Chicago

Just a short flight left!!!!

Airport...

At the airport in UG. Sad to leave, but excited for NE.

Last day..

"I'm coming home, I'm coming home. Tell the world that I'm coming home..."

Mmmmmm booze in a bag!

Yep. I milked the cow!

My Last Week...

Last week in Uganda :(.  I can’t believe that I have been here for the whole summer.  It feels like the time has gone by so fast!!

I have tried to post a few times this week, but it doesn’t look like it has gone through.  To recap….I LEARNED TO MAKE CHAPATI.  Chapati is the most amazing flat bread that I have ever tasted in my life.  One of the teachers taught me to make it at school.  I made it for the whole staff to have during our tea break.  It has water, flour (specifically wheat flour, not to be confused with the MANY other kinds around here), salt, onion, carrot, and oil.  It is all mixed and kneaded with your hands, until it makes a big dough ball.  It is then split into smaller balls and rolled out flat. Heating up a pan over the charcoal fire, add a little oil. Taking the first uncooked chapati, set it in the pan for about 10 seconds, then flip and do the other side.  This “dries it out”.  Take it out of the pan and do that to a second.  When the second has been dried, add more oil.  Place both dried chapatis in a stack and set in the pan.  Keep rotating it in a circle for about 30 seconds until chapati A side one is fried, then flip so that chapati B side one is getting fried.  While that one is frying you must flip just the top one so that chapati A side 2 is now on the outside, so when it gets flipped it also fries.  This turning happens until both sides on both chapatis have had their turn facing the pan in the oil.  They are then taken out and put in a cavara (plastic bag) and the next set of two are dried and fried.  This keeps going until all have been cooked.  Then you fold, eat, and enjoy!

I went with the teacher to pick up the ingredients for the chapati.  She was looking for the onion and the carrot on the roadside stands and couldn’t find any.  I showed her a small alley to walk through that opened to a bigger alley to find more produce.  She did not know that it was there, and she said she has walked by that area many times.  That market is the market for Bunga.  She is from another area.  Later this week I was riding with a group of people from Omaha, and I pointed out to them the tiny opening you walk through to get to the market area.  Father Michael was in the car, and he was surprised to know there was a market in there.  He said he never knew.  Now being at the seminary and having people cook for you takes away the need to go looking for food, but it also shows just how hidden it was.  I only knew where it was because I had gone with a teacher on the mission to find passion fruit.

The kids at school are doing term papers all this past week and up coming week.  Once term papers are done, then A LOT of grading is done.  Most classes has 100 or more students, so 5 subjects, that is a lot of papers…  I have been helping with the English section.  There is no marking guide.  So I am trying to be as consistent as possible, but English is not always consistent…

On Friday at school I planted an avocado tree.  It is named “The Kelcey Tree”. I am excited to know there is a tree for me waiting.  Will have to come visit in 20 years and eat some of its fruit!

The group from Omaha leaves today, so we went to an “Authentic Mexican Restaurant” called The Little Donkey.  It was soooooooooo good.  It was very spicy, even though Father and I had been warned.  I have a great picture of him with an empty glass and an empty pitcher of margaritas.  I emailed it to him and he said “nice picture, even though I look like a drunked priest!”  On the way home from the restaurant we decided to yell “MAZUNGU” at all the white people we could find.  Father kept saying he hoped one would yell back “MAZUNGU TOO!”  Fun fact from the evening, mazungu is one white person, bazungu is more than one.

Today, in a couple of hours, I will be learning to milk a cow.  It is basically a dream come true.  Hope customs is NOT reading this!

Also... a big thanks to Mom, Dad, Q, and Ryan.  Thanks to them, I have an apartment, and my stuff is moved in! Who wants to come unpack with me when I get home?!?

Broken printer?

No need to toss out! Use it to plant flowers!

Not the weather you expected huh?

Begin forwarded message:

From: Kelcey Lueninghoener <klueninghoener@gmail.com>
Date: July 26, 2012 9:38:28 PM GMT+03:00
To: klueninghoener.uganda@blogger.com
Subject: Not the weather you expected huh?

Chapati!!!

Begin forwarded message:

From: Kelcey Lueninghoener <klueninghoener@gmail.com>
Date: July 26, 2012 9:06:34 PM GMT+03:00
To: klueninghoener.uganda@blogger.com
Subject: Chapati!!!

Chapati has been one of my favorite things to eat here. I get so excited every time we have it at break, and often times have it when I walk by the stands! It is a tasty flat bread that is fried and hot. Well, I am now a pro at making them!! I also learned how to make tasty cooked cabbage!

