dreaming over the ocean

How to say I love you

2012-02-15T06:49:00.000-07:00

if you like, or don't like Valentine's day, i don't really care. I also don't care that my valentine's day post is a day late. It was busy day yesterday. And, I get to see that fantastic boy today. so, in my books, that is all that matters in this regard. I do find it rather hilarious that people either love Valentine's day, or hate it. there is not too many in-betweeners. people are

New week, new book... GIVING THANKS

2012-02-13T08:24:00.000-07:00

So, a little bit more of a "godly" post. This week has been challenging, in many ways. I think that was clear in my last post. but SO SO SO many things to be thankful about. i think it started out with a great service at church yesterday... we are working through Acts, and we read Chapter 14. and, i just loved it... I don't really expect that Paul and Barnabas were expecting the reaction

every once and a while, things get overwhelming

2012-02-09T11:42:00.000-07:00

and, right now is one of those times. I was in Edmonton last week, for a family thing. not a great family thing, but a family thing nonetheless. Because I was there, it meant that I also missed a week of school stuff, and productive work time. I arrived back to Montreal this week, and have felt like i have been consistently walking around with tears welling up in my eyes. For some reason,

call for help in Malawi

2012-02-03T07:40:00.001-07:00

I know that this is kinda a moot point~ because there are lots of people who need lots of things, and everyone has a different reason to be asking for money. but, I thought that I would blog on it soon... I have some friends in Malawi, Sanderson and Lawrence, who are 19 and 21. They are trying to get through secondary school, and are in form 1 and 2... which is our equivalent to grade 7 and 8

Do you shop?

2012-01-25T17:10:00.002-07:00

There are some pretty exciting things happening in life right now... despite TOO many things happening in life, I know that everything is just rolling along at a decent pace, that this feeling of having too much stuff to do will not last forever, and that right now it is essential. It is just CRAZY how different everything feels from being in Malawi. but, one of the things about being in Malawi

conversations

2012-01-17T10:52:00.001-07:00

I have been back in Montreal since Friday the 6th. And, in many ways, it actually feels really good to be back. Which, I know, might be shocking to you! the first few days didn't feel good... I missed the boy I like love, it is fricken cold here, conversations that i was having were somewhat frustrating, and I was just wanting to be half way around the world again. but, things have been

Some lessons learnt in Malawi

2012-01-05T16:49:00.000-07:00

Lessons learnt Clinical 1) Lack of human resources plays a major role in care provision a. RNs are stretched between care and administration roles b. Students are not adequately supervised c. Care is brief, with basic skills sometimes being missed (i.e. vital signs), or others done without thinking about why (i.e. medications) d. Nurses are being called back after long

Happy New Year!

2012-01-04T14:46:00.000-07:00

HURRAH! IT IS 2012! I celebrated the new year by taking a ferry on New Year's eve, from Victoria to Vancouver (i know, amazing, right? but... it was only 5% full, which is shocking...). I have been in Van-city since then, and will be returning to montreal on Friday. Coming back to canada has been better than I thought it would go. Only about 2 break-down-and-cry moments. I think,

Christmas and New Years Newsletter

2011-12-30T20:47:00.002-07:00

I know that it has been FOREVER since I have posted... I apologize. there is not much excuse, other than the fact that the last few weeks in Malawi were busy. I wanted to drink it in, and enjoy my time. The final week was spent in an escape~ a place that I could just reflect on the four months, and slowly re-integrate into environments with more white people. (seriously. it takes a bit to

Lions and Leopards and Giraffes... Oh My!

2011-12-02T08:40:00.001-07:00

I am not going to lie. This past week is one of those experiences where you literally have to remind yourself that what you are experiencing is actually real life. it is also one of those experiences which plays into a "typical African stereotype"that there are wild animals running rampant. but, let me back up a bit. A visitor's visa in Malawi is for 30 days. You can get it extended 2x for

Things you would never see in Canada

2011-11-23T23:44:00.001-07:00

Almost every day, I have experiences which kinda make me say "oh man. I am SO far away from Canada." Sometimes, they are very tiny things and sometimes they are monumental. and sometimes, i even forget that that they are a little strange. like this morning... it has so far been a relatively normal day. Nothing too eventful. Except for the gecko hiding on my floor that scared me. and the

Tidbits from academia

2011-11-20T07:18:00.001-07:00

Every once and a while, something that you read really catches you. And, for me, that rarely happens in academic literature. I am currently reading a lot about "participatory research"for my new research manuscript to sum-up my time here in Malawi. and, I came across this quote. quite fantastic, i think... "As people engage in dialogue with each other about their communities and the larger

Cape Maclear

2011-11-18T00:54:00.001-07:00

Last weekend, I went up to the infamous (at least here in Malawi) Cape Maclear. It was great to get away from the city (once again!) to be able to hit up a little bit of sun and fun. I was also given the chance to go and do the Mulanje Cross over... But, I was questioning the chances that I might have to get up to Cape Maclear, before I leave. In addition.... it is crunch time! I know it

The best and the worst of Malawi

2011-11-11T00:05:00.001-07:00

On wednesday, I had a day that really hit both the best and the worst parts of being in Malawi. I am not sure if I have mentioned it before, but Malawi is nick-named "the warm heart of Africa." I believe it is because of the well known warmth and friendliness of the people who live here. I know I have mentioned previously how I find that Malawians are quite reserved (as compared to other

NIxon's Paintings

2011-11-06T08:19:00.000-07:00

Ok, yesterday I told you about Nixon, who is an artist. These are his paintings. They are a variety of sizes and a variety of styles, as you can see. They are Nixon's sole source of income, and he has asked if I could bring them back to Canada to give to a friend of his to sell. I thought I would blog them, in case YOU might wan to buy one. Send me an offer. I will bring them back to

The Calm...

2011-11-05T13:26:00.002-06:00

if this post works, I will be *thrilled.* my internet is SO touch and go these days. skype cuts in and out. webpages just don't load. even at the college the other day, it took about 3 hours for one episode of "bones" to download. i can't read any facebook notifications or messages, they just don't load (gasp. what in the world am I going to do!??! ha!) emails may or may not load.

everyday

2011-10-30T07:28:00.000-06:00

I just had another person ask if I could help pay for school fees for their children. I know the solution is not to just give hand outs... as people would say, "it breeds a culture of dependancy." but, sometimes I also wonder, as it was recently mentioned to me, if that is just an excuse for not helping. it feels awful not to help. but it feels awful to just just give out money. how? how do

A little homesick

2011-10-29T08:32:00.000-06:00

For the first time since being in Malawi, I have felt the pangs of homesickness. And, it sucks. homesickness just makes you feel sad, even if you are so happy with where you are. I think it is due to a few factors: sean visited, and he went home last monday morning. and, I miss him. despite the fact that i am enjoying not cooking for myself, i am missing things like Big Ass Salads. and

Malawi through someone else's eyes

2011-10-24T04:49:00.000-06:00

This morning, I went out to the Chikela airport outside of Blantyre to drop off my beloved, after having him in Malawi for about 12 days. It was so amazing to have him here... and, now, it is time to get back to "work." Albeit, "work" here in Malawi seems so much different from work back in Montreal. After the 9 day holiday and a few days in Blantyre that we had together, there is lots to

Island in the sky: Part 2

2011-10-16T14:16:00.000-06:00