kelvin and heather's space

Hospital adventures...

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 16:35:15 GMT

Well, my latest adventure here in Egypt has involved surgery. Doesn’t sound like fun, or much of an adventure, does it??

But let me begin:

About four (five) weeks ago, I finally did something I’d been putting off for at least six months. I’d been having some nasty stomach and abdominal pain off and on, and some not so nasty but not nice abdominal discomfort for a while that I was attempting to ignore. Finally I went to see the doctor, thinking I would have to go on a strict healthy diet, and give up all that is good in life (namely, chocolate and coffee. I was feeling a bit hard-done-by, as I’ve already given up diet coke, and the problems weren’t going away…)

It was discovered that I had two monster cysts taking up room in my abdomen, and pressing on the bladder. Explained a lot of my symptoms, and gave me relief, thinking that maybe an entire life-style change wouldn’t be called for!

After a VERY expensive CT scan, and several ultrasounds (one of which was very cool) it was decided that surgery was in order, and pronto. Well, actually, the Arabic equivalent…something along the lines of “yesterday.” It was a total of twelve days from the time the cysts first showed up on the ultrasound screen to the time I was going under for surgery. Completely unheard of in the Canadian medical system…there are some benefits to paying for medical care. The other is that test results and xrays actually belong to the patient, so I have some pretty cool pictures of the inside of my body…kinda weird, too. I’ve learned a lot about my insides…

The week before surgery was a bit crazy. I got my date Tuesday evening for the next Sunday. So I began preparing for someone to come in and take my class. I also felt an urgent need to get my house in order, as I didn’t know whether I’d be out for two weeks, or six weeks or longer. I was a little bit concerned that all the dust bunnies and kitties would revolt and take over the house if I was out of commission for too long… Saturday was the longest day…I was at the school from 12 noon until 8pm trying to get the last of my planning and photocopying done, and trying to prepare my room for someone to come in and take over. But somehow, it got done, and I was able to go home and have a quieter evening after a crazy week.

Sunday we went into the hospital at 10am, and ended up waiting until 1:00pm for the doctor to show…he had a baby to deliver, the nerve! But by 1:15 they were wheeling me into the elevator (and into several doors and doorstops, I must say) in my sexy, drafty gown, and cozy pink blankets. Within 10 minutes the anaesthetic was going into my arm, and my eyes were shutting….

Apparently the surgery went very well. The doctor was able to do the “diet” version of surgery – the laparoscopy – which left me with four tiny incisions, and a belly full of gas, but no cysts. He said that the surgery took about three hours, due to the size of the cysts and the fact that they found a third one, (and if he had done the full abdominal incision, it would have taken about 30 minutes!) I am SO thankful that the doctor is a very patient man - patient enough to do the surgery with the scope. Which means smaller scars, and a MUCH shorter recovery time!

The really neat thing about the whole situation, is the way that God has been looking after me, and us. Before I even knew about the cysts, people in the congregation were aware that someone was having problems and were praying for us. A number of people “felt led” specifically to pray for me, and to pray for healing. Two men in the congregation fasted and prayed for me for three days (thank you so much, guys!) The night before surgery, I kept checking my belly to see if my “two bumps” were gone.

Although the healing wasn’t instantaneous, I still see very clear evidence of God’s hand in the whole situation.

For instance, the fact that others knew about the situation before I did and were compelled to fast and pray.

Also, a wonderful friend who is also a wonderful nurse came with me to one of the initial appointments, and at every step helped me to understand the “medi-speak” and to navigate the Egyptian medical system. Thank you, Mary!! You have made this journey soooo much easier and less scary! You are very good at what you do. Blessings on you!

In spite of all the possible problems in an Egyptian (or any) hospital, my stay was relatively uneventful, and the care was reasonable. I also had wonderful friends come and care for me (thank you Samia and Irini!)

In spite of surgery, pain, and a slightly scary vomiting episode the morning after surgery, healing has been rapid, and mild discomfort more the norm than pain. Painkillers worked, the incisions are healing cleanly and quickly, and I can see big changes from day to day. (Aren’t our bodies amazing??)

The community has cared for us and shown us sooo much love. People have taken my classes (thank you Felicity, Marty, Lesley, Melinda, April, Freddie, Josie, Dorothee, Wendy, and everyone who has stepped in to look after my kiddos!) People have generously helped us by providing meals, helping with finances, visiting, calling, bringing flowers, and just encouraging us each and every day. Thank you to all of you…your generosity is amazing. This is when the Body is what it is meant to be, I think.

The most clear sign to me, however, of God’s care in this situation, is the complete and total absence of fear. In what had the potential to be a scary and lonely time, there was not a moment where we felt lost, abandoned or despairing. Emotions were a bit up and down, but at the bottom, under it all, was this rock-solid peace that God has us in the palm of his hand. There was (and is) a certainty, that no matter what happens, and I mean no matter WHAT…we are going to be okay. Even if the worst happens, we are safe in His hands, and whatever comes, we have strength from Him to face it, and go on. Even when the origin of the cysts was unclear, and the possibility of malignancy was in the air, the rock-solid peace and certainty was there. I have never known it this solidly before. I also wonder if God has allowed this to show us His hand so clearly. Merciful, graceful, wonderful Father! (It is also exciting to wonder what He might do next??)

