Garnet's Life Adventures

Spartan World Championships - Dallas TX Dec 3, 2011

2011-12-12T02:16:00.000Z

Click here to see what I did last weekend

Dallas Texas Super Spartan Race December 3, 2011

2011-12-06T20:08:00.001Z

A Super Spartan race means approximately 8 miles with 25 obstacles . . . turns out ours was 8.5 miles with 36 obstacles. Here we are pre-race! One of those obstacles was a 75 yard wide lake we had to swim across, the water temperature was 55F and the water was muddy with lots of braches and very deep in the middle. This lake was at mile 3 so after this we still had to run 5.5 miles in water

Back state side

2011-09-08T20:37:00.000+01:00

So I've been back in the good old USofA for 19 hours now and all I can say is how much I'm missing Rwanda. Every time I leave, I miss it more and more. This was only my third time there, but boy oh boy was it just as amazing as the first time I was there. What made this trip stand out was being a tour guide for 6 Americans who'd never been to Rwanda before. Being able to share this wonderful

Cassava Farming

2011-09-05T16:54:00.000+01:00

learning about cassava farming

basket weaving photo

2011-09-05T16:40:00.000+01:00

My attempt at weaving a Rwandan basket . . . takes this lady 1 week to make a small one - would have taken me more like 3 months!!

Another Photo update from Rwanda

2011-09-04T20:54:00.000+01:00

300 cupcakes + 300 sodas + 275 children = amazing day! Loving their cupcakes & Toucan straws thanks to Mies!! Ives, me and Alice The "gang" at Claudine's house Itafari's country director, Christophe and Itafari president/co-founder Vicky

Sunday Sept 4th Update

2011-09-04T17:30:00.000+01:00

So I'm having trouble uploading photos, but I will continue to try. Today we spent the morning at Christ Gospel Church in Kimironko with Pastor Francis. Then we had lunch at Chez Lando in Remera. The late afternoon was spent at Claudine's new house with everyone enjoying Fanta l'orange sodas :) Now we are back home (Iris Guest House) and will leave for dinner in about 30 minutes - we're going

2011-09-04T16:48:00.000+01:00

my dear brother Arthur & I trekking the gorillas hold up your straw if you love it

Party for the Children

2011-09-03T15:20:00.000+01:00

Sorry it has been nearly a week since I last wrote, but my days have been hectic, yet wonderful! We have done many things! Tuesday our visitors arrived. Wednesday morning we went on the city tour of Kigali and in the afternoon we went into the Eastern Province to see some cattle and rice co-operatives. Thursday we went to Kigali Parent's School in the morning and taught some classes.

Itafari blog update

2011-08-29T21:58:00.002+01:00

please check out our blog on the Itafari website, http://www.itafari.org/news-blog/bid/68942/Climbing-1-000-hills-in-Rwanda

Photos from August 29th

2011-08-29T17:54:00.000+01:00

my friend Arthur's house, should be finished by November - sooo beautiful! this is what I look like after a 10 minute walk home in the rain from the city centre to home

Sunday August 28th Photos

2011-08-28T20:50:00.000+01:00

Boys Choir from the Congo singing at church this morning My niece Tracy with her Grandma Vitsy and her new teddy bear My beautiful Rwandan niece Tracy with her new dress G'ma Vitsey showing Tracy how to use the flip video Self portrait with Susan in the background Tracy loving the video feature with Vitsy

Presidential Suite

2011-08-27T19:44:00.000+01:00

Living room (note the Summit Base water bottle & chocolate covered pretzels) dining room kitchen pantry stairs to 2nd floor view from our balcony bedroom #1 (note the Norwich University flag)

Second Day in Rwanda – Aug 27th

2011-08-27T16:25:00.000+01:00

Second Day in Rwanda – Aug 27th Last night we had a fabulous dinner with our dear friend Arthur. He became Vicky’s son 6 years ago when they met and so it only made sense that he became my big brother, since he is 9 months older than me J Arthur and Vicky met 6 years ago when he was translating for her on her first trip to Rwanda. I met Arthur 3 years ago this October on my first trip to

