Rain keeps falling

I felt the need to write a post concerning my language acquisition here at training because I now identify with the struggle faced by English Language Learners. Today was the Mock Language Proficiency Exam, which tests our ability as volunteers to interact in the local language. As I already explained, Ateso is a Level 4 language comparable to the Slavic languages. In essence, very difficult. Anyways, yesterday I had my lightbulb experience. At some point during the day, I knew how to put nouns and adjectives and verbs (conjugated, at that!) together to make coherent sentences. I was ecstatic at this news because it happened the eve of our mock interview. Staying up all night with my flash cards and grammar manuals, I spoke to the geckos in my mosquito net. My host family remarked at my chatty behavior over tea this morning. They heard every word (not that they understand Ateso, as they speak Luganda) due to the construction of our house. The walls are like any home, raising to just about 8 feet, but after that is nothing. No ceiling. If you thought you didn't have privacy, you didn't get to hear all houseguests and see their every move (think shadows). Too funny. So here I am, mere minutes after my mock interview and I feel the struggle of every kid in America who speaks a language other than English. Cut them slack, because they deserve every bit of it. Language comes at different moments for different children, and they will experience their lightbulb when they are ready. Appreciate their other language (especially if you don't know it) and be patient.

One more story for today: I was trapped inside the pit latrine a few days back. Yes, with the cockroaches (the size of small children) and geckos and the rancid smell of the things twenty feet below the hole I call a toilet. Why, you ask? Because a cow decided to move all 500 lbs of itself in front of the pit latrine door. Now, I am not the strongest person. After a few (more like 25 minutes) the cow moved and I made a successful exit. I told my family about it and their suggestion was to pray next time so that the cow moves earlier. Holy cow now has a new meaning.

As always, I miss everyone like WOAH. Take care and I'll write more soon.

Half way through training

Dear Friends,
I send best wishes from Uganda. As of now, I sent out letters, but there is no guarantee that they'll arrive. Keep your fingers crossed and check the mail. Back to my status: I'm quite well these days. Each day brings a new experience that helps me integrate into the Ugandan lifestyle. Tea is my new coffee. I forget I'm in Uganda still, but now a stampede of cows reminds me how far away from home I actually am. I eat bananas everyday in some form and can't stomach dairy and meat. I awake at 5:45 to have alone time and do my yoga. Everyone is curious with my whiteness. Kids follow me and touch me to see if I am real. One girl tried to smear my whiteness onto her skin the other day. Women still fall to their knees when I greet them to show respect. Don't worry, I explain to them that it isn't necesary and I understand their respect without falling into the dirt. My hands are no longer soft due to washing my clothes by hand. I no longer mind the cockroaches and geckos because they manifest my mosquito net on a nightly basis. I'm not a backseat driver because I fear to look forward, as I will see a near head-on collision. I constantly jumble my English and French with Luganda and Ateso. I no longer chew my nails because it could lead to worms. I brush my teeth because cavities are not accepted nor treated. I now wear trousers because pants are underwear. I survived food poisoning and am 10 lbs lighter because of it. I go to bed at 9 PM because I have no more energy. My thighs are strong thanks to my pit latrine. My dreams kick ass thanks to my malaria prophylaxis. I have a twin sister to maintain credibility. I'm getting used to constantly being watched, if that is even possible. I see how Ugandan Education is teacher centered, with lecture dominating the day. I conduct workshops on progressive education methods and model styles in the schools. The other volunteers asked me if I'm afraid to be in Uganda, and I answered that I'm more afraid to lose a part of my identity that was so major prior. I'm in awe that I'm actually forgoing reason and taking the long way around. I smile, I make jokes, I laugh, I get sad, I cry, I miss you, I miss the old me, I dream, I aspire, I look forward, I live, I give thanks, I challenge myself to learn, I write you so WRITE ME BACK!

