I must be a seasonal writer. I somehow manage to blog at the beginning and end of each season. I figured it was becoming time to let go of a little of my old life and give myself a new...outlook...on the world wide web. So, out with the old and in with the fact that I have too much time on my hands.

Since the last time I ranted to no one in particular, I have traveled far and wide over this great country we call the US of A. From East Coast to West Coast, I've visited friends and family looking for a place to call my own. And somehow, I still end up home, in Wyo. Nothing wrong with that of course. People here can't get enough of me. However, when you've outdone yourself by the age of 25, it leaves too much room for improvement. It also gives you a big head in which you believe yourself qualified for all types of occupations from Project Manager of a 'world renown' NGO to barista at a local cafe. And at the ravenous pace of which I am applying to jobs, I could find myself cleaning the shitters at a 'world renown' National park by next week, or recruiting poor fools to enter the same 2 year post I held by November. Whatever the outcome, here I find myself, 4 months home (hmm...) without a job (yikes...) and living with my parents (fun!!!).

But there is no use in feeling sorry for one's self. My opportunities are endless and only limited by a shit economy where the jobs I am qualified for don't exist because people can't afford another employee and the jobs that are available I am so far overqualified for I may as well be a PhD in manual labor, outdoor work or food service. Really the only person I take advice from anymore, much to the dismay of family and friends, is my online horoscope since it passes no judgment and lets me interpret the advice myself. In my own world, I can understand the following sentence of "A full moon tonight is your invitation to stop feeling obliged to accept an unsatisfactory situation and to set about changing it!" to actually mean "Lisa, there is no reason why you should be watching the Real Housewives of New Jersey without a box of wine! Go get that Shiraz girl and alter this unsatisfactory situation into a extremely satisfactory one!!" Of course, I could be more mature than that...I could buy a bottle instead of a box.

But in the end, I think constantly of Uganda. Constantly of those I love there. Constantly of how to make a meaningful life here, rather than there. And, even, constantly of how I can get myself back there. Gramps tells Sar and I, " You know what they say about nostalgia? It's the wave of the future." Everyone's got a right to their glory days.

Sometimes, it's a sad strange journey, rather than just a strange one. And all you can do to hold on is embrace it, and when you get to the fork in the road - take it.

Wow. That was corny.

...I guess I don't just listen to my horoscope. What do you know, Gramps?!

Well into June and what have I done with my time? Well, plenty, if you are going by Ugandan time. I suppose I cant discredit myself too much here - I have been able to jump from airport to airport and road to road, letting them take me to places I've never been. Thailand and Cambodia are done, well done. Ohio came and went and Holly got hitched and looked absolutely fabulous doing it.

There have been times of extreme exhaustion where I want nothing more than to be in my bed in Cheyenne and watch hours upon hours of True Blood (who knew?). The funny thing is, is that when I get to do just that, I suddenly want to be somewhere else, doing something else, so I don't make myself feel lazy. My parents have been rock stars, letting me take my time being a bum or swing in and out of their homes as I please. People call me a world traveler and welcome me home, but I am starting to realize something - I don't think I'm exactly addicted to traveling, but I do think that I am addicted to not being home, to not even being in America. It's a strange feeling, one that I'm going to try to fight the next year while I make American plans for myself.

But, no pressure, right? That's what I think. The truth is, my biggest enemy being back home is myself. It's that side of myself that is telling me to get a job, to go out and enjoy the beautiful day (ummm, Lisa...you had two flippin years of beautiful days, can't you just watch TV now? Actually, no. My attention span, while in tune to staring at a whitewashed wall and reading a book for 4 hours in blistering heat, cannot handle more than an hour of the succubus known as TV). That part of myself, dare I say my American self, that needs to feel accomplished and productive pushes me more and more everyday to get a shitty job I don't like or to apply to schools even though the last thing I want to do right now is go back to paying thousands of dollars just so I can read (yeah, liberal arts!!).

I want a direction. A passion, even. And I don't want to spend the next year worrying that I gave up my passion by coming home. So, now when people ask me "what are you going to do?" "what are your plans?" "what do you do all day?" All I can say is " I don't know." "My plan is to find my own direction." and "Whatever the hell I want."

Let's be honest - life could be worse. I actually think I've got a pretty good thing going here...yeah, I can't really tell any of you what exactly that 'thing' is, I can't even pinpoint it myself, but what is important to me is that I stay on a true and righteous path to myself. I love home. Home is good. But home comes to encompass more and more places the older we get. Right now, home to me is my family, my friends, a windy, rolling prairie with amazing storms and beautiful sunsets. It's also cock crow at 430am, one of two chairs in my modest home in Kaliro, riding my bike up to the NTC after a bead workshop, a cold (or hot) Eagle, soul food by Agnes and Susan's nagging.

But enough of that. I've seen some good shit the past month and a half outta PC. I've had warm reunions, good food, great conversations and the most comfortable beds this side of the Atlantic (no more flippin foam!). I do spend a good part of my time looking through pictures of Uganda and trying not to feel sorry for myself. Keeping busy also helps, although I'm afraid I channeled my feral side every now and then when things get a bit overwhelming - those of you who know me, know Feral Lisa fairly well: watery eyes, quivering chin, a bit of yelling here and there, red face, shaky voice, if there is a door to be slammed, it will be; if there is something that can be thrown, it will be...and all of this within minutes of Happy Lisa. I think my mother has witnessed the Feral Lisa episodes the most - shoe shopping brought on my anxiety attack at freakin' Frontier Mall (not a good idea to have a panic attack when shopping for things that you will wear in public. Then your mother - who is meant to be the voice of reason - will just let you do what you want and not get in your way for fear of Feral Lisa rearing her ugly head once again - and then you'll buy blue, 5 in., snake skin heels meant for the local amputee stripper at the Green Door, but you'll find it a good idea to wear them to your best friends wedding (don't worry, I returned them the next day)). And then I had to go the grocery store...why cant there just be one kind of tortilla chip? No funky shapes, no 'no salt added' or 'lime flavour'...i just want a damn tortilla chip.

Ahhh...the things to cherish about culture shock in your own country. It's enough to make me want another Negra Modelo and enjoy my "strip" shaped tortilla chips and guac. Until next time, enjoy the few following pictures from Thai/Cambodia.

Cheers.

Khao San with the women

Grand Palace Stupa

Chiang Mai temple

elephant walk - chiang mai thailand

waiting for the bus to CambodiaSSiem Reap, Cambodia

Angkor Wat Tower at sunrise, Cambodia

Devatas inside Angkor Wat

girl at Angkor

last night in Bangkok - bubble bath and bloody mary's

First week in America. Someone told me that if I don't like it too much here, not to fret - I'll be going to Thailand soon.

But dislike isn't what's on my mind. I actually felt very neutral about being here, at first. It could be that it hadn't "hit" me yet, or that I just felt like I was visiting - whatever it is, it has left me feeling rather strange. Driving myself around almost gives me a sense of independence that I wasn't quite ready for. And driving a vehicle all alone after so many months of being crammed into one with 22 other people is a rather lonely experience. Not that I exactly miss mutatu rides or the rush of seeing my life flash before my eyes every 10 minutes, or the leering gaze of some man who wants a muzungu wife, or that annoying over-the-shoulder reader next to me who is reading my text messages - but it is some form of 'missing' that I feel. Most people would say that I was just 'used to it'. Yeah, I was used to it - and I loved it all.

Not gonna lie, there is a feeling of my freedom being lost (even if I've gained independence with a car), that I feel for some reason coming back to America. I'm not sure why, since my Ugandan life was imposed on me, my way of living was imposed on me, the restrictions of a different culture and society were imposed on me. Talk about a loss of freedom. But maybe it's because I chose to 'subject' myself to Uganda, that is what made me feel more free than I do in America. The fact that I forced myself to adapt, everyday, to a new environment gave me a sense of freedom that I've never quite had before. And the fact that it wasn't 'my' society or 'my' culture - I was viewed as a guest - until it came time to leave, and then not one of my Ugandan friends understood just why I had to go. It sounded silly to tell them that 'my time was up'. Isn't time what life is made of and it's never up; there is always more time.

One of my biggest impressions being back in America, is that being here can be just as lonely as being an outsider in a different culture. Ever since I stepped off the plane in JFK, I've done most things alone, and even when I'm around lots of people, I'm still just me, adapting again, but this time to my original way of life. No, the first few days weren't so bad. It's this week that is hitting me that I am gone from Uganda. I get to talk to Daniel, and feel that he is so lucky that he gets to see Agnes and Joseph and be the one to share a dinner with them. I'll call it jealousy for now. He gets to wake up at his home and carry on life as we have known it for the past 2 years, and I am jealous. I know there is something important in acknowledging when it is the right time to go. When things have become stagnant and a change is in the air and cannot be ignored. Change is always welcome in my world; but I'm a rather nostalgic person and memories are hard for me to leave behind.

I'm not even sure where to go with this blog entry...it's all very frustrating. It has nothing to do with not liking home or America. I suppose it has everything to do with missing a piece of my life that I was not prepared to give up yet. And that Uganda has come to mean everything to me. And the feeling of being caught in between 2 places, 2 desires, 2 ways of life, 2 me's. And not knowing what comes after all this...

So, until I figure myself out, I'll do as Mr. Harper suggests and fly, again - one time, out of this place to a new land.

Well, here's to home, where ever it may be.

Last day in UG today. Lots to write, potentially, but I'd rather just post some pictures and quote Joni.

Enjoy!

My road home

Me at work, kinda

All in the family

me at work for reals

RUCODEP office and bamemba enjoying mwenge at my party

Nangobi and Sarah danced for us...lots of snaps were taken, like this of me and Christopher's family

Taking my last brew at Agnes'

Big Size gettin down with Susie Q The Kakaga's

Agnes with her new grandson, Mark

I was way too excited for Rafiki

Send off from my home - Christopher, Henry and Agnes

Mbonga's Ugandan Masterpiece!!

