Uncle Mike's Hot Wings are the BEST

April 12, 2011

I went to town for the weekend. It was awesome and very productive, although it did not start off to well. I went to get my bike to head into town and found that it had a flat. Not wanting to deal with it, I decided to walk into town. So I definitely got my exercise for the day. I again got passed by the sugar cane man. I do not know how he does it, he comes out of nowhere and passes me, has time to rest, and still passes me. I was walking pretty fast too because the children were jogging to keep up with me. It’s like he is super human. But anyways, me and Randi had a meeting at a coffee shop and talked about our projects and what are plans were. We gave each other constructive criticism and it was great. Then yesterday we went to the Agriculture college and talked about how to get a goat project started. It was very informative although I am not sure what it is, but every time me and Randi go to meet people about business more than not they are complete jerks. There are some great ones, but there are also a lot that have no faith in their own people and think what we are doing is a lost cause. Yesterday this guy lectured us for 1 hour on reasons why this was not a good idea and how the people would not be able to take care of the animals and that they are just using us. I am not sure he got the idea that we were volunteers. He also wanted out phone numbers, luckily Randi said that if we needed something we would contact them, which is good because last time I gave my number out, the guy has still not stopped calling and this was months ago. I do not even answer, but he will not stop calling. It is really annoying.

Yue is leaving Friday, so we looked through his house. It was nice. I have acquired more buckets for water, which is great now I do not think I will worry as much about getting water. Hopefully anyways.

I turned in my grant last week and found out yesterday that, that grant is out of money. Kind of a bummer but my boss said that he thought if I did some revisions that it would be great for this other grant. So not a total loss, just disappointing. It is really stressful for me to write grants, I get really stressed about them. I do not think I like the thought that they might get rejected. Who likes to get rejected.

April 13, 2011

I am not sure what it is but I am so tired all the time. I did not get up to actually do anything until after lunch today and that is only because Jessica came by. I am just exhausted all the time. Hopefully that changes soon. I know this has to do with my sleeping habits, so maybe I need to switch malaria meds but I am not sure if that will actually work and that means that I have to take doxy which I really do not like. So I do not know.
I went and got my bike fixed today which I am always amazed goes super fast. Then I made banana wine with Jessica before we went to one of the sub villages, so that she could buy tomatoes. It was about an hour walk there and then back. On the way back I carried a bag on my head and did not use my hands at all. This is a huge accomplishment for me although we will see what my neck feels like in the morning. When I got back to the village, every one that saw me was laughing. It was pretty funny.

Their laughing got me to thinking about how awesome of a culture I live in. for the most part everyone is super happy and laughing all the time. They live such a hard life and yet still they always have a smile on their faces. It is wonderful. I wish I could say the same for myself here. Although I think for the most part I am pretty happy but it is weird how my mood does change so fast. One of the staff told us at training that during his service he was the most angry that he has ever been in his life. And I completely understand why. Take for instance me losing my face wash. I went from awesome to crawling back in bed in the matter of seconds. It is interesting how your emotions changes while here. Weird too. I was also thinking about how I got ‘most laid back’ in high school. That would never work for me now. I am so high strung it is ridiculous.

April 15, 2011

Best day yet. It was awesome. Have I told you that I am in love with my chicken group. They are amazing. Today we had a meeting in the morning about chicken illnesses. And of course everyone was late included the teacher. I was really scared that nothing was going to work out, especially because today I was suppose to vaccinate 300-400 chickens. And to my surprise everything turned out beautifully. I have vaccinated about 300 chickens today and have a few more to do tomorrow. And so many more people want chicken vaccinations I think I will be doing it possibly all week. Cloud 9 right now is all I can say.

Also made coffee cake today with blue band (chemical butter) and I think the butter went bad although I am not sure what could be in it to go bad. But it tastes really weird to me but everyone else says that they are awesome. If I die tonight, blame it on the blueband. Speaking of dying, I saw my first dead body in the village today. She was an old lady that had high blood pressure. It was crazy to see everyone standing around her and touching her. I am just not that good with death, especially if bodies are concerned. I am going to blame this on the lack of people I know that have died yet. I think I am destined for old age.
Also watched Cold Mountain with Claire. Not sure what my thoughts on that movie are. Although I really do not like Renee Zelwinger and I really liked her in this movie. It is do weird to think about the civil war and what life was like over 100 years ago and even compare it to now in Africa. Although me and Claire were talking and decided that you really could not compare it. Western culture vs African and what is considered development.

