looooong time no blog!!! :o)

Well, where oh where do I need to start? I guess I would like to start by apologizing for not posting anything for quite sometime now!! We have already moved out to the village, and there is no internet like we expected, and before that my blog was giving me trouble...but it looks like today may just be a success!!! I have many many exciting things to talk about and after reviewing my last blog, I think that starting off with rafting will be the way to go!!
Sooooo, Sunday Jan 25th, we set out on a journey to raft the nile, as well as, bungee into the Nile!! Needless to say it was probably the scariest fun I have ever had!! lol!! WE got there @ like 9am and they told us that we would have to bungee before we went rafting... I just knew that my eggs were going to come right up as soon as I stepped over the ledge... but the jump master assured me that you can't throw up upside down, so I said okay!! Kelli went first, then it was my turn... they strapped me in and made me hop to the egde!! You are suppose to grab this yellow bar above your head and when you are ready to jump you put your arms by your side and they start counting... soooo, I took my arms down, only to decide I wasn't ready to jump!! I jerked my arms straight back up to that yellow bar... I seriously thought I was about to chicken out, but I didn't!! I put my arms down again, and as soon 3-2-bungee was said I leaped out falling 150ft towards the Nile River!! Excuse my language, but all I could scream was "Holy Sh**"!! My head and a small portion of my upper body dipped into the River, and I suddenly felt refreshed, only to realize I was heading straight for the rock cliffs while dangling!! Okay, so I thought I was heading for the rocks, but I wasn't!! They pulled a raft up underneath me and I had to grab onto the paddle... they made me do a tuck and roll thing so the rafters could take the harness off of my legs!! It was amazing!! I got out and ran up to the top of the bluff just in time to see brooke jump off and scream T.I.A. (This is Africa)!! After everyone was done bungee jumping we headed for the life jackets and paddles to start our journey down the river!! At first it was super fun, we chose the Wild trip (not Mild), and were immediately flipped in the first rapid!! It was sooo much fun, that is until we made it to Big Brother (a class 5 rapid)!! We were instructed to hang on to the boat if we flipped, and so far I was the only one who held on everytime, and big brother didn't change that!! However, holding onto the boat caused me to get caught underneath of it...with no way out but to let go of the boat, so I did!! I am a pretty decent swimmer, and I seriously thought I was going to die!! I could see the light but could never get my head above water!! When I finally did, there was another wave ready to puch me right back under... I think I swallowed about 5 gallons of Nile water just on that rapid alone!! After that, I was the whiny baby of the boat everytime we were about to go over a rapid..."I don't wanna flip... Josh, don't let us flip..." was what I would scream...Josh was our guide!! It was tons of fun in the end, and it was even better b/c Remy... a guy that I met in Kampala came down to join us!! He was so much fun to have on our little baby hippo boat!! Oh yeah... We had the boat of outcasts... there was a missionary group staying @ the rafting place, and our boat was everyone that wasn't part of their group!! We had two guys from Canada, one from UK, the 3 of us, and Remy (Indianna)... we weren't the best paddlers in the beginning!! Liem, UK, was sitting in front of me, and our paddles kept hitting and were never in sync... so he looked at me and said our boat was about as graceful as a baby hippo... and from then on out our boat was the baby hippo!! since that name was established, it has been so crazy how many things have been related to hippos!!
So we ended up staying @ adrift to watch the rafting DVD, which we bought, so you all can see us flipping numerous times, and hang out with all of our baby hippo friends!! lol!! Remy had to go back to Kampala, so we said our goodbyes and he threw up the peace sign as he left!! We shall have many more adventures together someday!!

The next week we started construction on the school that part of our donation money will be used for!! WE laid rocks in the trenches, which is how they create a foundation, and we stacked bricks for the men who were actually building the school!! It was fun and frustrating all @ the same time!! Not many of the workers could speak English, so we couldn't get any concrete directions on what we were told to do!! Oh well, I put my iPod on and started throwing rocks!! It was a great experince, b/c you actually see the difference in work that a Ugandan does v.s. the work that an American does!! They would put all of ua to shame!!

