Well, back to the old grind. Also, back to where I left off. Even though I'm not traveling this year, I suppose I'll keep everyone updated anyway. Hopefully I will be traveling again before too long, though it won't be until next summer at the earliest.
I had some good times in DC. I did a lot of touristy stuff. The metro is fantastic-it's so convenient and pretty cheap. I went to Arlington, the monuments, a bunch of the Smithsonian museums, the Library of Congress (so cool!), etc. My favorite exhibit was a Jim Henson exhibit at the Smithsonian's International Gallery. Even though I waited for half an hour for it to open and I was the only adult there not attached to a child, it was amazing-they had puppets like Kermit, Ralph and some from Fraggle Rock and a lot of really cool displays. If anyone is in DC sometime in the near future, see if it's still around-it's definitely worth a look, even if you only moderately liked Jim Henson.
I stayed in Washington, working until August 1st. Overall, the internship was not always the most interesting work (especially filing), but I really liked the people I was working with. Everyone in the Compensation and Benefits Unit (my unit) were fantastic and I loved getting to know some of the interns. I made some good friends from Mexico, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Venezuela and the Dominican Republic that I hope to keep in touch with. I said goodbye to everyone and took my one and only taxi ride in DC to the train station and then took a train to Maryland. Uncle Bill picked me up and drove to Albany, where he was going to visit with Aunt Nita's family and where my family would meet me to pick me up for our family vacation.
My family picked me up and we were off for one day in Vermont. I fulfilled two life goals/dreams, the first of which consisted visiting the Trapp Family Lodge (as in von Trapp family-'Sound of Music), somewhere I have wanted to go since watching 'The Sound of Music' and reading Maria's book. We ate lunch there at the Autrian Tea Room and wandered around a little bit. Then, we went to see Ben and Jerry's factory, somewhere I hadn't been since I was three-years-old or so. All I remember from the first trip was getting a pink t-shirt with cows on it that I used to wear all the time. This time, I took a factory tour with Amy and Laurie and taste-tested some excellent (as always) ice cream. I still maintain that Ben and Jerry's is the best ice cream in the world (that I have tasted so far at least).
The next day, we headed off to New Hampshire for a few days of taking in the views and hiking. It rained a bit and was kind of foggy, but it was beautiful. We drove up Mount Washington, the highest peak in the Northeast, which was cool even though it was really foggy on top-you couldn't see anything. We also saw a moose cross the road, something I had been looking forward to.
Then we headed off to Maine where we spent most of the vacation. Maine-namely Acadia National Park-remains my favorite place in the U.S. It was as beautiful as always and though there were tons of people as usual and the weather wasn't always great (lots of rain), it was still so nice to get away. We hiked, we ate lots of great food, we visited all of the sites in the park, we shopped at my favorite used bookstore. Overall, it was a great trip and was a nice change of pace after nine weeks in Washington, DC.
After ten wonderful days, we had to leave so dad could get back to his job taking care of screaming babies and crying children and so Laurie could start her week of fun at band camp. The drive home took two days and for me, it was great finally going home, even though the stay would be short yet again. I think overall, I've only been home for six weeks out of the past year which is a little crazy. But I spent almost eight months of the past year out of the country, so that largely explains why. Anyway, most of my time at home was spent getting ready to go back to Kenyon and face my senior year.
And that brings me to where I am now. I have work to do and while I have enjoyed procrastinating to write this, I have at least two meetings and a class tomorrow, all of which I need to prepare for, so I will leave it here for now and continue on some other day. Chao Chao and siiba bulungi!
It's not just a trip anymore. I am hoping to revamp this blog to include a lot of different things mainly centered around my life as a Peace Corps volunteer in Guatemala, but also including other random things I find myself reflecting upon. The contents of this blog reflect my opinions and not those of the U.S. government or the Peace Corps program. Enjoy!
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Friday, June 6, 2008
Summertime is here
Well, I'm spending even more time away from home now that I got back from Uganda. After a short 10 days or so at home, I had some medical tests and some chill time. Surprisingly, Uganda didn't leave any parasites in my system so I guess I'm good to go. I have to keep taking the malaria pills for a few more weeks though to make sure all those parasites are gone. Hopefully I won't come down with a high fever and chills in the coming weeks and months. Supposedly malaria can hide for quite awhile without any symptoms showing up. Anyway, I'm surprised how healthy I stayed and continue to stay.
