I’m back (yay!)…not that anyone ever knew I was gone

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With the sporadic nature of my blogging habits, I can’t really say I was gone- more like I was just procrastinating 90% of the time these past few weeks, then I got really busy for the remaining 10% of the time! If something can be put off so that I can pursue any of my vices pleasures, it shall be put off…but this June, I reached new heights. I could not even be bothered to go to my local supermarket (5 min walk from door to door) and claim the FREE prize that I won after I scratched a gift token (3 weeks after receiving it). When did I become like this? I look at what I achieved in June, compare it to what I planned in May and shake my head- where did the time go?The more rational part of me has decided that I am either overly ambitious in my planning, OR, the things that I think need to be done are ‘unimportant’ in the grand scheme of things so my brain subconsciously makes me averse to doing them. The human part of me sits here and decides that I shall try again. The list for July is drawn up- now I dare myself to actually do everything I have set out to do.

Challenge set, I can now ‘update’ you on some stuff that’s happened around here or to me. You may or may not have read about the severed human feet that have surfaced in various places around greater Vancouver. If not, please read this story on the CBC website. My morbid curiosity is really piqued. I am dying to find out what the story is behind these feet. I mean, where did they come from? and why only right feet? Is the mafia only putting one foot in concrete? Is there a serial killer stalking people with shapely feet?

Digression: this last theory- the serial killer thing was spurred by a conversation I had with someone at work about shoes. I love shoes- from when I was a child, I loved shoes…I don’t know what it is about shoes that really strikes a chord with me. In fact all my books from that time are studded with sketches of cute stiletto heels, some of which are impossibly high and unwearable! Anyway, this lady at work has a fabulous shoe collection. She goes to sample sales and buys great shoes at really low prices. The one qualification you need is to have a N.American size six foot and you can be the owner of great designs for next to nothing! My theory was that the severed feet had been separated from their owners by someone disgruntled at not having ‘sample sale’-size feet. We are still awaiting the truth behind the feet, in the meantime we speculate.

During this time away I had the chance to meet up with a group of Kenyan women from the greater Vancouver area. We had tea with our government’s representative in the country, and it was really an eye opener to hear that no Kenyan has actually ever invited her to their home…only to stiff, formal events. It was such a delight to spend an afternoon with other Kenyan women and have this eloquent, dignified, intellectual lady speak about her hopes for our country. The most moving part was when she said that at her appointment ceremony, the President had told her that he was a servant of the people, so she viewed her appointment as a servant of the servant of the people…yet we all see the diplomat as a Bwana Mkubwa…and fail to see the isolation that they probably endure in their positions. A simple invitation to tea: a real eye opener.
In the words of one lady present, it was therapeutic, like being at a spa to laugh, bond, speak and be with our Kenyan sisters. We are now planning for more days of rejuvenation, relaxation and sisterhood- we marvel at how we never thought to do this sooner! I am now actively listing ideas for our first event at the end of July.
The sun is finally out in Vancouver after weeks of weirdly ‘January’-like weather. I’ve been enjoying it with a friend who’s moved here from out East- it’s still not sunk in that she’s here to stay. I keep expecting the line “well, time to call a cab for the airport,” to come, then I remember- she is here for good!!! Yay! Yesterday we stopped at the park on our way home from doing groceries and sat for a while in the shade just to soak up some rays without getting sunburn. On days like these I miss Nairobi. You know how sunny and clear it can get in Nairobi? When it is not too hot, just warm, and the wind gently lifts clothes drying on the clothesline? Or you get to sit outside and have a drink in the warm sun staring at nothing in particular, just communing with nature? I miss that.

 

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