,  the Maldives, Thailand, Australia and back home in Scotland.

Thank you for commenting on posts and cheering me on in spirit with my running. My first 3 marathons in 2013 have probably been my biggest achievements to date (apart from surviving my first year of teaching!) and every running buddy and cheerleader helped me cross the finish line.

We don't know what the New Year will bring. Hopefully happiness and peace within us all.
Maybe I'll end up coming back here and writing, but for now the time feels right for change.

I hope 2014 is a great year for you! Xx

Running news and other stuff

This week, more than most, I feel my life is somewhere between Miranda Hart's and Lady Edith Crawley (minus the castle).

So...I have been trying to stay away from all things delicious (well, not really!), like my homemade salted caramel sauce, brownies and basically anything with salt. I do this because I realise I will not get a medal for being the quickest woman ever to eat a bag of Doritos. I will only get a medal if I CROSS THAT FINISH LINE on Friday.

Can you tell I am a bit worked-up about the race!?

Just a tad.

I'm going to let you into a secret,(...purely as it is the easiest way to break the news to my mum...)
I can't find my Garmin watch. It was last seen on the day I flew to Amsterdam. So, I might not have a watch for my first marathon. Shocking and wrong.

The day before my race I will be trying to hunt down a replacement - just to add some drama to my life. (I do realise that this is not the worst thing that could happen this week to me. The worst would be getting bitten by a dog, or me forgetting my Vaseline, or my running buddy breaking an ankle...then it is OVER!)

Good vibes please. I'm going for a PB!

PS- If it is not too late, run out and buy the January issue of Tatler for the Miranda Hart interview. It is worth every penny of the £4.10. Thank me in your dairy!

Oh-and just because...

It's Friday!

Dear Polly Elizabeth Piper, Welcome to this beautiful world. I haven't seen any photos of you yet, but I am sure you are as beautiful as your name. Dear working week, You have been one of the busiest and most tiring, but there was still time for two great runs, yoga, sushi and beers with friends. Thank you! Dear Future-Surf-Owner, I know you want to buy my Surf, I just haven't met you yet. Why not save me a little stress and get in touch sooner rather than later. Dear Dad, It's Father's Day on Sunday! Happy Father's Day! Looking forward to seeing you in Dubai. Not long now! Dear Running Buddies, Even after a horrid day at the 'w' thing, you help me to put my trainers on and make me feel better. Dear Kampala Fair, I am so excited to see my skirt and dress that will arrive on Monday. Dear Colleagues, I really hope you have a good weekend, so that when I see you on Monday you might be a bit happier! Dear Pupils, Even when I am having a bad day at the 'w' thing, I never get sick or tired of you. You are all my favourites! Dear Bed, You and me are going to spend some time together this weekend (starting soon). I can't wait!

I haven't been reading much this week. I think it will be like that until the summer. So today I thought I would write a letter or two. I love getting mail!

The misadventures of a single, white female

I never talk about my blog. I love reading comments. But if someone talks about it I find I get rather embarrassed. 

The realisation that someone I know, a friend, read the rubbish I wrote about my visit to the Cheese Farm....or whatever it was.

But it is flattering all the same.  That is how I felt the other day, when conversation over shisha surprisingly turned to my blog. (You sweet, sweet lady!)

I then think: I should write more. I should use spell check spend more time on my posts. I should have more of a focus. Maybe I should write about my experiences of an International jet setter teacher.

But all I really want to tell you, is, that in the past day I have tried two new (to me) restaurants. Eaten crab with a bib on at Seven(...well...eaten my be a bit of an overstatement...I cracked and poked and dug...but did not each much!), I met the most well behaved and beautiful baby, Iseult at Osteria, where we finished our meal with ice-cream...well her mum and I. The best ice-cream in Nairobi. Thankfully it is a long drive from where I live, otherwise I would be there everyday this holiday!

Not very productive, or very exciting or very adventurous is it?