Now I'm in DC until August. I have an internship here with the Organization of American States, which has been pretty great so far. I really like the people I'm working with and I'm keeping busy which is what I needed after my adventures this year. If I was stuck in Ohio, I'm sure I would have gone crazy and probably just ended up driving somewhere random. It's weird to be working/interning. I dress nicely everyday-keeping up the ironing is one thing I wish I didn't have to continue from Uganda. My supervisor took me for lunch at the World Bank headquarters the first day I was there which was slightly overwhelming. You need a connection to get into the building in the first place so he had his friend get us through security. The building is really nice and has technological displays everywhere talking about WB projects. There was a choir singing in the lobby which was a little strange. I guess it was for all of the people wandering around. With such high security, there sure were a lot of kids running around. I guess their parents must work there. Anyway, I walked into the main cafeteria there, which was really nice, and was immediately overwhelmed with the choices. This on top of the fact that I only had $5, as well as nostalgia for Uganda, led me to get African style rice and beans. Overall, I continue to be a little critical of the WB's work. I mean, they're supposed to be aiding development throughout the world and yet they spend tons of money to maintain this building, as well as at least five others, in DC. They could definitely put the money to better use, though it's probably okay that they aren't using this money to implement potentially harmful projects.
At work, I mainly do whatever they need me to do. I did a lot of research on G4 visas so that I can give a presentation on them to the interns when they arrive next week. About half of the interns are here on these visas and an additional 20 or so are students from abroad. I think a little less than a third of us are US citizens, so it will be cool to meet more people from around the world. The people I'm working with already represent a wide array of nationalities: Ecuador, Venezuela, Colombia, St. Kitts and Nevis, Mexico. I feel slightly out of place there being an American, but I'm used to that by now. It's also a little strange to hear Spanish being spoken by almost everyone, especially when I hear English everywhere outside of work.
On the weekends I go out exploring and just walk around. Last weekend was my first full weekend here and I walked to Georgetown after getting lost on the way to Trader Joe's for some groceries. Then I walked to the Washington Harbor and watched a bit of a dragon boat race that was going on there. It was a nice day so I didn't mind walking everywhere and it's good for me to be getting exercise. I walked so much in Ecuador and then not that much in Uganda so I'm pretty out of shape. On Sunday, I walked to the National Gallery of Art and just spent several hours walking through the exhibits in both buildings. There was an Afghanistan art exhibit that just opened a week or so ago. It was really crowded though so I just got frustrated and quickly went through it. It also isn't as fun making fun of modern art and annoying people by myself. I guess I'm just a little lonely after being around people I knew every so often in Uganda. Hopefully once the other OAS interns get here next week I will meet some people living near me and we can hang out or something. I am kind of a homebody though-I don't mind spending time by myself in my room. I'm keeping busy reading up on the news and reading other books as well as listening to lots of music and watching my favorite telenovela again.
This weekend, I'm hoping to go see Hilary Clinton speak tomorrow at one of the Smithsonian museums. I think she'll probably officially concede from the presidential race and officially endorse Obama. Then maybe I'll take in a few more museums before heading back to my room. Sunday I plan on taking the metro to a shopping center in Virginia. One legacy of Uganda is the gross state of most of my shirts. I made the mistake of bringing a lot of white clothing to Uganda and this clothing is not very white anymore. I don't really feel that the shirts are work appropriate becuase they don't look very professional so I'm going to search for a few new shirts that will match the skirts and pants I brought with me.
Well, I should probably get to bed soon so I can get up early and walk into the city to see Hilary's speech. It should be interesting if I make it down there. I'm getting better at getting around now without getting lost though so it shouldn't be too hard. It's just a bit of a walk and I was exhausted after walking all that way and back last weekend. I hope everyone's doing well wherever they are. Enjoy your summer!
Now I'm in DC until August. I have an internship here with the Organization of American States, which has been pretty great so far. I really like the people I'm working with and I'm keeping busy which is what I needed after my adventures this year. If I was stuck in Ohio, I'm sure I would have gone crazy and probably just ended up driving somewhere random. It's weird to be working/interning. I dress nicely everyday-keeping up the ironing is one thing I wish I didn't have to continue from Uganda. My supervisor took me for lunch at the World Bank headquarters the first day I was there which was slightly overwhelming. You need a connection to get into the building in the first place so he had his friend get us through security. The building is really nice and has technological displays everywhere talking about WB projects. There was a choir singing in the lobby which was a little strange. I guess it was for all of the people wandering around. With such high security, there sure were a lot of kids running around. I guess their parents must work there. Anyway, I walked into the main cafeteria there, which was really nice, and was immediately overwhelmed with the choices. This on top of the fact that I only had $5, as well as nostalgia for Uganda, led me to get African style rice and beans. Overall, I continue to be a little critical of the WB's work. I mean, they're supposed to be aiding development throughout the world and yet they spend tons of money to maintain this building, as well as at least five others, in DC. They could definitely put the money to better use, though it's probably okay that they aren't using this money to implement potentially harmful projects.
