Memorial Coliseum

PLAYLIST OF THE MOMENT:

TRACK ARTIST

1. Suburban War Arcade Fire

2. Coming Home The 88

3. Asleep at the Wheel The Wallflowers

4. Banana Co. Radiohead

5. Will I Lose My Dignity Jonathan Larson

6. Innocent Our Lady Peace

7. Heartbeats Jose González

8. Sunday Best Augustana

9. Love Come Rescue Athlete

10. Everything’ll Be Alright Joshua Radin

11. Second Chance Liam Finn

12. Sky Diver Athlete

13. Just Breathe Pearl Jam

14. Build This House With Me Mark Isham

15. Ordinary Angel Athlete

16. It’s Unsustainable Chris Walla

17. Black Swan Song Athlete

18. Lullaby One Republic

QUOTE OF THE MOMENT:

Here we are inside a novel

Waiting for an end

We don't know the authors of the book

Maybe someone's writing chapters

For us while we sleep

From a million miles away

Lyrics by Guster

Song Title “Hang On”

Thanks brother.

BOOK OF THE MOMENT:

Hoodwinked by John Perkins

MOST IMPORTANT WEBSITES OF THE MOMENT:

http://www.lostinroguevalley.com

http://campglowuganda.yolasite.com/

http://danielkoza.blogspot.com

http://www.bbc.co.uk

http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/10/17/chile.miners.mass/index.html?hpt=C1 (or any site involving the rescue of these men)

http://www.mentalfloss.com/

PICTURE OF THE MOMENT:

"Kyabazinga", Ishmael and Myself

Halftime of a football match at my college I was graced with the opportunity to pose with the "Kyabazinga" (King of Busoga......and no, this is just a student posing as him) and one of my students on the Busoga football team, Ishmael. As I have no scanner and was given an original of this photo I simply took a picture of it, and then loaded it on here...to me this is one of the most 'Peace Corps'-esque photos I could find...

Many of you have heard me say that over the past 2 years I feel as though I have aged 20 years and I expect that this third year to turn me in to Steve Martin essentially (premature gray hair sort of thing); well this morning I officially feel old. Most of you do not know, but for the past 2 and a half years I have also been involved with a program called World Wise Schools (WWS) which works to connect classrooms across the US to Peace Corps Volunteers around the world in order to share their experience and expand global knowledge (3^rd Goal of Peace Corps). I have been connected with a 7^th Grade Class at Lincoln Middle School in Cottage Grove, Oregon (taught by the most generous Mrs. Jean Miksch) and the children have been the most curious and interested. So one of the activities that I have involved myself with these students (mind you different classes as each year goes on) is a letter-writing/pen pal activity. Whatever questions or curiosities come to these young minds I try to appease. I’ve been asked whether McDonalds exists here; if I have elephants in my back yard, and what the most unusual thing I have eaten (cow udder, if you don’t know yourself by now). Not all questions are fun and games though as some have garnered the intuition to even ask political- or disease-minded questions. Mind you carpal tunnel syndrome may set in by the time I’m 30 (compounded by the 3 years I’m here equaling 30 theoretical years) or feeling 60, I’ve opted for the insane decision to write to each and every letter written to me. I won’t tell you how many that is. But this morning, while going through some letters I came across this line:

“My Dad and Mom are taking me to see the Harlem Globetrotters game this Friday at U of O in Eugene. Have you heard of them? I can’t wait to go.”

I responded by saying:

“When I was young I used to go see them when they would play in Portland at the Memorial Coliseum…”

It makes me think of all the moments—for those of you in the Portland area—that I still instinctively say Civic Stadium (PGE Park) or Portland Blvd (Rosa Parks Way?). Yes, Memorial Coliseum is still called Memorial Coliseum, but right next door is the Rose Garden. Though my memories of the Memorial Coliseum do not involve an NBA Championship or a Beatles concert; it does include numerous center-court violin playing National Anthem Blazer games and animal-cruelty riddled Barnum and Bailey events. How many more generations will have any such memory at all? My feeling of elderliness stems from the thought that one day I will too be sitting on a porch of chipped paint, chewing on a cigar that has never been lit and realizing that it is all okay. Compounded with the fact that something of the sensation of the Harlem Globetrotters has entertained generations for decades, yet brings a completely different set of memories for all of us.

