Heading down Southwest way

Hello my loves! So as many of you may know I have arrived safe and sound in Uganda.  We are staying at an organic farm, kind of not near anything.  It is a nice bonding time because we don't have anything to do but hang out with one another.  Thursday I move to my homestay for 4 weeks. Homestay is where I stay with a local family to be more immersed in the culture and language.  At that time I also have "satellite training" with other people in my region.  That means we go to a common spot each day to formally learn the language.  Mine is Runyakore...(I think that is spelled right).  I have heard it is one of the easier ones, so I think if I study and commit I will be fine.   I have gotten placed in the southwest, which seems to be a pretty good spot.  70s all the time, by the mountains and zebras, lions, and gorillas seem to be in abundance over there!  It seems to be the general conclusion that training is the hardest part.  We get sworn in on July 27th and then we are actually volunteers!!  Barring me falling down and breaking something I suppose...yes I have already fallen down at least 5 times.  We have mostly just been doing lessons and hanging out with each other.  We learned some organic gardening techniques which was really cool. Other than that we mostly have learned practical, culture, and a little bit of our different areas of expertise.  I've tried bucket bathing a couple times, but my hands aren't big enough to rinse out my hair so I've got to buy a cup! Also handwashing clothes has occurred, but most of the Ugandans say we aren't that good at it yet.  

Kampala is the capital city (where I am at the moment).  It's very cool, but the taxi (matatu) parks can be a little terrifying.  Traffic in general here is kind of scary.  Like anything else it just takes some getting used to.  I will be moving away from Kampala and in my area there is  Post bus, which means that I won't have to deal with the taxis as much as everyone else might.  Taxis here don't go when you get there; they go when they are full.  Which means that at least 11 people need to be in the taxi before you.  Pictures probably won't happen for me until I get to my site and set up my own internet connection, but don't worry I am taking plenty.  We are going to go get some American food because we miss it so much.  The food here really isn't very good. Very bland and soooo many carbs! I think I'm losing weight simply because I don't want to eat as much.  Again it will be better once I can move in on my own.  I'm super excited to paint and decorate my own place.  Have my own little space where I can keep my sanity in those times where I may just lose it.  No stomach problems yet...but I hear it's inevitable.  

Well I only have 4 minutes left, so I'm going to wrap this up!  I love you all much (I think...I don't know who is all reading this)  And I will update as much as possible, but that may not be until I get to my own site and set up my own internet!! 
 

See all the boxes!

 So I decided to post about where I'm living now, because I find it kind of funny (oh and I'm bored; my parents go to bed kinda early).  So to save some money I decided to move home with my parents just for May (which I will be gone for a good portion of; in Madison, crashing at friend's houses, you know). So my dad redid the attic for my room, which was nice because it was like my own little space and I am short anyway.  However, once I left it was turned into a storage space (which includes much of my storage) because they needed it and I'm not planning on living here again really.  So totally reasonable on their part.

Nest for one; but it so much more fun to nest with others

 So I also decided not to bring any of my furniture because when I get back I plan to go to grad school somewhere that isn't close enough for me to want to take more than a car.  So I gave Jenna my bed. (and Bobby Beatz all my other furniture) Also like I said, I don't plan on being here that much, so why go through all the hassle!  However, if I sleep on the couch my parents wake up earlier than I care too (esp now that I have quit my two jobs) and my dog will stare at me in the middle of the night like a creep.  I wake up and my dogs face is like right in front of mine.  Not even like she's cuddling with me, she is standing there staring at me.  I love her, but what a creep.  So I am sleeping in my old room, on a pile of blankets with an area that would be nightstand but really is just the floor next to my blanket pile (my own little nest I suppose). 


So that is my life for the moment.  Not terrible: there is good munch and a furry dog to spoon.  Also good to see my parents a bit before I go.  Cannot wait to go to Madison for a week though! and see some people I haven't seen in awhile and who I may not see for a long time.  It'll be glorious nesting with you instead of alone!  This may turn out to be my favorite month thus far...

Hello All! I thought I would get this started off today as I quit both of my jobs and have moved in with my parents for the month of May.  So stuff is really changing for me.  I'm super excited loves, but also very very nervous.  At this point I'm just excited to celebrate and see all of you before I head out on the biggest adventure of my life thus far.  It will definitely be an experience, but I'm trying not to get too many expectations in my mind about what it could be like.  Everyone who has done it before me has said to try to expect nothing (that way I won't be surprised right?)  I thought it would be fitting to kick off this celebration month with a trip to my favorite city, Madison (hence the picture).  Mifflin, my favorite people in the world, my favorite restaurants in the world; what could be better?! Soo if you have any advice, encouraging words, or anything that may be helpful don't hesitate to throw it out there for me.  At the very least help my anxious waiting period to go faster by taking my mind off the nervousness...(or do I want it to go slower so I'm with the people I love more...)