What a Return to Liberia!

I have not yet blogged since returning to Liberia....well, simply because two thieves came and stole my computer right off the banister outside my house. I was sitting outside typing on my computer and my friend Hauwa was completing a "Soduko"puzzle. I took the computer off my lap and placed it on the banister of our porch. Suddenly, I heard a noise to my left, and there was a strange man standing on our porch steps. I peered to get a better look and as I did, I quickly noticed there was another man right in front of me. He grabbed for my computer, and I also reached out to get it back. Unfortunately, I was not quite quick enough and he managed to wrangle it out of my hands, and as he ran away he also grabbed my phone.

I'm not sure how long it all took, but what was probably seconds seemed like minutes or longer. The incident took place around 8 pm, and so it was a matter or not seeing them sneak up on us from the dark. As they ran away, my friend yelled, "rogue", and the security guard started running from the back of the house while my friends husband bolted out of our house for the chase. Unfortunately, they were not quick enough and now my computer joins the others on the street corner in Monrovia they call, "Buy it again"!

I lost almost all my files, and all of my photos from last year, and this was the most disappointing. I feel fortunate though as in the past two weeks, mine is only one of three incidents, and my situation did not involved weapons. We have had an increase of crime in our area as a result of the government moving homeless individuals out of a downtown cemetery to a piece of land near our property. While we see plenty of improvements in the country, it has become evident that unemployment is causing people to take harsher measures to make money.

It's been a stressful couple of weeks overall, as this incident and firing a Program Manager have pre-occupied my time and my energy. I"m trusting that somehow this week will improve.

Back in Liberia

Just a quick update that I made it safe and sound back to Liberia. I arrived last evening on a flight out of Brussels, and the trip was rather uneventful. Other than a long journey there was nothing else to really note.
My time home was so wonderful. It was a mixture of visiting family in Northwestern Ontario for Easter, which included fun with my niece and nephews, grandparents, etc, and good rest and good food. The cold of the Northwest caught me off guard, and as we drove home in a snowstorm, I knew that I had arrived back in Canada. It was so nice to be back at home, under thick blankets, enjoying the time to relax and unwind.
After visiting there, I jetted off to Calgary for a few days and then onto the coast. Other than one quick trip to Whistler and Kamloops the time was spend in the lower mainland. Highlights included seeing "Stomp" with my friend Ethel, drinks and laughs with my friends Sara and Julie, meeting Caleb and Claire for the first time, three days relaxing in Whistler, and a great visit with my brother and his family in Kamloops.
Whether it was scaring/surprising my Mom and nephew Gabe, or just catching up with old friends it was such a great way to spend my month away. As I return to my work on Monday the daunting feeling of "the holiday is over" looms over my head, but I know time will figure all of that out. I have already received many compliments that I look "fat", which to many people here is a compliment as it means I have rested and relaxed. I can do nothing other than agree, because it truly was a great time away.