Top 12 in 2012

As 2012 comes to an end, I've been thinking a lot lately how much has changed in my life this year, how many blessings I've received and how excited I am for 2013.  In light of the new year I thought I'd do a countdown of sorts honoring my favorite memories and events from this past year.  Happy 2013!

12. Friends

The constant influx and outflow of people is something you have to get used to here.  People come for a few months or a few years and then set off for the next place.  The beauty of this is there is always people around to do activities with and get together for dinner.  The obvious down fall is that nothing is guaranteed   You always have to be prepared to say goodbye and sometimes that's pretty hard.  This makes my list because, despite the goodbyes, you can't beat the memories we have made with our friends here.  We have gone on adventures in the National parks and just hung out on a lazy Sunday.  We play Frisbee in the park and head out to a local restaurant on Wednesday evenings.  We complain about the lack of resources in Kisumu and marvel over the beauty of the quietness of this fishing town.  We make the most of out time here and forget about that thing called leaving.

Elise and I.  We miss her terribly!

11. Rusinga Island

In May Josh and I went to Rusinga Island, a small island near Mbita.  You can read more about our trip here.  We basically needed a few days away from it all and jumped at the opportunity to check out this local lake resort.  This trip is one of my favorites from this year because all I remember is getting to relax with Josh and enjoy his company.  I feel like sometimes we take for granted time that its just the two of us.  We got to enjoy amazing food, a beautiful sunset on the water, check out some cave art and watch Josh water ski.  I'd love to get back out here before we leave!

Overlooking Lake Victoria

10. Ultimate Frisbee Tournament

Over Easter a group of us headed to Tiwi Beach on the South Coast to participate in the East Africa Frisbee Sand Tournament.  We spent two days playing teams from Nairobi, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, South Sudan and Ethopia.  We had a blast getting to know the other teams and learning more about the sport.  Here is a little more about our adventure.  I'm hoping 2013 will bring another tournament and maybe this year we'll do a little better than our 10th place finish :)

Kisumu Team

9. Aberdares Trip

Instead of going into all the details of this trip, I recommend you read about it in this post.  The Aberdares was a test of our patience and creativity in getting out of a few tight situations.  We managed to get the car stuck, get it unstuck in the middle of a downpour, get rained out of our campsite and have to get the car serviced all in one trip.  We also saw an environment we had never seen before, explored some amazing waterfalls and saw a ton of antelope, many of which came right up to our campsite.  The Aberdares were breathtaking and despite the trials of the trip it still makes my list.

Us trying to capture the waterfall in the background

8. Continuing to Work for KEMRI/CDC

2012 marks the last year of my time with CDC.  Its been a great experience filled with challenges and trimphs.  It has been such a blessing to have had this opportunity straight out of grad-school.  I know the lessons I have learned will only benifit me in the future as I begin my career.  I am so thankful to the staff here who not only allowed me to come back but have made me feel so welcome at every turn.  Its bittersweet to leave at the end of this year but I know I am only off to bigger and better things!

The view from my office.

7. July in the USA

This July we headed back to the states to finish up a few wedding things and be a part of my friend Mal's wedding.  Although busy, July makes my list because it was a lot of fun to run around and do wedding things with my mom.  Before then all of our wedding planning had been online and July was the first time we were able to do things in person.  We bought my dress, met with the DJ, ordered flowers, bought rings and selected tuxes.  We also got to fit in some fun time as well.  My mom and I headed north to do some shopping and I went into Chicago to meet up with friends and attend my amazing bachelorette party.  Our time in the states is always pretty short and packed with visits and errands and sometimes I'm a little relieved to head back to Kenya.  Despite the craziness that comes with US visits, I wouldn't trade them for the world.

Arthi and I at my bachelorette Party

6. Engagement

Josh and I got engaged on February 6, 2012 on a small island off the coast of Zanzibar.  We spent the day snorkeling and being lazy on the beach.  After watching the sun go down we headed over to a table where "Jennifer heart Joshua Forever in love.  He got down on one knee and I said yes.  Find the details here.

5. Mal's Wedding

Mal's wedding makes my list as I was so excited to be a part of it.  Living half-way around the world from my friends has its disadvantages but its days like this day that make up for it.  Josh and I celebrated with Mal and Patrick as they started their lives together.  It was a beautiful ceremony followed by an even better reception.  The best part of the day was seeing how happy they were to be starting their lives together.

