Yesterday Marsha and I joined the Church family (which consisted of Max, Davona, Brendon, Brianna, Sabrina, and Staci) on a picnic. We drove part of the way up Mt. Meru then parked and walked a short distance up a VERY steep hill until we found some grass to sit on. We spread out blanket and picnicked! We ate plantain chips with guacamole and potato chips and apples (a real treat!!) and pineapple and toast. Unique, but tasty.
After lunch we decided to go on a walk. Well, I was under the impression that it would be a walk. It turned out to be a 4-hr hike straight up Mt. Meru. It started out lovely. We followed a trail meandering through the pretty woods. Typical. Once we reached the national park (Arusha National Park), we had to go traipsing through the bush a bit to find another trail. Brendon, the twins, and Marsha forged ahead. Max carried Staci through the dense underbrush so she wouldn't lose her sandals (Staci is 5), and I brought up the rear, jumping around and making loud comments about how foolish we were being, and didn't we know there were mambas in this area?
Once we got back on the trail I was a little more agreeable, but if we deviated from it for even 10 feet, I was sure to pipe up. The pretty trail that meandered through the woods was replaced with an overgrown footpath covered in army ants that shot straight up the mountain. Much of the time the trail was at a 45° angle or steeper. I'm serious. It was like climbing stairs. Brendon spurred us on while we huffed and puffed, whining and complaining. He insisted he was taking us to a pretty stream up the mountain, and since his grandmother had done it, so could we. Let me tell you, I have a lot of respect for that woman.
Our hike was interspersed with breaks to pick all the ants off our legs. Those things are vicious. They bite and hold on relentlessly. I had one bite me through my sock. Somehow I got lucky and only got bit by one or two ants (they're rather painful in large quantities). Others in the group unfortunately had dozens on them. Brendon even had the joy of finding a tick on himself.
After hiking for probably two hours, Max and the three younger girls gave up and turned back. I don't really blame them. No one really knew where we were going and this alleged spring was nowhere in sight. We had turned around at least once and been attacked by ants several times. The path was steep and overgrown. It wasn't exactly a stroll in the park.
So Brendon and Marsha and I climbed on. The path became more difficult and overgrown, but it seemed more adventurous with just the three of us. I stomped loudly to scare off the snakes and Brendon continually made fun of me, saying it wouldn't work. I still think it works.
We hiked for another hour (about), and still couldn't find the spring. Brendon stopped being able to recognize the scenery (it all looked the same anyway) and concluded that we had taken a wrong turn somewhere. We only had one water bottle among the 3 of us, so we knew we had to turn back soon. Besides, we didn't know what time it was, and we had a long way to go back! We hiked on in search of a vista point, but never found one. At this point we were so high up the mountain that we noticed the air was thinner. I actually started to feel sick. Thank you, altitude. Marsha estimated we were probably 8100 feet high. I guess that's not super high, but it felt pretty high.
I wish we had found a vista point. It would have been nice to see Mt. Kilimanjaro or Arusha from so high up. But the foilage was too thick. So we stopped, took a break, and then headed back down. Naturally the way down always goes faster. Marsha fell a couple times and we were attacked by ants twice, but other than that it was rather uneventful. Despite the fact that we hiked (illegally) into the heart of Arusha National Park, the only wildlife we saw were spiders and butterflies.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Friday, February 27, 2009
"Kakie, I Want!"
My darling Rachel has picked up a new phrase: "I want!" When she sees something she wants (and she's in the mood to talk), she'll exclaim, "Kakie, I want! I want!"
This morning I was in the changing room changing a very poopy diaper. Afterward I washed my hands in the large sink, which doubles as a bathtub for the kids at bathtime (which is in the evening). Rachel saw me running the water and scrubbing my hands with soap and got really excited. She has decided lately that she loves baths. She started pointing at the sink and what I was doing and saying, "Kakie, I want! I want!" I laughed and told her it wasn't bathtime. This meant nothing to her. She proceeded to strip down to her good ol' birthday suit and announce, "I want, Kakie!" Obviously I couldn't keep a straight face!
