Whole New Chapter

Been far too long since my last blog.

When I came on here I thought it was time for a change;

A new photo, a new layout, a new chapter of my life...

But am I really ready to move on?

Someone very wise once told me

 'It it's in your heart, you'll never leave it behind'

This may be true but it doesn't make it any easier to move on...

I mean, what can possibly compare to my last life chapter?

Ok so here it is, my official confession 

that I'm finding this chapter the hardest;

- New flat, friends and lifestyle

- Leaving behind family and friends

- Being double the distance away from Iain

- Being landed with so much responsibility all at once

And that's before I even mention the workload.

But really I should just be grateful 

I have the support I need to even have this opportunity,

It will all be worth it in the end.

In the scale of things, what's three years of your life.. 

Nothing, right?

Lx

Life As We Know It...

Instead of writing a general blog

 About feelings, issues or opinions.

 I thought I would take this opportunity to explain

 Just exactly what's going on in my life at the moment and how i got here.

In 2010 I became a leaver from EHS with the intention of studying teaching at University.

Oh how things have changed....

After months of trailing through University Prospectus and Applying for Jobs

 I found inspiration from someone a bit closer to home (Selkirk!)

 I realised that I wasn't ready for Uni and 

I wasn't ready to commit the rest of my life at the click of a UCAS offer. 

So as you all know I left for Rwanda and it was the best decision I have EVER made. 

While in Rwanda I had A LOT of time:

 To learn to appreciate the smaller things in life

To grow as an individual & take care of myself

And to think things over.... and over and over.

With this time I realised that Teaching was not for me,

 I didn't like the idea of barely bonding with a child and the strict professional relationship.

 Anyone who knows me well enough will appreciate the heart I have for helping others,

 It is a great passion of mine and one I want to be able to tie in with a career.

After months of searching and changing my mind I found the perfect course for me; Child Nursing.

This allows me to combine working with children and helping others into one amazing job. 

A few interviews later I was 1 Conditional and 1 Unconditional closer to achieving that goal,

But Napier or Aberdeen...

After weeks of thinking, many pros and cons lists and many opinions later 

I decided to combine MY heart and MY head and accept RGU Aberdeen. 

So now all the hard decisions are made and I am back to reality:

Continuing my job at the Coop in Melrose

Enjoying the time left in the Borders with great family and friends

Loving every minute I spend together with my fantastic boyfriend 

And reflecting on all the right decisions I have made 

Rather then dwelling on the wrong ones.

Now, for the first time ever, I have a plan,

And not just any plan, one I am happy with...

Now that's pretty amazing right?

Lx

Happy Happy Happy

What if...?

'What if'

I mean how many times in your life do u think, say or ask: 

What if?

Isn't it crazy that one tiny insignificant 'what if' could completely change your life...

I mean what if i didn't go to Rwanda...

 I would of worked in the coop for 3 months, 

Yeah I would have been a couple thousand pound richer

 But no amount of money could replace that experience.

What if my parents were still together,

Would of avoided a lot of challenging situations

But I wouldn't have the extended family I do now.

What if I went to University last year to do Primary Teaching
Yeah I would be a year into a degree
But I would be a  year into the wrong degree.

What if Russell, Cameron or Lexie weren't here?
What if Lisa didn't move here in primary 5?
What if Iain didn't start emailing me?

So many questions and possibilities,
So many things that could have changed....
But I wouldn't want it any other way.

Life is full of so many 'what ifs' 
And sometimes its better just to take everyday as it comes 
Because, at the end of the day, life's just too short. 
Don't you think?

Lx

Until next time Rwanda....

So as we speak I am sitting in Kigali Airport, Rwanda.

Either; 3 months, 12 weeks, 90 days, 2160 hours or a whole lot of unforgettable memories.

Some doubted my decisions, some didn’t understand and some just didn’t listen

But now I can truly say with all of my heart – it was all 100% worth it.

Firstly I want to thank everyone who made this dream possible,

If it wasn’t for all your support I wouldn’t have made it.
Rwanda and its inspiring people are now a part of my life that I will always remember,

And for that I am eternally grateful.

Secondly I want to thank everyone at the YWAM base...

Life with you there as friends, as family, as servants – it was unforgettable.

Every one of you have been a blessing to meet whether staff, student or volunteers

You all made a difference to my trip and I will never forget you.

