Just NB

As I've written many times, last rotation in Canada I bought a ton (or at least an entire suitcase full) of Halloween costumes and decorations to bring back in hopes that the expats and I would have some kind of Halloween party. Not only was the party was a total blast (in fact it was one of the best weekends of my life ) but what's even awesomer* was some news I got via email this week. *(I've decided I can make up my own words on my own blog) That night, a project employee and his wife came with a little donation box. They discretly put it on a side table with envelopes. A few hours into the party, the couple told us about the donation box (which was brilliant...wait until we've all had a few drinks!). They were collecting donations on behalf of a small orphanage about fourty-five minutes out of town. This orphanage is ran by a Malagasy lady in her own home and without any government funding. She cares for eleven children - plus her own family! The partiers all got ou...

Sometimes there are songs that... just... well...end up having some meaning. The melody is so beautifully written...or...maybe the song just seems to be what you're going through in life...at that moment....or maybe its just a cool song. Anyway, I used to listen to this song all the time...in my car, usually on the way to work (signing really loud, of course!!!). I was recently reminded of that song. And I listened to it again - but instead of hearing the song in my car (driving on icy, snowy roads at -35*C) I'm listening to it...in my office...in freaking Africa (at +30*C; 85% humidity...where I drip beads of sweat if I'm outside for more than nineteen seconds) I listened to the song again today...from a totally different environment...but also...from a completely different persepective. Like most of the general population...I've had moments...or...months....or more...of being an unhappy person. A few years ago...I was going through a lot...and not quite sure how to ...

Soooo many times I've made reference to how I am very different since I've moved here. Well - here's a story from the weekend that is just SO "typical Nicole" and shows how I haven't changed that much. I recently went through some pictures of myself - and I didn't realize that I had got all tanned up (which I would normally frown upon because tanning makes you wrinkly earlier). But, I was looking forward to coming back to Canada with my flashy new tan. Look at this bronzed arm! (And dyed zebu horn bracelets that I'm in love with) I wrote about my quasi-surfing experience ...where I was taught to dive under a huge wave when it broke - and then I wouldn't have to suffer being thrown all around. So this weekend, when I went swimming in the ocean (it really can't be called swimming....more like playing and wave jumping and getting my butt kicked by the waves) I remembered the little trick that my Australian wave experts taught me. But...here'...

This Thursday (December 3), it was one of my favorite expat's birthday. She (or me?) has nicknamed herself my Bad Luck Charm - because since I've met her I had an intestine infection and lost a tooth. (Anyway...she's the best bad luck charm a gal could have.) It was a very (very) hot day and I was a sweaty mess. I was desperate for a shower, but didn't have time to run back to camp. I thought how uncomfortable the night would be if I had to spend the entire night...all sticky and gross. I would have probably ended up jumping in the ocean after a few glasses of wine. Then - an actual lightbulb went off in my head. Olive Spa! The place where I go for a massage every week has a shower in their bathroom. I called them....told them I had a hugely goofy request...could I...possibly come and have a shower? But of course! I'm one of their best customers! At that time, I still had access to Mr. Necklace (the driver) so I called him and we quickly drove to Olive Spa. I had 20...

I left work on Wednesday afternoon bawling. I thought I could stay the rest of the day….try to tough it out… but just couldn’t change the subject in my brain long enough to make myself stop crying. The reasons I was upset….well…. are no surprise to anyone and not really worth getting into. So I called the driver that I had been sharing with my Canadian bosses and went home. On the way home, I tried not to cry. That lasted…a few minutes. I started to cry. And my poor driver became extremely concerned. I think (even though I get so frustrated at him for being a crappy driver) I treat him well and take care of him. I tip him really well every so often and anytime we go grocery shopping I buy him a chocolate bar. He sees I'm a fairly nice person...and didn't want me to be upset. We're driving down the road....I’m crying....my driver is really worried…..and not sure what to say, so I end up telling him that Canada is a long, long way away, and I miss my family (which is true). H...

FRIDAY It all started...like most Fridays....at the Expat Camp bar. Nothing too terribly exciting, just some fun chats and laughs with friends. And - yes - sometimes I show up to the bar in my sweatpants. I had just finished some yoga and was a bit of a sweaty mess. But...in MG...I'm always a bit of a sweaty mess. I had to give a two hour presentation at 8h00 at work on Saturday...so I didn't stay out too late. SATURDAY Presentation went well...thankfully. Saturday night I went to an "Engagement/Christmas Party/Birthday" celebration at an expat's house. The engaged couple are both originally from Peru..but met here! Their wedding is April 10th, and I'm desperatly trying to make it there. The soon-to-be-groom gave a wonderful toast. Something to the effect of, "I came here looking for Nickel and Cobalt....and ended up finding the love of my life". Okay... a bit corny. But oh so cute. The weather was wonderful...a slight breeze by the pool. But...I co...