Well it is the countdown to our departure. Many final decisions have to be made about our itinerary. The first 3 weeks are with Cody so it makes sense to do touristy things (Safari, village stay) while he is there. However it might mean delaying getting out to Kakamega or extra (long) trips to Nairobi and back. The good news is we have lots of time to work with.
The approval from Rotary came last week and the desk project has been started. Our friend and member of the Kakamega Rotary Club, Alinda, found a school for handicapped kids that was in great need of school desks for 120 kids and 10 teachers. My Strathcona Sunrise club liked the idea and with a little paperwork we got the money, $2000.00 CDN, from our District. This is why I joined Rotary. Rotary has the funds and they just need the human energy to make it work for humanitarian causes.
I'm hoping while we are down there to have a Kenya club approach us with a larger project that my home club will like to participate in. My dream would be it would have something to do with fish farming. There is a Biologist from the Yukon, Susan, who is in the process of getting a Rotary Grant to train Kenyans to train Kenyans (thats not a typo) on fish farm best practices. Im looking forward to learning about Kenya Tilapia farms while Iam there.
Since Tanya and I said no to all but one vaccine and malaria medication we are currently cleansing and fasting for the next 2 weeks prior to departure. Our feeling is that a healthy body, unspoilt by meat, dairy and junk can easily handle a few foreign microbes. We still expect to get a bit sick, but if we are careful we wont get as sick as the people that take the medications and then take more medications on top of that to address the symptoms.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Vaccine blues
Hi, well i had 3 days of achy muscles this week. At first I thought It was because of my big workouts. But it was weird and apparently a common after effect ofg the Yellow Fever vaccine.
The unhealthy (obese) Public Nurse had all sorts of drugs and vaccines to recommend for our health (please note the irony here), the Yellow Fever one was unavoidable. Apparently I might get asked if I have it. Probably not, but could lead to inconvenience. So I am taking only one of the 10 vaccines she recommends and no malaria medication. Nor am I taking along any antibiotics 'just in case'. Most people know my view that the best way to avoid sickness is to stay fit and trim and avoid meat, wheat, dairy, caffeine and alcohol. Only if that doesn't work will I choose any medical advice.
I can't wait to get a break from this culture and a break from work. I just hope its easy to run lots over there. Looking forward to being warm.
I will now attempt to publish this,my first post.
The unhealthy (obese) Public Nurse had all sorts of drugs and vaccines to recommend for our health (please note the irony here), the Yellow Fever one was unavoidable. Apparently I might get asked if I have it. Probably not, but could lead to inconvenience. So I am taking only one of the 10 vaccines she recommends and no malaria medication. Nor am I taking along any antibiotics 'just in case'. Most people know my view that the best way to avoid sickness is to stay fit and trim and avoid meat, wheat, dairy, caffeine and alcohol. Only if that doesn't work will I choose any medical advice.
I can't wait to get a break from this culture and a break from work. I just hope its easy to run lots over there. Looking forward to being warm.
I will now attempt to publish this,my first post.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Reflections of 2008
Merry Christmas! Once again, I am predictably shocked by the passage of time. How is it possible that it is 2 weeks until Boxing Day? How is it possible that I have a 19 year old son? How is it possible that I am 40 years old? How is it possible that in 30 something days we will be boarding a plane headed to Africa?
This has a been an incredible year! Huge growth and big changes. I had my usual New Year's kick off with resolutions and plans to take on the world. Somehow it seemed like a good idea to plan a wedding, a marathon and a conference -- all to take place within 30 days of each other. So, needless to say, the spring was intensely busy and fulfilling.
Our wedding was... well, exactly what we hoped for; simple, warm and shared with friends. On the first sunny day of the year, we gathered with many of our dear friends and family at Alan & Janette's rural property in Merville for an outside ceremony and reception. The day went too quickly and it seemed that we blinked and it was over (a good sign and common sensation for me). For our honeymoon, we spent a week in northern California (Monteray, Carmel, Big Sur, breathtakingly beautiful) -- 5 days of which were in silence at a retreat with our teacher, Adyashanti.