Anyways, I am healing rapidly, and am starting back to school partial days. I’m so glad to see my kiddos again…I sure get attached to them. One little guy told his dad that I had two “potatoes” removed from my belly…not sure how that got lost in translation! Shortly before I left we read the story “Owl at Home” and the story of Owl’s strange bumps. Well, I made the mistake of calling my cysts “bumps” and the kids made the connection…it might be quite amusing to hear pint-sized interpretations of the last couple of weeks!

The other interesting development is I have developed a curiosity to see the cysts…so I asked the doctor about photos or footage. He is going to make a CD for me of the surgery.

Popcorn and home video, anyone?????

Not enough coffee lately...

Sat, 10 Nov 2007 10:49:24 GMT

Well, I just spent an hour and a half typing up a brilliant new entry...and now it is lost. I'll do it later...I'm too frustrated now. I HATE computers sometimes!!!!!!!!!

Morning Light Brings Clarity, and Diminishes Genius

Tue, 17 Jul 2007 07:41:35 GMT

Yup, I was right. I'm only a genius in the middle of the night. Somehow, clear light of day reduces it to fervent ranting. Interestingly enough, I did stumble upon an article about taking risks today. I'll post the key and interesting points next time. For now, I think I've said enough!

Random Thoughts

Mon, 16 Jul 2007 22:48:12 GMT

Adventurers?

Okay, it is officially the middle of the night (at least where I am - the clock on here must be on Ontario time...it is eight hours behind!) Why do I get inspired in the middle of the night, when normal people are sleeping? I knew I shouldn't have had that mochaccino at 9:30 - although it was completely worth it at the time, Adiam! Here are a few random thoughts from the last few days...

I sometimes wonder what people think of us. I don't mean in a self-conscious, "do-you-like-me" sort of way, but how do people picture us in their minds? Especially people back home in Canada? Some sort of see us as these wild adventurers braving new frontiers. Others see us as absolutely insane. Still others think we are somehow other-worldly (that somehow we've gained extra insight into life...) And still others think that we are wasting our lives.

We live in Egypt because of a choice that we made a few years ago. Yes, there are some things that take some bravery - the first few months were pretty scary. Not knowing Arabic and the culture was difficult, and figuring out where to shop and how to get around was also scary, heightened by the fact that we couldn't communicate or read road signs. Everything was new - our marriage, our jobs, our church, our friends (or lack thereof) and our country were new. But, after a while, you learn to do these things, and you discover that you CAN do them. It can be difficult, but when you do them, you learn more about yourself. For instance, I've always been a bit of a softie - easily pushed around and always wanting to please. I've learned to stand up for myself here. I've learned to stick my elbows out and push to the front of the line, or into the metro car, or scream at someone who is harrassing me, or to tell someone off in Arabic. In other words, I've grown a backbone!

I find it interesting that people say "Oh, I could never do what you are doing." No, I don't think "can't" is the right word. "Won't" or "I'm afraid" are more accurate. I know that modern life is expensive, and raising a family complicates things, and I do admit that at one point I thought we should travel, and then settle down in Canada and have a family. However, I think it is possible to travel, or live a different life than suburbia dictates, even with children. It may not be easy, and it may mean some sacrifices along the way, but it can be very rewarding. Also, what we do may be far outside of someone else's comfort zone, but once we do something for a while, it actually becomes a comfort zone for us. We get used to it, and it isn't so strange after a while.

For instance, I hear people say "we could never afford to do that..." Actually, it comes down to choices. When we first came to Egypt, we were making an EXTREMELY small salary, and we still managed to pay off debts and live a little. We still live in a rented flat with someone else's furniture, and we still make less than a quarter of what we would make in similar jobs back home, but we still manage (most days) to enjoy our life. I don't know if we'll ever own our own home (I hope someday, but not for now) or if we'll ever have the latest style clothes or decorating, but we have what we need. We have a roof over our heads, rewarding jobs, good friends and more than enough to eat. We can take simple holidays and live a little. Our lives are full.

We are not somehow braver than other people. We have just made the decision to keep our lives fairly simple, and be a bit different than the typical. I don't think it is wrong to live well, or to have nice things, but I think in Western culture we focus too much on having the perfect house or garden, really nice cars, and all the latest gadgets, when they don't really make us any happier, and getting them sometimes costs us more than we realize. I also don't think that it is absolutely necessary to travel to foreign countries to live an adventure. We can do that in every day life by making little decisions to be different, and to do the unexpected. We're so focused on making ourselves a "comfort zone" and then wonder why we feel bored and stifled. We're made to thrive on adventure!

Okay, so that came out sounding a bit more preachy than I intended. Just reflecting, and thinking about things I can do about pushing the borders of my comfort zone! In some ways being here has done that, and in other ways there is a lot more I could do...

