7/30/11
After a summer full of highs and lows, I am finally home safe and sound after a week of near perfection at the beach with my family. I think along with ‘hope‘ and ‘peace‘ I’ll be adding ‘home‘ to my list of favorite words. I am grateful to recognize how blessed I am to have such a loving, welcoming, and fun home to return to. I’m not sure what I did to deserve it, but God has smiled on me in my life, and I am so thankful for it.
I left Uganda Sunday evening, but not without a few tears at the ticket counter where Kenya Airways was convinced that I had missed my flight. They eventually figured it out, and after 25 hours of traveling (with Simon and Garfunkel and Billy Joel in my head the whole time) my plane landed on time in Atlanta, and all of my luggage appeared, too. My mom welcomed me at the top of the escalator with a sign for ‘Muzungu’ and a giant hug and a few tears between the two of us. She drove me home while I called everyone I could to tell them I had made it and to finally hear voices from home. I had the greatest shower ever, the best meal ever, and a great night’s rest. Ted met us at the house with all of the food I had mentioned I wanted when I got back, including Willy’s cheese dip. He seems like a pretty good one. All in all, it was a great homecoming.
Tuesday morning Mom and I drove by my apartment to sign the silly paperwork, and I got to hug Jess and catch up for a few minutes. I have missed her! I can’t wait to catch up with all of my friends in the next two weeks. I think it’s going to be a fun rest of summer before school starts. We went back to the airport for Amy, and then made the drive to the beach. We listened to Mom’s favorite CDs that we’ve listened to while driving to the beach over the past decade or two. The Dixie Chicks, Jo Dee Messina, and Shania Twain were good company, and Taylor Swift and Glee’s version of “Singin in the Rain” made their way into Mom’s repertoire this year.
We were welcomed to the Hoffman/Grizzle house on Tarpon with a few deer in the yard, a ton of hugs, and lasagna in the oven. We have stayed in the same house for 23ish years now, and it feels as much like home as any other house, even if we are outgrowing it slightly. Uncle Chris and Aunt Carol, along with the help of everyone else, had made banners welcoming me home, one signed by all the family, one with the names and things I’d talked about in Uganda, and one with a list of things I was thankful to come home to. I definitely teared up, and loved that homecoming, too. A little rain on Wednesday meant I got to finally see Harry Potter with Mitch, Carter, and Ryan, but the sun stayed out after that and I got in good beach time with my sisters and cousins, and we got to walk on the beach every night. Fripp Island really is my happy place, and since I’ve known it longer than any other place, I might start referring to it as my hometown one of these days.
I’ve been reflecting on Uganda these past few days, and my attention span has not been long enough to really process all I learned and all that I think my experiences there will come to mean. Right now, the best I can do is look at the sign Uncle Chris and Aunt Carol made with names and places and know that those will always have a place in my heart. I’ve also sniffed every piece of clothing as it has come out of the dryer and been reminded of just how spoiled I am. We are all so blessed in so many ways that we take for granted daily, and I hope that if nothing else just that small piece of knowledge will stick with me.
I think this will be my last public list of things I’m thankful for. I’m pretty sure I’ll continue keeping up with the list on my own, but I’d like to keep this blog specific to my African experience. I’ll probably try to figure out a way to print it and keep it at some point to look back on. Thank you to every single one of you for reading, commenting, emailing, calling, encouraging, and praying while I was gone. Whether I talk to you every day or haven’t seen you since I was in elementary school, the words, letters, banners, cards, pictures, and thoughts meant more than you could ever know.
I’m thankful...
1. for Willy’s cheese dip. It really was all I hoped it would be.
2. for giant hugs at the airport after long and cranky flights. I’ll never be too old for giant hugs from my mom.
3. for giant hugs at the Fripp house. I won’t outgrow my dad’s hugs either, or the rest of the family’s hugs for that matter.
4. for funny cousins to chase down the beach. It was fun to play again.
5. for the time and effort put into some signs to welcome me home. They really did make me very happy.
6. for big sisters. Amy wore a dress in my honor, and Ashley showered me with Mary Kay cosmetics, Pringles, and Cheerwine.
7. for fabric softener. Hanging clothes dry will just never compare.
8. for my parents, again. They’ve spoiled me rotten for a week, and I’ve been soaking it up.
9. for hot showers with fantastic water pressure.
10. for shrimp and grits. Another one of the best meals ever.
11. for sea turtles. I didn’t get to see one this year, but they really are the coolest animals (they might even beat penguins), and I’m glad Fripp is working hard to save some more.
12. for the magic of drinkable water from a sink.
13. for a safe trip home for all of the Grizzles.
14. for my beautiful and newly cleaned car waiting for me in the garage.
15. for reliable flushing toilets.
16. to be able and look back and read all of my adventures, good and bad, and know that I have had a once in a lifetime experience. I’m pretty sure like most other things in life, this trip is going to mean more and more as time goes on and I realize more of the impact it had on my life. I’m grateful for all of it, but I like my American life, too, and I can’t wait to get back to that one for awhile.
Thanks again to all of you and your support. I love you all!
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Saturday, July 23, 2011
So Long Sweet Summer
7/22/11
Verity just left, and it’s now just me with my books and my DVDs until tomorrow evening. I’m going to miss her terribly, especially since she and I have managed to keep each other laughing through most of this experience. I know I’ll be fine. There’s Internet, a pool, and some good food in the meantime. I’m just going to miss my friends.
Friday morning we packed and watched Sex and the City until our driver showed up right around 11. The pangs of sadness finally hit as we were driving out of Mbarara. The faces of the villagers, the clinic staff, and everyone else in between flashed through my head the whole way to the hotel in Entebbe. I wish I could describe a drive through Uganda to you. It’s just something you kind of have to be there for. The radio station is half music from the early 90s and half commercials where everyone shouts, no matter the subject. Think used car commercials except for cell phones and family planning with happy Ugandan accents. Also, there’s the occasional goat or cow that doesn’t feel the need to move off the road, and the drivers think it’s a good idea to prod them with the car to make them move. Side note: I’m tempted to look into a project on traffic safety in developing countries. Driving here is amusing and terrifying all at once. Don’t worry Mom, the only driving I have left to do is the 5 minute drive to the airport. I promise I can see it from the lobby (but surprisingly I can hear nothing which is awesome). Anyway, in the background are some of the most gorgeous mountains and flowers I’ve seen. Every 20 minutes or so there’s a dirt covered village where every store front is painted in brightly colored paint as advertisements for cell phone companies and detergent brands. In the towns where the buses stop for a minute, kids with matoke and roasted pumpkin seeds RUN to sell snacks to the travelers from the windows. Uganda is definitely an interesting place.
We finally arrived at the hotel around 4, and when we got to our room, Verity and I acted like 12 year old girls. Not only is it clean, but there’s a tv, an awesome massive bed, chocolates on our pillows, and-this is where I literally jumped up and down-an overhead shower with hot water! We ate a super late lunch, hopped in the pool, and each showered forever. We watched a little Sex and the City, had a snack for dinner, and called it a night. This hotel is the most expensive thing I’ve paid for on this trip (it’d be expensive for me in the U.S., too), but I decided the Internet, pool, and comfort were a good investment in my sanity. The reason I’m waiting around until Sunday is because most of the flights run at night here (no clue why), and to leave on Friday or Saturday would mean leaving the airport close to midnight, and I didn’t feel good about that, or having to switch flights in Nairobi that late. So until Sunday afternoon I’ll kill some time, and hopefully stay sane.
I’m thankful...
1. for my safety so far on this trip. I’ve been very lucky, and I hope that will continue to be the case over the next couple of days.
2. to be out of Mbarara. It was a good home for me while I was there, but my last few days were getting to me, especially the douchey teenaged boys that would grab my arm (I finally went postal on one, and didn’t feel bad about it), and the bodas (motorbikes) that drive too close to the sidewalk. One nicked my arm with its mirror, and again, I went postal, but he was too far away to notice. Verity and Tom were amused at my ranting, though.
3. for a reliable toilet and shower. I’m not sure it has ever meant this much to me in my life.
To my family already at Fripp: I currently hate you, but cannot wait to be there with you in no time. Save me a chair and a beer at low tide.
To the rest of you: I’ll be home Monday afternoon (if all flights are on time), and will try to call as soon as I can. It may be a week or so, since I’ll be trying to book it to Fripp, and there’s not much cell service there, either. Can’t wait to see and talk to everybody I can! Love you all!
Verity just left, and it’s now just me with my books and my DVDs until tomorrow evening. I’m going to miss her terribly, especially since she and I have managed to keep each other laughing through most of this experience. I know I’ll be fine. There’s Internet, a pool, and some good food in the meantime. I’m just going to miss my friends.
Friday morning we packed and watched Sex and the City until our driver showed up right around 11. The pangs of sadness finally hit as we were driving out of Mbarara. The faces of the villagers, the clinic staff, and everyone else in between flashed through my head the whole way to the hotel in Entebbe. I wish I could describe a drive through Uganda to you. It’s just something you kind of have to be there for. The radio station is half music from the early 90s and half commercials where everyone shouts, no matter the subject. Think used car commercials except for cell phones and family planning with happy Ugandan accents. Also, there’s the occasional goat or cow that doesn’t feel the need to move off the road, and the drivers think it’s a good idea to prod them with the car to make them move. Side note: I’m tempted to look into a project on traffic safety in developing countries. Driving here is amusing and terrifying all at once. Don’t worry Mom, the only driving I have left to do is the 5 minute drive to the airport. I promise I can see it from the lobby (but surprisingly I can hear nothing which is awesome). Anyway, in the background are some of the most gorgeous mountains and flowers I’ve seen. Every 20 minutes or so there’s a dirt covered village where every store front is painted in brightly colored paint as advertisements for cell phone companies and detergent brands. In the towns where the buses stop for a minute, kids with matoke and roasted pumpkin seeds RUN to sell snacks to the travelers from the windows. Uganda is definitely an interesting place.
We finally arrived at the hotel around 4, and when we got to our room, Verity and I acted like 12 year old girls. Not only is it clean, but there’s a tv, an awesome massive bed, chocolates on our pillows, and-this is where I literally jumped up and down-an overhead shower with hot water! We ate a super late lunch, hopped in the pool, and each showered forever. We watched a little Sex and the City, had a snack for dinner, and called it a night. This hotel is the most expensive thing I’ve paid for on this trip (it’d be expensive for me in the U.S., too), but I decided the Internet, pool, and comfort were a good investment in my sanity. The reason I’m waiting around until Sunday is because most of the flights run at night here (no clue why), and to leave on Friday or Saturday would mean leaving the airport close to midnight, and I didn’t feel good about that, or having to switch flights in Nairobi that late. So until Sunday afternoon I’ll kill some time, and hopefully stay sane.
I’m thankful...
1. for my safety so far on this trip. I’ve been very lucky, and I hope that will continue to be the case over the next couple of days.
2. to be out of Mbarara. It was a good home for me while I was there, but my last few days were getting to me, especially the douchey teenaged boys that would grab my arm (I finally went postal on one, and didn’t feel bad about it), and the bodas (motorbikes) that drive too close to the sidewalk. One nicked my arm with its mirror, and again, I went postal, but he was too far away to notice. Verity and Tom were amused at my ranting, though.
3. for a reliable toilet and shower. I’m not sure it has ever meant this much to me in my life.
To my family already at Fripp: I currently hate you, but cannot wait to be there with you in no time. Save me a chair and a beer at low tide.
To the rest of you: I’ll be home Monday afternoon (if all flights are on time), and will try to call as soon as I can. It may be a week or so, since I’ll be trying to book it to Fripp, and there’s not much cell service there, either. Can’t wait to see and talk to everybody I can! Love you all!
Thursday, July 21, 2011
"Mama Mia, here I go again..."
7/21/11
My last day in Mbarara! You’d think there would be a little sadness in that statement, but there really isn’t. I’ve said my goodbyes, and I’m ready to be at the hotel in Entebbe with hot water and power (both of which are gone again this morning in Mbarara) and one step closer to home. The nice British professors (Tony and Matthew) took us out to Lord’s Bar last night for another lovely night of food and drinks. Those British geniuses can definitely hold their liquor. In the morning, Verity and I had a packing party with our Ipods and our suitcases, and then we killed the afternoon by watching Mama Mia, which has now been in my head for the past 20 hours. This morning, I’m packed and ready and praying that each bag weighs no more than 50 pounds. I think I can swing it this time, fingers crossed.
I’m thankful...
1. for the roommates who have kept my sanity this whole time.
2. for a final night with the clearest skies I’ll ever know.
3. for cheesy musicals to distract me when I’m antsy.
Much love!
My last day in Mbarara! You’d think there would be a little sadness in that statement, but there really isn’t. I’ve said my goodbyes, and I’m ready to be at the hotel in Entebbe with hot water and power (both of which are gone again this morning in Mbarara) and one step closer to home. The nice British professors (Tony and Matthew) took us out to Lord’s Bar last night for another lovely night of food and drinks. Those British geniuses can definitely hold their liquor. In the morning, Verity and I had a packing party with our Ipods and our suitcases, and then we killed the afternoon by watching Mama Mia, which has now been in my head for the past 20 hours. This morning, I’m packed and ready and praying that each bag weighs no more than 50 pounds. I think I can swing it this time, fingers crossed.
I’m thankful...
1. for the roommates who have kept my sanity this whole time.
2. for a final night with the clearest skies I’ll ever know.
3. for cheesy musicals to distract me when I’m antsy.
Much love!
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
I'm a Redneck Woman
7/20/11
Another day went by without any word from or trace of the doctor who so badly wanted to do a TB study. I even went to his office yesterday, but he was not to be found. I’m glad I came and all of that, but I feel like I’ve been seriously let down in the department of things I could do while I was here, and supervision. I definitely got left behind in the dust of all of Stephen’s other projects (the TB doctor is not his fault, it’s just icing on the cake). And since one of my biggest fears coming out here was being useless, that was not terribly conducive to a good experience for me. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve seen a lot of things, and met a lot of great people, and I guess that’s the main part of it, but it I feel like my learning experience as far as school is concerned might be a little bit lacking. Also, I’m a little bitter that I stayed an extra week (even though it was ultimately my decision) to specifically work on a study, and have ended up just killing time and money finding things to do. I apologize for being bitter, but I needed to rant for a second. The boredom is very much getting to me.
So yesterday, I did try to track down the doctor, did a little bit of laundry, went to town, and went to aerobics again last night. I had to make myself not pack because I knew as soon as I started, I wouldn’t stop, and then I’d be even more irritable and ready to leave. This has been a cranky post, and again, I’m sorry. I’m just ready to be home. I’ve had my fill, and it doesn’t help that along with my family, real food, my friends, and the beach waiting for me, there’s also a good guy that I very much would like to see.
Also, one more bitter rant, I got an email from my Atlanta roommate last night informing me that despite SEVERAL times checking with our apartment complex, and them assuring us that no more action was needed for our new lease until August, they’ve changed their minds, and I need to sign paperwork by July 26 or pay $1000. I know this one is not my fault because I was meticulous in making sure it was all dealt with before I left, and that nothing was needed until long after I was home. They assured me then that the paperwork was complete until August 5. One big massive grrr. I’m already planning my angry speech for Janice in the office there.
Despite all of the little things driving me crazy right now, I need to remember that they are indeed little things, and that life is a lot harder for most of the people very near me right now, and even for some at home. It’s just hard to keep perspective this week.
I’m thankful...
1. for the Ugandan cowboy in the market yesterday. Yes he was singing "Redneck Woman". He was also wearing women's jeans and women's boots. It was absolutely classic, and I did get a picture.
2. for the girl in the gas station telling me I’m the most beautiful muzungu she’s ever seen. Yes, I’m sharing that. Mostly because she has remembered my name the two times I have walked in there, and I have forgotten hers both times, so I’ve avoided that gas station for several weeks because I could NOT for the life of me remember her name (Sonya-now I know), and I felt horrible. Verity needed to go in last night, though, and I was once again embarrassed at my inability to remember names, and even more so after she said that. I was tempted to tell her to never leave Uganda so as not to shatter her illusions :)
3. for small problems rather than big ones. My family is healthy (Dad sounded very much like himself yesterday!), I do have a way home (even though it’s slow), the apartment problem is fixable, there is some water in the house, and today will be another good day.
I pack today, travel tomorrow, wait for my plane on Sunday, and land on Monday.
Another day went by without any word from or trace of the doctor who so badly wanted to do a TB study. I even went to his office yesterday, but he was not to be found. I’m glad I came and all of that, but I feel like I’ve been seriously let down in the department of things I could do while I was here, and supervision. I definitely got left behind in the dust of all of Stephen’s other projects (the TB doctor is not his fault, it’s just icing on the cake). And since one of my biggest fears coming out here was being useless, that was not terribly conducive to a good experience for me. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve seen a lot of things, and met a lot of great people, and I guess that’s the main part of it, but it I feel like my learning experience as far as school is concerned might be a little bit lacking. Also, I’m a little bitter that I stayed an extra week (even though it was ultimately my decision) to specifically work on a study, and have ended up just killing time and money finding things to do. I apologize for being bitter, but I needed to rant for a second. The boredom is very much getting to me.
So yesterday, I did try to track down the doctor, did a little bit of laundry, went to town, and went to aerobics again last night. I had to make myself not pack because I knew as soon as I started, I wouldn’t stop, and then I’d be even more irritable and ready to leave. This has been a cranky post, and again, I’m sorry. I’m just ready to be home. I’ve had my fill, and it doesn’t help that along with my family, real food, my friends, and the beach waiting for me, there’s also a good guy that I very much would like to see.
Also, one more bitter rant, I got an email from my Atlanta roommate last night informing me that despite SEVERAL times checking with our apartment complex, and them assuring us that no more action was needed for our new lease until August, they’ve changed their minds, and I need to sign paperwork by July 26 or pay $1000. I know this one is not my fault because I was meticulous in making sure it was all dealt with before I left, and that nothing was needed until long after I was home. They assured me then that the paperwork was complete until August 5. One big massive grrr. I’m already planning my angry speech for Janice in the office there.
Despite all of the little things driving me crazy right now, I need to remember that they are indeed little things, and that life is a lot harder for most of the people very near me right now, and even for some at home. It’s just hard to keep perspective this week.