My eyes are not as fresh as they first were. Life in Africa has now become the norm for me. A fantastic norm, don't get me wrong, but I no longer do a double take at the women carrying a heavy load of eucalyptus on the busy road or get uptight at the mutatu driver that feels the need to undertake me. Africa has struck a chord inside, but I forget to appreciate it at times. I feel though, that no matter where I go to next, whenever that will be, I will always be drawn back to Africa, even just to smell it through words in a novel. (You know- that dusty, burnt rubbish smell! Only joking!)

Amazing as Africa is, and I think it is, it is expensive here. The cost of living, like other parts of East Africa, has risen so much that the 'good life' is not so easily attainable. Even many white Kenyans, with their rusty Landies and Bata boots, now head to the Middle East to earn a living so that they can repair their coffee machine (well...that bit I obviously made up...but you know what I mean!)

So-my blog has drifted. I am going to try again to see things a new. To write about life like I'll go tomorrow. To journal my experiences, so that they are on paper, for me to read and remember in the future, so that I have somewhere to travel back to, if I need to.

The University of Life

It's the holidays. I have three wonderfully long weeks off work. (Oh-apart from having to go in on Monday for meetings and to do ALL the things I haven't.)

It has been a mad term at the 'w' place. I don't want to moan, everyone gets busy, but this term has to have flashed by without me noticing, because I have had no time to do so. At the moment, I keep saying, 'I love Kenya. I just don't have time to enjoy it.'

I recently read an article that pointed out that I may not be 'too busy', I probably just have my priorities wrong. So, for the past two weeks, I have been trying to align them. Of course the 'w' thing is a priority, but I want it to be only that if it a positive aspect in my life. So, to balance this I have been trying to increase my running (and have organised a team for the Lewa half marathon in June) and...wait for it...I have been going to courses at the Brahma Kumaris University.

There. I said it.

If you don't know much about the Brahma Kumaris, you may think it is a cult that will suck me in, then get me to donate all my worldly goods to them...(good luck there Sisters!), but hey, this is completely different to the Catholic church!! (ohhh-shameful!) Until recently, I myself knew NOTHING about the organisation, so I don't blame you for thinking these things. (And honestly, I had a moment the other day, before I began my evening's meditation, that I was sitting in a dark building in Nairobi, with a women dressed in white and nobody knew where I was...my scream would not be heard...duh duh duh! I have obviously lived to tell the tale!)

 The organisation is not religious based, but really focuses on finding our soul's true power and being, Peace. "Yes, hello! I'll have some of that!" I said as I pushed the old women in front of me in the line, out of the way!

For me, although it is not religious based, it has been a bit like going to church. My group has become more comfortable in the past few sessions and our discussions are becoming more meaningful and interesting. The Sisters that guide us on these sessions are the most wonderfully positive people and the energy in the building is amazing; you quickly feel part of  a community.

My life has not transformed over the past couple of weeks. If anything, it has been more stressful than ever. The 'w' thing, a mans hand in my car window, professional development and end of termtitus. But, going to the University has meant I schedule and prioritise that time for me. A quiet, very private time, which has helped me stay positive (for about 5 minutes every morning!) and calm in my everyday life. 

Although, on the downside, I have had no time to go food shopping, so haven't had an evening meal at home for 8 days. (But, this may mean I will fit into my dress for the Irish ball!!! See-look at me go with this positivity thing!!!!)

Over the next few weeks, I am planning on spending more time on getting my priorities back in order. Which means, for me, spending some quality time with friends.Overdue emails sent. Phone calls to the Bank (no, not you Dad!) Some long, slow runs. Yoga sessions. Downton Abbey nights.  Meals out. And late night shisha. I am off to Uganda in just over a week  and looking forward to seeing more friends then.

Om Shanti.

Little pieces of happiness

My little cottage, is very little..and was planned by a twat badly!  But, it is filled with things that make me smile.

Having a small dinner party this week inspired me (after-but nonethelss-inspired me) to hang up some photos and paintings. Now that I have figured out my sofa folds into a bed (!) I'm not planning on moving at the moment.

This is the year to...