First UGA post

Hello people! I write to you from Kampala, UGANDA! I don't have much time, so the post will be short. I am safe and sound and growing more accustomed to my surroundings with each new day. The landscape is breathtaking and I forget that I am in Africa most days only to be reminded by 20 kids running after me screaming MUZUNGU (white person). I have training six days a week to learn Ateso, the language of the Eastern region in country. I speak Luganda at my homestay, a lovely older couple who thinks I am too thin and that my cough is TB. :) I already taught a 4th grade class for the last few weeks and realized how much I miss teaching. I have a great group of volunteers and we are the strength we need for one another. I hope to write another post in a few weeks, so until then, write me. I expect responses to all and any post I send you because a stamp is half a days wages here in Uganda. Send me notes about all occurences in your life and the American society I kind of hate to admit that I miss. :)

Brussels

Okay, so the flight out of NYC didn't happen as expected. In fact, I sat on the plane for 4 hours before taking off. Needless to say, stuck in Brussels for an unknown period of time. I feel like Tom Hanks in "The Terminal." Time to be flexible and patient. Maybe I'll have a Belgian beer. :) The hard part of the rescheduling process for our group involves finding a flight to Uganda for 60 people. How often does that happen on such a short notice? Hope all is well in the states, send me mail. SEND ME MAIL. 

The City of Brotherly Love

Today starts the rest of my life. This morning, bright and early, I found myself at Madison's Regional airport in -8 degree weather. So cold. Fortunately, after a short stint in line, I found my way to Philly for Peace Corps staging, where the temperature is a balmy 50 degrees. So much better. Anyways, I made it safe and sound to a crowd of 61 Peace Corps trainees. The group is really diverse and I'm quite impressed with everyone. There are people from all over the country (even the OC) and all are extremely intelligent. During the 5 hour seminar today, I found myself in a kindergarten predicament. Sitting that still for that long is nearly impossible for me these days. I fiddled with my notebook, I wrote notes, doodled. I need to focus my energy for the next few days. . . especially because our group of 61 flies to Uganda ALONE. No accompaniment. It will be truly trying for such a large group to stay together, but I feel as though we can make it. I'm entirely excited for the adventure ahead and I feel so lucky to be among such a great group of people. I can't wait to get it started in here. . . . . Love you ALL! Drop a line when you get the time. 

from 52 to 12 . . . time flies

It seems as though my life quickly turned from a game of waiting for clearance and invitation and updates to a quick race of goodbyes; at least a farewell for now. With the big departure looming, I find more questions asked concerning my state-of-mind. Am I nervous, scared, crazy, excited, etc?In one swoop I hope to answer all these questions: I haven't realized that I'm leaving. In all actuality, I don't feel that my departure signifies leaving home because Africa is the cradle of life. It is where all humans originate, and it is that sentiment that eases my mind. I'm going home, in a different sense of the word. Many people worry that I will lose certain parts of my identity while abroad. I believe that Americans are the few who value identity "wholeness." I liken the idea of wholeness to the nuclear family. Both are misguided products of the 1950s. Throughout the last few years I developed certain aspects of my identity to a level of comfort I never imagined. As I venture to places unknown, I hope to develop different identity characteristics. This experience affords me the grand opportunity to explore different aspects of my personality and truly reflect in hopes of growth. It is an exciting time. Onto less meaningful matters . . . . I reached the 80 lbs limit (2 bags) thanks to my grand supply of batteries. I refuse to bring a sleeping bag. I figure I'll buy one if I desperately need one. I'm shaving my head 2 days prior to departure. It should do me well in February Philly weather, yeah? Lastly, through the wonders of facebook.com, I now know about 20 fellow PCV (Peace Corps Volunteers). The whole lot seems to be really progressive, open, and generally a comfortable group. Like I said, it is an exciting time. Only a few days until I reach single digits in my countdown. 

First to the West and now to the East. . .

Remember my post about neighbors? Well, here we go again! A story just developing . . . . I thought telling my parents that Africa has trouble with transition was going to give them perspective, not more worry! 

Kenya falls into political unrest