Habari zenu! Hello friends! First, I must apologize in advance because I meant to bring a stack of letters into town with me to mail for you all, but I grabbed the wrong bag and now they are still in the village without me. I will bring them next week. They are fantastic. . . . Why, you ask? Because they are the product of my birthday. I arrived back in the village around 5 PM to find my village waiting for me. . . . What for? To tell me, "Omoding, you are 24 now. You are old. You must take a wife." And with those words, or chorus, the wedding parade started of eligible bachelorettes. After a few laps around the house, I came out to proclaim: "I don't want a wife." I then proceeded to lock myself in my house and color cards for everyone. What kind of cards? I'll let you find out when you get yours in the mail, but they are really colorful. Think ROYGBIV. Anyways, it is exceptional here in the bush. It cooled off this week and rained at night, as per usual. Also, I facilitated two workshops for the promotion of cooperative learning for two different schools. Success, with delay. I would like to explain the idea of "African time." African time is morning, midday, and evening. If I say the meeting starts at 8:30, people are bound to show up between 10 and 11:30, claiming that it is still morning. I had a cabinet built for my kitchen, and the man told me it would be ready on Thursday. It is now 2 months later. That is African time. So, either I'll be the best time manager when I get back because of my experience or I'll be claiming I'm within the parameters of acceptability because it is still midday. Flexibility. Patience. Humor. I keep them with me at all times. You should, too. Lastly, I want to send a thank you to everyone who sent me birthday messages via facebook or e-mail, and a huge hug Alexis and Bethany for calling me! You don't know how nice it is to hear voices from home. Much appreciated. For real, lastly, everyone should go and see SATC: The Movie for me. I listened to BBC yesterday morning and they played a clip. I was bawling. I miss that show so much. Okay, my internet time is running out. Time to dash. Love and miss you all bunches!
Peace from the bush,
omoding adamg.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Friday, May 16, 2008
24
Dearest friends and family,
I am now mere days away from my 24th birthday. To commemorate the journey of the last year and to extend that journey into the indefinite future, I wrote a short ditty. . . .
Moving on, this last week found me on my bike. I pedalled my legs off and my heart out to make it to almost all of the 25 schools in my cachement area. It was a successful week. . . . On Tuesday, however, as I reached my first school of the day (20 km from home deep in the bush via a path that washed out after the storms that rolled through), I noticed my tires flat. Punctures; they'll get you. Needless to say, the walk home took me the majority of the day and my capability to sweat excessively helps me to better identify with sponges. Also, this week brought another read through of Beverly Daniel Tatum's book Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the School Cafeteria? It is my "good book" and reminds me to reflect on my privilege and inform my future choices in hopes of change. I can only hope this experience helps me to better understand the world around me. We'll see. I started studying Swahili this week, as well. It is a completely different language from Ateso, and I hope it will better facilitate my interaction with the vendors back at the Harlem Market. I'm not sure if there are any Ateso speakers there, as the Teso people are a tiny ethnic group. . . . Lastly, I want to post my goals online to better hold true to them. If you come and visit, you'll find them posted throughout my house, for emphasis:
I am now mere days away from my 24th birthday. To commemorate the journey of the last year and to extend that journey into the indefinite future, I wrote a short ditty. . . .
24
Every night tells of 24 hours gone by
A time to look back and ask
"Did I try?"
Whether big or small
Effort is essential
Slash your grass or save the world
We all have infinite potential
And if you find no progress in your day
Have no fear because another try
Is one night's sleep away
Live your life
From the very start
Make yourself known
Because no one else can set you apart
Even if no one hears you shout
Know the world is better with your words
Than a world without
Live every day to its fullest
Hold fast to your pride
So you can say at the end
"Yes, today I tried."
Moving on, this last week found me on my bike. I pedalled my legs off and my heart out to make it to almost all of the 25 schools in my cachement area. It was a successful week. . . . On Tuesday, however, as I reached my first school of the day (20 km from home deep in the bush via a path that washed out after the storms that rolled through), I noticed my tires flat. Punctures; they'll get you. Needless to say, the walk home took me the majority of the day and my capability to sweat excessively helps me to better identify with sponges. Also, this week brought another read through of Beverly Daniel Tatum's book Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the School Cafeteria? It is my "good book" and reminds me to reflect on my privilege and inform my future choices in hopes of change. I can only hope this experience helps me to better understand the world around me. We'll see. I started studying Swahili this week, as well. It is a completely different language from Ateso, and I hope it will better facilitate my interaction with the vendors back at the Harlem Market. I'm not sure if there are any Ateso speakers there, as the Teso people are a tiny ethnic group. . . . Lastly, I want to post my goals online to better hold true to them. If you come and visit, you'll find them posted throughout my house, for emphasis:
1. Find simplicity in life and appreciate it
2. Take care of you mental health and well-being
3. Eat healthy and stay active
4. Learn Ateso, Swahili and refresh your French
5. Be content in your time alone
6. Write anything
7. Start every day with "Today will be a good day" and end by appreciating your surroundings
8. Look at the NYC Subway Map; you'll make it
Okay friends, this is the end of my post. Write more later. Have a piece of cake for me. Love and miss you all bunches.