I’m thankful...
1. for the Ugandan cowboy in the market yesterday. Yes he was singing "Redneck Woman". He was also wearing women's jeans and women's boots. It was absolutely classic, and I did get a picture.
2. for the girl in the gas station telling me I’m the most beautiful muzungu she’s ever seen. Yes, I’m sharing that. Mostly because she has remembered my name the two times I have walked in there, and I have forgotten hers both times, so I’ve avoided that gas station for several weeks because I could NOT for the life of me remember her name (Sonya-now I know), and I felt horrible. Verity needed to go in last night, though, and I was once again embarrassed at my inability to remember names, and even more so after she said that. I was tempted to tell her to never leave Uganda so as not to shatter her illusions :)
3. for small problems rather than big ones. My family is healthy (Dad sounded very much like himself yesterday!), I do have a way home (even though it’s slow), the apartment problem is fixable, there is some water in the house, and today will be another good day.
I pack today, travel tomorrow, wait for my plane on Sunday, and land on Monday.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Can't Read My, Can't Read My Poker Face
7/18-7/19
So the past 2 days weren’t quite what I expected. I have not been at the hospital because surprise, surprise, no one will get in touch with me. So instead, I’ve been to town about 12 times in the past two days. We’ve also been without power and water up until this evening, so I’ve been incredibly pleasant to be around. A major turnaround tonight, though. Our power came back, so we were able to cook, and we watched ‘Role Models’ as our family movie. Yay for turnarounds! Tomorrow I’m going to the hospital to give away some clothes, and maybe track down the doctor I’m supposed to be working with.
Two awesome things from the past two days:
1. Uganda Aerobics. You go to the dance club, which during the week is a sauna/aerobics place. There are big burly men bouncing around yelling out random aerobics moves that are terrible for your back and feet, and the club DJ does the music. You also have to go into the sauna to pay, which is covered in gross men in towels sweating it out. It’s definitely an odd experience, but one of my favorites since I’ve been here.
2. The snack guy at the pool has a crush on me, and therefore, I get free Cokes. I have no shame, I like free stuff.
I’m thankful...
1. for flushing toilets, even if you have to haul a bucket of water from the house next door to pour into the toilet to make it flush.
2. for awesome pedicures. My feet feel clean for the first time since I’ve been here.
3. needless to say, for Uganda aerobics. We’re going again tomorrow night.
4. for awesome music to do aerobics to. I love Lady Gaga in Uganda.
5. for power. Please appreciate the consistency you have at home.
6. for pools. They are definitely good fun.
I’m so close I can taste it! Goodnight All!
So the past 2 days weren’t quite what I expected. I have not been at the hospital because surprise, surprise, no one will get in touch with me. So instead, I’ve been to town about 12 times in the past two days. We’ve also been without power and water up until this evening, so I’ve been incredibly pleasant to be around. A major turnaround tonight, though. Our power came back, so we were able to cook, and we watched ‘Role Models’ as our family movie. Yay for turnarounds! Tomorrow I’m going to the hospital to give away some clothes, and maybe track down the doctor I’m supposed to be working with.
Two awesome things from the past two days:
1. Uganda Aerobics. You go to the dance club, which during the week is a sauna/aerobics place. There are big burly men bouncing around yelling out random aerobics moves that are terrible for your back and feet, and the club DJ does the music. You also have to go into the sauna to pay, which is covered in gross men in towels sweating it out. It’s definitely an odd experience, but one of my favorites since I’ve been here.
2. The snack guy at the pool has a crush on me, and therefore, I get free Cokes. I have no shame, I like free stuff.
I’m thankful...
1. for flushing toilets, even if you have to haul a bucket of water from the house next door to pour into the toilet to make it flush.
2. for awesome pedicures. My feet feel clean for the first time since I’ve been here.
3. needless to say, for Uganda aerobics. We’re going again tomorrow night.
4. for awesome music to do aerobics to. I love Lady Gaga in Uganda.
5. for power. Please appreciate the consistency you have at home.
6. for pools. They are definitely good fun.
I’m so close I can taste it! Goodnight All!
Sunday, July 17, 2011
"Every stranger's face I see reminds me that I long to be homeward bound"
7/15-7/17
Week 8 has finally arrived! One week from today I will be on a plane. I know it will come quickly, but it doesn’t seem close enough for reality to have kicked in just yet. You all know that I’ve been ready to go home, but I’m starting to have mixed emotions about leaving. This weekend has been a good one, though. After the blood bank on Friday, I wrote some, got a facial, and watched Dani pack to go home. We bought ‘Burlesque‘ in town for $0.75 (I’m not sure it was even worth that), but we had a quiet goodbye night with dinner and a movie. The water was off for most of Friday, and I ran out of Internet time, and I just knew God was laughing at me since I decided to stay. I have noticed He’s a pretty big practical joker like that. Anyway, she left yesterday morning, and while I was sad to see her go, we still had a great day in town (I bought more Internet), at the pool, and at Peers. We introduced Tom to Peers last night, and we all had a lot of laughs, great chicken, and probably too many beers (as evidenced by our singing along and dancing to easy listening from the early 90s). Verity and I were almost giddy to be out after dark since we’ve avoided it for so long. I think we were all so worn out from yesterday, that not one of us wanted to do anything at all today. We did make it to the bakery for some lunchtime samosas, and we bought their version of pizza for dinner tonight, which wasn’t half bad. I almost forgot, I turned in my paper today! There’s still some major editing to be done, but I’m glad to have that off my mind for a few more days. I ended my day with some calls back home. My dad has been puny, and I’m glad I got to hear his voice, but I hope it will pass soon. For one thing, he needs to be ready for the beach next week, and for another, he’s a terrible patient. I do wish I was there to be his ‘nurse’ although he’s probably glad I’m not because I tend to be pretty mean as his nurse. Prayers for both parents are needed, for Dad’s health and Mom’s patience, but also because Ashley’s air conditioner is broken and she and the dogs are moving in tonight, as well. At this point, I’m kind of glad to have not shown up and added to the chaos. I still miss the madness, though.
I’m thankful...
1. for new friends that I’ve made. I’m already planning for Dani and Verity to come visit next summer. Verity saw a scene of a baseball game on Sex and the City, and I promised I’d introduce her to the greatest sport with the greatest hot dogs ever.
2. for the ability to now laugh when the water shuts off.
3. for clean dishes. There are dirty ones in the sink currently, which drives me crazy, but the water is off again. What can you do?
4. for Internet dates. I got to get dressed up and talk to a nice guy back home for awhile, and it made my day.
5. for peanut butter Oreos. It’s a whole new love that I’ve discovered.
6. for Friday Night Lights. It’s a great show, and I picked it up in town so Tom could have a boy show to watch with us. I don’t think Texas translates well over here, though. Still love me some Tim Riggins.
7. for finishing papers. It’s always a good feeling.
8. for allowing myself the luxury of thinking about next week.
9. for another evening cool enough for a jacket. It feels amazing out right now.
Love you all!
Week 8 has finally arrived! One week from today I will be on a plane. I know it will come quickly, but it doesn’t seem close enough for reality to have kicked in just yet. You all know that I’ve been ready to go home, but I’m starting to have mixed emotions about leaving. This weekend has been a good one, though. After the blood bank on Friday, I wrote some, got a facial, and watched Dani pack to go home. We bought ‘Burlesque‘ in town for $0.75 (I’m not sure it was even worth that), but we had a quiet goodbye night with dinner and a movie. The water was off for most of Friday, and I ran out of Internet time, and I just knew God was laughing at me since I decided to stay. I have noticed He’s a pretty big practical joker like that. Anyway, she left yesterday morning, and while I was sad to see her go, we still had a great day in town (I bought more Internet), at the pool, and at Peers. We introduced Tom to Peers last night, and we all had a lot of laughs, great chicken, and probably too many beers (as evidenced by our singing along and dancing to easy listening from the early 90s). Verity and I were almost giddy to be out after dark since we’ve avoided it for so long. I think we were all so worn out from yesterday, that not one of us wanted to do anything at all today. We did make it to the bakery for some lunchtime samosas, and we bought their version of pizza for dinner tonight, which wasn’t half bad. I almost forgot, I turned in my paper today! There’s still some major editing to be done, but I’m glad to have that off my mind for a few more days. I ended my day with some calls back home. My dad has been puny, and I’m glad I got to hear his voice, but I hope it will pass soon. For one thing, he needs to be ready for the beach next week, and for another, he’s a terrible patient. I do wish I was there to be his ‘nurse’ although he’s probably glad I’m not because I tend to be pretty mean as his nurse. Prayers for both parents are needed, for Dad’s health and Mom’s patience, but also because Ashley’s air conditioner is broken and she and the dogs are moving in tonight, as well. At this point, I’m kind of glad to have not shown up and added to the chaos. I still miss the madness, though.
I’m thankful...
1. for new friends that I’ve made. I’m already planning for Dani and Verity to come visit next summer. Verity saw a scene of a baseball game on Sex and the City, and I promised I’d introduce her to the greatest sport with the greatest hot dogs ever.
2. for the ability to now laugh when the water shuts off.
3. for clean dishes. There are dirty ones in the sink currently, which drives me crazy, but the water is off again. What can you do?
4. for Internet dates. I got to get dressed up and talk to a nice guy back home for awhile, and it made my day.
5. for peanut butter Oreos. It’s a whole new love that I’ve discovered.
6. for Friday Night Lights. It’s a great show, and I picked it up in town so Tom could have a boy show to watch with us. I don’t think Texas translates well over here, though. Still love me some Tim Riggins.
7. for finishing papers. It’s always a good feeling.
8. for allowing myself the luxury of thinking about next week.
9. for another evening cool enough for a jacket. It feels amazing out right now.
Love you all!
Friday, July 15, 2011
"Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket"
7/14/11
Blood Bank success! I found the place, I didn’t faint, I’m currently not iron deficient, and I’m back home safely only about an hour and a half later. They disinfected everything to my satisfaction, I bled quickly, she got my vein on the first try, and I got a cold Coke afterwards. No excuses anybody else! If I can do it in Uganda, you can definitely handle it at home. The only downside was the scale, which confirmed my fear that I have indeed gained 6 pounds here. I think my family will be pleased to hear that I made up for the weight I lost last year. I am less pleased :)
So yesterday. I’m getting worse about doing this the day of. I wrote a little in the morning, and then Tom and I wandered into town for lunch and groceries. I feel better now that he knows where things are and can find his way from here on out. This kid is only 20, so between him and 22 year old Dani, I kind of feel like a camp counselor again. Dani and Verity met us there later, and we hit all of the highlights-the bakery, the DVD library, and the gas station that sells pineapple Fanta. Dr. Alex called to check in, and it was good to hear from him. He’s become a dear friend, and I’ll miss him a lot, but I’m hoping we’ll be able to visit each other when he’s in Boston for school. For dinner, we met up with several of the hospital staff to take Dani out for her farewell party since she leaves Saturday. It was a fun night at The Lord’s Bar (kid you not), and we had good food (goat roasted on a stick, Uganda’s version of salsa, and chapati), good beer, and good conversation under the stars. It was a beautiful night with a full moon (which is less scary when I don’t have to work), and my first ever shooting star.
I’m Thankful...
1. for shooting stars. My only regret is that I couldn’t think of a wish fast enough.
2. for country music in Ugandan bars-this is one of my favorite trends here.
3. for finding g-nut sauce in town. I’m trying to figure out a good way to get this stuff back.
Much love!
Blood Bank success! I found the place, I didn’t faint, I’m currently not iron deficient, and I’m back home safely only about an hour and a half later. They disinfected everything to my satisfaction, I bled quickly, she got my vein on the first try, and I got a cold Coke afterwards. No excuses anybody else! If I can do it in Uganda, you can definitely handle it at home. The only downside was the scale, which confirmed my fear that I have indeed gained 6 pounds here. I think my family will be pleased to hear that I made up for the weight I lost last year. I am less pleased :)
So yesterday. I’m getting worse about doing this the day of. I wrote a little in the morning, and then Tom and I wandered into town for lunch and groceries. I feel better now that he knows where things are and can find his way from here on out. This kid is only 20, so between him and 22 year old Dani, I kind of feel like a camp counselor again. Dani and Verity met us there later, and we hit all of the highlights-the bakery, the DVD library, and the gas station that sells pineapple Fanta. Dr. Alex called to check in, and it was good to hear from him. He’s become a dear friend, and I’ll miss him a lot, but I’m hoping we’ll be able to visit each other when he’s in Boston for school. For dinner, we met up with several of the hospital staff to take Dani out for her farewell party since she leaves Saturday. It was a fun night at The Lord’s Bar (kid you not), and we had good food (goat roasted on a stick, Uganda’s version of salsa, and chapati), good beer, and good conversation under the stars. It was a beautiful night with a full moon (which is less scary when I don’t have to work), and my first ever shooting star.
I’m Thankful...
1. for shooting stars. My only regret is that I couldn’t think of a wish fast enough.
2. for country music in Ugandan bars-this is one of my favorite trends here.
3. for finding g-nut sauce in town. I’m trying to figure out a good way to get this stuff back.
Much love!
Thursday, July 14, 2011
You Can't Always Get What You Want
7/13/11
Yesterday was a pretty decent day. After several more discussions, I decided to stay for the second time in a day. I will be doing some stuff at the hospital in town next week, and I feel good about staying, although, I can’t believe I turned down a chance to go home sooner. I would always rather be there, but I can stick it out here. The water shut off for half a second last night (it came right back), and I had tiny pangs of regret (I yelled at my roommates “I gave up a chance to go home for this crap!”), but we all ended up laughing about that and other stuff, and it will be a fun last week and a half. We introduced Tom to the take out process of ordering food over the phone, repeating the order back and forth about 4 times in several different ways, and hoping for the best. In all honesty, as hard as it is for us to understand each other, they’ve never messed up an order. I highly recommend Sab’s Delivery if you’re ever in Mbarara.
I’m thankful...
1. for the chance to talk to Amy for the first time since I’ve been here. I miss the voices of my family, and I’ll be so glad when we’re all together at the beach. It’s been too long.
2. for finding a new walking route. It’s quieter with less traffic, and it makes me happy.
3. for the chance to slack off for a day. I didn’t touch my paper, and it was lovely, but I know I have to get back to it today.
Love you all!
Yesterday was a pretty decent day. After several more discussions, I decided to stay for the second time in a day. I will be doing some stuff at the hospital in town next week, and I feel good about staying, although, I can’t believe I turned down a chance to go home sooner. I would always rather be there, but I can stick it out here. The water shut off for half a second last night (it came right back), and I had tiny pangs of regret (I yelled at my roommates “I gave up a chance to go home for this crap!”), but we all ended up laughing about that and other stuff, and it will be a fun last week and a half. We introduced Tom to the take out process of ordering food over the phone, repeating the order back and forth about 4 times in several different ways, and hoping for the best. In all honesty, as hard as it is for us to understand each other, they’ve never messed up an order. I highly recommend Sab’s Delivery if you’re ever in Mbarara.
I’m thankful...
1. for the chance to talk to Amy for the first time since I’ve been here. I miss the voices of my family, and I’ll be so glad when we’re all together at the beach. It’s been too long.
2. for finding a new walking route. It’s quieter with less traffic, and it makes me happy.
3. for the chance to slack off for a day. I didn’t touch my paper, and it was lovely, but I know I have to get back to it today.
Love you all!
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
7/12/11
Only song title I could think of with goodbye in it. I should start with yesterday. My last day at the clinic was fairly uneventful. I brought in some snacks-cookies, ground nuts, something I couldn’t identify, but I assumed was good-and cards for the people at the clinic since it was my last day! After swapping many hugs and email addresses, I wrote for the rest of the day. Oh, almost forgot, Maureen gave me another dress yesterday, but wouldn’t let me pay for it. This one is another sundress, black with a little eyelet lace, and again, it made me so very happy.
Big news, one of the clinical trials that has been happening at the clinic has stopped and been redirected. I couldn’t figure out what the shouting and running was for, but then I found out that it means the drug they’re testing is so effective that they will no longer use placebos, and every person on study will get the drug. Basically, they’ve found a really good way to prevent transmission of HIV from one partner in a monogamous relationship to another. It’s a very big deal! I don’t know what that means for the bigger picture of cure, or if you’re having sex and are not married or monogamous. There’s promising talk of a vaccine, too, just FYI.
After all of that, Stephen drove me around for a looooong time last night to show me his family’s farm, and to meet some friends of his. It was very sweet of him, but I find Stephen a little harder to carry on a conversation with than some people, and I was just desperate to get home.
Little did I know that home now includes a male roommate. Tom is very kind, but it was a quick and shocking adjustment to sharing a bathroom, hanging underwear and bras up to dry, sitting properly in a skirt, and watching Sex and the City. And in case you’ve never heard this rant, I HATE sharing a bathroom with a boy. I love my brothers in law (where does the ‘s’ go in that one?), but my least favorite part of everyone home is sharing the bathroom with two boys. We are hoping we’ll make friends soon enough that he’ll go some places with us after dark, so we can enjoy the night life a little more.
I woke up this morning in a MOOD. I was wide awake at 6:30, the power was in and out, I was out of Coke (probably the biggest factor), and I woke up to several questions of if my supervisors are leaving, why should I stick around to do write a paper that I could easily do at home. I thought it was a fair point (one I didn’t really allow myself to think too hard about before), but 2 very important factors are in my way. 1. $1180. For $400 more, I could have just bought an entirely new plane ticket. I can’t fathom spending that much money for a difference of a week, no matter who’s paying or the infinite happiness going home would bring me. 2. I don’t want to leave Verity to fend for herself. Dani leaves us on Saturday, and I know she’s a big girl, and she’s lived alone in foreign countries before, but still. It would be that much harder for her, especially when we’ve made plans for our last week (and by plans I mean pool, facial, pedicure, etc.). So I’m staying (again). After a few tears with the Delta customer support people, I regrouped, the power returned, I took a decently hot shower, and I did laundry. God must be cracking up right now because the domestic chore of washing my underwear in a bucket (which I hope to never have to do again once I’m home) put me in a significantly better mood. Go figure.