April 27, 2011

So I have not wrote for over a week now. Right before I left it was really, really crazy because almost every night I was vaccinating chickens, so I was selfless for once and gave my computer to Claire for the week so that she could surf the internet and watch a ton of movies. She is finished in October and is then thinking of taking some classes for teaching at a university in Ireland. I told her it was a great idea both because I want to go visit her and also because I really think the man of her dreams is waiting there for her. Plus she really needs to get out of this culture I think for a bit, she has been dating a Tanzanian on and off for the last year and I just do not think it will ever work. The cultures I think are to different and they are both really set in their ways. So I think Ireland is the best choice. But anyways, apparently I am a livestock volunteer. I think this is what I see in my future. Which works for me, especially if all the projects work as good as the chicken project. We shall have to see. I am planning on doing a goat project next and possibly a cow project, but only education for both of these. I personally do not think that cows are a good idea here, but at the same time people do have them, so if you’re going to have them, you should at least know what you are dealing with.

As for research, still not sure where I am at this point with this. I did go to the forestry office and got a permit so now I can take specimens out of the forest behind my house. Surprisingly this all happened in about a week (which I think might be unheard of in TZ). So very excited, possible something to do with firewood consumption. I am planning on talking to my professors over my vacation to try and figure it out some more.

I feel pretty amazing at the moment (this being in transit riding out the last 10 hours in London). I actually feel like I am starting to get somewhere in the village and feel really good about TZ in general. I am also I have decided really blessed to have the greatest friends ever in my region. I think without Randi, Tanya, and Claire I would not be here. They make life so much fun here. Claire came with me into Dar to send me off and celebrate my birthday. It was really nice. We went to the beach and all we did was tan and eat lots of food. It was wonderful. We had this drink called a Banana Pao. (Triple sec, banana liqueur, orange juice, and club soda) it was really good. It was awesome too because she loves to swim so I had someone to go in the water with. Although the jellyfish were out in record numbers. Literally just running your fingers through the water you would hit a bunch. They were babies though and did not sting. I only saw a few HUGE ones, and of course after that I ran for cover. It was really nice. We then also went and visited Claire’s friend Haule who goes to the University of Dar. He showed us around campus and then we had dinner together. It was really nice, except for the fact the Haule thinks I do not know any Swahili so Claire started yelling at him and telling him to speak to me in Swahili. You can imagine how this turned out. I was put on the spot and it was not good. I do not think he understands that I can understand a bunch and basic conversations are within my reach it is just when someone actually wants to talk that I run into trouble. Claire thinks that when I come back we should start talking more in Swahili. I will give it a try, it cannot hurt. Although it does suck because I am surrounded by geniuses when it comes to Swahili Randi, Claire, and Tanya are amazing. Claire even said she was surprised at how well the other 2 can talk. How can I compete with this. I guess I will keep trudging along and it is nice that they know it so well and that we are such good friends because then I do not feel that bad asking them anything or correct ways to say things.

So at the moment it is way passed my bed time and I am trying to stay awake until my flight. I do not think this is going to happen. Also looked at my ticket and realized I have a 15 hour layover instead of a 12 hour layover those 3 extra hours might kill me. But I decided to go into town, so I took the subway into Lecester square and walked around. It was really nice. I think it is where all the plays are held. I then kept walking and hit all the shops. I think their equivalent of Michigan Street in Chi-town. After that I walked around a little more and ended up by parliament. I did not go to Westminster abbey or anything both because it was getting late and also the ladies at the airport thought it might be a little chaotic with the wedding Friday. It was so nice to just be able to walk around and not be hollered at and actually walk on cement. I miss the cold air too. It was just lovely. I was unsure about going in by myself, but I am really glad that I did. I now wish I actually had more time here, England never really interested me, but now I think I might want to come back here and explore a little more. I was amazed at the amount of Starbucks and Pizza Huts here though.
Also I wanted to inform the Galen’s that I am on a week Birthday holiday just like them. This might be the first time that I have celebrated so long and by myself. I usually have Andrew and/ or Ashleigh with me, it is about time that I was able to celebrate by myself. It only took 25 years!