Thirdly I want to thank Umugwaneza.

Without all your support, information, guidance,

Life and laughter this would NEVER have been possible.

You put up with me learning Kinyarwanda

You showed me African living

You took me to Akagera and Bukora

Basically, you made my trip.

I will never forget you and our time together in Rwanda

See you in two months? Can’t wait.

Finally, I want to thank Rwanda.

I want to thank the people for their warm welcome

It is amazing how this country has been rebuilt after the terrible Genocide,

It is such a beautiful place and everyone looks after it so well.

The difference between the city and the country was extreme...

But from both places I experienced amazing things.

I think from this you can all tell I pretty much has the time of my life,

Hope to meet again someday Rwanda, Love Nyiramwiza!

Lx

What An Experience...

Whether it’s been working on base, 

washing with a bucket or 

exploring the length of Akagera national park; 

Rwanda has been anything but ordinary.

Less than 5 months ago it started...

‘Hey i would quite like to go to Rwanda...”

There have been many things in my life I have thought about doing

 But they are all just thoughts, ideas, dreams... right?

After months of intense organisation: shopping, fundraising, vaccinations – that dream became reality!

Here I am.

In what’s known as; Rwanda, Kigali, Rubirizi, Kabeza, Samuduha, or for the last three months... Home.

Being here I have not only made lifelong friends but also been welcomed into an amazing family.

Just like any other family we sit round a table and eat together (granted there is a lot more than one table!), We look out for each other, we spend time with each other and most importantly we love each other.

A year ago I had my heart set on going to University to do a teaching degree, after months of interviews and offers it didn’t work out, I was lost. Now I sit here after having a full time job for 6 months, doing short term volunteer work in Africa, planning on going to University in September to do a nursing degree 

And I wouldn’t want it any other way. 

Although something may feel like the worst possibly situation at the time,

 6 months later you will completely understand... 

I guess what I am trying to say is thing’s really do happen for a reason. 

"Memory is a way of holding on to the things you love

the things you are, the things you never want to lose."

Lx

It feels like home to me...

So here I am.  Sitting in sunny Rwanda...

With physically very little, surrounded by a thousand beautiful hills 

With only one question running repeatedly through my head - 

How and when will I return? 

Beautiful views, Amazing family and friends, Brilliant culture,

and Half my heart, sound perfect, it is. 

However,  am I talking about Scotland or Africa?

Scotland is amazing….

The scenery is outstanding, the culture is unique

The people in it are special and yes it's my home…

But it's not Africa.

Africa is breath taking….

The views and sunsets are extraordinary, the way of living is so simple

The people are so precious and yes I love it….

But it's not Scotland.

In a perfect world:

Scotland and Africa would be neighbouring countries

I would be offered free flights back and forth as often as I wanted

Or everything I love about both countries could be merged to make…

Afriland!

But then there is reality.

Okay, Its official I have caught the Africa bug…. Mfasha! (that's help, for those Scots!)

Above is something else I really don't want to leave behind...

Lx

I told you dreams came true...

Muraho Everyone

Sorry for the lack of blogging, it's been a busy couple of weeks.

For so long I have talked about Rwanda...

After months of fundraising

Dozens of Vaccinations

Two very packed suitcases

And a lot of dreaming

- I'm here!

After three weeks of being here I feel like I've lived here my whole life,

I feel so at home and I am loving experiencing the different culture.

On the third day I was here someone said to me 'how long have you been here?'

They were shocked when I said only three days because I looked so at home.

Life is even better than I thought it would be:

Getting up at 7 to hear the birds and feel the sun shining through my window

Meeting everyone for breakfast and starting of the day with a hot cup of African tea

Starting work after a morning of singing and dancing - can't think of anything better..

Finishing work duties and spending the evening with friends, or should I say family.

Ending the day with a chapter of my book and beautiful sunset... sound perfect?

It is. 

Scotland : Africa

       A hot running shower : A bucket of cold water 

A variety of foods: Beans and rice

         Midges : Mosquitos

   A toilet : A hole

I have definitely learnt to appreciate the little things, 

But I wouldn't change a thing, otherwise it wouldn't be Africa

...It would be Scotland? 

I am still Me..

 Just in a different location,

With a new name and 

A much better outlook on life.

Keep in touch!

Lx (Nyiramwiza)