True Beauty

Okay, I am really on a roll tonight. Definitely too much caffeine! Maybe I will want to delete this in the morning (just like Jerry Maguire!!) Anyways, this is the other major theme on my mind at the moment!

Beauty. What is it? Who decides what is beautiful and who is beautiful? I've been on facebook a lot lately (I will NOT mention exactly how many hours in the last two days!!) and have managed to reconnect, and to see some people from college, high school and elementary school, even. Now, I have to admit, I had a number of very awkward years - glasses and braces in the same summer, a lot of hand-me-downs as well as a real fashion handicapp, in addition to hair that went from wavy to almost frizzy-curly pretty much over night. I always felt a bit like a gawky giraffe, and I was clumsy, too. But looking back at old school photos, I wasn't THAT bad...(except maybe for grade seven! And yes, at that point, it really was that bad...)

The point is, looking at all the other students in the class, and teaching little ones myself, I've been reminded again just how difficult growing up is, and how hard we are on each other. So much of life is about establishing a "pecking order" - who has the coolest clothes, or the latest toys,the best job, the most seniority, or the greatest jokes. It rarely has much to do with who people are on the inside. Even in KG and Grade 1, students start comparing themselves with others, and it absolutely breaks my heart. These absolutely BEAUTIFUL little kids think that somehow they are less important because they don't have Barbie on their backpacks, or have brown eyes instead of blue. Where on earth does this come from????? Why can't we celebrate each other, and our kids, for who they are and their unique talents and gifts? Why do we have to take each other down, or brag about ourselves in order to build ourselves up? It's pretty messy, and completely unfair, especially for people who don't fit it in the tiny little list of criteria that is beauty to us.

Ever notice that once you get to know someone, they become more beautiful or less beautiful based on their actions, and how they treat others? Hmmm, this is really starting to sound like a sermon. I think I really need to stop!

And finally, a little bit of frustration humour for your reading pleasure.

How to dispose of garbage:

1. Place a large garbage container (the kind that you can lift with a truck) on a street, preferably blocking at least one lane of traffic. (If you block someone's parking space, you get extra points!)

Also, make sure that container is adjacent to at least four eucalyptus trees.

2. Bag garbage, and take to nearest container. When you are within three feet of the container, drop it on the ground in front of the garbage container. (Do not, under any circumstances, throw the bag of garbage into the container. This is incorrect handling. Also, make sure you leave the bag untied, to allow local cats, dogs and rats easy access to the garbage within and ensuring easy dispersal in a 1 kilometre radius.)

3. Cut down a few (healthy, preferrably green and blooming)* trees, and dump one third of branches into container. Scatter the rest around the container in two foot radius. (Remember, extra points for blocking traffic!)

4. Set fire to contents of container.

5. Realize that eucalyptus trees have a very oily and combustible sap, and they tend to explode during forest fires. Realize, also, how many eucalyptus trees are near the container.

6. Call fire department to put out fire.

7. Park fire truck in centre of street, preferrably blocking at least two lanes of traffic. Have eight men stand around supervising, and one poor slob pouring water on fire.

*See previous post on "How to Prune a Tree."

And I have no idea how to end this. I think the caffeine has worn off! Good night, all!

Summer, ho hum....

Mon, 16 Jul 2007 10:52:55 GMT

I am convinced that the internet is a tool designed to produce immediate addiction, and to prevent us all from engaging in real life. It is ridiculous to email someone that I could call on the phone just as easily. A friend introduced me to "Facebook" about a month ago, and now I could spend all day every day looking up friends and acquaintances from my past. It is actually a bit scary to have such an effective procrastination tool at hand...as if I need any more of those in my life!

Well, we managed to survive the school year. The last month was pretty trying, but we made it! After the students left, Kelvin and I took a short jaunt to Dahab, to join some of our friends and then vacation on our own for a few days. Snorkelling at the Red Sea is a great cure for whatever ails you, and lots of iced-coffees and chocolate shakes make the world a better place. It was great to have a chance to unwind, and to spend some time just soaking up beauty and clean air. And, friends of ours loaned us their car, so we didn't have to have a puke-fest on the local bus. Thank you sooooo much, B & L!!!

After we returned to Cairo, Kelvin kept busy painting the school with a team of parents. Great job, and many thanks to Dem, Debbie, Kim, Samuel, Marie and Nathan. You folks are great, and you were a fantastic help! I ended up spending the majority of that time sorting and entering new library books with a colleague. It was tedious, but we were able to put on the a/c, listen to music, or watch TV. Which got me hooked on yet another procrastination distraction - the new series "Bones." After watching approximately 12 episodes over three days, I was hooked. Thankfully, it is summer and I can afford to veg a bit.

