New Years Resolution: blog more frequently. I'll try to start this resolution early.
I'm currently writing from Philly, on home leave through Christmas.
It was a pretty crazy few weeks once I got back from Nepal. I had about a month to get caught up and wrap things up and close out the year. We had some cash distribution woes, as we have all year plus a few security problems with my field staff having their lives threatened. Don't worry, we sorted it out. Long hours in the office and a few Sundays thrown in too. We submitted our proposal for next year but I haven't heard much about it. I'm hoping (and praying) I have a job to go back to in January.
I also had my wisdom teeth pulled out, well 2 of 4. It was an interesting experience I hope I don't ever need to repeat. I stopped by the dentist, he numbed up my face and ripped out a few teeth. Took a boda boda (motorcycle home) and put ice on my face for a day. Not much swelling, but tons of blood and oozing. I'll spare you the details. It was a great excuse to drink milkshakes (do you need an excuse for this?).
I worked for a few days from our Kampala office, then raced to Entebbe to jump on my blue KLM plane. I got to the airport in typical african fashion, 45 minutes before we were scheduled to depart. I am a traveling wiz. No need for the 2 hour early rule, that's just a hustle to get you buying duty free. I was very, very excited to sit down on that plane and know I was heading home. Got to Amsterdam and ran into an old friend I played soccer with at Trinity, who was on his way home to Uganda with his family. An unexpected, chance, divinely inspired run in. Amsterdam to Chicago was great with pizza and ice cream served on board. Totally worth the $1500.
I spent a few days in Chicago visiting old friends and freezing my butt off. It was great to see them and readjust to the timezone and culture. Nothing too crazy in terms of culture shock. The normal things: amazed at the choices and wealth, but that's to be expected. I must have taken 10 minutes at McDonalds trying to figure out what to order. From Chicago I headed to Minneapolis to visit the Leepers, an amazing husband- wife tag team that have influenced and impacted my life in many ways. Sadly, they moved from Chicago to an even colder 'hood in MN. Also great to see them and share the excitement of their soon-to-arrive baby girl. I swung by the Mall of America. That was a unique experience. From the bush of Africa to the biggest mall in America (and maybe the world) within a few weeks of each other. I walked around for hours and still didn't see all the stores or levels. It was fun though.
MN to Philly, via Atlanta where I was blessed to visit my BFF from my childhood youth days. Another great visit to see him, his wife and now 2 children. I have some serious catching up to do, but obviously in no rush.
Now back in Philly, still cold, but enjoying doing nothing and looking forward to Christmas and more family time. I miss Karamoja. I miss my dog. I miss my truck. I oddly miss my job. I miss my co-workers and the great team I am apart of. Excited to rest for a little longer but excited to head back.
I'm currently writing from Philly, on home leave through Christmas.
It was a pretty crazy few weeks once I got back from Nepal. I had about a month to get caught up and wrap things up and close out the year. We had some cash distribution woes, as we have all year plus a few security problems with my field staff having their lives threatened. Don't worry, we sorted it out. Long hours in the office and a few Sundays thrown in too. We submitted our proposal for next year but I haven't heard much about it. I'm hoping (and praying) I have a job to go back to in January.
I also had my wisdom teeth pulled out, well 2 of 4. It was an interesting experience I hope I don't ever need to repeat. I stopped by the dentist, he numbed up my face and ripped out a few teeth. Took a boda boda (motorcycle home) and put ice on my face for a day. Not much swelling, but tons of blood and oozing. I'll spare you the details. It was a great excuse to drink milkshakes (do you need an excuse for this?).
I worked for a few days from our Kampala office, then raced to Entebbe to jump on my blue KLM plane. I got to the airport in typical african fashion, 45 minutes before we were scheduled to depart. I am a traveling wiz. No need for the 2 hour early rule, that's just a hustle to get you buying duty free. I was very, very excited to sit down on that plane and know I was heading home. Got to Amsterdam and ran into an old friend I played soccer with at Trinity, who was on his way home to Uganda with his family. An unexpected, chance, divinely inspired run in. Amsterdam to Chicago was great with pizza and ice cream served on board. Totally worth the $1500.
I spent a few days in Chicago visiting old friends and freezing my butt off. It was great to see them and readjust to the timezone and culture. Nothing too crazy in terms of culture shock. The normal things: amazed at the choices and wealth, but that's to be expected. I must have taken 10 minutes at McDonalds trying to figure out what to order. From Chicago I headed to Minneapolis to visit the Leepers, an amazing husband- wife tag team that have influenced and impacted my life in many ways. Sadly, they moved from Chicago to an even colder 'hood in MN. Also great to see them and share the excitement of their soon-to-arrive baby girl. I swung by the Mall of America. That was a unique experience. From the bush of Africa to the biggest mall in America (and maybe the world) within a few weeks of each other. I walked around for hours and still didn't see all the stores or levels. It was fun though.
MN to Philly, via Atlanta where I was blessed to visit my BFF from my childhood youth days. Another great visit to see him, his wife and now 2 children. I have some serious catching up to do, but obviously in no rush.
Now back in Philly, still cold, but enjoying doing nothing and looking forward to Christmas and more family time. I miss Karamoja. I miss my dog. I miss my truck. I oddly miss my job. I miss my co-workers and the great team I am apart of. Excited to rest for a little longer but excited to head back.
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