Thursday, December 6, 2012

3.5 things about ugandans

Wow. What a morning. 

I arrived this morning at work with another employee Tony. So as we wait for breakfast, Tony and the Chef's Assistant get into an argument...about food being available when we get in in the morning.

So...what did I learn from their argument?

1. When a Ugandan decides they've had it, they'll say it and mean it. Today's line was: "From this moment on, I will hate Tony forever"

2. Man, Ugandans can really hold a grudge. The cook (And later the waitresses) purposely cooked extra slow and took their time with everything Tony asked them to do.

3. It's a hot potato! Tony gets mad at Chef. Chef gets mad at girls. Girls get mad at Tony and therefore refuse to serve him in a timely manner which results in Tony getting mad all over again.

.5. Ugandans generally call watermelons melons. However, when they write it, instead of h2o, they spell it h02. LOL!

mmmmm.

Lessons learned.

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

A small moment of reflection

Hello!

So it'd been an interesting week or two. ---I feel like I pretty much say that every time I write home. Anyhow! It has! I've definitely learned some new things and had a couple of very distinct days.

Sooo......now I know what it's like to be a manager of a luxury resort with a very limited budget because they are opening a new project in another city. I've had the opportunity to talk to guests, do accounting, management, you name it. And it's definitely been an interesting week. 
---I find it completely ironic that although hospitality was my brother's interest and in itself had never really crossed my mind, I ended up with the job. I even told him so. And he laughed at me.
-------But apparently I've impressed the owner, well enough that he wants to talk about me continuing to work with them for the rest of my service (1 year).  Yay!
------------After working at the lodge, I'm definitely healthier! They feed me good food (balanced diet) and everyday I get to walk a ton of steps. Actually, I'm still winded whenever I walk up those steps...

But as I've had an interesting week with a couple of ups and downs, I had a rare of reflection while on public transport (as usual, I seem to reflect on things while traveling...either that or bouncing ideas off Tomas --- thank you Tomas!). 

This came after meeting with some other Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs) in the area. Everyone complained and was upset about their sites and organizations, and just overall were not having a good time. And it made me realize, that although I also complain/whine (I think it might just be my nature...and lots of free time), I am one of the few who are having a good experience, especially in Uganda, where most PCVs are actually just wasting their time (partying, doing nothing, etc).

And so I contemplated exactly what made my experience vary from those other PCVs. And of course every situation is different and there so many variables but I think it could possibly boil down to the following:

1. a positive outlook - the PCVs I had talked to were definitely of the more pessimistic/cynical sort and it does affect how they perceive things and of course how they approach things. 
2. initiative - They keep waiting for things to happen, for people to assign them ideas or approve etc. But if you try to wait, you're going to be waiting forever here. 
3. flexibility - sometimes there are set hours here, other times, there aren't. But I think being flexible about how much you work helps. Or well, being flexible in general. One conversation I had went like this:

Her (Y): I want to do a secondary project. I'm angry my organization won't give me 2-3 days off during the week to do so. I work everyday until 4.
Me (T): Weekends?
Y: I'm not wasting my weekends to work
T: Okay...what about after work? 4 isn't that late. You could probably help out somewhere local for a day a week or something
Y: Yea right. I'm tired after work. I don't want to go help another organization and I still need to get home and cook.
T: --________-- I don't know what to say then.

4. and finally, a little bit of luck -- the bit of luck I have had on my side really helps -- whether its meeting the right people at the right times or being available or whatever. I've definitely had a bit of luck in site placements, the people I meet and work with. Thank you powers that be!

okay....I've been distracted. I was going to leave you guys with some funny story or more upbeat note but....I've totally lost my train of thought. I think 4 people are talking to me at the same time. Oh well. If it's important, I'll remember.

Oh! I made Dan Tas (chinese egg tarts---dim sum type). Can you believe it? from scratch! And it wasn't that hard. And it tasted good. I was quite worried it wouldn't for a while. Anyhow... Tiffany, baker to be - out!

Cheers~

A small moment of reflection

Hello!

So it'd been an interesting week or two. ---I feel like I pretty much say that every time I write home. Anyhow! It has! I've definitely learned some new things and had a couple of very distinct days.

Sooo......now I know what it's like to be a manager of a luxury resort with a very limited budget because they are opening a new project in another city. I've had the opportunity to talk to guests, do accounting, management, you name it. And it's definitely been an interesting week. 
---I find it completely ironic that although hospitality was my brother's interest and in itself had never really crossed my mind, I ended up with the job. I even told him so. And he laughed at me.
-------But apparently I've impressed the owner, well enough that he wants to talk about me continuing to work with them for the rest of my service (1 year).  Yay!
------------After working at the lodge, I'm definitely healthier! They feed me good food (balanced diet) and everyday I get to walk a ton of steps. Actually, I'm still winded whenever I walk up those steps...

