Waiting for Baby

When visiting one's sister, waiting for her to have a baby means, well obviously a lot of waiting.

Thankfully I've been able to keep myself a bit busy with running and weight lifting. In Musoma my guards made themselves a barbell with a pole and some cans filled with cement. I'm finding the equipment in the garage here a bit easier to handle J.

I also found a large cardboard box and decided to paint it as a little house for my nephew. I think I'll be finishing that up soon.

But I've also found time to relax with my nephew.

A Multicultural Pavlova

This past week I left Virginia and my older sister's house in order to stay with my younger sister for several weeks. She is due to have a baby any day now, her second. Last time I saw her she didn't even have one kid!!! So, I get to be here to help her and her husband over the coming weeks.

So far I've managed to do a few dishes, play with their son and read books to him, and sweep the floor a few times.

I also introduced them to pavlova (an Australian/New Zealand dessert that I learned about in Tanzania). It was fun using blueberries and strawberries, grocery items that are not available in Musoma. But I couldn't resist adding in some pineapple, something that is seasonally available in Musoma.

What started as a solution to the question "what should we do with the extra egg whites?" turned into a dessert that in some ways speaks to the many different cultures and countries that have influenced me over the past several years. It is an Australian/New Zealand dessert topped with fruits I associate with America and Tanzania, and it was beautiful and delicious.

(Maybe next time I should have a section with hagelslag to make it more complete).

My First Stop in the States

Since being in the States I've been staying with my older sister and her family, in Virginia.

I knew that since it had been well over two years since the kids last saw me, I would need to do some work to usher myself back into the "fun aunt" position. So, that has been my primary job over the past couple of weeks.

We even got to take a trip to the local amusement park; Kings Dominion. I haven't been to this park since my family lived in Richmond 20 years ago!

And on a trip up to DC, I happened across the Tanzanian embassy!!!

And thus my American adventures have begun.

Adjusting to "Cold"

Well, I'm back in the States. I'm spending some time with my sister and her family and I'm starting to adjust to my new environment.

When the temperature averages around 85°F you grow accustomed to that level of warmth. At 75°F you wear a jacket and keep adding layers, possibly at every 5° interval.

So, when it is 65°F and others are sitting by the fire in shorts and a T-shirt, this is what I look like:

That layering includes a cardigan, scarf, leggings and a wrap.

If you have a favorite cold weather item feel free to send me suggestions. Also, if you are getting rid of cold weather clothes let me know! I may find that that was exactly what I was missing.