100 things about me - the traditional 100th post!

So here we are, at my 100th post on this blog of life. Wow. As tradition goes in the blog-o-sphere, after you have a certain amount of time invested in your blog and a certain amount of readers who follow you regularly, at a point they should know more about who you are and where you came from. Knowledge in context right? So that is where the tradition of a "100 things about me" post comes from on your 100th blog post. You would be surprised how difficult it was to think of that many things. Enjoy. Or browse the pictures and skip to the end :) Thank you for sticking with me through 100 posts so far! Feel free to comment at the end on things that surprised you or add your own thoughts to my list!

Chantelle

100 things about me

(some even my parents won't know!)

1. I am 32 years old
2. I am a Canadian citizen
3. I am Canadian but I don't like hockey.
4. I was born in Red Deer, Alberta.
5. Everytime I am away from Canada for a while and listen to the song "Alberta Bound" I get teary and get the urge to turn up the volume and sing along at the top of my lungs. You would be proud Paul Brandt.
6. I have a wonderful husband named Paul. He was one of my best friends for a few years before we started dating and we were married in 2000. (this is a scan of the laminated photo that Paul keeps in his toolbox, the only picture that came to Africa with us and the only one in digital format!)
   
7. When I lived in Djibouti, Africa I sent Paul a very long letter every Tuesday. Like book length long.
8. I have two wonderful children. Bennett is 3 ½ and Arielle is 2 ½
9. My daughter is adopted. My son is not. Yes I can still have my own children. We loved her and took her in not out of necessity, but out of our hearts.
10. Before we had Bennett, I had several miscarriages. I learned so much of God's comfort and presence during these times.
11. I have amazing parents who taught me morality, goodness, generosity and peacemaking. Not that I am always good at those, but they were great role models
12. I have one biological brother, and four sister-in-laws and two brother-in-laws and a set of in-law parents. I lucked out in the in-law department and genuinely like them all!
13. 
    My one sister-in-law and I have been known to take over Reitman’s dressing rooms and create havoc and laugh ourselves silly. Case in point below, while making ourselves look like tour guides from Disney’s safari ride.
    
14. I have had the same two best friends since Grade 4. They live in California and China.
15. My undergrad degree was from the University of Calgary, majoring in French and minoring in Comparative Religion. I graduated in 2000, but never went to my graduation.
16. I missed my graduation because I was on my honeymoon. Tough choice (not).
17. I always wondered what I could really do with a degree in french and religion. Now I live in a Francophone country and am a missionary and International Development worker.
18. I recently finished my Masters Degree in International Development from Tulane University in New Orleans.
19. I have never stepped foot in the actual school, and all my classes have been done from my home office via the Internet and correspondence and web conference, while working and having a family.
20. I worked really hard for 6 years on that degree, and graduated with honors (Summa cum laude) and a 3.863 GPA. I am proud of that accomplishment as it represents many hours and years of hard work. Without the support of Paul and family and friends I never could have done it.
21. I am not going to make it to that graduation ceremony either (May 9, 2009) for financial reasons. Not nearly as exciting as the reason I missed the first one!
22. I was close to my grandfather and when he died in 2001 I left a note in his pocket in the casket, promising to do my Masters Degree and make that education count in my life, as we had discussed many times before he died. This was important to him. I did it Grandpa. I know you would be so proud.
    
23. I fall under the astrological sign of Virgo but think that astrological/horoscope stuff is all a big load of bunk
24. I don’t actually use the word bunk much in real life
25. I really like good coffee.
26. I really like Dr. Pepper
    
