Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Invisible Children

I have had the chance to talk to so many people, and have had some amazing conversations. We got to talking about a documentary that was made here in Uganda, and it is called "Invisible Children". I have not had a chance to see it, but I hear it is really good and leaves quite an impact on your soul... I think you can read about it online, the website is just www.invisiblechildren.com or http://www.invisiblechildren.com/displaceMe/ It is all about some of the things happening in Uganda, even currently, and, at least from what I hear, it is a really good documentary, and I thought some of you may be interested. There is a detailed history on the second website I listed. Okay, so hopefully you might be interested in looking.. I haven't had enough time, but I wish I had more...I am really starting to adjust here, for real this time, and realizing how happy I am to be here, and just so appreciative to have this experience.Ha, some adjustments when I think about them are so funny, and I usually laugh.. just random stuff, like food, taking cold showers that take your breath away, crazy bugs all over the place, all of the time, little things that would freak me out back home, but it's funny how you just adjust over time. It's like that quote, "no matter where you go, there you are"...it's really true, because no matter where you go, or where you are, you will always adjust to your surroundings, and I am really adjusting and I would say I am starting to love (yes, l-o-v-e) it here in Uganda. I go to serve some sauce on my rice, and there is a random bug on top, but I just pick it out, I was reading while it was raining, and drops from my leaky roof fall on my head, but you just brush these things off your shoulder.. and it's funny when I think about how annoyed I would have been back home. Things are really layed back and casual, and I love it.

Anyways, we are at war with the mosquitos here, and they are all around. I have in counting, 21 bites on my left leg from the knee down, and 20 more on my right leg from the knee down.. that is just in counting and the ones I can see. I sleep under my net, wear repellent, but maybe it is my nights under the stars where the attacks are being made. hehe. Mosqutio nets are very important here, and everywhere in Africa. The idea of mosquito nets before I came were that they were a decoration that had tropical and exotic representations, but here you realize that mosquito nets can save lives, due to malaria.

I had a realization today that each day that goes by, I am starting to love Uganda more and more, and the way of life here. I think as each day passes, the harder and harder it will be to leave once my service is over. The weather is so beautiful, and the people are so kind, down to earth, and have such good senses of humor. I feel so lucky to be so immersed in a culture that is much different than my own. I have had opportunities to hear stories that are amazing, and I have felt so honored to be in the presence of some of these people. Life can be much more layed back, and it seems easier to be present in each moment that's happening. I can watch the sun rise and set each day, I take tea 3 times a day (haha), and I just feel like I am able to sit back and take it all in. Well, there is much more, but hard to get it all out in writing.
I think I am starting to find my way, and understand maybe what I am doing here, and all of the possibilities that lay before me.

A quote from the Invisible Children website I really like:

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world.
Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."-Margaret mead

Wednesday, May 9, 2007

Sunrise



I love the sky.

I am going to miss my host family, of which I have known for 2 months. It is crazy how attached you get so quickly. I have been a little sick lately, but it's nice for the time being because the hotel I am staying in has a toilet. woo hoo. Just a little crampy and bloated with "the big D"... I wonder how much bacteria I consume here in random foods I eat. I think generally I'm pretty healthy and my body can ward off a lot of the bad stuff, so when I don't feel well, it makes me wonder, woah, what kind of bacteria was it this time.. must be something harsh. hehe... you never know.