Anyway, I’m Thankful...
1. for last days. Praise the Lord, it’s a big step out of the way.
2. for another dress. I’m quite pleased, and am so thankful for Maureen to take care of me in all kinds of ways.
3. for the beautiful garden Stephen’s friends had. It smelled a little like gardenias, but it was a different flower, and it might have been the prettiest yard I’ve ever seen. I have no idea how they pulled off watering a lawn in Africa. My only regret was it was dark, and I didn’t have a camera anyway.
4. for a random task to distract me from my self pity.
5. to know a reason for my constant hunger (even thought I think it’s kind of BS): apparently the preservatives in American food stay in your stomach longer than food without preservatives here. Too bad the calories stay in your stomach either way
6. for a friend who tried really hard to mail Diet Dr. Pepper to Uganda. Apparently it’s a lot harder than it sounds, but just the thought made my day.
Much love!
Only song title I could think of with goodbye in it. I should start with yesterday. My last day at the clinic was fairly uneventful. I brought in some snacks-cookies, ground nuts, something I couldn’t identify, but I assumed was good-and cards for the people at the clinic since it was my last day! After swapping many hugs and email addresses, I wrote for the rest of the day. Oh, almost forgot, Maureen gave me another dress yesterday, but wouldn’t let me pay for it. This one is another sundress, black with a little eyelet lace, and again, it made me so very happy.
Big news, one of the clinical trials that has been happening at the clinic has stopped and been redirected. I couldn’t figure out what the shouting and running was for, but then I found out that it means the drug they’re testing is so effective that they will no longer use placebos, and every person on study will get the drug. Basically, they’ve found a really good way to prevent transmission of HIV from one partner in a monogamous relationship to another. It’s a very big deal! I don’t know what that means for the bigger picture of cure, or if you’re having sex and are not married or monogamous. There’s promising talk of a vaccine, too, just FYI.
After all of that, Stephen drove me around for a looooong time last night to show me his family’s farm, and to meet some friends of his. It was very sweet of him, but I find Stephen a little harder to carry on a conversation with than some people, and I was just desperate to get home.
Little did I know that home now includes a male roommate. Tom is very kind, but it was a quick and shocking adjustment to sharing a bathroom, hanging underwear and bras up to dry, sitting properly in a skirt, and watching Sex and the City. And in case you’ve never heard this rant, I HATE sharing a bathroom with a boy. I love my brothers in law (where does the ‘s’ go in that one?), but my least favorite part of everyone home is sharing the bathroom with two boys. We are hoping we’ll make friends soon enough that he’ll go some places with us after dark, so we can enjoy the night life a little more.
I woke up this morning in a MOOD. I was wide awake at 6:30, the power was in and out, I was out of Coke (probably the biggest factor), and I woke up to several questions of if my supervisors are leaving, why should I stick around to do write a paper that I could easily do at home. I thought it was a fair point (one I didn’t really allow myself to think too hard about before), but 2 very important factors are in my way. 1. $1180. For $400 more, I could have just bought an entirely new plane ticket. I can’t fathom spending that much money for a difference of a week, no matter who’s paying or the infinite happiness going home would bring me. 2. I don’t want to leave Verity to fend for herself. Dani leaves us on Saturday, and I know she’s a big girl, and she’s lived alone in foreign countries before, but still. It would be that much harder for her, especially when we’ve made plans for our last week (and by plans I mean pool, facial, pedicure, etc.). So I’m staying (again). After a few tears with the Delta customer support people, I regrouped, the power returned, I took a decently hot shower, and I did laundry. God must be cracking up right now because the domestic chore of washing my underwear in a bucket (which I hope to never have to do again once I’m home) put me in a significantly better mood. Go figure.
Anyway, I’m Thankful...
1. for last days. Praise the Lord, it’s a big step out of the way.
2. for another dress. I’m quite pleased, and am so thankful for Maureen to take care of me in all kinds of ways.
3. for the beautiful garden Stephen’s friends had. It smelled a little like gardenias, but it was a different flower, and it might have been the prettiest yard I’ve ever seen. I have no idea how they pulled off watering a lawn in Africa. My only regret was it was dark, and I didn’t have a camera anyway.
4. for a random task to distract me from my self pity.
5. to know a reason for my constant hunger (even thought I think it’s kind of BS): apparently the preservatives in American food stay in your stomach longer than food without preservatives here. Too bad the calories stay in your stomach either way
6. for a friend who tried really hard to mail Diet Dr. Pepper to Uganda. Apparently it’s a lot harder than it sounds, but just the thought made my day.
Much love!
Monday, July 11, 2011
7/11/11
Not much new to report from yesterday. I actually was very productive with my writing in the morning, and I ran some errands in town that were pretty painless. I had to find snacks to share with the clinic since this is my last day! Woo! Stephen and Alex will both be leaving tomorrow (Stephen's going to Rome, how come I didn't make that invite?), and so I came to say goodbye to everyone since I will be without a ride from here on out. I'm not sure how I feel about being in Mbarara only for the next couple of weeks, but I'm grateful to be one step closer to coming home. I feel like I will be visiting the pool a lot.
I'm thankful...
1. for the bakery in town. Coke and a cookie have become a ritual that gives me something to look forward to when I go in.
2. for long walks. Verity and I found a new road to walk on with less traffic so we can get some much needed exercise (the Cokes and cookies are adding up).
3. for productive mornings. I'm still the most distracted person when it comes to writing, but I managed yesterday.
Much love!
Not much new to report from yesterday. I actually was very productive with my writing in the morning, and I ran some errands in town that were pretty painless. I had to find snacks to share with the clinic since this is my last day! Woo! Stephen and Alex will both be leaving tomorrow (Stephen's going to Rome, how come I didn't make that invite?), and so I came to say goodbye to everyone since I will be without a ride from here on out. I'm not sure how I feel about being in Mbarara only for the next couple of weeks, but I'm grateful to be one step closer to coming home. I feel like I will be visiting the pool a lot.
I'm thankful...
1. for the bakery in town. Coke and a cookie have become a ritual that gives me something to look forward to when I go in.
2. for long walks. Verity and I found a new road to walk on with less traffic so we can get some much needed exercise (the Cokes and cookies are adding up).
3. for productive mornings. I'm still the most distracted person when it comes to writing, but I managed yesterday.
Much love!
Sunday, July 10, 2011
"I'm everything I am because you loved me..."
7/9/11-7/10/11
No, I'm not getting mushy, that's just the song that was playing outside my window last night. It’s been a very quiet weekend. Dani and Verity went to the national park, and I watched the entire first season of How I Met Your Mother. Friday, I was thinking so much about what I was doing that I went a little overboard in not thinking about it at all. That’s what Mondays are for, anyway. For a whopping $30, I checked into a hotel down the street, and I enjoyed an overhead shower with warmish water, a clean room, and good food. I also enjoyed some fun conversation with a good friend back home. It was a little close to the street, though, so the sleep was not wonderful, but the shower was worth it. Today I ran a few errands, called Ashley for her birthday (she’s older than me and always will be!), and did not much else. All in all, I’d say quiet weekends with not much to do are incredibly underrated.
I’m thankful...
1. for junk food and DVDs. It felt a little like home for awhile.
2. for clean hair! I washed it several times to get all of the old shampoo out that I know our shower head misses. My head is less itchy now.
3. for cheesy love songs outside my window at 2 am. It really had been a long time since I’d heard that Celine Dion song, and now it’s on my ITunes.
4. for conversations back home. I miss home, and I’m so close, and I’m not wishing these 2 weeks away, but I am kind of hoping that they move quickly.
5. for getting used to not wearing make up. I put it on for the first time in a month yesterday, and it felt a little strange. Maybe I’ll feel better about going without it more often at home. No one here seems to notice, so why should anyone there, right?
6. for my sister, Ashley. She’s incredibly kind, extremely talkative, and loves animals (specifically dogs) more than is normal for any person. I love you, Elmira! I’m grateful that you were born, because otherwise, think of what Amy and I would look like :)
Goodnight All!
No, I'm not getting mushy, that's just the song that was playing outside my window last night. It’s been a very quiet weekend. Dani and Verity went to the national park, and I watched the entire first season of How I Met Your Mother. Friday, I was thinking so much about what I was doing that I went a little overboard in not thinking about it at all. That’s what Mondays are for, anyway. For a whopping $30, I checked into a hotel down the street, and I enjoyed an overhead shower with warmish water, a clean room, and good food. I also enjoyed some fun conversation with a good friend back home. It was a little close to the street, though, so the sleep was not wonderful, but the shower was worth it. Today I ran a few errands, called Ashley for her birthday (she’s older than me and always will be!), and did not much else. All in all, I’d say quiet weekends with not much to do are incredibly underrated.
I’m thankful...
1. for junk food and DVDs. It felt a little like home for awhile.
2. for clean hair! I washed it several times to get all of the old shampoo out that I know our shower head misses. My head is less itchy now.
3. for cheesy love songs outside my window at 2 am. It really had been a long time since I’d heard that Celine Dion song, and now it’s on my ITunes.
4. for conversations back home. I miss home, and I’m so close, and I’m not wishing these 2 weeks away, but I am kind of hoping that they move quickly.
5. for getting used to not wearing make up. I put it on for the first time in a month yesterday, and it felt a little strange. Maybe I’ll feel better about going without it more often at home. No one here seems to notice, so why should anyone there, right?
6. for my sister, Ashley. She’s incredibly kind, extremely talkative, and loves animals (specifically dogs) more than is normal for any person. I love you, Elmira! I’m grateful that you were born, because otherwise, think of what Amy and I would look like :)
Goodnight All!
Friday, July 8, 2011
I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues
7/8/11
So here’s what my paper is sounding like these days: “this program would be really great, but it has no money, and the schools pay some of the fees, but they also have no money, and the parents could pay the schools, but they have no money, and then their kids have to drop out, and then the schools will probably have to close soon because they again will have no money.” Uplifting stuff, right? Even if I get grant money, what happens in a few years when the grant runs out? Public health is utterly depressing. So is economics. I heard on the radio at dinner tonight that the Uganda shilling is the third most worthless piece of money in the world. This doesn’t help the theme of All of Uganda’s Problems Come From No Money and No Literacy. And then what really gets me is how all these countries who have money spend their money. Or spend money they don’t have. And allow unethical business agreements and practices in countries that are already barely standing by ripping off the few resources available so that they can make even more money. And then I read online that even with all of that money, there still aren’t enough jobs for everyone at home. I’m feeling frustrated these days. I want to move to Sweden. Can you think of any major conflict or ethical dilemma caused by the Swedes?* I can’t. They even gave us Ikea.
My second side project is doing some data collection on Extremely Drug Resistant Tuberculosis, another incredibly uplifting subject. We’ve done a bad job of treating TB the right way, and in the process, this new super bug of TB has formed, and is pretty much untouched by any antibiotics we have right now. It sounds like a bad comic book movie. Guess who got hit the worst. Yep, Africa. And because they don’t have enough problems, it’s usually the patients with HIV that get hit. I miss blissful ignorance a lot.
And on that lovely note, I did find some pirated DVDs in town, including Ally McBeal. Dani and Verity left today, and while my writing has not been fun, I have enjoyed a little bit of quiet. I had a hamburger (still tasted great), got some cookies from the bakery, have a line up of girly shows and movies, and I plan to zone out for the night.
Tonight I’m thankful...
1. for Sweden. Way to set an example, guys.
2. for learning one or two words in Ankole. People crack up when I say ‘webare’ (thank you). Doesn’t make for great confidence in my language skills, but they seem to be entertained if nothing else. Oh, and I’m trying to break the habit of ‘please’ after everything I ask for. Alex said it just confuses people. So much for being polite. I'm also glad he's just now telling me this.
3. for power. My little house on campus seems to be exempt from the scheduled power cuts every night this week. Good thing, because matches scare me, and my roommates aren’t here to save me if I light myself on fire.
*Looked it up and the last war Sweden had was in was 1814. It’s official. I’ll look into a visa as soon as I’m home and have enjoyed all of the comforts that unethical business practices have given me for a few weeks.
So here’s what my paper is sounding like these days: “this program would be really great, but it has no money, and the schools pay some of the fees, but they also have no money, and the parents could pay the schools, but they have no money, and then their kids have to drop out, and then the schools will probably have to close soon because they again will have no money.” Uplifting stuff, right? Even if I get grant money, what happens in a few years when the grant runs out? Public health is utterly depressing. So is economics. I heard on the radio at dinner tonight that the Uganda shilling is the third most worthless piece of money in the world. This doesn’t help the theme of All of Uganda’s Problems Come From No Money and No Literacy. And then what really gets me is how all these countries who have money spend their money. Or spend money they don’t have. And allow unethical business agreements and practices in countries that are already barely standing by ripping off the few resources available so that they can make even more money. And then I read online that even with all of that money, there still aren’t enough jobs for everyone at home. I’m feeling frustrated these days. I want to move to Sweden. Can you think of any major conflict or ethical dilemma caused by the Swedes?* I can’t. They even gave us Ikea.
My second side project is doing some data collection on Extremely Drug Resistant Tuberculosis, another incredibly uplifting subject. We’ve done a bad job of treating TB the right way, and in the process, this new super bug of TB has formed, and is pretty much untouched by any antibiotics we have right now. It sounds like a bad comic book movie. Guess who got hit the worst. Yep, Africa. And because they don’t have enough problems, it’s usually the patients with HIV that get hit. I miss blissful ignorance a lot.
And on that lovely note, I did find some pirated DVDs in town, including Ally McBeal. Dani and Verity left today, and while my writing has not been fun, I have enjoyed a little bit of quiet. I had a hamburger (still tasted great), got some cookies from the bakery, have a line up of girly shows and movies, and I plan to zone out for the night.
Tonight I’m thankful...
1. for Sweden. Way to set an example, guys.
2. for learning one or two words in Ankole. People crack up when I say ‘webare’ (thank you). Doesn’t make for great confidence in my language skills, but they seem to be entertained if nothing else. Oh, and I’m trying to break the habit of ‘please’ after everything I ask for. Alex said it just confuses people. So much for being polite. I'm also glad he's just now telling me this.
3. for power. My little house on campus seems to be exempt from the scheduled power cuts every night this week. Good thing, because matches scare me, and my roommates aren’t here to save me if I light myself on fire.
*Looked it up and the last war Sweden had was in was 1814. It’s official. I’ll look into a visa as soon as I’m home and have enjoyed all of the comforts that unethical business practices have given me for a few weeks.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
"Home is where your rump rests."
7/7/11
Wise words, Pumbaa. I love The Lion King. We watched it tonight in honor of Dani and Verity’s trip to Queen Elizabeth park this weekend (the one I’ve been to already). It is kind of fun to watch it and point out all of the animals I’ve seen here. And it’s still just a great movie. We have a gecko that doesn’t stick as well to the ceiling as he likes to think he does, so he is now named Zazu for his flying skills.
The HIV clinic has proven to be a difficult place for me to be. I honestly can’t understand why my heart aches so much there, when where I usually work is considered a pretty heart wrenching place itself. For some reason, I still see a lot of hope on my Aflac unit, and I can function, even in all of the sorrow that accompanies my days there.
Thursdays are Pediatric Clinic days. The appointments are only for pediatric patients. I sat in on a counseling session, and the kids were amazing. At age 5, they start getting counseling about the medicines they’re on, why they’re on them, how they got HIV, why they have to take them everyday, what they want to be when they grow up, and so on. The kids were beautiful and healthy looking, and answered with smiles and full understanding (it wasn’t their first session). Their caretakers also get counseling on how to discuss HIV with their children, and the best ways to approach the subject. Soon after, the kids ran to play with some bikes and soccer balls. Children will always be more resilient than adults.
I had a moment of severe wealthy white girl guilt when one little girl (Samantha) in a beautiful yellow dress bowed for me. I was so caught off guard, that I had to try not to laugh out of awkwardness. I wanted to apologize and tell her I’m not worth that, and she’s worth a hundred of me. But how do you even start explaining that?
The hardest part of my day was watching the HIV positive mothers bringing in their newborn babies to be tested for HIV. Can you imagine living in a culture where having children is of the utmost importance, but your doctors frown on you for getting pregnant and exposing your child? Let alone if your child is HIV positive how do you cope with knowing that one day you’ll have to explain to them how they ended up with that lifelong disease? And if the disease wasn’t bad enough, try the stigma associated with it even if you do get to school age (some kids get beat up for going to the school nurse for their therapy several times a day) or dating age or marriage age. Or if their parents die, and they go to another family, try the stigma there, when you’re costing money and time, and you’re pushed aside except for maybe the inheritance left to you, which is taken right away just to feed the family. The treatment of HIV and the access to drugs and the acceptability of condom use no longer seems to be the problem from what I’ve seen (at least in Uganda). How do you fix the rest of it, though?
I did have a few good moments in the day. After lunch, the clinic dentist, Maureen, said she had something for me. She pulled out a beautiful and simple royal blue and white sundress that she bought for me over the last weekend. I sat with her at the school screening last week, and had complimented her dress, and told her how much I missed my own, but had a hard time with sizes here. She shops a lot for other people to make some extra money, and she got me the perfect size in a girly dress that is my favorite color and makes my new tan look amazing. I don't think she'll realize that was probably the best gift I could get (silly as it sounds). I got a little teary, and couldn’t thank her enough for helping me feel pretty, and even just thinking of me. I am undeserving (I felt better that she let me pay her for it, it is her side business), but “my cup runneth over.”
I’m thankful...
1. for kind people who gave me one of the nicest gifts I’ll ever know. I am blessed.
2. for the little person who sells ground nuts next to the clinic. I know it shouldn’t be funny, but it’s the funniest image I’ve seen in awhile. I was told his wife is actually quite tall.
3. for discovering new books found on the shelf at the guest house. There are a few that I actually wanted to read, so that’s promising for my weekend to myself.
Goodnight, my loves.
Wise words, Pumbaa. I love The Lion King. We watched it tonight in honor of Dani and Verity’s trip to Queen Elizabeth park this weekend (the one I’ve been to already). It is kind of fun to watch it and point out all of the animals I’ve seen here. And it’s still just a great movie. We have a gecko that doesn’t stick as well to the ceiling as he likes to think he does, so he is now named Zazu for his flying skills.