Passion fruits

Cost $2.99 in Nebraska, about 8 cents here.
YUM!

Field trip!

For 12 adults and 105 students, how many busses do you need?
Safe to say you are all wrong.
One. Only one is needed. You can cram into a 36 person bus with all those people plus food.
Just FYI.

Mystery solved!!

A whole ago I posted about some purple and white thing I are and compared it to a candle. Well it appeared on our lunch table! I asked what it was. It is a kind of root, similar to a yam, eaten like a potato, and has no flavor, needs sauce....

It is morning, and my day has already been made!

Saturdays back home would have been spent with me snuggled in bed until about noon. Well, here I have to be up to take my anti-malaria meds by 8, and they have to be taken with food. I sleepily woke up at 7:45, put on some clothes, and tossed my hair in a horrible looking knot on my head to be dealt with later when I was more awake. I sit down at the table with Father Albert and Brother. I butter my toast, nibble on my roasted banana, and sip on my tasty tea made with fresh milk! Slowly, as I wake up, and realize that I probably look like a hot mess, Father Albert looks at me with a big smile and all sincerity, "did you go to the salon and have your hair done?"
Yup. That made my day. Keep in mind that is the priest who handed me a fruit saying "People here say it is poison, but I really like the fruit. Here! Try it!"
On another happy note, the guests from Italy are cooking pasta for lunch today and pizza for dinner. Sounds perfect to me!

2 weeks from tomorrow...

I head back to the US. This has been an amazing experience, I have met some wonderful people, seen and tasted some many things, and lived life to the fullest. I have also realized what things are important in life, and what things can easily be done away with. Kind of like spring cleaning my life and outlook on life. New job, new apt, and a city I have not lived in for a long time to come home to. That should be an adventure as well...

Thing I learned today...

Someone can step in and say if there is a comparison of it in the US.
One of the cooks at the school had a 2 year old daughter pass away during the night. A "condolence fee" was collected by all teachers. I was told this is always done when someone dies. I know in America people cook, send flowers, help the family, but is a stack of cash usually given and I just haven't noticed?

SAFARI DAY! (capital letters make it better than the previous)

Begin forwarded message:

From: Kelcey Lueninghoener <klueninghoener@gmail.com>
Date: July 15, 2012 5:02:44 PM GMT+03:00
To: klueninghoener.uganda@blogspot.com
Subject: SAFARI DAY!

This weekend was SO MUCH FUN! Friday around 11 we headed up North-West to Murchison Falls.  We stayed at Paraa Lodge.  Paraa means "home of hippos" in the native language.  When we got to the park we took a LONG dirt road to the Nile.  We then boarded a ferry (with the two cars) to cross the Nile.  We had to wait for a while because it is only run at certain times.  We made it to the lodge and a woman came around with damp towels.  Cold damp towels.  It felt nice to wipe away some of the grime.  We then took our bags to the most beautiful hotel room I have ever stayed in.  We all met for dinner, eating at a long table.  We talked about what from the trip has been the most meaningful to each of us.  I said getting to know all of the priests and teachers on a much more personal level, knowing more about their backgrounds and everything they have done.  It was a delicious dinner as well.  We went back to the room, and someone had come and sprayed for bugs, set up our mosquito netting,  and turned down the covers.  Is someone going to do that for me when I get back to the states?  Before I went to bed I took a shower. (I can hear my mom saying "Well good! I am sure everyone appreciated you doing that!")  I only bring up the shower because it could possibly be the most amazing shower I have ever taken in my entire life.  I did not have to turn on a heater and wait for the water.  It didn't have a funny smell when it first started, and best of all….there was probably about twice the water pressure the seminary has.  I am not complaining about my shower here, because I am more than thankful for hot running water, but wow…it was an amazing shower.  (I now hear my dad saying. "I told you how I felt about taking showers.")