So why bring this up at all; especially in a blog supposedly devoted to a Peace Corps Volunteers experience in Uganda? The fact that I just lit a maintenance man’s (Nabongo’s) cigarette from a Bic lighter (usually wax matches would be used for this purpose) as he looked on precariously? Or the fact that this same man assumes day in day out that I am fluent in the local language of Lusoga when in fact I’ve mastered nodding, smiling and making other audible “ehhs”, “ahhs” and “mmhmms” that I appear to be a master of the universe? I am making ‘cowboy’ coffee right now simply because I am too lazy to clean either of the two French Presses (which is a mysterious contraption possibly capable of time travel to all but a few, that I carry around the college many days). The earth is a tiny place filled with mountains of emotions centered on thousands of different possibilities that mean what? That means that each and everything you say and do matters to everyone of us whether or not we’re around to even register any physical sensation.

Every thing that you do matters; and it matters to all of us. At least that is what I’d rather choose to live by than other philosophies; being one of the ways I’ve begun to realize teaching and learning over any generation is valuable, and one that I’ve begun to utilize to its fullest extent here in Uganda. The ideology briefed above is one of many valuable mechanisms of uniting people’s goals and ideas…

So in a matter of 755 words (excluding these)—according to the word count feature in Microsoft® Word 2004 for Mac® version 11.0—what has been accomplished? Everything.

…

Names, places, faces and even cultures change (or become lost). In some miraculous way we are all connected amidst this relentless force of change even though sometimes more often than not it seems as though we are continuously being pushed down. The frustrating part is often the very things that we (or you—on a personal level) want to change are the ones that remain, sometimes lingering simply as a thought in the back of the mind. These are the very things that bring us down; and bring us down to a point when we look at all the very things that we do love and just want it to go away. All of it to change. All of it to start over. But when we quit; when we just shut down and want to grab that morning cocktail, how many people are we potentially letting down and are we contributing to the very things that we want changed that seem to remain stagnant. Most often we are strong enough to overcome this barrier, and other times it is true; the options have been weighed and it is better just to put you hands up and walk away.

I’m still here, though many times good ol’ Mother Earth and whatever intertwined divine forces have been pulling away.

In essence the First Law of Thermodynamics relates the idea of conservation, it is neither created nor destroyed. The one time I believe that this can be proven false comes from our unique ability to help, plead and assist others without any possible benefit in return aside from the knowledge that someone has benefited. It could be believe that in this case, the benefit to the donor—the volunteer of good will—has been given that energy to the soul where it continues to grow. The soul is the only place where this law of thermodynamics is thrown off kilter. In teaching these philosophies to my students I don’t expect a change, if I do I know I only come closer to that point when I just shut down and show myself the door. I do expect them to think, to question themselves and others but to also trust themselves in their decisions, and I can hope that they will make the right choice.

…

It is difficult to reminisce at times: partially due generational alternations in memories relating to the same subject; sometimes in seeing how what and how we do things that seem so normal is only relative, and when we look at all the change both from our past which we never wanted to change and when we look to the future that we dearly hoped would change and it never came to fruition. We play mind games, questioning the past could have been like and what the future holds—you don’t really know until you reach the latter. I guess the only way is to make your decisions—though every one will not go this way—is by what will benefit the most people with the smallest expectation of return. Defy physics.

Now that I have proceeded to talk your ear off with my philosophical rant, what exactly has been going on here at the college? Well it has been a rather busy past month and a half and I cannot believe how fast the time has actually gone. Of course I am teaching still. My 2^nd year class has approximately 30 students and my 1^st year class is somewhere around 35. Often many students to not show up to school until their school fees have been paid, so the first week of lectures each class was only around 15 and now I think these amounts are stable. Along with teaching I am the Patron (Staff Representative/Leader) of both the Wild Life Club of NTC, Kaliro and the Patron of the AIDS Challenge Youth Club (ACYC) of NTC, Kaliro.

Recently, the ACYC held a weeklong workshop for members of the club and others interested to guide them to become Peer Educators. Through the workshop we had discussions on Life Skills, Guidance and Counseling along with roles of Peer Educators, HIV/AIDS Sensitization, Positively Living (with HIV/AIDS) and Sex & Sexuality. The workshop proved to be a success as the attendance was nearly 50 students (not all members of the club) and although the workshop was held each evening at the same time that our college was holding our own Football (Soccer) tournament, the attendance was constant! You know people here love soccer so giving up an evening when they can watch a match is significant! Days after the workshop was over our Peer Educators went out to their own halls of residence to carry out their first rounds of sensitization to their fellow peers on the things that they had learned in the workshop. I have been told that this first outing was a success.

