The first day or so, I experienced what you'd call "culture shock". I knew it would happen; I just couldn't help it. I found myself peaking out the cracks in the windows observing what people wore, wondering if I brought anything appropriate to wear. I wanted to blend in. But then when Hunter bought me a traditional African cloth/scarf, I was thinking, "I'll just look like a wanna-be". Hunter's response: "You are way too worried about clothes." He's right. I'm gonna stick out no matter what. Anyway, I didn't want to leave the house. I didn't want to talk to anyone. I knew what tasks needed to be done that day, but I didn't feel motivated to do any of them….and then I began to recall all the lame radio commercials that list the symptoms of depression and started to wonder. Thankfully, Hunter encouraged me to get out, and I got over it pretty quickly.
9.28.2013
9.27.2013
First Impressions
On our way home from the Mombasa airport, Hunter's boss, Jason, pointed out that just over the hill which was blocking our view of the right side of the highway, was the city dump and a bunch of little shacks built along it. A moment before, I had wondered why a woman with a pail in one hand and a child's hand in the other, was walking from that direction in between the lanes of this pretty busy highway. I realized that she had likely just finished picking through the garbage for food and things she needed.
My thought process the whole drive home went something like this: "Wow. I am in a foreign country--a really foreign country"…."This is AWESOME!"….. and then, I'm afraid to admit, a "Holy [expletive]!". I was literally seeing things like African women walking along the dirt side of the road with huge bundles on their heads. Only the bundles weren't beautiful baskets and bags like I had seen in paintings, but dirty 10 gallon buckets, worn down burlap bags, or bundles of sticks.
So many people were out on the streets just walking or standing around. I've since realized that people are out roaming the streets all day because a) their homes are too small to just hang out in, and b) many are unemployed. My eyes are beginning to see how blessed I've been.
My thought process the whole drive home went something like this: "Wow. I am in a foreign country--a really foreign country"…."This is AWESOME!"….. and then, I'm afraid to admit, a "Holy [expletive]!". I was literally seeing things like African women walking along the dirt side of the road with huge bundles on their heads. Only the bundles weren't beautiful baskets and bags like I had seen in paintings, but dirty 10 gallon buckets, worn down burlap bags, or bundles of sticks.
So many people were out on the streets just walking or standing around. I've since realized that people are out roaming the streets all day because a) their homes are too small to just hang out in, and b) many are unemployed. My eyes are beginning to see how blessed I've been.
5.22.2011
Our Trip to Hawaii
A while back, Hunter and his siblings arranged to visit Grandpa Sebresos in Hawaii before he passed away because he was getting quite old and sick. Each family booked flights only to find out soon after that we would be too late. Grandpa died a month early. So we decided to go forward with the trip anyway, have our own little memorial, and make a vacation of it.
Hunter and I were the only ones who didn't bring our kids with us. This was our first vacation without the kids. We were quite nervous and wondered if we should cancel, but we did it, and had so so so much fun. We made wonderful memories.
Here's a picture of the veteran's cemetary where he's buried. It was beautiful. The tropical fresh cut flowers just thrive in the wet climate, so all the graves had bright flowers when we got there even though it was weeks before Memorial Day. We picked some plumeria from the trees and spread them around. Pretty soon, the headstone will be in place.
Hukilau Beach with the Iosepa boat in the background. I must mention that the water was warmer than I remember any of the California beaches being. I could step in and get used to the water right away. The waves were perfect, so I was able to enjoy boogie boarding the whole time instead of being thrashed around like the first time I tried boogie boarding at Malibu.
Below are a few pictures of us at the Laie temple. We had an hour to kill. The huge lightning and thunder storm the night before threw off the temple schedule a little bit because I think they were trying to get the air conditioner working again or something. Our temples are beautiful aren't they?
My sisters-in-law and me by a mother-themed relief sculpture that you can hardly see.
Here we are: Azar and Kami, Julie and Tyler, Katie and Jordan, me and Hunter.
We had so many wonderful experiences. Once we've all loaded up our photos, I'll have more stories and pictures to share. Aloha!
Hunter and I were the only ones who didn't bring our kids with us. This was our first vacation without the kids. We were quite nervous and wondered if we should cancel, but we did it, and had so so so much fun. We made wonderful memories.
Here's a picture of the veteran's cemetary where he's buried. It was beautiful. The tropical fresh cut flowers just thrive in the wet climate, so all the graves had bright flowers when we got there even though it was weeks before Memorial Day. We picked some plumeria from the trees and spread them around. Pretty soon, the headstone will be in place.
