Shifting My Focus (III)

Being the organized person that I am, I had already planned out my entire summer holiday even before it began.
I was going to read as many books as I possibly could, visit a couple of places that I felt would challenge me creatively, and make it the most productive holiday I'd ever had.
But right from the beginning, I could tell that things weren't going to go as planned...

I hadn't been away from home that long, but the time away had made a huge difference! As I struggled to settle down, I wondered what the problem was. It was only later that I realized that I'd outgrown the place.

Everything was too familiar, and it had little, or - in most cases - nothing to teach me anymore.
The realization brought me peace in a lot of ways. Having been asked many a time where I would like to settle down after I finish my studies, I have found myself giving answers that I wasn't even sure of myself. But now I can relax, knowing that it's okay not to know the answer to that question yet.
Being back at home also took away other anxieties that I didn't even know I had. As much as I was enjoying travelling and discovering new places, I hadn't yet become fully comfortable with the idea of being so far away from home for such long periods of time; and, therefore, wherever I was I was physically present, but most of the time I was mentally absent.
But now I can go about my life in peace, certain that where I am is exactly where I'm supposed to be. So despite the confusion I experienced in my first weeks of summer, I'm now grateful to God for letting me go through it because something bigger was taking place behind the scenes. 😊

Aside from that, I also have a list of other things that I'm grateful took place during these past 3 months:

1.Quality time: A family friend taught me how to make maandazis just in time for Father's Day, and together we made enough for both our families in one afternoon! I also got to spend a day at work with my sister and help her out at the school where she teaches French. It was a different way of showing love, and seeing as time is so important to me - probably the best way for me to show love to my loved ones.
2. Summer vacation in Italy: Mum and I spent a magical week in Italy this summer. 😊 (See pictures here). Apart from experiencing a new country together, we also got a chance to bond and just enjoy each other's company for a while.
3. Old friends and new memories: My friends and I made some new memories together that included a fun-filled weekend away in Meru, as well as some local tourism in Nairobi visiting an art centre, one of our oldest libraries and two museums - one in which we got a peak at some of the most recent children's books written by local authors. As a writer, this was a magical moment for me. 😊
4. Piano lessons! Yes, I finally took some piano lessons! It's crazy how I knew my piano teacher for quite a while before I left for school, but was only in the right frame of mind to ask him to teach me how to play when I got back home. He was more than willing to teach me the basics, and helped me set a good foundation for my future in music. Awesome guy he is! And of course timing...it's all about timing! 😉 
5. Kenya At The Olympics: I was in Kenya for the bigger part of the Olympics and was able to celebrate our first few gold medals with the crew. Our Kenyan athletes made us proud - as usual. Go Team Kenya!
6. Meeting the Roloffs: A few nights ago I was having a hard time falling sleep, so I decided to browse my Instagram feed for a while. It was then that I came across The Roloffs! They are a young couple that use their Instagram profiles to promote Godly marriages, and even run a blog together called Beating 50 percent that is designed to encourage couples looking to get married to spend more time planning their marriage rather than their wedding. I was hardly on the wife, Audrey's profile for 10 minutes before my heart started dancing! I love it when God connects me to other Christians who allow Him to shine His light through them in such a beautiful way. I could go on and on about how sweet and wonderful they are, but I'd rather you get to know them for yourselves. Have a look at their blog here!
7. New places, new faces: Finally, I pushed myself out of my comfort zone, and decided to try out a study abroad program with my roommate, Paula in Thailand! 😃 It's my first time in Asia, and I'm pretty excited! We're here now. It's the most humid place I've ever been to, but I'm enjoying every minute of it. I still haven't figured out where to get the best Thai food in town (any recommendations from those who would know?), but I'm enjoying the whole discovery process.

Here's to new adventures! 🎉🎉​

- ✗O✗O.