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.

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

My second video! (Jared, I figured out iMovie)

Original Email Post: Aug 12

Hellllllllo!

Man it's been a crazy week. I attended a girl's camp this week as media staff. It was the first girls camp with a focus on science, technology, and math. It was pretty awesome. Here's the video of this week's compiled videos: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDSbdrm9rTw 

I'll also be uploading photos soon. It was pretty cool to see all the girls so hyped and excited and actually rowdy. It's crazy what they've learned/not learned. Anyhow, it was SO EXHAUSTING. So after yesterday's escort of girls back to Fort Portal (7 hours), I got to come back to Kampala today (5 hours) for a meeting tomorrow (which is timed badly, not early enough that I can go home tomorrow but not late enough for me to come in on the morning bus) and then back to Fort Portal on Tuesday (5 hours). Yea....

Bleh. I'm soooo excited! Less than 1 month to go! But I'm sad, cause one of my good friends here in Fort Portal (Karla, 49years young!) has decided to terminate her contract and will be leaving in September also. Poo. But best of luck to her anyways.

So yes. Check out my video, it really was a great camp. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDSbdrm9rTw

And my (fat) hillary clinton picture if you haven't already.

Busy but not Busy

Original Email Blog: Oct 31

Hello!

So it's been 2 weeks or so now since I've been back. And I've been not busy but busy if it makes sense. Back to some grant writing stuff with my org and as I mentioned in the previous email, I had received donations from amazingly generous people (special shout out to Irene and the Christian Women's Business Club) and with that money, we were able to buy a cow and start our new dairy income generating project. I will send the break down of costs for the project in s a separate email. Let me know if any of you would like to see the details.

-the income generated from this cow's daily milk production will be able to help support 10 children in attending school each term. cool huh?

mmm. I feel like I've been so fortunate. Going to Africa, I got Uganda (paradise supposedly compared to service in other parts of Africa). In Uganda, I was sent to Fort Portal (weather's just like CA). Here in Fort Portal, I'm working with TOCI (where everyone is friendly, flexible, interested in things, and there's no corruption!). I haven't had to deal with Ugandan time (being late by at least 1-2 hours), corruption, or bad transport (stuffed and slow) or roads (dirt, mud, pot holes). 

And somehow, I've been lucky enough to be at the right places at the right times and have met the right people. Ex: I met Leslie (who was working at CA Bikes) and we became great friends and she connected me to CA Bikes and their staff. From her, I also met Chris (a visiting tourist) who visited TOCI and fell in love. He's raised money for TOCI in England and has helped us erect a pit latrine for a nursery school and buy another motorcycle. Through CA Bikes. TOCI kids were able to get some bikes to help them get to school. Then, through CA Bikes again, I met John (tourist) who decided he also wanted to help TOCI. So he's donated some money and has made Micheal (my supervisor) an interest free loan so that he can start a personal income generating project that will also help TOCI. 

--good stuff right?

--------------oh, and with all we've done in the past year, we went from being unknown in the district to top 5 CBO in the district in the past year. Crazy!

=)

Anyhow, those are my recent thoughts. I have training with Peace Corps next week (yay----hear my sarcasm) and more swim lessons to give. I have a bunch of new students =)

tibbyme's photostream

tibbyme's photostream on Flickr.

Jerry Can Distribution! -PC Water and Sanitation Grant

LIke laundering money or doing drugs or something.

Muli Muta (Hello Everyone)!

It's been a fun week. I got sick. And no it wasn't malaria. Trust me. I checked. Twice. It's really not fun having to purposely poke myself with a needle (as required by the test kit) to get that 5 (funny looking m)l drop of blood. The first time I was like WOW...I actually stabbed myself. Second time was like I don't feel good, let's just get this over with. Anyways...results=malaria free. yAy?!

But cool thing is...we got our grant money in! Just in case I didn't write it before, we got a grant approved for a water and sanitation project! We're installing 10 pit latrines, renovating 5 pit latrines, extending the gravity water line (so more people have access to water at a closer distance) and providing a couple additional bikes and one water tank for the orphanage (although I've heard notes that they may loan it for my toilet first since the orphanage is not ready yet to install the tank).