Love,
Adamg.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Inside Africa, Inside Information
Dearest Friends and Family,
Alas, I find myself in town for the day to pick up the necessities of PC life: oats, peanut butter, honey, jam, noodles. In addition, I make a stop at the internet cafe to send word that I am alive, despite the new lunacy of life. With a set routine, my life seems a bit less queer than a mere month ago. Cows run in my house and so do neighbor children. Today, I want to share my electic information:
Days it takes to grow a beard: 5
Current Blisters: 11
Education is power:
1. Roll a paper vertically and tight
2. Cut 2/3 of the way down so there are three equal parts
3. Fold down the 3 parts so they are perpendicular to the base
4. Pinch the bottom slightly
5. Pull the inner-most paer (it should twist as you pull. If it doesn't you're doing #4 too hard)
6. A TREE! Use it for sight words, word families, etc.
Random thoughts of you at home that come to me throughout the days and nights (look for your initials):
EL: Snow showers and walks to school
RS: 5th grade math and giggling over professors
AV: Cots and bready kitchens
WTC: Weddings and flooded drives
BB: Happy Feet and Sweetest Days
CC: Naps and 1 Love Bar Crawls
JH: Lyric-of-the-day and hugs
MK: Spice girls and shoulder bags
BA: Faggots and raccoons
AD: Tractors and patent leather shoes
BM:Qdoba and "Can you stop being so gay?"
EI: Your 3 continuous beverages and 3 continuous boys
JW: Watching pavement go by and EL DIABLO
DK: Malt-O-Meal and Euro vomit
JK: Clicking nails and orphanages
WF: "Honey" and riesling
Mom and Dad: Everything in this world and then some
Those of you at home inundate every moment in my life despite the distance between our existence. I thank the stars in the sky to be a part of your lives. Miss you all bunches and remember that we see the same sun, so we are still connected.
From the bush,
AGK: Brunches and Rainbows :)
Alas, I find myself in town for the day to pick up the necessities of PC life: oats, peanut butter, honey, jam, noodles. In addition, I make a stop at the internet cafe to send word that I am alive, despite the new lunacy of life. With a set routine, my life seems a bit less queer than a mere month ago. Cows run in my house and so do neighbor children. Today, I want to share my electic information:
Days it takes to grow a beard: 5
Current Blisters: 11
Education is power:
1. Roll a paper vertically and tight
2. Cut 2/3 of the way down so there are three equal parts
3. Fold down the 3 parts so they are perpendicular to the base
4. Pinch the bottom slightly
5. Pull the inner-most paer (it should twist as you pull. If it doesn't you're doing #4 too hard)
6. A TREE! Use it for sight words, word families, etc.
Random thoughts of you at home that come to me throughout the days and nights (look for your initials):
EL: Snow showers and walks to school
RS: 5th grade math and giggling over professors
AV: Cots and bready kitchens
WTC: Weddings and flooded drives
BB: Happy Feet and Sweetest Days
CC: Naps and 1 Love Bar Crawls
JH: Lyric-of-the-day and hugs
MK: Spice girls and shoulder bags
BA: Faggots and raccoons
AD: Tractors and patent leather shoes
BM:Qdoba and "Can you stop being so gay?"
EI: Your 3 continuous beverages and 3 continuous boys
JW: Watching pavement go by and EL DIABLO
DK: Malt-O-Meal and Euro vomit
JK: Clicking nails and orphanages
WF: "Honey" and riesling
Mom and Dad: Everything in this world and then some
Those of you at home inundate every moment in my life despite the distance between our existence. I thank the stars in the sky to be a part of your lives. Miss you all bunches and remember that we see the same sun, so we are still connected.
From the bush,
AGK: Brunches and Rainbows :)
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Going to the chapel . . . . . for the whole day.
Dear friends and family,
Good day to you all! Warm tidings from here in Uganda. I must tell you that I am mailing a stack of letters today. The post office in my village does not mail international mail. To hold you over until a letter arrives in your post, I put forth a story. . . .
