Cornrows......

Yup...I had to do it. How could I come to Africa and at least not try taking a walk down the corn rows? Luke still thinks I should get them all the way down my head but I think this will be as adventurous as I get. Not much else to report about, but just thought I'd share :)

Oh...actually one request..... So I entered a Victoria's Secret contest and I asked my friends to vote for my entry on Facebook, and now with only 25 votes I'm coming 2nd! So I really have a chance at winning. You can vote once a day...so if you get bored and find yourself online, you should help me out with a vote ;) Thanks!

http://www.bodybyvictoria.com/#/Gallery/4261

Good-Bye Shawna and Hello 23

(Musa ready to go to Canada!)

This past weekend was bitter sweet. Shawna, who has been such a great friend to me in the past few months had to head back to Canada. But she wanted to do her last few nights right. So, who am I to complain if she gets us a beautiful hotel room and full body massages? We were so mentally prepared for a good pampering, I couldn't wipe the smile off my face. The only thing I could manage to complain about was the smell of the soap. We had a woman bring us up a bottle opener for our wine and I had to ask, "do only men stay here? Because all the soap is for men. I don't have a boyfriend but I smell like I do." She laughed and told me I'm crazy.... oh well, its not like I haven't heard that before. After skipping around our room and getting all dolled up, Radio came to pick us up to take us to hang out with his crew at a bar. It was a Sunday night, so the night life was very relaxed. Which was great because there weren't a lot of people to bug us, I mean we were rolling with celebrities. (haha) The rest of our time in Kampala was basically spent shopping around buying various wood carvings and jewelry. Then it was good-bye, and I was on a bus back to Mbale while Shawna headed to catch her plane to Canada.


"Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you...." what a way to start the day! I rolled out of bed, walked into the living room and my phone started to ring. It was my two best friends, and when you are far from home on your birthday, the voices of loved ones become such a treat! I had a very nice birthday. My roomies made me banana pancakes complete with candles for breakfast, then I went and had a dress made in town, then I spent two hours trying to mail a damn package that apparently didn't want to be mailed (not a highlight of my day), but then I headed to Doreen's to get my hair done. We hopped on the motorcycle and she took me to her favorite place.... well, lets just say it would have been a nice hairdo if they didn't grease it up so much. I looked like I just stepped out of the shower by time they were done. oh well, it gave us something to laugh about and I'm always about a good giggle. Then it was off to dinner at our favorite Indian food restaurant, followed by a surprise desert after at the sports club, where Doreen had a cake waiting for me. The cake looked pretty good..until Doreen started spraying confetti foam all over it and us and our drinks. But then again....it was just one more funny thing to laugh about and it definitely didn't stop us from eating the cake.

Meet Our Boys

The Boys: Joseph (13), Godfrey(6), Musa (4), Emmanuel (2)

Thank you for all who volunteered to help children with their school fees! After much deliberation, I couldn't think of a better family to sponsor than one that has become a part of my own. Paul and his family live behind our house in the "boys quarters" but lately we have noticed that Joseph (the oldest) hasn't been at school. So, I asked Paul if Joseph is done with his school year and Paul very sweetly said, "well no, but for financial reasons we have to wait until next term for him to continue with his education." So what we are thinking is that if we set up a "you pay 50% I'll pay 50%" of Joseph and Godfrey's school fees because they go to a better school that has higher fees then we will be able to keep them in school for an entire year and Paul has time to save up money to get them through next year and maybe even get Musa enrolled as well. We think this structure will also be more beneficial because it isn't the white people just giving a hand out, it is: we care for your family and we want to work with you to keep them in school. I can't tell you how greatful I am to those who helped out, this is going to a wonderful family! Love you all!

You are me bread and me butta......

s

Best birthday ever. Not mine, but Shawna's. It started off with a day by the pool at Mt. Elgon Hotel, not a bad way to unwind from the long week. Then it was off to DAAWAT, our favorite indian restaurant for some good food and not bad wine. Then we were off to the main event, "Bread and Butter" concert by the Goodlyfe, headlining performers: Radio and Weasel. We were all pretty excited because we have been hearing about Radio and Weasel since we got off the plane. Although, you may have never heard of them back home, but apparently they are kind of a big deal. This year they are even nominated for the MTV European music awards and African awards for best performing African group. So, after seeing about three hours of opening acts, which I'm pretty sure most of them were lip sinking (even a backstreet boys song, haha), the GoodLyfe hit the stage. Shawna and I were determined to get a good spot so we made our way around the side of the stage and were in the perfect place to rush to the stage when Radio and Weasel come on. Now, I realized Shawna and I were the closest Mzungos (white people) to the stage out of the eight of us who were in the sea of Africans, but I found myself thinking, "I swear Radio keeps singing to me....no its just my imagination....oh nope, he is definitely serenading me." I think the song started with something like, "beautiful womannnn...." and he grabbed my hands from the stage and stared at me while he sang the song. I didn't know the words so, being the dork I am, I just moved my lips mumbling jiberish.