The HIV clinic has proven to be a difficult place for me to be. I honestly can’t understand why my heart aches so much there, when where I usually work is considered a pretty heart wrenching place itself. For some reason, I still see a lot of hope on my Aflac unit, and I can function, even in all of the sorrow that accompanies my days there.
Thursdays are Pediatric Clinic days. The appointments are only for pediatric patients. I sat in on a counseling session, and the kids were amazing. At age 5, they start getting counseling about the medicines they’re on, why they’re on them, how they got HIV, why they have to take them everyday, what they want to be when they grow up, and so on. The kids were beautiful and healthy looking, and answered with smiles and full understanding (it wasn’t their first session). Their caretakers also get counseling on how to discuss HIV with their children, and the best ways to approach the subject. Soon after, the kids ran to play with some bikes and soccer balls. Children will always be more resilient than adults.
I had a moment of severe wealthy white girl guilt when one little girl (Samantha) in a beautiful yellow dress bowed for me. I was so caught off guard, that I had to try not to laugh out of awkwardness. I wanted to apologize and tell her I’m not worth that, and she’s worth a hundred of me. But how do you even start explaining that?
The hardest part of my day was watching the HIV positive mothers bringing in their newborn babies to be tested for HIV. Can you imagine living in a culture where having children is of the utmost importance, but your doctors frown on you for getting pregnant and exposing your child? Let alone if your child is HIV positive how do you cope with knowing that one day you’ll have to explain to them how they ended up with that lifelong disease? And if the disease wasn’t bad enough, try the stigma associated with it even if you do get to school age (some kids get beat up for going to the school nurse for their therapy several times a day) or dating age or marriage age. Or if their parents die, and they go to another family, try the stigma there, when you’re costing money and time, and you’re pushed aside except for maybe the inheritance left to you, which is taken right away just to feed the family. The treatment of HIV and the access to drugs and the acceptability of condom use no longer seems to be the problem from what I’ve seen (at least in Uganda). How do you fix the rest of it, though?
I did have a few good moments in the day. After lunch, the clinic dentist, Maureen, said she had something for me. She pulled out a beautiful and simple royal blue and white sundress that she bought for me over the last weekend. I sat with her at the school screening last week, and had complimented her dress, and told her how much I missed my own, but had a hard time with sizes here. She shops a lot for other people to make some extra money, and she got me the perfect size in a girly dress that is my favorite color and makes my new tan look amazing. I don't think she'll realize that was probably the best gift I could get (silly as it sounds). I got a little teary, and couldn’t thank her enough for helping me feel pretty, and even just thinking of me. I am undeserving (I felt better that she let me pay her for it, it is her side business), but “my cup runneth over.”
I’m thankful...
1. for kind people who gave me one of the nicest gifts I’ll ever know. I am blessed.
2. for the little person who sells ground nuts next to the clinic. I know it shouldn’t be funny, but it’s the funniest image I’ve seen in awhile. I was told his wife is actually quite tall.
3. for discovering new books found on the shelf at the guest house. There are a few that I actually wanted to read, so that’s promising for my weekend to myself.
Goodnight, my loves.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Good Vibrations
7/6/11
It's been a pretty good day. Dr. Alex kind of took me on as his project today, and he taught me all he could think of about HIV, Ugandan culture, ward rounds, and Ugandan politics. As random as those topics sound, it was actually a really good day for learning. I also did a minute amount of writing. I came home and Verity and I took a long walk (yay exercise!), found some Ugandan chocolate that actually tasted great, and we did a take out night (they know our voices, we don't have to give our address anymore). One random thing I've noticed here is that t-shirts have no meaning. It's like everyone buys their shirts from Goodwill, but they have no idea what they mean. Our delivery guy was walking around with the names of graduates from some high school in Nevada on his shirt. I also saw a kid in an Atlanta Braves t-shirt, and I was pretty pleased with that. I'm not sure how the t-shirt market works, but it makes for some fascinating stuff to look at on the street. Not much else to add here, but a good day nonetheless.
I'm thankful...
1. for Meg Olive being born several years ago today. Yay for Meg! She's on my list of longest running friends. Are we up to 14 years now? We're crazy old, and we've got TONS of stories between us. I like those kinds of friends.
2. for long walks. They're nice at home, too. I'll be glad to have more in both places.
3. for Coke. I drank one this morning, and one this afternoon. When someone asked my why I drank so much of it, Alex spoke for me and said "She's from Atlanta. It's what they do." Glad I can represent. I just told them if they thought I was addicted they should meet my mother.
Goodnight my loves!
It's been a pretty good day. Dr. Alex kind of took me on as his project today, and he taught me all he could think of about HIV, Ugandan culture, ward rounds, and Ugandan politics. As random as those topics sound, it was actually a really good day for learning. I also did a minute amount of writing. I came home and Verity and I took a long walk (yay exercise!), found some Ugandan chocolate that actually tasted great, and we did a take out night (they know our voices, we don't have to give our address anymore). One random thing I've noticed here is that t-shirts have no meaning. It's like everyone buys their shirts from Goodwill, but they have no idea what they mean. Our delivery guy was walking around with the names of graduates from some high school in Nevada on his shirt. I also saw a kid in an Atlanta Braves t-shirt, and I was pretty pleased with that. I'm not sure how the t-shirt market works, but it makes for some fascinating stuff to look at on the street. Not much else to add here, but a good day nonetheless.
I'm thankful...
1. for Meg Olive being born several years ago today. Yay for Meg! She's on my list of longest running friends. Are we up to 14 years now? We're crazy old, and we've got TONS of stories between us. I like those kinds of friends.
2. for long walks. They're nice at home, too. I'll be glad to have more in both places.
3. for Coke. I drank one this morning, and one this afternoon. When someone asked my why I drank so much of it, Alex spoke for me and said "She's from Atlanta. It's what they do." Glad I can represent. I just told them if they thought I was addicted they should meet my mother.
Goodnight my loves!
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
"Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming"
7/5/11
I'm having a hard time trying not to count the days. It's been another great day here, but I'm so ready to be home, and talking about it seems to make it worse. Anyway, life here. I started off a little cranky, I think I woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning. I was back at the HIV clinic today, and saw some new stuff with the counselors. They were short staffed in the pharmacy, so I counted pills into plastic bags for a couple of hours, too. I got to leave at lunchtime (I'm glad Dr. Alex has a bad work ethic), and got caught up on errands and hygiene and emails. I did have a rough patch today, and I hit up the bakery here to drown some sorrows. It's a pretty good place, but I wish they'd be a little more American and overdo the sugar. I had a really good 'Swiss biscuit' and a Coke, and I think that helped a lot. We watched Finding Nemo tonight, and the sea turtles made me so ready for Fripp Island with the family I couldn't stand it. I'm shouting out to Meghan and my other Church Hall ladies because we watched that movie so many times, and Meghan knew it by heart before the rest of us. And in the immortal words of Dory, I will keep swimming, because I know I will be home sooner than I realize.
I'm thankful...
1. for calming presences in my life. I've learned I don't deal as well with stress as I thought I did...Grizzle family trait.
2. for sea turtles. They're awesome.
3. for cookies during a rough patch. I know you shouldn't solve problems with food, but it did help.
Goodnight, all. Love you!
I'm having a hard time trying not to count the days. It's been another great day here, but I'm so ready to be home, and talking about it seems to make it worse. Anyway, life here. I started off a little cranky, I think I woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning. I was back at the HIV clinic today, and saw some new stuff with the counselors. They were short staffed in the pharmacy, so I counted pills into plastic bags for a couple of hours, too. I got to leave at lunchtime (I'm glad Dr. Alex has a bad work ethic), and got caught up on errands and hygiene and emails. I did have a rough patch today, and I hit up the bakery here to drown some sorrows. It's a pretty good place, but I wish they'd be a little more American and overdo the sugar. I had a really good 'Swiss biscuit' and a Coke, and I think that helped a lot. We watched Finding Nemo tonight, and the sea turtles made me so ready for Fripp Island with the family I couldn't stand it. I'm shouting out to Meghan and my other Church Hall ladies because we watched that movie so many times, and Meghan knew it by heart before the rest of us. And in the immortal words of Dory, I will keep swimming, because I know I will be home sooner than I realize.
I'm thankful...
1. for calming presences in my life. I've learned I don't deal as well with stress as I thought I did...Grizzle family trait.
2. for sea turtles. They're awesome.
3. for cookies during a rough patch. I know you shouldn't solve problems with food, but it did help.
Goodnight, all. Love you!
Monday, July 4, 2011
"It's Independence Day!"
7/4/11 (a little late, the Internet was down last night)
Do you ever play a game with yourself and ask where you were a year ago? I’ve been playing that game a lot recently, and today was kind of fun. This time last year, I was in Columbus at Meg’s river house with her family, eating outside, swimming in dirty water, eating late night Sonic, and celebrating Meg’s birthday with good cake and good friends. I’m pretty sure we went to some $1 movie, too, but I can’t remember. I do remember Meg, JR, and I trying to get into the river house without a key, and a chair ended up broken, and JR ended up with a pretty big gash on his leg.
This year, I’m in Uganda, eating fish off of the bone, writing a potentially publishable program evaluation, and finding a new passion for HIV patients. I got to go to the HIV clinic today, and it was fascinating, and I liked it a lot. Everyone enrolled there gets free medical care. Period. It’s amazing, and really well run. The adherence nurse has a great job, where she sees all of the patients, asks if they’re having any problems on their therapy, counts their pills to see if they’re having any trouble remembering to take them, gives them counseling, advice, and sends them on to the doctor if they need one. She seemed to know most of the patients pretty well, and she was personable, yet stern when necessary. She obviously has a lot of passion for what she does. You can tell that in just a couple of conversations with her, and she loves that her job is able to give people hope, because they all need it. I figured she was a kindred spirit when she said that.
It wasn’t quite this time last year, but it was close, that my whole world came crashing down very quickly. I hope that this July is not a repeat. But thinking of where I was then, and how I am now, my feelings about the whole situation have changed. I’m grateful for resiliency, the strength to move on (even though it was slow going), and the excitement of starting something with someone new when I return. I am better and stronger after all that happened, it feels like something that is very much my past rather than my present, and that gives me hope. I think they call that healing. And it also feels very much like independence. So while I will be thankful for the independence of our country from colonialism, I’m also going to be grateful for my own newfound independence as well.
I’m thankful...
1. For independence in all forms. I pray that the people here will one day know freedom from poverty and illness, too.
2. For nice nurses who are willing to teach. I really enjoyed my day.
3. For sunscreen. I wish it had worked better on my face because this burn is embarrassing.
Enjoy some fireworks for me, I miss those!
Do you ever play a game with yourself and ask where you were a year ago? I’ve been playing that game a lot recently, and today was kind of fun. This time last year, I was in Columbus at Meg’s river house with her family, eating outside, swimming in dirty water, eating late night Sonic, and celebrating Meg’s birthday with good cake and good friends. I’m pretty sure we went to some $1 movie, too, but I can’t remember. I do remember Meg, JR, and I trying to get into the river house without a key, and a chair ended up broken, and JR ended up with a pretty big gash on his leg.
This year, I’m in Uganda, eating fish off of the bone, writing a potentially publishable program evaluation, and finding a new passion for HIV patients. I got to go to the HIV clinic today, and it was fascinating, and I liked it a lot. Everyone enrolled there gets free medical care. Period. It’s amazing, and really well run. The adherence nurse has a great job, where she sees all of the patients, asks if they’re having any problems on their therapy, counts their pills to see if they’re having any trouble remembering to take them, gives them counseling, advice, and sends them on to the doctor if they need one. She seemed to know most of the patients pretty well, and she was personable, yet stern when necessary. She obviously has a lot of passion for what she does. You can tell that in just a couple of conversations with her, and she loves that her job is able to give people hope, because they all need it. I figured she was a kindred spirit when she said that.
It wasn’t quite this time last year, but it was close, that my whole world came crashing down very quickly. I hope that this July is not a repeat. But thinking of where I was then, and how I am now, my feelings about the whole situation have changed. I’m grateful for resiliency, the strength to move on (even though it was slow going), and the excitement of starting something with someone new when I return. I am better and stronger after all that happened, it feels like something that is very much my past rather than my present, and that gives me hope. I think they call that healing. And it also feels very much like independence. So while I will be thankful for the independence of our country from colonialism, I’m also going to be grateful for my own newfound independence as well.
I’m thankful...
1. For independence in all forms. I pray that the people here will one day know freedom from poverty and illness, too.
2. For nice nurses who are willing to teach. I really enjoyed my day.
3. For sunscreen. I wish it had worked better on my face because this burn is embarrassing.
Enjoy some fireworks for me, I miss those!
Sunday, July 3, 2011
"You give a little love, and it all comes back to you"
7/2-3/11
Hello All!
It’s been a great weekend. I actually stayed in town this weekend, got a little sleep, got a facial (they actually did a really great job), went to the market, had a great night with cards and gin, made it to the pool today (great tan, except my face which is red as a lobster, thanks equator sun), and am heading to bed early tonight.
One major highlight was an email from my coworker, Melissa. She went to the camp for our patients that they have every year, and she made sure to tell me that my very favorite kid of all time looked great 3 years later, and was having fun and breaking hearts. He asked about me (awww), and she got some pictures that I can’t wait to see. I LOVE this kid. I think he’s the reason I’ve stayed on that floor for so long. We made each other laugh, he loved to dance to Footloose, I taught him how to shoot saline syringes like water guns (and later regretted it), we got through some pretty scary nights together when he would get REALLY sick, he called me his girlfriend, he always had a good attitude even when he felt like poo or when I made a mistake (I was a new nurse), and I am so thankful that he’s happy. I miss that job! Even though it’s hard and it sucks a lot, I won’t ever forget him, or many others, and how many jobs give you people like that in your life?
Anyway. I’m thankful...
1. for reminders of former patients. Again, I LOVE that kid.
2. for remembering I actually brought Pepcid with me, but forgot I had it.
3. for two days without rain! Yay!
4. for clean pools that serve ice cream and play bad music. It’s a fun place, and it’s a 5 minute walk from where we live.
5. for facials. I’ve never had one, but it was lovely. I’ll do it again, as long as my face doesn’t break out from this one.
6. for Oreos. They’re the best cookie ever, even in Africa. I think God knew I would need those here.
Happy long weekend! You are loved!
Hello All!
It’s been a great weekend. I actually stayed in town this weekend, got a little sleep, got a facial (they actually did a really great job), went to the market, had a great night with cards and gin, made it to the pool today (great tan, except my face which is red as a lobster, thanks equator sun), and am heading to bed early tonight.
One major highlight was an email from my coworker, Melissa. She went to the camp for our patients that they have every year, and she made sure to tell me that my very favorite kid of all time looked great 3 years later, and was having fun and breaking hearts. He asked about me (awww), and she got some pictures that I can’t wait to see. I LOVE this kid. I think he’s the reason I’ve stayed on that floor for so long. We made each other laugh, he loved to dance to Footloose, I taught him how to shoot saline syringes like water guns (and later regretted it), we got through some pretty scary nights together when he would get REALLY sick, he called me his girlfriend, he always had a good attitude even when he felt like poo or when I made a mistake (I was a new nurse), and I am so thankful that he’s happy. I miss that job! Even though it’s hard and it sucks a lot, I won’t ever forget him, or many others, and how many jobs give you people like that in your life?
Anyway. I’m thankful...
1. for reminders of former patients. Again, I LOVE that kid.
2. for remembering I actually brought Pepcid with me, but forgot I had it.
3. for two days without rain! Yay!
4. for clean pools that serve ice cream and play bad music. It’s a fun place, and it’s a 5 minute walk from where we live.
5. for facials. I’ve never had one, but it was lovely. I’ll do it again, as long as my face doesn’t break out from this one.
6. for Oreos. They’re the best cookie ever, even in Africa. I think God knew I would need those here.
Happy long weekend! You are loved!
Friday, July 1, 2011
"And I think to myself, what a wonderful world"
7/1/11
It’s July! I’m excited to be in the same month as my departure date, but I know that there’s still a good amount of time left, so I'm trying not to get too excited. It wasn’t a terribly eventful day. I spent most of it trying to write, but then I’d always find some new distraction, so not a lot of writing actually happened. Oops. That can be what Sunday is for. My stomach is starting to revolt in a new way. I have been having heartburn for several days now, and I kept thinking it would just go away, but today around lunchtime while in tears, I just decided to go to the pharmacy and find some version of an antacid. All they had was something kind of like Pepto Bismol, which helps, but eating is still kind of painful. I feel bad for making light of people who deal with it all the time, because it really does suck. It doesn’t help that I’m a wimp when I feel bad.
I finished rereading The Bean Trees tonight. I really like Barbara Kingsolver (she also wrote The Poisonwood Bible, I recommend both). She’s big on seeing people as people, not as lesser versions of ourselves, and she’s big on plants as metaphors, both themes that I like. The Bean Trees talks about our invisible systems for growth as people (also how plants survive and thrive in the desert), and I’m grateful that my system for survival in Africa is not so invisible. I have a mountain of letters and cards, tons of emails, a fantastic family, a clinic full of people, and a house full of roommates to help me survive here, and maybe thrive with a little more time. I am blessed.
To Meg and Susan-you have both quoted the same movie to tell me to lose every bit of myself while I’m here. I’m not going to lie, I hated that quote the first time I read it. I’ve worked really hard to get to this version of myself, and I sure as hell wasn’t going to give it up that easily. I think I’m just now starting to realize how I have already changed, and how I can change a little more before it’s time to go. I don’t think I’ve lost every bit of myself, and I’m not sure I like all the things that I have gained, but it means more now than it did. I hope that if nothing else, I’m a little more patient, a little less controlling, a little more assertive, a lot less ignorant, a little less willing to give up and return to my comfort zone, a little more tolerant, a little more willing to acknowledge that I desperately need to listen to others, and a lot more motivated to pitch a fit for more fairness in the world where it can be found.
I’m thankful...
1. for Toblerone. Anyone know if they sell that in the States? It’s amazing. Adam left today, but he gave us his leftovers, and that made my day!