This morning I was in the changing room changing a very poopy diaper. Afterward I washed my hands in the large sink, which doubles as a bathtub for the kids at bathtime (which is in the evening). Rachel saw me running the water and scrubbing my hands with soap and got really excited. She has decided lately that she loves baths. She started pointing at the sink and what I was doing and saying, "Kakie, I want! I want!" I laughed and told her it wasn't bathtime. This meant nothing to her. She proceeded to strip down to her good ol' birthday suit and announce, "I want, Kakie!" Obviously I couldn't keep a straight face!
Monday, February 16, 2009
Iced Tea and Home
I'm drinking homemade iced tea right now. Everything I eat or drink is homemade, except crackers and (for now) yogurt. Ok, and milk and cheese. And I'm sure you can think of a few other things. But I do make a lot of stuff!
The purpose of this blog was to write and say that it's gloomy-looking today and I hope it rains. But it just started raining! Wish granted! Yay!
I can't tell you how much I love Africa and how tempted I am to stay here. If I were done with school, you might have to drag me home! But since I know I have to finish university, I'm dutifully coming back.
Lately I've really found peace in the old phrase: This world is not my home; I'm just passing through. 1 Peter 2:11 says just that! We're not supposed to feel cozy or at home here on this earth. Africa is not my home. America is not my home. Heaven is my home! Wherever I stay here on earth is up to God and His plan for me. The only "home" that I long for is my home in heaven with Christ.
(Wow, it's REALLY raining!)
They say home is where the heart is. It's true. The Bible says it also in Matthew 6:21 -- where are treasure is, there will our heart be. My treasure and my home are one and the same: Christ Jesus. Matthew 13:45-46 talks about seeking the kingdom of God as a pearl of great price. The message is clear: We are "refugees" here on earth, and rather than settle and live as the natives do, we must find our way to the One who can take us home!
The purpose of this blog was to write and say that it's gloomy-looking today and I hope it rains. But it just started raining! Wish granted! Yay!
I can't tell you how much I love Africa and how tempted I am to stay here. If I were done with school, you might have to drag me home! But since I know I have to finish university, I'm dutifully coming back.
Lately I've really found peace in the old phrase: This world is not my home; I'm just passing through. 1 Peter 2:11 says just that! We're not supposed to feel cozy or at home here on this earth. Africa is not my home. America is not my home. Heaven is my home! Wherever I stay here on earth is up to God and His plan for me. The only "home" that I long for is my home in heaven with Christ.
(Wow, it's REALLY raining!)
They say home is where the heart is. It's true. The Bible says it also in Matthew 6:21 -- where are treasure is, there will our heart be. My treasure and my home are one and the same: Christ Jesus. Matthew 13:45-46 talks about seeking the kingdom of God as a pearl of great price. The message is clear: We are "refugees" here on earth, and rather than settle and live as the natives do, we must find our way to the One who can take us home!
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Camels and Mambas
The toddlers playing with my nose after bathtime.
Maria poked me and as I turned in surprise toward her, Steffi snapped this shot.
Our matching dresses!
My princess playing around.
The two baby camels
Beautiful northern TanzaniaYesterday my boss' son took me on a hike up the hill to see some camels. I've never seen camels so I was really excited to go! We walked through dry brown fields and lush green foliage and even followed a river part of the way. It was quite lovely! When we reached the lodge where the camels are kept, they were out feeding so we had to wait almost an hour. We spent the hour walking around and then sitting by the river. Brendon took pictures of the scenery, the birds, and some kids picking watercress. I spent half the time in my own little world and the other half being my chatty self. While we were at the river (which was wide but shallow and almost more of a marsh), I saw a bright green snake swimming across a narrow channel. There are only two bright green snakes in this region: the green tree snake and the green mamba. The green tree snake is nocturnal, so chances are...! While I'm more nervous walking around now, I feel privileged to have seen one of these rare (and extremely venomous) creatures.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Little News Bits
I hope you enjoyed the pictures I finally had the opportunity to post! Now I'll share little newsy bits of updates.