The following weekend after we got home -- to our separate homes that is, Terry in Courtenay and I in Port Moody -- I was joined by my friend and shero Kim, her husband Jack and daughters Prya and Elsah for the Vancouver Marathon. We were quite a crew at the start line with very little training under our collective belt. But we were determined to cross the finish line, dammit! I don't know whether it was the company, the perfect weather, my relaxed attitude or the extra strength Advil I took at 10km, but the marathon was...
EFFORTLESS!
Every step was EFFORTLESS. This has always been my dream. To cross the finish line of a marathon smiling. Ugh, it was so dreamy. I LOVED EVERY MINUTE AND EVERY STEP. My moms and Cody were there to cheer me on. The day was filled with grace.
The next weekend was the first Women with Wings Event. I had been dreaming of hosting an event of this kind ever since I became a coach. I gathered my favourite speakers and healers in the areas of Health (Lucy Smith), Wealth (Maureen Fritz-Roberts), Relationships (Tamara Adilman), Freedom (Andy Bryce) and Power (Anita Roberts) to spend a day in support of Women's Empowerment here and globally -- proceeds going to support a micro-lending program for Ethiopian women. After learning a lot (like you need A LOT of help to pull off an event of this kind and it's a really bad idea to have the parking lot be really far away and the room really confusing to find) and making a lot of mistakes, with the help of amazing speakers and the tireless efforts of my team (mom and Terry), we really offered great value to the women that were there. This just may have been the start of something very special (I've just renewed the domain name for the 2009 event).
Next, in June, I spent two weeks in Maui and Honolulu with my Dad and Lee, snorkeling, running, being tossed around by big surf and basically being spoiled. We three definitely have a nice groove together. It was such a treat after Lee's health scare at the end of last year. We were grateful every minute.
The next big do was the move to Courtenay. Yup, finally, after 7 years of a long distance relationship, Terry and I, husband and wife, are actually sharing an address. We made the move effective August 1st and we've been settling in, squeezing the contents of my three bedroom townhouse and my life into our cozy little cabin. There have been lots of trips back to Vancouver... to see the boys. This was a most difficult decision for me. And with Cody's encouragement, I've been able to feel good about the decision. Cody is happy living at his dad's with Jono and his step brothers and sister and I have thrown myself on the boys every couple of weeks with visits.
September came and with it my 40th birthday. Terry made the day special with a garden dinner complete with fresh squeezed orange juice, flowers and love. A perfect, quiet way to welcome 40.
So, the year was full of gifts and losses. Terry and I each lost our final grandparent this year -- Terry's Grandpa Bert and my Grandma (Babe). Jono is technically grown-up at 19; working full time with lots of friends. Cody is doing well in school, playing the guitar faithfully and active in football. The stock market has provided endless hours of entertainment and scheming for Terry as has the real estate market. Terry's running finally took it's toll with an overtraining injury that had him trading speed for muscles as he was forced off the road and into the gym. He hopes to be back to speed training in the spring. Life is humming along doing what it does.
I can honestly say I am grateful for it all. Even when I'm feeling like I've taken on too much. Even when I'm feeling lost and worried I don't have much on the go. I am coming to love what is.
Now, all focus is on Africa. We've got our tickets, passports, visas and yucky vaccinations. We're good to go. The journey begins January 14th. I hope you'll join us through the blog.
Terry and I are so grateful for all the love and support of friends and family in our lives. Thanks again to everyone who has contributed to this trip (to Africa and our big Trip of life).
love love love and Merry Christmas,
Tanya (for tnt)
This has a been an incredible year! Huge growth and big changes. I had my usual New Year's kick off with resolutions and plans to take on the world. Somehow it seemed like a good idea to plan a wedding, a marathon and a conference -- all to take place within 30 days of each other. So, needless to say, the spring was intensely busy and fulfilling.