2. for good books. I’m running out, and need to find more.
3. for an easy day. I like them a lot.
Goodnight All! You are loved!
It’s July! I’m excited to be in the same month as my departure date, but I know that there’s still a good amount of time left, so I'm trying not to get too excited. It wasn’t a terribly eventful day. I spent most of it trying to write, but then I’d always find some new distraction, so not a lot of writing actually happened. Oops. That can be what Sunday is for. My stomach is starting to revolt in a new way. I have been having heartburn for several days now, and I kept thinking it would just go away, but today around lunchtime while in tears, I just decided to go to the pharmacy and find some version of an antacid. All they had was something kind of like Pepto Bismol, which helps, but eating is still kind of painful. I feel bad for making light of people who deal with it all the time, because it really does suck. It doesn’t help that I’m a wimp when I feel bad.
I finished rereading The Bean Trees tonight. I really like Barbara Kingsolver (she also wrote The Poisonwood Bible, I recommend both). She’s big on seeing people as people, not as lesser versions of ourselves, and she’s big on plants as metaphors, both themes that I like. The Bean Trees talks about our invisible systems for growth as people (also how plants survive and thrive in the desert), and I’m grateful that my system for survival in Africa is not so invisible. I have a mountain of letters and cards, tons of emails, a fantastic family, a clinic full of people, and a house full of roommates to help me survive here, and maybe thrive with a little more time. I am blessed.
To Meg and Susan-you have both quoted the same movie to tell me to lose every bit of myself while I’m here. I’m not going to lie, I hated that quote the first time I read it. I’ve worked really hard to get to this version of myself, and I sure as hell wasn’t going to give it up that easily. I think I’m just now starting to realize how I have already changed, and how I can change a little more before it’s time to go. I don’t think I’ve lost every bit of myself, and I’m not sure I like all the things that I have gained, but it means more now than it did. I hope that if nothing else, I’m a little more patient, a little less controlling, a little more assertive, a lot less ignorant, a little less willing to give up and return to my comfort zone, a little more tolerant, a little more willing to acknowledge that I desperately need to listen to others, and a lot more motivated to pitch a fit for more fairness in the world where it can be found.
I’m thankful...
1. for Toblerone. Anyone know if they sell that in the States? It’s amazing. Adam left today, but he gave us his leftovers, and that made my day!
2. for good books. I’m running out, and need to find more.
3. for an easy day. I like them a lot.
Goodnight All! You are loved!
Thursday, June 30, 2011
All These Things That I've Done
6/30/11 (a day late)
Cheers to writing day! I’m turning a little British. I also like the word rubbish, along with some fun new expletives that sound a little classier. I was barely functional last night from exhaustion, so I’m writing this morning instead. It’s Friday, and I have a designated writing day to put together some of my paper. So of course I’m starting with my blog instead. :) I’m terrible at academia. The only thing going for me is that most of my friends and family are asleep right now, so that’s one less distraction.
Yesterday was pretty low key. I went with several of the staff to do a school screening. They do this once a term, and it’s kind of like doing physicals but less thorough. They palpated for pregnancies (which I found odd), had the dentist on hand for problem teeth, and gave medicine if it was needed. The team of 7 people saw about 300 students in one day, and that was only half the school. We did get to ride in the back of the ambulance on unpaved roads, which I’m starting to find a lot of fun. Motorbikes are fun, too, but I try really hard not to use those for the safety factor.
I came home pretty late after work to an email from Lucy, which was lovely because we thought she’d fallen off the earth, but she’s just been busy. Her dad is completely back to normal, and she’s interviewing for midwife jobs since she’ll graduate soon. Dani and Verity and I did our usual dinner/Sex and the City, and I passed out quickly.
I’m thankful...
1. for a less emotional day. All in all, it’s been one of my favorite work weeks this week, although I have yet to do all 5 days at the clinic.
2. for roommates who can cook. I can only follow a recipe (and that’s only if I have the desire which is never), but they can throw stuff together and make it taste great, so they cook, and I do dishes. I love this set up.
3. for the ability to make kids laugh by doing nothing at all. At one point we had to walk a decent way to meet our ride, and a house full of kids scrambled to the door to stare at me. I waved and said ‘agandi’ (hi), and they cracked up. I’ve grown to like my celebrity status in the villages. Some of the girls at the school got in line to be screened just to shake my hand, too. I’ve also made friends with the custodian’s kids at the clinic. They don’t speak a lick of English, but they can blow kisses now, even though they have no clue what it means. Oh, and one day at lunch a kid named Crispus climbed in my lap for no good reason, but it made my day.
4. for my lunch lady, Gillian. She actually owns and runs a restaurant right next to the clinic, and it’s completely Ugandan food (fish still with eyes, goat meat, really chewy beef, g-nut sauce, etc), and hers is one of the few places that make it taste really really good. She doesn’t speak much English, but we’ve gotten used to each other. I asked for silverware my first day (they don’t really use silverware that far outside of town, I learned quickly after), but every day since then I get my plate of food with another small plate with a knife, spoon, and fork. She also no longer serves me matoke because she noticed I only ate about half of it. Oh, and I had a Coke on first day, too, and every day since she doesn’t ask what I want, she just plunks a Coke down on the table. She moves at a turtle’s pace, and is absolutely no nonsense. I really like her.
I have to stop procrastinating and get to work now. Much love!
Cheers to writing day! I’m turning a little British. I also like the word rubbish, along with some fun new expletives that sound a little classier. I was barely functional last night from exhaustion, so I’m writing this morning instead. It’s Friday, and I have a designated writing day to put together some of my paper. So of course I’m starting with my blog instead. :) I’m terrible at academia. The only thing going for me is that most of my friends and family are asleep right now, so that’s one less distraction.
Yesterday was pretty low key. I went with several of the staff to do a school screening. They do this once a term, and it’s kind of like doing physicals but less thorough. They palpated for pregnancies (which I found odd), had the dentist on hand for problem teeth, and gave medicine if it was needed. The team of 7 people saw about 300 students in one day, and that was only half the school. We did get to ride in the back of the ambulance on unpaved roads, which I’m starting to find a lot of fun. Motorbikes are fun, too, but I try really hard not to use those for the safety factor.
I came home pretty late after work to an email from Lucy, which was lovely because we thought she’d fallen off the earth, but she’s just been busy. Her dad is completely back to normal, and she’s interviewing for midwife jobs since she’ll graduate soon. Dani and Verity and I did our usual dinner/Sex and the City, and I passed out quickly.
I’m thankful...
1. for a less emotional day. All in all, it’s been one of my favorite work weeks this week, although I have yet to do all 5 days at the clinic.
2. for roommates who can cook. I can only follow a recipe (and that’s only if I have the desire which is never), but they can throw stuff together and make it taste great, so they cook, and I do dishes. I love this set up.
3. for the ability to make kids laugh by doing nothing at all. At one point we had to walk a decent way to meet our ride, and a house full of kids scrambled to the door to stare at me. I waved and said ‘agandi’ (hi), and they cracked up. I’ve grown to like my celebrity status in the villages. Some of the girls at the school got in line to be screened just to shake my hand, too. I’ve also made friends with the custodian’s kids at the clinic. They don’t speak a lick of English, but they can blow kisses now, even though they have no clue what it means. Oh, and one day at lunch a kid named Crispus climbed in my lap for no good reason, but it made my day.
4. for my lunch lady, Gillian. She actually owns and runs a restaurant right next to the clinic, and it’s completely Ugandan food (fish still with eyes, goat meat, really chewy beef, g-nut sauce, etc), and hers is one of the few places that make it taste really really good. She doesn’t speak much English, but we’ve gotten used to each other. I asked for silverware my first day (they don’t really use silverware that far outside of town, I learned quickly after), but every day since then I get my plate of food with another small plate with a knife, spoon, and fork. She also no longer serves me matoke because she noticed I only ate about half of it. Oh, and I had a Coke on first day, too, and every day since she doesn’t ask what I want, she just plunks a Coke down on the table. She moves at a turtle’s pace, and is absolutely no nonsense. I really like her.
I have to stop procrastinating and get to work now. Much love!
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
"May God's love be with you always"
6/29/11
The song above is the only sentiment I could think of for some of my patients today. I am absolutely exhausted, but I desperately wanted to write about today, because I saw so much in a day. I woke up cranky, because, again, there was rain, and let’s face it, my caffeine shortage is not helpful. But I got to the clinic and Amir asked me if I wanted to go on ward rounds, which is where the doctors go visit and assess each patient in the clinic for long term care. I learned a lot about ‘blind care’ which means if the patient doesn’t have the money, the tests don’t get run and you treat the patient with what you think they have. I know every person who reads this has access to drugs and doctors and hospitals, so please thank God for that. Also, my hospital at home looks like the Ritz compared to the clinic, and I never once saw any of the doctors wash their hands between patients. There was a lot of sadness on that ward. A man with end stage AIDS came in for pain control and just broke my heart. He couldn’t follow the conversation, and when Amir listened to his lungs, I could see them inflating under his skin. His eyes were yellow from liver dysfunction, and it is an image that will haunt me tonight, and I’ve seen a lot of sad things in my day. A kid with pneumonia also had a newly diagnosed heart murmur, but his parents couldn’t afford any tests, so Amir is going to have to follow up with them later to see if it “worries him” 50,000 schillings worth ($25) to tell the parents their son needs tests. $25!!! I wanted to hand him the cash right then, but then I realized every patient there needed a test, and that added up to a little more than $25.
After rounds, Dr. Alex drove me to another district where I did school visits and interviewed several people about the school insurance programs, and I got a ton of good stuff, and I think my report (fingers crossed) might actually lead to something useful. I also got to hold a sweet baby for awhile, and I got so homesick for my sweet bald babies (aka patients) at home. We ran some errands too, and I met a man who had not only heard of Georgia, but knew we grew peanuts, and knew that Jimmy Carter had started out a as peanut farmer. Turns out there’s a world renowned lecturer walking the streets of the Bushyeni district, and I had no clue. Oh, and within five minutes I got an invitation to his daughter’s wedding in September. The people here amaze me. Alex also drove me by a neat Catholic church that had a beautiful outdoor sanctuary.
I came home, joined Dani and Verity at the pool until we got rained out, and then Adam, the physician/lecturer that rode with us to the island, had us over for dinner tonight. He made Indian food (in Uganda, go figure), and it was fantastic! He promised he’d send me very simple (vegetarian, hmm) recipes that even I can’t screw up.
Oh, and I’m going to try giving blood while I’m here. That’s something free that I can donate. I’m O positive, they need it, and if I pass out (which I’ve done every time), I know who to call. I’ll keep you posted on that. If you feel so inspired to donate blood at home, please do it! My kids at home need transfusions and platelets every day!
I’m thankful...
1. for my health and the wealth to maintain my health. I wish fairness existed, but I am so lucky for all I’ve been given, and I hope I never forget that.
2. for FINALLY feeling useful. I think even Alex was surprised at all we uncovered today.
3. for a full stomach. I’m pretty sure that even with all my sickness, I’m still gaining weight. I’m thrilled to feel full, though.
Love you all!
The song above is the only sentiment I could think of for some of my patients today. I am absolutely exhausted, but I desperately wanted to write about today, because I saw so much in a day. I woke up cranky, because, again, there was rain, and let’s face it, my caffeine shortage is not helpful. But I got to the clinic and Amir asked me if I wanted to go on ward rounds, which is where the doctors go visit and assess each patient in the clinic for long term care. I learned a lot about ‘blind care’ which means if the patient doesn’t have the money, the tests don’t get run and you treat the patient with what you think they have. I know every person who reads this has access to drugs and doctors and hospitals, so please thank God for that. Also, my hospital at home looks like the Ritz compared to the clinic, and I never once saw any of the doctors wash their hands between patients. There was a lot of sadness on that ward. A man with end stage AIDS came in for pain control and just broke my heart. He couldn’t follow the conversation, and when Amir listened to his lungs, I could see them inflating under his skin. His eyes were yellow from liver dysfunction, and it is an image that will haunt me tonight, and I’ve seen a lot of sad things in my day. A kid with pneumonia also had a newly diagnosed heart murmur, but his parents couldn’t afford any tests, so Amir is going to have to follow up with them later to see if it “worries him” 50,000 schillings worth ($25) to tell the parents their son needs tests. $25!!! I wanted to hand him the cash right then, but then I realized every patient there needed a test, and that added up to a little more than $25.
After rounds, Dr. Alex drove me to another district where I did school visits and interviewed several people about the school insurance programs, and I got a ton of good stuff, and I think my report (fingers crossed) might actually lead to something useful. I also got to hold a sweet baby for awhile, and I got so homesick for my sweet bald babies (aka patients) at home. We ran some errands too, and I met a man who had not only heard of Georgia, but knew we grew peanuts, and knew that Jimmy Carter had started out a as peanut farmer. Turns out there’s a world renowned lecturer walking the streets of the Bushyeni district, and I had no clue. Oh, and within five minutes I got an invitation to his daughter’s wedding in September. The people here amaze me. Alex also drove me by a neat Catholic church that had a beautiful outdoor sanctuary.
I came home, joined Dani and Verity at the pool until we got rained out, and then Adam, the physician/lecturer that rode with us to the island, had us over for dinner tonight. He made Indian food (in Uganda, go figure), and it was fantastic! He promised he’d send me very simple (vegetarian, hmm) recipes that even I can’t screw up.
Oh, and I’m going to try giving blood while I’m here. That’s something free that I can donate. I’m O positive, they need it, and if I pass out (which I’ve done every time), I know who to call. I’ll keep you posted on that. If you feel so inspired to donate blood at home, please do it! My kids at home need transfusions and platelets every day!
I’m thankful...
1. for my health and the wealth to maintain my health. I wish fairness existed, but I am so lucky for all I’ve been given, and I hope I never forget that.
2. for FINALLY feeling useful. I think even Alex was surprised at all we uncovered today.
3. for a full stomach. I’m pretty sure that even with all my sickness, I’m still gaining weight. I’m thrilled to feel full, though.
Love you all!
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Stay Young, Go Dancing
6/28/11
Ever heard of DJ Bobo? We looked him up today, and had a dance party. Ugandan music is lacking. Actually a different song title above, but I haven't danced in awhile, and it was fun. I woke up to a thunderstorm, so yesterday’s sun was short lived. The clinic was cold and kind of empty today. Most of the physicians went into the community today (there was no room in the truck for me), so I had Dr. Amir’s office all to myself (with a private flushing toilet!) for awhile, but then Dr. Keith came in and we had a quiet day with computers, tea, and as much chit chat as a Ugandan can tolerate. They’re very direct here, not big on small talk, but we managed. I got to leave a little earlier today, and came home and napped and had some lovely conversation with the roommates. We had another take out and Sex and the City night (our after dark African evenings). An uneventful day, and I prefer it that way.
I’m thankful...
1. for rainy mornings where I can stay in bed a little longer. Dr. Alex was affected by the rain, too, and he called to say we would just leave an hour later. I love dozing in the rain.
2. for g-nut sauce (ground nuts). I’m not sure I want to know the nuts involved, but it tastes pretty good, and it’s one of the few foods that I crave that’s from here. Also on the list is pineapples. I’m telling you, U.S. pineapple is not pineapple.
3. for a night cool enough for my UGA hoodie. That thing is so old and huge, but it’s kind of like my security blanket. I wear it to work back home to give me something comfortable to start my long days in or to hide in when something bad happens or to lounge in when I have to study. It is literally security when I am unsure/stressed/overwhelmed. Anyway, I miss it in the summer, so at least I got to pull it out tonight.
Goodnight my loves!
Ever heard of DJ Bobo? We looked him up today, and had a dance party. Ugandan music is lacking. Actually a different song title above, but I haven't danced in awhile, and it was fun. I woke up to a thunderstorm, so yesterday’s sun was short lived. The clinic was cold and kind of empty today. Most of the physicians went into the community today (there was no room in the truck for me), so I had Dr. Amir’s office all to myself (with a private flushing toilet!) for awhile, but then Dr. Keith came in and we had a quiet day with computers, tea, and as much chit chat as a Ugandan can tolerate. They’re very direct here, not big on small talk, but we managed. I got to leave a little earlier today, and came home and napped and had some lovely conversation with the roommates. We had another take out and Sex and the City night (our after dark African evenings). An uneventful day, and I prefer it that way.
I’m thankful...
1. for rainy mornings where I can stay in bed a little longer. Dr. Alex was affected by the rain, too, and he called to say we would just leave an hour later. I love dozing in the rain.
2. for g-nut sauce (ground nuts). I’m not sure I want to know the nuts involved, but it tastes pretty good, and it’s one of the few foods that I crave that’s from here. Also on the list is pineapples. I’m telling you, U.S. pineapple is not pineapple.
3. for a night cool enough for my UGA hoodie. That thing is so old and huge, but it’s kind of like my security blanket. I wear it to work back home to give me something comfortable to start my long days in or to hide in when something bad happens or to lounge in when I have to study. It is literally security when I am unsure/stressed/overwhelmed. Anyway, I miss it in the summer, so at least I got to pull it out tonight.
Goodnight my loves!
Monday, June 27, 2011
Good Day Sunshine
6/27/11
Today was the first day with no rain in awhile. Way to go dry season (which supposedly started last month). So my boss has definitely kept me out too late. Today was a good day at the clinic, even though I spent most of it on my computer. The fun part was researching health programs, and ignoring those obnoxious green charts I've been mindlessly working on. Also got a school visit in, and a meeting with the guys who designed the school insurance program on Wednesday. Woo! Anyway, Stephen (in what I think is an attempt to make me less homesick) drove me by his house that is being built, gave me some honey from his family's farm, and took me out to dinner with some of his friends so that I could advise their daughter on college life in the states. Definitely a good day. Although the highlight might have been a sign posted at a school that said "Avoid Sugar Dadies." Practical advice (ask me later, and I'll explain how Sugar Daddies lead to HIV/AIDS in young women, but it's a long rant and I'm sleepy), but it still made me giggle. Didn't take a picture because I was trying to be respectful.
Today's list. I'm thankful...
1. for overcoming my fear of slimy critters long enough to remove the 6 inch slug from our shower this morning. Since I've been here, I've peed outside and removed weird animals from my house. I'm freakin Wonder Woman.