1. Our water quit working for 4 days. The evening it came back on I washed dishes with more glee than I ever have! It quit again today but is back this evening.
2. All my roommates left except one. She and I are holding down the fort until 2 more volunteers arrive on the 20th.
3. This last month I lived with 3 German volunteers and had a German ADRA worker as a neighbor. The 2 volunteers coming the 20th are also German. For a while it seemed like I was learning more German than Swahili!
4. Today on her way to work one of our nannies got hit in the face with the bus door. I still haven't figured out how. Her nose may be broken. Ouch.
5. David, a one-year-old, left the other night with his dad and aunt. So many children have left in the last 6 weeks! This is a good thing though.
6. We got a new HIV+ little boy not too long ago. He was very sick and the doctors thought he had tuberculosis but an x-ray proved negative. Yay!
7. I'm planning my trip to Mozambique in May. I'd really like to go overland. It would be such an adventure! But flying isn't much more expensive than overlanding and it would take 4-6 hours instead of 5 days. The main deciding factor is this: it's really not safe for a young female to travel 2300 miles alone! So unless I find a travel buddy (this could be YOU!), I will probably fly.
8. I made a vegetable pot pie from scratch today and it turned out REALLY good! It was the first time I've ever made it. I gathered tips from a couple different recipes then did my own thing and I'm proud to say it's yummy! I also made this eggplant marinara dish (like eggplant parmesan but without cheese!) that turned out really well. Mmmm!
9. I saw a bush baby almost a month ago. So cute! It jumped onto the stair railing just a few feet in front of me.
10. I cut my hair again just a couple days after New Year. The pictures I posted yesterday accurately reflect its length.
11. I'm still raising money. I just received some generous donations...THANK YOU! I'm still raising more because a) I have to get to Mozambique and the ticket costs $394, and b) I want to give money to Cradle of Love.
12. My Kiswahili is slowly improving.
13. No matter how hard I try to ignore the fact, I'm still allergic to mangoes. All types of mangoes. The allergy gets a little worse each time. I'm finally getting smart and staying away from them. For the most part.
14. I recovered from malaria in just 2 days. What a blessing!
15. I think I want to foster children back in the states. I can't imagine going to church, going to the market (aka grocery shopping), or doing just about anything without a toddler to take care of. For the next few years I'll have to steal my nephew from my sister as much as she allows! Melissa, take advantage of free babysitting!!
1. Our water quit working for 4 days. The evening it came back on I washed dishes with more glee than I ever have! It quit again today but is back this evening.
2. All my roommates left except one. She and I are holding down the fort until 2 more volunteers arrive on the 20th.
3. This last month I lived with 3 German volunteers and had a German ADRA worker as a neighbor. The 2 volunteers coming the 20th are also German. For a while it seemed like I was learning more German than Swahili!
4. Today on her way to work one of our nannies got hit in the face with the bus door. I still haven't figured out how. Her nose may be broken. Ouch.
5. David, a one-year-old, left the other night with his dad and aunt. So many children have left in the last 6 weeks! This is a good thing though.
6. We got a new HIV+ little boy not too long ago. He was very sick and the doctors thought he had tuberculosis but an x-ray proved negative. Yay!
7. I'm planning my trip to Mozambique in May. I'd really like to go overland. It would be such an adventure! But flying isn't much more expensive than overlanding and it would take 4-6 hours instead of 5 days. The main deciding factor is this: it's really not safe for a young female to travel 2300 miles alone! So unless I find a travel buddy (this could be YOU!), I will probably fly.
8. I made a vegetable pot pie from scratch today and it turned out REALLY good! It was the first time I've ever made it. I gathered tips from a couple different recipes then did my own thing and I'm proud to say it's yummy! I also made this eggplant marinara dish (like eggplant parmesan but without cheese!) that turned out really well. Mmmm!
9. I saw a bush baby almost a month ago. So cute! It jumped onto the stair railing just a few feet in front of me.
10. I cut my hair again just a couple days after New Year. The pictures I posted yesterday accurately reflect its length.