This past Saturday I was invited to a number of weddings: two, to be exact. One was in Ocapa, about 15 km away east and then 5 km more north. The other on my school grounds. To show my interest in community, I was sure I could make both. I hopped on my bike at 7:30 AM, directly after eating my daily breakfast of oatmeal, honey, and bananas. It only took me about 45 minutes to ride and there were no cars on the road. . . I stopped in the village to meet some townspeople and to cool down (hair is getting long) before proceeding onto the wedding. Immediately upon entering the church yard, more than 100 kids ran to surround me. They paraded me into the church where I met the most amazing woman: Catherine. She directs the choir and defies Toni Morrison's book, as she has blue eyes. She welcomed me and took me to my seat. Up to me, I would sit in the crowd to gain the perspective of the paritioners; however, Catherine kept walking until we proceeded up the altar and she pointed at a chair to the left of the priest's chair. Now, this shot my original plan to hell, as I wanted to sit through the wedding with the option of departure. Then Catherine continued, "We're all so glad you are here for the bishop's visit. It is his first since the flood, and there are 200 kids for confirmation and 3 couples to be married." So, for 8 long hours I sat next to the bishop as people stared at me to see if I sang the hymns or knew my prayers in Ateso. I'm glad I wore my nice clothes! By closing of mass, I was exhausted from my fishbowl status and malnourished (no lunch). I politely said my farewells and jumped on my bike to make it home before dark. Entering my compound, I rode passed the wedding that was to end my Saturday wedding blowout, knowing I hit my limit for the day. I now know my boundaries and know better than to try and go beyond them. I went home, fetched water from the boarhole, made dinner and went to bed straight away. As I write this, I ask myself if I am happy I went. Heck yeah! I met tons of people and saw to sacraments; pivotal moments in those church-goers lives. Yes, I am bitter, reminded that I'm not afforded the option at home; yet, I am good enough to go abroad and represent our nation to promote peace. I'm jumping the broom!
I hope this post finds you all well in life states-side. Look for your mail!
Love,
Adam g.
P.S. Anthony Dursi, where is your new residence!?!?!
Good day to you all! Warm tidings from here in Uganda. I must tell you that I am mailing a stack of letters today. The post office in my village does not mail international mail. To hold you over until a letter arrives in your post, I put forth a story. . . .
This past Saturday I was invited to a number of weddings: two, to be exact. One was in Ocapa, about 15 km away east and then 5 km more north. The other on my school grounds. To show my interest in community, I was sure I could make both. I hopped on my bike at 7:30 AM, directly after eating my daily breakfast of oatmeal, honey, and bananas. It only took me about 45 minutes to ride and there were no cars on the road. . . I stopped in the village to meet some townspeople and to cool down (hair is getting long) before proceeding onto the wedding. Immediately upon entering the church yard, more than 100 kids ran to surround me. They paraded me into the church where I met the most amazing woman: Catherine. She directs the choir and defies Toni Morrison's book, as she has blue eyes. She welcomed me and took me to my seat. Up to me, I would sit in the crowd to gain the perspective of the paritioners; however, Catherine kept walking until we proceeded up the altar and she pointed at a chair to the left of the priest's chair. Now, this shot my original plan to hell, as I wanted to sit through the wedding with the option of departure. Then Catherine continued, "We're all so glad you are here for the bishop's visit. It is his first since the flood, and there are 200 kids for confirmation and 3 couples to be married." So, for 8 long hours I sat next to the bishop as people stared at me to see if I sang the hymns or knew my prayers in Ateso. I'm glad I wore my nice clothes! By closing of mass, I was exhausted from my fishbowl status and malnourished (no lunch). I politely said my farewells and jumped on my bike to make it home before dark. Entering my compound, I rode passed the wedding that was to end my Saturday wedding blowout, knowing I hit my limit for the day. I now know my boundaries and know better than to try and go beyond them. I went home, fetched water from the boarhole, made dinner and went to bed straight away. As I write this, I ask myself if I am happy I went. Heck yeah! I met tons of people and saw to sacraments; pivotal moments in those church-goers lives. Yes, I am bitter, reminded that I'm not afforded the option at home; yet, I am good enough to go abroad and represent our nation to promote peace. I'm jumping the broom!
I hope this post finds you all well in life states-side. Look for your mail!
Love,
Adam g.
P.S. Anthony Dursi, where is your new residence!?!?!
