Birthday Blog!

Monday night my brother David and his wife Leslie had several of us over for a BBQ to help celebrate my August 16th Birthday. I turned 62 years young. The Chocolate with Mint Ice Cream Baskin Robbins Ice Cream cake was yummy.



Yesterday morning my brother Bill and his wife Shari took me for a Birthday breakfast to a restaurant called, "The Egg and I".



I had many online Birthday greetings yesterday. My 62nd Birthday was great!

I have been on a one month vacation in the States so that I could attend a Smith family reunion in CO.  I have had a great time in Colorado: visiting family, family reunion and Birthday. I fly from Denver back to Omaha today.... with only about ten days left before flying back to Africa.

1st Annual Bongolo 5K WALK/RUN!

Yesterday, July 2nd, was the 1st Annual Bongolo 5K WALK/RUN! There were 24 of us who registered to participate including Missionaries, Africans and many Visitors on the Station.



First the runners took off and then those of us who were walking. At first I stayed ahead of many of the walkers.



Then everyone passed me up and I was behind:



Although I came in Last at 55 minutes 25 seconds, I met my GOAL of improving my 1st ever, June 25th, 5K WALK time of 60 minutes. I had shaved off 4 minutes and 35 seconds!



At the end of the 5K WALK/RUN we gathered for stretching, carbs and water.



Here I am, the oldest walker in the 5K (62 years old next month), with the youngest walker who is 55 years my Junior!



Oops... Nope... she wasn't the youngest. Our youngest was pushed in a stroller!



Thanks for checking out my 5K Photos!

My First 5K WALK!

The past 5 weeks Dr. Deborah Walker and I have been doing the SparkPeople 5K Walking Training Program together. Yesterday we walked our first 5K in 60 minutes. WooHoo!



As we passed one of the homes we hollered in to those in the kitchen to get their cameras to be able to take a photo of us as we finished the 5K. They not only came out with photos but with a computer playing triumphant type music!

Today's Positives:
1. I walked my first 5K yesterday and finished in 60 minutes.
2. I have another 5K scheduled next Saturday and would like to improve my time. It will be Bongolo's First ever 5K Walk/Run.
3. There were 52 people in Nzoundou chapel this morning. Many adults were away at a conference but we had about 40 children present.

Party Time!

On Monday afternoon one of the Nursing Students invited the class and professors over to her house for an end of the year PARTY! Here are some of the photos from that afternoon:



The Students were dancing with joy! I'm sure that they burned a lot of calories!



Me with a few of those who were at the party.



The whole "bunch" of us!



Today's Positives:

1. I walked over 2 1/2 miles today as Walk 2 of Week 4 of the 5K Walking Training Program. (my legs really ache tonight).
2. I got some more hospital bookkeeping done today.
3. I got my Visa this week. It's a visa that permits me to leave this African country and return  to it so that I can go to the States for an August vacation.

Thanks for following my blog.

Midwifery Graduation!

On Monday, May 30th I hosted a reception for two nurses who finished a one year Midwifery program. Martine and Annushka both did well in their academics, a good match for each other! It was a pleasure to teach them. Monday they  received their Midwifery Certificates from Dr. Kier Thelander, the Medical Director of the Hospital. The Administrative Director, Pastor Serge, also was present. Various employees who work at the Hospital stopped by for cake and soft drinks.



After the reception Martine and Annushka came over to my home to learn to make Pizza. It was a first for them. They made it a contest to see which one made the best looking pizza!

Here is Martine and her Pizza.



Here is Annushka and her Pizza.



When the pizza was ready Dinah arrived. Dinah did not start the Midwifery course until later in the year so she still has more studies to do.  Here is a photo of all three of them, Annushka, Martine and Dinah.



By the way, our look-a-like dresses were ones we wore last year for the Nursing School graduation that took place in May 2010.

My Guinea West African Trip and More!

On April 18th I flew to Libreville then on April 22 I flew to Conakry, Guinea via ASKY Airlines. I was met by Arnie Solvig who drove me to their home. Cheryl had dinner waiting. Saturday I spent with Arnie, Cheryl, Stephanie and Katie. Nicole was away at boarding school in Senegal. The Solvigs had spent `3=`4 years in Gabon and Katie and I have a special bond. I was the "Midwife" when she was born.

 Sunday was Easter and we attended an 8 am Easter service on the tennis court on their mission compound. There must have been 40+ people present. After the service we had a potluck breakfast together before some of us headed off  on a 4-5 hour van ride to the town of Mamou.

April 25-30 Cheryl and I attended a SYIS Workshop in Mamou, Guinea. SYIS stands for "Sharpening your Interpersonal Skills". It was excellent!

This past Monday I flew back to the equator. Went from Conakry to Abidjan to Accra to Lome and changed planes. Then flew from Lome to Lagos and then my final flight to Libreville. I had no problems with flights and was glad to get to Libreville even earlier than my e-ticket said I would.

Tuesday I worked on budget items for the hospital. Also rested up from my 12 hours of flights on Monday.

Wednesday I had a 12 hour bus/car ride down to where I work at a hospital. I carefully reserved place on an air conditioned bus BUT.... the air conditioning was never turned on and everyone had their windows down. It was a bus with a high top and high windows and I was sitting where I got the morning East sun. I got a blue top out of my carry on so I could protect myself from sun burn as we rode along. Here is me riding along on the bus, listing to a podcast.



Thursday afternoon my neighbor and I hopped in my car to go grocery shopping in town, a couple of miles from here. We had not even gotten to the stores yet when my car made aloud noise and then the CLUTCH went out!. I called a colleague who came over with his car and towed us back home. A National car repairman followed us and worked on my car that afternoon for a couple of hours. He returned yesterday and worked on the car for about four hours. I was glad that he was able to fix the clutch so the car is back up and running, I hope permanently. At least I know which piece to buy if it breaks down again.

Yesterday morning I also had Dan Lewan and Olivier install my new stove. Unfortunately the top works but electric system will not spark the oven to start.  Our American maintenance man, Paul Davis, is on vacation and will not be back for about ten days so it looks like I either not be using my oven or I'll need to use the neighbor's oven. Then I hope that it can be repaired.



Today's Positives:
1. I had such a nice trip to Guinea, with no complications in my travels.
2. It so nice seeing and being with the Solvig family again.
3. The SYIS Workshop was very good and taught many Interpersonal Skills.
4. My car got fixed without buying any parts.
5. My stove got installed and works at least partially.

Thanks for visiting my blog!