Saturday morning we got up and met at the door at 6:15am to go on the land safari.  I think I may have woken up every 20 minutes to see if I was time to go.  Finally it was!  There were two jeeps that took us out.  We drove down a dirt road in the dark and I was excited but not seeing any animals, was getting more and more anxious.  As we got further into the park, and it lit up a little more, the first animal we saw were elephants kind of off in the distance.  I think I practically climbed over Father to see out the window.  I was SO EXCITED!  We carried on down the road and saw so many animals.  We saw elephants, giraffes, monkeys, baboons, gazelles, something that is "jack________" that the guy kept calling "the stupid animal", caribou, some little animals the lions like to eat that I didn't hear the name, birds, warthogs, water buffalos, and lions!  To get to the lions we had to do a little off-roading.  We got RIGHT UP TO THEM.  I was sitting on top of the jeep, and if I had jumped off, I could have landed face to face with them.  The pictures turned out pretty well.  The safari was to last for about 3-4 hours, we did not get back to the lodge until 11.  He treated us well.  When we got back we ate an amazing meal, sitting on the balcony looking over the Nile.  At 2 we walked down to the Nile and boarded our boat for the water tour.  We saw hippos, crocs, elephant, waterbacks, birds, elephants, and a few others drinking along the shore.  When we got to the falls it was breath taking.  The river flows through a crack in the rocks that is 7 meters thick.  There is so much weather pressure that the falls are loud, fast, hard, and beautiful. There was a rock in the middle of the water that we were able to get out of the boat and stand on for pictures.  Once home, safe and sound (so mom and dad no longer worrying) I will make a list of things that "In Africa you can do this, but in America you are asking for a lawsuit). 

We drove home and had lunch at the seminary.  After lunch I took a nice little hour-long nap, then heading to mass.  Father Michael said it for just the 10 of us in the group.  The homily was very geared to each of us as Father mentioned us and how we all related to the readings as a group as well as individuals.  It was a very beautiful mass.

I talked to Martin Saturday night.  He asked if I was ready to come home.  Mom has asked that as well.  I am not eagerly waiting for my return home, but I am looking forward to it. J

Dinner on the Nile...

Yes please!!

Safari day!!!

We got to the lodge yesterday evening.  It is beautiful.  I am typing this on the computer down in the lobby, because the wireless was not being consistent. The keys on here are a little different, so it is a pain :(.  The enter and shift key are further away, there seems to be keys shifted just a bit.  We went on the land part of the safari so far.  This afternoon we will go on the water part.  I saw so many animals!! Sorry Ryan, no zebras.  We even got to see lions up close.  It was so amazing.  I took a lot of pictures.  I will blog more either tonight, or else tomorrow when I get back to the seminary.  Right now I am off take more pics of the area, and have lunch in 30 min, then we will go on our boat part!  Just wanted to check in!!!

Hey there!

summing up this week...

Sunday was Parish day at the church that is right down the road from the seminary.  It is the church that we go to as a school on Friday mornings.  I decided I should go see what it was all about.  Mass was supposed to start at 10:00a.m. You would think by now I would realize there is nothing that starts on time that I go to here.  I found a seat and waited.  Madam Sarah, who is the teacher in the nursery section of the school, found me and sat with me.  She was translating things that were said over the mic.  It was hard to hear because they were using a generator, and we seemed to be seated fairly close to it.  After sitting there for a bit a student found us at joined.  The student saw another teacher, and went to get him to join us.  By the end of mass (some coming during) we had 7 teachers and two students with us.  We had seen the headmaster and his wife walk by, but no one wanted to get up and talk to him.  Mass started at about 10:45 or so.  It lasted until about 2.  The precession to take the book up was beautiful.  I did not take my camera with me that day though. The women in the precession had pots on there head with fire, which represented the holy spirit.  There were 4 men with something that looked like a small hut rested on two poles laid horizontal that they were carrying.  I had seen it earlier in the day and asked Madam Sarah what was in it.  She said that is a way to house bees.  When they got to the alter, the bible was taken out of the bee holder.  Later in the week I asked one of the priests about that.  He said it represented food.  The book was representing food for the mass, and it was presented that way.  He said everything that is done like that has special representation, not just to look pretty.

After the mass people were setting up food.  We found out our headmaster did not pay the dues for us to be there.  We did not find this out until after Madam Sarah and I went up to get food while the others held our places at the seating area.  We were told that the two of us could eat, me because I was "a white" and she could since she was with me.  We felt very awkward about it, but we could not back out of it now since the man was standing with us in line.  We got our plates of food and went back and sat.  We shared them between the other teachers.  Madam Sarah some how went out and got 3 more plates of food, and a former student snagged one for another teacher.  Over all we were pretty well fed.  As I was about halfway through my cabbage (raw) one of the teachers said "Isn't that supposed to make foreigners sick?" GAH! I always forget things like that.  Nothing happened to me though :).  We also did not have forks, so thankfully the matooke is sticky enough that it can pick up the rice as well as everything else on the plate.  I had the cleanest hand after the meal.  That has taken a lot of practice, from friends in NE can agree with that...