Going Buggy:

Okay, time for a couple more gross Heather stories. Becky, are you reading this?? We have been having some issues in our house with ants. Very common here, especially in the warmer weather. I would rather deal with ants than cockroaches, but they were literally everywhere...in the sinks, my face-towell, etc. The other day I spent fifteen minutes picking ant carcasses out of a cup of rice. Well, I finally got desperate, and sprayed our kitchen and bathroom (yes, the bathroom was just crawling with them...I like to think of ants as clean creatures, but I'm starting to question that...) with the local version of Raid - the kind of stuff that melts critter bodies and I'm sure causes many different types of cancer. The next morning, I went into the bathroom, and the floor was littered with hundreds of little shrivelled ant bodies. That went on for two days (ew, gross!) It looked like a little insect battlefield or cemetary. It makes me shudder to think how many live ants were making their homes there....blech! So, after a couple days of sweeping, I think we're through the worst.

The kitchen wasn't so bad, thankfully. BUT, I was making dinner the other night. I decided to make chilli, and had browned my meat and added veggies, and then added a bunch of hot chilli flakes. Then, I happened to look in the top of the jar. It was black and moving. There were a host of little tiny weevil-like things crawling around on top. (Just thinking about it is making my skin crawl!) Decision time: do I pitch the meat and veggies and start over, or do I try to fish some of the little pests out of the meat? I decided since meat is expensive, I would try to remove as many as I could. So I carried on, and finished the chilli. Second dilemma: do I tell Kelvin or do I just serve it to him, and hope he doesn't notice? I finally have an attack of conscience, and decide to tell him, giving him the chance to choose. End result? He says "I wish you hadn't told me." We both eat weevil-chilli, and no one dies from the experience. Anyone wanna join us for dinner? Chilli on the menu!

Well, I can't think of anything profound to say, which isn't surprising, considering my most recent activities. (I think I've fried a few thousand brain cells...) I lay in bed at night writing wonderful, descriptive and witty entries, and when I actually sit down and write, it all runs out one ear. Oh well. I'll try again later, when I need another excuse to procrastinate!

Happy summer, all!

Comfort Foods

Mon, 11 Jun 2007 18:32:57 GMT

This past month has been absolutely insane. It seems every year we are in Cairo, the months of May and June get more and more manic. Why is that? Is it the same every year, or are we just more connected with people, or more intimately involved with situations requiring our attention??

There is a Greek tragedy going on at the school at this particular time. I will not go into the details, except to say that some of us are hoping to win "Survivor" and not get voted off the island, or out of the car, or whatever. The pressure has been absolutely insane, and I'm not suffering directly from it - there are others who have had to shoulder much bigger burdens than I (Kelvin included.) But I think I can speak for all of us when I say that we will be glad to have this year finished. But for most of our students, it has been a good year. And as always, I find myself already starting to miss my kids, and feeling sad about leaving them.

The one thing that I really looked forward to tonight was stopping at McDonald's on my way home, and ordering a Big Mac Combo, supersized, please. I am so thankful that these small comforts are available, and that we can afford to splurge once in a while. I am thoroughly enjoying my "two all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun" this evening! I have a colleague that can say it backwards...apparently at one point (and I am thinking I am far too young to remember this) you could get a Big Mac free if you could say it backwards in under 3 seconds. I'll have to try it when I'm back home..has anyone else tried it?

Reckless Raging Fury

Fri, 04 May 2007 20:23:16 GMT

This week has been a challenging one. We had a friend in difficulty, and were powerless to know how to help. It was pretty scary, and reminded me again of just how much of life we don't have control over. So much that we need to trust to God, and pray that he will work.

Another theme that came out this week was the whole idea that God is not required to make us happy or comfortable. He wants us to stay close to Him, and will do whatever it takes to drive us back to Himself. That is not a new concept, but it hits with new force when facing a life-death struggle. (Thankfully this turned out not to be, but we didn't know that initially.)

Sometimes, He seems conspicuously absent in the midst of our messes, but it is faith that gets us through, and the knowledge that ultimately He is good, and intends good. But he is so wholly OTHER, so different and beyond us, and beyond our understanding. He is really quite terrifying when we add up what we really know. It reminds me of a Rich Mullins song - the words actually speak for themselves.

There's a wideness in God's mercy
I cannot find in my own
And He keeps His fire burning
To melt this heart of stone
Keeps me aching with a yearning
Keeps me glad to have been caught
In the reckless raging fury
That they call the love of God

Now I've seen no band of angels
But I've heard the soldiers' songs
Love hangs over them like a banner
Love within them leads them on
To the battle on the journey
And it's never gonna stop
Ever widening their mercies
And the fury of His love

Oh the love of God
And oh, the love of God
The love of God

Joy and sorrow are this ocean
And in their every ebb and flow
Now the Lord a door has opened
That all Hell could never close
Here I'm tested and made worthy
Tossed about but lifted up
In the reckless raging fury
That they call the love of God

Testing Week

Sat, 28 Apr 2007 17:36:05 GMT

Greetings again from the sandbox! It took us a full afternoon (6-7 hours of steady housecleaning) to dig our way out from under the sand. We left a bunch of our windows open (did I mention that?????)

Testing: I like it and I hate it. It is a nice change of routine for the first day. It also means less planning for the mornings (yay!) But it can also be very hard on the kids. But I was really impressed with my little grade ones (six and seven year olds.) They spent three full mornings sitting quietly, concentrating on some pretty tough academic stuff. All of them were very quiet and focused, and this is the class that I can't keep quiet for a ten minute spelling test!