Hukilau Beach with the Iosepa boat in the background. I must mention that the water was warmer than I remember any of the California beaches being. I could step in and get used to the water right away. The waves were perfect, so I was able to enjoy boogie boarding the whole time instead of being thrashed around like the first time I tried boogie boarding at Malibu.
Below are a few pictures of us at the Laie temple. We had an hour to kill. The huge lightning and thunder storm the night before threw off the temple schedule a little bit because I think they were trying to get the air conditioner working again or something. Our temples are beautiful aren't they?
My sisters-in-law and me by a mother-themed relief sculpture that you can hardly see.
Here we are: Azar and Kami, Julie and Tyler, Katie and Jordan, me and Hunter.
We had so many wonderful experiences. Once we've all loaded up our photos, I'll have more stories and pictures to share. Aloha!
More Fun Photos
I love dying eggs with my creative little guys. Paulo used the clear crayon to mask out a jack-o-lantern face and dyed it orange. He's so cool.
What I look forward to in the morning.
This piece of play equipment was upside-down in the corner of the parking lot at Paulo's preschool. I asked them if they intended to throw it away and if I can have it. They said yes! Fun, eh? The boys love their "fire truck". And fortunately, we have Grandpa Barry's old retired helmets.
I signed up Paulo for soccer this summer in an effort to help him learn to play on a team instead of insisting that he's the best at everything. He was so excited to put on his uniform, he couldn't stop posing (like in the picture) and looking at his shadow during the first practice. He's not as into it as other children. When all the five year olds are chasing the same ball, he's content to stay out of the crowd.
He did go through a phase of telling me he didn't want to go to soccer. I told him that in our family, we finish what we start. So I told him he didn't have to sign up for soccer ever again if he didn't want to, but we would finish the season. He was a good sport. By the end, he was happy and enjoyed playing. He progressed and is no longer afraid to kick the ball. That's my boy! Way to hang in there!
I forgot to mention that a while ago our little family hiked up to the Y on the mountain here in Provo. It was so fun! Paulo hiked the whole thing on his own. We had to carry Andre quite a bit, and I think he was nervous about the heights.
Since we've been home (which by now is over a month), Paulo has been obsessed with recreating the Y, drawing block letters, making it out of paper, pillows, blankets, food, chalk, his body, his pancakes, donuts, toys--seriously seeing Ys everywhere, and making Ys out of everything he can get his hands on.
I'm glad my boys like to hike. I do, too. It makes me feel happy to be out in nature and exercising at the same time. What a fun day!
I tried making my brother Jon's recipe for carrot cake again. This time I didn't screw up. Delicious! I was so excited, and spent all kinds of time decorating it, so I just had to take a picture and blog about it. :) The boys liked it, too. Mmmmm.
What I look forward to in the morning.
This piece of play equipment was upside-down in the corner of the parking lot at Paulo's preschool. I asked them if they intended to throw it away and if I can have it. They said yes! Fun, eh? The boys love their "fire truck". And fortunately, we have Grandpa Barry's old retired helmets.
I signed up Paulo for soccer this summer in an effort to help him learn to play on a team instead of insisting that he's the best at everything. He was so excited to put on his uniform, he couldn't stop posing (like in the picture) and looking at his shadow during the first practice. He's not as into it as other children. When all the five year olds are chasing the same ball, he's content to stay out of the crowd.
He did go through a phase of telling me he didn't want to go to soccer. I told him that in our family, we finish what we start. So I told him he didn't have to sign up for soccer ever again if he didn't want to, but we would finish the season. He was a good sport. By the end, he was happy and enjoyed playing. He progressed and is no longer afraid to kick the ball. That's my boy! Way to hang in there!
I forgot to mention that a while ago our little family hiked up to the Y on the mountain here in Provo. It was so fun! Paulo hiked the whole thing on his own. We had to carry Andre quite a bit, and I think he was nervous about the heights.
Since we've been home (which by now is over a month), Paulo has been obsessed with recreating the Y, drawing block letters, making it out of paper, pillows, blankets, food, chalk, his body, his pancakes, donuts, toys--seriously seeing Ys everywhere, and making Ys out of everything he can get his hands on.
I'm glad my boys like to hike. I do, too. It makes me feel happy to be out in nature and exercising at the same time. What a fun day!
I tried making my brother Jon's recipe for carrot cake again. This time I didn't screw up. Delicious! I was so excited, and spent all kinds of time decorating it, so I just had to take a picture and blog about it. :) The boys liked it, too. Mmmmm.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)