With the Wild Life Club we have been struggling to get projects off the ground, but the minds involved are committed and motivated. Each weekend members of the club meets for some few hours to do some community service such as collecting trash around the college grounds or clearing the area around bore holes, which when becoming clogged they flood and entertain the perfect breeding grounds for mosquitoes, the carriers of malaria. We are working on a tree-planting project to help in sustaining the ecosystem here along with adding to the aesthetic appeal of the college so are currently looking to acquire tree saplings to involve ourselves with that work.

Bigger and better things are definitely hoped for by both clubs with the ACYC wanting to promote a small festival with sports, HIV/AIDS Testing and Counseling and promoting sensitization to the greater community, and the Wild Life Club looking to branch out and plan a trip to one of the National Parks or Forest Reserves to have a hands-on experience with the local environment. Both will take a lot of effort and energy by the students and I look forward to the progress of both of these clubs.

The computer lab is still kicking and I can tell you all that the Encylopedia Britannica that was installed is a huge hit, so thank you to Mari Baker for that. Not only has a tool for the students’ studies but it gives them an opportunity, without having the use of internet, to broach many topics that they would not otherwise be suited for. The biggest issue is finding a full time attendant for the lab (who is computer literate) and finding a means to have the lab also open some of the evenings, but nothing can be perfect can it?

The Guidance and Counseling Office is being used more this term in its official manner than it has been in the past but changes are still necessary to get it to grow to the department we would like it to be. It is pertinent that the college find a means to hire a full-time guidance counselor, but when the subject was brought to the administration it was met with “The position has not been in the budget through the Ministry of Education.” Odd when many of the universities in the country have degree courses for Guidance and Counseling and the Ministry of Education is pushing for more in Primary, Secondary and Tertiary institutions. We’ll push it to change, as per now on our voluntary basis we are doing what we can.

The Basketball Court has hit a long and troubled rough patch. First of all I thank from the bottom of my heart those of you who helped us in funding this project. I have received a list of the donors so the college community’s most sincere gratitude goes out to each one of you. You have all made an impact and have gotten this off the ground. The issue lies in the initial budget created. The personnel approached to assist us in budgeting for the project ended out not being so reliable and I do take blame for this misstep. For the past months we have been seeking new, diverse ways of trying to fund the remaining funds for the completion of the court. You all laid the foundation and without that I can guarantee you the effort and drive by the students wouldn’t be there to make something bigger and better happen. So far our efforts have come up with little to smile about, but we are still struggling and trying to smile through this as we find solutions. Hands down the court will be finished by the time I leave this college. Today, the Co-Chairpersons of the project (Sports Tutors), the college community invested in basketball and myself are meeting to discuss the progress and the way forward. It is a battle none of us anticipated but one in which we will win.

With that I leave you with what is seemingly turning in to a monthly post. I hope that you all can handle these long drawn out novellas and without your continued support and appreciation I wouldn’t be sitting here now working through all these things. Thank you and stay safe.

TUKASABARUHANGAAHAGURUMUNONGAATUHEENJURAYAJITUHATWAHINGAEBIRIMEENJARAYAWAHO

Tour Eiffel et Moit (said with a thick French accent)

Upon leaving Uganda I spent a brief period in Europe. Beginning in London and ending in Switzerland I spent a mere 24 hours patrolling the streets of Paris. Some nice young lad offered to take my snap!

Most Important Websites of the Moment:

The Life and History of Daniel Koza

Go Beavs!!!

Ugandan News (Government Newspaper)

Ugandan News (Independent Newspaper)

Notre Dame

I'm not going to lie...I didn't even carry a map around with me. For that very reason I wandered the streets of Paris in circles but still had the fortunate luck of coming across the many landmarks within the city. From out of nowhere I came across this little gem!