Oh yeah, so we met Genna!! She was one of the rescue kayakers girlfriend!! She is from the UK, and we got realy close to her the week before we left for the village!! She has been coming to Uganda for about 9 yrs now, and gave me so much hope about the things I CAN do to help these people!! She works for an NGO, but gave us a lot of insight to how Ugandans actually feel about NGO's ran by whites!! she brought to our attention that a lot of the NGO's that come to hel p the people are actually hendering their ability to develop... making them dependent on aid from other countries stops them from producing goods that they are capable of making!!! Also, many NGO's want to do all this stuff to help, but they come in and bring white staff...instead of hiring a Ugandan... or they say okay we'll help build you a road, but you have to use our men to build it, blah blah... when they could just as easily give the job to a Ugandan (helping out and providing jobs)!! Genna is so smart, and has spent most of her time in Uganda learning the people and their culture, as well as what all the volunteer orgs around here do!! I learned from her that in order to help Ugandans, you really have to know the people and the culture... which will take much longer than 3 months, so yup... you can count on me coming back here someday!! No worries... once I finish school of course!!! =)

Okay so today is Friday, and we are currently in Jinja for the weekend, but we have been out in the village @ Rea College, which is where we are teaching!! The first week, things were a little tough... we had no power more than we had power, a flushable hole that didn't flush, one wash basin for all three of us, and 3 steel beds!! All of our meals were traditional food... it is good traditional food, don't get me wrong... but eating the same foods twice a day gets really old, reeeeallly fast!!! The teachers were not very helpful @ first and nobody seemed to be aware of our program (plans) of teaching!! The children were also a little nervous to talk to us @ first, so that made it super hard!! I was also dealing with swome personal things... no need to discuss them on here, b/c it's all over now... and I'm a half a world a way and there is nothing I can do to fix it so... Oh well!!!

Anywho, things got better pretty fast...we got to know a few of the teachers and went out the first friday we were there... going out here is not like going out @ home... it was just the 6 of us outside this bar drinking and goofing off!! We had a good time!! Oh an when we were on our way home there was noone in town so we did cartwheels down the middle of the dirt road!! great times!! We started teaching the next week, and things immediately got better with our students!! Kelli and I are both teaching Senior one, so we actually get to be in the classes together, which make us and the students more comfortable!! So far I have taught three Biology lessons...covering the branches of biology, characteristics of living things, and the life processes of all living things!! The students are slowly picking up on our accent and participating when we ask them questions!! I am actually excited to have my next class b/c Kelli and I are going to buy some candy while we are in Jinja to try and get the kids to interact with us more!! I will let you all know how that goes!!

So those are our experiences so far... in a reeeeallly small nut shell!! I am still keeping my journal, so I will remember all of the little details that I don't feel like typing!!

I will say that coming here I knew I would learn a lot about the people, but I never expected to learn so much about myself... the things I need to work on, and things I never knew existed inside of me!! I have learned that things happen... no matter how much you plan things, you have to keep your mind and eyes open for anything to happen!! Nothing is what you expect and I have learned to be patient, although it is still hard at times, and accept the life these people live and try to better myself with the things I have learned!!

Okay so now I am beginning to ramble, so I am going to stop!! I have to make some phone calls anyway...so peace out for now!! It may be a while until my next blog, but stay tuned!! Oh yeah... I am now coming home on March 30th, and I am going to spend a lot of time in TN... so get ready for the fun!! lol!!

wow...what a week it's been!!