11. I'm still raising money. I just received some generous donations...THANK YOU! I'm still raising more because a) I have to get to Mozambique and the ticket costs $394, and b) I want to give money to Cradle of Love.
12. My Kiswahili is slowly improving.
13. No matter how hard I try to ignore the fact, I'm still allergic to mangoes. All types of mangoes. The allergy gets a little worse each time. I'm finally getting smart and staying away from them. For the most part.
14. I recovered from malaria in just 2 days. What a blessing!
15. I think I want to foster children back in the states. I can't imagine going to church, going to the market (aka grocery shopping), or doing just about anything without a toddler to take care of. For the next few years I'll have to steal my nephew from my sister as much as she allows! Melissa, take advantage of free babysitting!!
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Pictures--Finally!
New Year's Eve with my Germans! From left: Me, Steffi, Marsha, and Katrin.
Overlooking the Indian Ocean at sunset in Stone Town, Zanzibar.
Out to eat with Rakel (left) and Hella (right) the night before they left for home. I miss you, girls!
Bridgett and me at the pool with our babies Maria and Rachel.
In the office with Rahma shortly before a clinic visit.
Goofing off with Maria while we wait for Davona in town.Wednesday, February 4, 2009
MPS+2
I thought and hoped that I could get through 8 1/2 months in Africa without getting malaria. Well, I made it the first 138 days!
Yesterday I woke up with a headache. I thought it was due to the fact that I hadn't fallen asleep until 1am. Then in the late morning I started feeling really nauseated. That got worse and worse as the hours went by. When I returned from my lunch date with my friend Marsha, I had a fever of 99.4. My temperature is usually around 97.7 instead of 98.6, so once I hit 99 I know I have a fever. At that point I thought I had food poisoning from some bad yogurt. Then Davona informed me that food poisoning doesn't give you a headache or a fever. So I went to get tested for malaria.
By this time I was really dizzy and achy and just so tired. I managed to ride the dala-dala to the clinic (about 10 minutes, plus a short walk). A dala-dala is basically a mini-van sized car stuffed with 20-30 people. It's not uncommon to sit at least partially on top of someone. This is not comfortable when you're sick.
At the clinic I was the only patient. The nurses remembered me because I often bring in sick babies or sick volunteers, so they helped me quickly. The lab lady (who also is the cleaning lady) poked my finger and rubbed the blood on the glass slide. I've always wondered if it hurt to rub the bleeding finger on the glass slide (since I've watched them do it to so many babies) but it doesn't. Whew. I was pretty out of it at this point, but I think I glared at the lady rather suspiciously when she pulled out the needle because she assured me it was new (and I think she was offended that I thought her incompetent enough to not use a new needle). It was new. I watched her snap open the plastic case.
Usually it takes 10-20 minutes for the results. I waited and waited and waited. While I waited I sang praise songs. It was the only thing that kept me feeling decent.
After at least 20 minutes (maybe 30), the head nurse (or maybe she's a doctor) pulled me aside and told me that their transmitter had caught fire so the power had been shut off. Hence they couldn't use the microscope to test me for malaria. Disappointed and confused, I went home.
At home I laid around for a while before deciding to take the malaria medication I brought with me. Because of the prevalence of malaria here in Tanzania, the rule of thumb is to assume it's malaria until proven otherwise. I remembered that I had an unexplained cough earlier this week (a symptom of malaria in children and sometimes in adults). Then I threw up. I don't ever throw up. In fact, this is only the second time I've thrown up in 10 years. So I took the medicine.
I fell asleep at a quarter to seven and slept until around 7:30am, waking up every 3 hours. I took my temperature every time I woke up and it ranged from 100.4 to 100.7 F. I was so exhausted, physically and mentally (I think mentally from all the vivid dreams I had, most about work!).
This morning I've felt better as the hours go by. In fact, I think my temperature is almost gone, though I haven't checked lately.
I texted the hospital this morning, and the lady wrote back that my malaria test came back positive. The technical wording is MPS+2, which means Malaria ParaSite positive 2, meaning there are 2 malaria parasites per certain amount of blood. This is average malaria. +3 is bad, and anything higher than that is really bad.
