Yesterday was not my best day. It's kind of like God laughed when I said I had perspective, and sent me a few minor meltdowns to prove, once again, that I am a mere mortal. I got overwhelmed by my many tedious deadlines (ironic thing is I've met almost all of them between work and school), and was telling this to Amy on my way to Athens when I got flagged down by a cop. During a confusing situation of cars stalled on the interstate, I apparently made the wrong choice, and pissed off this cop royally. He yelled (and dropped the 'f' bomb), but thankfully, he let me go. However, I couldn't stop crying for almost the whole ride. I almost cried again when I stopped by a woman's office for a signature at an agreed upon time, and she was already in a scheduled meeting. All of that, plus the rain, and the sweat, and the wandering around campus stalking employees, and my already foul and stressed mood did not make for a winning combination. I came close to telling off a pretentious Honors student, and then got stuck in another accident on the way home. All of this griping is to say, that even when I can't get past the little things for one day, I am surrounded by great people. Not only did Amy listen to my petty complaints, she comforted me during my rain of tears, and sent me gorgeous flowers to cheer me up. She's a good sister. Ted took me to Willy's (my favorite, his less than favorite), and let me watch Muppet Treasure Island even though I'm sure it was mildly painful for him. The rain continued for the night, but when their power went out, he sat on the porch with me and held my hand and watched the rain with me.
1/17/12 I'm Thankful...
1. for small problems rather than big ones and people to care about me enough to listen to them.
2. that it wasn't me in those accidents. I think everyone was alright, though.
3. for rainy nights, and the relative calm that can come with them.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Monday, January 16, 2012
"I'm bringing home my baby bum-ble bee"
1/16/12
Here's the amazing thing about doing a hard job-I see miracles on a daily basis. For example, when I was helping to re-access a 3 year old's port (in English, shove a needle into a rubber thing in this kid's chest to have access to a vein directly to his heart) his mom was singing this song, and he was laughing like crazy! Miracle. The miracles are hardly ever the ones that are so frequently prayed for. In fact, some days anyone being cured seems impossible, but sometimes a song to make a kid laugh is enough. I occasionally get to rub the hair of a kid who hasn't needed to be hospitalized in months or even years. Miracle. After months and months and months, I get to be the one to tell a kid they're discharged home for good. Miracle. Medicine syringes turn into water guns and get kids out of bed. Miracle. Anyway, as much as I kick and scream and cry over my job, I am grateful to witness tiny miracles.
I'm thankful...
1. for perspective. I know what tragedy is, I know what strength is, and I know that life is valuable.
2. for ice cream. It may increase my cholesterol, but it makes life better.
3. for the content sigh of chubby cheeked babies in my arms. I may not want one of my own, but they sure are fun to hold.
Here's the amazing thing about doing a hard job-I see miracles on a daily basis. For example, when I was helping to re-access a 3 year old's port (in English, shove a needle into a rubber thing in this kid's chest to have access to a vein directly to his heart) his mom was singing this song, and he was laughing like crazy! Miracle. The miracles are hardly ever the ones that are so frequently prayed for. In fact, some days anyone being cured seems impossible, but sometimes a song to make a kid laugh is enough. I occasionally get to rub the hair of a kid who hasn't needed to be hospitalized in months or even years. Miracle. After months and months and months, I get to be the one to tell a kid they're discharged home for good. Miracle. Medicine syringes turn into water guns and get kids out of bed. Miracle. Anyway, as much as I kick and scream and cry over my job, I am grateful to witness tiny miracles.
I'm thankful...
1. for perspective. I know what tragedy is, I know what strength is, and I know that life is valuable.
2. for ice cream. It may increase my cholesterol, but it makes life better.
3. for the content sigh of chubby cheeked babies in my arms. I may not want one of my own, but they sure are fun to hold.
Sunday, January 15, 2012
The Danger of a Single Story
I took a long hiatus from the world of Global Health, only to return in full force this semester. I've missed learning things about the rest of the world, and I'm excited because now I have a tiny bit of context when I hear others lecture and discuss the pressing issues of the developing world. I just finished watching a video of the author Chimamanda Adichie talking about "The Danger of a Single Story." She talked about the danger of a single perspective or story and the generalizations that can come from only one point of view. I was ashamed to realize as I listened that I was/am still guilty of that. Before I lived in Africa, I assumed it was an impoverished land, filled with illiterate and unhappy people, HIV, coups, food shortages, and deserts. While those things do exist, I'm grateful that I now know another story of Africa, one of pride, laughter, brilliant people, amazing scientific innovations, generous and friendly people, enthusiasm for life, beautiful scenery of lakes, palm trees, tea farms, mountains, and flowers, and amazing pineapples.
It makes me wonder what other perspectives I have that are only single stories. I've learned in the past few months that even conservatives are not all bad, I am often the intolerant one, and that I am not as brilliant and enlightened as I like to think I am. What else am I missing? What else can I do to change my perspectives, or at least add to them? What are my prejudices, and why do they exist? And even though I still have no desire to return to Uganda in the near future, what can I do to change others' perspectives to be more aware and tolerant?
I know that my thoughts are not all that unique, but I can at least share them. It's one more story to share, right? I may continue to blog a little here and there, because I like having a record of things, even if no one else reads it. And I've missed my lists, so avoiding ex-boyfriends be damned, I'm writing again.
On a different note, I'm thankful...
1. for changing perspectives. I hope I can always strive to be more tolerant and less ignorant.
2. for lovely weekends full of pinball, skee-ball, childhood movies, long kisses, and shrimp and grits.
3. for warm blankets on cold nights. I am blessed!
It makes me wonder what other perspectives I have that are only single stories. I've learned in the past few months that even conservatives are not all bad, I am often the intolerant one, and that I am not as brilliant and enlightened as I like to think I am. What else am I missing? What else can I do to change my perspectives, or at least add to them? What are my prejudices, and why do they exist? And even though I still have no desire to return to Uganda in the near future, what can I do to change others' perspectives to be more aware and tolerant?
I know that my thoughts are not all that unique, but I can at least share them. It's one more story to share, right? I may continue to blog a little here and there, because I like having a record of things, even if no one else reads it. And I've missed my lists, so avoiding ex-boyfriends be damned, I'm writing again.
On a different note, I'm thankful...
1. for changing perspectives. I hope I can always strive to be more tolerant and less ignorant.
2. for lovely weekends full of pinball, skee-ball, childhood movies, long kisses, and shrimp and grits.
3. for warm blankets on cold nights. I am blessed!
Saturday, July 30, 2011
"Well I'll never be a stranger and I'll never be alone, whenever we're together, that's my home"
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!
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 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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)