Then as the show was about to come to an end he grabbed my hand one last time and said, "you come." So me and Shawna snap our heads to each other, "was he just talking to me?" Then, just to be clear Radio comes back to say, "meet me backstage." Ok, yup he is talking to me. So, what do we do? Well we went back stage! But first we rallied the troops. So, after an invite to the after party Luke, Shawna, me and our two local friends JB and Eddie headed to Club Oasis to join the fun. But honestly, I was a little nervous...

Lucky for us all went well, Shawna and I got to be the center of attention of the main men while groupies and other fans tried to nab their attention. However, Radio and Weasel ended up pleasantly surprising us, they were both very well educated and spoke perfect English, so it wasn't empty conversation, they were very interesting.

However, as the night turned into morning it was time to leave the club. And the headlining band also became our ride home. We were afraid some fans might follow us as they swarmed the van when we got in, but we didn't have a problem. So, now we are just keeping an eye on the papers to see if we make it in the "Red Pepper," Uganda's most popular tabloid/ newspaper.

Letters from home!!!

It is amazing what joy a singing birthday card, some tea bags, makeup and candy can bring you when you are so far from home and everything that makes your daily routine, routine. THANK YOU!!! Auntie and Grandma, thank you for the birthday cards, they arrived in just a week! I figured they were birthday cards, but how could I wait? And much to my surprise, the package my mom sent me only took 10 days to arrive; this is a big surprise because we have been told that even a letter from Mbale to Kampala takes 3-5 days, and Luke has been waiting for a package from Eugene for nearly two months. Guess I'm lucky, but anyways just thought I'd say thank you and I love you!

Lions, Hippos and Hogs Ohhh my!

So much to catch up on...and so little time. Well, since the new group has been here, work has been a little stressful...but put eight people in any house and see what happens. So time for a get-away? Yes.
The choice: Murchison Falls in Northern Uganda. So, Ron, Allan, Lizzy, Shawna, Emily and I loaded up and headed off to Kampala to meet our driver. As we sat on the bus beginning our three hour coach ride all I could think about was all of the emotions this journey has pulled me through...happiness, anger, joy, sadness, frustration, hope, love, peace, inspiration and despair. But in that moment I simply felt content. I put on my earphones, a small smile and closed my eyes.
Next thing I knew it we were in a Safari van headed to the top of a waterfall. And when I say waterfall I mean more like a giant, violent rapid that is oddly calming and peaceful. Then we headed to our beautiful cottage at Sambiya Lodge for lunch, unpacking and preparing for a boat ride to the base of Merchison Falls, so we could hike to the top and enjoy the view of the Nile. After a good sweat and lots of beautiful views we were ready for a glass of wine and bed.
The following day we were up at 5 am and ready for our game drive. (This was my highlight) At this point we had already seen crocodiles, hippos, baboons and elephants but as we headed out to the west shore of the Nile we got to add numerous gazelles and deer, giraffes, hogs and even lions to the list.
It was great, because we had a ranger with us we were able to go off trail to see some lions and right as we approached, we scared some unsuspecting deer into the direction of a ready lion, so just meters away we witnessed the kill...it was incredible. The game ride lasted about 5-6 hours, but we never got bored. If we weren’t spotting creatures out the windows we were sitting on the roof just enjoying the African sun and the morning breeze. To end our day in the park we tried to go chimp tracking but they only had three permits left, so Ron, Lizzy and I sat out and went for the nature walk while the rest of the crew went searching for the chimps. (I figured I still have a few months to cross that one off my list) Unfortunately, for the chimp trackers, no chimps were to be found....but we had a great nature tour. We got to see some shy black and white monkeys, a slug with a shell bigger than my hand, vibrating ants, tree bark used for “juju” (witch craft), parasitic trees and a 500 year old mahogany tree. We also had a wonderful guide, Justin, who told us stories about his relationships with the chimps, and his favorite chimp he calls “Joe” who once saved him from a 15 ft python. Justin said for $100 I can get a permit to sit all day with him and the chimps....hard to resist, but we will have to see what my budget and time allows.
Well, now that I have very thoroughly rambled about my latest adventure I will briefly say that I also got to stay the night in the Jewish capital of Uganda which was only five minutes up a hill from Mbale. I’m not Jewish, but I look like I could be, and it was kind of fun having people think I was. It was absolutely peaceful, no 5 am call of prayer, 6 am rooster call, or 7 am alarm of screaming kids out my window. We just got in for dinner, a good night of sleep, and some quality reading time with a beautiful view. There are three Jewish villages in Uganda and it was very interesting to go to the largest. (Which was still very small) Most Ugandans follow some form of Christianity or Islam, so to see a different religious influence so ingrained in the culture was very interesting.
Any who, I’d like for y’all to keep reading my blog so I’m going to stop before I bore you to death. And just a shout out to Auntie and Ma, thanks for calling it is always fun to chat with you and I love hearing about all the exciting news from home ;) Aunt Sierra and Jeremiah, you are in my thoughts :) :) :) hugs n luv to all!