We just finished testing last week, so we were all pretty wiped (except for the kids who responded by acting very wired by the end of the week! Like climbing the walls wired...) On Tuesday, by the end of the day, they left the classroom screaming about anything and everything. Their parents were probably wondering what I fed them. (Nothing, honest! Not even the tiniest bit of sugar, yellow food dye, or anything else of the sort! I promise!!!) Wednesday I had three kids in tears at afternoon recess, and by the end of the day, the count was up to five ( including a couple of repeat offenders.) Thankfully, Thursday was a little bit calmer. For all of us.

My kids came out with some classic lines last week. For example: one girl came racing up to me and said "Mrs. K., Mrs. K., my blood is in space!"

To my blank look, she elaborated "Aliens and space are calling out to my blood!"

Another blank look (possibly blanker than the first), and then "I mean I really REALLY love space and planets!"

Aaaah, the coin drops. Space is in my blood. Now it is clear.

Same girl, about an hour later: "Mrs. K., I have LE15.00. I can't decide if I should spend it on a new book folder, or a golden mermaid I saw at Carrefour!" Hmmm, I have to admit, I'm stymied too...how to choose? I think she thinks her teacher is completely retarded!

Finally, another student. "Mrs. K, I forgot my library book at home."

"What was the name of your book?"

"The one about the dogs...you know...Lady and the Cramp!"

At which point, I began to giggle. Not just a nice little chuckle, but the kind of little giggle that rapidly grows into uncontrollably shrieking. (Perhaps they weren't the only ones that were wired...) Thankfully, it was just about recess, so I could send them out before I lost it completely.

So, after a moderately restful, and not-at-all productive weekend, I'm ready to go back into the land of short people, with great hearts. I love my job! (Cover me, I'm goin' in!)

Post Sham-en-Nessim Sandstorm

Tue, 17 Apr 2007 19:11:50 GMT

As I type this, my fingers are becoming coated with yellow and brown dust. We had an interesting sandstorm today. It wasn't the worst I've seen, but it was impressive. It went on for most of the day, off and on, and the wind was strong enough to bring down trees. We left windows open in the house, and pretty much everything has a quarter-inch of dust/sand all over it. Argh! Part of me is tempted to not dust until mid-June, but the other part of me hates having dirty hands, and so if I don't want to have skin lesions from washing too much, I'd better do something about it! Kelvin mopped, bless his heart, so it is a matter of dusting pretty much everything, washing the linens on the bed, and etc. Anyways, after all that, here is a photo of the sky late afternoon (around 4:30pm. It was quite a bit more orange this morning, but we didn't have the camera at school! The last photo is the dirt that came out of the mop bucket after Kelvin mopped four rooms.

Apparently no one told the weather man that Sham-en-Nessim is supposed to signal the END of the spring winds!!!!

A New and Surprising Love!

Thu, 12 Apr 2007 19:52:38 GMT

Kelvin and I just returned from an amazing trip to the desert. Now, I must confess, that since first arriving in Egypt almost ten years ago, I've had a love/hate relationship with the desert, mostly hate! There were times that I remember flying in or driving back from green spaces to Cairo and the Sahara, and feeling my gut tighten, and every sense resisting the return to the dry barren land that is our home. That has slowly changed over the last few years, and while I haven't LOVED the desert, I've learned to appreciate some of its aspects. Like the fact that lizards, birds and beetles can survive, and the occasional flower and tumbleweed as well. Or the contrast of yellow sand and blue sky that can dazzle the eyes. I've been going out to the local dry riverbed (the Wadi) for walking weekly for several months now, and I've learned to enjoy the quiet and clean air that can't be found in the city. However, that said, going to the desert wasn't a major excitement for me, and this trip was not really something that I was anticipating.

Boy, was I in for a shock! To my surprise, I absolutely LOVED our time in the desert. We travelled to Bahariyya Oasis by bus, and then headed out with our Bedouin guides for two nights camping in the great outdoors. The first day was interesting - typical khamasiin weather, with lots of wind and dust, and reduced visibility. It was also 34 degrees celcius outside. We stopped in the black desert, which is totally covered with caramel coloured sand and incredible pieces of black volcanic rock in various shapes and sizes. We carried on then to the "Old White Desert" and off-roaded to our camping sight in the "New White Desert." It was incredibly strange - a completely wild, barren, beautiful landscape, that looks like something you might see on the moon. We ate our dinner that had been cooked over the campfire, with grit in our teeth, eyes, nose and hair, and sand stinging any exposed skin. It was a bit uncomfortable until the wind and sand stopped around 2am, and then it was beautifully clear.