While we sat there, Teacher Fred sent me on a mission to find beer for us.  He said that I would be the one able to get it.  I walked around the area, didn't see any, so another teacher and I walked down to the store and bought some.  For a 16 oz Nile Special (my favorite) it is 2500 shillings.  That is just over $1.  At home that would easily be 3-5 dollars.  The teachers were so thankful for them.  We sat and enjoyed the music and the dancing.  We had a great time.

The next day at school some of the teachers questioned the headmaster about him paying the dues.  He said that he did, but no teachers showed up.  He told 3 different teachers that he didn't believe them that they were there.  He then asked me in front of the entire staff if I had gone.  I said "yeah, and I sat with ______________", listing off all the teachers that were there, starting with the ones he had told earlier in the day were lying about going.  He then asked if I ate.  I told him "Madam Sarah and I were able to get food because, and the man told me it was because I was white.  So we shared the food with the others."  He then seemed to start trying to make excuses. He is just a very untrustworthy man.  Which is too bad because all the staff at the school is so good.

On Monday afternoon I went to the market.  I like looking around at all the things that are being sold.  I picked up a few things to bring home, and there is a little grocery store in that area that I always like to go into and look around.  I found some chocolate and peanut butter oreo cookies.  They were amazing. Halfway through I saw they expired in May. Oh well. Still tasted great!

Wednesday when I was walking back to the seminary for lunch, I saw a tiny puppy in the drainage ditch.  I stood over him trying to figure out what to do. He couldn't be more than a month old. He was still pretty little and didn't walk too well.  As I looked at him, a woman came up and said "oh, someone thew him away.  If you have a cavara (bag) we can just kill it." NOOOOOOOO!!!! I scooped him up and told her I would take care of him.  As I continued walking I realize I have no idea what to do with this dog.  I live in a seminary, on a continent that is not my own. I isn't like I can take him as a pet.  So I start thinking about what priest will take him. But they will all be at lunch, so what will I do with him until people are done eating.  Maybe I can give him to one of the workers. Who knows if he will even live because he is so tiny.  As I walk he just snuggles into me, not too worried about where I am taking him.  I go up the road to cut through the Major Seminary like usual and one of the workers for MTN (a phone company here) is standing by the gate as guard for the people working on the tower.  He says "Where is mine?"  I ask him if he wants the dog and promises to take good care of him.  He says yes and happily takes the puppy.  I go to lunch relieved.  As I walk back to school I see the man has the puppy happily laying in the shade of a bush.  On my way back from school for the evening the man tells me he needs money to buy milk for the puppy. I give him 10,000 (about $4).  He is happy.  Some adoption agency I am...

Wednesday night I ate dinner with a group from Omaha called Opportunity Education.  They make videos and manipulatives to teach science, math, and history.  While eating at the table I find out one of the guys went to the same elementary school as me (but he was 5 years ahead of me), same middle school, and same high school.  One woman is from ABQ and works at a school that is a feeder school for the school for the deaf.  And one man belongs to the church I grew up in.  Small world.  But also shows just how much Father Michael affects the world, since everyone here from Omaha, has him as their connection.

Thursday I taught an English class to P5.  It was a dialog about nationalities.  I had 3 people in it. Mary, Sarah, and James.  I asked for volunteers for Mary.  A boy was jumping up and down that he wanted to be Mary.  I asked him if he would rather be James and he said no.  He was Mary.  Before I could even ask for people to raise their hands for Sarah, a boy named Henry (my favorite, and usually he is SUPER naughty, but he is always good in my class) yells "I WANT TO BE SARAH".  He got the part. Then a girl wanted to be James.  It was as if the kids had never been allowed to do something out of the social norm,  It was a fun lesson.

Right now I am preparing to go on a Safari! Basically every child's dream, if not many adults.  SUPER EXCITED! http://www.paraalodge.com/

While getting ready for the weekend Safari, something I realized "wow, it would be nice to have more than one power adaptor for these outlets." It was tricky making sure camera, iPhone, UG phone, and now my laptop for this posting, were charged.

Let's vote... Think it is broken?

Mmmmm a little local food makes the tummy happy!

The dirt almost makes me look tan...

This past week has been a fun one!

