please send to me here:
Sister Tiffany Tai-PCT
PO BOX 29348
Kampala, Uganda
my chances of receiving the package completely intact are better if you put pictures of jesus on the package and bible quotes.*
*no one wants to cut through jesus' face to get to the items. they're very religious here....
Thursday, August 18, 2011
quick update!
Today we did an exercise on life cycles…basically a chart that shows who we are with words. So I started out with three regions to my name…
ASIA
Tiffany USA
AFRICA
After doing the associations and creating a more detailed chart of my life, I realized that everything I have done has been connected and led to this. And I feel that as I continue on in life, everything will stay connected.
Ie. My family came from Asia to the US. Growing up in the US, I picked up Chinese and Spanish (reading mostly). I returned to Asia to study. From there, I made amazing new friends and connections. Coming home, family and my experience in Asia helped me land a job. During that job, I worked with our Asia office as well as customers all over the world including Africa. Applying for Peace Corps, it was those job duties and past experiences in other countries and languages that gave me the qualifications to become a Peace Corps volunteer. Those qualifications led to placement in Africa. After service, I will return to the US, likely find a job/go back to school relating to something I found of interest here and eventually make my way back to Asia as well.
Geez.
Anyhow, I finally borrowed a charger to charge my laptop. Tomorrow, hopefully I can hit the Apple store in Kampala (or someone will go for me) to get a most likely over priced Apple charger for my laptop.
And I have an field training tomorrow =) so I'll be out trying something new (PACA).
If you want to send me packages….please do! Talk to Jon, James or my Mom. I want food items! Haha, and t-shirts or skirts (below the knee) I guess. I hear old navy has some good yoga skirts *wink*
Onwards, language training is good, although it's frustrating that meanings keep changing…I should have an immersion week and site visit in a couple weeks which will help.
quick answers:
1. host family is great. american names are common
2. weather has been rainy (rainy season) on and off but relatively nice. not too hot or cold
3. primary food...matooke (steamed and nutrientless bananas, rice, potatoes, cassava (starch), pocho (starch), beans...so basically starch!
4. yes i plan to get a dog...
5. currently with other volunteers at training. after a couple more weeks, we will separate to site which may then be either one or two of us by ourselves or possibly with others. they're still deciding.
And I will try to upload pics!
ale emi saaru (i love you all! - i think that's how you write it…the pronouns lose me occasionally)
Cheers,
Tiff
ASIA
Tiffany USA
AFRICA
After doing the associations and creating a more detailed chart of my life, I realized that everything I have done has been connected and led to this. And I feel that as I continue on in life, everything will stay connected.
Ie. My family came from Asia to the US. Growing up in the US, I picked up Chinese and Spanish (reading mostly). I returned to Asia to study. From there, I made amazing new friends and connections. Coming home, family and my experience in Asia helped me land a job. During that job, I worked with our Asia office as well as customers all over the world including Africa. Applying for Peace Corps, it was those job duties and past experiences in other countries and languages that gave me the qualifications to become a Peace Corps volunteer. Those qualifications led to placement in Africa. After service, I will return to the US, likely find a job/go back to school relating to something I found of interest here and eventually make my way back to Asia as well.
Geez.
Anyhow, I finally borrowed a charger to charge my laptop. Tomorrow, hopefully I can hit the Apple store in Kampala (or someone will go for me) to get a most likely over priced Apple charger for my laptop.
And I have an field training tomorrow =) so I'll be out trying something new (PACA).
If you want to send me packages….please do! Talk to Jon, James or my Mom. I want food items! Haha, and t-shirts or skirts (below the knee) I guess. I hear old navy has some good yoga skirts *wink*
Onwards, language training is good, although it's frustrating that meanings keep changing…I should have an immersion week and site visit in a couple weeks which will help.
quick answers:
1. host family is great. american names are common
2. weather has been rainy (rainy season) on and off but relatively nice. not too hot or cold
3. primary food...matooke (steamed and nutrientless bananas, rice, potatoes, cassava (starch), pocho (starch), beans...so basically starch!
4. yes i plan to get a dog...
5. currently with other volunteers at training. after a couple more weeks, we will separate to site which may then be either one or two of us by ourselves or possibly with others. they're still deciding.
And I will try to upload pics!
ale emi saaru (i love you all! - i think that's how you write it…the pronouns lose me occasionally)
Cheers,
Tiff
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Wish me luck on the night bucket...
