Ah, today is one of those days. I’ve been hit rather hard with the homesickness bug. I miss my family and pets. What to do? It’s tempting to mope around, and I’ve already done a fair amount of that, but it’s much better to find Violet, my most awesome Tanzanian hair stylist, and get my highlights updated. Violet was trained in Nairobi, Kenya, and has the impressive skill of knowing how to cope with mzungu (white person) hair. I’m very grateful to have found her. Check out her AMAZING mzungu foiling skills and her intense “I mean business!” look:
Hongera (congratulations) to Violet, who will welcome her second child in April.
After a short time, Violet finished and left me to “cook.” Here I am wearing my tinfoil hat (don’t worry–we’ll get you an “after” shot so you know it all worked out). I’m convinced that the wearing of this “hat” is blocking evil Trump rays, so maybe I’ll keep it handy. ?
“Cooking”:
And voilà: the finished product:
If you live in the Arusha area, please go see Violet. She is located in Njiro: a little hard to find but worth the effort. (Oh, and she gives a great manicure.). Here is her sign:
With my hair nicely coiffed, I feel somewhat uplifted. But outward appearances can deceive. In closing, I want to reflect a little and wax poetic on you. Well, sort of. Life is short. Yeah, we know that. But what are you doing about it? Anything? Maybe you’re perfectly happy. Maybe you’re somewhere else on the “furaha” (happy) spectrum. Sometimes it’s hard to do, especially if you’re caught in a vicious storm, but try to remember this:
Be happy with what you have.
As we slog through life, it is very tempting to focus on what we don’t have and lose sight of what is already in our possession. It is also easy to be negative, i.e., glass-half-empty. People, look around you. What do you have? Is it good? Then be happy and content.
Do you take any of those things or people for granted? If so, don’t. Cherish the good and hold it close; don’t let go for anything. Because someday you might wake up and find out that the good you had is gone.
I’m not saying you shouldn’t have goals in life. Just don’t let those goals overshadow WHAT’S ALREADY THERE.
Please inundate me with furaha comments about what you have and why you’re happy with it. Even if it’s something as simple as good health. Someone with a terminal illness might be happy to trade places with you. Perspective is everything.
Badger out.
Violet did a beautiful job on your hair. I’ve been where you are in a new place not knowing anyone although it was in the states, so I can’t really say it compares because the language barrier can be difficult. You seem to be doing great on learning the language. Take one day at a time and continue to explore and meet more people. Since Kili, I’ve been looking at opportunities and life differently and taking one day at a time and trying to enjoy it to the fullest.
uwe na siku njema
Hi, I must say that I think of you often and the huge step you took in your life moving to Africa. I love getting your posts. I don’t know if I want to move to another country. I just moved to a relatively close state and I am happier than I’ve been in the past two years – even though I’m not fully moved. I have things and animals that are stressing me out. I think about leaving it all, but I am happiest with my animals near.
I miss my grandchildren immensely, but not my children so much! 🙂
Hi Steph. I first want to say that your highlights are terrific! Violet did a great job!
Re my fururah (happy – I know I likely spelled it incorrectly), I am so happy about my son. Staying home was a professionally very difficult decision and I have taken a status strike/strong woman strike/women’s lib strike in the eyes of many, but it was a decision that came from the gut and I do not regret one moment of it. Spending time with and raising our little guy has been the most beautiful, peaceful, and happy time of my life. I wish everyone could feel this way about something or someone in their life. It is a true glimpse of the divine.
I am so happy about my marriage. We are truly blessed in many ways and my husband is the best dad and hubby a gal could want. I am even happy about all the mistakes I made previous to this relationship (many and severe). I know that I sound like a country song (and everyone knows I love country music so that is not insult so much as a nod to Rascal Flatts – “God Bless the Broken Road”), but it is true. Because of those unhappy years, I am happy now. They taught me what is right and healthy for me and how to value and cherish this relationship properly. I know how much that means and that makes me super happy. And probably super cheesy.
I am happy about my parents – again, I am blessed – and so incredibly happy that I had the grandparents I had for as long as I had them. My precious “first born,” Chloe was true happiness for me and, again, I was blessed to have her in my life for so long.
I am happy whenever I am in the sun, which, regretfully, is seldom this time of year in Seattle. I am happy when I travel abroad, which, also regretfully, has not occurred since John was born due to the mix of life and circumstances. But we will do something about that soon.
Last Saturday, I volunteered at Union Gospel Mission making and serving dinner. That was truly joyful as well. I had forgotten how much I love interacting with people of all walks of life, how much I like to try to bring respect and happiness to others, how much I love being part of a team of positive, giving people. That was a “fururah (SP)” moment for me as well.
And I am happy you are doing something so amazing with your life. That brings me great joy for some reason. I love it!!!
All the best, H.
Lovely lovely comment. Thank you! Furaha!
Nice. I’m a little torn… Having seen this, I now really wish we could have seen each other in Seattle in Dec. 🙁 If you have some long explanation of your decision in email, send it my way. I’d love to understand the process! 🙂 Try to find me a Kilometer 1 Sign or two…
Good to hear from you. I will indeed search for a KM 1 sign. Take care.