The Butu return

Kaliro

Weraba Kaliro

RUCODEP

And now, it's home time.

Sitting in a park in Paris, France

Reading the news and it sure looks bad

They won't give peace a chance

That was just a dream some of us had

Still a lot of lands to see

But I wouldn't want to stay here

It's too old and cold and settled in it's ways here

Oh, but California

California I'm coming home

I'm going to see the folks I dig

I'll even kiss a Sunset pig

California I'm coming home

I met a redneck on a Grecian isle

Who did the goat dance very well

He gave me back my smile

But he kept my camera to sell

Oh the rogue, the red red rogue

He cooked good omelettes and stews

And I might have stayed on with him there

But my heart cried out for you, California

Oh California I'm coming home

Oh make me feel good rock'n roll band

I'm your biggest fan

California, I'm coming home

Oh it gets so lonely

When you're walking

And the streets are full of strangers

All the news of home you read

Just gives you the blues

Just gives you the blues

So I bought me a ticket

I caught a plane to Spain

Went to a party down a red dirt road

There were lots of pretty people there

Reading Rolling Stone, reading Vogue

They said, "How long can you hang around?"

I said "a week, maybe two,

Just until my skin turns brown

Then I'm going home to California"

California I'm coming home

Oh will you take me as I am

Strung out on another man

California I'm coming homeOh it gets so lonely

When you're walking

And the streets are full of strangers

All the news of home you read

More about the war

And the bloody changes

Oh will you take me as l am?

Will you take me as l am?

Will you?

As usual, Im posting late and irregularly. Sort of like my bowel movements.

I've got just 17 days left in my Ugandan life. And I'm not quite sure what to say here. But I felt compelled to give it one last blog while still a volunteer.

Janurary, Febuary, and March came and went. As did the other volunteers in my group. We came as One United Front, but we leave alone. We seem to slowly trickle out of the country, one by one. Some with our tails between our legs. Some with smiles on our faces and finally exhaling. Some with tears and maybe a bit of relief. And some of us leave not being quite sure if that's the right choice for us...maybe we should stay.

I've been struggling with an exit strategy myself. I certainly don't want it to be sloppy and regrettable. And some days, I wake up and the air is so quite but the birds are so alive and I wonder when I'll get another Ugandan morning after I've left. Change and movement are necessary and inevitable, of course. Sarita and I have always been slight nomads ourselves, growing up with divorce and joint custody and Tuesdays and Thursdays take you to one house and every other weekend... yadda yadda yadda. We've adjusted to this life well and prefer movement. But sometimes, you start to wonder when and where the settling will come. Just when you begin to gain a connection to a place, you leave, often because you 'have to' not because you choose to. So, now I have to prepare for the next move, back to 'home', but also back to a culture that I'll never be quite sure that I fit into.

RUCODEP has struggled on, however. And I hope they will continue to. At the bead workshop yesterday, I had to remind them that Im leaving Kaliro next week. The look on their faces is both so resigned to the idea yet so shocked that they have to let me go. Leaving Kaliro is not something that I'm looking forward to. I'm afraid I will be a hot mess that day and need my cocktail hour to come a few hours too soon just to 'deal'.

And it's been a great past 3 months. I've gotten to aid in Red Cross relief work; I've helped RUCODEP surpass the one million shilling mark in their bank account, all out of their hard work; I've finally enjoyed the services of the Kampala Serena Hotel (which is a much deserved thing for all volunteers to do); I finally got to see the elusive animal known as the "chimpanzee"; I've said good goodbyes to the volunteers from my group whom will always share an awesome relationship.

I'm not the only one who has been getting busy with changes these past 3 months. Uganda faced deadly mudslides, university riots and the burning down of a central cultural institution - Kasubi Tombs (just to name a few). Uganda felt stagnant too, I suppose.

I woke up today with the thought that I could get a lot done - namely pack my house up and start deciding who will get what items of mine as i leave- (if only you put your mind to it!)...but, me being me, I chose to paralyze myself by thinking. So, here I am, chain-smoking, washing clothes and avoiding the inevitable. I may be a nomad, but I'm a procrastinating nomad. I know I have to leave, but can't I just think about that tomorrow??

Well, I'll be seeing most of you soon. I'll try not to be too weird, but there's a pretty good chance I'm gonna be a weirdo for a long time. It's strange to love two places at once and to want them both equally all the time. So far, I've been lucky enough to make my young adult life in many places of my own choosing. I don't see myself slowing down anytime soon!

Here are some links and pictures that wrap up the past 3 months pretty well for me.

Enjoy!

Love

LB

PC Press Release on mudslides

http://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=resources.media.press.view&news_id=1548

Kasubi Tombs

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kasubi_Tombs

Bududa with PCV's and Red Cross volunteers.

FINALLY! Got my "Testes as chocolatey as it looks" photo. Thanks Cadbury!

Me and Baby Lisa. Her parents are my local bar maid and an NTC lecturer that I've known for a while.



Chimp!!! I cheated - it's at the Entebbe Zoo.

April 22, 2010. That's my big bad Close of Service date. Well, actually, I am going to leave April 25th, but my ties with PC will end on the 22nd (and im sure some of you are relieved a little bit that ill stop using acronyms like APCD, PCV and COS and then you'll know what the hell im talking about).

Yes, The end is nigh.

And with comes all the contemplation and reflection on 2 years (almost) down.

As of late, Ive been faced with constant memories of my life here...and even regrets of not being able to do more. The road that found me here was lined with love, tears, friends, bliss, connections and its fair share of disconnects. And of course, my own self worth - whether it turned to earth or resurrected itself- it was all here. Crammed into 2 years. 2 years of learning a lot and playing a lot. 2 years of growth. 2 years of a sort of happiness that ive never experienced before. 2 years of perspective, that will only keep building on itself the longer time goes on.

Now, it all boils down to 3 months of acceptance. Acceptance that life is life - and life really has no plans for you except to watch you and allow you to make your own choices - and to own them. To accept them. And to love them, so that you can love yourself. Everyday, Im getting closer and closer to accepting and loving the life that Ive built for myself here. And closer and closer to appreciating all that it brought me. All that Ive experienced here, all that I've been through - I chose it. And it has been a good path for me.

Some people say that 'everything happens for a reason'. ive never been sure how i feel about this saying. But the neighbor kids are sitting on my verandah and calling my name now. They want me to take pictures of them. And feed me jackfruit. I'll think about 'reasons' tomorrow and just appreciate what is happening now.

Things Ill miss? Ive got a whole list.

I'll miss nature in Uganda. Both Human and Mother. The highpitched voice when a man recounts an unbelievable story (Aiiii! Mama!) and the wind in the trees that always brought me back to Wyoming if i closed my eyes. And a fierce storm out of no where, when the sun is still lighting up half the sky. Sunsets. Even Ugandan indirectness. The ants and termites and Mother Nature Herself attempting to reclaim my home from me.

Ill miss people. The chaos and drama of my neighbors. The peace and often awkward silence of Agnes' house, in comparison to my own. Sitting amongst my group making beads listening to gossip I'll never understand. Even the harassment of children.

Ill miss smells. Sickenly-sweet smell of fene. The smell of fires - cooking, burning. The smell of freshly laid cement or the smell of it sweating in the heat, which used to remind me of the Dominican. Parafin will never remind me of camping again.

The noise, too. The sound of freshly broken and then bound branches, sweeping the dirt outside my house at 630 in the morning. Children's voices. Radios blaring Luganda or the BBC tone announcing the beginning of a new hour, a new show. Thunder cracking so suddenly and so hard, you're sure the tree in your front yard was sacrificed to the lightening.

The things that i wont miss are things that i wont mention. Both b/c i dont know how long these things will actually remain with me as the memories that i want of Uganda, but also, because Im sure half of you have heard me grapple with them before. No, these things will be easy for me to forget. And one day, maybe, Ill wake up in America and laugh about the fact that i actually miss something that i used to loathe in Uganda.

So, here I go. Embarking on the beginning of the end. To do it with pride and a smile on my face - even if I dont feel like smiling that particular day. Ill do it anyway. Because i deserve to smile along side the people here who have accepted me.

l'm sure I'll let you all know how this all turns out. Until then, enjoy some holiday pics.

Nana's awesome stocking. Im keeping this for a long time.

I was allowed to assist in the kitchen. Obviously, i was a big help. I was very interested in the cooking oil...key ingredient in most Ugandan dishes. (Dec. 25)

Me, Kisakye, the Mzee (Agnes' granddaughter and Agnes' husband). Dec 25.

Agnes and Kisakye. Dec. 25

I went to rwanda for the new year...but i have yet to get the photos online. Ill do it and bring em to you as soon as i can.

LOVE

LB

When I first woke up, connected to the BBC and heard the news that the Nobel Peace Prize was being awarded to our current president, Barak Obama, it was, truthfully at the time, a bit anti-climactic. It's almost as if I wanted a new face, a new idea and a new name to go with such a prestigious award. And to be honest once more, questions popped into my head such as, "Really?" "Huh...well, why?". They were quickly followed by answers that tried to massage my mind into accepting his award..."Well, he is a good guy...I mean, he has a good heart. He's said a lot of things I can dig." But, wow, the Nobel Peace Prize...Really?

Then I gave it a few days. I love to ride the fence, but after a few days of reading other peoples reactions on the internet, I decided that, hey, i might actually have an opinion.

I've read the good, the bad and the ugly of peoples thoughts (Americans thoughts) concerning this award and its awardee. Then , this morning, it hit me like a brick wall: "Wait, wait, wait...Americans are actually complaining that their president received an award in the name of PEACE?? I am actually questioning his right to have won such acclaim?" To put it bluntly, what the hell is wrong with us?!