Mi ngoni! (hello- this time in lugbarra, the language I'll be learning)
I'm now at my homestay family who I call jaja (grandparent) and their three grandchildren- masa, nakabundascovia, and Stellah. I have a toliet, shower and sink! But no running water :(. Lol so they built a well and are working on getting all the pipes connected. In the mean time, there's a pit latrine outside ( or my night bucket inside) and basin showers using my hand. Electricity is sporadic but I have it! They even have tile floors! I'm so happppppppy to be here and not on dirt floors surrounded by animals like others are. Lol.
I'll be here for 3 months :) and I've fully recovered. :) :)
So far, ive learned how to wash dishes and get water from the well.
O...and their pit latrine hole is the size of a brick :(. Better aim well...
Double o! Airline Brussels stole my laptop charger!! They told me at the gate that I had to check my backpack cause the plane was "full" And when I got it back, the charger was gone. Good thing I took everything else valuable out of there. But shout out to flight attendant Carlos who gave the best service I've had on a flight in 5 years.
Internet? Not really. I got a sim card that works the Internet on my phone. Anyhow, sorry this post is so unorganized. It's hard to type on a phone.
I'll try and upload pics to tibbyme.tumblr.com.
Wish me luck on the night bucket tonight!
Cheers,
Tiff
Sent from my iPhone
On Aug 9, 2011, at 9:18 PM, Tiffany Tai wrote:
Well hello there!
Nsanyuse okukulaba (it's nice to see you!)
It's been a coupe days and I'm happy to say...I've made it to Uganda!
We left Philly on the 3rd and arrived here on the 4th. Thank you to everyone who wished me a happy birthday :) it was very memorable birthday! My training group sang me happy birthday at the airport. Everyone stared... =)
We arrived in Luganda thursday night and are currently staying in banana village. This little resort (I guess it's a resort?) is quaint and great. It's got monkeys, horses, cats, dogs, and a rooster that wont shut up.
So far, the weather has been a constant and extremely nice. But that may be just this little area im in as it seems to have a micro climate. LOl.
So far...I've met 45 other people and have had my intro interviews, started survival Luganda language lessons, and have been in lectures from 830 am to 7 pm.
Anyhow, I now have a phone (cheap to call back to the US!) and data plans arent currently working on my iphone....I'll just have to wait to get a internet modem. We leave this week for homestays for the next 9 weeks before we see our potential site. I will be located in the West Nile region (next to congo and sudan border) and will be learning Lugbara, which has arabic influences. So if anyone has the Rosetta Stone for Arabic, please send it to me!
Some facts about my current training group:
-16 males and 30 females
-ages: 19 between 22-26 years, 12 between 27-32 years, 1 between 33-50 years, and 14 over 50 years old. We have the most diverse group they've had in terms of ages.
-there's 5 couples serving together, one of which actually met when they served as volunteers in another country a couple years ago.
-Cali is representing! lol. We have the most volunteers with Texas coming in second and than Florida.
Moving on, I also met my new country director. A very nice armenian woman. Thank you to the Helmich Family for the Armenian phrases. Not that she won't remember me...I'm the only Asian in my group.
Shout out...Hey Alex! there are no starbucks currently in Uganda.
Final note...I think I'm on sugar withdrawal =(. I'm definitely not feeling 100%. And I've got the runs... sorry if TMI! But some people here are actually sick! And I have no jet lag.
So currently participating in the following:
bucket baths
pit latrines
night poo poo buckets
tons of starch (that I've not been eating...)
cold showers
good news...I have SOME electricity here. and occasionally warm water. Who knows after this week.
Alrighty,
I'm off. I'll try to update as soon as I can.
Cheers,
Tiffany
I'm now at my homestay family who I call jaja (grandparent) and their three grandchildren- masa, nakabundascovia, and Stellah. I have a toliet, shower and sink! But no running water :(. Lol so they built a well and are working on getting all the pipes connected. In the mean time, there's a pit latrine outside ( or my night bucket inside) and basin showers using my hand. Electricity is sporadic but I have it! They even have tile floors! I'm so happppppppy to be here and not on dirt floors surrounded by animals like others are. Lol.
I'll be here for 3 months :) and I've fully recovered. :) :)
So far, ive learned how to wash dishes and get water from the well.
O...and their pit latrine hole is the size of a brick :(. Better aim well...
Double o! Airline Brussels stole my laptop charger!! They told me at the gate that I had to check my backpack cause the plane was "full" And when I got it back, the charger was gone. Good thing I took everything else valuable out of there. But shout out to flight attendant Carlos who gave the best service I've had on a flight in 5 years.
Internet? Not really. I got a sim card that works the Internet on my phone. Anyhow, sorry this post is so unorganized. It's hard to type on a phone.