I'm not thrilled that I have malaria, but I'm happy that I did the right thing starting the meds last night. It's important to start them early.
Yesterday I woke up with a headache. I thought it was due to the fact that I hadn't fallen asleep until 1am. Then in the late morning I started feeling really nauseated. That got worse and worse as the hours went by. When I returned from my lunch date with my friend Marsha, I had a fever of 99.4. My temperature is usually around 97.7 instead of 98.6, so once I hit 99 I know I have a fever. At that point I thought I had food poisoning from some bad yogurt. Then Davona informed me that food poisoning doesn't give you a headache or a fever. So I went to get tested for malaria.
By this time I was really dizzy and achy and just so tired. I managed to ride the dala-dala to the clinic (about 10 minutes, plus a short walk). A dala-dala is basically a mini-van sized car stuffed with 20-30 people. It's not uncommon to sit at least partially on top of someone. This is not comfortable when you're sick.
At the clinic I was the only patient. The nurses remembered me because I often bring in sick babies or sick volunteers, so they helped me quickly. The lab lady (who also is the cleaning lady) poked my finger and rubbed the blood on the glass slide. I've always wondered if it hurt to rub the bleeding finger on the glass slide (since I've watched them do it to so many babies) but it doesn't. Whew. I was pretty out of it at this point, but I think I glared at the lady rather suspiciously when she pulled out the needle because she assured me it was new (and I think she was offended that I thought her incompetent enough to not use a new needle). It was new. I watched her snap open the plastic case.
Usually it takes 10-20 minutes for the results. I waited and waited and waited. While I waited I sang praise songs. It was the only thing that kept me feeling decent.
After at least 20 minutes (maybe 30), the head nurse (or maybe she's a doctor) pulled me aside and told me that their transmitter had caught fire so the power had been shut off. Hence they couldn't use the microscope to test me for malaria. Disappointed and confused, I went home.
At home I laid around for a while before deciding to take the malaria medication I brought with me. Because of the prevalence of malaria here in Tanzania, the rule of thumb is to assume it's malaria until proven otherwise. I remembered that I had an unexplained cough earlier this week (a symptom of malaria in children and sometimes in adults). Then I threw up. I don't ever throw up. In fact, this is only the second time I've thrown up in 10 years. So I took the medicine.
I fell asleep at a quarter to seven and slept until around 7:30am, waking up every 3 hours. I took my temperature every time I woke up and it ranged from 100.4 to 100.7 F. I was so exhausted, physically and mentally (I think mentally from all the vivid dreams I had, most about work!).
This morning I've felt better as the hours go by. In fact, I think my temperature is almost gone, though I haven't checked lately.
I texted the hospital this morning, and the lady wrote back that my malaria test came back positive. The technical wording is MPS+2, which means Malaria ParaSite positive 2, meaning there are 2 malaria parasites per certain amount of blood. This is average malaria. +3 is bad, and anything higher than that is really bad.
I'm not thrilled that I have malaria, but I'm happy that I did the right thing starting the meds last night. It's important to start them early.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
I thought I wanted to be pursued....
It's common knowledge (I hope) that women want to be pursued and chased after. We want our men to boldly declare their love and seek us, even if we're hard to attain. Many girls I know are frustrated that guys these days just don't take the time or energy to really pursue women.
I thought I wanted to be pursued. But when I said I wanted to be chased, I didn't mean literally chased. Down the street.
On Friday my roommates and I went out to lunch. Three girls stayed behind in Usa River to get on the internet, while another girl and I walked back to Cradle of Love. It's about a 15-minute walk. On the way we stopped at the post office. Shortly after we stepped inside and joined the queue (that's what they call lines here), a young man came up to me, breathless.
Man: I need to talk to you. I'll wait outside until you're done.
Katie (coolly): If you need to talk to me, do it here and now.
Man: I'll wait outside. I ran after you all the way from the plaza.
Katie: Talk to me right here, right now. (The other girl is still standing next to me)
Man: Ok I'll just leave then.