Aren't they cute?

4. Trip to Zanzibar

In February, Josh and I took a two week vacation to Zanzibar.  We spent our time exploring Stonetown, diving the Mnemba Atoll, relaxing on the beach in Pemba, and exploring the forest in the South.  We sampled fruit and spices on a spice plantation and ate as much fresh seafood as we possibly could.  This trip was the first large vacation we took together and the first that we were able to do some serious diving.  (We also got engaged on this trip).  Zanzibar holds a special place in our hearts and although we won't likely visit again soon, we will always remember our time there.

Dressed in our banana leaf attire.

3. Our First Christmas

This Christmas Josh and I decided to get out of Kisumu and do something fun.  We headed to Uganda to go paragliding and white water rafting.  Despite my nerves over both activities, I had a blast.  Usually I'm all about Christmas traditions but it was nice to get out of the norm so to speak.  The best part of the actual day was watching the sunset over the Nile river and enjoying a delicious dinner together.  This first Christmas as a married couple is always going to be really special to me!

Going over one of the rapids

2. Thanksgiving in the USA

This year we were able to celebrate Thanksgiving in the US with both my parents and Josh's.  It was such a special time for us because it was the first time that all of the parents got to meet.  With the wedding around the corner, it was such a blessing to be able to relax over the holiday and share a meal with everyone.  I loved getting in the kitchen with my mom and helping her make some of our favorite dishes.  Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday and I was so happy to be able to spend it with family.

At a small coffee shop enjoying the morning with Josh's parents

1. Marrying my Best Friend

By far, without any doubt, my top memory this year is getting to marry my best friend.  2012 will always be the year where we took that next step and decided on forever.  The day was filled with so much joy from the very beginning.  Family and friends flew in from all over the world to share with us.  We got to spend some quite time with them before the ceremony and then some time just the two of us taking pictures.  The rest of the evening was filled with vows, celebration and dancing.  Looking back on the day I wouldn't change
anything.  It was not only the best memory of 2012 but was one of the greatest days of my life.  Here's to many many many :) more years of happiness!  Love you forever!

Lighting the Unity Candle

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Happy Birthday Dad!  Wish we could be there to celebrate with you.  Love you!

Weekend Wrap-up

This weekend we had a great time hanging out with friends and relaxing around the house.  Saturday Josh and I headed into town to pick up a few groceries and run some errands.  We needed some meat for a BBQ on Sunday and some missing ingredients for the marinade.  At home we whipped together the food and threw it in the fridge for the party.  After a game of Settlers of Catan (Josh got the upper hand) and a quick workout, we headed to the pool to meet up with friends.

Normally we don't go to the pool at Nyanza Club but today it was perfect.  The weather is starting to get pretty hot so it was really refreshing to get into the chilly water.  From the pool we headed over to their house to hang out and check out their recent changes to the backyard.  Its really amazing what they have done with what was a blank slate.  They have a huge garden, beautiful terraced planting beds, a fire pit and a very large tiki bar! We had a blast jumping on the trampoline with their 4-year old son and sitting outside into the night just chatting with them.

On Sunday we slept in (a lot) then spent some time doing our Jesse Tree devotionals.  We still haven't caught up but we're getting there.  I was feeling a bit restless so I went down stairs and put together a few side dishes for a BBQ we were headed to later that day.  Before we knew it, it was time to go and we headed up to the rooftop for dinner and an amazing sunset.  You really can't beat the sunsets in Kisumu even with all the hyasin floating in the lake.

We spent the rest of the night relaxing on the roof and enjoying the company of good friends.  It really was a great weekend especially with the holiday weekend around the corner.  (When did Christmas get to be 8 days away?) Next weekend we're hoping to get out of town.

We have a few options, the main one being Uganda but right now we are at the mercy of the Kenyan immigration services.  They have my passport and are supposed to be issuing me a new visa.  IF we get it back before the end of the week we are Uganda bound....If not we'll be spending the holiday somewhere else in Kenya.  Either way its going to be great.  I'm really excited for our first holiday together as a married couple!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

Ok so maybe not so much...BUT we're doing our best to bring a little Christmas spirit both into our hearts and our home.  As for our heart, Josh and I decided that we wanted to do the Jesse Tree this year to focus on the true meaning of Christmas.  Josh's parents gave us a book and thus far we are really enjoying it.  We don't have the tree or ornaments to go with it but we are enjoying going through the scripture and the devotions.  Its fun to start a new tradition like this (see my thing with traditions here) and hopefully by next year we will have a cute tree to go with it.