So yes..we got money! And it's all in my bank account...muahahhahahaha I'm a millionaire couple times over. LOL Actually, it's not fun. Makes me nervous and paranoid having all that money in my account and making sure its accounted for.

So today, I was supposed to withdraw *a nice chunk of money* and the line was RIDICULOUS at the bank! And of course, bank etiquette here is well, lacking to say for sure. Everyone's on their phones, at the counter with you, peeking over your shoulder. Ya...privacy? Nada. Doesn't exist. So I decided to try my luck at the "bulk teller" window. I stand there waiting and it looks like some guys going to cut in front of me! Which could totally be possible since there aren't really lines. Anyways, fortunately, he moves back...just to stand over my shoulder. Next to me is some Indian store owner who is joking around with Ugandans and it feels like he's staring at me (really weird). FINALLY (note, it did take quite awhile, the 2 guys in front of me had a BOXFUL of neatly stacked cash and a nice bag of coins), it was my turn. Sort of. The teller lady was actually still helping the gentleman in front of me but I guess she realized that he would take a while so she asked me what I wanted. 

So there, in front of the man, I had to hand over my withdrawal slip and receive three hefty stacks of cash. Oh, and he reminded me I had to sign twice for it. Anyhow, the whole time, I'm feeling pretty paranoid and trying to cover the cash and protect my belongings, it definitely felt like I was doing something I shouldn't be doing (like money laundering or something). 

---of course, Ugandans believe that Muzungus (white people or foreigners) or maybe MuChina (me) would be filthy rich (totally not true) and of since I'm going to the bank and the bulk teller line...hence my feelings of paranoia 

Afterwards, my supervisor goes, let's go somewhere private to exchange the money. So we go around the corner, to the pizza shop (which is closed on Mondays--and today's a Monday) and we walk in past the gate and slip into a corner and I hand him the money. And he slips it into his pocket (after searching for a pocket large enough in his clothes that would hold stacks of cash) and hands me a piece of paper to make photocopies for him. And now I feel like I'm a drug (or something) dealer. 

Man, having money is not cool. It makes me feel like I'm doing bad stuff when I'm totally not. Fortunately, all the money is legit and it's being accounted for. I've got receipts and everything! And it's going to a good cause. So let's just finish this withdrawal business now and move on to the good stuff...implementing stuff! =) It's going to be a busy couple weeks.

But on a side note... 

Weird fact. Peace Corps Uganda lists Kampala (the capital) as restricted to volunteers but allows volunteers in most everywhere else in the country. JICA (Japanese version of Peace Corps) lists Fort Portal (where I live) as off limits but Kampala as open to their volunteers because of perceived "danger". mmm..having lived pretty much in Fort Portal for 7ish months now, I'm pretty sure I can tell you Fort Portal is pretty safe. Weird.

Oh! And Char got her pin out...although she chewed through her stitches (silly dog). So she'll just have to add another ugly battle wound (scar) to her cute little self. Double oh! So my group has given the dogs (who are still alive apparently) nicknames (sort of). Char is the "million dollar puppy" and Brutus (another volunteer's pup) is the "monster dog". Can you guess why each got their name?

Hopefully, that's about as much excitement as I'll get this week. See you next time, this is Tiffany Tai, Peace Corps Uganda.

PS. Congrats Crystal! Congrats Sarah! 

Fabulous Quote

‎"English was born in Britain, grew up in America, fell sick in Africa, and died in Asia"

FYI...COGS

Hello!

I thought it may be interesting to share with you the cost of living here:

Apple $ .41

Grapes $ 4.08

Loaf of bread $ .81-2.45

Calling home to the US (45 min with the best rate time) $ 2.04

Wheel of Gouda Cheese $ 5.71

Cup of (local) milk, about .5 liter $ .20

1.5 liter water $ .61

coke in a glass bottle $ .61

coke in a plastic bottle $ .82

sugar per kilo $ 1.63

twix bar $ 1.43

glass of wine $3.27

bottle of beer $1.22

Transport obviously ranges depending on how far your going. For example, from the capital to my town (approximately 5 hours) by bus is $8.16. And transport from town to my house is $.82 one way.

