The Birth of a Speed Bump

Oh, the soothing sound of a jack hammer on a Saturday morning. Ha ha ha. Not really, this country girl loves a nice quiet morning, but the racket outside got me thinking. Early this week I started blogging in my head again....so here is my attempt at capturing that here! I do not think that I have blogged about traffic in a long while. I think the last one was something about how it is a bit like playing the video game Frogger ( that may have been from our time in Niger?). That is still the case, but traffic is becoming a bit more challenging the longer we live here. Still U Turns galore, drivers backing out into traffic, interesting choices by drivers, rude taxis and well, just lots of issues...more cars on the road and general confusion about basic traffic rules. I am not pointing the finger because I have done all of these things! The longer I am here the more I figure out and go with the flow. Some days I can just shake my head and laugh and other days, it is best for me to stay home. But today, I want to focus on the newest development outside my gate. The Speed Bump or Speed Hump as they call it here (or my as my British neighbor calls it, the silent police).

We live a in a large gated community with nice flat roads. Over the last month, our roads have speed bumps appearing. When I leave my gate to travel to the exit that I use to go to  the hospital, I travel over 13 bumps before making it to the main road! Why so many you ask? Well, it is my theory that the current situation on the roads is soooo frustrating to most people that when they get on to a freed up and flat road, they put the pedal to the metal and rip. You just want to press the gas and go go go. And they do. I was actually happy that we were getting 3 new bumps right close to the house as people speed quite fast past our home. It can be an irritant to be honked at every time I am backing out of my carport. We live on the road that the gym is located on, so there is a good bit of traffic coming and going. The speed limit in our development is 30 kilometers per hour....which to my North American friends is 18.64 mph...SLOW! Kinda like a school zone! That is also the limit on most city roads and depending where you are driving you can go a bit faster, but the limit is not monitored within our development like it can be in the city. So, as the traffic has gotten worse and things have become more congested, I have noticed the rate of speed just in front of our house has increased.

This week, they started constructing the small bump/hump in front of the house. It is quite the project. I was conducting surveillance of the workers from my upstairs bathroom window. Weird? Maybe? But nonetheless, some of you may enjoy this.....

 Such a process. Jack hammer...carve the foundation, mix the cement, measure, pour, dry, barricade and  paint. One side then a few days to dry out then the other. I was a bit happy to see one going in to slow people down. Guess I am showing my age......I want to holler at people and shake my fist telling them that someone is going to get run over!!  Looking at this bump, I am not sure it is big enough  to do any kind of job AND the paint is already peeling off the side they painted! Now people come by, get over the bump, rev their engine and take off again.

Oh well, not sure there is anything very wonderful about this post? Just seemed like a noteworthy happening this week.  I am thankful to live in a beautiful development with people who are trying to keep it a safe environment. People who care are something wonderful.

Malagos Beauty

Yesterday, I was in search of birds, butterflies, orchids & chocolate. 

Boy did I get it! And so much more...you'll have to ask me about the wonderful grilled tuna for lunch! But let's not talk food this time. So nice to get out of town and into nature.  Here I am hanging out on some over-sized chairs in a shady "plant dome". What a gorgeous day.

Malagos is a beautiful place full of interesting flora & fauna. I was thrilled to get the chance to feed African love birds ....

  to smell the sweet smells of Malagos Chocolate.  When we visited the Philippines 1st Chocolate Museum, I was reminded of Hershey Chocolate World (a cherished childhood haunt). 

You know me, I am always up for a butterfly garden..... They were even flying to me & hanging out on my knees & hands, I loved it. Look closely you will see that the second butterfly shot is a bit weird. (Hint, look for some extra white legs). Check out my other photos to see why, hmmmm.

 & snapping pics of an orchid or two or three or more.  

If you would like to check out all of my shots, click here! There are some other treasures in the album!! Oh, I even got up close & personal with  a caribou.

God's amazing creation continues to wow me.....being refreshed by nature is something quite wonderful to me. I am so thankful for new places to explore.

"I miss being a kid...."

Ben's 1st week of his freshman year of college, one reflection stood out. "I miss being a kid."

Me too. I miss him being a kid not lying, I miss being a kid. Ha ha ha. I have been pondering this.

Recently, I have been puppy sitting for a friend. I was just noticing the other day how it is much like having a toddler around the house...puppy proofing things, cleaning up multiple messes, encouraging him to eat the right things, keeping sticks and stones out of his mouth, constant praise for the little things like peeing outside or bringing me a toy, constant energy, eyes on me at ALL times (private times as well...toilet/shower) and then oh no, when puppy is out of sight I better go and find the little bugger because he is usually up to mischief or pooping in a secret location.

So, I was thinking of the stages of kids growing up. It has been quite a few years since having a toddler around and man are those some special memories. Many times  I will hear kids say that they want to grow up and look forward to future activities that are for "big kids". Looking forward to the next school year and wanting to be taller, wanting to have new and different privileges. But now my kids are  "big kids". This did not happen overnight but sure felt like it did. Each stage has its challenges for sure, but such sweet reward. I just keep on thinking, don't wish any stage or phase of life away. There are new things to experience and be learned. Technically a kid is a child or young person. What is young exactly?

So what was Ben referring to? Does he still want to be a child? It can be nice having the basics of your life cared for by a parent or guardian. Hmmm, I think he was probably referring to the responsibilities: adulting. As prepared as you think you are it  can be overwhelming. Hmmm, that dirty laundry does not magically  escape from the basket only to be returned smelling fresh and neatly folded. Bills need to be paid, realizing how much things cost, making a schedule, getting things done, working, and living with a new community of people. The list goes on. I can understand the overwhelming feeling of feeling the responsibility for it all. I think that is what he was referring to? Because he is still playing....just differently (volleyball, video games) he is still being fed and has clothes to wear.  The difference is that he is making the choices for himself. Although he is no longer finding new friends at the park while playing in the sandbox, he is still finding new friends. So much of how he was a a little kid has remained with him. Really the basics of facing life. Making wise choices, valuing people, learning new things,  even taking risks. He may not be able to see it, but I do.


Moving away home may be one of the most significant milestones in growing up. There are many new responsibilities and I am seeing my boys figure this new role out....but in reality they will always be kids to me. I love how our family really values making each other laugh and enjoy something. We have a group chat going now for  a second year. Funny little videos, little updates on life and just a sense of connectedness. One of my favorite things about my kids, is the little chats here and there. They will come find me or I will find them, so this group chat is how we stay close while far away.

I love that my kids are still childlike and joke, tease, play and have fun. Wow, I am still a kid at heart too. I do not always jump into new situations and often access something as too hard. But when I do, I find quite the reward when I take the chance often times finding treasures beyond what I expect. Sometimes I like to have people make choices for me and take care of me. But there is a satisfaction of having the responsibility and choices of a grown up life. But growing up happens. So to you Ben, still enjoy being a kid...cause you still are, just a bigger one! You will make it and learn all sorts of t hings you never imagined and continue to call me with all of your laundry queries. You are doing marvelous! Kids of all ages (0-110)  are certainly something wonderful.