Our wedding was... well, exactly what we hoped for; simple, warm and shared with friends. On the first sunny day of the year, we gathered with many of our dear friends and family at Alan & Janette's rural property in Merville for an outside ceremony and reception. The day went too quickly and it seemed that we blinked and it was over (a good sign and common sensation for me). For our honeymoon, we spent a week in northern California (Monteray, Carmel, Big Sur, breathtakingly beautiful) -- 5 days of which were in silence at a retreat with our teacher, Adyashanti.
The following weekend after we got home -- to our separate homes that is, Terry in Courtenay and I in Port Moody -- I was joined by my friend and shero Kim, her husband Jack and daughters Prya and Elsah for the Vancouver Marathon. We were quite a crew at the start line with very little training under our collective belt. But we were determined to cross the finish line, dammit! I don't know whether it was the company, the perfect weather, my relaxed attitude or the extra strength Advil I took at 10km, but the marathon was...
EFFORTLESS!
Every step was EFFORTLESS. This has always been my dream. To cross the finish line of a marathon smiling. Ugh, it was so dreamy. I LOVED EVERY MINUTE AND EVERY STEP. My moms and Cody were there to cheer me on. The day was filled with grace.
The next weekend was the first Women with Wings Event. I had been dreaming of hosting an event of this kind ever since I became a coach. I gathered my favourite speakers and healers in the areas of Health (Lucy Smith), Wealth (Maureen Fritz-Roberts), Relationships (Tamara Adilman), Freedom (Andy Bryce) and Power (Anita Roberts) to spend a day in support of Women's Empowerment here and globally -- proceeds going to support a micro-lending program for Ethiopian women. After learning a lot (like you need A LOT of help to pull off an event of this kind and it's a really bad idea to have the parking lot be really far away and the room really confusing to find) and making a lot of mistakes, with the help of amazing speakers and the tireless efforts of my team (mom and Terry), we really offered great value to the women that were there. This just may have been the start of something very special (I've just renewed the domain name for the 2009 event).
Next, in June, I spent two weeks in Maui and Honolulu with my Dad and Lee, snorkeling, running, being tossed around by big surf and basically being spoiled. We three definitely have a nice groove together. It was such a treat after Lee's health scare at the end of last year. We were grateful every minute.
The next big do was the move to Courtenay. Yup, finally, after 7 years of a long distance relationship, Terry and I, husband and wife, are actually sharing an address. We made the move effective August 1st and we've been settling in, squeezing the contents of my three bedroom townhouse and my life into our cozy little cabin. There have been lots of trips back to Vancouver... to see the boys. This was a most difficult decision for me. And with Cody's encouragement, I've been able to feel good about the decision. Cody is happy living at his dad's with Jono and his step brothers and sister and I have thrown myself on the boys every couple of weeks with visits.
September came and with it my 40th birthday. Terry made the day special with a garden dinner complete with fresh squeezed orange juice, flowers and love. A perfect, quiet way to welcome 40.
So, the year was full of gifts and losses. Terry and I each lost our final grandparent this year -- Terry's Grandpa Bert and my Grandma (Babe). Jono is technically grown-up at 19; working full time with lots of friends. Cody is doing well in school, playing the guitar faithfully and active in football. The stock market has provided endless hours of entertainment and scheming for Terry as has the real estate market. Terry's running finally took it's toll with an overtraining injury that had him trading speed for muscles as he was forced off the road and into the gym. He hopes to be back to speed training in the spring. Life is humming along doing what it does.
I can honestly say I am grateful for it all. Even when I'm feeling like I've taken on too much. Even when I'm feeling lost and worried I don't have much on the go. I am coming to love what is.
Now, all focus is on Africa. We've got our tickets, passports, visas and yucky vaccinations. We're good to go. The journey begins January 14th. I hope you'll join us through the blog.
Terry and I are so grateful for all the love and support of friends and family in our lives. Thanks again to everyone who has contributed to this trip (to Africa and our big Trip of life).
love love love and Merry Christmas,
Tanya (for tnt)
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