Peace seems to mean so little anymore. It's some flight of fancy nowadays. It's something you work in the name of for a few years, tear your hair while doing it, just so you can slap it on some resume and say you 'tried' to help the world, but now you really want work in that bank. Se la vie. It must be that way because we are so unnacustomed to it (Peace) anymore. And really, how sad it that, that our faith and hope in ourselves, has come to mean so little?

I havent been in the states since Obama took office. And what happens in the States is like Vegas in Africa...what happens in the US, stays in the US. We don't feel all that much fallout by the choices made by the American people here, in my tiny town. Well, unless you count all the USAID posters saying no to sugar daddies, or instructing you on how to prevent diahrea (i can never spell that), and how to take care of a person suffering from AIDS. Otherwise, i turn the radio on, i turn the radio off, i begin my day. But, I am supposedly here in the name of PEACE. Ive got the damn concept tattooed on me to remind me of that (no thanks to the Brits and their 'ban the bomb' sentiment). But what does it mean?

To me, it means Love. Hard, misunderstood, overwhelming, inspiring, painful Love. Love of yourself and everyone around you. To the point that you can see what it means to be here, on earth. And trust me, I havent figured that one out, so I aint no fuckin' guru. I had my 8th grade english teacher once tell my class that the only way Peace could exist on Earth is if humans were dead ("the humans are dead. We poisoned their asses, with poisonous gasses"). Now what a depressing thing for an 8th grader to hear. I might as well as just have quit on humans and life as i know it then and there, at the innocent age of 13.

But, I didn't. I thought, "you fool of a teacher...Peace means hardly a thing when no one is around to comprehend it (and i do mean human comprehension)." So, I struggled on. As we all do.

Now, Obama's award. Let me ask people a question: Would you rather have your president recieve an award in the name of Peace (no matter how much you think he/she deserves it) or would you rather live through 8 years of idiocy, run by a dimwit and satans children? O wait, we already let that happen. And look!! Look how peaceful we were during those 8 years! Oh my, human potential really reached its pinnacle under one hipster doofus, and all of those who controlled him. Hope you're picking up the sarcasm b/c i am laying it on pretty thick here.

Another question: just how many Americans were labeled anti-american and unpatriotic for their voices against the Bush Admin and all their violent choices? I am no extremist, but to me, it is far more unpatriotic to not support a vision in Peace, and to not support a President who represents hope, not just in the great US of A, but all over the world. If only Americas could understand just how much people all over the world look to Obama as a sign of goodness. And, it's as if, it is so hard for Americans to recognize goodness in someone. To honor a good heart is a struggle. i suppose not just in Americans, in humans.

The Bush Administration ran us in fear and on hate and on war. And...It truly united us. And now, we find it so hard to unite in the name of Love, Peace, goodness. It's enough to make me want to slap us humans in the face and scream "stop crucifying yourselves!!" Accept that we deserve something good to hold onto! We deserve something good to hold onto.

To criticize Obama's right to this award (which he didnt even campaign for...he made no choice but to accept. Others thought he deserved it, and so he was nominated and voted for, and won), is the same as telling him that he doesn't deserve to be told he is a good person. It's the same as saying that he doesn't have a good heart. That he is incapable of giving Love or Hope. When will humans realize that it doesn't have to be all pain all the time? That everyone is capable of the same wonderful and horrendous emotions and actions? Even Bush has a heart. And, I'd like to think that Obama could never have been nominated and won such an award without Bush's help. Peace is the natural adversary to War. "Like a horse and a carriage...you cant have one without the other." So, pat yourselves on the back Bushies, you played your part in this too.

Point is, we as a people will bitch and moan till we die, it's one of our God-given rights. So, I welcome criticism. But, their is always a point of idiocy, when people don't realize that they are being foolish with their opinions, pig-headed and stubborn. I hope that is what is happening now, when people say that Obama doesn't deserve such recognition. B/c it's either they are being foolish and stubborn with their opinions, or it's that they really want to see how bad the world can be, how painful we can actually make our small, finite existence.

Right now, it feels as if Americans would rather be at war with the world, than recognize Peace when they see it. Prove me wrong, please.

Rural Community Development Programme (RUCODEP), paper bead jewelry.

Take a look at what we have accomplished together over past year in Kaliro, Uganda.

If you like what you see, then place your orders for Christmas 2009...just send me an email (pax.lisa@gmail.com) or write a message on this page. We always have new designs coming to our brains...I will try to keep you up to date on the latest and greatest of RUCODEP.

Unfortunately, not all colors are available, as we are limited by what paper color is available in our market..colors go fast. However, if you'd really like a certain color, tell me and I can probably find it in a market here. but i need about 2 weeks time to find the color...so sooner the better.

The styles below are always available, however.

Necklaces:

Triple Strand: $4

Double Strand: $3

Single Strand: $2

Bracelets:

Double and Single Strand: $1.50

Bracelets

Necklaces:

White Paper Beads, Red Glass Beads Yellow-multi paper beads Brown glass beads

Yellow-multi paper beads, brown glass beads Blue-multi paper beads...

Large Blue paper beads/green glass beads Pink-multi Paper beads...

Orange -multi paper beads... Bracelet: Yellow-mutli, elastic.

Blue-multi paper beads/light blu glass

Bracelet:

White-multi paper beads/brown glass Green-mutli paper beads/green glass

*Cost does not include shipping...keep in touch if you are interested.

RUCODEP began this project in January. We come together during the week to create these designs for you and locals in Kaliro. ALL money goes to the RUCODEP members who roll the paper and design the jewelry.

Hope you appreciate their hard work.

Cheers,

LB

Attn: Lynn Foden, Peace Corps Africa Region Acting Director;

Senator Christopher Dodd;

Aaron Williams, Peace Corps Director;

Anyone Who Cares

Regarding: Dismissal of J. Larry Brown as Country Director, Peace Corps Uganda

To Whom it May Concern:

Recently, Peace Corps Uganda Volunteers were given the shocking news

that our current Country Director (now former CD), Larry Brown, was

dismissed from his post, 2 weeks ago. This news was met with great

confusion and concern among the volunteers, as no information was

provided as to why he was dismissed of his duties, and many volunteers

believed working with Mr. Brown as our CD was of great benefit to us.

First, it should be noted that in less than one year of serving at his

post in Uganda, Dr. Brown had succeeded in creating an environment

conducive to an open relationship between PCV's and Peace Corps Uganda

Administration, as well as giving more voice to volunteer concerns

when it came to post support of their work, and resources provided to

PCV's. One of the first things Mr. Brown did coming into his position

was to reach out to PCV's in a way that our previous CD did not do.

He welcomed us with open arms, asked for our opinions, and encouraged

us to raise our voices in order to 'own our post'. Up until the past

2 weeks, PCV relations with Mr. Brown had been on the whole very good.

Then, we unexpectedly lost contact with him, as he unexpectedly lost

his job.

As a PCV who has 7 months left in her service, I find it crucial to

have a Country Director that I feel open with in terms of speaking my

mind and asking for better support from Peace Corps as a whole. Mr.

Brown aided myself and others in this. I also find it crucial to have

a determined person, such as him, working with us and for us. He was

determined to improve our support and resources, and bring to the

attention of Peace Corps staff that volunteers were in dire need of

better support, from the top down. He was determined to help

volunteers feel that they had an actual stake in this great

organization called the United States Peace Corps, and that they, the

volunteers, matter just as much, if not more, to our government than

any administrative staff does.

Mr. Brown was the first person in PC/U administration to listen to my

group's complaints of poor training received when we were PCT's. He

investigated these complaints and tried to do something about them.

He also opened up grant approval and money to PCV's that the previous

CD, McGrath J. Thomas, had kept very closed and out of reach from

volunteer hands. Also, the encouragement that PCV's received from Mr.

Brown regarding volunteer-led committees (i.e.,, Peer Support

Diversity Network, Women in Development and Gender and Development

committee, just to name a few) has led to great PCV participation

numbers. He showed the volunteers of Uganda that we hold power in our

organization and we deserve better from our government. Mr. Brown was

part of the 'better' that we deserved. Yet, now, he has been

dismissed of his duties, and without any reason given to us, his

volunteers, as to why such a person should be revoked of their duties,

and in such a way.

If our government insists on this decision regarding former CD Brown,

then they should also insist on providing PC/U and all Peace Corps

posts with enough support and services for us to do our jobs well.

Peace Corps Washington should insist on being able to cope with the

high amount of volunteers granted to a post and recognizing that more

volunteers is not necessarily better. If they insist on more PCV's

per post, then more money and services must naturally follow.

Volunteers need better training, better support services, higher

approval rates for grants, and more encouragement to take part in

PCV-run committees. They also need a voice that will be listened to

in Washington and in their own posts administration.

Mr. Brown gave us hope. Hope that someone at the top cared for us and

wanted to see us succeed in our jobs and lives here. He also gave us

hope that we, the volunteers, had some control and say in our posts

actions, and we were not just seen as statistics to Washington. He

taught us that the volunteers were the ones that 'owned' the post, and

Peace Corps existed FOR us. If this is really true, then I hope these

words, and the words of my fellow volunteers do not fall on deaf ears,

like so many people's words do, every year, within our American

government. PCV's have taken an oath to serve their government, and

serve it well. Now, we ask that our government reciprocate for us.

Thank you for your time and attention,

Sincerely,

Lisa Janel Balland

PCV, Uganda

My, my.  has it really been so long since we last talked?

Well, a lot can change in 4 months, no matter where you are in the great wide world, so i've got some catching up to do, yeah?

It is now July 14th, 4 days after my 24th birthday, and when I think of the time between the 23rd and the 24th, i feel like a few years have passed between.  But it's just one more trip around my sun, again from the equator.

