Ten things I never realized how thankful I was for them until I went to Africa. 
1) A real hot indoor shower. Wow, I’m getting excited just thinking about it. The cold splash bath that doubles as a ‘short call toilet’ just isn’t the same. Short call means the #1 or going pee. And yes, you did read correctly. Joy and I had always kind of thought that our bathing area kind of smelled of urine sometimes… well I learned the hard way. So I’m out there splishin and splashing, getting clean… when all of a sudden I hear someone going pee, and the next thing I know there is a river of pee flowing down the edge of my bathing area… as I bathed! I don’t really understand this because the latrines were right there, they were standing in front of them. And personally why not go in the hole, at least then it doesn’t splatter! But nope, they were peeing in my bathing area.
2) Which leads me to why I am thankful for shower shoes… I don’t think I need to explain any further why.
3) I also never realized how thankful I am for clean drinking water. This water container gave me Girardeau… not a pleasant thing. If you can remember back to my entry ‘my poopy night’ that was due to this lovely little parasite. Let’s just say I don’t brush my teeth with that water anymore.
wonderful Thanksgiving. I would say something sad and depressed like I’m going to have to eat matoke and rice again tonight… but oh no, we are having a thanksgiving meal with all the USP students and expats. There is going to be like 80 of us! I’m really excited. Not that it can compare to our amazing thanksgivings but it’s an American meal… we’re all super stoked…and will probably eat ourselves sick. Don’t forget to go around and say what you’re thankful for!!! It’s tradition!! I love and miss you all!!!!
10) But I’m also thankful for Africa. I guess it's a good thing that I miss all these things because it made me realize how I never appreciated them fully before.
Happy Thanksgiving!!
I get to eat cookie dough today! And Turkey! And gravey! And mashed potatoes! And all that other good stuff! I'm so excited!
1) A real hot indoor shower. Wow, I’m getting excited just thinking about it. The cold splash bath that doubles as a ‘short call toilet’ just isn’t the same. Short call means the #1 or going pee. And yes, you did read correctly. Joy and I had always kind of thought that our bathing area kind of smelled of urine sometimes… well I learned the hard way. So I’m out there splishin and splashing, getting clean… when all of a sudden I hear someone going pee, and the next thing I know there is a river of pee flowing down the edge of my bathing area… as I bathed! I don’t really understand this because the latrines were right there, they were standing in front of them. And personally why not go in the hole, at least then it doesn’t splatter! But nope, they were peeing in my bathing area.
2) Which leads me to why I am thankful for shower shoes… I don’t think I need to explain any further why.
3) I also never realized how thankful I am for clean drinking water. This water container gave me Girardeau… not a pleasant thing. If you can remember back to my entry ‘my poopy night’ that was due to this lovely little parasite. Let’s just say I don’t brush my teeth with that water anymore.
4) Now this one is the one I think I took the most advantage of: the toilet. Oh my goodness, I never knew how grateful I was for our good old, indoor, available at any moment, with toilet paper, a toilet seat and flushing American toilets. Especially when you have Girardeau, or other ridiculous stomach issues that I have been so blessed with. Please, remember to be thankful for your toilet, it really is a beautiful thing!
5) The Point Loma Caf. Wow, if you ever hear me complain again about it, make me eat rice and beans for a week, for every meal… and I’ll remember.
6) Washing machines. My goodness, I rub the skin off my hands every time I do laundry. I literally bleed and scab… it isn’t pretty. And it makes your back hurt like crazy because you’re bent over in this crazy position for hours. Nothing like a little African washing to make waiting in line on the second floor of Klassen where girls will remove your clothes for you and put them who knows where if you wait too long to take them out, look appealing. 4 months is not long enough to get African hands. I’m very thankful for the washing machine.
7) American bugs. I have gotten so many mosquito bites here. African mosquitos are like mosquitos on steroids. They itch like crazy, it's painful, I don't know how many times i have wanted to chop off my feet. The mosquitos here are like hunting lions. They stalk you, wait for the most opportune time to bite (which is like all the time) and then pounce on the most inconvenient places. I never thought I would wish for American mosquitos... but they are a lovely thing. These guys here, they just aren't nice at all. And they can give you malaria, that just isn't cool.
8) Seasons! Oh my, it's really weird sweating on Thanksgiving. It's the rainy season and all so it's slightly cooler (and way more humid) but it's not the same as bundling up in pants a long sleeve shirt and scarf. Chilly weather just puts you in the mood to be all thankful. It's just a vital part of the season.
5) The Point Loma Caf. Wow, if you ever hear me complain again about it, make me eat rice and beans for a week, for every meal… and I’ll remember.6) Washing machines. My goodness, I rub the skin off my hands every time I do laundry. I literally bleed and scab… it isn’t pretty. And it makes your back hurt like crazy because you’re bent over in this crazy position for hours. Nothing like a little African washing to make waiting in line on the second floor of Klassen where girls will remove your clothes for you and put them who knows where if you wait too long to take them out, look appealing. 4 months is not long enough to get African hands. I’m very thankful for the washing machine.
7) American bugs. I have gotten so many mosquito bites here. African mosquitos are like mosquitos on steroids. They itch like crazy, it's painful, I don't know how many times i have wanted to chop off my feet. The mosquitos here are like hunting lions. They stalk you, wait for the most opportune time to bite (which is like all the time) and then pounce on the most inconvenient places. I never thought I would wish for American mosquitos... but they are a lovely thing. These guys here, they just aren't nice at all. And they can give you malaria, that just isn't cool.
8) Seasons! Oh my, it's really weird sweating on Thanksgiving. It's the rainy season and all so it's slightly cooler (and way more humid) but it's not the same as bundling up in pants a long sleeve shirt and scarf. Chilly weather just puts you in the mood to be all thankful. It's just a vital part of the season. 9) 
My family! Oh goodness I miss all of you. And wow, I look really different in these pictures. But words cannot describe how great you guys are. I can’t wait to see you all again, to hang out with you all again. I hope you are all having a
My family! Oh goodness I miss all of you. And wow, I look really different in these pictures. But words cannot describe how great you guys are. I can’t wait to see you all again, to hang out with you all again. I hope you are all having a 
wonderful Thanksgiving. I would say something sad and depressed like I’m going to have to eat matoke and rice again tonight… but oh no, we are having a thanksgiving meal with all the USP students and expats. There is going to be like 80 of us! I’m really excited. Not that it can compare to our amazing thanksgivings but it’s an American meal… we’re all super stoked…and will probably eat ourselves sick. Don’t forget to go around and say what you’re thankful for!!! It’s tradition!! I love and miss you all!!!!10) But I’m also thankful for Africa. I guess it's a good thing that I miss all these things because it made me realize how I never appreciated them fully before.
Happy Thanksgiving!!
I get to eat cookie dough today! And Turkey! And gravey! And mashed potatoes! And all that other good stuff! I'm so excited!
I hope you had a happy thanksgiving. Im grateful for Holly Harlin!! :) hug an african baby for me.
ReplyDeleteHaha ok, that EXACT same thing happened to Megan and I with the whole shower/pee thing. Lol - I spose I should have warned you beforehand. :)
ReplyDeleteAnd I love your list...I think I may have written one very similar to it while I was there. Don't forget to make a list of things you love about Uganda that you will miss...there will be more than you think on that list once you've been back for a while. :)
Many blessings as you finish up there!