Photos

2011-08-27T15:31:00.000+01:00

So I have to be honest, we've been in so many meetings and catch ups with friends I haven't been taking that many photos, but here are 3 taken over the past few days which I hope you'll enjoy.... Here is a view of the tv screen in the Brussels airport woman's bathroom . . . interesting place for a telly if you ask me This photo's really just for Vicky, she loves apple juice when flying with me,

Our First Day in Rwanda

2011-08-27T13:28:00.000+01:00

When I was little I always dreamed of having a “princess bed” which in my mind would be a canopy bed with flowing curtains on all sides. In case you’re wondering it never happened. But on my first night here in Kigali, I was able to climb under my mosquito net and pretend I was in a “princess bed”. Funny how a net which could save me from malaria can in my head turn into something royal, lol.

arrival into Kigali, Rwanda

2011-08-25T22:39:00.001+01:00

Once again excited to report that Vicky and I are safely "home". We were greeted at the airport by Christophe & Pastor Francis - how lovely it is to be welcomed back by familiar smiling faces & big hugs! It is amazing that after 16 hours of flying on 3 different planes over 3 different continents and every single plane was on time and my luggage arrived safely as well - Gosh I <3 American

Brussels, Belgium

2011-08-25T08:57:00.001+01:00

I am happy to report that Vicky & I are safely in Brussels, awaiting our final plane journey to Kigali which should be leaving in about 1.5 hours. Vicky found me on the bus which was transporting us between terminals - timing is everything they always say :) We've had a great time catching up & are anxious to get this last leg of the trip over and done with. Though I cannot complain as many of

Rwanda Revisited for Third Time

2011-08-24T04:42:00.000+01:00

So tomorrow I leave for my third trip to Rwanda . . . I went first back in October of '08, then again in January of '10 and now in August/September of '11. I will try to update daily with what we're doing, assuming that I have time and a strong internet connection :) If you'd like to know more about the foundation for which I work for check out the Itafari Foundation

Day One, Week One of Six Week sit up & push up challenge

2011-01-03T23:58:00.001Z

Day One is over - YEAH! I did 68 sit ups and 30 push ups.

New Years Resolution #1 & #2

2011-01-02T01:34:00.000Z

Seeing as it's 8.30pm on 1/1/11 and I'm only now coming up with my new years resolution, I'm listing them ans 1 & 2 since I might be adding more as I come up with them. Resolution Number One: 200 sit ups (as seen here) Resolution Number Two: 100 push ups (as seen here) Anyone care to join me? Kelly over at http://www.kellysbelly.com/ is the one who was asking for people to do it with her & so

I couldn't make this crap up if you paid me!

2010-12-31T03:38:00.000Z

I know I've said that statement a lot over the years, but really it's sooooooo true! At times I wish it wasn't. Tonight yet again I got to live it. My mate who I went to Norwich University with & I decided to go to dinner. We try to do this weekly. Sounds innocent enough right? Actually before I continue let me back up a step & tell you about our dinner date 2 weeks ago. We decided we'd go

zoned out

2010-12-14T04:02:00.000Z

Sorry I've been bad about updating this blog . . . I could give you lots of excuses like: I'm working a lot I go to the gym after work My sister got married I've been setting up for Christmas I'm exploring this new city I live in I was overwhelmed with the US mid-term election I've been visiting friend I've not seen in over 5 years in what little free time I have had I have nothing exciting to

Sunday Fun Day

2010-08-30T00:03:00.000+01:00

Today I was very busy! I woke up and after faffing about at home for awhile, I decided today would be a good day to re-plant some house plants I was given by a dear friend who is moving to California. So off I went to Home Depot, where I might add had what I wanted, but the employees were useless and rude! I went in looking for pots and came out with 6 pots and 5 new house plants. On my way

Just one of those days

2010-08-20T23:28:00.000+01:00

Ever have one of those days where no matter how much you do & how ahead of schedule you think you are, someone has to stop you & point out how far behind the eight ball you really are? Well that was one of my days this week . . . my solution? Ignoring them, until I couldn't stand it anymore & then ranting to a mate of mine, who probably couldn't care less, but thankfully never expressed his

A wise man once said

2010-08-09T03:31:00.002+01:00

The greatest danger for most of us in not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that our aim is too low & we reach it . . . Michelangelo