I have been thinking of some things I want to achieve this year. Not really resolutions,but a kind of 'to'do list for the year; things to look forward to. Some a short term goals...as in this week/month and some longer.

• Finish unpacking my boxes from Uganda! (This is obviously a short term goal!) By the end of the week month, I want to have emptied my last three boxes. If I didn't miss it I will throw it out or donate it.(I have already done one this week...two more to go!)
• Find hooks an hang up paintings and photos (seriously, along with 'get a scart lead' this has been on my 'to-do list' since I arrived...it is not as easy at it sounds!)
• Start pottery classes - I have a feeling I will enjoy the process, even though the end product will probably be quite crap! I have got so far as to find out when/where I can take them-next step would be to attend one!
• Take some Swahili lessons - On occasions I open my mouth and Arabic or Lugandan or gibberish comes out. At the moment I keep wanting to say "amasegunallo" (Thank you, in Amharic")-a bit more Swahili would be nice, if only to convince KWT that I only need to pay residents rates!
• Hash- Even if I only go twice this year, I want to Hash again and meet some other slow runners!
• Try new recipes more - I'm not going to make life more challenging by putting a time frame on this, like one a week/month- but  I want to be a bit more experimental in my kitchen (if you can call it that!). So, earlier this week I thought I would try a gluten-free chocolate chocolate cheesecake that I saw on this blog, then my friend at 3Limes tried it and said it was yummy. So, no excuses. But, I couldn't find all the ingredients it called for (...like sugar or graham crackers...no sugar, but found sour cream...(!) so I used icing sugar and found  diet-free digestive biscuits, so I thought I would use those! Note to self-just because they are expensive and has the word 'Gullon' on the box, does not mean they are gluten-free! Sorry dinner guest!
 

Hmmm-tasted SO much better than it looked!

 

There is one BIG goal that I have been thinking about for a while. But if I tell people I am doing it, then I don't do it, I've failed. Where as, if I don't tell anyone, I just didn't do it...right?

OK-here goes. A marathon would be great-NYC for my 30th would be even better. But, as it is so expensive, that is not on my lists-as it might not be achievable. So, I have been thinking about trying to do 12 in 12. 12 half marathons in 12 months. As I am so incredibly unfit, and can only run 8km at the moment a bit behind schedule,  I will have to try and do more than one half in some months later in the year. Haaaaaaa-who am I kidding!!! I'm not even drunk writing this! I think this is achievable!

I am really looking forward to what lies ahead this year. My Kenyan tour company (!) will be starting properly this year...I'm just waiting for the first customers to book-up! 

Being thankful

It is American Thanksgiving tomorrow. If I celebrated this, I know it would be my favourite holiday. Not as commercial as some of the others perhaps. Just time to be with family and eat LOTS! Sounds great!

Today, my class at school visited their community development link. It was there first visit to the Cheryl's Children's Home, the project that this year group support.

As every community development link, both sides should be able to learn and grow from each other, rather than just a handing over of money or gifts. But, I have learnt, these visits for children in International (or Prep) schools can be quite difficult. From large houses, cars, classrooms, filled with belongings that we forget we want, to empty, dark shells of buildings. No wonder some children feel awkward in the basic surroundings; wide eyed, quiet and too shy to meet new buddies. 

However, today was not like that at all.

The older girls and boys at the home, led my pupils on guided tours of the Home and chatted to them with ease. My pupils soon felt more relaxed and soon the building was a buzz of laughter and high pitched happy squeals. Songs were sang, lunch was shared and genuine friendships began.

Some of the children at the Home shared their story of how they ended up being in care. Honest and harrowing, but their stories all had a happy ending middle end-of-the-beginning; all were thankful for the help they had been given, thankful they had been found and are looking forward, to a bright future. Dreams were shared, hopes of  being pilots, teachers and nurses.

Everyone in the room was thankful. Thankful that the children in the Home were now getting the love and care they deserved.  Thankful for the love and care we have around us. Myself; thankful for the loving, understanding and supportive (the BEST!) family at the end of a phone, friends that make the journey through life much more fun, the education I was given to get me where I am, the job, the car, the shelter, the luxuries and comforts that we take for granted, a full belly (!), a healthy body that can run (half!) marathons and help calm my mind during yoga and thankful for the love I have been given to share with others.