May 21, 2011

My flight back so far. It all started on Wed. May 18 when I was suppose to leave but I forgot to check the flights because who would have thought my flight would be canceled. I was only going to Chicago and it is spring but of course it was canceled and the next flight to TZ was not for a couple of days. So we returned Friday and I made it to Chicago where I willingly gave up my seat for some miles and what I thought was going to be a night in Chicago. I thought it was going to be great, I could hangout with Andrew. But of course this was wrong, when I went to get my ticket, I was informed they had no record on my TZ flight so the lady redid everything and I ended up on a later flight to London and did not get to stay in the hotel, although, I did get the free ticket. So now I am in London airport, where I did not pack very well at all and they messed up my bag and now it is lost God knows where. And this would happen because I have a computer inside of it. (this was because I thought I was going to be here for 15 hours again so I was going to go into town, but of course this did not happen and I am sitting here in the airport remembering all of the stuff that is in my lost bag that I actually kind of want/ need right now. On top of that list would be a ipod cord. I broke down and already bought this one (16£, pricey) But I still have 5 more hours in this airport and then a few bus rides and lots of other stuff. I think when I finally get home, I am just going to sleep for days. Another thing that is in the lost bag, my phone charger. Oh how the mighty have fallen. Hopefully this all works out and they find my bag and can bring it all the way to me. Although not sure how this is going to work yet. I put the PC office because I do not have an address, but I really do not want to return to Dar to get the bag so we shall see what happens.

Not sure if I want to travel by myself again. It is taking its toll today.

May 27, 2011

After many days and hours of frustration, I have finally made it back to my village. I think this might have been the worst trip back so far. But I have made it back in one piece and got my bag and everything taken care of so it is not too bad.

I had a great time at home with everyone. It was awesome to see everyone and hang out. Although I really thought it was going to be a little more relaxing, I swear I did not have 5 minutes to myself. But that is ok, it was so much fun. I really enjoyed seeing everyone. I went to the Grand Lux Café which I think is at the top of my list now, I always heard of it but had never been their until my mom took me for my birthday, it was really good. We then went to a White Sox game and froze to death. I have not been that cold in a while. On the way back to Michigan, I tried to surprise Hannah and Stephi which I guess we did, but I really wanted the look of surprise. I want to do this to someone just once in my life. I loved going up to the cottage. OMG it looks so good, I would have never thought mom and dad could do such a great job on it, it makes me a little sad that I am not going to be there this summer to enjoy it, but at least I have something to look forward too. Also went and saw Bridesmaids with my friend Lindsey and all of her bridesmaids. It was really fun, we went and bought her wedding dress and picked out the bridesmaids dresses. It was really nice and lots of fun. Her dress is gorgeous. It was so great to see everyone, I am so glad I came home, although obviously it is going to be hard to get back in the swing of things.

I talked to my advisors a little while I was home. I think I am going to go in the direction of firewood but not sure how yet. I am a little worried about all of this because I am approaching the 1 year mark and still have no idea what I want to do. To be honest in general I cannot believe I am still in school. I feel really dumb over here, I feel as if everything that I have ever learned has left me and my brain is just blank. Really need to get back in school mode and figure this thesis out because I know that I really want to do one because that is really the only thing that keeps me here at times, well that and the fact that my friends would kill me if I left. I also think I might want to go on in school at some point, so I always want to have that option.