Playlist of the Moment:

1. The Captain - Guster

2. Walking - Dodos

3. The Only Living Boy in New York - Simon & Garfunkel

4. The Blackberry Moon - Rogue Valley

5. The World Looking In - Morcheeba

6. City Bird - Mike Molaro

7. Never Turn Your Back on Mother Earth - Neko Case (cover)

8. The Road I Must Travel - The Nightwatchman

9. Dead Hearts - Stars

10. Rockaway - Rogue Valley

11. Good Life - One Republic

12. Can't Do It Wrong - Ringo Starr

13. Things I Like To Do - Ben Kweller

14. Sons & Daughters - The Decemberists

Swiss Alps (Gimmelwald)

Clearly prepared for the elements, Ms./Mrs. Lisa (formerly only) Robbins Garland or something of the sort mountaineered our way through the rough terrain sans Sherpa. Our climbing party of 6 brave souls took to these peaks like ther was no tomorrow...and took the Gondola down.

Quote of the Moment:

'Tukasabaruhangaahagurumunongaatuheenjurayajituhatwahingaebirimeenjarayawaho' -

The family name from a region of Western Uganda, Banyankore, meaning roughly:

'We prayed to God to give us rain so that we can cultivate. He gave us rain. We did the cultivation and harvested the produce.'

Just imagine filling out any form and having to put that down as your name!?!?!

Picture of the Moment:

Broken Chair on the Place des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland:

Placed in front of the United Nations Offices in Geneva, Switzerland, this nearly 40 foot high statue designed by Swiss artist Daniel berset was constructed to symbolize the opposition towards cluster bombs and land mines.

For more information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broken_Chair

Book of the Moment:

The Girl Who Played With Fire

by Stieg Larsson

A Few Words of Wisdom

Gimmelwald…just do me this one small favor and look it up. Have you found it yet? Good. Now take your next vacation there, or at least somewhere like it. You won’t be sorry. To this day it still amazes me the extent of the diversity on our dear Mother Earth. Upon my exit from the fair country of Uganda on May 31st of 2010, I managed to escape to a number of remarkable locations. Though I sat on at least 2 occasions I sat patiently in Heathrow awaiting my future flights, this moment would prove to be the one to finally set foot in the fine city of London. For nearly 3 days I scoured the city by foot, and though a virgin city to my eyes, the scents of exhaust on a rainy day and the pains of pavement quickly reentered my soul as though it had never been apart. The Paris air would relish much of the same though the first hint of disorientation would set in. With immense amounts of energy I strolled the tobacco-filled air of Paris with no map at my fingers losing my bearings and finding myself in a labyrinth of roads with no names. The sites were sought with haste and soon the steam brought me further to a neutral land.
Fitting that within a week’s time I find myself careening down a Ugandan highway with international aid vehicles all around to quietly pulling in to a station in Geneva, Switzerland, home to many of these same organizations. Sparing no energy to describe Geneva, going straight to the heart of the matter brings me to that one name; Gimmelwald. This sleepy village thousands of feet up in the Swiss Alps is a place that I guarantee you I will visit again if not any other similar location. If you one day find yourself saying ‘Ahh…where has Daniel Koza gone? I haven’t heard from him in years’, look there; I could very well be a hermit in some small hut. The unimaginable beauty of the landscape has a power of its own, little to be conquered by any supreme influence. Though Gimmelwald has grown in popularity has it has been exposed by the travel author Rick Steves, the dramatic peaks and mountainside wood lodgings make one feel as though they’ve entered a fairy tale. Who doesn’t want to be part of a fairy tale?
MSP…I feel as though it could be considered a second home. For those of you not in touch with the lingo of airport codes, that stands for Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport. For a place that I have never lived yet has some sense of family history both past and present, I’ve spent hours on nearly 3 occasions in the past 16 months wandering the terminals with little to do but wait. In a sense though MSP is currently my portal to the Pyrite Gates of the USA. From Minneapolis to Portland to Austin my eyes took in every overwhelming site with its fair share of glee and exhaust. I will always love the USA as my home, will always find comfort in the friends, family and activities I have endeared myself to, but the USA will forever be the place that for the life of you just don’t understand why it always seems to be falling apart (a subject area that I will show no focus). I will always look forward to going back…
And now, I sit here in my office at the NTC, Kaliro, writing to you for the first time of this final year, expressing my unfeigned appreciation to all of you for supporting me to insanities point, my efforts to live and work at such a distance from yourselves. Without the emails, phone calls, letters and packages I could not be the person I am. Even the acknowledgement by some of you that you have even read this blog at some point means so much to me. In the grand scheme of things all of you are working and living here at the National Teachers’ College, Kaliro in Uganda. Your generosity fuels the drive in me to continue this crusade of goodwill.
Immediately seen as I woke up on the first day in this oft-sleepy town of Kaliro, I found myself realizing this I’ve definitely got my work cut out for myself if I am to reach any sort of point satisfaction with myself. Maybe this is just the masochist inside? Though progress has been shown in all the projects I have been part of—from the construction of the basketball court, the further development and integration of guidance and counseling at the college and the expanded use of supplementary resources such as computers and textbooks—the surface has barely been scraped. St. Andrew the Apostle Church is slowly changing as assistance is found but still remains a work in progress. Even my house, which contains curtains that have clearly seen better days, is in need of a much-needed facelift. The compound surrounding my house looks as though a pack of water buffalo would be grazing. Where am I going with this? The list is endless for opportunities to improve not only life but also oneself. I have less than 10 months. Do I eventually come to terms with being satisfied simply by doing my best and taking more steps forward than back? Hopefully so…but how many of you know me well enough to know that is unlikely? The day will come that I leave this place for a new and different scene, but for now I remain to work the daily grind and keep myself going. The one and only thing I ask of all of you is to continue your contributions and support, because without it I wouldn’t be here…