What are you thankful for?

PS -I think I need to start up my 3BTs (3 Beautiful Things) again.

Switiching off the white noise-the story behind the retreat

It is lovely to put up photos of the beautiful scenery that I get to enjoy in Kenya, the big sky of Africa and the animals that live here. It is lovely to hear comments about how lucky I am. But it is not always the life I get to enjoy; real life gets in the way sometimes. 

Last week I could have been in Barry or Beillericay (thanks Tania for the box set!!) as it is that time of year again...report writing.

I was feeling rather low, but that was not the only reason for it: I have lost my running legs and fear they will be hard to find again. I haven’t had time to enjoy the white shiny cafes and bars that I was looking forward to so much when I was in Uganda and I miss my friends that know me. My mind was busy with pretty negative thoughts and it was hard to swtich off the white noise.

Something I haven't admitted to you is how hard it was arriving at Jomo Kenyatta airport knowing that the African Adventurer was not meeting me. It. was. tough. I am not as tough as I think I am, sometimes. 

It has been hard to meet friends outside of school...as I seem to spend most of my time there this should not be surprising! I was a bit over excited when I drove someone I met at yoga home the other night...!Saddooo!

So...as a little pick-me-up; to help my body and soul get back into shape, I went off on a yoga retreat on the weekend. 

It was  held in a little lodge a few hours north of the city. I spent the weekend in the bush, beding my legs into Lotus, sweating in downward dog and attempting to lift my entire body on my little pinky. (Well not quite!!-but I do suddenly have muscles where I never had them before!) We talked in hushed whispers, preserving the peace and quite.  Spent hours gazing into the yellow moon and burning it into our memories - thinking only about our breathing.  But when my mind did drift, I thought about my friends and family around the world and thought about how lucky I am.

Oh dear-those photos of skies again!

PS- I met some lovely new friends! And I am off to yoga tonight to see them! Hooray!

Remember remember the 5th of...

Morning safari and sushi. Messages and unwrapping gifts. A pretty great way to celebrate my birthday. Thank you x

Looking ahead

Back to school blues-am reflecting on a great road trip and thinking about what I want to do and achieve in the next few months.

I am looking forward to things- I am already thinking about my birthday- it is on the 5th November. What I want to be doing, more than who I want to spend it with (as money, time and distance doesn't make that one easy). Looking forward to Ethiopia for Christmas (I have just purchased my flight-yippee!) and thinking about what I will be doing for Hogmanay (even though I am not the biggest fan of NYE)

But before all that...this weekend I have my first visitors from Uganda; Tim and Stacy are over for the Nairobi marathon...the whole thing (they are amazing-I bet Tim will film his runs, he is good at that!

It will be great to see them again-and to cheer them on (with my stitched-up leg this is all I can manage!)

Sticking to the day job

I'm just back from the capital, where I caught up with lovely friends and enjoyed a bit of the Festival.
And, like everyone (everyone, right?), you start thinking, could I do this comedy malarkey? Could I stand in front of an audience and talk, mostly about myself, at them, for an hour? Then... I thought, I basically do -as a teacher.

So I had two hours on the train to think of my 'routine' - and I came up with one joke. One.

I later shared it with my friends- and - well- I'm going to stick to teaching...for now!!

PS- maybe I'll share THE joke another time...I laughed!

Ten on Tuesday

I've taken this idea from here - thanks!

1. If you won the lottery what would be the one random, off-the-wall purchase?
A black grand piano - not so random, but I would need to buy a house to put it in first!

2. What is popular just now that you just don't get?
Twitter - and obviously looting is quite popular at the moment...DON'T GET IT!


3. If you could choose, what would be your last meal?
 Hmm- hard one. Salmon steak, with courgette, broccoli and baby new potatoes.