I had a really hard time getting back to my village. I was really excited and ready to go home until the bus had decided to leave super early so I was stuck in Mpwapwa another day which actually was not that fun because Randi is with her family and Claire is on a 7 week holiday. I really do not enjoy hanging out by myself but it all worked out and I was able to get my bag. So I got back to the village today and the entire time on I was on the bus waiting to go I had a huge pit in my stomach. I really did not want to come back, but it is weird always as soon as I get here I am fine. It is just getting here that kills me. My house is all in order, Jessica cleaned it for me. And everyone was super excited to see me. It was really nice. Jessica told me that a bunch of people have died while I was gone and then of course we talked about chickens. A lot of chickens have been dying but only 3 people lost chickens from my group. It was from some disease I had not heard of, as a result, we might start vaccinating for this disease too. One women lost 23 chickens. That is a ton of money for someone in the village. That is over 100 dollars.

I have also decided to redecorate my house a little. I am not sure how yet but I am going to put up some more stuff and possible buy another bed depending on how much it cost. If I can get one for under 20 I think I am going to do it, we shall see.

I am pleasantly surprised at how I feel at the moment I hope that I am able to stay in a good mood. I know that it is going to be hard to get back into the daily grind, but I am hoping that I can and not slip into a bad place. Hopefully I can keep positive and busy. I think keeping busy is key and having the right state of mind.

Also turned in my grant revisions for the second time on this new grant and am really hoping that everything works out properly. It would be a nice break. I do not think I would ever want to spend my life writing grants, they are just so much work.

May 28, 2011

I have spent my first full day back in the village and I have to say that I am not too impressed. I know that this is going to take a bit to get back in the grind, but it really sucks. I feel like I am stuck in prison at certain points of the day, but then at others I am happy to be here. I just need to keep myself busy, which is actually quite the feat. I am trying my best. I just really do not know what to do. I keep thinking of all the things that I want to do and I am sad to say that Tanzania ranks very low on the list. Oh well. I know it will get better. I think it was both good and bad that I went home. Good in the sense that it gave me something to look forward to this last year, but now I am not sure. I just do not know. I am going to try and get back in the grind soon, it just sucks that I feel like this. I know it will get better. I am also having a hard time because it is memorial weekend and I wish I was at the cottage. I am not good staying in one place. I have also figured out that I really like being around people, which I am here too, But they do not speak English and my Swahili I think is getting worse. Oh well maybe tomorrow will be better.

May 29, 2011

Today has been a good day. I have been reading The Devil in the White City, which is a really good book. It is about Chicago and the world’s fair. I am almost done with it, it is really good. I also spent some time collecting specimens for my project and making my house a little nicer. As usual, I think that I just need to keep busy. Hope I can.

I went and saw Jessica today and she was giving Paputo a bath. He was all clean and ready for bed when of course he fell and was completely covered with dirt again. I am not sure how everyone can live with all of this dirt. It drives me insane. I just think to myself what it the point of doing anything, you know you are just going to end up dirty again. I also was walking through the village today and 2 days ago my neighbor did not have a house, today it is half way built. They can build houses so fast it is insane, it is also built out of mud, so we shall see how long this one lasts.

May 30, 2011

I am freaking out a little, ok a lot about my research project. I have no idea what to do or how to do it. This is not good. I feel like I have writer block only for research and anything related to school. I really need this to go away because I know that I really want to do a research project.

I made corn pancakes with a peppery white sauce today. Not sure my thoughts yet on them. They were kind of like biscuits and gravy, so I guess they were good.

May 31, 2011

Things are slowlu starting to get better. As usual, I am thinking way to much. I just cannot seem to help it. I am also reading this book called Freedom and it is killing me. I cannot stop reading it, not because it is so good, but because I just do no understand it and have no idea where it is going. Claire says that it is really good, but I am still skeptical.
Claire went down to the south of TZ this week. She said the ride down was the scariest ride so far. She then told me that a girl got killed by a lion. Not really sure where this happened yet, but she said she saw it on her way. Really weird, mu guess was it was by the national park.

June 2, 2011

Happy Belated Birthday Hannah!! Happy 22. I came into town and am starting to get somewhere, I feel like I able to start to think again a little bit. Slow and steady I guess. I got to talk to my mom and dad yesterday as well as Hannah and Andrew which was great. Still really jealous of Hannah’s summer. Randi came into town today to, so we are just trying to get some work done and prepare ourselves for the next few months. I am really going to try and get some more projects started and continue some of the ones that I have been brushing to the side.