At work, I mainly do whatever they need me to do. I did a lot of research on G4 visas so that I can give a presentation on them to the interns when they arrive next week. About half of the interns are here on these visas and an additional 20 or so are students from abroad. I think a little less than a third of us are US citizens, so it will be cool to meet more people from around the world. The people I'm working with already represent a wide array of nationalities: Ecuador, Venezuela, Colombia, St. Kitts and Nevis, Mexico. I feel slightly out of place there being an American, but I'm used to that by now. It's also a little strange to hear Spanish being spoken by almost everyone, especially when I hear English everywhere outside of work.
On the weekends I go out exploring and just walk around. Last weekend was my first full weekend here and I walked to Georgetown after getting lost on the way to Trader Joe's for some groceries. Then I walked to the Washington Harbor and watched a bit of a dragon boat race that was going on there. It was a nice day so I didn't mind walking everywhere and it's good for me to be getting exercise. I walked so much in Ecuador and then not that much in Uganda so I'm pretty out of shape. On Sunday, I walked to the National Gallery of Art and just spent several hours walking through the exhibits in both buildings. There was an Afghanistan art exhibit that just opened a week or so ago. It was really crowded though so I just got frustrated and quickly went through it. It also isn't as fun making fun of modern art and annoying people by myself. I guess I'm just a little lonely after being around people I knew every so often in Uganda. Hopefully once the other OAS interns get here next week I will meet some people living near me and we can hang out or something. I am kind of a homebody though-I don't mind spending time by myself in my room. I'm keeping busy reading up on the news and reading other books as well as listening to lots of music and watching my favorite telenovela again.
This weekend, I'm hoping to go see Hilary Clinton speak tomorrow at one of the Smithsonian museums. I think she'll probably officially concede from the presidential race and officially endorse Obama. Then maybe I'll take in a few more museums before heading back to my room. Sunday I plan on taking the metro to a shopping center in Virginia. One legacy of Uganda is the gross state of most of my shirts. I made the mistake of bringing a lot of white clothing to Uganda and this clothing is not very white anymore. I don't really feel that the shirts are work appropriate becuase they don't look very professional so I'm going to search for a few new shirts that will match the skirts and pants I brought with me.
Well, I should probably get to bed soon so I can get up early and walk into the city to see Hilary's speech. It should be interesting if I make it down there. I'm getting better at getting around now without getting lost though so it shouldn't be too hard. It's just a bit of a walk and I was exhausted after walking all that way and back last weekend. I hope everyone's doing well wherever they are. Enjoy your summer!
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Homesick again
Yup. I miss Uganda more than I thought I would. I was ready to leave but the last week was great, only making me miss Uganda more. Sure, Kampala was miserable most of the time. But I loved the rest of the country that I got to see. I especially miss all of the great people that I was there with. We had some fantastic times together. Especially memorable was the sloshball game and matooke ball on our last night on the island. Now there is no one to complain to about my transportation issues or to understand how crazy it is that I have so many choices for meals. I walked into Kroger the other day and was slightly overwhelmed, just like the time I walked into Kohl's and into Target. I just feel like things here are too easy. I don't know. I'm just a little lost trying to fit back into the life I lived here for so long.
I feel slightly disgusted with myself looking in my closet and seeing all of the clothes I have that I only wear once a month or so after seeing people who wear one set of clothing over and over again though it is clearly worn out. I know I learned a lot and changed a lot in Uganda and it will be interesting to see how this will manifest itself in my everyday life. I think of Uganda all the time now. I saw a commercial on the internet that had a reference to jackfruit in it, a fruit that I have only seen in Uganda. I really don't like the fruit itself but hearing about it on this Thai commercial made my day. Then later that day I saw the video for Keep Bleeding, a song that is now popular here but that I became familiar with in Uganda, hearing a great rendition by Dylan and Maribel during the matooke ball. And then my sister's concert band played highlights from The Lion King for their concert yesterday. I think these signs all point to the fact that I should have stayed a little while longer. But I am moving away from home yet again next weekend to start an internship in Washington D.C. that will take most of the summer. Hopefully once I'm busy again I won't feel this melancholy and nostalgia for times just a few weeks ago. This feeling of being overwhelmed that I get everywhere will likely go away sooner or later, as will the strange urge to drive on the left side of the road. Meanwhile, hopefully the jetlag will end and I won't feel sleepy all of the time anymore. Perhaps I just have sleeping sickness.