Katie: Okay.
Man: Oh, please, just talk to me outside. This is an office.
Katie: I don't care.
Man: Fine. (lowers voice to whisper) May I have your e-mail address?
Katie (finally cracking an amused smile): No.
Man: Oh come on, please!
Katie: Nope. (walks away)
When my roommate and I left the post office a few minutes later, I noticed the man standing outside.
I thought that was the end of the story. Quite an entertaining story! But it gets better.
After work that day I went upstairs and one of my roommates greeted me with, "I have something for you!" I got excited, thinking there was mail. Instead she pulled out of her pocket a small folded piece of paper with an e-mail address on it.
"I was at the internet cafe and some guy came up and asked if I was your friend. He asked me to give you this," she explained.
Apparently he had gone back to the plaza and found my roommates!
One persistent guy. Too bad I am a mean mzungu and will never write to him. :)
I thought I wanted to be pursued. But when I said I wanted to be chased, I didn't mean literally chased. Down the street.
On Friday my roommates and I went out to lunch. Three girls stayed behind in Usa River to get on the internet, while another girl and I walked back to Cradle of Love. It's about a 15-minute walk. On the way we stopped at the post office. Shortly after we stepped inside and joined the queue (that's what they call lines here), a young man came up to me, breathless.
Man: I need to talk to you. I'll wait outside until you're done.
Katie (coolly): If you need to talk to me, do it here and now.
Man: I'll wait outside. I ran after you all the way from the plaza.
Katie: Talk to me right here, right now. (The other girl is still standing next to me)
Man: Ok I'll just leave then.
Katie: Okay.
Man: Oh, please, just talk to me outside. This is an office.
Katie: I don't care.
Man: Fine. (lowers voice to whisper) May I have your e-mail address?
Katie (finally cracking an amused smile): No.
Man: Oh come on, please!
Katie: Nope. (walks away)
When my roommate and I left the post office a few minutes later, I noticed the man standing outside.
I thought that was the end of the story. Quite an entertaining story! But it gets better.
After work that day I went upstairs and one of my roommates greeted me with, "I have something for you!" I got excited, thinking there was mail. Instead she pulled out of her pocket a small folded piece of paper with an e-mail address on it.
"I was at the internet cafe and some guy came up and asked if I was your friend. He asked me to give you this," she explained.
Apparently he had gone back to the plaza and found my roommates!
One persistent guy. Too bad I am a mean mzungu and will never write to him. :)
Monday, February 2, 2009
Groundhog's Day, Superbowl, and Valentine's Day
The heading mentions the 3 Fantastic February Fetes that I'm missing this year. I don't mind so much, though. The Seahawks weren't in the Superbowl so I didn't miss much. :)
Life has been good here at the home lately. We haven't hardly had internet in at least a week so I'm really relishing the fact that it works today!
I want to say a public shout-out to Alice Lang and the Hockinson Heights Junior Sabbath School. They sent a wonderful package with preemie baby clothes, nappy pins, bibs, plastic nappy covers, and burp cloths. THANK YOU!!! We especially needed the plastic nappy covers!
We've had several toddlers go home with relatives lately. It's always a bit sad, but I'm also always glad.
Oops, it's dark and I don't like walking back to my apartment in the dark (though it's all of 20 meters). I'll write more tomorrow if the internet is working!
Please keep me in your prayers. You are always in mine.
Love,
Katie
Life has been good here at the home lately. We haven't hardly had internet in at least a week so I'm really relishing the fact that it works today!
I want to say a public shout-out to Alice Lang and the Hockinson Heights Junior Sabbath School. They sent a wonderful package with preemie baby clothes, nappy pins, bibs, plastic nappy covers, and burp cloths. THANK YOU!!! We especially needed the plastic nappy covers!
We've had several toddlers go home with relatives lately. It's always a bit sad, but I'm also always glad.
Oops, it's dark and I don't like walking back to my apartment in the dark (though it's all of 20 meters). I'll write more tomorrow if the internet is working!
Please keep me in your prayers. You are always in mine.
Love,
Katie
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