MORE SNAPS!!!

My 4th Cousin Twice Removed Buford Harold Diego Kozatterell:

While home in the USA I was able to visit with a lot of family that I had never met before like this chap...

Tillamook Cheese Factory:

Lisa came and we ate cheese and we were merry and everything was simply joyous!

Roughin' It:

We explored the dangerous forests of the Oregon Coast and barely came out alive. Fortunately we survived off of Pop-Tarts, Lay's Potato Chips and Old-Fashioned Glazed Donuts.

Newport:

After gorging ourselves on beer and food at the Rogue Brewery, we went and strolled by this lovely bridge...

Home Security System:

I was greeted warmly by my home security system...unfortunately he didn't do a good job while I was away...

Siblings

Brothers and Sister:

Oh the joys of family and weddings. Anna, myself and Chris—I think pre-wedding—united once again...(19th June 2010)

McDonalds

I ate a peach today. I bought it for 40 pence. A strong desire to try to bargain the price of the peach down crossed my mind. I didn't say a word though; I paid the 40 pence, said 'Thank you' and proceeded to happily eat my peach—just the way I like it (tart and under-ripe)...well I'm not in Kansas, uhh, Uganda anymore. I don't remember when the last time I ate a peach was. It is quite possible that I consumed at least part of a peach in Kampala within the last 2 years, but if I did indeed eat one it was surely soft, lacking flavor and somewhere in the ballpark of 5,000 Ugandan shillings.

Starbucks...yeah I know, it's Starbucks, but take away whatever reservations/feelings you have towards Starbucks. Yes, I drink coffee in Uganda quite often whether it be freeze dried, french press or espresso in Kampala, it was black drip coffee—from Starbucks—warming my hands, because to me, London is damn cold! I had two shirts, a sweatshirt and a jacket...I could have used another layer. This is the coldest whether I have encountered since February of 2008 when I was in Brussels enroute to Uganda.

McDonalds is amazing! No, I didn't eat anything from McDonalds but I did utilize their clean restroom and threw my Starbucks cup in to their rubbish receptacle. I have passed by many McDonalds restaurants and simply can not get myself to order anything. Not that I ate at McDonalds on any sort of regular basis prior to going to Uganda, but there are times in Uganda that I crave that Big Mac, and now that I can have it I just don't want it!

...no more matooke...no more posho...no more matatus...no more foam mattresses...no more Lusoga...no more mosquito net...no more Eagle...no more cockroaches (for the most part)...no more pit latrines......for the next 3 months at least.

Zanzibar Sunrise: 2nd January 2009

Zanzibar Sunrise
2 January 2009
Featuring 'Over the Pond'
by Album Leaf
Created by Daniel Koza

A time-delay video of the sunrise off of Jambiani Beach on Zanzibar Island on the 2nd of January 2009.