But as I've had an interesting week with a couple of ups and downs, I had a rare of reflection while on public transport (as usual, I seem to reflect on things while traveling...either that or bouncing ideas off Tomas --- thank you Tomas!). 

This came after meeting with some other Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs) in the area. Everyone complained and was upset about their sites and organizations, and just overall were not having a good time. And it made me realize, that although I also complain/whine (I think it might just be my nature...and lots of free time), I am one of the few who are having a good experience, especially in Uganda, where most PCVs are actually just wasting their time (partying, doing nothing, etc).

And so I contemplated exactly what made my experience vary from those other PCVs. And of course every situation is different and there so many variables but I think it could possibly boil down to the following:

1. a positive outlook - the PCVs I had talked to were definitely of the more pessimistic/cynical sort and it does affect how they perceive things and of course how they approach things. 
2. initiative - They keep waiting for things to happen, for people to assign them ideas or approve etc. But if you try to wait, you're going to be waiting forever here. 
3. flexibility - sometimes there are set hours here, other times, there aren't. But I think being flexible about how much you work helps. Or well, being flexible in general. One conversation I had went like this:

Her (Y): I want to do a secondary project. I'm angry my organization won't give me 2-3 days off during the week to do so. I work everyday until 4.
Me (T): Weekends?
Y: I'm not wasting my weekends to work
T: Okay...what about after work? 4 isn't that late. You could probably help out somewhere local for a day a week or something
Y: Yea right. I'm tired after work. I don't want to go help another organization and I still need to get home and cook.
T: --________-- I don't know what to say then.

4. and finally, a little bit of luck -- the bit of luck I have had on my side really helps -- whether its meeting the right people at the right times or being available or whatever. I've definitely had a bit of luck in site placements, the people I meet and work with. Thank you powers that be!

okay....I've been distracted. I was going to leave you guys with some funny story or more upbeat note but....I've totally lost my train of thought. I think 4 people are talking to me at the same time. Oh well. If it's important, I'll remember.

Oh! I made Dan Tas (chinese egg tarts---dim sum type). Can you believe it? from scratch! And it wasn't that hard. And it tasted good. I was quite worried it wouldn't for a while. Anyhow... Tiffany, baker to be - out!

Cheers~

A small moment of reflection

Hello!

So it'd been an interesting week or two. ---I feel like I pretty much say that every time I write home. Anyhow! It has! I've definitely learned some new things and had a couple of very distinct days.

Sooo......now I know what it's like to be a manager of a luxury resort with a very limited budget because they are opening a new project in another city. I've had the opportunity to talk to guests, do accounting, management, you name it. And it's definitely been an interesting week. 
---I find it completely ironic that although hospitality was my brother's interest and in itself had never really crossed my mind, I ended up with the job. I even told him so. And he laughed at me.
-------But apparently I've impressed the owner, well enough that he wants to talk about me continuing to work with them for the rest of my service (1 year).  Yay!
------------After working at the lodge, I'm definitely healthier! They feed me good food (balanced diet) and everyday I get to walk a ton of steps. Actually, I'm still winded whenever I walk up those steps...

But as I've had an interesting week with a couple of ups and downs, I had a rare of reflection while on public transport (as usual, I seem to reflect on things while traveling...either that or bouncing ideas off Tomas --- thank you Tomas!). 

This came after meeting with some other Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs) in the area. Everyone complained and was upset about their sites and organizations, and just overall were not having a good time. And it made me realize, that although I also complain/whine (I think it might just be my nature...and lots of free time), I am one of the few who are having a good experience, especially in Uganda, where most PCVs are actually just wasting their time (partying, doing nothing, etc).

And so I contemplated exactly what made my experience vary from those other PCVs. And of course every situation is different and there so many variables but I think it could possibly boil down to the following:

1. a positive outlook - the PCVs I had talked to were definitely of the more pessimistic/cynical sort and it does affect how they perceive things and of course how they approach things. 
2. initiative - They keep waiting for things to happen, for people to assign them ideas or approve etc. But if you try to wait, you're going to be waiting forever here. 
3. flexibility - sometimes there are set hours here, other times, there aren't. But I think being flexible about how much you work helps. Or well, being flexible in general. One conversation I had went like this:

Her (Y): I want to do a secondary project. I'm angry my organization won't give me 2-3 days off during the week to do so. I work everyday until 4.
Me (T): Weekends?
Y: I'm not wasting my weekends to work
T: Okay...what about after work? 4 isn't that late. You could probably help out somewhere local for a day a week or something
Y: Yea right. I'm tired after work. I don't want to go help another organization and I still need to get home and cook.
T: --________-- I don't know what to say then.