4. When is it OK to start listening to Christmas music?
December- only in December


5. What kind of soap do you use?
Usually whatever I can find in Nakumat or what ever mum has in the shower!), but I'm a Simple girl and when I can, get that.

6. What movie can you watch over and over again and never get tired of it?
It used to be Alive (weird!!) or Memphis Belle - but probably Schindler's List or something girly like It Could Happen To You (strange choices perhaps!!)
 

7. What was the last movie you watched on television?
Big - I used to LOVE that film when I was younger-but actually, watching it now, it is kind of sick.

8. What was the last movie you watched at the cinema?
Bridesmaids. I went the night before Jo's wedding (the bride) with her sisters (her bridesmaids, along with me) and laughed out loud!

9.What is your favourite movie soundtrack?
Can't pick- Empire Records, 500 Days of Summer,  Gone In 60 Seconds, Pretty Women and...Oklahoma!


10. What is your favourite running song?
Don't stop me now



Radio 2 have been playing upbeat songs all day (I'm sure they check the beats-per-minute!) to keep us Brits happy and... you know...to Keep Calm and Carry On! Lets hope the loonies stay in their homes tonight.

Currently

 Inspired by a new blog I found, Diary of a Girl Abroad, another list; my current obsessions.

Current guilty pleasure: buying new running gear online. 

Current blogging about: Juneathon-  exercise and blog about it every day in June.

Current fashion trend: (ha-a tricky one in Kampala!)-my new Kampala Fair trousers, vest top and a long necklace.

Current drink: water (it is Juneathon after all!)...yeah well...trying to drink more of it!

Current food: Heinz tomato soup - the only soup that she bought in a can! Total comfort food, nothing tastes better, especially with sundried tomato and olive bread.


Current playlist – loving the Country Strong soundtrack and my girl crush on Florence (Florence and the Machine) is still on!

Current TV Show – Mad Men. The only TV show I am watching at the moment. LOVE!

 Current Celeb Crush - Pippa Middleton – who doesn't!?

photo from here

Current excitement – 1. Frisbee after school (now twice a week-yipee!) 2. getting on that plane home for the summer 3. summer weddings! 4. Starting work at, what I think seems to be, the BEST prep school in Nairobi!!

Current bane of my existence - my Prado. I can’t even think about it anymore-it is still in the garage and I am moving in two weeks.

Current wish list – 1. A new camera  2. An amazing dress for my borther’s wedding –I think this Orla Kiely (in red..no blue..no red...no blue...) is amazing and droll over it online daily! 3. Running gear, running gear and running gear.

Current website - http://www.runnersworld.com/

Currently delaying –making up my boxes, packing and saying goodbye to Uganda

Currently wearing - now, my dressing gown.

Current Mood – am here, there and everywhere at the moment- but right now I am tired, calm and content.

Juneathon Day 8
Juneathon nearly got the better of me today! I was so close to not doing anything, but I went and swam lengths at Kabira. I lost count, but I say I did 20 fast lengths and no chatting by the ledge as I was on my tod. I felt I swam a good half hour, then I got out the pool and looked at my watch. 20 minutes...and I am being generous! Anyhow- day 8...done!

The Proust Questionnaire

It is that time of year again; reports, assessments and procrastination.

So, taking a break from reports, I thought I would take the Vanity Fair interactive questionnaire. But there are twenty questions...I don't have that much time to waste, so I picked a few:

What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Laughter, surrounded by ones you love and ones that love you. Surely in the sunshine.

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
Obsessiveness  -I can often dwell, over think and obsess about negative things. I am a true Scorpio (although I hate the fact that we are perfectly suited to being on our own.)

What is your greatest extravagance?
Staying in lodges on safari. I really should be camping! That, and art work.

On what occasion do you lie?
Very rarely, mostly only to myself. As in, that 10km was more like 12km because of the heat.... etc!

What is your motto?
Know your own strength.(I also repeat the mantra- 'think of the mile you're in'-for life as well as running-appreciate the here and now).

Juneathon Day 6
I swam laps with my friend today after the 'w' thing. Not sure how long for-but we did about 26 lengths.

