"You can stand under my umbrella-ella-ella"

6/11/11

It rained for the first time since I've been here today, and I did indeed share an umbrella with several people.  Apparently rain now is as strange as snow in the summer back home.  It's the dry season, and it never rains in June.  I hoping that means things will stay greener a little longer.

    I think Kati has been trying for a shout out in the blog, because I feel like about half of my letters from home are from her, and today my inbox was full of pictures and emails (I think while she was supposed to be working).  Thank you, Kati!  I love you!
    I saw Lucy lose it last night.  She’s a lot like me, if she hates something she keeps it to herself, and tries to look on the bright side.  She came out after three attempts at sleeping in the pit of despair, and started cursing and ranting about the ‘damn professor’ and this stupid apartment!  We ended up sharing the room furthest from the road, slept terribly, had a moment of laughter/terror involving sleeping pills and a banging door that we still can’t find, pitched some pretty big fits today to several people, and are now comfortably sleeping in a different house with water and power and roommates (yay!) and no noise from the road or crying babies.  (Sidenote: I’m sitting in the hotel lobby waiting for Dr. Whalen to get settled, but what looks like a church group has pulled up, and they’re wearing the most conspicuous outfits, they’re loud, and they just scream American.  I shouldn’t judge, but I see what people mean now.)
    Turns out my weekend was busier than my week.  I spent most of today with Stephen, my supervisor, who’s finally in town (yay!), and Dr. Whalen, the big shot epidemiology professor at UGA who gave me my only B in grad school.  He really is an important guy, and he was very kind and helpful today.  I’m grateful to have them here for awhile.  It’s always interesting to see how you look to others, and honestly, I think they were both a little impressed that I had settled in as well as I had (too bad they didn’t know about the big breakdown Wednesday), and were grateful that I was brave (aka stupid) enough to make this trip on my own.  This internship means a lot to them, even if it only means it will be easier for more students to come and start a partnership here between UGA and KCRC.  Dr. Whalen and Stephen both have a lot of love for this place, and it’s obvious in all that they do. 
    Anyway, after several presentations, and a lot of meals (I might be the only person to gain weight in Africa), I’m finally unpacked in my new (I hope) permanent home for the next 6 weeks.  The power was out all over campus earlier, but it came on while I was at dinner, and I did just have a new and interesting experience getting the toilet to flush.  It still beats the pit of despair any day.  
    There are a lot of differences in America and Uganda, but I’ve also noticed some things are universal.  See below:
1. Everyone always laughs at farts.  I’m convinced that farts will always be funny.
2. Everyone is annoyed when they play Solitaire on the computer, and the person watching tries to help.
3. Everyone turns to idiots around babies. 
4. It always rains on outdoor weddings, even in Uganda.

I think I may try to add to this list as I go now, too.  I like lists a lot.

Here’s today’s other list.
I’m Thankful...
1. to have some faces from home, even though I still think the people from the clinic seem almost as familiar now.
2. for Coke to keep me awake.  I’ve had about 3 today, but I would have been falling over otherwise.
3. for a bright and almost pretty bedroom to call my own.  Meg, I didn’t believe you about the bandanas, but they also work to decorate an ugly room.
4. for Katy Perry songs playing in the hotel.  Amy, thought of you.

Goodnight, All!  Love you!