My mother and step-father came and went and we had such a good time.  And to see the family face to face put all our hearts at ease. To share my life here and take a piece of my old life from them was just what I needed to feel complete again.  

July has been a very happening month, however.  It began normal enough and now is flying by with all sorts of happenings.  One of the worst and most memorable (?) was the death of Justine, the 28 year old daughter of my surrogate Ugandan mama - Agnes.  I have seen Ugandan burials, i have met people only to learn of their deaths 3 days after we have met, i have seen the role that death plays in life here (of course, all of our lives).  At first, it just seemed another unnecessary death of a much needed person.  Preventable, in my eyes.  But I don't have Ugandan eyes. She died, although we are not sure what of.  Possibly meningitis, or maybe cerebral malaria.  Whatever it was, the cause is not given too much attention here.  Because, whatever the cause, it was done and it was death.  While I can tear my hair out wondering, wondering, wondering what she died of and how it could've been prevented, her family only has the reality that she is gone, gone, gone for good.  As Agnes said when I met with her the day after her daughter's death, "I have nothing to do with her anymore...We have nothing to do."  So we bury the dead, put them in their family's earth so they can be home forever.  And that is that.

To see Agnes and her children go through the day was the most frightening thing I have witnessed so far in this country.  It was like watching my own mother if my own sister had been lost.  It's almost as if the actual death does not bother me...it's the chaos left in its wake.  The suffering of those you love.  That is what is terrifying.  Agnes was right: we have nothing to do with her anymore.  We only have our pain, and now we have to deal with ourselves.  She couldn't have said it better. 

I still have my girls club, but it has fallen into a hiatus since my parents came and went.  The girls are doing well and beginning their mock examinations, to prepare them for next terms final exams, so their input into the club has floundered as they study.  Sometimes, I feel like most the students here just revise, revise, revise.  They study much more intensely than I ever did and I admire them more and more, and shame myself for my own lazy habits!  RUCODEP is still making their beads and jewelry...slowly by slowly, the tradional way.  In May, we made a good profit just by selling within Kaliro: 15,000 Ush.  so, about $7-$8.  June was so slow with product, but we scraped by with 5,000 Ush.  The members are only getting better and better at rolling the paper, and I have been so happy to witness them let their creativity roll (literally).  

I did recieve my Peace Corps grant to put on a training in August for HIV/AIDS outreach, where I will be training girls from my club and members from RUCODEP to be HIV trainers within Kaliro.  This was good and welcome news, although now I have to really get down to work!  People here are always ready to listen to me, although many times, I question what exactly it is that i am saying...is it right? is it wrong? could it be taught better?  Do i even have a good enough knowledge base?  Somehow, I get through.  And learn to be better the next time round.  A big piece of me that has grown here is my perception of myself.  I force myself to question the authority around me (including but not limited to the Peace Corps, RUCODEP and Ugandan politics).  But i am more importantly forced to question myself and work with myself in a way that I can learn from me, and not rip me apart.  I did not accept this job just so I could tear myself down every time I fail (or don't live up to my own expectations).  I accepted this job to become, as Fiona says, "a better version of me".  AHH...The selfish jabber of a PCV, eh? 

Yes, the past year has brought me into run-ins with "cultural relativism" and barriers I did not think I could hurdle over.  it has been strife and struggle and good times in my own time.  All in all, the 23rd was a good year...even if curiously enough, I hardly ever had time to even think of my own age, and even forgot how old I was at some point.  But, this last year here, Ill enjoy my next rotation and see what it brings me.

These are the thoughts coloring my mind this month.

Sooner or LaterWorld Party

Positivity; Positivity please won't you breathe on me.

Positively; I'm positively freezing to death.

I want to find my way to my own time.

Relativity; I'm waving at you while you're driving by me.

Relatively; It's getting harder to catch a breath.

I want to find myself in a good time.

Faith; You don't need to believe it.

Faith; 'Cause they're just going to deceive you/

Sooner or later.

Sensitivity; I'm in need of those things that you do to me.

Sensibility; Having a feeling is not enough.

Don't want to talk on by my own time.

Possibilities; The possibilities dance all around me.

Momentarily; Just takes a second to lose your way.

But I can myself in my own mind.

Faith; You don't need to believe it.

Faith; 'Cause they're just going to deceive you/

Sooner or later.

And I know, I know, I know ...

Know and you'll feel so sure.

Sooner or later,

I'll find out.

Sooner or later.

Find myself.

It's about that time again groupies...New post... Oh yeah. Well, I must say the past few months have flown by...feels like just yesterday was the New Year and now Im about to hit my one year mark in Kaliro.  It has had its ups and downs and all of you back home have beared with me through them all.  I can feel the next year left to me in Uganda already beginning to slip away too quickly.   I just finished reading "Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight".  It's a childhood memoir of a white Zimbabwean woman who now lives in Wyoming (fancy that).  And although I have no African childhood to go off of, and although I am just one of those 2-year timers who will forever say, "When i was in Uganda...", i really loved this book.  Not just because it was touching or true or candid or funny or scary...but because she writes like she is in Africa, like she can smell it and feel it...even though she is worlds away now.  And every description of Africa that she gave, and the fact that she was homesick for it all, really helped me to realize how much I will miss this all when I am done and gone from here.  I think everyone looks for that place in the world where they can find an attatchment to it, whether it is home or not, and some people are able to find multiple places to connect to.  I was never really sure what I was going to miss about being here...Until i remember that I'll miss everything...Even the harrassment or the bad smells or mosquitoes (yeah, I know).  But, it's the same with Wyoming.  And I just got more homesick for the WY after reading "Fine Just the Way it is".  Amazing how a book can change your whole perspective on shit!Agnes, Henry and me, attending Christopher's wedding (November 2008.  Im wearing one of Agnes' gomes' (traditonal Ugandan dress for women).  It's a real piece of work to maneuver in...And how Agnes loves to dress me up.

OK, with that said...Updates:-Buzzed my hair-finally got an entire 20L jerry can filled with water guarded water (no more boiling, even if it does taste better)-Sold some jewels for women's group...they are now making paper beads, so if anyone at home is interested in having some, let me know so that i can tell them what to make-Had a meltdown about KAYC...but came to the conclusion that it's a slow going process and as long as we enjoy one another's company, we'll find a way to really find what interests all of us.I know life-skills are extremely important, but I also feel that a lot of the way it is taught can simply be lost on the girls.  We need interaction with one another, so for now, I am going to focus on netball and volleyball games, craft making, artistic endevours any other requests and mix the life-skills into it.  Because lecturing on a subject can only get your audience so far.-I have also reached a limit with RUCODEP.  The easiest way for me to explain RUCODEP is to say that they are like Jemaine, Bret and Murray...unprofessional, clueless and filled with unwavering optimism.  So, i guess I'm Mel, their number 1 fan...(Just ask Sarah, Mary or Jon what i mean by this). But today, Mel has to kick some butt into gear and push them onto a more productive track...Advice, anyone?-I remind myself about once a month now (rather than every day) that i cannot be all things to all people.- I just found out on Facebook that I am the Hindu goddess Durga...Which I can appreciate because I have always had a thing for Kali, and Kali is born of Durga, so beggars can't be choosers.  "Creation. Detruction. Creation. Destruction."  Sarah knows what's up...

Well, I suppose that is my life for now.  I'll write again next month with more news and photos...also,  thank you for all your recent letters..i love reading them and i know I have been a real shit about sending post back...I'm working on it.  But, hey, at least I have net now, yeah?

Love to all,Lisa b

Jambo Banayab/Baseb:

Here are some much delayed photos of the Kaliro Youth Club (KAYC). We got a little space of our own...and it feels good!

This is the group, day 1 (about 4 weeks ago) Since this photo, I have almost 20 girls in group!! Don't worry, they aren't as glum as they look...it's just really hard to get Ugandan's to smile for the camera.

This is Sylivia, student at Kaliro High

Christine, student at Bright Future S/S

Lydia, student at Good Hope Primary School

Winifred, student at Budini Girls Primary

Colline, student at Budini Secondary School Linda (and myself, at home), student Budini Secondary School

The following are a few pictures from International Women's Day (March 8). It fell on a Sunday, perfect since that is when KAYC meets. We had a great time, played some games and talked about role models. This also gives you a small chance to see the room that Bukumankoola has allowed me to use for my following time here for this club. Its packed full of desks and somehow dirty, but it's big and has a chalkboard and easily accessible to most of the young women..it works!!

They look bored, huh? This was when i put them into groups to talk about role models and women they admire. Sample of women they look up to: women MP's (Members of Parliament, in Uganda), Queen of England, mothers, teachers, etc. 2 of the girls said they want to serve as Women MP's, many want to be nurses, and one hopes to be a lawyer.

Reading up on some dire facts about women world wide...

Henry, my counterpart, catching up some women's herstory...

Theme's for International Women's Day

Global Theme: Women and men united to end violence against women and girls. Uganda's Theme: Increasing girls education as a prerequisite for development.

And just so you don't think I'm all work and no play...

One of 3 Sipi falls.

Look closely... Im wearing shorts...saucy.

Taking local brew, and texting, with some NTC lecturers...

The Kaliro Crew (Ok, really just Mbonga, Dan, 2 other NTC teachers and me...all of us taking too much).

Daughter

I love you like my heart beats every tick of the second that splits time

Though I ain't no Einstein scientist

Nor Oppenheimer's conscience nor luminary theorist

But no atom, neutron, hydrogen bomb

Could compare with the emotion when I go off

So you know e=m(c-squared) is the speed of light just jammin

Multiplied by the mass that energy, spirit, soul, elan become more but leave us less than

But you

You seek to transcend them

You want to make people real

Like there were something worthy about us

Like there were something redemptive, if only in body

That the eye can't look at and pretend blind

And shutter away to some more convenient life

That I lie in my bed at night

Thinking about courage

And the miracles other people find

In your determination, your fear, your loneliness,

Your light like some star in the forever sky

Cause I love you like my heart beats

Each tick of the second that splits time

I love you babe, dad

Looking at my Nixon its about that time,

to go and save the world from the daily grind...