On Monday I went to the market down by the Lake with one of the teachers.  He had never been there before, and I wanted someone to help me so if I decided to buy anything.  Most of the people who vend down by the lake speak some English, but not always the best.  I found a scarf that I really liked, and it was 12,000.  He was able to talk them down to 10,000, which is about $3.50.  It is green! I brought it back to the seminary and was showing it to one of the priests.  He said I could put it on and become Muslim.  Another priest thought that was a great idea, so he took my picture to send to my mom.  Mom thought I was turning into a nun.  When Father Michael was told this story he laughed and asked, “What all goes on when I am not around!?”  I also bought a cucumber at the market.  I had told a few teachers that I really missed pickles from the states.  They didn’t know what a cucumber was or a pickle. They tried it, most didn’t love it, some tolerated it.  Later in the week I found some pickles at a store.  A few teachers tried them, but were not impressed.  We also talked about cheese.  Most teachers either have not had cheese, or do not like it.  I am starting to miss cheese too now that I think about it.

Yesterday was amazing.  I went with the group from Omaha to visit Father Michael’s village.  First we stopped at ate breakfast at a parish with some priests.  It took a picture of a beautiful avocado tree.  Then we followed another priest to a site where a school was being built, but ran out of funding.  He was looking to see if Educate Uganda would be able to help him.  It was interesting seeing the site.  We walked through the rooms, and I was thinking about how many students would be crammed in each one to learn.  Next stop was the school where Father Michael went to school.  It was rebuilt and dedicated last year.  There are about 760 students in attendance, and about 220 are orphans.  That was a much bigger number than I would have ever guessed.  Educate Uganda helps set these orphans up with sponsors to help pay school fees, buy shoes, and even uniforms.  The kids were so excited to see us.  They waited by the road.  They sang, danced, and even through flowers.  It was amazing to see.  We took a tour of the school.  The building that was built gave 7 classrooms that are beautiful for the students to use.  There are 2 remaining rooms from the previous buildings.  Of the 7 new rooms, 2 are being used as sleeping rooms to board P7 students, even though it is a day school, and one was being used to store a motorcycle and some boxes.  The older rooms that were falling apart were filled with desks and were in use.  This was not using the rooms as they were intended.  The woman in charge of Educate Uganda was not pleased with this situate.  She talked to the head master, and Father is to follow up. There are 12 teachers at the school, so it does make teaching difficult at times.

After the tour the kids had a performance for us.  Educate Uganda gave gifts to the school.  It was balls, backpacks and school supplies.  The kids then presented gifts of produce, eggs, bowls, and even a few coins.  It was beautiful. We got up and danced with the kids.  Father joined in and even some of the teachers.  After the performances, we got down to business.  We needed to photograph all of the orphans to keep records of them for sponsorship.  This proved to be much more chaotic that I thought it could be with 9 adults helping.  Many of the younger kids did not speak English, so as we directed them to the line they should go to, they would get lost.  We then escorted them to their line for pictures, but the other students were so excited to see pictures being taken there were crowds.  We number all the kids and have them hold their number so we can match the picture up with the name.  One kid who was not an orphan was able to sneak in, but we got it figured out. 

At the end of our time at the school, the students stood in a circle, and a few of us danced/sang in the middle, trying to get the kids to join in.  Vincent, one of the boys who came with Educate Uganda, decided to teach the kids to yell, “GOOOOOOOO BIIIIIGGGGG REDDDDDD!!! GO BIG RED!”  The kids loved it.  Dad, I took video for you to be proud!

When everything was done at school, we went to Father Michael’s home.  We ate with his mother and father.  He showed us where he used to play when he was younger.  He also showed us the banana plantation.  It was huge.  It was a long, but very amazing day.

Today I went with Noah to buy stuff for the school.  Rita sent another $100 with the group from Omaha.  We bought large paper, for making posters, lined paper, pens, paperclips, crayons, thumb tacks, glue, notebooks, white paper, markers, and tape.  It came to 314,000.  That is about $130.  A pretty good price for the amount of stuff we got.  As she was bagging it, I realized, “Well, this is great. We have to lug all of this, hope to find a taxi to squish into, and then lug it some more to get it back up to the school.” Today was the first day that I wish I had my car.  I have enjoyed walking or taking the taxis until I had to do that.  When we got back to the school, there were a few teachers there.  I was hungry since I missed lunch to go on our shopping trip.  I really wanted chapatti and an avocado.  The chapatti are 400 each (about 16 cents).  I got 9.  Then I bought 2 pops, the Stoney ones that I posted a picture of.  They were 1500 each.  I also 2 avocados from one of the students in P5, they were 500 each.  My overall bill came to under $4.00.  We took it all up to the school and shared it between 5 of us.  It was a wonderful meal!  Carol sliced and peeled the avocado faster and more beautifully than I think anyone else I know ever could.  I am always amazed when watching people cut things. (my mom can agree with that as I watch her cut apples and potatoes with grace and ability)

During one of my chats with Martin he made a remark about, “Isn’t it amazing, that most people are living their ordinary day, letting life pass them, while other are having a life changing and eye opening day?”  I do not think an ordinary day has gone by for me.  Even if my only activity is going to school and teaching, everyday I am here I learn something or observe something.  The number of days left here is now smaller than the number of days I have been here.