Hello to all... sorry it has been so long since my last post, but we have been pretty busy!! SO that also means I have a lot to talk about!!
So sunday we had what we declared "Mzungu Day" and treated ourselves, as well as our friend James (it was his birthday), to a day @ the nile resort!! WE swam all day long and had pizza for lunch...which was destroyed in seconds!! haha!! Then on Monday we began our work with Act for Africa... it was a lot of fun @ first, but then we sort of felt useless b/c we couldn't help with any of the games or skits they did b/c of the language barrier!! I think that they are an awesome organization and their methods of teaching the people are great, but I find it hard to work with them b/c I kind of feel like the only reason they want us there is to act like crazy americans and draw a crowd for them to then do the important stuff!! WE haven't worked with them since that day b/c of other trips, so tomorrow will be our first day back...let's hope it goes better!!
So yesterday we traveled to Kampala to meet up with the group that Kelli came with last time and see the bead for life village...which is the org that we has the bead party for!! It was amazing... the houses that they provide these people are much more than most Ugandans will ever have!! I was very impressed with them!!
WE decided to stay the night in Kampala to celebrate the inaugaration with feloow Americans, and we had a blast!! After the inaugaration was over we all went bowling and had a good time hanging out with more "Mzungus"!! All of the people we met were very nice, and we actually are planning on hooking up with them again this weekend for some tours and rafting and bunji jumping!! IT's going to be fun!! The only down fall to last night was that the hotel only had one room avbailable and it was a single, so the 3 of us crammed into a twin bed... not fun!! But it will be an adventure we will never forget!! We made it back to Jinja this morning and slept for the majority of the day..during the crazy hard rain...(thought it was suppose to be hot right now..lol)!! It has been a great week so far, but I miss everyone @ home more than you could ever imagine!! Leave me some comments and update me on how everyone @ home is doing!!

Also we have a phone here, and anyone can call me without using our minutes...but @ the normal international charges to you!! the way you need to call is 011256781431496... I can't remember if I had posted this on my blog already, but I know the people that I gave the number to previously, haven't been able to get through b/c I forgot the 011 part!! I would love to hear anyones voices, just remember I am nine hours ahead of my Tennessee and Bama folks... 8 hours ahead of my Northern Family!!

Once again, I miss and love you all!!!
Sulabulungi from Jinja Uganda!!!--->Good Night from Jinja Uganda!!

Hello to all!! This week has been amazing!! WE have visited many cool sites that show the true beauty of Uganda!! Yup...I totally walked in the Nile River!!
WE have also taken trips to many of Cyorfs project sites out in the villages...and all I can say is... they are an amazing organization that really does so much for the people of Uganda!! The people in the villages have a big problem with lack of education on how to better their quality of life..simple things like purifying their water!! Today we also went to our school in Mayuge district...where the majority of our trip will be spent.. and it is beautiful!! I am actually very excited to get to teach there. WE will be working with teens from the ages of 14-20!! Hopefully they won't make us look dumb...haha!! May have to brush up on my chemistry and biology!!:) Last night I also learned how to cook some of the local foods from the girl I spoke about in my previous blog...Viviann!! I learned how to make these noodle things that you sautee (sp) onions and tomatoes, and then boil the noodles in the sauce that cooks from the other materials!! I also learned how to make matooke...which is the smashed bananas!! It was lots of fun!!!
Tomorrow Brooke, Kelli, and I are taking our friend James to the Nile Resort for his birthday... finally a day of swimming and relaxtion!! The resort is beautiful..it overlooks the Nile, and has a swim up bar with the most beautiful pool and lodging...hint hint... come visit and there is a place you can stay!! And by American standards, it's pretty cheap and you get your own little cabing thingy!! :)
Well, I am running out of time, so I guess that's it for today!! I miss and love you all!!!

Lesson for the day Olena Mirembe...Lusoga for---> You have peace!!!