The second day we walked a bit in the White Desert, visited some springs in the area, and then drove a ways to part of the Western Desert. That was absolutely beautiful, and more remote than the first camping spot. There were huge limestone/sandstone cliffs, and huge drifts with no human tracks or marks. There was more volcanic rock, as well as some really interesting rocks that looked like some sort of fossilized somethings, and quartz all over. The weather was absolutely amazing, and as we lay under the stars, it was impossible not to think of our Very Imaginative Creator! The next morning, I woke slowly, but opened my eyes to see a beautiful backdrop of hills and blue sky, and white and yellow sand. I then realized that an early morning visitor had hopped up on my chest! A little yellow and green bird was hopping around investigating everyone as they woke up. I could wake up like that more often!

We carried on that day to "Chrystal Mountain" which again is a beautiful reminder of who made this earth! We saw a train of camels returning to Bahariyya from a trek to one of the other oases in the area, and saw a pumping station on one of the spring sites in the area. We returned to Bahariyya to spend the last night in a hotel, before returning to Cairo the next day. It was the day after Sham en Nassim, and the bus was packed - literally standing room only. Thankfully we got seats, but I felt sorry for some of the folks who ended up standing for the full six hour trip. However, everyone was good-natured about the whole thing, and we all ended in Cairo late Tuesday afternoon. There was sand in everything, and even though I washed my clothes, my bag, my shoes, I still have pounds of sand to remove!

All of that said, I am absolutely blown away by the variety of landscapes and the breathtaking beauty of the desert. I can't wait to take another trip down there ( minus the bus-ride, of course!) Kelvin is quite keen on taking a longer trip - maybe in the fall, and maybe going by camel! I'm in love - who knows, maybe this could be the start of a beautiful friendship!!!!

The Rich Life, Christmas Cheer and Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

Fri, 12 Jan 2007 15:13:05 GMT

I woke up this morning with a really great feeling that our life here is rich and full. We live simply, but we enjoy our life, and on days like today I think we are squeezing every bit of enjoyment and adventure out of it that we can.

Starting about two weeks before Christmas, a flock of parrots could be seen before and after school, snacking on pecans from the trees behind the building. The parrots are apparently not native to here, and they seem to come around near Christmas time. It is guessed that they either were released by someone here, or they escaped from a private owner, and now this is part of their "migration" route. They are a bright green with an orange and red beak, and look like they belong in a jungle somewhere! They have stripped the pecan trees of virtually all of their fruit(also not native to Cairo - one of maybe four or five trees in the whole country which just happens to be on our school property!) I've included some pictures of them. What a treat to entertain such lovely visitors!

We started back to school this week, and today (Friday) I can honestly say that I love my job. I have a really great class this year, and some really fun personalities in my class. I love being able to set my own schedule each day (well, to a point, anyways) and I don't dread going to work in the morning, which I think for a lot of us is something big. Don't get me wrong - I hate getting up early when it is still cold and dark, and I frequently dream of spending my life reading, gardening and eating bonbons, but overall, I wouldn't choose anything different! I work with a really great team of teachers, and in a very nurturing and positive place, and that is hard to come by!

On a completely different note, I made my first pineapple upside-down cake today, and it turned out great (I think...it is still cooling!) I had to be sure to lock the cats out of the kitchen, though. A week ago I made cheesecake "cups" and put a lovely orange topping on them, and returned to the kitchen less than 5 minutes later to find that 7 out of 10 of the cups had cat lick-marks on them, right in the middle! Needless to say, we couldn't serve them to anyone, so we had to eat them all ourselves....sigh! What a hardship! I like experimenting in the kitchen, although sometimes my experiments are a bit...well...inedible. But, the prep and eating I find quite therapeutic.

Our cats were so happy to have us home over the break that they sat curled up on us for almost the full two weeks! It was really sweet, until one day Kelvin found Memphis napping in the toilet bowl. Now, don't ask me how on earth that is even possible. Thankfully, she chose the toilet that has no seat, so it hasn't been used more than two or three times since we moved in. She wasn't even wet when she came out - just a bit dusty. Kelvin thinks she went in for a drink, and then just curled up for a rest. Still, yuck! After that, I wasn't so eager to have her snuggle with me!

Okay, another Heather story. Not nearly as good as the vomit story, but it works. Just before Christmas, I was doing some star-shaped crafts with the kids. Everyone knows that Christmas crafts just aren't the same without loads and loads of sparkly glitter, tastefully appointed with tons of glue. Well, at the end of the day, I accidentally sat down on someone's star-shaped, glue-covered, glittery craft in my black pants. I ended up having to go to the Christmas celebration and the staff Christmas party with a star-shaped glue/glitter mark on my butt! Some christmas cheer, anyone??

I always feel like I have to sign off on these things like a letter (which is maybe a clue to why I wait so long to write...) So, toodle-oo to whoever is out there reading these. Is there anyone reading these??

Merry Christmas!

Mon, 25 Dec 2006 22:27:05 GMT

Well, I've been composing blog entries in my head for weeks now. We've had a very busy fall, and lots of interesting things happening. (I'll have to update everyone over the upcoming weeks!)