As for the home, our original plan was to get a small Christmas tree and decorate it with the ornaments I made.  After scoping out the tree situation at Nakumaut, we decided that the tree just wasn't worth the money.  Call us cheap but $20 for a 3 foot contraption of wires and some fake pine needles isn't my idea of a deal.  We did end up leaving with some garland, tinsel and a strand of Christmas lights.  The new plan = getting some kind of real tree whether it be a palm tree, cyprus, etc.  A few weeks later we still have no tree but decided that we would decorate the house with what we have.  Here's our little touch of Christmas on the Equator!

Garland decorating our stairwell

Lights in the kitchen

Work = One More Week

It seems a little unreal to me that as I write this I only have one more week left at work.  As I have mentioned numerous times, my contract with KEMRI/CDC-Kenya expires at the end of this month.  With the Christmas holidays around the corner it seems that the end date has crept up even more.  The holidays have made the day to day around the office quite slow but I have still managed to finish up a few large projects.  My main goal was to complete one final year end report which I am still waiting on the data team to deliver.  I am also really excited to have completed the IRB renewal paperwork for next year.  All that's left is to submit it and hope the ERC is a bit faster than they were last year.

Next week I am hoping to get out to the field one last time.  However a nurses strike is paralyzing the medical system in Kenya and its likely the hospital will close before the end of the week.  From there its just a countdown till the end.

I am so thankful to have this experience.  I never thought in my wildest dream that CDC would allow me to come back yet alone start this project from the ground up.  I have learned so many lessons in management, study design and analysis.  I cannot express how grateful I am for the challenge!  I know that this experience is going to serve me well as I move forward with my career and am excited for what the future holds.

Thank you KEMRI/CDC-Kenya for two amazing years!

Workout Update

I am proud to say that NO I haven't fallen off the wagon.  I met my goal and was able to finish Jillian Michael's 30 day shred before leaving Kisumu for the wedding.  With all the traveling and visiting, I didn't find time to workout till about a week later.  During this time I was trying to figure out exactly how I was going to go about the program again.  Did I just start from the beginning or should I do two of the workouts each day?

Finally I decided that instead of sticking with the shred and possibly getting bored of it, it might be best to find another one of her DVDs.  Jillian Michael's has a many videos with similar methodology so I thought any one of those would be good for me.  I ended up choosing her "Ripped in 30" video and did the first week before the wedding.  Again with all the wedding details, I didn't get much time to work out leading up to the big day.

Now that we are back in Kenya I want to dive right back in.  I've started on week 2 of the ripped and really enjoy it.  I'm not seeing the drastic results I did with the shred but I am finding it easy to maintain my new weight, which is key.  I know I said before it wasn't a huge priority to me to loose weight but now I see what the drop in pounds translated to my body (flatter abs, more defined muscles).  I am still trying to modify my diet a bit.  I'm finding it hard to change my lunch habits as we are really confined to what is served at the cantine.  Although I complain this could be easily fixed by simply packing my own lunch.  I however am a bit lazy in the mornings and enjoy my sleep...

So I'll keep at it and hopefully I keep seeing results.  It was really great motivation to get so many nice compliments at the wedding.  It pushes me to keep at it!

The Wedding: A Picture Post

Because there's so many I want to share....(and these aren't even the professional photos yet)

The Wedding: Brunch

The day after the wedding we had a small brunch for family and the bridal party.  Originally I wasn't too excited about this idea but am now so thankful to my mom for talking me into it.  With all the commotion of the wedding we were finally able to sit down and chat.  We didn't feel rushed to keep moving and keep mingling.

The morning after.  We look a tad bit tired.

The brunch is also where we had our second ceremony.  We officially signed the marriage certificate (oops forgot to do that the day before).  Although seemingly simple, I would suggest that LaSalle County put some tabs on that document or something.  A tad bit confusing on who signs where...