Yesterday, Jan 13th, we attended the funeral of our neighbors grandmother!! It was a 3 hour drive out to the village b/c the roads are so bad...the same distance in america would be like 30-45 minutes!! The funeral was very interesting...there were a ton of people there, and they put Kelli, Brooke, and I pretty much right in front of the casket...spooky, I know!! After they lowered the body, they pass the family off to another woman, who the deceased had chosen before she passed. This new mother takes care of family duties...as well as the husbands needs!! They fed every single person that atended the funeral, but me (I couldn't make myself eat the food b/c it was out of this huge metal thing...and tehy scooped it with their hands)!! I was exhausted when we got back, probably b/c I hadn't eaten anything other than a slice of bread @ breakfast!!

We finally started our orientation today!! I got a little frustrated b/c I was so hungry and we had a traditional lunch with Edward; I tried everything, but mainly ate rice and beans!! lol!! I have bought hot sauce already, but I still need a loooooooooot more to make it through!! haha

Edward is extremely nice and very willing to help us!! Becky, another Cyorf employee, gave us a language lesson today, and will continue it every day until our orientation ends!! It's pretty easy to say, but very hard to remember...mayber b/c my brain is fried from all of the stuff I ahve been taking in for the past 5 days!! :)

I am really looking forward to the end of our orientation b/c we get o visit bujagali falls, where we can maybe do a safari, and teh Nile Resort where we get to go swimming!! SUUUUPEEEER Excited about that...it's sooooo hot here!!

WE also saw pictures of the school that we will be teaching at, and it is a very rural area... the buildings are basically made out of sticks!! Not like in Jinja!!

I have tried to upload pics, but it's not really letting me, so I am going to try and do them on facebook and make the album public so anyone can see them... and if I find that is a success, then I will put all the information one needs to find them in my next blog!!

Sorry this blog is not so great, but like I said, I can't get my thoughts together right now!!! So tune in for a more in depth update by Friday!! Love you all!!

Greetings from Jinja Uganda!!

Today is actually our third day in Jinja!! But our first actual time to use the internet!! The flights here were very long and uncomfortable!! Once we finally made it to Entebbe (Uganda's airport) the guys who came to pick us up caught a taxi for us and the taxi driver got arrested for an invalid permit, which was crazy b/c we had to go to the police station in two small cars and wait for Mande (CYORP rep) to get our driver out of jail!! Very interesting way to start your trip huh?

Our host family is really nice, there are a lot of kids @ mine and Kelli's house!! Our house is one out of five in a small parish where our host mother, Petra, counselor of the parish so everyone comes to our house to visit, including the kids!! It's great to play with all of the kids, but they are so fascinated with us white people (they call us muzungus) that it is hard to find time alone!! There is a young girl named Viviann who has been helping us to learn the local language!! It is hard, but we are slowly getting the hang of things!!


WE have been to town the past two days, which is about a 10 min walk...we are trying to not pay to take taxis, and get our lazy butts in shape:) lol!!! Town is nice, and we have met many muzungus who have been very helpful to us in making sure we don't get screwed over on prices since we are obviously not from here!! We have also made friends with many locals who have been very helpful, one named Allan Jackson!! He lives in the same parish as Kelli and I, and he pretty muched saved us from a drunk lasy night on our way home!!

Everyone is super friendly the land is beautiful!! I am making notes of specific stories to tell everyone in my journal, but I don't have enough time to type them all out!! Some will, no lie, make you wanna pee your pants!!!

I have also found many cool things that I plan to buy many of you... but not until later in my trip when I know that I can afford it!! Things are actually very cheap here by American standards!! So now that I have been on the internet for a long time now, I am signing off for the day!! Check back in a few days for a new post!! Love and miss you all!!

Well well well guys!! I have two more days before I head out for the great land of Uganda!!! I'm sure things will be a little crazy my first few weeks, so work with me okay!! I am planning on updating my blog frequently instead of dealing with email!! By the way I understand it is if you sign up for a blog, you can actually leave me comments and communicate that way!! I can't wait to fill you guys in on everything!! PEACE OUT YA'LL... I'm heading to UGAAAAANDAAAAA!!