27. Twice I went a whole year without drinking soda pop (1998 and 2007). For personal discipline reasons.
28. I prefer to drink my calories rather than eat them. Give me a fancy coffee over dessert anyday
29. I had laser eye surgery on one eye in March 2008. It went fantastic and I have better than 20/20 vision in both eyes now.
30. People used to think it was so very odd that I only wore one contact lens for 10 years. But my other eye had perfect vision, so why wear two? Maybe this was the eye my brother stabbed me in? (see #64)
31. I can roll my tongue and my r’s in french.
32. I am fluent in French and am now tackling the Tamasheq tribal language.
33. I have never been afraid of public speaking
34. I made a personal commitment to Jesus Christ when I was 16.
35. God combined my gift of compassion for the poor and my relationship with him to point me in the direction of working as a missionary and development worker in Africa.
36. I am now living out my dream job.
37. I am a big proponent of living out your dreams, and taking the jumps of faith to make them happen. Don't settle and sell your life short.
38. I have been drawn to Africa since I was a teenager. In my heart I don’t think I ever pursued going anywhere else.
39. I am a closet perfectionist, which often stresses me out in Africa as I try to reconcile that desire and the reality of Africa
40. I love to travel to places that are culturally, linguistically and visually very different that North America.
41. I have been to Canada, 40 of the USA states, France, Britain, Italy, Switzerland, Scotland, Germany, Djibouti, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Niger, Ecuador, Taiwan, Thailand, Japan and Cambodia. Only 178 countries left to visit. Yikes! Don't worry. I don't think I will ever visit most of them.
    
42. We have near future (I.e. in the next 5 years) plans to try and visit Dubai, China, Turkey and Greece. That would leave only 174 left to visit...
43. I am an INFJ in Myers Briggs (although the I (Introvert) isn’t too strong and sometimes I waft into the E (extrovert) side.
44. I feel strongly about injustice to those who have no opportunity, no chances, no help.
45. I love Social conscience movies like Beyond Borders, the Constant Gardener and Hotel Rwanda. I also love adventure movies like Indiana Jones and National Treasure.
46. When I was in Niger for a short trip in 2006 I got Dengue Fever. Not fun. I ended up in a Paris hospital however and I must say that the view of the top third of the Eiffel Tower from my hospital room was beautiful and we saw Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker live filming the movie "Rush Hour 3" just outside in the streets. Take the silver lining where you can find it folks!
47. I am not a big fan of television, and rarely watched it back home. Now we don't even have one, but I did upload the last season of Survivor and got some CSI seasons as gifts.
48. My favorite hobby has been photography since Junior High School. I’m rarely in photos since I am always the one taking them. In fact, the collection I put together for this post is probably the largest collection of pictures with me in it ever assembled. Except maybe my wedding album.
49. I have a photography blog too. (link at the right)
50. My secret freezer stash of things sent in care packages or people's suitcases consists of bacon, chocolate chips, jelly belly beans, dried cranberries, smarties, coffee and 2 ham shoulder roasts.
51. I never thought I would make it to the halfway point of this list. Go Me!
52. I like fresh watermelon. I hate things that are watermelon flavored. Same thing goes for mangoes.
53. I miss good BBQ steak, chicken drumsticks, broccoli and fresh milk. Powdered milk is awful.
54. I like to write lists. I am pretty sure I got that from my Mom. Look Mom - Number 54!
55. I really value good communication. I try very hard to be a good, constant communicator.
56. I hate sarcasm and think it’s the worst form of communicating with people. Drives me crazy.
57. I design and write a monthly newsletter on life in Niger.
58. I struggle with relationships where people are unwilling to be open and authentic.
59. I probably tend to swing too far to the other side sometimes and be too open and willing to share, and that might not always be really appropriate either.
60. I am blessed to have an amazing group of women from Canada that I am thrilled to call my good friends, who support me now even from across the world, and take care of me whenever I am around. For years we have celebrated the practice of open and authentic life together.
    
61. I miss being in close proximity to those wonderful women.
62. When I am really frustrated I cry. Not because I am sad, but because that's how the frustration gets out.
63. When I cry from heavy emotions, I get migraines. That's why everyone coming to the airport to see us off, crying, and then flying for two days with a migraine and two toddlers sounded like a really bad idea.
64. As a kid I once lied to my parents and told them that my brother stabbed me in the eye with the scissors. Since they were looking at me and it obviously wasn’t true, I don’t know what I was thinking. In my family, that line is often still brought up and laughed over.
    