Family at the brunch

As with everything at Starved Rock that weekend, the food was awesome.  I forget how nice it is to enjoy breakfast in the states.  Here in Kenya the breakfast menu is just not the same.  We had biscuits and gravy, eggs, french toast, fruit, coffee, orange juice....mmmmm I'm still drooling over it.

Family and Friends at the Brunch

After more goodbyes, Josh and I headed off to the courthouse to have the license certified.  We needed this asap to do all the necessary military paperwork the next day.  Finally we got to head back to my parents and open up some gifts with both sets of parents.

The official paperwork

The next few days flew as we finished up the last of the paperwork, drove Josh's parents to the bus station, packed and prepared to fly back.  Here we are a week or so later back in Kenya and back to work.  Our wedding was such a great day filled with love, family and friends.  We feel so blessed to have had so many people travel from all around the US and the world (Hee came from Germany!) to be with us.  Our only regret is not getting to spent more time with all!

The Wedding: Ceremony & Reception

As I've said before the wedding day was a bit of a blur to me.  I tried to step back and enjoy each and every moment but it was honestly super tough.  We were constantly making the rounds and visiting friends.  Then hitting up the dance floor then stopping for a beverage or two.

Josh and Dave wait patiently for me at the alter

A prayer is said

Lighting the unity candle

The ceremony was by far my favorite part.  I can't even describe the feeling of walking down the aisle on my dad's arm.  I kept thinking, "Oh my gosh.  This is really happening.  Oh my gosh.".  I remember the way Josh looked at me when he said his vows and how I desperately tried not to cry through mine.  Before we knew it, the unity candle was lit and we were Mr. & Mrs!  In all the excitement I totally forgot my bouquet.  Thankfully I had an amazing MOH who carried both up the aisle.  

Trying not to cry during my vows

First kiss as a married couple!

Mr. & Mrs. Joshua Bast

We headed back into the cocktail hour room and were able to greet all of our guests.  Although we didn't originally plan on a receiving line it kind of happened and we were thankful.  It gave us at least one moment to say hello to everyone and give out hugs.  I wish I would have taken out the veil first though.  The hugs were great but people tended to also tug on the tulle.  Not a great combination.  The rest of the cocktail hour we spent making the rounds and saying hi to everyone.  I was lucky to get a drink although I didn't even taste the appetizers.

Our yummy cake

Our "alter"

Then we were on to the reception!  Cutting the cake was an experience with Josh's saber.  The initial cuts went fine but then we couldn't get it out.  Luckily I have a smart husband who proceeded to use the saber to cut the rest of the piece out.  We were kind and didn't smash the cake in each others faces.  More so I avoided Josh's attempts too!  The crying continued with Arthi and Caleb's speeches.  Arthi had me going with all the stories and memories of our time in Michigan.  She had things in there I didn't even remember!  Caleb blessed everyone with his speech bringing the Lord into the day and reminding everyone that we owe Him for it.  We even had an unannounced visitor at the reception when a curious raccoon showed up just outside the window and proceeded to hang out there for most of the night.  Josh's nephew wanted to open the door.  I said, "Let's not." 

Our visitor at the reception

Josh welcomes everyone

After an amazing dinner we were ushered back into the cocktail room for our first dance.  This was the one other moment the entire day where I just felt like it was Josh and I.  I can count the number of times we've slow danced on one hand but it was really nice to have that moment with him.  My dad was brought in for the father/daughter and proceeded to make me bawl.  No dad I don't think this was the moment to look at me the way you did and to say all those nice things.  Yes I was honored but I also probably look lovely in all the photos.  ;-)

Daddy/daughter dance

Where's the garter?

Next Josh got to dance with his mom who was surprised by the upbeat song he chose.  Its one of the sweetest moments as a wife to watch your husband dance with his mom.  I got a great guy!  After a few more specialty dances including the anniversary dance, dollar dance and the bridal party dance the floor was opened.  The kids especially loved to twirl around and around the dance floor with Josh and I.  Our niece Ani was always running up to me whenever I was free to dance.  I'm not sure how well I did with my huge dress but I tried.  

Spinning around the dance floor with Ani

Mom & Dad share a sweet moment

Before we knew it the night was over.  Family was headed home and we were saying goodbye to friends.  Even though it was great to see everyone, its so hard to say hello and goodbye in the course of a day but we are grateful that everyone who came was there.