My thought for the day, while organizing my money… there are too many 0’s in the money here. Kept throwing me off while trying to buy the supplies for the school.

A new school...

...was built at the place where Father Michael went to school. It was dedicated a year ago... We went to check in on things today... Was an amazing day.

YUM!

Hey there small world..

...just met a lady from New Hampshire living in the UK, here on a conference.

Fog

Standardized test question...

Happy 4th!!!

No celebrating here.. Odd huh? ;)
This weekend.. Went on a boda boda.
Tonight, a group of 8 from Omaha comes. The 7th an even bigger group comes.
Will post more soon!

This past week..

Last Saturday Father Michael said he was saying a mass doe a family outside Kampala and he would ask if I could join. I told him that sounded great. He didn't say anything about getting a response until Sunday morning at 8:30 he shouted from the ground level of my building that we would be leaving at 9:00. So my only info for the adventure is a mass is being said. I leave with my water bottle.
We drove part way into town and picked up a Sister. We continued on our way and for stuck in a traffic jam. We sat for about an hour and a half. Our trip was about 3 hours. We got to the house, where tents were set up. Father greeted people and introduced me around. Everyone was so welcoming and the woman's house we were at gave me a big hug multiple times throughout the day. The mass was in local language, but I am 99% sure Father was making fun of me during the homily for enjoying the traffic jam because I could look around at everything and see so much.
The mass was being said as a memorial for the woman's husband who past away, as well as a baptism for her granddaughter. There was a lot going on during the mass, so when everyone got up singing and walking towards the backyard, I followed. That is where the small family grave yard was. It was interesting to see how all these ceremonies are done in different countries.
Then the rains came. Most people tucked under the tents, but Father Michael, the Sisters (2 were there), a few other people, and I were invited into the house. We sat in there chatting and a person brought us food. It was the biggest plate of food I have ever seen. Father smiles at me and said "see how much of it you can eat". There were 2 types of rice, potatoes, matooke, fruit, meat, chapati, and this purple and white marble colored thing. I was the only one had that purple thing on my plate... I didn't know what it was, but the sound of Martin saying "try everything, who knows if you will ever get a chance to again." So I tried it. Uhhhh... It was like eating a candle. It was waxy. Not sure what it was..
The way home was another adventure. Father said the jam almost killed him on the way there. When he saw a truck turn off onto a dirt road, he followed. We weaved in and around back dirt roads, now muddy and flooded from the rain. It took about an hour and a half of that to get back to Kampala, then about 30 min to get back to Ggaba. It was really interesting to see all the houses and small businesses.