65. As a teenage I took apart the dash of my parent’s car. The story of why is incriminating and I can’t repeat it on the web.
66. I loved to climb trees as a kid, often scaring my parents in the process. I was stubborn and independent and not afraid to try things.
67. I enjoy cooking for holidays or company, but don't like the reality of having to make supper for every night. Can't we just not eat for a few days? Thankfully Paul likes to cook too, so we don't starve.
68. I get nervous, but not afraid. So I can push myself into things that make me nervous or hesitant and remind myself to never live in fear, but in freedom.
69. I have high standards and big dreams. And I expect to get there. That's not always a good quality.
70. I have size 8 1/2 feet
71. I can wear flip flops 24/7 in Niger, but am going to need a massive pedicure when I get back to Canada.
72. I have naturally curly hair
73. It is less curly now after I was attacked by a homeless women in the subway in Paris when I lived in France in 1996. She threw a bottle of bleach all over my hair and clothes. Thankfully I turned my back just in time so she didn't get my face. My hair was never the same after that bleach.
    
74. I’m a light sleeper and wear customs moulded ear plugs most nights to block out the frogs, crickets, neighbors and fans. Also works to block out snoring husbands, calls to prayer, etc. I highly recommend them.
75. I have worn a long skirt for 95% of the time in the lasts 6 months. I actually don't like skirts all that much and prefer jeans and a tank top. Hazards of the job living in a predominantly Muslim country I guess.
    
76. I also haven't worn makeup for 95% of the last 6 months. It melts right off here in the desert, so why bother? And unlike the jeans and tank tops, I don't miss it much.
77. I am learning a lot about beauty here. I came from a culture where beauty, appearance, clothing, fashion and makeup are very important. Here, I wear long skirts, no makeup and not exactly fashionable outfits (in my opinion at least). God is teaching me a lot about where to get my acceptance, to worry less about what other people think, and more about refining who I am on the inside to be beautiful like the women of Proverbs 31.
78. I once had a "wardrobe malfunction" at a hotel in Las Vegas. Imagine the force of water from a waterfall in a pool and loose straps on a swimsuit top. I was thankful that I would likely never, ever, ever see any of those people ever again. Except my best friend, but she was too busy laughing at me.
79. I have an artistic bent where I like to create with my brain and own two hands. But don't ever expect me to draw or paint - I am awful! I am much better with a camera or computer to be artistic.
    
80. I find it amazing that 212 people are registered to receive my blog updates in their email inboxes. Wow. You are all awesome!! :) (If you aren't registered and are reading this - the link is in the top right of the page if you want to get these updates via email!)
81. I enjoy going 4x4ing. Is that a verb? I learned how to air down our tires, gear down, climb at crazy inclines and head off into the bush, and loved it all. Paul is a great teacher. We continue our 4x4 adventures here, this time in sand!
82. I am a pretty decent singer and have always wanted to teach myself guitar so I could self accompany. And I have visions of being out in the bush in villages at night and playing my guitar under a tree and talking with the people. I bought a guitar in May 2007, just before moving to Africa, and have been teaching myself ever since.
    
83. In general I am really organized
84. I am bad at remembering names.
85. My daughter threw up multiple times a day for over three months. Now thankfully it is just once a week or so. As a result of that, I am so used to vomit that it doesn’t even make me blink or phase me anymore.
86. I really enjoy geocaching. I have found 113 to date. Being in Niger is hampering my progress in that area since there are none here almost. If you don’t know what it is, go check out http://www.geocaching.com/
87. I don't like to run, but I wish I did. Maybe its the nerve damage I suffer from when I had Bennett, or maybe its just that I don't like running outside. I prefer the treadmill strangely enough. I like the gym, I really do!
88. I do like to mountain bike. This really is me below in the picture. I know, I’m going so fast you can’t tell. My bike was stolen from our third floor, stairless balcony while we were in Quebec for language study, so now I have no bike to ride.
    