Sarah knows whats up...

So here I find myself, in Uganda, close to Christmas..how time flies. I cannot believe that in less that two months it will have been a year since I departed on this fate-filled trip and had no clue as to what i was getting myself into. But here I am, thinking about life again. Thinking about my time here. Thinking about ideas accomplished. Thinking about shit yet to be thought of, let alone acomplished. Thinking about home and a "river i could skate away on". So, as i sit in the PC office in the big city, what are some of my memories and thoughts on all this shenanagins? (Hmm...that word reminds me of Benagins and the Monte Cristo sandwhich that i always wanted to try that Jon always tried to restrain me from in fear of the mother of all gas-bubbles. Deep fried with jam? Really? ahh!!! must stop thinking about it.)

Well, one thought has come to my head now. Weebles wobble but they dont fall down. Thats what Marmie always told me. And this year I have found myself wobbling and wobbling, but as only a mother knows, I have yet to fall down. Teetering from one sickness to the other, then trying to make some kinda of life for myself in between has been difficult. But I have managed. I am at hopefully one of last doc appts as we speak...and that feels good. And the feeling of wanting to be at site feels good too. I remember when i first got here, if ever i went away for a weekend, I always dreaded that ride back to Kaliro in the morning frm where ever i was. Now, I think only of the mush less hassels I have at site and my own space. And my work. Months and months of delaying, trying to realize just what it is that i want to do, have finally paid off. I got my video done for CSU, which i thought would never happen even close to on time. And, I have found my girls for my new project...poor ladies dont know who their getting involved with, but I will try to be the best teacher I can be for them.

Another long-standing family quote: Learn a lot and play a lot. Thats what my dad has told me since i was a wee babe, maybe too young to know the difference between the two. But i know now. And i know since I have been in this country, I have become incredibly good at being uncomfortable. Or, I have gotten so used to being uncomfortable so that i cannot even tell the difference anymore of when I am relaxed to when I am on-guard(!). This has its ups and downs, as i find myself flipping off a 12 year old and then thinking, "what the hell, lisa? you just flipped off a 12-yr old. that is so wrong. why does it feel so right?" My reactions have become very reactionary here, to say the least. God knows what kind of behavior I will exibit when i return to the US? Just be patient with me, please.

But I ahve learned to both hold back and lash out, respectively ( i will never have all the energy i want to yell at every child that talks to me in that funny-mocking voice calling me 'muzungu' but i will always have the energy to jump a grown man's shit when he makes me crawl over him to get to a seat on the mutatu, cause thats just plain rude, ssebo!). I have learned to dance, although not well. I have taught people how to bake (even though i really am no good at it). I have learned that a visit or a visitor is better unannounced (although, my hermit side will always beg to differ).I have learned that once you show someone that you are giving them your all, they will gladly return the favor, sometimes in the form of a chicken (I really dont know what to do with KoKo, my enkoko (chicken)...Im actually quite terrified of her. obviously that summer stint at the Bell's house did nothing for me). And I have learned that i actually have a lot of fun when

my ugandan friends are laughing at me. We know that we are all set in our own ways, and we may not change a whole helluva lot, but we can all enertan one another by doing our own thing. I've also learned that I can love all sorts of people, and be loved by them. And I really cannot imagine how much more I can possibly gain one year from now...but its pretty exciting to think about.

So here we all go, about to end another year. And its comin' on Christmas. This time of year means too much to too many people. We all have our ideals, our memories, and we try to recapture christmas-past w/ each year. Just know, that i am no different. And while i will happily embark on my first Ugandan x-mas, commencing with the slaughter of KoKo, i still need to have my way home, from memory only (although the deco's Marmie sent will be a big help).

Its coming on christmas

Theyre cutting down trees

Theyre putting up reindeer

And singing songs of joy and peace

Oh I wish I had a riverI could skate away on

But it dont snow here

It stays pretty green

Im going to make a lot of money

Then Im going to quit this crazy scene

I wish I had a riverI could skate away on

I wish I had a river so long

I would teach my feet to fly

Oh I wish I had a riverI could skate away on...

-Joni Mitchell

So sorry for the delay. How time has slipped by, no?

I suppose I should jump right in and attempt to make an organized post as I go? OK.

Update: I am currently struggling against everyone' s favorite bacteria: staph! Yes, it's true, I've got one doozy of an infection, mainly on arms and legs (has not made a move to the face, and thank god...). Recieved some serious shots in the bum and some serious oral anti's. Am recovering/drying up/crusting over quickly. Lessons learned: my skin is severly sensitive ( I always thought Sarah was the sister with this issue...hmm), any suggestions (mainly from people with sensitive skin, all the rest of you can suck it)? Also, it's quite nice, natural and best to be your own doctor, or at least to know when to draw the line and tell your doctor you actually need a doctor cause something is going very wrong. Also, when your mom and nana send you antiseptic gel called "staphaseptic", take it back to site with you and do not, i repeat, do not, leave it in the PC office in "storage". It could come in handy for something like, i dunno, fighting and preventing staph infections.

Update: I'm trying to get my AIDS dvd up and going a little smoother. However, a week in Kampala, resulting in missed interviews and missed health center visits, isnt conducive to finishing the project. I gt my hands a bit full with that. Work is well, however. I feel as if I am becmoing more and more of a community volunteer rather than just restriced to my org, which i appreciate. I am still slowly trying to find my niche in volunteering and yearn for that one day when i wake up and decide that i dont give a shit if people find me lazy for not doing one of the following: having a garden (or a successful garden), rising at 530 am to clean my house, building (something, anything - which is one of the biggest signs of "progress" to many of the people around me), sitting outside my house (so people can converse more easily with me) rather than inside (where i find or try to rescue my peace of mind), and many other mind-worrying activities. Until that day, when my body and brain can no longer keep up with my worries and decide to "fuck-it-all, do what you want", I'll continue to stress out by sleeping till 7 am and hoeing my garden but never planting a damn thing in it!

Update: Lisa had her first earthquake experience yesterday!!! No worries, no worries. It was but a wee babe, just enough to shake my bed in a lewd manner. But exciting none the less.

Update: Lisa just found and bought Old Spice High Endurance at the super market! There may just be a God...except it was hella expensive. Now, when will these fools recognize that women really dont like shoving cardboard up their vaginas, nor do they like that cheap OB bullet, uh, i mean tampon. C'mon, get me some liberty in the form of playtex gentle glide! Or, i'll be forced to go all hippie femi-nazi like sissy pants and resort to my Diva...I know she was expensive mom, but i am a creature of habit and this is one that is hard to break. I'm working on it.

Ok, enough about my vag and it's toiletries...

Update: I got to paint!!! Just like the old days, Rich! It actually felt good to do something concrete, tangible that i know i am perfectly capable of doing...and it was fun. Think of nana/gramps first choice of kitchen color (well, as I recall, gramps choice) that sar and rich and i feared. That was basically what i did to someones office. They loved it, naturally. Gramps, maybe you could be an interior decorator in Uganda, people love to be tacky!!!

Ya know...somedays, there is a lot i can say on this thing. A lot i am thinking, a lot that i am frustrated at, a lot that i wanna scream into the ears of the internet and receive an "amen!" at the end. But, as of now, things aint bad. Even though being incapacitated from work was a struggle and I missed a lot, i must say it has been nice to just be taken care of and chill for a bit. Put things in prespective and get a clear head ready to be muddled up at site again!!! I cant wait!!! Really, I cant. Ive also left 2 week old dirty dishes in my house which i am sure Little Olivia (my mouse) has enjoyed, but now i fear they may be becoming ecosystems...something must be done when i get home, probably involving bleach and matches.

I just realized that this whole post is just Lisa Lisa Lisa. I know, its my blog and i can put whatever i want to on it, but how i would like to actually talk about uganda and the people and not about myself. Next post.

Til then,

here's to feeling healthy

Stateside and back.

I tactfullly avoided mentioning to too many people that i would be making a stop in the states for a bit, just as i have been tactfully avoiding writing anything about my trip there. Well, I think it's about time I talked.

It's strange to think of an experience as both rejuvenating and energy-sucking. B/c that was what America was. Essential and exhausting, wonderful and heartbreaking.

We have all changed so much whether we were aware or not: Susan, me, Jon, Sarah, family and friends. It's amazing how distance can put such a real and invisible gap between what we all understand about one another. And how that enables us to just grow up more, i guess.

Susan was my reason for going back where i came from. So I went. Things were different. Some of it was sad and real. But it was what it was.

I saw both a different woman and the same woman in her. I saw a woman who still loves her crafts, who still wants to be with her friends and get her nails done and have the classic "Moody" conversation that we have at their dinner table, usually on the verge of politics or religion, or life in general. I also saw her frustration in losing her independence in all these activities as well. The ultimate reality that it will not get better, and wondering, just how the hell do you say goodbye to someone...for good? I managed to leave there with thoughts of not being sad for Susan because she knows what she wants and how to go about her plans as best as she possibly can. But plans are just hopes. And we hope we can carry them out against all odds. I cannot honestly say that i am not worried for her within the next few months, but I was happy to see that she is able to make her decisions, able to prepare herself and her family and enjoy what time has left to her. I saw hertrying to embrace her own person, on her own, as well as giving what time she can to others. I think all of us would want to give this time to those we love. And I can see Susan doing this both becasue she needs her family, but also because she knows that we need her. What greater show of empathy for those of us behind her than to get time with her, cause that's all we got to work with.