2. for nice supervisors who genuinely want to make this a good experience. He even invited me and my parents to stay next summer when his house is built. I didn't tell him that there was pretty much no way in hell my mom will get on a plane, let alone come to Uganda.
3. for friends who email to say they'll write more later. Made me happy even though I get full emails that make me happy, too.
Love you all!
Today was the first day with no rain in awhile. Way to go dry season (which supposedly started last month). So my boss has definitely kept me out too late. Today was a good day at the clinic, even though I spent most of it on my computer. The fun part was researching health programs, and ignoring those obnoxious green charts I've been mindlessly working on. Also got a school visit in, and a meeting with the guys who designed the school insurance program on Wednesday. Woo! Anyway, Stephen (in what I think is an attempt to make me less homesick) drove me by his house that is being built, gave me some honey from his family's farm, and took me out to dinner with some of his friends so that I could advise their daughter on college life in the states. Definitely a good day. Although the highlight might have been a sign posted at a school that said "Avoid Sugar Dadies." Practical advice (ask me later, and I'll explain how Sugar Daddies lead to HIV/AIDS in young women, but it's a long rant and I'm sleepy), but it still made me giggle. Didn't take a picture because I was trying to be respectful.
Today's list. I'm thankful...
1. for overcoming my fear of slimy critters long enough to remove the 6 inch slug from our shower this morning. Since I've been here, I've peed outside and removed weird animals from my house. I'm freakin Wonder Woman.
2. for nice supervisors who genuinely want to make this a good experience. He even invited me and my parents to stay next summer when his house is built. I didn't tell him that there was pretty much no way in hell my mom will get on a plane, let alone come to Uganda.
3. for friends who email to say they'll write more later. Made me happy even though I get full emails that make me happy, too.
Love you all!
Sunday, June 26, 2011
"Listen to the rhythm of the falling rain..."
6/26/11ish
Ish is becoming one of my new favorite adjectives. I should be exhausted, and I kind of am. It was a wonderful weekend. We went to Bushara Island in the middle of Lake Bunyoni. It’s a beautiful island with this fantastic resort kind of place with furnished tents and fantastic food and beautiful views of the lake and a ton of birds to look at. They’re much prettier to look at than they are waking you up in choruses at 5 am, but lovely nonetheless. Believe it or not, I think I can safely say we went camping. The tents were nice (even with 3 girls crammed into a tent for 2), but we still had to wash our hands and bathe out of a bucket, and we had to walk a mile to get food, so I’m counting it. We did have a beautiful view and an outdoor ‘patio’ for reading. It was a very peaceful place, and I’m grateful.
We left Friday afternoon, and when I say ‘we’ I mean Dani and Verity, my roommates, and Adam, a physician at the University hospital here. Adam is about 60 years old, brilliant, and very very kind. I was reminded of how nice it was to travel with a man (do not mistake that in any way for needing a man of any sort). Things happen faster, negotiating is shorter, and people here just deal differently with men than with women. Anyway, he made life easier. Also, he’d been there before and he helped us find our way. He also shared his box of wine with us at dinner, which was a nice treat. I felt a little out of my league with this crowd. He’s a medical professor from the UK and my roommates are med students, and they all discussed respiratory diseases like they were reciting a textbook I’d long forgotten from nursing school. I held my own, though, when it came to discussing universal healthcare, and the pitfalls of both of our nation’s systems. I also rocked the conversation about Stage IV Neuroblastoma, but I better have after 3 years. Anyway, other than the medical talk, I swam in my new bathing suit, read a lot of a book, napped on the dock, and basically just enjoyed a beautiful lazy weekend. Adam and Verity are also healthnuts, and one weekend with the two of them made me want to take up exercising a ridiculous amount every day and go vegan. I think those urges will pass, call me crazy.
We drove back today in a lightning storm (kinda scary), but it quit just in time for me to walk into town and find that the store that I needed was closed. So instead I walked back, figured out the issue with my Internet, but then we lost power with the second wave of the thunderstorm. We still had dinner, and tried to have “Film and Gin” night, but we skipped the gin and just watched Big Fish in the dark. Dani, Verity, and I have had quite a romantic weekend, ending it in a candlelight dinner and movie. Still a good day.
I enjoyed my weekend away from Mbarara, and my computer, especially at the urging of my big sister, Amy, who rightly told me that I was getting a little whiny, and I needed to be a little more present here in Uganda. I think she was right, but I’m still looking forward to home more than anything for a lot of different reasons other than warm showers, a normal feeling stomach, and junk food.
And my list. I’m thankful...
1. for Range Rovers. We hired a driver and car through a physician at the hospital, and while I will never EVER again in my life compliment such a gas guzzler, it was a comfortable ride, and pretty cheap split between four people.
2. for a sense of humor. I’m not at all outdoorsy (big surprise), but laughing at our ‘toilet’ and trying to hang bednets in a tent definitely not made for them was fun.
3. for people who are smarter than me. They always say to surround yourself with those, don’t they?
4. for a nice rain jacket. It came in handy since it was about half sunny and half rainy while we were there.
5. for real food! This place is actually a non-profit run by a nearby church, and the profits are given to use in the local community. It’s sustainable, beautiful, well run, and caters to lots of muzungus, so they had quesadillas, cinnamon buns, and real chocolate!
6. for sun bathing. It’s nice at a mountain lake when you’re not covered in sweat or sunburns.
7. for big fires. It got pretty cold at night, and the fire was huge and beautiful. Wish my dad could have been there, because he loves homemade fires (even if it’s just a pile of leaves in our backyard).
8. for rest. I rested most of last week, and now this weekend. I feel better, especially now that my stomach seems okay, and I’m ready to brave the clinic again tomorrow.
9. for a rainy lazy night. I love the sound of rain, I loved the conversations tonight, in real life and online, and I’ll love going to bed very very soon.
Goodnight all!
Ish is becoming one of my new favorite adjectives. I should be exhausted, and I kind of am. It was a wonderful weekend. We went to Bushara Island in the middle of Lake Bunyoni. It’s a beautiful island with this fantastic resort kind of place with furnished tents and fantastic food and beautiful views of the lake and a ton of birds to look at. They’re much prettier to look at than they are waking you up in choruses at 5 am, but lovely nonetheless. Believe it or not, I think I can safely say we went camping. The tents were nice (even with 3 girls crammed into a tent for 2), but we still had to wash our hands and bathe out of a bucket, and we had to walk a mile to get food, so I’m counting it. We did have a beautiful view and an outdoor ‘patio’ for reading. It was a very peaceful place, and I’m grateful.
We left Friday afternoon, and when I say ‘we’ I mean Dani and Verity, my roommates, and Adam, a physician at the University hospital here. Adam is about 60 years old, brilliant, and very very kind. I was reminded of how nice it was to travel with a man (do not mistake that in any way for needing a man of any sort). Things happen faster, negotiating is shorter, and people here just deal differently with men than with women. Anyway, he made life easier. Also, he’d been there before and he helped us find our way. He also shared his box of wine with us at dinner, which was a nice treat. I felt a little out of my league with this crowd. He’s a medical professor from the UK and my roommates are med students, and they all discussed respiratory diseases like they were reciting a textbook I’d long forgotten from nursing school. I held my own, though, when it came to discussing universal healthcare, and the pitfalls of both of our nation’s systems. I also rocked the conversation about Stage IV Neuroblastoma, but I better have after 3 years. Anyway, other than the medical talk, I swam in my new bathing suit, read a lot of a book, napped on the dock, and basically just enjoyed a beautiful lazy weekend. Adam and Verity are also healthnuts, and one weekend with the two of them made me want to take up exercising a ridiculous amount every day and go vegan. I think those urges will pass, call me crazy.
We drove back today in a lightning storm (kinda scary), but it quit just in time for me to walk into town and find that the store that I needed was closed. So instead I walked back, figured out the issue with my Internet, but then we lost power with the second wave of the thunderstorm. We still had dinner, and tried to have “Film and Gin” night, but we skipped the gin and just watched Big Fish in the dark. Dani, Verity, and I have had quite a romantic weekend, ending it in a candlelight dinner and movie. Still a good day.
I enjoyed my weekend away from Mbarara, and my computer, especially at the urging of my big sister, Amy, who rightly told me that I was getting a little whiny, and I needed to be a little more present here in Uganda. I think she was right, but I’m still looking forward to home more than anything for a lot of different reasons other than warm showers, a normal feeling stomach, and junk food.
And my list. I’m thankful...
1. for Range Rovers. We hired a driver and car through a physician at the hospital, and while I will never EVER again in my life compliment such a gas guzzler, it was a comfortable ride, and pretty cheap split between four people.
2. for a sense of humor. I’m not at all outdoorsy (big surprise), but laughing at our ‘toilet’ and trying to hang bednets in a tent definitely not made for them was fun.
3. for people who are smarter than me. They always say to surround yourself with those, don’t they?
4. for a nice rain jacket. It came in handy since it was about half sunny and half rainy while we were there.
5. for real food! This place is actually a non-profit run by a nearby church, and the profits are given to use in the local community. It’s sustainable, beautiful, well run, and caters to lots of muzungus, so they had quesadillas, cinnamon buns, and real chocolate!
6. for sun bathing. It’s nice at a mountain lake when you’re not covered in sweat or sunburns.
7. for big fires. It got pretty cold at night, and the fire was huge and beautiful. Wish my dad could have been there, because he loves homemade fires (even if it’s just a pile of leaves in our backyard).
8. for rest. I rested most of last week, and now this weekend. I feel better, especially now that my stomach seems okay, and I’m ready to brave the clinic again tomorrow.
9. for a rainy lazy night. I love the sound of rain, I loved the conversations tonight, in real life and online, and I’ll love going to bed very very soon.
Goodnight all!
Thursday, June 23, 2011
6/23/11
Definitely a better day. I have regrouped, had a nice break, but still been productive, and feel better. I am amazed and never thought it would happen, but not only did we get water back, but we have hot water in the shower! And the toilet is flushing! And I can really wash my hands and not just use hand sanitizer! The workers did walk in while I was bathing with a bucket and a cup (the caretaker has a key, they didn't just walk in), but other than that, I was very pleased. I hope I never again take for granted the luxuries I have here and at home. I leave again tomorrow to go to Bushara Island with Dani and Verity. It's supposed to be a nice place to go for a weekend, and I'm looking forward to a tan in my new bathing suit bought in Mbarara since I didn't bring mine from home. I know, it's a rough life.
Here's my list. I'm thankful...
1. for research days. I actually got a lot done, and I hope some new programs can be started here to teach the kids more about sexual health and oral hygiene, since those seem to be the biggest problems the clinic sees (other than malaria), and they're preventable.
2. for random bathing suits. I'm pretty sure it was a kids' clothing store, but they had one cheap that fit, and I didn't see another one in town.
3. for walks in the rain. Granted, the Mbarara dirt roads aren't quite as nice to play on as the paved ones at home, but rain still feels good on your face, if not your feet, every now and then.
4. for hot showers.
5. to be able to wash my hands. Nursing has changed my life in that I desperately need to clean my hands regularly. That's another thing we're all lucky to have in the U.S. We have the ability to clean our hands and prevent diseases just based on where we were born. I can't tell you how many lives would be saved here if there was running water and soap everywhere.
6. for washing dishes. It's strange, but I love to do it. There's something very therapeutic about the sound of water, and scrubbing things clean.
Apparently, I'm all about being clean. Hope it's been a good one for you as well! Much love!
Definitely a better day. I have regrouped, had a nice break, but still been productive, and feel better. I am amazed and never thought it would happen, but not only did we get water back, but we have hot water in the shower! And the toilet is flushing! And I can really wash my hands and not just use hand sanitizer! The workers did walk in while I was bathing with a bucket and a cup (the caretaker has a key, they didn't just walk in), but other than that, I was very pleased. I hope I never again take for granted the luxuries I have here and at home. I leave again tomorrow to go to Bushara Island with Dani and Verity. It's supposed to be a nice place to go for a weekend, and I'm looking forward to a tan in my new bathing suit bought in Mbarara since I didn't bring mine from home. I know, it's a rough life.
Here's my list. I'm thankful...
1. for research days. I actually got a lot done, and I hope some new programs can be started here to teach the kids more about sexual health and oral hygiene, since those seem to be the biggest problems the clinic sees (other than malaria), and they're preventable.
2. for random bathing suits. I'm pretty sure it was a kids' clothing store, but they had one cheap that fit, and I didn't see another one in town.
3. for walks in the rain. Granted, the Mbarara dirt roads aren't quite as nice to play on as the paved ones at home, but rain still feels good on your face, if not your feet, every now and then.
4. for hot showers.
5. to be able to wash my hands. Nursing has changed my life in that I desperately need to clean my hands regularly. That's another thing we're all lucky to have in the U.S. We have the ability to clean our hands and prevent diseases just based on where we were born. I can't tell you how many lives would be saved here if there was running water and soap everywhere.
6. for washing dishes. It's strange, but I love to do it. There's something very therapeutic about the sound of water, and scrubbing things clean.
Apparently, I'm all about being clean. Hope it's been a good one for you as well! Much love!
"It's gotta get bad before it gets good"
6/22/11-ish
I’m sorry I forgot to blog last night. I stayed up too late talking to friends who were actually awake. I’m not complaining, but I’m not sure that my ability to stay so connected is totally beneficial for my homesickness. It just makes half a world away seem that much further sometimes. And while I have good friends and good coworkers here, I miss the people who know me and connect with me and who know how to make me laugh and smile. I’ll just be grateful that I at least have that online, and that in person is not THAT much further away.
Anyway, so the meltdown continued. I woke up several times early Wednesday morning with stomach troubles, and between that and my anxiety over no water and those stupid green charts, I just stayed home on Wednesday. We had absolutely no water until about noon, and then we lost power until that evening, also. I was still able to email, so I emailed Stephen, my UGA supervisor, and told him that I’d had enough and I was ready to leave. I’m grateful for my meltdown even if only that it resulted in a long talk with Stephen last night. In an effort to not complain, I hadn’t really been telling him how pointless I felt that work was, and with all of his many projects, I don’t think he realized what I had actually been doing. He agreed to plug me into several different things, told me not to do any more data entry (yay!!!!), and said to instead focus on evaluation, research, and prevention related to the school health program all in a paper that might even be published at some point. I’m not sure I can picture being published, but it’s a fun thought, even if I don’t get that far. He said if I absolutely had to leave I could, but he reminded me that I’ve spent a lot of money and time already, and wouldn’t it be a shame to waste it. Yes. My mom also reminded me that if I were to leave early I would never forgive myself, which is true, too. I’m willing to give it more time with this new stuff, but I would still rather be on a plane home, just for the record. My favorite line from last night was “you need an uncle here, and now that I’m in Mbarara, you have that. You call me for anything. I’ll even take you to barbecues.”
I came home from tea (it still trips me out that tea time happens here) to find power at home. We had food delivered since it was starting to rain (again, cell phones here are a nightmare for communicating. It took 15 minutes of back and forth and probably offensive slow and loud speech to tell him what we wanted), I kept down some chips and some toast, we watched our usual Sex and the City, and then I got to catch up with several friends. Today is an at home research day, so I slept in a little to make up for staying up ‘late’ last night.
Here’s my list. I’m thankful...
1. for heart to hearts. I need some serious lessons in the difference between complaining, and being assertive. That’s something I struggle with at home. Anyone know of good (not cheesy) assertiveness training?
2. for peanut butter and honey toast. It’s one thing I truly enjoy.
3. for no more stupid green charts. I hope this works out.
4. for sweatpants. They feel good in every country.
I’m sorry I forgot to blog last night. I stayed up too late talking to friends who were actually awake. I’m not complaining, but I’m not sure that my ability to stay so connected is totally beneficial for my homesickness. It just makes half a world away seem that much further sometimes. And while I have good friends and good coworkers here, I miss the people who know me and connect with me and who know how to make me laugh and smile. I’ll just be grateful that I at least have that online, and that in person is not THAT much further away.
Anyway, so the meltdown continued. I woke up several times early Wednesday morning with stomach troubles, and between that and my anxiety over no water and those stupid green charts, I just stayed home on Wednesday. We had absolutely no water until about noon, and then we lost power until that evening, also. I was still able to email, so I emailed Stephen, my UGA supervisor, and told him that I’d had enough and I was ready to leave. I’m grateful for my meltdown even if only that it resulted in a long talk with Stephen last night. In an effort to not complain, I hadn’t really been telling him how pointless I felt that work was, and with all of his many projects, I don’t think he realized what I had actually been doing. He agreed to plug me into several different things, told me not to do any more data entry (yay!!!!), and said to instead focus on evaluation, research, and prevention related to the school health program all in a paper that might even be published at some point. I’m not sure I can picture being published, but it’s a fun thought, even if I don’t get that far. He said if I absolutely had to leave I could, but he reminded me that I’ve spent a lot of money and time already, and wouldn’t it be a shame to waste it. Yes. My mom also reminded me that if I were to leave early I would never forgive myself, which is true, too. I’m willing to give it more time with this new stuff, but I would still rather be on a plane home, just for the record. My favorite line from last night was “you need an uncle here, and now that I’m in Mbarara, you have that. You call me for anything. I’ll even take you to barbecues.”
I came home from tea (it still trips me out that tea time happens here) to find power at home. We had food delivered since it was starting to rain (again, cell phones here are a nightmare for communicating. It took 15 minutes of back and forth and probably offensive slow and loud speech to tell him what we wanted), I kept down some chips and some toast, we watched our usual Sex and the City, and then I got to catch up with several friends. Today is an at home research day, so I slept in a little to make up for staying up ‘late’ last night.
Here’s my list. I’m thankful...
1. for heart to hearts. I need some serious lessons in the difference between complaining, and being assertive. That’s something I struggle with at home. Anyone know of good (not cheesy) assertiveness training?
2. for peanut butter and honey toast. It’s one thing I truly enjoy.
3. for no more stupid green charts. I hope this works out.