However, it is now holidays, and we've finished the "Christmas Rush" such as it is. We've had people in for Christmas Eve lasagna and watched Jimmy Stewart tell us again how wonderful life really is. We attended the candle-lit carol service at the church. We had a leisurely lie-in this morning, and snacked all morning on wonderful goodies given to us (thank-you Wendy and Brandon & Liz!) We made a cheese-cake and then went to a friend's for a great turkey dinner. It was great to eat, sit and chat with old friends! Until today, I've been missing family quite a bit, and even missing the snow (which I rarely miss, especially when I think about shoveling the stuff, or driving in it!) But today we were reminded of how rich our lives are, both here and in North America. We have been blessed with some great family, and some super friends. We miss both frequently, but when we miss them, we know that we have relationships that are real and rich.

So for all of you, here in Egypt and at home in Canada (and perhaps a few scattered around the globe) we love you, and we thank you for letting us be a part of your lives. Merry Christmas! May the light and peace of the Prince of Peace be ever yours! And as Tiny Tim says, "God bless us, every one!"

Through the Eyes of a Child

Tue, 07 Nov 2006 18:18:08 GMT

Working with children is always challenging, usually rewarding, and lots of times just down right fun. One of the things that is so enjoyable is hearing the things kids have to say. They often see things very differently than we do, but can say some really profound things. And sometimes just profoundly silly!

For example, there is the child in last year's class who used to write me love notes (perfectly innocent and sweet!) with expiry dates on them!

Or the child in Grade one who wrote "feyk yu" in one of his stories. I was a bit concerned about that one until a colleague pointed out that if you say "Thank you" with a really thick Korean accent and no front teeth, that is how is sounds!

Or the child that prayed that she wouldn't be bullied, while she sat next to the "bully".

Or the kindergarten child who shouted "I'm sliding down the precipice" as she went down the slide.

Or the child who went home and told her mother that she didn't do anything in school except watch videos every day. (I think we watched one video in the whole year!)

Or the child who when told to make a story plan, missed the "story" part and drew a beautiful plan for an inground swimming pool.

Or the child who prayed "Thank you God for friends. I don't mind if they're ugly, as long as they are nice."

Or the six year old child, who when hearing about the struggles Christians sometimes have over agreeing about doctrine, lamented "Why can't we all just get along? We all love Jesus. The rest doesn't matter."

Everything I need to know I learned in Kindergarten (or at least in primary school!)

How to...Prune a Tree

Mon, 06 Nov 2006 18:33:09 GMT

1. First you should pick a very very healthy tree. Ignore the ones that are dying or have many dead branches. Go for the green.

2. Find a very small hatchet, preferably one with a dull blade. No motorized or electric gadgets. It takes all the fun out of it.

3. Begin very early in the morning, preferably just after first light. Following the morning call to prayer is a good time. And be very sure to begin ON A WEEKEND.

4. Randomly hack off any healthy and bountiful branches. Symmetry and shape are not good - they squelch artistic expression!

5. For tall hibiscus trees, hack them off about half-way up, and plant the severed tops in dirt. (Amazingly, this works! Two or three yellow leaves, and the silly things took root.)

6. For franjipani (also known as Indian Jasmine) lop off any branch that has any green. it should be full and green within about...6 months to a year....

(*sigh*)

Disclaimer

Mon, 06 Nov 2006 18:00:50 GMT

Well, this is a disclaimer for all who will read ahead. Kelvin and I really enjoy living in Egypt most of the time, but there are a number of frustrations that build with living in a cross-cultural situations. Most of them involve the unanswerable question "Why on earth do they do it THAT way???" These frustrations tend to build unless released in a constructive, creative way, preferably with much laughter involved. So, I am beginning a series of entries called "How to...". Please know that I am not attempting to make fun of Egyptians, but just voicing a difference of opinion in a humourous, tongue in cheek way. Please, people, don't take me too seriously!

Settled in Cairo

Thu, 28 Sep 2006 19:32:40 GMT

Well, we have been back in Cairo for seven weeks. I can hardly believe it! Where on earth has the time gone? Kelvin and I both looked at each other today, and wondered where the time has disappeared to. How on earth can it be Thursday again already?

We have settled back in after some initial upsets. First, our flat was a complete and total mess when we arrived back. We were hoping that it would be in better shape. (For those of you who don't know, we had to move this summer. Our landlord broke his hip, and needed the flat on the ground floor, so we moved up to his flat on the second floor. But it needed a LOT of work, which he said would be done over the summer.) A lot of the work had been done - the floors had been refinished and he had painted the walls, but he hadn't painted the colours we had carefully chosen. He had also installed our ceiling fan (that we had bought with our own money) in one of his other flats, and the kitchen was an absolute disaster - completely dirty and full of garbage, broken and dirty dishes, and two inches thick in grease. We spent the first week back scrubbing on hands and knees. To make matters worse, the weather was in the low 40's (celcius) and humid, and we were absolutely melting!

But, finally after all that work, we have found the gem in the rough that is our flat. We have lots of room, more light than on the ground floor, and beautiful green views from the balconies that are a rarity here. It is more secure and more private than being on the ground floor, and hey, we get more exercise going up and down! So in the end it has been a real blessing. Just in disguise - a dirty, greasy disguise!