Oasis

Burned up and of no use anymore
Its been so much, maybe too much
To enter in to a distant moor
Its living here and there as such

A fallen leaf that never was green
Always breaking and falling
But remaining to forever be seen
A quietude of constant calling
Such is what is in store to be alive

It can’t be broken but can always be torn
A thorn pierces those who near
But for the ones who choose to endure
To cure and steer will never mourn
So be glad and be sad
That it never ends
And it always means
That we’ve grown up
And its always worth
Living and dying for

The sun is up and ever-rising
Its threatening and enlightening
To enter in to the sling
That cradles our every breath
Always in the place of our birth

To fall and to break and to gain
The strength to mend your pieces
Back together again
Enlists the slavery of each soul
To pardon the oft-resolve
To feel used but remember
Even the broken will dissolve
To that matter that builds us all

10/10/10

Greetings from Kaliro, Uganda! Just want to give all of you a quick update on the going-ons here at the National Teachers’ College, Kaliro. So much has definitely changed over the past few months. Nearly everyone I came with has gone away, including Lisa, my site mate who has finished her 2 years of service and my cat Baghira (both ‘disappeared’ around the same time…hmm). All of them will be missed immensely. Currently we have our DEP in-service students. This is a smaller group of students; ones who are currently Primary School teachers and are working to upgrade their status, most importantly resulting in a pay increase after 3 years. As I am leaving in a matter of a few weeks I have opted out of teaching this group for this last month so that I can wrap most other things up before I come back for my holiday. Aside from marking papers, assignments, exams and practicals and compiling their marks, I have been trying to complete and bring to fruition all of the other projects that have been happening over the past (2) years. Here are some brief details:

Basketball Court:

First of all thank you to those of you who donated and supported our construction of the basketball court. Without that investment we would not be where we are now. You’re selfless assistance is integral to molding the lives of so many people here. The students, staff and other community members are incredibly excited about this new court coming in, and will be the only one in the district which makes it even more important! Unfortunately we have hit a few roadblocks, mainly the initial quote that we had received for the costs and construction of the court was nearly 6 times less than what we really needed. At this time we have reworked the budget and have rewritten an informational proposal to submit to whomever is willing to take a look at our situation and support the completion of this court.

Science Laboratories:

The work on the science laboratories is nearly complete. The 100 stools have been finished and currently we are marking the stools so that they are easily seen to be property of the science department here at the college. We are pondering imposing an immediate fine to any one seen taking the stools from the laboratories as often what happens to most of the classroom furniture here. The laboratories were repainted some couple of months ago and look dramatically better than before. The tables were also painted and the two laboratories look much brighter and more inviting than any of the other classrooms at the college. A few touch ups are necessary but all in all a huge improvement is seen!

St. Andrew the Apostle Church at NTC, Kaliro:

Through fundraising done by St. Joseph’s Catholic School in Vancouver, Washington, money was donated to the NTC, Kaliro for furthering the construction of the St. Andrew the Apostle Chapel on campus. Many, many thanks go out to all of those of St. Joseph’s Catholic School for support our college here. Your interest and investment in our college here has had an amazing impact on not just the Catholic community at NTC, Kaliro but even the outside community as members of the congregation do outreach to other community members, bringing many others to view the assistance that you have provided us here. The specific areas that the money from St. Joseph’s Catholic School has assisted are in completion of the roof to allow the sacristy, offices, smaller chapel and latrine to be used. This work is especially important in eventually finishing the entirety of the project. Thank all of you so much.

Guidance and Counseling Office:

Things have been on hold with bringing the Guidance and Counseling Office to fruition. The office has been used sparingly but we hope as we form more concrete guidelines for rules and regulations of confidentiality in regards to the office it will be best used to its fullest potential. Also we hope to utilize the office in conjunction with clubs on the college that relate to such matters as Guidance and Counseling, Life Skills and HIV/AIDS awareness. Thank you to all of you who donated in the completion of this office.

I hope that gives you all an idea of what has been going on here. The next few weeks I will wrap all of this up and begin my venture back home. Before returning to the US I will stop in London for about 3 days, then take the train to Paris for one night and then continue on to Geneva for about 5 days, where I will then wake up on the 10^th of July and find my way journeying back to the US. After about 11 days in Minnesota for my brother’s wedding and to introduce Kate as a ‘sibling’ I will make it back to Portland on June 21^st! Below there are a few pictures and I have also written a few thoughts on, well, many things, so take a read, but it is a lot…

Lake Victoria: Entebbe
Sitting at Goretti's Pizzeria at night at Lake Victoria in Entebbe...






PIZZA! at Goretti's Pizzeria: Entebbe
Some of if not the best pizza in Uganda! Here is Lisa and I admiring these two fine specimens before devouring them!