The week

This week has passed in a bit of a haze: the Jinja half seems like an age ago and celebrating the lovely Marie's birthday by stuffing ourselves with seafood is a distant memory.

I haven't been blogging or running. But I did dance under the stars twice this weekend. I also had friends over for sundowners, drank my last bottle of special wine brought back from the vineyards in South Africa under the stars, swam in the sunshine and helped a friend celebrate her move to married life.

Random nights of laughter, painting faces and African Mama.

I haven't been able to get onto Blogger recently, but I managed to sort it all out by downloading Firefox and sorting my cookies. Rather proud of myself!

So I have not been able to share...

• My random night last week. So random, yet that was probably why I laughed even louder and harder than usual. An unexpected dinner with welcoming unfamiliar smiling faces from all over the globe. Real characters of life that I wish I had met earlier in my time here. Talk of child birthing stories in Uganda, parties of the past, periods of time in Iraq. Some people are just great storytellers and I enjoyed being part of the audience.
• Stories of bravery. One boy in my class broke his clavicle bone last week. He was such a trooper through his pain and only let his walls come down when mum arrived.  Another pupil had to leave the country as his mum is very sick indeed, he is a bundle of positivity and told me how he is going to look after his little sister and make cups of tea for mum. It was hard saying goodbye to this wee special boy.
• My friend gave birth to her first baby (girl) here in Uganda. Congratulations African Mama!

Next week I am looking forward to sharing 'project dining hall' - we are in the final stages of painting and the grand opening at the School for the Deaf will be next week! Here is a peak at what we have been doing.

I am running the Source of the Nile half-marathon tomorrow. Hoping for a dry, cool morning! Happy Weekend!

Wisdom

I know I haven't blogged in ages, (then two posts in one night) but I haven't been sure where to go with my blog and what to share.

At the moment I feel like my body is porous, open and sensitive to the world around me. The news today of the death of the Kenyan runner and that the Air France black box has data on it that is still intact (Can you believe it!!!???), has left me all out of sorts, shaking my head and wiping tears away. My running buddy shared sad news of his and I received a wedding invitation from my best friend Jo (happy and excited tears, but a pang of desire to be with her) made me blue. I think it has just been building up.

I know I should give myself a kick, but heartache is the worst. Comparable to tooth ache I think. This throbbing pain that comes in waves that can't be seen. You forget how painful it is, until it is time to visit the dentist.

Words of wisdom comes from all different directions, (the Oprah magazine is a good source!). Running helps... and change is good. But today I missed my run as I was busy on 'project dining hall' (a future post) and I am tired. So today, I am sad.

I had figured it all out last night with a friend, but I had forgotten it by this morning, damn that white wine...!

Weekend Celebrations

I closed my eyes as I did a final lap swimming in the sun this morning. A wonderful start to the weekend, a fantastic celebration to the end of a good week in Uganda.

I started to write my bucket list of things I want to do in Kampala before I leave (I will share these another time) and I am, going to soak it all up before I go.

It is a good friend's birthday today - she is a strong and powerful, independent woman who makes me, and all around her, laugh out loud. We are going to start the day off with mimosas (she is American..bucks fizz to you and me!) and a day at a spa at the boutique hotel in town. I feel like it is my birthday! I know if there is trouble to be found and fun to be had, we will be the ones to find it today.

And I have more birthdays next weekend...horray for celebrating life!

Artists for a night

 Yesterday evening a few lucky friends and I took a workshop with a visiting South African artist, (our friend's mum!). The mantra was repeated again and again; "If you can trace, you can do it." Hmmmm.



Oh dear...more 'puffing' needed!

We giggled, scratched heads, took  photographs during the power cut, drank wine, spilt varnish, ate pizza and attempted to create master pieces! Thank you artist June for being patient with us!

This one was mine - I was going for simple!





It reminded me of my weekend drawing classes in Kuwait, just with wine instead of Kirsten's baking and no tears...only sweat!

Anyone know where I can take art classes in Nairobi?