The other hard thing that happened was that our pastor and friend, Dave Petrescue, passed away suddenly on September 5th. We were shocked and saddened, and it has made September a bit harder than expected. The whole community here has been deeply affected. It is not so intense for us right now, as we only saw him on weekends, and sometimes that was sporadic. However, the memorial service and hurting for the family have been very difficult. It has been especially hard for his family here - his sister and her husband are here - and also for the people who worked with him daily. Their whole lives were interwoven, and it will be a while before the pain is healed.

School is going well. We have been busy, and are enjoying the year so far. We have a great team of teachers this year, and a lot of experienced ones, which is new but great! I only have a class of three this year, which seems impossibly small, but they are all a bit needy, so I think it will be a very good thing. We are starting to bond, and to enjoy each other. I will post some photos soon.

Kelvin continues to faithfully work in the admin office, and see to the needs of the teachers. I think sometimes he gets tired of working with so many women!!! ( I can't say that I blame him, actually!)

Anyways, that is all for now. I have loads more to say, but my bed is calling. Night night, all!

A New Thing

Sun, 23 Jul 2006 06:12:36 GMT

Well, after enjoying the blog of a good friend for the last few months, I've decided that us Klauds need to try blogging as a way of keeping people posted on what is happening in our lives. Who knows...every one of my friends knows what a terrible letter writer I am, and that I am not much better at emailing, but maybe I can redeem myself???

Right now, we are at home with Kelvin's family. It has been great to see them, and it is a treat to be back in Canada for a while. I can walk down the street without being stared at (at least not overtly!) and I can go to Tim Horton's any time I want (which is many times a week - sometimes many times a day!) The shopping has been nice, and sooooo much easier than in Cairo. One-stop shopping is such a treat! However, I realize how much our life straddles two continents right now, and that is not easy. I miss routine especially, I miss my kids, and I miss the feeling of doing something that has meaning and purpose. I miss having my own home, and I find it difficult to live out of a suitcase. Sometimes I even miss the challenges of Cairo life!

I have discovered that I always become a bit maudlin in the summer time, (and often in January as well) and as with most highs and lows, it changes quickly. It also comes as a result of realizing that while we have been gone, life has gone on. Our neices and nephews are 9 months older, and don't recognize us when we first arrive. Families move, grow, change. Traditions and things "that always were" continue to change as well. Friends have grown older, and have developed lives without us...how dare they!

But all in all, this means that I do have friends and family that care about me, and that I care about deeply. I am blessed to be able to live this rich life, and experience the adventure both here in Canada and in Cairo. I just realize that all of it is experienced in part - we have left parts of our hearts in all kinds of places, and we'll likely never get them back fully! Those of you with pieces of our hearts, treat them gently!

Photo Album: The Desert

Sat, 31 May 2008 14:25:10 GMT

The Desert

The Black Desert

Contrast in the Black Desert

Me climbing.

The view from up here!

Just chillin'!

Pit stop.

Entering the White Desert.

It looked like snow!

Our guide getting ready to make dinner.

The Great Adventurer!

More Photos...

Photo Album: Sandstorm

Tue, 17 Apr 2007 19:15:36 GMT

Sandstorm

Rooftop view

Yet another rooftop view

After mopping four rooms, this came out of the bucket!

The mud in the tub!

Photo Album: Thanksgiving pumpkin

Mon, 06 Nov 2006 18:36:42 GMT

Thanksgiving pumpkin

Now that's a pumpkin!

We got about 18 cups of pumpkin out of this baby!

Photo Album: Gem in Disguise

Tue, 31 Oct 2006 18:44:42 GMT

Gem in Disguise

Imagine 40 degree heat, jet lag and then...

It goes from bad...

to worse...

to worse yet!

Nightmare on Road 11!

The nightmare goes on...

and on...

Finally, some "AFTER" photos!

The view from our balcony...

...a great space for a quiet time...

More Photos...

Photo Album: Beautiful Saskatchewan

Tue, 25 Jul 2006 20:55:41 GMT

Beautiful Saskatchewan

On the road again...

...and again...

...and again!

Canola or mustard fields

Entering the Qu'appelle Valley

Look at all that sky!

Hay bales

Nature's canvas

Limitless

So blue...

More Photos...

Photo Album: Renovations...Kelvin's holiday

Tue, 25 Jul 2006 20:45:11 GMT

Renovations...Kelvin's holiday

Kelvin and Sharla

Roof

Will it rain?

Looking good.

Nearing the end...

Before in the bedroom

before in the hallway

Cindee cleaning out the cabinets

And you wondered what was behind the walls...

Dry wall going up

More Photos...

Photo Album: Good Spirit Lake

Tue, 25 Jul 2006 20:35:37 GMT

Good Spirit Lake

Aimee

Cindee and Aimee

Yay!

Just chillin'!

It was a beautiful day...

Look at that sky!

Isaiah watering a "sunflower"

So blue!

Watching the clouds roll in.....

Like a painting.

More Photos...