A few days ago we had bitter greens with dinner. A few or the priests told me I should try them, so I did. Father Michael said to me "I am so impressed with your willingness to try whatever food we put in front of you. I never would have tried different foods like that in America." I just like food... Haha
Speaking of food... Thursday I learned how to make a cake over a fire.
First you start with a large, and small container of blue band (margarine). Scrape into a bowl, saving a tiny bit out to grease the pan. Then fill both those containers with sugar, and blend with the blue band until creamy. We used a "mingling stick". The mingling stick probably could have been used to paddle a canoe. It takes along time to cream by hand.... Next in a cup mix 6 eggs with 4 small blue band containers worth of milk. Blend then stir into the sugar/blue band mixture. Added to that is 2 large containers of blue band worth of wheat flour. Mix well. Finally add 2 spoons of baking powder. If you want more flavor vanilla can be added. If you want it to last longer, add lemon or whiskey. It is then covered and put on the fire. The cover is layered with ash and coals, and cooks for about an hour. We ate it yesterday, and it was really good. Very similar to yellow cake.
Yesterday was Saint Paul's day. Since that is the name of our school and the parish we are connected to, it was our feast day. We had big plans for football (soccer) and netball (similar to basketball). But, our balls were "spoiled". They had leaks :(. The teachers didn't think we would be able to have our day. I wanted my team to win...I also kept thinking about how even poor schools in America have a room filled with all kinds of balls and jump ropes, even those scooters that ALWAYS smashed fingers. It made me sad that this school didn't even have a ball. I gave one of the teachers 150,000 shillings, about $60 to go get balls. He has to go into town, and it started to rain. He got wet up to his shins, but got the balls. The football (soccer ball) was 70,000 shillings. That is about $30. At Walmart it would have been about $10. The netball was 55,000, about $20. It looks like a volley ball, but is the texture of a soccer ball. The teacher also bought an umbrella for 5,000 shillings, about $2. He said they were able to sell the umbrellas for more because it was raining hard as he was getting it. That gives you an idea of prices on things.
To add to prices, gas is about $15 a gallon. No more complaints from me on the price of gas in the states...
For the games, my house won at football (soccer) but we lost in netball. I got to present the awards. It was a really fun day!
A few nights ago I walked over to the main building in the compound to use the wireless. As it often is late at night, the building was gated closed, so I sat on a window ledge like usual. This is what happened...
Setting: seminary
Time: 8:43 pm
Person: old man with LARGE STICK
Comment: have no fear madam, I am the one who is watching!
Then he kept walking. I am not sure what he was watching for, but I assume it would not survive that stick.
A special thanks to Dad and Martin who repeatedly insisted that I lack a flashlight. It was never top on the list of things to remember, but this week it has been amazing. The power has been cutting out a lot. The generator is on occasionally.(always if a game is on, the Brother LOVES football matches. Wanted to say he watches them religiously, but with the lighting that is going on right now, I wasn't sure if God could/would strike me down.)
A group is coming from Omaha this week! I don't know them, but my mom went and met with one of the ladies. She said the lady was very nice. While the group is here I will go to Father Michael's village and see the school that many from Omaha help support. I will also go in a safari!
I am sure I have missed some stuff, but I have been VERY good at keeping a pen/paper journal. Mom calls dibs on reading first, then anyone else is welcome. There will be a slide show as well. Pop some popcorn for that one, because I have a 32gb memory card in my camera...

Bites...

Doesn't hurt or itch, and I have no clue what they are from...

Sorry if you have to turn your head...

A letter from a student

A gift from some students

Highlights of the week so far...

Obviously the Nile on Sunday...
Yesterday: we have tea at 10:30 at school. I sit down at my place, and my mug is about 1/4 of the way full.. Not like the usual heaping (yea it is possible with a liquid I found out) cup of tea. It is lighter too... I give it a sniff... Yup, Madam Edith is pouring wine from a water bottle into everyone's cup, the passing a bowl of crumbled ginger cake around. Was a great way to start tea time!
Highlights of today: I walk back to the seminary everyday for lunch. Today two little boys about 3 were walking with a lady about my age holding her hand. The boys kept looking back at me and I would smile and wave. Finally one let go of the lady's hand and runs back to me, grabbing my hand. The other little boy is quick to follow. They hold my hand in each of their hands, and the my wrist in the other. They keep looking up and smiling at me as we walk. The lady says to the boys "This is mommy! Say hi mommy!" The boys just keep on smiling and holding on until our roads part.
(A friend back in Lincoln refers to all his friends that are women as mommy on a regular basis.)
Then after school our houses (teams), for a field day in 2 weeks, practiced net ball. My house won! All the kids were high-fiving me! Everyone was so excited!!! I can't wait for field day! Too bad dad isn't coming to be a judge for this one!

Today at before lunch an interesting convo about marriage, kids, in-laws compared to America was given. Very interesting. Some tribes cannot sit next to in-laws at meals and so on...

Japanese garden

The Nile

Since I fell once...

...about an hour earlier (down a mud hill), Dale did not want me to fall.
[In the cave on the Nile. A witch doctor used to live in it...]

Fisherman on the Nile

The Nile!!

Today I went on an adventure to Jinja to see where the Nile starts. I went on a boat ride around the lake. The falls used to be much bigger, but due to the building of 3 dams to produce electricity (supposed to be at 250 but only at 50 now..) there is a lake. We went all around and saw a lot of birds, lizards and monkeys! We also saw people bathing, doing laundry, and fishing.
It was a very nice day!

End of the world?

If the end of the world was coming, would you want to know the date?
Debate at dinner..

My "awwww moment" of the day...

Three girls came up to me and said "we think you are a really good teacher, and want to know if you will be our friend."
Yep. I love my school!

Laundry

Do you think the woman who washes and folder my laundry so well would be willing to help me pack when I fly home. Everything fits so well!