89. I like the idea of getting up at dawn and starting the day early, but the reality is what I can’t quite manage.
90. I hate dirty floors and they really bug me, but I don't care if I pile my stuff up on the counters. My husband is the exact opposite
91. In Niger I never touch a debit card or a credit card and I share a single bank account with 7 other adults that I am not related to.
92. I am really enjoying getting to know all the local women around me where we live. I love spending time with them and talking about kids, culture, God and language. Sometimes we have language barriers to cross in actually understanding each other, but these women are already precious to me and I can't wait to continue getting to know them better and be a part of their lives.
    
93. Strong and close relationships, especially with women, are really important to me. I have found it hard to move to another continent and lose what I had, but in that I am also learning a lot about myself as I work to create new relationships like that here in Niger. Starting from scratch as it would seem.
94. I have a tendency to tell it like it is and be blunt and I hate "covering up issues" or pretending they don't exist. I want people to be aware when issues are there and tackle them head on. The part I am still working on is how to do so that the people know it is because I love them and am graceful, while still achieving the same objective of not being content to leave things, people and relationships in "broken" condition. Why should we settle for negative feelings, bad relationships and hidden hurts? I respect people who are the same way and are upfront and honest. This applies to when I have messed something up too, that way I can apologize and learn from it. I want the best in my relationships and I am willing to fight for it.
95. I freeze my flour and sugar for at least 24 hours before using it here. You know….killing worms and bugs is probably a good thing before baking.
96. Paul thinks I am a control freak sometimes when it comes to certain matters. I disagree and will beat him into submission so I can regain control.
97. I like praise and worship music, country music, jazz and a smattering of assorted other artists that I can't really bulk into one genre.
98. I am a reflection of everything I have learned and seen until this point. A product of my parents, my society, my intellect, my faith and my searchings. I desire to grow and change what that reflection looks like because I know that one day my children will reflect what they learned from me.
    
99. I am on a path with God. He is in the shadows of my day alongside me, and in the bright light when I need his presence the most. My prayer is that I would be faithful and bold to the end of my days, and until then that I would be willing to go anywhere, bear any burden, and recommit all to Him afresh each day.
100. Even today, I am being transformed more and more into the person God intends me to be. What a fantastic journey to be on.

Christmas in Niger

Our First Christmas here in Niger.
In many ways we have been trying to figure out how it all works here, what they do here to celebrate (if anything at all) and how to set up our own new customs and ways to celebrate. I have been thinking often about how similar where I live must have been to the time and place where Jesus was born.
My co-workers Ace must have been thinking the same thing since he wrote a post about similar thoughts :) Here we are surrounded by dust, there are sheep, goats, cow and yes, even donkey, around us in the streets. It doesnt take much of a stretch of the imagination to picture a veiled young Mary riding a donkey, giving birth in a dusty, hay covered manger, the stars in the sky, the visitors etc.
The Christmas story comes alive living here in Niger.

We had so many opportunities to love our neighbors, share our lives and reason for being here, and to bless others, to look outside ourselves and focus on others in wonderful way that blessed us many times over.



The Sunday before Christmas our church had an outdoor carols service with live animals mixed in. Sitting amongst all the candles was beautiful, and the kids loved it.





The days of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day found us out of the house a lot visiting people. These are of course days when we are completely allowed to relax, spend time at home with family and focus on our time together and celebrating together, eating goodies, etc. It is a holiday day for us. However, we felt strongly that this day was also a unique and special day to share with our Nigerien friends, to tell them about Christmas (both the north american culture and what we do for it and the bible story of the birth of Jesus and the reason he came to earth as a baby). So we choose to dress up African and spend our days with our Nigerian friends, bringing gifts of fruit, tea and sugar, and the kids choose toys to give to all the other kids.

Ismaguils House and family

First we went to the hut of our night guard Ismaguil and his extended family. We had a wonderful time sitting with his wife and kids, uncles, etc.