Jon, Patrick and Rob are a bit of another story for me. I do worry for these men and how they will cope. I also 2 different Jonathan's back home. A caretaker, all buisness at times and just as frustrated as his mother was. His trade-mark patience could wear-thin. He even found it hard to "please" me one time when I snapped at him for no good reason. That's when I thought that I am not so sure that he is aware of what he is doing exactly. And that is his very best. His best to love himself, the best to love his mom and take care of her, the best to alleviate any stress on the family. HIs best to hold it together as a part of his world changes before his eyes. And this all just made me realize, for only the millionth time what a good heart he has. And how proud I am to be a piece of it.

And it would be a lie if I said that being in Uganda wasn't some sort of escape for me. It is. I have another focus here, another life, really. That is the best and worst part about being here, maybe: the separation from my point of origin.

But, this is life. Everyday we all die a bit, we grow a bit, we lose something and replace it with something else. What is most important is that we learn a lot and play a lot, like my papa preaches and do what we can to connect to others.

Can I end this on a morbid note? "Love is watching someone die"

And I hope that I can get a chance to be with those I love when they end their time here.

Life is nothing special if it does not hurt. And I am ok with this.

I thought this person and this picture was deserving of a post of their own. Like the Spansoga?

As Sarita begins the final steps into saying adios and bidding farewell to Peru and her project, I am both elated and sad for her. Elated because now I can become her project and we can talk more more more. Sad b/c this was one hellova experience. I remember when she would call crying almost every night the first month she was there... And just like she does, she owned her place and time and did damn fine.

Love you muganda wange. Cannot wait for you to head to the Continent.

OK, ok. So I am yet again not wrtiting about the Minister...Just know that all were very happy in my village on Tuesday June 17. And i got to wear a gomez. Pictures were snapped. Food was taken. Speeches were spoken. And all was reported on the national radio.

Now, maybe it is my cancerian nature to believe in horoscopes, or at least Mr. Cainer's horoscopes. And it is also in my nature to be hard on myself, or at least, not to listen to myself when I should be telling myself to chill the fuck out.

Yes, it's true, when it comes from other people, I can allow myself to believe it. That's what I liked from my week-ahead horoscope for this upcoming week.

Oh, and I have been told to inform you all that I'm a mattress hog with killer farts who smashes lizards. it's an awful picture to paint of myself (or for others to witness), but alas, it may all be true...

Horoscope for Week of June 23rd:

What do you give the person who has everything? If you really care (and if you really dare) you will probably try to arrange for them to have the rare experience of what it is like to have nothing. What, then, if you are a benign universe trying to give a helpful hand to a Cancerian who feels overwhelmed by options and alternatives? How about a challenge to which they cannot rise: or a rare, valuable experience of being powerless in a crucial situation. What you are becoming obliged to learn is precious beyond measure. Don't worry about whether life is getting difficult. Just trust that you are growing more capable of success.

So,

I thought I would be writing a good blogging about my par-tay yesterday. Let's just say it resulted in a good journal, which will be a post for another day. But I am going to opt for a letter from a friend this week that helped me see all of our interconnections, interdependencies, intentions (good and bad), and can only come with the clarity of the rising sun.

Emirembe.

Turn, Turn, Turn.I am struck by how similar Peace Corps experiences are, no matter where you go: the time delays, the formality of nothing, the strange pairing of ignorance and ingenuity. Ah the memories! My unsolicited words of advice to you: don’t take on too much and don’t stress yourself out! There is no need for you to figure out your project, much less your life, in any hurry. Time doesn’t move the same way in other cultures. It is not linear, fast or planned and charted in any way. It simply exists as an observation and a cause for respect, displaying itself in the wrinkled faces of revered (and therefore utterly rude) elders. Know what I’m saying? (The babushkas of Kyrgyzstan used to push themselves to the front of every line, ignore all requests and salutations from others, and demand backrubs from solicitous strangers in the public bathhouses. Are the old grandmothers of Uganda the same?) I have found myself missing the simplicity of the present—that unstructured time that exists without consequence or “waste,” without knowledge of or thought for the future. It is frustrating as hell, but also serene to adopt the idea that time has no end point and therefore no inherent value. Why plan tomorrow when you can live today? Relish living the present moment as they do. That feeling won’t last forever. I realized I must sound like a raging lunatic. You are welcome to say that I am as crazy as the babbling babushkas. I won’t be offended. I have plenty of unsolicited advice, but lucky for you I have an early plane to catch—a schedule that won’t wait for my unfinished dreams, as much as I may want to stay in bed to complete them. I hope you will write about your to-do as soon (if) it occurs and I am sure we will hear more about your evolving project and ideas. Over and out, Kiwi

Wow, it has been over a month since I last posted and I have much to say all. Sorry for the delay.

Things have been crazy...ok, Im gonna stop refering to work and life as overwhelming and crazy..i need new adjectives, any suggestions?

OK, so on the work front: Looks like my specialty will be focused on...Agriculture!!! I dont know what my purpsoe in life may be, but it seems that i am often thrown into situations having to do with farming/ag/animal husbandry, shit like that, whether it's rocking the carharts or fighting a cock. Not that I am complaining, its all very interesting and to be honest, I am interested in whatever my community wants me to be interested in..so there. Thats that. We are looking into doing any kind of workshops/trainings on better ag. techniques, planting, seed saving, crop rotations, etc etc. I am also wanting to get my community involved in co-ops. I know nothing about them, but i have a strong opinion that if done properly, they could really help out a lot of people in my town, let alone this country. I am trying to get into contact with Oxfam and some other ngo's/aid groups as well as interested in contact with ag societies in wyoming, we'll see how stuff pans out.

If these projects go well, then i may look into an adnvanced degree in this stuff, like development and ag. or something like that. I dunno, i also dunno what the hell i am doing!!! But, do your best and fuck the rest, right?

My org and I also want to do work with HIV/AIDS (duh, since that was the main purpose of me coming here). I have met a really good AIDS group in my town and I think I want them to work with me as my secondary project. So, slowly slowly with things, yet I can see things moving along and i am really excited to get started on some projects!!! So many possibilities, and I have yet to be rejected from any grants, so I am basically on top of the world, until I get my first rejection letter, or worse, no reply at all.

Next order of business:

Party for Lisa!!!

Where: My village!!

Why: For being me and a PCV

Hosts: My org: RUCODEP

When: Saturday June14th at noon...no, no wait, Sunday June 15th at noon...hmmm, maybe we'll postpone it again...

Do i sound bitter? We'll i guess im a little pissed. Not really pissed, just annoyed. B/c although it is refered to as "Lisas welcoming party" the guest of honor is a certain Minister for the Ugandan Gov't (cant specify who or what he is the minister for though, just policy). So, about one month ago, he requested to meet me..sounds good. But, being a Minister of so and so, he's a busy guy. Museveni wants him to go Rwanda, Tanzania, etc etc. Well, he cancelled our first meet and greet and invited himself to my party (tomorrow). Which transformed my easy going par-tay into a formal to-do...I have to wear traditional ugandan dress (the gomez, its pretty great) and i have to give a big ole speech. I was also requested to bring more bazunga in the form of other PCV's to my party so he could meet them too. So, had it all planned out just to get a call from my boss last night saying the Politician has cancelled and asked me postpone the party to Sunday. hmm...the Politician has come to control my party and it is really annoying me. I have not even met the guy, and if I wasnt so full of tact and politness, I would totally cancell and postpone my party on Sunday just outta spite. But, alas, it means a lot, for us all to have the Politician give us some attetion, and who knows what kind of relationship can be brought from it right? I mean, how many times do you get the chance to host a politician at a party for you? Pretty cool, but very political.

More on the personal note:

I had dysentary!! I successfully crossed the river with all my oxen in tact, but i contracted dysentary from one of the others on the trail. That was a bummer, to say the least. It was also a mess... enough said, yeah? Lets just say, it really sucks when your pit latrine is in use by 6 kids and it is 20 feet from your house and by the time you get there (w/o crapping yourself) you then have to squat for 10min. at a time (strong thighs, thank god for the bike rides) with all your bodily function sounds echoing off the walls and around the area. Then, you have to trek your ass back to your room and collapse, hydrate and then boil some more water to make sure that you keep hydrating. It was a lot of work to be sick. Nothing some cipro cannot take care of.

More news:

Ipod and dad's box has arrived in kampala!!!

1. Ipod is awesome...great photos and music. Jon and Mary are two beautiful people and it was a great b-day present!!!

2. Dad: loved your package!! it was very large, so were moms. So, i am choosing to keep the PC office as my restock station in K'la. Everytme I come here, I can just go to the office, grab some nuts, tampons and jerky, whatever i need to keep me happy and return back to Kaliro. Your package was also very dad-like. Sarah will know what I mean. B/c as soon as I cut open the box, what should greet me? About 50 wal-mart sacks just falling all over the place. It was hilarious.

Hope you all enjoy the pictures of me posted, all thanks to Jonathan.

Well, that should just about catch you all up on my life.

Before I head out I just want to give a big congratulations to 2 people in Love:

Mark and Beth, love and miss you guys.

Wish I could be there tomorrow for your amazing day, but i am there in spirit. Your wedding letter is gonna be late, but I have sent it out to Jon to give you.

Have a beautiful day you two!!

Till next time,

Peace

* i wish this was the case

Hello dear ones.

I hope this blog finds all well.

once again, i am in a rush on the net. funds be low.

i am just posting to let you all know that i added a list to the left hand side of the page of things that will be nice for me recieve every few months or so, or whenever you happen to be at taco bell and can grab some extra sauce.

just throw it in the mail with a nice letter and i will be a happy pcv.

i am doing well this week considering the absolute feeling of being overwhelmed. i love the weekends. i can catch up with myself, other pcvs, my laundry.