Find a ________ pick it up....

...all day long have good luck!
Does that work here?

Fun tidbit of info...

While watching the national budget aired on tv, an interpreter was signing at the bottom of the screen. Although the words were spoke in English, some signs were the same, many were not.

Word of the day: poly thin bag - plastic grocery bag

Spider!

Spare the stick, spoil the child...

Today the topic of "Kelcey, can you beat kids back home?" came up again. One of the teachers asks me how I keep order without slapping a few kids here or there. I tell him we can threaten to call home, send kids home, taking away points in a class, or send them to the office... Those are our main choices. He said he wouldn't know how to "Not backhand a kid who is taking back. Just bop them in the mouth!" I laugh and say there were particular kids I would have loved to get with the stick for their behaviors, but it just isn't how it is done in America. One teacher says to me "I can get you one tomorrow! We got a bunch of them!" Everyone is laughing.
While sitting in the staff room, right outside I hear a teacher say "I just want to slap you right now" to a student. I look up and laugh. The teacher to my left laughingly comments, "You would hear that and laugh!"

The other topic that comes up often is malaria. The teachers (who have not been out of Africa) are shocked that malaria does not occurs in America. One reached looks at me with a dropped mouth when I say no one sleeps mosquito netting. He just returned after near death with malaria.

I helped teach PE again today. Amazing. Highlights: tug of war using a child, and airplane. With airplane one kid lays on the ground and puts their arms out flat, looking like an airplane. Well, what fun is an airplane on the ground? Not much! One kid grabs the left arm, another the right. A final kid on the feet, take off! The kids RUN around avoiding other airplanes while making airplane noises. Simply the best!

Tonight at dinner a priest who does not eat red meat, which was part of dinner, shared some of his scrambled eggs with me. Possibly the best, most fluffy and amazing eggs I have ever had.

And that my friends, is how to enjoy a Wednesday in Ggaba. (Ggaba is the one of seven hills that makes up Kampala that I am on)

Aww lil' skeeter eater!

Don't go breaking my heart...

New word learned...

Kit: work out clothes... Kind of like a windbreaker outfit..

I'm pretty sure you wanted to see the bathroom...

...right?

My shower...

...Rhonda, I have turned into you washing my feet multiple times a day!

Errors in the blog..

I realize there are some typing errors. My excuse: All of this has been those on my phone. Hope you can deal with them! :)

My own water heater...

...flip the switch and I have a hot trickling shower in about 5 minutes... Took 3 showers to realize the hot and cold were flipped..

Classroom...

...first door on the left.

Scaffolding done right!

Staff room

Also shared as a office by about 10...

Sitting room

Bedroom

The turkey...

He lives next door to the school, but decided to pop his head into the staff room and "GOOOOOBLE" at me... I about peed myself..

Church today

Last night after dinner I asked Father Michael what time mass would be in the morning. He said the priests have one here at 7:30, but it would be very boring. It is quick, no music, boring. So he suggested I go at 11:30 to the church that is right outside the compound. It is also the church my students go to on Friday mornings. I walk down the big hill, getting to the front door at 11:29, and people are seated in chairs outside because it is so full. I stand near the entrance, and an usher brings me right up to the front. I take a seat behind the choir. Most of the mass is in English. A few songs and the homily are in local language. After mass I climb back up the big hill and go into lunch. Father Michael asks with a big smile, "How long was mass?" I tell him an hour and a half. He says "Ohhhh quick mass today."
I am starting to see a trend on masses here..

Obama!

Many people have asked how he is doing and if he is thought to be elected again.

Lake Victoria

This is part of the lake. It is about half a mile away walking on the roads. There are many people who gather near it, so it is very loud. Since we are on top of a hill, all of the sound travels up to us.

Not sure the name...

...but Father Albert took me on a walk to show me the plants and animals. I asked him what these were. Under the free there are yellow ones. He said to me, "I am not sure the English name, but the priests here tell me they are poison! I say no! Their juice is good! Here, try it!"
I tried it and it was very sweet.

Bananas!

There are three kinds of bananas that are grown here. I am pretty sure I have tried all of them. My favorite are fat red ones!

For Martin

Goats!
Martin actually told me I should carry one home for Maddy. Not sure Lis would approve... Although, you do have a fence now, that was part of the problem when you shot down me getting you a goat last time...

For Maddy!

Caterpillar!

For Katie

Pomegranates!

Baby pineapple?

HUGE bird!

Probably stands close to 4 feet tall..

My weather

My dinner

My keys

My home