Inside Uganda

10/28/08

OMg….so me and TIffany just got back a little while from the stores and malls with one of the guys that live in the house……So Ibra short for Ibraham askes me basically why I’m so quite and he was wondering how I would be after I’m here for a month. OK so people that know me really know me and they know that I am quite and that is just how I am. Deal with it……..I’m sorry if I’m not running around getting drunk and passing out…I didn’t come to Africa for that! I can do that in America!

It’s crazy because Ibra asked me this morning where I was yesterday because he did not see me…..keep in mind that yesterday I woke up early at 6:30 am one hour earlier then the morning before. Everyone else woke up 3 hours later as always. I guess I’m just use to my schedule in America getting up and taking care of my business.

Anyways so yesterday I went to get a rolex with Tiffany when she finally woke up and it was really hot and I was wearing a really thin shorts and shirt…..I was feeling really sick standing outside and when we came back inside. I laid down on my bed and Tiffany laid down on her bed…..I slept almost all day…. and night….

I’m just saying can I sleep? A person sleeps one day on her moms birthday….and keep in mind she still doesn’t have her luggage because its stuck in London….I mean can I get one day to sleep in.

Anyways I’m over it…..and by the way I went to sleep last night at 3:30am and woke up at 630a.m.ish…..

10/27/08

It Is Monday October 27th, 2008 It Is my mothers birthday. I miss her…its hard for me not to see her and I usually talk to her everyday when I am in America. I am the only one up again it is 6:30 am here in Uganda and 8:30 in California. It was raining before I got up. I am reading for my midterm and studying for the GRE. The electricity went out for the first time since I’ve been here:-) but it is okay because I try to keep my computer charged just in case it goes out. I am going to call up the airport people and see what’s up with my luggage. My allergies or killing me and I have a million misquote bites. I am going to write a poem about the misquotes….but I think this morning I am going to write a poem for my mother……poems coming soon!

No matter where I go everyone always has an issue with the Media. Ibra which is short for Ibraham asked me about how I will help eliminate the stereotypes of how people believe Africa is…they noted that people usually think there is no electricity in Africa, no running water, no toilet, etc. 

They wanted to see how I would let people know what the real deal is with Africa. I told him that I will take pictures, write and make short videos….this way people can read, hear and see the real Africa the real Uganda. 

Ibra told me about the good things thats have to do with Africa…and that in the media they only show the bad stuff what’s wrong with Africa. Pictures of kids starving, homeless people….they don’t show the good side of Africa. 

I agree there are a number of media that focus on the negative and not the positive that is coming out of Africa. I came to Africa, to Uganda so I can do what I love to do dance, write and take pictures. 

I know I can bring a new image of what Africa looks like to those in America and around the world. 

10/25-10:31pm Uganda time

Everyone keeps on asking me if I’m ok….even Tiffany. I don’t want them to think I’m anti-social or something. I’m just waiting for my luggage to get here. I’m really not trying to be anti-social. It’s just hard to do what you need to do with nothing. But I guess its good that I have my computer. I’m just worrying about completing my assignments for class –I have a midterm that is due next week and I don’t have all of my books because they are in my luggage. 

I didn’t get to go out and about today. I finally met the students there were about 30 boys and girls from 13-18 years old. Today the young girls worked on Vocabulary. We had the boys join that wrote letters to Pen Pals in Saint Ages high school in Los Angeles. One young boy who was bout 7 years old also decided to write a note to a pen pal in L.A. 

I introduced my self to the group of girls. They were extremely interested in the dance class  I would be teaching. They love dancing…I am a little worried about teaching dance. Although I have a number of years of experience I always doubt my ability in dance. I don’t know why I just do ….but I am not going to worry about it.

I was hoping to go out and take some pictures but that didn’t happen. I did show one of the boys Richard who is 18 and his classmate Brian some of my pictures of my family and friends they wanted to see how my mother and father looked. When I was talking to them about what I came to teach they were excited about Journalism. I didn’t bring a lot of my newspapers and the ones that I did were in my luggage. I gave Richard a copy of one of my newspaper he is going to read it and bring it back to me tomorrow.

