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!