I feel slightly disgusted with myself looking in my closet and seeing all of the clothes I have that I only wear once a month or so after seeing people who wear one set of clothing over and over again though it is clearly worn out. I know I learned a lot and changed a lot in Uganda and it will be interesting to see how this will manifest itself in my everyday life. I think of Uganda all the time now. I saw a commercial on the internet that had a reference to jackfruit in it, a fruit that I have only seen in Uganda. I really don't like the fruit itself but hearing about it on this Thai commercial made my day. Then later that day I saw the video for Keep Bleeding, a song that is now popular here but that I became familiar with in Uganda, hearing a great rendition by Dylan and Maribel during the matooke ball. And then my sister's concert band played highlights from The Lion King for their concert yesterday. I think these signs all point to the fact that I should have stayed a little while longer. But I am moving away from home yet again next weekend to start an internship in Washington D.C. that will take most of the summer. Hopefully once I'm busy again I won't feel this melancholy and nostalgia for times just a few weeks ago. This feeling of being overwhelmed that I get everywhere will likely go away sooner or later, as will the strange urge to drive on the left side of the road. Meanwhile, hopefully the jetlag will end and I won't feel sleepy all of the time anymore. Perhaps I just have sleeping sickness.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Mvudeyo
I am sitting in a hotel room near JFK and it's so weird. I really miss Uganda now as well as the great group of people I got to know there. And tomorrow evening I head home. I am really looking forward to seeing my family again. I think the culture shock from this semester will be much worse than coming home from Ecuador. It's just so different here. Just sitting in Heathrow was overwhelming. We were surrounded by muzungus, for one thing. Everyone was nicely dressed and was carrying fancy electronics. In New York, it's amazing how efficient the airtram system is-the tranpsortation at the airport here is much better than the transportation system in all of Kampala. There are no bodas weaving in and out of traffic, people complain about everything and move much more quickly and I blend in so easily in the crowd. I miss hearing muzungu and walking slowly once in a while. I should probably get some sleep because I'm heading over to the airport early tomorrow to spend some time shopping for books and eating Wendy's junior bacon chesseburgers. Mvudeyo-I have returned.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Almost there
I am so over this place. This is probably my stressed-out self talking, but I am very ready to go home. This week has been slightly crazy. Other than finishing up my research paper, and not really having much to go from with it, I have had some interviews and tomorrow promises to be a hectic day, running around town trying to return materials from where I borrowed them. Everyone is slowly trickling back into the city and it's good to see everyone again. We will all be together starting Saturday night so it will be nice to hear everyone's stories.
A few interesting things have happened so far this week. On Sunday, there was a rabid dog running around and since then, it's been lying dead on our street. It's right by a school and no one has moved it yet. It's getting pretty gross. This just adds to my desire to leave, as does my experience two days ago. I was crossing the road and a boda driver was nice and stopped for me to cross because I had been standing there for a while. However, another boda driver wasn't so nice and drove around the stopped boda and ran over my left foot. Luckily, he stopped to yell at me so only one of the wheels went over my foot. No damage done-just a little bruising. It just added to my general feelings of misery regarding Kampala. Boy has this semester been long. There are so many things I am looking forward to, the first of which is finishing this dumb paper and the second of which is boarding that plane on Monday morning (May 12, not May 5-I wish). I'm kind of past the point caring how well I do on this project because I really don't think it will turn out well, but everyone seems to be in the same boat. Now we all know why the practicums we read at the beginning of the year were so bad-and ours will be comparable. Oh well. It was nice to get on the internet and do a bit of procrastination, but I should probably go back to work now. I am really looking forward to May 12-it couldn't come soon enough!
A few interesting things have happened so far this week. On Sunday, there was a rabid dog running around and since then, it's been lying dead on our street. It's right by a school and no one has moved it yet. It's getting pretty gross. This just adds to my desire to leave, as does my experience two days ago. I was crossing the road and a boda driver was nice and stopped for me to cross because I had been standing there for a while. However, another boda driver wasn't so nice and drove around the stopped boda and ran over my left foot. Luckily, he stopped to yell at me so only one of the wheels went over my foot. No damage done-just a little bruising. It just added to my general feelings of misery regarding Kampala. Boy has this semester been long. There are so many things I am looking forward to, the first of which is finishing this dumb paper and the second of which is boarding that plane on Monday morning (May 12, not May 5-I wish). I'm kind of past the point caring how well I do on this project because I really don't think it will turn out well, but everyone seems to be in the same boat. Now we all know why the practicums we read at the beginning of the year were so bad-and ours will be comparable. Oh well. It was nice to get on the internet and do a bit of procrastination, but I should probably go back to work now. I am really looking forward to May 12-it couldn't come soon enough!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)