The toys that our kids presented to their new African friends were a big hit, especially with the young ones!





Ismaguils wife and Arielle hit it off really well!



The Uncles and brothers who were there were very hospitable and did some translating while I worked to speak in Tamasheq with the women.







Visiting Sidimou's house

While Sidimou's immediate family is out in the bush so his wife can give birth to their first child (tradition dictates they go back to their families village for their first child) we still visited had tea, and spoke with his neices and nephews and cousins.

NEWS FLASH!! Just after I posted this we got a call saying his wife had the baby! So they have a new little boy, please pray for his health and that they would be strong enough to return to the big city soon!

Once again, for my kids, the goats were the stars of the show!



I love this picture of Bennett snuggling a baby goat. He was cooing to the baby goat and being so gentle (of course after he chased them around for a while!)



Paul sharing tea



Visiting Mohammed and family

Mohammed and his family welcomed us into their little cement home a few kilometres from our house. The kids played together in the room while the adults finished watching the JESUS FILM on National television that had been translated into Zarma. Wow. I surely hadn't expected to see that! It led to great opportunities to talk.








Bennett had fun using a rock to smash cinder block and show us how strong he is! Scary to think that a 3 year old can easily smash the bricks they build houses out of!


Their new friend Laila



And finally, just so you didn't think we missed out, here is a look at the "Boxing Day" sales in Niger! Yes, this is a stand selling used WINTER JACKETS. You see, it gets down to a chilly 20-23 degrees celsius outside at night. Wow...how do they live and not freeze ;) So you wonder where all those winter jackets that you donate to organizations goes? Some of them end up here. I even saw some with their Value Village price tags still attached!! So I hope you enjoyed all your boxing day sales! Personally I didnt miss the shopping, the gifts, the hustle and money and media fighting for our spending dollars. A different Christmas, but wonderful in many ways!

Hitting the boxing day sales



We pray that this Christmas was wonderful for all of you, no matter where you found yourselves. Thank you for being part of our journey and support team!

Paul parents come for an early Christmas!

This post is a few weeks late due to the holidays and life in general, but I didn't want to lose the opportunity to post a little commentary and some pictures from the visit we had with Paul's parents. They live in Dubai and came to visit us for 10 days early Dececmber. While Niger may not be the tourist destination of choice for many people, we have such unique opportunities to share the people we know, villages, culture, food and experiences with the people who visit us. A wonderful early Christmas gift to us and the kids to have Roger and Bev come visit.


Sharing an early Christmas together



Paul and his Dad


Arielle looking beautiful in her Christmas ribbon




They arrived just days before Tabaski, a Muslim celebration where every household will sacrific sheeps. It was almost surreal to drive around and see dead sheep everywhere, heads, guts, kids playing with lungs, etc. Yuck. The smell hung around for days, and we got fresh leg of lamb, which we slow roasted with marinade and it was yummy!! But here are the common sights from that day




We also went out of town and visited friends and also went to two Tamasheq villages, The whole family really enjoyed our time there. Here is Mom enjoying some of the local children.



We enjoyed a picnic overlooking the plains and volcanic rock and scrub below us. A great photo op for mom and dad!



Mom and I had a project while she was here- to recover our big stuffed chair we brought to keep the dust from wrecking it. Here is the final product. Thanks for the help mom!



We had many adventures in markets, here is Mom looking at fabric in this crazy shop with tons of different colors and patterns.



Bennett playing around and climbing trees


One of our last days we went out of town to one of the world's last large natural giraffe reserves. They have 205 giraffes in the wild that are protected and you can go visit. You hire a guide who rides on your roof and takes you to the last place they were seen and you drive around looking for them. We saw over 40 giraffes that day, in multiple family units, even twins! An amazing experience!!

Bennett on the roof truck (dont worry we were stopped!) looking for the giraffes)









For more giraffe photos, you can see them at this link on my photography blog:

http://photographybychantelle.blogspot.com/2008/12/giraffes.html