4. and finally, a little bit of luck -- the bit of luck I have had on my side really helps -- whether its meeting the right people at the right times or being available or whatever. I've definitely had a bit of luck in site placements, the people I meet and work with. Thank you powers that be!

okay....I've been distracted. I was going to leave you guys with some funny story or more upbeat note but....I've totally lost my train of thought. I think 4 people are talking to me at the same time. Oh well. If it's important, I'll remember.

Oh! I made Dan Tas (chinese egg tarts---dim sum type). Can you believe it? from scratch! And it wasn't that hard. And it tasted good. I was quite worried it wouldn't for a while. Anyhow... Tiffany, baker to be - out!

Cheers~

Quick TOCI Video


Less than a week to go!

Original Email Post: Sept 14

Hey!

Man, it's been a fun week. We started gathering info for a US Embassy grant that I think we have a decent shot at (I gotz connections! well no, I just took advantage of meeting the grant coordinator when she was in town and showed my project). Had dinner/lunch at a bunch of people's houses, ran into a treadmill machine and now have a nice crescent shaped bruise, etc.

hmm... story of the week:

Tiff: Hey John! Let's go swimming at the lake
John: Sounds good
-while swimming at the lake-
John: Tiff, you swim ahead, I'll swim back slowly
-2 min later-
John: Hey Tiff....I'm having some trouble breathing....

So I got to rescue a man who's like 5x my size and pull him back to the dock. Great workout. And then we paddled around the lake in a very heavy rowboat Cool stuff.

Then yesterday, the new South African manager (he's apparently white like me- but he really is white, not like me), caught me off guard when he asked me to think about expanding the swim program at the hotel (it's a very nice hotel...around 180$ a night?) and asked if we could work together to make me Mountain of the Moon's swim instructor. Cool.....I think.

Yesterday, I saw half a (skinned) cow in a wheelbarrow. Idk, I may come out of Peace Corps a vegetarian....maybe. I really like meat.

Anyhow! I'm super excited to hang out/see you/workout with all of you guys! I may even cook for some of you (I'm bringing my cookbook back) GASP! yeah? crazy idea...Tiffany cooking... 

but drooooool......85 degrees/ten ren/pho/food here I come!

And when I feel like I'm Chinese

Original Email Post: Jun 18

I'm currently sitting and waiting for one of the new trainees to be finished with their training for the day so as to show them my site. As I'm sitting here it hits me how different my experience being an abc (American born Chinese) in Uganda versus being white or another ethnicity.

Of course, as a Chinese looking person, I definitely don't get harassed like those who have blond/brunette hair with light colored eyes. Part of it is because of course here, with all the Chinese construction workers, I'm thought of as Chinese and the Chinese here are mean but bring jobs unlike the nice and wealthy westerners. But being here is much cooler than that.

The Chinese here are friendly to me, partly in fascination that I'm American Chinese and that I speak Chinese and partially because I'm female, which I'm sure you can deduce means they don't see many Chinese females. But that's beside the point.

What it's means for me is that they're willing to share how they work with me. If I want, I can stand with them as they work on the roads and pretend I'm one of those Chinese supervisors too. All the workers always say hi to me and I totally blend in to the ugandans. They treat me like their own and always share if they're munching on something.

And it's cool because standing along the road with them, it's so far removed from anything I know or would do. They're really from a different world and in a way, a different social class. Although, their status being here in Uganda and being in china really differs too, and you can tell by how they talk about things and why many choose to continue to stay abroad rather than return home.

Regardless, it's nice to share and connect with people and it's funny how they always tell me I'm so lucky to be born in America and that I speak such wonderful English. Well, they're lucky too cause I wish I spoke better Chinese! Sometimes I just nod and smile because in reality, I either don't understand half of what they're saying or I just can't understand their dialect/accent.

Sorry if I'm rambling. Waiting for trainees to be done is boring. And Im really tired today.

I'll try to upload some pictures soon. We gave away Jerry cans this past weekend and got to see the progress of the pit latrines we're building/renovating. I did have a -___- moment when some kid who's hand I was shaking decided to scratch his bare butt and go back to holding my hand again (I suppose it didn't help that he obviously had some kind of skin condition). Anyhow, the kids were pretty happy And one parent got a kick out of me recording a video of her dog howling at me. :)

Cheers,
Tiff