4. for sweatpants. They feel good in every country.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
6/21/11
I had breakdown number 2 tonight. After a day of trying to be happy typing charts into a computer for hours, I came home exhausted and cranky, and nothing seemed to get me out of my funk. I had a good vegetable stew prepared by Dani, with real vegetables, and even some garlic. I had a small nap, a small drink, and was going to try to shower and get to bed early and try fresh tomorrow. But then, naked, and covered in soap and cold water, the shower decided to just quit. I just stood there and sobbed for a solid five minutes. It’s the same stuff as last time. I hate working on a computer for pretty much no great reason, I hate the food, I miss my home, I miss my job, and I’m sick of trying to enjoy it here for other people. I really have loved some parts. But between the not working shower, my hundreds of ugly mosquito bites, the constant state of awkward, my dirty hair, my lack of effectiveness, and my greasy face, I just want to be at home doing a job I love (some days), with people I love, and a life that genuinely makes me happy. What’s the point of staying, when I have that to come home to, and I’ve already had some good experiences? I’m sure I’ll wake up tomorrow and feel differently, just like last time, but we shall see.
Here’s my list. I’m thankful...
1. for roommates who perk me up when they’re feeling down, too.
2. for green beans. They exist here!
3. for ITunes. I’ve enjoyed some random music this evening.
Goodnight my loves!
I had breakdown number 2 tonight. After a day of trying to be happy typing charts into a computer for hours, I came home exhausted and cranky, and nothing seemed to get me out of my funk. I had a good vegetable stew prepared by Dani, with real vegetables, and even some garlic. I had a small nap, a small drink, and was going to try to shower and get to bed early and try fresh tomorrow. But then, naked, and covered in soap and cold water, the shower decided to just quit. I just stood there and sobbed for a solid five minutes. It’s the same stuff as last time. I hate working on a computer for pretty much no great reason, I hate the food, I miss my home, I miss my job, and I’m sick of trying to enjoy it here for other people. I really have loved some parts. But between the not working shower, my hundreds of ugly mosquito bites, the constant state of awkward, my dirty hair, my lack of effectiveness, and my greasy face, I just want to be at home doing a job I love (some days), with people I love, and a life that genuinely makes me happy. What’s the point of staying, when I have that to come home to, and I’ve already had some good experiences? I’m sure I’ll wake up tomorrow and feel differently, just like last time, but we shall see.
Here’s my list. I’m thankful...
1. for roommates who perk me up when they’re feeling down, too.
2. for green beans. They exist here!
3. for ITunes. I’ve enjoyed some random music this evening.
Goodnight my loves!
Monday, June 20, 2011
"I'm feeling tired, I've had enough, I'm getting messed up on a Monday"
6/20/11
I did not actually get messed up today, I just appreciate the sentiment of that song. As is typical with any Monday, it was hard to go back to work today. I made it, however, and of course, everyone asked again how I was feeling. I work with good people. I did not get to go any schools or villages today (bummer), but I did get off work a little earlier than usual, which was really nice. I came home and had time to finally put pictures on Facebook (sorry those of you not on there, ask your kids to show you), run some errands, and finish another book. Verity (I finally figured out how to spell her name) and I ran into town, got some dinner, and brought it back for Danny who now has her own African stomach bug. We’ve all officially been hit. It’s good times, and you get to know each other very quickly when there’s one bathroom between three sickly people. I did bring Sex and the City with me, and it’s been a lovely little family get together every night, as we eat junk food, and watch trash television. I’m bringing culture to the British in Africa. Also, egg rolls in Uganda are literally boiled eggs wrapped in bread. Get it, egg roll? Not quite what I thought, and I’m not really a fan.
Another list of mine is a list of my names on the street. Here are some of the typicals and also some of my favorites:
My Friend
My Frog (I think they were trying for friend there?)
My Princess
My Size
My Future
I’ve become really intolerant of the yelling on the street. Some of it is good natured, some of it is sales strategy, and some of it is blatant harassment. I’m starting to realize my feelings about Africa and geckos are similar. They’re fine for awhile, and ultimately good things, but I still frequently get creeped out, even if I try to have friendly feelings. I’m working on my international voice of diplomacy this evening. I’m out of practice and patience. I also had to bleach my floor in my bedroom from all the lizard poo. Me and Gomez (I’m trying that name out, it might change) are not on good terms at the moment.
So here’s today’s list. I’m thankful...
1. for short work days. I could get used to 7 hours shifts. I’ll bring it up in the next staff meeting at home.
2. for pictures. It really was fun to go through them today and see all that I’ve already done, but 5 more weeks still feels very very long.
3. for the smell of bleach. With all of the judging I did of my mother in my youth, I’ve come to love the smell and the feelings associated with bleach. My definition of clean has drastically changed since I’ve been here.
Goodnight Y’all!
I did not actually get messed up today, I just appreciate the sentiment of that song. As is typical with any Monday, it was hard to go back to work today. I made it, however, and of course, everyone asked again how I was feeling. I work with good people. I did not get to go any schools or villages today (bummer), but I did get off work a little earlier than usual, which was really nice. I came home and had time to finally put pictures on Facebook (sorry those of you not on there, ask your kids to show you), run some errands, and finish another book. Verity (I finally figured out how to spell her name) and I ran into town, got some dinner, and brought it back for Danny who now has her own African stomach bug. We’ve all officially been hit. It’s good times, and you get to know each other very quickly when there’s one bathroom between three sickly people. I did bring Sex and the City with me, and it’s been a lovely little family get together every night, as we eat junk food, and watch trash television. I’m bringing culture to the British in Africa. Also, egg rolls in Uganda are literally boiled eggs wrapped in bread. Get it, egg roll? Not quite what I thought, and I’m not really a fan.
Another list of mine is a list of my names on the street. Here are some of the typicals and also some of my favorites:
My Friend
My Frog (I think they were trying for friend there?)
My Princess
My Size
My Future
I’ve become really intolerant of the yelling on the street. Some of it is good natured, some of it is sales strategy, and some of it is blatant harassment. I’m starting to realize my feelings about Africa and geckos are similar. They’re fine for awhile, and ultimately good things, but I still frequently get creeped out, even if I try to have friendly feelings. I’m working on my international voice of diplomacy this evening. I’m out of practice and patience. I also had to bleach my floor in my bedroom from all the lizard poo. Me and Gomez (I’m trying that name out, it might change) are not on good terms at the moment.
So here’s today’s list. I’m thankful...
1. for short work days. I could get used to 7 hours shifts. I’ll bring it up in the next staff meeting at home.
2. for pictures. It really was fun to go through them today and see all that I’ve already done, but 5 more weeks still feels very very long.
3. for the smell of bleach. With all of the judging I did of my mother in my youth, I’ve come to love the smell and the feelings associated with bleach. My definition of clean has drastically changed since I’ve been here.
Goodnight Y’all!
Sunday, June 19, 2011
"I bless the rains down in Aaaafrica..."
6/19/11
I’m so sorry that I’ve been MIA for a few days. A lot has been going on. I am currently staring down the gecko on my wall. I know I should be okay with him, but he still catches me off guard and creeps me out a little. I named the one in the last house Rafiki. I need a new name for this one so he’ll be less scary. I’m open to suggestions.
Also, I really need to say again how wonderful the people in the clinic have been to me here. They got me home in one of their off duty ambulances on Wednesday (not kidding), gave me free medicine, several of them have called to check on me between Wednesday and today, and they’ve done everything in their power to make sure I have everything I could possibly need. I feel bad for using their resources, but I am so grateful to have genuinely kind people looking out for me. I am not 100% back to normal, but I am definitely better than I was.
This will be a longer post, so forgive me, but this is also how I’m documenting my trip for myself, and I’d like to be able to throw in as much as I can remember.
Thursday morning Lucy and I left at 5:45 am to catch a bus to Kampala. We had to climb onto a motorbike with several bags and three of us altogether to get to the station to wait in line. I was telling Mom, I’m amazed at how things work here. You don’t plan ahead, you just show up, hopefully at the right place and time, and hope for the best. Anyway, we did get space on a tightly packed bus (some people stood the WHOLE way), and made it to Kampala about 4 hours later. We didn’t know exactly where we were going, and when we drove by the place she was staying, we had to run to the front of the bus, or else they keep driving and you’re out of luck. Everyone was annoyed and said we were doing it the wrong way anyway. I really need a printed list of rules. Anyway, we found her hostel, threw some stuff down, and wandered to the National Mosque to kill some time. We had to rent the traditional garbs, and we climbed an awful amount of steps to get to the top. The view was pretty amazing from the tower, and we got some good pictures in our Muslim wear (to come at some point, I promise). I still think Kampala is disgusting. We had to shower again after our walk just to not feel covered in dirt. The hostel did set me up with a taxi to take me to the bus park to meet Missy, one of Dad’s McAfee students, and some of her coworkers to leave that night for Rwanda.
This bus left at 10:30 pm, and we were late, so we got the last seats in the very back with no leg room. Turns out it’s the worst place to sit late at night, on roads that are being constructed, with a driver who speeds, and instead of going over speed bumps, swerves off the road (because that’s better), and also with passengers who think the whole bus wants to listen to their music selection at 2 am (thus my title, courtesy of Toto). None of us slept that night. Also, we got to the border at around 6 am, and we had to sleeplessly stumble across a bridge in the freezing cold with all of our luggage to get to the Rwanda immigration office to stamp our passports. We finally made it to Kigali, had some awesome breakfast at a very trendy coffee shop, and found our hotel. We spent the rest of the weekend wandering the city, listening to cheesy pop music from ten years ago, eating amazing food, and visiting the many genocide memorials in and around the city.
If you don’t know about the Rwandan genocide in the early 1990s, I encourage you to Google it, or at the very least, netflix Hotel Rwanda (we walked by the hotel the movie was based on and it served as a safe house for many victims during the killings). The Kigali Memorial was amazing and disturbing and beautiful all at the same time. They really explained the history leading up to the genocide from colonialism to independence to civil war. Thousands and thousands were killed by their friends and neighbors, and the rest of the world ignored and downplayed the problem for 100 days before finally sending aid. The U.S. even withdrew its aid workers to protect them, leaving those on the brink of death with no one to turn to. The memorial had pictures of victims, including an entire wing dedicated to the children who were killed, with not only pictures, but stories of their favorite foods and best friends. Gardens surrounded the building, all with special significance to remember what happened, and honor those who were killed. I took lots of plant pictures since I have a weakness for plants in memory of people. :) As we were leaving, all I wanted to do was fly home ASAP and hug my parents and family. We were there during the 100 days of remembrance, and there were silent parades all over the city. You can tell that everyone is still trying so hard to rebuild their country, and recover personally. It was recent enough, that so many still remember and carry scars from all of the tragedies. Rwanda is incredibly clean (you get EXTREME fines for littering) like they’re trying to remove the dirt from the past, and everyone still seems very serious. I missed the friendliness of my Ugandan friends while we were there, and you can still sense the pain everywhere you go.
One place we visited was a church turned into a memorial for those who were killed in mass there. People (Tsutsis) ran to churches thinking they would be spared, and instead, some of the priests alerted the army of where they were, and thousands were killed with bullets, machetes, grenades, whatever the Hutu soldiers had. So many died during this time, that the graves were dug quickly and unsustainably. While we were visiting, family members of victims were digging up bodies, cleaning them, and building lasting graves to bury and honor their family in. It was just so sobering. Inside were just piles and piles of clothes the victims had worn, folded, laid out on pews, and covered in dirt untouched since they were placed. Rosary beads were strewn everywhere, and bullet holes were still in the ceiling of the church, skulls with different traumas were on display, and long bones were in stacks and stacks underground (I've learned Rwandans are not afraid to be graphic). The guide who was walking us around said he works there so that he can make peace with all of the atrocities that he witnessed. It was his coping mechanism to make sure the rest of the world never forgets what happened, and knows that genocide still happens and must be stopped.
Speaking of making peace (and to switch to a more pleasant topic), we ate dinner at Peace Restaurant and Bar, and we stayed in the Hope Lodge, which was conveniently right upstairs. I told you, I like the words hope and peace. I took it as some sort of sign. We did have some fun while we were there, we didn’t just mourn for those lost. We went to the same coffee shop about 4 times for the best ice cream I’ve ever had in any country, and for the free Internet and clean bathrooms. We also found some amazing Rwandan food in real restaurants, and found some interesting music at a bar close to our hotel. It was good to be around a few Americans, and laugh and talk and dance a little. It was a lovely trip.
I am grateful to be home in Mbarara. Seeing Kampala and Kigali makes me grateful for my home here. The people always smile and greet you on the street (and occasionally yell stupid stuff, but I’ll overlook it), and it’s fairly modern, even though we are currently without a refrigerator and still have no hot water in the shower. I will miss Lucy terribly, because I think she helped to get me through my first weeks here, but she is home in her clean house with drinkable tap water and a hot shower. My newer roommates are lovely as well, and I’m hoping that my next 37 days will go quickly and pleasantly.
I still have a list! Also long, get excited.
I’m thankful...
1. for incredible Rwandan white chocolate ice cream.
2. for new friends to be made in foreign countries.
3. for cheesy love songs sung down the street.
4. for hot water in showers even if you have to squat under the faucet (all I could think was Ashley would DIE).
5. for my youthful face. This is actually on the list of things I hope to be grateful for when I’m 35. Three women in Rwanda placed bets on how old I am: 16, 18, and 22 were the guesses. My age is now universally questioned, and at least they got up to 22.
6. for coming home to a full email inbox.
7. for kind people who check in to make sure I’m feeling okay.
8. for 37 days to go. I’m one week from halfway!
9. for pizza. Finally found some at the hostel in Kampala!
10. for tweezers. It's amazing what plucked eyebrows can do for your self esteem.
11. for the fake Gerber daisy I brought from home to decorate my room.
12. for honeysuckle in Africa! I thought it was just a southern thing, but most definitely not.
13. for my amazing Dad on Fathers’ Day. He makes me laugh even with his corny jokes, offers me money if I need it (and even if I don't), always sends emails to check in (even when I’m in the same country), is the sweetest man I know, loves good clothes almost as much as I do, puts up with my sarcasm/bluntness/crassness, loves to talk to ANYONE, has always been proud of me even during my less than proud moments, and passed on his cheeks, nose, love of the Braves/Bulldogs, and clumsiness to me. Love you, Dad!
Goodnight everyone else! You are loved!
I’m so sorry that I’ve been MIA for a few days. A lot has been going on. I am currently staring down the gecko on my wall. I know I should be okay with him, but he still catches me off guard and creeps me out a little. I named the one in the last house Rafiki. I need a new name for this one so he’ll be less scary. I’m open to suggestions.
Also, I really need to say again how wonderful the people in the clinic have been to me here. They got me home in one of their off duty ambulances on Wednesday (not kidding), gave me free medicine, several of them have called to check on me between Wednesday and today, and they’ve done everything in their power to make sure I have everything I could possibly need. I feel bad for using their resources, but I am so grateful to have genuinely kind people looking out for me. I am not 100% back to normal, but I am definitely better than I was.
This will be a longer post, so forgive me, but this is also how I’m documenting my trip for myself, and I’d like to be able to throw in as much as I can remember.
Thursday morning Lucy and I left at 5:45 am to catch a bus to Kampala. We had to climb onto a motorbike with several bags and three of us altogether to get to the station to wait in line. I was telling Mom, I’m amazed at how things work here. You don’t plan ahead, you just show up, hopefully at the right place and time, and hope for the best. Anyway, we did get space on a tightly packed bus (some people stood the WHOLE way), and made it to Kampala about 4 hours later. We didn’t know exactly where we were going, and when we drove by the place she was staying, we had to run to the front of the bus, or else they keep driving and you’re out of luck. Everyone was annoyed and said we were doing it the wrong way anyway. I really need a printed list of rules. Anyway, we found her hostel, threw some stuff down, and wandered to the National Mosque to kill some time. We had to rent the traditional garbs, and we climbed an awful amount of steps to get to the top. The view was pretty amazing from the tower, and we got some good pictures in our Muslim wear (to come at some point, I promise). I still think Kampala is disgusting. We had to shower again after our walk just to not feel covered in dirt. The hostel did set me up with a taxi to take me to the bus park to meet Missy, one of Dad’s McAfee students, and some of her coworkers to leave that night for Rwanda.
This bus left at 10:30 pm, and we were late, so we got the last seats in the very back with no leg room. Turns out it’s the worst place to sit late at night, on roads that are being constructed, with a driver who speeds, and instead of going over speed bumps, swerves off the road (because that’s better), and also with passengers who think the whole bus wants to listen to their music selection at 2 am (thus my title, courtesy of Toto). None of us slept that night. Also, we got to the border at around 6 am, and we had to sleeplessly stumble across a bridge in the freezing cold with all of our luggage to get to the Rwanda immigration office to stamp our passports. We finally made it to Kigali, had some awesome breakfast at a very trendy coffee shop, and found our hotel. We spent the rest of the weekend wandering the city, listening to cheesy pop music from ten years ago, eating amazing food, and visiting the many genocide memorials in and around the city.
If you don’t know about the Rwandan genocide in the early 1990s, I encourage you to Google it, or at the very least, netflix Hotel Rwanda (we walked by the hotel the movie was based on and it served as a safe house for many victims during the killings). The Kigali Memorial was amazing and disturbing and beautiful all at the same time. They really explained the history leading up to the genocide from colonialism to independence to civil war. Thousands and thousands were killed by their friends and neighbors, and the rest of the world ignored and downplayed the problem for 100 days before finally sending aid. The U.S. even withdrew its aid workers to protect them, leaving those on the brink of death with no one to turn to. The memorial had pictures of victims, including an entire wing dedicated to the children who were killed, with not only pictures, but stories of their favorite foods and best friends. Gardens surrounded the building, all with special significance to remember what happened, and honor those who were killed. I took lots of plant pictures since I have a weakness for plants in memory of people. :) As we were leaving, all I wanted to do was fly home ASAP and hug my parents and family. We were there during the 100 days of remembrance, and there were silent parades all over the city. You can tell that everyone is still trying so hard to rebuild their country, and recover personally. It was recent enough, that so many still remember and carry scars from all of the tragedies. Rwanda is incredibly clean (you get EXTREME fines for littering) like they’re trying to remove the dirt from the past, and everyone still seems very serious. I missed the friendliness of my Ugandan friends while we were there, and you can still sense the pain everywhere you go.