I'll try and upload pics to tibbyme.tumblr.com.
Wish me luck on the night bucket tonight!
Cheers,
Tiff
Sent from my iPhone
On Aug 9, 2011, at 9:18 PM, Tiffany Tai
Well hello there!
Nsanyuse okukulaba (it's nice to see you!)
It's been a coupe days and I'm happy to say...I've made it to Uganda!
We left Philly on the 3rd and arrived here on the 4th. Thank you to everyone who wished me a happy birthday :) it was very memorable birthday! My training group sang me happy birthday at the airport. Everyone stared... =)
We arrived in Luganda thursday night and are currently staying in banana village. This little resort (I guess it's a resort?) is quaint and great. It's got monkeys, horses, cats, dogs, and a rooster that wont shut up.
So far, the weather has been a constant and extremely nice. But that may be just this little area im in as it seems to have a micro climate. LOl.
So far...I've met 45 other people and have had my intro interviews, started survival Luganda language lessons, and have been in lectures from 830 am to 7 pm.
Anyhow, I now have a phone (cheap to call back to the US!) and data plans arent currently working on my iphone....I'll just have to wait to get a internet modem. We leave this week for homestays for the next 9 weeks before we see our potential site. I will be located in the West Nile region (next to congo and sudan border) and will be learning Lugbara, which has arabic influences. So if anyone has the Rosetta Stone for Arabic, please send it to me!
Some facts about my current training group:
-16 males and 30 females
-ages: 19 between 22-26 years, 12 between 27-32 years, 1 between 33-50 years, and 14 over 50 years old. We have the most diverse group they've had in terms of ages.
-there's 5 couples serving together, one of which actually met when they served as volunteers in another country a couple years ago.
-Cali is representing! lol. We have the most volunteers with Texas coming in second and than Florida.
Moving on, I also met my new country director. A very nice armenian woman. Thank you to the Helmich Family for the Armenian phrases. Not that she won't remember me...I'm the only Asian in my group.
Shout out...Hey Alex! there are no starbucks currently in Uganda.
Final note...I think I'm on sugar withdrawal =(. I'm definitely not feeling 100%. And I've got the runs... sorry if TMI! But some people here are actually sick! And I have no jet lag.
So currently participating in the following:
bucket baths
pit latrines
night poo poo buckets
tons of starch (that I've not been eating...)
cold showers
good news...I have SOME electricity here. and occasionally warm water. Who knows after this week.
Alrighty,
I'm off. I'll try to update as soon as I can.
Cheers,
Tiffany
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Greetings from Uganda!
Well hello there!
Nsanyuse okukulaba (it's nice to see you!)
It's been a coupe days and I'm happy to say...I've made it to Uganda!
We left Philly on the 3rd and arrived here on the 4th. Thank you to everyone who wished me a happy birthday :) it was very memorable birthday! My training group sang me happy birthday at the airport. Everyone stared... =)
We arrived in Luganda thursday night and are currently staying in banana village. This little resort (I guess it's a resort?) is quaint and great. It's got monkeys, horses, cats, dogs, and a rooster that wont shut up.
So far, the weather has been a constant and extremely nice. But that may be just this little area im in as it seems to have a micro climate. LOl.
So far...I've met 45 other people and have had my intro interviews, started survival Luganda language lessons, and have been in lectures from 830 am to 7 pm.
Anyhow, I now have a phone (cheap to call back to the US!) and data plans arent currently working on my iphone....I'll just have to wait to get a internet modem. We leave this week for homestays for the next 9 weeks before we see our potential site. I will be located in the West Nile region (next to congo and sudan border) and will be learning Lugbara, which has arabic influences. So if anyone has the Rosetta Stone for Arabic, please send it to me!
Some facts about my current training group:
-16 males and 30 females
-ages: 19 between 22-26 years, 12 between 27-32 years, 1 between 33-50 years, and 14 over 50 years old. We have the most diverse group they've had in terms of ages.
-there's 5 couples serving together, one of which actually met when they served as volunteers in another country a couple years ago.
-Cali is representing! lol. We have the most volunteers with Texas coming in second and than Florida.
Moving on, I also met my new country director. A very nice armenian woman. Thank you to the Helmich Family for the Armenian phrases. Not that she won't remember me...I'm the only Asian in my group.
Shout out...Hey Alex! there are no starbucks currently in Uganda.
Final note...I think I'm on sugar withdrawal =(. I'm definitely not feeling 100%. And I've got the runs... sorry if TMI! But some people here are actually sick! And I have no jet lag.