Virtue Bowie is almost flea-free, but she is a needy bitch. would it be bad to leave her in an empty field?? My house has turned into a childs coloring book, b/c i let them all draw on my walls and it makes us all happy.

Give you best wishes to my family. We have some illnesses going around and I am pretty worried for my parents/grandma/jons mom, so just give them your best.

i love you all and miss you much

i'll try to find time and money to get back to net later this week.

till then, balamuse!!!!

lisa b/nairuba

GGood morning sweet peas!!! I hope this post finds you all well.

I was in such a rush on the last post that i forgot to tell you all that i have had a new name bestowed upon me by my supervisor and counterpart. It is Nairuba. It is the name given to a womyn born into the water clan in Busoga kingdom. It is my supervisors clan and he tells me that "everything needs water, it is essential to all growth". So, that is fitting for my role here. let s hope that i actually do aid in growth here, both of my commuity and myself. This is my 3rd week at site and I am filled with feelings of exitement, frustration, and over all, juts being overwhelmed.

This week and the next are filled with meeting other "organizations"/groups in my community. It is all well and good, until the inevitable is said to me: "We have very high expectations of you. Very high hopes." Then, i start to freak out a bit. I have high hopes for myself, adn those of you who know me best know that i am my worst critic and am usually very hard on myslef. Well, that has not changed here. But, I have come to realize one important thing. While these people have such high hopes and expectations of me, I feel the sam about them. And i telll them this. I am here to aid in growth, to "advise", to befriend, and to survive in this ambiguous gray area which the Peace Corps has placed me in. and i willing and able to do this. But i desperatly wish for the people of my community to realize that I want them to have high hopes and expectations of themselves, not just me. We can get no where if the only person who has expectations placed on them is moi.

So far i have visited about 10 "briefcase" organizations: just people who have mobilized themsleves into small groups witht a common goal, but which have made lttle to no progress towards that goal. So, my org has brought me to them and thanks to the wonders of Ugandan miscommunication (which will never fail to amaze me) I show up to thse groups merely thinking that i am meeting more mof my community and introduing myself to them, and they think that i have come with goddamn santa claus. SO far i have been asked to provide: AIDS med's (ARV's, naviropine, etc), housing, markets for their handcrafts, money for: orphans, youth who cannot afford to stay in school. Also- bicycles, chickens, seeds, "technichal training" (whatever the hell that means b/c when i ask them training on what, they just give me this look as if to say " well, whatever you think is best!"). I have been asked to provide ugandan students with american donors to keep them in schoool, etc. And i sit there listening intently to them while at the same time thinking in the other half of my brain, what???? shit.

Also, the rising food prices aroud the world are effecting us here. My lords family is having a difficult time buying food, the groups i have met are having ahrd time s feeding their families adn those who go to makret are selling their food for almost nothing at all just to mkae some sort of profit. It mkes me not want to bargin at market and just give them money that i think it is worth so as not to make them sell it to me for less. And in america? we have too much food, so much so that we can have fast food restaurnts that give us too much, so we do not eat it an through it away. Oh!!! its all so frustrating!!! An d while i know that i have little money, lets face it people, i have more than those in my commmunity (besides maybe those who work for the district/govt in my town who are... too much (to put it kindly)-i will write more on their ways later).

Needless to say, we all have much work ahead of us. I will not be short of it. But first, we have to work on a new way of thinking. Such as, i cannot just provide everything, we have to work hard for it. And this will all take so much time. But time is what we have (if only we could all be on time, we could make better use of it).

I already lamented to my father about the gap in communitcation between the sexes here as well. It is an awful shame for me to see. But simply a different culture with a different attitudes towards how women should be treated by men. Which is to say, men dont talk to women, dont look at women often (well, i am differnt b/c i am a muzungu so unfortunlatly they thhink they can say anything and look however they wish at me). But when daniel and i are about town together, they automatically assume that we are married. and this can work for and against me. it offers some sort or protection, but i cannot often get men to carry on decent conversations with me. They think they will be disrespecting daniel by addressing me, so they look at him and ask while pointing at me "what is this ones name? what does this one do?" Well, we can eventually steer the conversation so that i can be included, but it is a struggle.

My home is coming along. I have been given free reign by my landlords to do whatever i wish to it, so i have hung pistures and even drew my dove tattoo on the wall. My lords say it looks very "amrican" in the house now. I have also succeeded in stuffing myself stupid with chocolate that i receved in the care packages. I am working on my loss of privacy. even though i hve my own home now, everythng i do can be seen thru the windows which remain ever open to i can catch a breeze through me humble abode. Night is best when i can wrap myslef in my net and sleep, however, if i stay up too long with the latern i invite a whole world of bugs into my home with me. I have a few geckos livig me (thank god b/c they help rid my house of bugs) and my counterpart is getting me a kitten!!! I think i will name him/her Virtue Bowie (an ode to both jon and mary), i think that will be good, yeah?

Ok, well i have much more to say, but i have little time. most of all, i wish for you all to know that i am happy.

Everyday has a moment of struggle, but, like common says, it is a beautiful struggle.

Peace out

Hi all!!! I will make this quick this week.

good news if yuo havent already guessed...i got mail

and it is blissfully wonderful and ridiculous at the same time...such big boxes and so much crap!!! much needed crap!!!! Amazing all...you are all just amazing.

heres what i recieved:

mom/nana got all your huge boxes

mar i got your package filled with iranian goodness

holly i got your wonderful bag and journal and pics

jon/mar i got some letters from you two

Sorry Dad, no cigar on yourn package yet.

and no ipod yet either.

However, i do have some amazing snack foods for the next couple months, shit ton burts bees, taco bell sauce (good work mom/rich/nana/etc) adn plus more....hammock anyone??? cannot wait to hang it!!!

Also, please take note of my new address on the side. Send everything here from now on. Iam not gonna keep coming to K'la just for mail, its expensive and now i have top figure some way to transport all this back to site today!!! No worries, it was an amazing PC x-mas for me!!!

thank you you amazing people. i miss and love you all and am so happy you are my family!!!

Bed bugs are better by the way...site is going well, just a shit ton to do, people to meet, things to take in.

Love you all, talk soon.

Here's to good mail,

Lisa B

wow all: lots to say.

let's begin.

First week at site, my new home, my next two years.

I was bitten all over my little body by bedbugs, recieved house guests in the form of rats, got some tupperware stolen by a child from my house (it was recovered, however), have been averaging about 4 hrs of sleep a night since my arrival, and i got locked into my house the first night and had to use my favourite bathing bucket as a susu (a potty). damn, and i am still so happy to be here!

it has been the roughest week in the UG yet, understandibly and now i am all on my own, and relearning how to take care of myself. this was most obvious the day i awoke to bedbugs attacking me and had to get down to business destoynig their existance. You know, when it comes to intects here, i am ruthless. It is a kill or be bitten/stung/killed situtation. even if you are an ant, i have not had mercy: i have taken to eating them. The white ants that is. they fly at night (ohhh ahh) and people break out of their homes at like 3 in the morning, grabbing these ants out of the sky, ripping their wings off and roasting them. and they are very delicious.

so, anywho, i wached all my clothes and sheets, had my bed dragged out into he front yeard of my house, sprayed with bug killer and then ironed the shit outta everything (casue that kills almost eery bug). and ironing is a chore in itslef when you have no elecricity.

I have a charcoal iron and it was all very Dr. Zhivago-esque, when lara irons in the movie witht her charcoal iron. for the first 15 min. it was very quaint and romantic, like most new expereinces here, then after the first hour, i just wanted to iron my eyeballs out casue i was so sick of it!!! I also was woken up at about 3am one morning to a rat trying to crawl into my misquitoe net with me. what took place afterwards could only be describied as a battle for the wills. we chased eachother around my bed and net, me hitting him with my feet and screaming, he juts running like a maniac completly confused.

But today, the brits move outta my home and i can fully moe into my own place!!! i am so excited for m space, no matter how small it may be. it will not have rats, no bed bugs and i will have a stove!!!

I have no interent connection in my town, but the nearest town to me does. It also has other PCV's, chinese food, cheese, and other play time activities.

My first week of work wetn swimminly. Very disorganized,a dn i am still not exaclty sure just what the hell i am doing, but se la vie. The people in my org. are all amazing and good hearted people. My supervisor and his wife cooked me dinner all this first week and they treat me like thier daughter.

Swearing in for the PC was excellent and emotional to leave all these wonderful people i have met the past 2 months (reference above photo); but we have a job to do and we all want to get to it. Heres to my next two years!!!

For those of you who have facebook, there are some pictures thatwere posted of me on thre. for those of who dont, i will try tog et them linked to this blog. I, however, cannot post my own pics yet b/c i just dont have the technol. capabiltes for that. So, I passed my Lusogo languge exam, I listen to the BBC every morning and every night by laternlight, I battle insects with great courage ( i think), I get crowed at by cocks, mooed at by cows (both of whom live in my front yard), grabbed at by children, bitten by everything, stared at by everyone (even the animals know that you are white and stare at you for it), and i am happy, could maybe be healthier: but good news: i got aunt flo!!! no, i did not think i was knocked up, i hadnt seen her since i was in philly for pc staging. and i am having normal bm's!!! so, now that my inards are adjusting to this life, my physical appearance is really taking a beating: these bed bug bites are not attractive folks. but you know, this is the real life, just one of many potential "real lives" and i am glad that i have chosen this one for two years. talk soon,lisab

* Of Ugada that is..

Alright people, i have returned from my future site visit...which damn near rocked my face off!!!

I hope you all are well, thanks for the emails, they make my week when i get your love via interent (that sounds inappropriate).