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Contact Information
Two days in a row I am able to post. Not as luxurius as some volunteers, but I am in town, so I have access to internet. I opened a P.O. Box with some other volunteers, and so now we have reliable post. My address from now until the end of my service will be as follows:
Adam Kelley, PCV
P.O. Box 520
Soroti, Uganda
Africa
This is the most reliable way to send mail, padded envelopes, and package goodness. I welcome any and all contributions to my new life here in Africa. Also, as my life spins more out of realistic proportion in comparison to my life pre-PC, I plan to take video of myself at night, the hours of chaos in my life, as I live by lantern. Too funny.
Lastly, my gmail accont isn't supported on Uganda's server, but yahoo is fast as bunnies, so if you would like to e-mail me (I will only check it once every few weeks), you can use seeadamgo@yahoo.com. I will respond as quickly as possible to all your e-mails. Love you all, and be in touch soon.
Adamg.
Adam Kelley, PCV
P.O. Box 520
Soroti, Uganda
Africa
This is the most reliable way to send mail, padded envelopes, and package goodness. I welcome any and all contributions to my new life here in Africa. Also, as my life spins more out of realistic proportion in comparison to my life pre-PC, I plan to take video of myself at night, the hours of chaos in my life, as I live by lantern. Too funny.
Lastly, my gmail accont isn't supported on Uganda's server, but yahoo is fast as bunnies, so if you would like to e-mail me (I will only check it once every few weeks), you can use seeadamgo@yahoo.com. I will respond as quickly as possible to all your e-mails. Love you all, and be in touch soon.
Adamg.
Friday, April 18, 2008
Ore
So, here I write to you, a week into my new African life in Serere, Uganda. Slowly, I rebuild my capacity to be independent in life, learning how to boil water, light lanterns, work the boar hole, etc. My patience, which I believed to already be quite developed, is growing in ways I never thought possible. My house is of great potential, and I am budgeting for the coming months to paint and have furniture made. . . Slowly by slowly. :) The rainy season in Serere is violent, and causes flooding in my home almost on a daily basis, but it gives me a great excuse to mop my floors. I battle the bugs in my home with great force, and I think the war is almost over. At least I hope it is. I will have a new P.O. Box as of this afternoon, so I will post that tomorrow. The P.O. Box I thought awaited me does not exist, or maybe it does? Not sure, but not willing to risk the chance. I must admit I haven't sent any letters for the last week or so, but I plan to start writing again soon, so watch your mailboxes. This week also brought the harsh realization of just how much I miss all the people at home. I appreciate all the comments and bits of support on my blog; they give me the extra push I need to stay motivated. I invite you all to come and stay with me in my little village. I assure you I will feed you quite well, as I live in a fishing village, where the price of fish is the equivalent of 75 cents. Yes, I gut and cook fish every day. Working in food and working with food now brings a new meaning to my life. If anyone wants to send bits of information concerning pop culture, I would greatly appreciate it, as BBC only covers so much. I am almost out of internet time, so I should wrap up. To my friends finishing their first year of teaching, graduating university, student teaching, or simply living day to day, I send best wishes from Uganda. Love you all and miss you bunches.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
April Showers
I thought it time
For a quick update
After a trip to site
To see my fate
Nine hours from Kampala
Awaits a quaint little town
A roundabout with four roads
Not much else around
I live at the school
My house is a dream
Surrounded by savanah and mango trees
It is quite the scene
The people so warm
Milk, tea, nuts they bring
To welcome me home
Oh, and I'm now known as Omoding
As I move one last time
My address does, too
So take note where to send post
So I can get mail from you
As always
I miss you all
I send many hugs
Can you feel them?
No, not the bugs!
So, take in the first days of spring
As flowers bloom
Snow melts
Trees bud
And we'll connect again soon.
Okay, friends, until I establish my own P.O. Box, please sent all post and packages to the following address:
Omoding Adam Kelley, PCV
c/o Serere Primary School
P.O. Box 2016
Serere, Uganda
AFRICA
For a quick update
After a trip to site
To see my fate
Nine hours from Kampala
Awaits a quaint little town
A roundabout with four roads
Not much else around
I live at the school
My house is a dream
Surrounded by savanah and mango trees
It is quite the scene
The people so warm
Milk, tea, nuts they bring
To welcome me home
Oh, and I'm now known as Omoding
As I move one last time
My address does, too
So take note where to send post
So I can get mail from you
As always
I miss you all
I send many hugs
Can you feel them?
No, not the bugs!
So, take in the first days of spring
As flowers bloom
Snow melts
Trees bud
And we'll connect again soon.
Okay, friends, until I establish my own P.O. Box, please sent all post and packages to the following address:
Omoding Adam Kelley, PCV
c/o Serere Primary School
P.O. Box 2016
Serere, Uganda
AFRICA
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