One place we visited was a church turned into a memorial for those who were killed in mass there. People (Tsutsis) ran to churches thinking they would be spared, and instead, some of the priests alerted the army of where they were, and thousands were killed with bullets, machetes, grenades, whatever the Hutu soldiers had. So many died during this time, that the graves were dug quickly and unsustainably. While we were visiting, family members of victims were digging up bodies, cleaning them, and building lasting graves to bury and honor their family in. It was just so sobering. Inside were just piles and piles of clothes the victims had worn, folded, laid out on pews, and covered in dirt untouched since they were placed. Rosary beads were strewn everywhere, and bullet holes were still in the ceiling of the church, skulls with different traumas were on display, and long bones were in stacks and stacks underground (I've learned Rwandans are not afraid to be graphic). The guide who was walking us around said he works there so that he can make peace with all of the atrocities that he witnessed. It was his coping mechanism to make sure the rest of the world never forgets what happened, and knows that genocide still happens and must be stopped.
Speaking of making peace (and to switch to a more pleasant topic), we ate dinner at Peace Restaurant and Bar, and we stayed in the Hope Lodge, which was conveniently right upstairs. I told you, I like the words hope and peace. I took it as some sort of sign. We did have some fun while we were there, we didn’t just mourn for those lost. We went to the same coffee shop about 4 times for the best ice cream I’ve ever had in any country, and for the free Internet and clean bathrooms. We also found some amazing Rwandan food in real restaurants, and found some interesting music at a bar close to our hotel. It was good to be around a few Americans, and laugh and talk and dance a little. It was a lovely trip.
I am grateful to be home in Mbarara. Seeing Kampala and Kigali makes me grateful for my home here. The people always smile and greet you on the street (and occasionally yell stupid stuff, but I’ll overlook it), and it’s fairly modern, even though we are currently without a refrigerator and still have no hot water in the shower. I will miss Lucy terribly, because I think she helped to get me through my first weeks here, but she is home in her clean house with drinkable tap water and a hot shower. My newer roommates are lovely as well, and I’m hoping that my next 37 days will go quickly and pleasantly.
I still have a list! Also long, get excited.
I’m thankful...
1. for incredible Rwandan white chocolate ice cream.
2. for new friends to be made in foreign countries.
3. for cheesy love songs sung down the street.
4. for hot water in showers even if you have to squat under the faucet (all I could think was Ashley would DIE).
5. for my youthful face. This is actually on the list of things I hope to be grateful for when I’m 35. Three women in Rwanda placed bets on how old I am: 16, 18, and 22 were the guesses. My age is now universally questioned, and at least they got up to 22.
6. for coming home to a full email inbox.
7. for kind people who check in to make sure I’m feeling okay.
8. for 37 days to go. I’m one week from halfway!
9. for pizza. Finally found some at the hostel in Kampala!
10. for tweezers. It's amazing what plucked eyebrows can do for your self esteem.
11. for the fake Gerber daisy I brought from home to decorate my room.
12. for honeysuckle in Africa! I thought it was just a southern thing, but most definitely not.
13. for my amazing Dad on Fathers’ Day. He makes me laugh even with his corny jokes, offers me money if I need it (and even if I don't), always sends emails to check in (even when I’m in the same country), is the sweetest man I know, loves good clothes almost as much as I do, puts up with my sarcasm/bluntness/crassness, loves to talk to ANYONE, has always been proud of me even during my less than proud moments, and passed on his cheeks, nose, love of the Braves/Bulldogs, and clumsiness to me. Love you, Dad!
Goodnight everyone else! You are loved!
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Dancing in the Moonlight
6/15/11
So, I definitely got my first African stomach bug today. I had a rough couple of hours at work this morning, but they got me some antibiotics and a comfortable ride home in no time (Mom, you were right, at least if I get sick I’m in the right place). Almost as soon as I got my Flagyl in, I felt much better. I am very lucky, and I hope that that’s the worst of it.
I am still planning to meet up with one of Dad’s students to go to Rwanda for the weekend tomorrow. Yay! I’ve heard it’s clean and pretty, and I’m hoping for a hot shower after a gross long bus ride.
A quick list tonight-I’m thankful for...
1. an amazing group of coworkers who took great care of me. Again, I truly love the people here. They’ve been checking in all day and night, too. I am loved here, too.
2. a lunar eclipse. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen one, but I got one in tonight. Again, how often will I see that in Uganda or anywhere?
3. a good person who kept me company on g-chat most of the day when I was bored and sick at home.
Much love!
So, I definitely got my first African stomach bug today. I had a rough couple of hours at work this morning, but they got me some antibiotics and a comfortable ride home in no time (Mom, you were right, at least if I get sick I’m in the right place). Almost as soon as I got my Flagyl in, I felt much better. I am very lucky, and I hope that that’s the worst of it.
I am still planning to meet up with one of Dad’s students to go to Rwanda for the weekend tomorrow. Yay! I’ve heard it’s clean and pretty, and I’m hoping for a hot shower after a gross long bus ride.
A quick list tonight-I’m thankful for...
1. an amazing group of coworkers who took great care of me. Again, I truly love the people here. They’ve been checking in all day and night, too. I am loved here, too.
2. a lunar eclipse. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen one, but I got one in tonight. Again, how often will I see that in Uganda or anywhere?
3. a good person who kept me company on g-chat most of the day when I was bored and sick at home.
Much love!
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
"It's All Coming Back to Me NOOOW!!"
6/14/11
The song title is proof of how much Ugandans love Toni Braxton and Celine Dion. It was blaring over dinner at what's supposed to be a pretty trendy place.
“Here you go, Grizzle.” It’s followed me here. Dani found out my last name, and it’s stuck. I’m not complaining. I grew to love going by my last name in high school, and I recently fought with a friend about the necessity of me keeping it when I get married, no matter how much of a source of pride it is for a man to have his last name taken. Suck it up, men. Grizzle is awesome, and if it was yours, you wouldn’t want to change it either.
Anyway. Today was uneventful compared to yesterday’s village excitement. I have made a new friend at the clinic. One of the physicians who didn’t say much at first, decided to ask me every odd and awkward question in the book today. My favorite one was “Do all women have to have IUD’s placed before they come into the country?” I assured him that was false, and said it was a little personal to ask, just in case he ran into another muzungu and wanted to ask her that, too.
I went into a gas station to buy air time for my Ugandan phone today. Aside: cell phones here have been really hard to get used to. I have no concept of how to pay as you go in shillings, and it’s impossible to carry on a conversation. Either person can only understand about half of the conversation, and I never hang up feeling like I got what I needed out of the phone call. And cell phones trump everything!. People answer them in staff meetings, medical rounds, in the middle of real life conversations, etc. It’s amazing. Anyway, the clerk at the gas station told me I was beautiful, and I could have cried and kissed her for it. I felt dirty, hairy, greasy, and sunburnt (thanks malaria pills for photosensitivity), and it may have just been a sales tactic, but I don’t think she’ll ever know how much I was dying to hear that.
The night ended with a dinner of fried chicken and chips (which are french fries, in case no one ever told you that), a cold shower, and a talk with both of my parents. All in all, I guess it was actually a really good day. I have learned from these new roommates that I have become a lot more tolerant of the way of life here than they have. I think it’s a learning curve because this time last week, I had all of their same complaints. I can talk to people when they ask questions, I have learned how to work restaurants here, and I’m grateful for my rural clinic peeps who are incredibly kind, and not creepy like some of the city folks.
So my list. I’m thankful...
1. for compliments. Again, I’m vain, but it meant so much I can’t stand it.
2. for Grizzle. It’s got pizzazz (which also has the rare double Z thing going). I feel bad complaining about it for so long.
3. for sleep. I need it, and I’m off to get some.
Goodnight my loves! I apologize for the random train of thought tonight.
OH! And Lucy's dad is just fine. He's stable, and probably going home in a day or 2, so she didn't have to change travel plans.
The song title is proof of how much Ugandans love Toni Braxton and Celine Dion. It was blaring over dinner at what's supposed to be a pretty trendy place.
“Here you go, Grizzle.” It’s followed me here. Dani found out my last name, and it’s stuck. I’m not complaining. I grew to love going by my last name in high school, and I recently fought with a friend about the necessity of me keeping it when I get married, no matter how much of a source of pride it is for a man to have his last name taken. Suck it up, men. Grizzle is awesome, and if it was yours, you wouldn’t want to change it either.
Anyway. Today was uneventful compared to yesterday’s village excitement. I have made a new friend at the clinic. One of the physicians who didn’t say much at first, decided to ask me every odd and awkward question in the book today. My favorite one was “Do all women have to have IUD’s placed before they come into the country?” I assured him that was false, and said it was a little personal to ask, just in case he ran into another muzungu and wanted to ask her that, too.
I went into a gas station to buy air time for my Ugandan phone today. Aside: cell phones here have been really hard to get used to. I have no concept of how to pay as you go in shillings, and it’s impossible to carry on a conversation. Either person can only understand about half of the conversation, and I never hang up feeling like I got what I needed out of the phone call. And cell phones trump everything!. People answer them in staff meetings, medical rounds, in the middle of real life conversations, etc. It’s amazing. Anyway, the clerk at the gas station told me I was beautiful, and I could have cried and kissed her for it. I felt dirty, hairy, greasy, and sunburnt (thanks malaria pills for photosensitivity), and it may have just been a sales tactic, but I don’t think she’ll ever know how much I was dying to hear that.
The night ended with a dinner of fried chicken and chips (which are french fries, in case no one ever told you that), a cold shower, and a talk with both of my parents. All in all, I guess it was actually a really good day. I have learned from these new roommates that I have become a lot more tolerant of the way of life here than they have. I think it’s a learning curve because this time last week, I had all of their same complaints. I can talk to people when they ask questions, I have learned how to work restaurants here, and I’m grateful for my rural clinic peeps who are incredibly kind, and not creepy like some of the city folks.
So my list. I’m thankful...
1. for compliments. Again, I’m vain, but it meant so much I can’t stand it.
2. for Grizzle. It’s got pizzazz (which also has the rare double Z thing going). I feel bad complaining about it for so long.
3. for sleep. I need it, and I’m off to get some.
Goodnight my loves! I apologize for the random train of thought tonight.
OH! And Lucy's dad is just fine. He's stable, and probably going home in a day or 2, so she didn't have to change travel plans.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Ok, It's Alright With Me
6/13/11
I’m starting to realize my coping skills are sub par compared to the rest of the world’s. One roommate (whose name I have no idea how to spell) was puking her guts up her entire first week here, and poor Lucy just found out her dad is in the hospital. He’s alright, but Lucy is behaving remarkably, and is calmly finding her way home a day or two early. If it were me on either count, I’d be a wreck and in tears and blindly crying to some poor stranger begging them to take me to the airport. Pray for her dad and their family. I think he’s stable, but it’s still stressful to have someone in the hospital anytime.
In other news, I got to visit the village of Mozilla today. I’m not sure if that’s actually how it’s spelled, but I enjoyed myself, regardless of spelling uncertainties. I went on an ‘Outreach’ with the HIV clinic today. They drive into the remote villages once a month and bring medicine and do check ups free of charge for the patients who can’t physically make it to the clinic. I didn’t do a darn thing but watch and carry a couple of boxes of pills, but I got handshakes and hugs and a feast of a meal in return. I can’t get over the genuinely kind hearts of the people here. This one woman, who isn’t even seen by the clinic, cooks a MASSIVE amount of food for this group every time they come. She does it free of charge for the ‘kind people that save our village.’ I wanted so badly to eat every bite of beans and potatoes that she gave us (two of my least favorite foods in the entire world), and I did pretty well for the first serving, but I struggled with the second and third servings that she slapped on my plate without asking. I’m guessing she wasn’t too offended because she offered for me to stay the night next time I was there. Freakin amazing.
I’ve been carefully calculating the days and hours that I have left (I can still get some credit if I only do half the time, a dangerous piece of knowledge), but I’m starting to feel like I need to try A LOT harder in adjusting my attitude. You were all right, it doesn’t take much other than my presence to give a sense of hope, and that really perplexes me. Stephen had such pride on Saturday when he looked at the clinic he helped to build from the ground up, and couldn’t be happier to have a student come, and to hopefully build a bridge for more students to come to his home village. I think (I could be wrong), but I think that part of why the villagers especially get so excited about muzungus is 1) I have weird hair that they love to touch and 2) someone from the outside has taken an interest and just that fact might mean something (however miniscule it may be) for the future. Well, crap. I just want to get home and buy shoes that aren’t caked in dirt and eat enough Willy’s cheese dip to last a lifetime.
Here’s my list:
1. for now, I have a healthy family not lying in hospital beds thousands of miles away
2. for mountains of beans and potatoes. They tasted terrible, but were filled with enough love that I could stomach it.
3. for funny drivers that pretty much just honk on dirt roads until cows move, and ask TONS of questions about ‘Joooor-ja.’ I’m starting to question my abilities in communication.
4. for mountain top views and sunflowers in Kabwohe. If nothing else on this trip does, I think those could have changed my life.
I’m starting to realize my coping skills are sub par compared to the rest of the world’s. One roommate (whose name I have no idea how to spell) was puking her guts up her entire first week here, and poor Lucy just found out her dad is in the hospital. He’s alright, but Lucy is behaving remarkably, and is calmly finding her way home a day or two early. If it were me on either count, I’d be a wreck and in tears and blindly crying to some poor stranger begging them to take me to the airport. Pray for her dad and their family. I think he’s stable, but it’s still stressful to have someone in the hospital anytime.
In other news, I got to visit the village of Mozilla today. I’m not sure if that’s actually how it’s spelled, but I enjoyed myself, regardless of spelling uncertainties. I went on an ‘Outreach’ with the HIV clinic today. They drive into the remote villages once a month and bring medicine and do check ups free of charge for the patients who can’t physically make it to the clinic. I didn’t do a darn thing but watch and carry a couple of boxes of pills, but I got handshakes and hugs and a feast of a meal in return. I can’t get over the genuinely kind hearts of the people here. This one woman, who isn’t even seen by the clinic, cooks a MASSIVE amount of food for this group every time they come. She does it free of charge for the ‘kind people that save our village.’ I wanted so badly to eat every bite of beans and potatoes that she gave us (two of my least favorite foods in the entire world), and I did pretty well for the first serving, but I struggled with the second and third servings that she slapped on my plate without asking. I’m guessing she wasn’t too offended because she offered for me to stay the night next time I was there. Freakin amazing.
I’ve been carefully calculating the days and hours that I have left (I can still get some credit if I only do half the time, a dangerous piece of knowledge), but I’m starting to feel like I need to try A LOT harder in adjusting my attitude. You were all right, it doesn’t take much other than my presence to give a sense of hope, and that really perplexes me. Stephen had such pride on Saturday when he looked at the clinic he helped to build from the ground up, and couldn’t be happier to have a student come, and to hopefully build a bridge for more students to come to his home village. I think (I could be wrong), but I think that part of why the villagers especially get so excited about muzungus is 1) I have weird hair that they love to touch and 2) someone from the outside has taken an interest and just that fact might mean something (however miniscule it may be) for the future. Well, crap. I just want to get home and buy shoes that aren’t caked in dirt and eat enough Willy’s cheese dip to last a lifetime.
Here’s my list:
1. for now, I have a healthy family not lying in hospital beds thousands of miles away
2. for mountains of beans and potatoes. They tasted terrible, but were filled with enough love that I could stomach it.
3. for funny drivers that pretty much just honk on dirt roads until cows move, and ask TONS of questions about ‘Joooor-ja.’ I’m starting to question my abilities in communication.
4. for mountain top views and sunflowers in Kabwohe. If nothing else on this trip does, I think those could have changed my life.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
6/12/11
All of the letters that everyone wrote me before I left have been priceless while I’ve been here. However, today’s letters won best overall because a few of the kids that I worked with at Camp Weiuca (it was 5 years ago that I was a summer counselor) sent me letters, and they were priceless! I got pictures, and whole sentences from some of my favorites, and I remember when they were just learning to spell. Made me feel great! Old, but great.
Compared to the past couple of days (or any day, really) today was very uneventful. I slept in because I stayed up late, and put off grocery shopping and showering. It proved a poor decision with the groceries because it rained again this afternoon, and I never did make it into town. I did take a freezing cold shower (the water works, but hot water is an issue), and cooked some spaghetti for dinner. I did get to talk to Mom over the phone without it dying five minutes into the conversation. I bought a Skype subscription since they don’t have a computer camera, and it really was worth it to me. I also finished two books and watched Sex and the City DVDs on my computer. I’m surprised I’ve gotten an entire paragraph out of today.
I’m thankful...
1. for a double bed in a quiet room. It really is a pretty comfortable room.
2. for DVDs from home. Although, the characters from Sex and the City definitely seem hard to relate to from here.
3. for roommates to keep me from going crazy. The new girls are very nice! They’ve had a worse start than any of us, so if they can stick it out, why can’t I?
Goodnight and much love!
All of the letters that everyone wrote me before I left have been priceless while I’ve been here. However, today’s letters won best overall because a few of the kids that I worked with at Camp Weiuca (it was 5 years ago that I was a summer counselor) sent me letters, and they were priceless! I got pictures, and whole sentences from some of my favorites, and I remember when they were just learning to spell. Made me feel great! Old, but great.
Compared to the past couple of days (or any day, really) today was very uneventful. I slept in because I stayed up late, and put off grocery shopping and showering. It proved a poor decision with the groceries because it rained again this afternoon, and I never did make it into town. I did take a freezing cold shower (the water works, but hot water is an issue), and cooked some spaghetti for dinner. I did get to talk to Mom over the phone without it dying five minutes into the conversation. I bought a Skype subscription since they don’t have a computer camera, and it really was worth it to me. I also finished two books and watched Sex and the City DVDs on my computer. I’m surprised I’ve gotten an entire paragraph out of today.
I’m thankful...
1. for a double bed in a quiet room. It really is a pretty comfortable room.
2. for DVDs from home. Although, the characters from Sex and the City definitely seem hard to relate to from here.
3. for roommates to keep me from going crazy. The new girls are very nice! They’ve had a worse start than any of us, so if they can stick it out, why can’t I?
Goodnight and much love!
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