So, future site visit: humble abode (aka: no water, no electiricity, smaller than sarahs apt. in flag this summer, and i will be sharing a bathng area/pit latrine w/ a family of 8!!!)

my organization is dirt poor but filled with great fantastic people who seem very detemined. however, my intro. into my town consisted of meeting people for 8 hrs. straight with them asking me to give them: micrscopes, markets to sell their crafts, AIDS outreaches to taxi drivers, money, amongst ther things. let me put it this way, I will NOT be short of work, just funding, but hopefully, I can help with that too (grants, anyone??)

I am 1/2 hr. (by foot) from another volunteer who is living the high life in a shwanky digs on a campus: vaulted ceilings, proper kitchen, proper toilet and shower, electicity, water and 2 bedrooms: so, i will be spending some serious recueration time at this place, charging my phone and ipod.

There are Brits in my furure home now. Imagine my surprse to trek up to my new home, introduce myslef to the famly who will be my landlords, and then see these muzungus walk out...i was like "what the fuck are you whitees doing here?" anyways, they are loaded with $$, so i am goona try to get as much material objuect outta them b/f they leave the country.

All in all, it was a great expereice. Not really b/c i clicked so well witht everyone cause that was not the case, and awkward moments are quite frequent); nor was it great b/c i am in love with my housing, etc. it was just great b/c i am really doing this!!! and i have great support on the home front and here in Uganda and I know that i could not be doing this w/o all f you at home and the great people i have met here.

Ok, time is running low and i must go but first:

Mary: thank you so much for calling me!!!! your emai made me cry in this cafe and i love and miss you so much my dear and I got your text message!!!! yaya!!!!

love you all, wish i could put into words all i am expereicing here, but i will let all of you read my journals, cause i am writing them for you guys...to bridge the communitcation gap that distance and time is giving to us.

here's to feeling good,

lisa b

Wow - it has been quite a while since i was able to post to you all.Sorry for the delay, but things have been quite hectic around the UG....hectic but very good. i am doing well here, and will have to remain a bit vague on location, due to pc security issues. here are a few things that i have learned/gotten used to/mastered/"what the fuck is going on":-the bucket bath: can be as difficult as it sounds, but quite refreshing. i take on in evening when i return from training, and in morning if it was a hot night. i am astounded as to how much water i watse in the US in the shower, when i can get a decent cleaning out of a bucket with about 7-8 in. of water in it.-diahreah: really no way to get used to this. particuarily when you have a pit latrine to do it in...'nuf said., maybe-pit latrine: let me just say that in 2 years, i will have awesome aim, i will have strong thighs. i will come a long way from the days when i had ato use a funnel when camping 9i still credit beth for teaching me how to sqwat in the great oiutdoors) but this pit is a whole new ballgame people.-roosters; i still f-ing hate them-time management: us americans are too anal, obviously-bugs/rats/cockroaches: hmmm...i think i ingest about 10ants a day and who knows what else; the cockroaches keep me company in the latriine and the rats run around at night. But,we have honey the cat and her and i love one another. she knows a muzungu (white person0 when she sees one and spends the evenings on my lap.-loss of privacy; ehh? what to say, small price to pay at the moment, but some days, it really does get to me. i have also learned that i am not that good at learning languages, but i am doing my best and cannot wait for my resume to read: Lusoga (how obscure is that??). i live with a wonderful family here, am eating well, my bowels and clothes will never be the same again. This week we visited mulago - the premier hospital in uganda- in kampala. we were visiting the aids support group there, when, wouldnt you know it, i passed out, at the hospital!!! lucky i was there i guess!!! yep, thats right, i fainted in ug, but was well taken care of by the PC - i got to hang in kampala with the pc nurses for a bit, got some nice emere - food- out of the deal and got to sleep all day. no worries all, i am feeling strong and better. but i have not shit right in 3 weeks...small price to pay?? i dunno.Next week, i will go on my future site visit to eastern ug, and meet my next 2 years!!!! wish me all the luck and prayers you can!!!! i'm stoked and terrified all at the same time and i am getting used to feeling that way almost everyday!!!love you alll, thanks for listening!peace,lisab

Well, this month brought much change and emotion.

Sar departed for Mancora on 1/15, Jon on 1/29 and Mar left on the last day of the month, 1/31...all to their new paths in life. I miss these 3 terribly b/c they have truly been my rocks these past years and particularily the past 6/7 months. But to each her own!!! We have done so much together, and I have managed to have so much fun living as a bum, going to shows, bars, cities, and being with everyone...to sum the past 6 months up before I depart in 8 days, I have taken complete advantage of my time here (at home) and i dont regret any of it....

Onward!!!!

Lisa B

* and more wonderful information

Happy Year all!!! I am so very exicted for 2008 and all its possibilties!! Damn thats optimisitc...

Much has happened in the past month and half since I last updated the good ole blog and I am counting the days down to take off....33 days and counting!!

Christmas was wonderful with my family, if more untraditional than other years. But keeping to tradition, there was some family feuding. I recieved many goods for my trip including a steripen, clothing, trail shoes, solar battery charger, awesome pots and pans (made for camping so very light and easy to pack) and other such objects. New Years was wonderful; a dream was finally realized after four years: I was able to spend time in Kansas with Mar's family!!! Gates was muy delicioso, Jew Panther the cat (JP) was a favorite of mine, as was Coco's face, of course. But Little P is always #1 (right behind Lucky and Fridita).

Now I am home back in Cheyenne and preparing myself for a difficult month of goodbye's. Sarah takes off in ONE WEEK to PERU for six months, so I am cramming in some serious sister time. Jonathan leaves next, January 28th to Maryland and then who knows where to!!

I am presently spending my time freaking out, making lists, calling PC people, comparing my lists to others, freaking out again, and trying to spend time with as many people as I possibly can. I am currently working on giving my mom power of attorney, developing pictures, packing, buying shit to pack, getting $ in order for overseas, and other small/annoying projects.

Today I also recieved my travel plans from the PC...staging in Philly for 2 days, plane trip for 2 days, pit stop in Brussels, another in Burundi, and then to Entebbe, Uganda...What can I say? That's the jet set life. If interested, there's a link to my crazy packing list on the side. But please, no more suggestions on what I should bring, I would rather prefer for people to tell me what NOT to take.

Here's to feeling good,

Best to all

Lisa B

...I'm yours:

Sweet seranade by Mr. Wonder.

Been a while since we had a chat, but I hope everyone is well! I suppose I could just call you guys more often and find out for myself how things are going, but we all know that I am no good at calling people. However, I have a bit of an update for you:

1. My student loans are deferred! Great feeling at the moment; nothing like deferring the worry for 2-3 more years!!!

2. I have the address that you can all reach me at while I am in Uganda for the first few months of training:

Lisa Balland, PCT

PO Box 29348

Kampala, Uganda*

This is a temporary address only for about 2 months and then I have to figure something else out. Also, for the first 6 months I am in country, I am allowed to recieve packages with work-related clothing and household items customs free...but things not pertaining to work such as food, electronics, cosmetics ( I expect you to send me lots of taco bell and mascara while over there, jeezy creezy) will most likely have a duty placed on them.

Awesome,

peace out till next time...

*ok, but dont send anything yet, cause, you know, I'm still in Wyoming, so....yeah

*Not to be confused w/ Mr. Perkins book: he stole that from me by the way. I should've TM'd that sh$%...

Alright, so my official title is "Economic Development Volunteer", which sounds semi-, well let's just say it ain't my forte. The PC has assured me, however, that I am doing Water Sanitation, working with a host organization (non-profit NGO or a governmental org.) where my primary duties lie with the community to "develop, improve, maintain, and protect water resources". I also get the opportunity to chose a secondary project which will most likely go the HIV/AIDS outreach, or any other subject which the people who will welcome me into their lives wish to focus on.

If you all are interested in more, I will soon have a link up that will lead you to my assignment booklet, that provides all of the more personal detail to what I can expect to experience. For now, here is a link to the Peace Corps Uganda Welcome Book.*

http://www.peacecorps.gov/welcomebooks/ugwb617.pdf

*proceed with caution. This baby is a book weighing in at 95 pages, and taking you through twists and turns of emotion such as: fear, excitement, worry, happiness, etc.

Shout-Out to my boo, Jon Moody. Not one hour ago did he inform me that the AmeriCorps has accepted him into their ranks. So far, he is headed to Maryland, which could serve as his home base, as he travels around the country (mainly the Gulf Coast,I've heard) doing volunteer work. Cheers, lova!

10 months is a lot of time to do a lot of stuff. For example: you can apply to the Peace Corps, graduate from college, visit your sister/go to Flagstaff about 12 billion times, take a tour de fat (oh why the hell not? Take two!!), go to Colorado 50 billion times, see many concerts, move home, think about turning into an anarchist, get a haircut (but only one), decide not to turn anarchist, get invited by the Peace Corps to serve, and think about all the stuff you have left to do in life!

I am a little late on the post but, as of September 30, 2007 (10 months after I began the PC process) I am finally in the know of my PC assignment. Excitement isnt a big enough word to describe how I feel! As a matter of fact, refer to the accompaning picture to get the full affect.----->The Low Down:

Where: Uganda

When: February 10, 2007 - April 23, 2010*

Why: A little bit of good old fashioned volunteering

How: Hitchin' a ride with the US gov't

Who: Me!!!*tentative to change due to: mental breakdown (Heart of Darkness, anyone?), physical ailments (I will sleep with a lizard so that it may feast on any mosquitoes lookin' for some free blood), legal matters (suppose I wish to start a revolution, the US gov't may not appreciate that), so on and you get the picture.....As it turns out, 10 months is also enough time to find out that your sissy pants is going South of the border(s) to Peru!! Here she will be enjoying her time drinking fine wine, travelling the Amazon, riding some alpacas, but mainly, as our father so lovingly puts it, "helping out some hookers". Catch her journey at: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=244009552