10/25/08 2:12 AM pacific time (12:12PM in Uganda) Hey, Ok so It is my second day here in Uganda. I just woke up and am excited about my day. Its Saturday so I will get to meet the kids today. Also I am hoping I will be able to go around and take some pictures. I didn’t do much on my first day…but sleep and then I went to the internet cafe to let my family know I got here called my mom first, Saeed and then my cousin Dall Baby. It was cool talking to everyone. I kinda got over the airline leaving my luggage in London but not really …..I wish I had my stuff with me:-( They say my luggage will be delivered to the house on Oct 29th…I hope so I can’t be wearing the same pants forever. OK BRB tiffany wants to go get something to eat at the store up the street. Me and Tiffany went up the street to buy a rolex— Its eggs, cabbage and tomatoe cooked and rolled in this type of bread similar to the shape of a tortilla or pita bread. I tried some on the first day that I came…I don’t really eat eggs so I didn’t buy one today….I will probably have to eat them anyways during my stay here in Uganda. I really wasn’t feeling eating eggs yesterday after I was on the plane and all they served was eggs and bacon and then ham and cheese sandwiches on my flight from New Jersey to London. I don’t think I am a real picky eater but I guess I am. There are certain foods I just won’t eat: bananas, eggs, mayo, and pork. I just got a soda and a newspaper its cost 1800 shillings…which Tiffany says is equal to about one US dollar. Surprisingly are dollar here has gone up in value, which is interesting considering the current economic crisis currently occurring in the States. Yesterday when we went to the internet cafe we road a Bodaz its like a motorcycle bike. I was scared at first holding on to the driver..but then I was ok. I was on with Tiffany I’m not sure if I want to go on by myself yet. There were some close calls when I thought I was going to ended in the hospital! but everything was fine. They have a really big mosque in between the house and where the internet is at. I am looking forward to going there….but I heard I need to cover from head to toe when I go….so I will see what clothing I have in my luggage when it gets here. It would have been cool to be here during Ramadan this year. I was looking forward to fasting in Uganda..but maybe next year. Today I was awakened by the rooster like a million times but I didn’t get up until later. Its only the second day I haven’t done much yet…haven’t seen the kids yet but I am enjoying my stay so far. Some times I feel like I am an outsider which I am ….I don’t like feeling that way but I am sure that will change within a couple of days.

This is so cool, I’m really going to Africa. I don’t know if I should smile or cry. All I can think about is getting on the plane and eating my Jamaican beef patties that my cousin Dallbaby (Darleen) made me, she is the best cousin…..just don’t let my other cousins know. Man I’m going to be on the plane for about 18 hours that is so long! My longest plane ride is 5 hours from LA to NY/NJ.

I plan on reading , writing and sleeping on the plane. Also listening to music on my ipod and macbook until they run out of battery.

I am at home thinking about everything I need to do before I leave California. Watch 4 movies for my online classes, pack and help one of my clubs with a fundraiser…because I have time for all of this and more. …lol. I really think Im super woman or something. Anyways I can’t believe Im going to Africa…I got my shots last week. My arms are finally starting to feel normal. BUT I still don’t have my passport:-( get it together people and of course I would have to wait until tuesday to call- thanks to Columbus he didn’t even discover America..I’m trying to discover Africa and they won’t let me go. I talked to my mentor Professor Obayani of CSUN today…I know he is happy I am leaving he has been trying to get me to go somewhere away from Northridge! My very good friend Sharonda brought me some gifts a journal that I can write in manufactured in the garden state New Jersey (my birth place) and 2 photo albums. I am so excited, I will be leaving CA on Sunday and visit my family in NJ. On Oct 23rd I will be in Africa! I am so excited but a little sad to leave my family and friends:-( but I know this trip will have a big impact on my life. I can’t wait to get to Africa and start teaching dance and journalism.