The last four days...

... have felt very full with lots of good things and good people.

Thursday:

Thursday started with an IMME breakfast at my house. The interns and I hosted the 24 IMME students for breakfast burritos- scrambled eggs, black beans, guacamole in chapatis, fruit salad, juice and coffee. Oh and coffee cake. All freshly made and deeeelicious!

It was NRM day/Liberation day here in Uganda, a national holiday, so Gwyn and I decided to return to Vision For Africa for a lovely afternoon by the pool like we did last year. This could be, and maybe will be my annual NRM/Liberation day tradition. Its a good one!
Our natural beach umbrella:
Friday:

I found a freshly hatched butterfly in the grass outside my kitchen-- at least I think he was freshly hatched. He was brilliant, vibrant and seemingly just getting used to the world with his new wings. He let me get real close.
After work Jordan, Julie, Brendah, Jones and I decided to go into Kampala for Ethiopian food. Friday afternoon traffic was a beast, but we had a glorious golden sunset along the way. The long tedious ride in was totally worth it for the best ethiopian food I've had here in Uganda.
Saturday:

I stayed close to home and got lots of odds and ends done... laundry, emails, cleaning, flat stanley, etc. etc. Yes, thats right, Flat Stanley. My freshman roommate from Gordon is a elementary teacher in the US. Her school is doing a "flat stanley project," and she asked if I would be willing to be their Africa Flat Stanley. Well, sure! He's this little (flat) dude who travels around the world and sends pictures back of his adventures. So, I printed this guy out and need to take fun photos of him enjoying his trip in Uganda for her fellow teachers second grade class. Fun fun, hey? (I wonder if I'm not more excited about this project than the second graders are??) (maybe... who knows, I'm pretty excited.)

Here is flat stanley learning about Matoke... what we eat here in Uganda.
And here is Flat Stanley looking up at the enormous old forest tree. This one isn't all that great, I will be taking more for sure, but just a few to get started.
Sunday:

This afternoon some friends and I went to MishMash... a fun gallery here in Kampala. On the last Sunday of every month they have a new exhibition opening, along with a number of Kampala craft vendors selling their work, performers, good food etc. Its a great sunday afternoon socializing sort of event.

A pretty flower on the ground....
A painted pot on display outside:
The drummers drumming under the flame tree. They were brilliant.
And now... oh my. I really ought to be preparing for class tomorrow. Just trying to hold on to the loveliness of the weekend for a leetle bit longer.

learning from the little things...

Earth is crammed with heaven, and every common bush afire with God;

but only she who sees, takes off her shoes.

-Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Gone....!!!

The great and mighty Bujagali Falls...

... are GONE!

Uganda has one dam-- has had it since the early 50's? I think... Its presence disappeared Rippen Falls, at the Source of the Nile back in the day... and another big hydroelectric dam has been in the works for forever. There has been talk of it and the effect it will have on the river for years. I mean YEARS. Essentially Bujagali falls would disappear. My dad and I were just there in August and the falls were still pounding. But this past weekend I went back with some friends only discover to my disbelief and incredulity... It finally happened. The falls are just... gone! Its shocking.

Ok, they not GONE... as one friend insists, they are still there under water. And is it bad? The dam will be really good for Uganda, right? Hopefully it will bring jobs, electricity and economic growth/development... its true. BUT AT WHAT COST? IS it a worthwhile sacrifice?? Are aesthetic, natural wonders worthy of being in and of themselves? Or, perhaps the benefits to Ugandans outweigh the need for one more set of rapids. And the landscape just changed. Its still a pretty spot. And maybe in the grand scheme of things, these falls are a worthwhile sacrifice. I just can't help but feel a bit sad for the loss of something magnificent and good.

And to be there was just rather shocking. In place of what WAS roaring class 5 rapids, is now a placid, meandering river. What?

Sara, who was visiting, and I went to the Nile Porch with Gwyn for some dam consolatory drinks.

I still feel rather shocked.

Missing: GG&B Blogjuice

I seem to have lost or misplaced my blogjuice. Its just gone... I keep looking for it, but can't seem to find it. Motivation? Inspiration? New directions... Any thoughts, ideas or suggestions? Where can I find it?? I'd really like to find it again....

2012

2012 is here in all its shining, hopeful glory. I'm excited. I don't know exactly why. I just feel hopeful. Who knows... maybe its just the usual "New Year" hopefulness that everyone gets this time of year... But maybe not. Maybe this year really IS going to be grand! I'm ready. Ready to do the work. Ready to embrace what comes. Ready for 2012. BRING IT ON!