BIRTHDAY PARTIES!

I must say, we've had really full weekends over the last 2 weeks. Been out on the river, been invited to house parties, and we have another one coming up on Saturday. I enjoy giving parties, just as much as receiving an invite. On Saturday afternoon, we went to a party of a friend of mine from Paraguay. It was a very special one! Her son, Agust, turned 5. I found it amazing that the Mom put so much emphasis on providing the children with entertainment, that she herself, dressed up as a clown and joined in on the fun! Now that reminds me of Torden's 1st birthday party, which was a clown theme. I also had a wig on, and painted my face, but there was a problem in that Torden was petrified of clowns for the next two years. He was even a bit sceptical of the clown at this particular party.

Now it's my turn to prepare for Torden's party on Thursday.

I also had the most amazing boost for writing on my blog, a blogger friend, who had been reading my blog from Canada, made contact with me. She is now living in Kinshasa, and when we spoke on the telephone, it felt as if we'd known each other for years. I feel so inspired now, that I will remain loyal, and try to write almost everyday. It has also inspired me to write more about the DRC. So here's to more blogging.

"When you fail to plan, you plan to fail"

I've taken yet another morning procrastinating ( putting off things). I was supposed to be planning Torden's 4th birthday for next week, but I washed the dog, I helped Aimee with the washing, I daydreamed, I had coffee, I checked my emails, called a friend, and it's now 10:30am and I only have 2 hours until he ( the thief of time) comes home from school. I need to get out his invitations, so I better make this blog short. Sorry!

I have only one more thing to say and that is: " Some people do things and take things at the expense of other people's hard work". My next of kin, is very smart, and he enjoys what he does for a living, but I take it personally, when I see him being used. It saddens me to think there are people in this world that use friendship as a means to get what they want from people. The good thing is, you learn from experiences, and I can be assured that this will not happen more than once.

PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR INTENTION

I really had no plans this morning at the start of my day. As I experienced a very bad day yesterday, got a bug, I really did not want to commit myself. So I cancelled my yoga, and a dance class thereafter that I was really looking forward to. I was also supposed to go to a gathering of Reiki therapists at 10am ,but cancelled that yesterday already. So I thought I was free. Well the Universe had other plans for me. They wanted to get a message through to me. The friend who was hosting the gathering, called me at the time when they were about to start, to ask how I was feeling, and whether I was up to it, she could come fetch me, as they were only going to start the movie at. Well, 4 hours later, I returned home, with so much more than I bargained for. I watched a meaningful movie, James Redfield's, The Celestian Phrophecy, of which I had read ages ago, but did nothing for me back then. I learnt only one thing, and that is to listen to your intuition, and go your own way, not to be distracted, and do what you are meant to do. My intentions are not set clearly. I need to write them down, and really feel the need to pursue them. Asking myself along the way, do I like the feeling that it will give me if I did such and such. I have so many options and so many people to help me get there. I now know that I couldn't do it all by myself, I need help to focus and plan. If this makes sense at all. If it doesn't, it wasn't meant for you.

ONE YEAR ALREADY!

It's hard to believe a year has past since being here. In the beginning I really wished my life away, hoping that Paul's contract would end sooner, just so we could find another place to go to, another country perhaps, yearning for a "normal" place. It felt as if I would never fit in, never be happy, and that my family back home would never be happy without us. Boy was I wrong, everyone gets on with their lives nonetheless, and our lives turn into so called "normal" lives anyway. We have friends, we do great things over the weekends, we go out for dinner, Paul goes to work, Torden goes to school and he has friends that come over. I really feel that we've made a life here, and it works! Now I don't hope the next year goes too quickly, as there is so much for us to do. I have an opportunity to offer a drama curriculumn at the American school, I visit an orphanage for boys where we do crafts, and there is a need to pursue lots of exciting things here at the moment. I have also joined a Reiki group of "likeminded" individuals that meet once a week. So life is not dull up here. I love the fact that everyone makes an effort to meet up and connect. It's a way of life and I wouldn't give it up, not right now!

Welcome! Welkom! Benvenue! Wilkommen! Boa Vinda! Recepcion!

I know it's been a long time. We had a long break for the holidays, and there is always so much to do! So now I'm looking forward to more blogging.

Arrived back in Kinshasa on Sunday, the weather is not too warm (33degC), and it's so dry here. Everyone can't wait for the rain. I particularly like it as it is. Not too humid, and there are no mozzies buzzzzzzing around.
Started off my week with a yoga group, new intake of USAid wives. Mostly American. They're all lovely, and fun to be with.

We've decided to take exercise seriously, we bought a Wii Fit. Ha ha! Only spent about 30min so far, and it seems pretty easy. Hopefully, we'll be able to be monitored and will be more enthusiastic about getting trim.

Just waiting for a new computer to be installed, then should be able to give more constant updates with photo's.