expectations…

…better to have some or not?

“Things didn’t turn out as expected…” of course it can be a positive or negative statement but I guess more often than not it describes a situation where your expectations have not been met…

But the good thing about doing something for the first time is that you almost never have any specific expectations, which was the case when I first volunteered here in Uganda… and as you know, I loved it so much! Therefore, I automatically had certain expectations for my return here… but it has not turned out to be as I expected.

And yes, I did think that to be a negative thing initially… I had prepared some work to do here with the previous manager which I was very excited about, so it was a disappointment not being able to complete that work…and that made me feel rather low the first few days here.

But I’ve not come to Africa to feel low, so I have made an effort to adjust my expectations. And I now expect myself to adapt to the new situation here. To not give up just because it’s tougher than and different to what I thought it would be like. And I am determined to enjoy my time here!

But it made me reflect on whether it is worth having expectations at all…I wondered if they can be turned off?!? But I don’t think so… Especially the expectations of myself and others…

But what is realistic to expect of others…? Nothing too difficult actually… just to be honest, be kind and to care about each other and their lives – it costs nothing, but it means everything!

On a lighter note, what I had not expected, was for my big toe nails to last this long! The left big toe nail is totally loose now… but am still able to ‘slide’ it on when it falls off… and now I take it off at night and put it on each morning, a little like false teeth! Haha 😁 I will spare you for any pictures!