Ro Foley

2010-07-31T06:42:00.000+01:00

When I was about to start 3rd grade I switched school systems. Not that far geographically, but when you're that age, 2 towns away was the other end of the earth. Though looking back on it now I don't actually recall being upset by it (my parents might tell a different story). I do however remember the first day of class. I was assigned to sit next to a boy who had a broken wrist. I was put

America's Real Role Models & Heros

2010-07-22T03:51:00.001+01:00

When I was at Norwich Uni, I became friends with Christinas & just a few minutes ago I saw her FaceBook status saying: "I can not believe the news coverage being given to a spoiled 20 something year old. Here are a few 20 somethings worth knowing about....Justin Allen 23, Brett Linley 29, Matthew Weikert 29, Justus Bartett 27, Dave Santos 21, Chase Stanley 21, Jesse Reed 26, Matthew Johnson 21,

First Day at UMMS

2010-07-20T02:50:00.000+01:00

Started my job today at UMMS and it went really really well, until tonight when we got a tornado warning, which was a bit freaky, but luckily Uncle John called to warn me about it & 1.5 hours later it seemed to not be anywhere near me, but rather north & east of me. I think I need to go to sleep now cause it's nearly 10pm and I've gotta be at work at 8am!

The Move

2010-07-13T13:54:00.000+01:00

On Saturday, dad & I loaded up all the stuff which has been sitting in storage for the past 5 years and piled it into a 14' U-haul truck, with room to spare as we'd wanted the 10' truck but that wasn't available. On Sunday we left at 8am to drive down here. We arrived at 1.15pm. By 1.45pm the unloaders I'd hired had arrived and were ready to go. By 3pm it was all in my new flat & the fun of

After 5 months of travelling ATW, where I have been?

2010-07-04T15:37:00.000+01:00

USA Canada Costa Rica Bahamas England Scotland Wales Ireland Holland Denmark Sweden Germnay Belgium France Spain Italy Portulga Hungary Bulgaria Czech Republic Switzerland South Africa Kenya Rwanda Burundi Morocco Thailand Laos Vietnam Russia Vatican City Luxembourg Austria Slovakia Finland Estonia Greece India NEW ON THE LIST for 2010: Tanzania Malawi Zambia Botswana Australia Papua New Guinea

please refer to

2010-01-22T11:35:00.000Z

for the next 6 months I'll only be updating my travel blog, please come over & check it out: www.whereintheworldissaranow.blogspot.com cheers!

Newest Itafari Board Member

2010-01-16T21:29:00.001Z

I was asked to join the board for the Itafari Foundation today and I accepted :) so next week I have lots to do in Rwanda, checking on the cooperatives all around the country, I can't wait! So please check out, www.itafari.org to find out more about what we do in Rwanda, and if you feel so inclined maybe send us a donation!

Update on Countries Visited

2009-12-29T11:58:00.000Z

Here is the list of places I've been: America Canada Costa Rica Bahamas England Scotland Wales Ireland Holland Denmark Sweden Germnay Belgium France Spain Italy Portulga Hungary Bulgaria Czech Republic Switzerland South Africa Kenya Rwanda Burundi Morocco Thailand Laos Vietnam Russia Vatican City Luxembourg Austria Slovakia Finland Estonia Greece India Here is a list of NEW places I'm going in

New Blog updated

2009-12-22T13:59:00.002Z

Check it out!!!!!!

Igloo builiding

2009-12-22T13:58:00.000Z

No, we don't have enough snow here in London to build an igloo, but apparently in New Jersey there was! Check this out about half way down there's a video of the igloo making process . . . it makes me miss the snow a lot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This time next year I'll be enjoying it and I can't wait!

count down beginning

2009-12-22T11:45:00.000Z

Those of you who know me well, know I love to count down to my birthday & probably have been surprised I've not been giving you the monthly warnings/updates. This is in part because I've been so busy with other things and just haven't had the chance to actually sit down & count them all out, but today being my LAST day of work until I find a new job next summer (any time after July 1, 2010) I

funny!!!!

2009-12-15T16:24:00.000Z

Travel Blog

2009-12-13T16:13:00.004Z

So I've started a seperate blog for my ATW travels, check it out here or cut and paste this: http://whereintheworldissaranow.blogspot.com/ or you can find it on the side bar under "Where's Sara"

Do you think I'm crazy

2009-12-09T10:16:00.001Z