Ps. Anyone who hasn't tried a neiman marcus cookie, go try it! So good!

How much do Ugandans eat?

How much do Ugandans eat? Seriously, they eat a lot. For example, today's conversation:

V: Tiffy, I am eating lunch now.
T: That's a lot of food Vincent!
V: Really? No! It's only one kilo of pork!
T: Yea...just 1 kilo (2.2 pounds)

The dark brown thing is the pork, the lighter thing is matooke (bananas).

I think I'm Getting Busier

I think. I'm starting to get busier. I think.

Ugandan Quote of the Day: "God created all of us. He started on Monday and went to Saturday. On Saturday, He was VERY tired . . . that is why see you people who are VERY ugly."

So...this past week: I went to the dentist! And I have to say...it was good!

Cost of a cleaning: $38
Cost of teeth whiting take home kit: $204
Cost of laser whitening teeth treatment: $260-408 depending on the number of sessions
Cost of an xray: $12-18 depending on location of xray
Cost of them having newer equipment than my dentist at home: priceless
Sorry! It's lame. I know but I just had to write it.........

Not so lame news...I was on the radio! Promoting my upcoming 5k/10k for charity. It was interesting! Of course no one understood me cause I spoke in English on a Ugandan station and probably spoke too fast but hey! I made it on the radio =) O.

And this conversation:
 -Sat-
Tiff: I'm sad, I wasn't chosen as a trainer for the new group. Man, I really want to be part of some PC group. LOL
Friend: Same.
-times skip to Wed-
Tiff: Hi. I'm Tiffany. In for dental work.
Joanna: HI. Joanna. O! You're Tiffany. Have you been contacted about being a trainer?
Tiff: ??? My name wasn't on the list.
Joanna: Ya. Things changed. Someone was supposed to contact you 2 days ago. You have to be at the training center this Sunday. Actually, let me reconfirm that you're a trainer.
Tiff: Okay?
-10 mins later-
Joanna: Yup. It's all good. You're in.
Tiff: Cool. See you Sunday.
-----so I go home on the 5-6 hours bus Thursday morning and tomorrow get to catch another bus to Kampala and then another matatu to the training center. Nice.

Other news. I think I may try to help at one of those children's camps we do....even though I don't like children. Hopefully, I'll get an easier slot. Bleh. + 3 koreans moved into town--they make AMAZING korean food and homemade kimchi! I guess that's more or less it. Pool table is still doing very well YAY!

How Dogs Save Lives and How Tiffany Helped Save A Dog

Hello!
 I got the opportunity to hang out with a Ugandan women from the Northern region of Uganda (Gulu) thanks to couchsurfing (of all things!). She ended up telling me about her past, growing up during the time when the rebels still ran freely around Uganda. She talked about walking pass land mines (set to go off for heavy vehicles) on the way to school and other horrible things.

This was my story... “When I was a young girl living in Gulu, my family had dogs. During that time, the rebels were still around. Sometimes, the dogs would start barking. Whenever the dogs started barking, the people in my village would hurry and escape to town. The dogs were right, when they barked, the rebels were around. They protected us. They saved our lives.”

After this conversation, we got to talking about dogs in general and I told her that there was a shelter nearby. So we decided to go check it out and she adopted a puppy!

So Tiff’s good deed of the day: helped rescue a puppy.

 Ps. I feel like we have the most ginormous flies here...they buzz SO LOUD and are probably about a centimeter wide and long. Char tries to eat them but she always fails.

I am not lost.

Hello!

No. I am not lost. Or well maybe I was but now I'm found. <--When you haven't been around for a while here in Uganda, people tell you you've been lost.

