BLOG #4: NOT ALL BUTTERFLIES AND RAINBOWS

Now as I begin this, I need to start off by saying, I DO NOT regret this!! BUT… I would be lying if I said that there were no “uneasy” feelings. As much as this quarantine is hard, I am actually thankful for it. It gives me and my brain time to adjust to our new surroundings without throwing in the culture shock just yet, which I’m sure will come.

When we were still in Halifax, our last night, I was laying in bed with my husband and the anxious butterflies snuck in big time with all the unknowns. David could tell something was up and when I told him, his response was “It’s just you and me, in a different place”. I’m sure he didn’t know the impact of his simple words, but it made me think. 1. My love for him honestly just keeps getting stronger. He is my biggest supporter and I’m glad that I get to do this with my best friend. 2. Why do we get so attached to physical things? I mean I guess I get it; the physical things are attached to memories but why does getting rid of the physical thing make us feel like we are going to forget the memory when we won’t! Maybe not everyone feels this way, but I definitely do. You may be catching on that I am a very sentimental person… I can’t help it haha.

This is another reason why I am writing these blogs, I want to remember these moments, the good, great, and anxious ones. I want to remember the heightened feelings when we finally got our date to leave, the awe of walking in our house for the first time, the discovery of going into the city for the first time (we have yet to do this, thanks quarantine…), and yes, also the stress the whole process that it came along with. I want to be able to share these moments with our children and let them know that it is okay to have anxious feelings along with the exciting ones. That is what being human is all about. However, everyone needs to find their own way to help cope with them so that they don’t overtake and control you. I am FAR from perfect but the biggest thing I have learned is to not fight the feelings; know what they are, recognize them, know they are normal and use your coping mechanism to help them pass. The more I fought these feelings in the past, the worse they got.

Anyway, I know this one was on the serous side, but I think social media portrays this glamorous life without showing the reality that can come along with it. For me, it is important to also show the reality side of things.

Until next time,

Tracey

Blog #2: FROM HALIFAX TO NAIROBI

I would love to tell you that we are all settled in Kenya, beginning our quarantine, and exploring our house… but I can’t. August 24th we were supposed to be there but as I said before, this process has been complicated to say the least. I know I sound like I am exaggerating but anyone around us knows that I’m not. Our day begins by opening our eyes and my husband automatically checks his emails. Some days he sends over 20 emails back and forth other issues, updates, and unknowns. Because of this, 35 days and counting, we have had no times for “us”.

So…… we decided to take a couple days on our way to Montreal to stop in Quebec City, and let me tell you, IT WAS NEEDED!! We had some good food, drank some good drinks, walked hand in hand down the street, and talked about life. He made fun of my for spilling things on my dress and I laughed at him for pacing around to hit 10 000 steps. Typical. A good couple of nights, light and easy, before we woke up to our worst morning yet…

On Friday morning, 0752, we woke up to three obstacles that could have derailed us for months. One of these things was that our passports were lost in the mail. I cannot even begin to describe the panic in both of us. You have to remember.. we currently have no house and sold everything living from a suitcase. Through MANY phone calls, emails, determination and a LOT of luck, we were able to put everything back on track, well best that we could anyway.

Back on track also means having a COVID swab shoved up your nose, LOL. That was a fun one, NOT! I can confirm that it feels like snorting salt water. However, as much as this sucked, this also means that we are flying out soon as it must be within 96 hours of your first flight. I am almost scared to say it, because with our luck something will still find a way to go wrong, but we have confirmed flights!!!! VOILA!!!

Okay so now we need everyone’s good vibes sent our way because this chick cannot handle another setback. Sunday August 30, we SHOULD be leaving at 2115!! YAHOOOOOO!!! This confirmation ticket came with giddiness and apprehension all bundled into one.

Until next time,

Tracey  

EDIT: Things got a little hectic with some last minute things to get done so I wasn’t able to post this on time for Saturday. But after everything, I am currently writing this on the plane as we are making our way to Nairobi. WE DID IT!