So currently participating in the following:
bucket baths
pit latrines
night poo poo buckets
tons of starch (that I've not been eating...)
cold showers
good news...I have SOME electricity here. and occasionally warm water. Who knows after this week.
Alrighty,
I'm off. I'll try to update as soon as I can.
Cheers,
Tiffany
Nsanyuse okukulaba (it's nice to see you!)
It's been a coupe days and I'm happy to say...I've made it to Uganda!
We left Philly on the 3rd and arrived here on the 4th. Thank you to everyone who wished me a happy birthday :) it was very memorable birthday! My training group sang me happy birthday at the airport. Everyone stared... =)
We arrived in Luganda thursday night and are currently staying in banana village. This little resort (I guess it's a resort?) is quaint and great. It's got monkeys, horses, cats, dogs, and a rooster that wont shut up.
So far, the weather has been a constant and extremely nice. But that may be just this little area im in as it seems to have a micro climate. LOl.
So far...I've met 45 other people and have had my intro interviews, started survival Luganda language lessons, and have been in lectures from 830 am to 7 pm.
Anyhow, I now have a phone (cheap to call back to the US!) and data plans arent currently working on my iphone....I'll just have to wait to get a internet modem. We leave this week for homestays for the next 9 weeks before we see our potential site. I will be located in the West Nile region (next to congo and sudan border) and will be learning Lugbara, which has arabic influences. So if anyone has the Rosetta Stone for Arabic, please send it to me!
Some facts about my current training group:
-16 males and 30 females
-ages: 19 between 22-26 years, 12 between 27-32 years, 1 between 33-50 years, and 14 over 50 years old. We have the most diverse group they've had in terms of ages.
-there's 5 couples serving together, one of which actually met when they served as volunteers in another country a couple years ago.
-Cali is representing! lol. We have the most volunteers with Texas coming in second and than Florida.
Moving on, I also met my new country director. A very nice armenian woman. Thank you to the Helmich Family for the Armenian phrases. Not that she won't remember me...I'm the only Asian in my group.
Shout out...Hey Alex! there are no starbucks currently in Uganda.
Final note...I think I'm on sugar withdrawal =(. I'm definitely not feeling 100%. And I've got the runs... sorry if TMI! But some people here are actually sick! And I have no jet lag.
So currently participating in the following:
bucket baths
pit latrines
night poo poo buckets
tons of starch (that I've not been eating...)
cold showers
good news...I have SOME electricity here. and occasionally warm water. Who knows after this week.
Alrighty,
I'm off. I'll try to update as soon as I can.
Cheers,
Tiffany
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
And the Adventure begins....I'm almost there!
I flew into Phily for staging which happens today and tomorrow. Mmm...I had my first Philly Cheesesteak! Actually...it was only so so to me. Maybe I should've gone to another place?
Anyways, staging starts at noon and then tomorrow we fly!
I'll miss everyone! Thank you to everyone who came out to say goodbye!
Also, thank you to the following:
Alex Chen and CalDigit (www.caldigit.com): VR mini, cake, card and flowers
Pamela (www.bebreathtaking.com): Kindle
Amy Dear: Extra battery and dinkie dino
Jon: knife (lol)
Jie: books
Mrs. Z: amazon
mom/dad/agon/tsai family!
...and everyone else!
Anyways, staging starts at noon and then tomorrow we fly!
I'll miss everyone! Thank you to everyone who came out to say goodbye!
Also, thank you to the following:
Alex Chen and CalDigit (www.caldigit.com): VR mini, cake, card and flowers
Pamela (www.bebreathtaking.com): Kindle
Amy Dear: Extra battery and dinkie dino
Jon: knife (lol)
Jie: books
Mrs. Z: amazon
mom/dad/agon/tsai family!
...and everyone else!
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Current Schedule
Looking for me?
You can find me at the following locations:
present - July 14: Los Angeles
July 15 - 19: New York
July 20 - 24: San Francisco
July 25 - 31: Los Angeles
Aug 1 - 3: Philadelphia
Aug 3 - 2013*: Uganda
*sometime between or after this date I will visit...
Israel
HK
Europe
Turkey
Morocco
Egypt
and whatever African country Sarah has been invited to for PC. =)
You can find me at the following locations:
present - July 14: Los Angeles
July 15 - 19: New York
July 20 - 24: San Francisco
July 25 - 31: Los Angeles
Aug 1 - 3: Philadelphia
Aug 3 - 2013*: Uganda
*sometime between or after this date I will visit...
Israel
HK
Europe
Turkey
Morocco
Egypt
and whatever African country Sarah has been invited to for PC. =)
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