This past weekend, I went to Lake Kyninga, a nearby crater lake with some germans for a swim. The water was super clear! and the lake was a couple hundred yards wide and doubly long. It was great! Char liked it too...sort of. She doesn't actually like water. She did get in though, although I'm not certain if that's because she slipped in or jumped in.

I seem to be accumulating more and things. Someone gave me an iron yesterday. It came with a toaster oven. hmm... and of course I have a fridge too but I must say, does keep me eating healthier! I'll have to post a picture of the contents of my fridge =) www.tibbyme.tumblr.com

I feel like I spend a ridiculous amount of time thinking about my next meal. Which leads me to browse the internet (when I can) for simple and Uganda-feasible recipes. I think I'm going to come out of Peace Corps either 1. MUCH more conscious of what I'm eating and therefore healthier or 2. can cook but still choose not to or 3. cooking more. I'm not exactly sure which of the 3 I want lol.

Tried this one today (without mangoes) and it was really good! Thought I'd share.

Asian Cabbage Mango Slaw:

2 cups shredded cabbage

.5 cup shredded carrots

1 mango, not yet ripe

3 med scallions chopped (if you want, I have green onions)

3 tbsp rice vinegar (I used regular)

.5 lime, juiced

1 tbsp soy sauce

1 tbsp sesame oil

1 tsp sesame seeds (opt)

Peel mango and cut into strips. Combine with cabbage, carrots and scallions. Toss in large bowl. Prepare dressing by whisking together vinegar, soy sauce, and the lime juice. Slowly whisk in the oil. Pour dressing over the cabbage mixture and toss to coat. Let sit 15-20 minutes for dressing to coat. Sprinkle with sesame seeds.

Servings: 6 Serving Size: .5 cup Cal: 62.9 Fat 2.7g Protein 1.1g Carbs 10.1g Fiber 1.9g Sugar 6.3g Sodium 114.8mg

+quarter chicken. Viola! Lunch.

Pool table is still doing fabulously! Carrots and peas are now out of season =( and green peppers are fading. My org is taking a 2 week break so my supervisor can finish his coursework at the university where he is pursuing a certificate in special needs. Fun..break after break it seems. Anyhow = Char gets her pin removed!

I'm utterly bored right now. I should probably go study my GMATs or learn Rosetta Stone French or something. But I'm going to town in 30 minutes and I don't feel like working. In town, I'll be working on Fort Portal's First Annual Tour de Charity. It's a 5k run/walk and 10k bike ride for CA Bikes (they build bikes for orphans and disabled children) and it's on May 26th (dad's birthday!).

Boggled. Just Boggled.

So this is actually a post from a couple weeks ago. I tend to email rather than post these days... but please do check out pics at www.tibbyme.tumblr.com
--

I'm completely and utterly boggled. Seriously. How can a whole country of people survive off of debt?

I have to say, it seems almost every person in this country owes more debt than they can repay. And somehow, they are all still surviving...with possessions! Okay, yes I have been raised to never have debt (or avoid it whenever possible- Thanks Mom!) but how do people survive off deficit? If someone was to collect on their debt, does that mean either you'd run someone out of house and home or just consider that debt a loss?

Today, I asked someone, how do you survive? His reply: credit. So apparently everything is sold on credit and your line of credit will never be fully paid off...

Moving on...one thing that frustrates me and two things that amuses me:

Frustration:
Tiff: What do you do in a worse case scenario about [insert situation]?
M: There is such thing.
Tiff: Okay. Then imagine if this should happen [insert what I think will be the worst case scenario]. What would you do?
M: It cannot happen. God is with us. He will not allow it.
Tiff: Okay. Can you just possibly think about about the situation and if it happened and God is not with us, what would you do?
M: No. It will not happen. We will be lucky.
Tiff: What if you are unlucky?
M: No. It will not happen.
Tiff: Can you just please tell me, IF just if, this happened, what would you do?
M: It will not happen. God is with us.