Basketball Court: NTC, Kaliro
Construction workers are seen here building a small containment wall that will house the surface of the basketball court once complete. The containment wall—which was a new addition to the budget—is important as it will aid in the prevention of spoilage of the cement foundation once complete. There is still so much work to go!

St. Andrew the Apostle Church: NTC, Kaliro
Workers completing the roof on the backside of the church (which will house the sacristy, offices, chapel and latrine) thanks to the fundraising and subsequent donation by the school community at St. Joseph's Catholic School in Vancouver, Washington.

Bell Lager at the Entrance to Mabira Forest
Classy isn't it? At the entrance of one of the most dangerous stretches of road in Uganda is a humongous billboard advertising beer!

Open Arms

I cannot even begin to fathom stepping on to an airplane at this point and leaving what has become a place composed of every emotion and feeling that I could ever imagine existing in our little world. At approximately 9.05am on May 31^st, I will step foot on a plane that will bring me—eventually—back to the US. I go to wake up each morning in my bed, in my house, and make coffee and some sort of breakfast. I find myself at work, or doing my laundry. I reach the market when I need some fruits or vegetables or airtime. I leave Kaliro when I need a break away from the normal routine and I find myself longing to come back to where I live—to what has become home. One day, the hour will come when time is up and I will not set foot on this college as my home. One day Kaliro will be a place to visit, a place that contains only memories but is no longer the place to form those memories. Today I sit and know that I will be back; that my holiday back to the US though exciting will also be a time filled with angst and unnerving feelings, missing what has been built up as an incredibly significant portion of my life.

Over the past few months nearly all of the volunteers that I began this adventure with have returned to the US, leaving me to simply watch and hear from afar about the trials, joy and uncertainties of their return to the US. Most of them are staying there though, not coming back and are seeking an uncertain future in a land that probably seems so much foreign as Uganda seemed only 2 years ago. Though many of these people I would only see every few months to maybe only once or twice a year, life seems suddenly so different. I find myself now the only mzugnu here in Kaliro (maybe they are there, but not that I know of) after Lisa has left and it is just so different. It is strange. It is somehow mind-bending. It is what it is. The fact of the matter is that no matter how strange or unusual or uncertain things seem to feel, the sense of excitement is still a virtue to be reckoned with. There is o much to do, so much to look forward to and so much to wonder myself in to a state of conscious wandering.

How to I cope for these 3 months that I return to a place in which my heart forever and constantly feels some gravity towards? When I came back May of 2009 to see my grandmother, Eleanor, before she passed, I would find myself walking through the streets as if I did not even exist. No one looked at me. No one said a thing to me. It seemed as though I was a ghost; as if it mattered not whether I was there or not. I would walk through a supermarket amongst all of the essential and trivial items and all the colors, sounds and sterile avenues seemed so overwhelming. That was only 3 weeks. This time it is for 3 months. I cannot even seem to wrap my mind around returning. I guarantee you I am excited as h#%&; I’m excited to go to the Taco Bell Drive Thru window…and to see all of you. I will attend my brothers wedding and eat a hot dog at Portland Beavers games. I will walk the 8ish miles from 1023 to Pill Hill. I will attempt to paint a house. I will drive on the ‘right’ side of the road. I will sleep on a mattress that doesn’t contain simply foam. I will drink a beer from a tap. I will use a washing machine. I will sit in Washington Park and over look the city of Portland with wistful thoughts…wistful thoughts of both the US and Uganda. How do I balance these? I guess that is what living though so much is about. I look at the past 10 years and realize that I have lived in 3 countries, attending 3 universities and am currently working at a college in a place that I could never not be a guest. When does this slow down? When do I slow it down? I’ve got to be honest though even through all of the lows and the highs and the ever-changing environment the sense of excitement hardly escapes. And that is a good thing.

On June 21^st I will set foot at PDX and breath in the air that will bring new life to my lungs. My eyes will adjust to the brightly lit silent streets and renew the focus to be something in this world. Every nanometer of matter my hand grazes will bring back a sense of resolve to the determination of setting my sights on each and every star in the sky.

The one thing and certainly the most important thing that I can set my sights on is wrapping my arms around each and everyone one of you as you have all supported me during so much of my life and especially the past couple of years. I might be scared to leave and stay; I don’t know. But I know that my life could not be what it is without any of you, and I thank you for that…