Amusement #1:
Tiff: I met a Ugandan the other day who told me he did not believe in God.
Sister: He said that to you? That is not possible.
Tiff: ?
Sister: No Ugandan will admit that the does not believe in God. That means he is a traditionalist.
Tiff: Ok?
Sister: Traditionalist kill children. If he admits that he does not believe in God, then he admits he is a traditionalist and people will think he kills children and may cause him harm.
Tiff: Oh. So if you don't believe in God, you must be a traditionalist and are probably killing children.
Sister: Yes.

Amusement #2:
Tiff: I want to lose weight.
Chinese Construction Worker: I know a good way but you'll think I'm crude.
Tiff: Oh. Ya please don't say.
--small time skip-
CCW: Be my mistress.
Tiff: No.
CCW: Why not?
Tiff: I'm not available.
CCW: So? I have a wife at home. It's okay. She's not here.
Tiff: Uhh...I don't know how it works there, but for me, commitment means somthing...you know like love/loyalty or something...
CCW: Lust and Love are different! Besides, I see on TV that Americans have extramarital affairs all the time!
Tiff: Okay. TV isn't the truth.
CCW: Well, I heard that if you haven't slept with your spouse in 6 months, you can get a divorce. Is that true?
Tiff: I doubt it. Bye!

That is all!

PS...anyone feel like purchasing craft to support us in paying school fees (part of paying off that line of credit/debt thing I was talking about...)? www.twerwaneho.etsy.com

Bacon! I smell Bacon!

Thanks George for my 7AM morning wakeup call.

Seriously...that's what I woke up to this morning at 7am. Oh well, could be worse!

I've somehow survived to IST (can you believe it's been 7 months?!). It was cool to see everyone again. I really did miss talking with all those people in Arua (my original site).

So we were compiling notes on how you know you're in Peace Corps...and the most memorable one (for me) was:

You know you're in Peace Corps when you compare the duration and quality of toilet paper.

Ugandan Update

Hello!

I can't believe it has been almost 6 months. As we prepare for IST, I thought it would be fitting to go over what I've done/accomplished in the last 6 months (in no particular order or format really--I'm lazy).

-setup website www.friendsoftoci.org
-set up uniform emails for all staff

-setup social media site www.facebook.com/twerwaneho (please go and like it!)

-setup basic system of documentation
-created profiles for each child

-revamped and digitalized the TOCI logo

-reconfirmed commitment of TOCI committee members and established board of directors

-implemented IGA- pool table (projected to bring in 1 million UGX/year...that's like a 1 million % increase!)
-broke even on Day 1. Hit target income in within 1.5 weeks.
-as of this week, we have been able to consistently stay above our original daily target income.

-procured a computer for the organization
-started basic computer lessons

-wrote and submitted 1 grant proposal while teaching supervisor how to write grant proposals
-supervisor is currently working on writing his own grant proposal

-set up craft shop www.etsy.com
-have made $200 in sales

-increased the number of guided hikes provided each month to visiting tourists
-made a new record in Dec 2011 of number of clients who received guided tours

-development of partnerships
-worked with Ugandan Safaris to create partnership so that TOCI benefits when toursits participate in tours
-worked with CA Bikes to get OVCs (orphans and vulnerable children) bikes so that they can attend school

...not bad I think! Still more work to be done. How is everyone at home?

PS. Special thanks to Pamela for posting a video about TOCI and for your assistance. =)

W E B: www.friendsoftoci.org
S H O P: www.twerwaneho.etsy.com
F B: www.facebook.com/twerwaneho

LOL

skype convo about Cali:

Z - Zack - Z: but the dog is cute
tiffany: lol
Z - Zack - Z: you should make his dark spots bigger
tiffany: lol
Z - Zack - Z: and call it CalCow
Z - Zack - Z: California Cow, Happy cow

Hello California!

Meet California "Cali". The newest addition to the TOCI family (and my Christmas present to my supervisor). Name courtesy of said supervisor who wants something to remember me even after I'm gone...in 2 years. LOL

Hello California!

Meet California "Cali". The newest addition to the TOCI family (and my Christmas present to my supervisor). Name courtesy of said supervisor who wants something to remember me even after I'm gone...in 2 years. LOL