Let Me Live Here, You Will

I had an interesting couple of weeks. I was sitting in my living room, minding my own business and reading a book, when my nieghbor called my name. "Megan, come out here and look at this." I didn't know what he wanted, but figured I'd go take a look. I go out behind my house, and there at my back door is a 4 to 6 week old puppy, skeletal from lack of food and covered in 20 or more ticks. "Spencer produced!" was my nieghbor's comment, because this little thing did look somewhat like my current dog. I felt so bad for the skinny little thing and so gave it a can of tuna to perk it up a bit. It then walked into my house, ate Spencer's leftover bones, and laid down in his bed. When Spencer returned from wherever he was, the little thing decided he was going to protect me from the evil giant and began barking and growling at him. This little puppy is the size of Spencer's head, but doesn't lack any gumption, based on his bravado throughout the situation.

I left for Kampala the next day, and decided that if the dog stuck around I would at least feed it and take care of its ticks until I could find it a home, because it seemed that he had adopted me as his human. Besides, his ears stick out and he looks a lot like Yoda, so I had already named him, which we all know is a bad sign. Well, I got back from the weekend in Kampala and he was still there. My neighbor tells me Spencer took to protecting the little bugger from the other big dogs in the area, who have a propensity to kill unattended puppies. So by the time I got back, these two were best friends and Yoda was following Spencer around like his own little Mini-Me. And after over a week of good food and a comfy place to sleep, the little guy is perking up and has even started to lift and wag its tail.

So now I'm pretty sure the neighborhood dogs are talking to each other and telling each other that my place is a good spot for a free meal. I'm guessing that soon I'll be running a dog kennel. I guess I always knew it was only a matter of time before I became a crazy dog lady, I just didn't know it would happen so soon. Luckily I have a taker for this current puppy, and soon I'll just be back to my one dog, which is more than enough.

Chewmonster Spencer

It finally happened. Spencer's good behavior couldn't last forever, I knew that, but I was waiting for the fall. It is here now. I think Spencer must have reached the teenage rebellious stage, because suddenly I cannot leave him alone inside my house anymore for any length of time. Not only does he jump on my bed, furniture he knows he's not allowed to be on, but he now chews my blanket while there. Granted I probably spilled some food on it at some point, but still, you'd think he could leave the sanctity of my bed in tact.

He also has discovered he has a shoe fetish. At first it was just one of my flip flops I use to walk around behind my house. Then it was a pair of my neighbors shoes that she doesn't wear anymore. But it's gotten a bit ridiculous. He chewed up a pair of shoes that the younger brother of my neighbor wore around while doing house chores, and since those are gone now he has to wear his big sisters high heeled sandals to do the work. Then he chewed one each of two different pairs of my flip flops again. This time, he luckily went for the left foot of one pair and the right foot of the other, so at least I still have one pair; they might be mismatched but who cares? I can still wear them around as long as I don't go out in public with them.

Spencer has always like to chew on my wooden furniture, so there's no surprise that every chair leg and bed post has teeth marks in it. But I just bought a new mat for the floor, and what does he do? Chews the papyrus reed to shreds. At least it was only about 3000/=, which is about $1.50. And I wanted this monster in my house? The joys of dog ownership.

There Actually IS a Reason...

So there are a lot of strange superstitions and cultural norms (at least to me anyway) here in Uganda that I'm not used to. I used to think they were ridiculous, until I found out the reason for one of them recently.

Everyone tells me not to eat while walking. If that were the case in America, I think half the population would starve because we're all so busy running around often the only time we have to eat is when we're moving. Not here though. And every time I asked why you aren't supposed to eat while walking, I got a different answer; it's rude, it's bad for your digestion, you might spill, you'll drop your food, etc. I finally know the real reason.

I was walking along chatting with Scott while eating a meat samosa, which I know is against cultural norms here, but I was hungry. I was gesticulating, of course, and holding the half eaten samosa between us, when I felt something hit me in the head and realized my samosa was no longer in my hand. Then I saw it, the dirty samosa thieving hawk that the samosa vendors always warn me about but I thought was just silly. It flew down, hit both Scott and me in the head with its wings, and stole my breakfast right out of my hand. Evil rotten thing.

Anyway, now I'm keeping my mind open to all the other things that don't exactly make sense to my American sensibilities. After all, we have some pretty strange superstitions as well; don't step on a crack, black cat crosses your path, don't walk under a ladder, dont open your umbrella indoors, etc. Anyway, things make sense, sometimes.

I Know, I Know, It's About Time

Hey everyone, and sorry these blogs keep getting farther and farther apart. I've had a busy couple of weeks, what with traveling all over southwestern Uganda and seeing the sites with my mom and school starting again, things have been a bit hectic.

I wish I had pictures to post here of the amazing things my mom and I saw, especially the gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and all the wildlife at Queen Elizabeth National Park, but unfortunately internet here is a bit slow for such luxuries. You'll just have to talk to my mom and see if she'll be willing to show you her stuff. I don't think you'll have any problems, she likes showing off:) We got to see the gorillas after a short 2 hour hike, and a slippery 60 degree jungle slope which had to be traversed. It was all worth it, once we met Safari (the silverback) and his family of gorillas. The hike back was even good, even if I got tired first and was the slowest one among us. At least we made it back by afternoon, and didn't have to walk for 7 hours prior to finding the great apes like some horror stories I've heard.

So like I mentioned earlier the new school year has begun, and it is a bit chaotic. New schedules, new classes, new students, new teachers all add up to a hectic start to the new year. But we're getting into the swing of things, and I'm teaching physics to the entire year of senior two students. It's kind of nice sticking to one subject, because then I don't get confused writing two different lectures and trying to mark two different subjects work. I'm hoping to get to do some practicals with my students in the near future, which should be fun. I might even try to do a science fair type deal with the students, and see what they can come up with. There are some pretty creative kids out there.

Well, I hope this has been a sufficient update on my life. Spencer is doing well and sends his greetings to everyone. Thanks Jenni for sending the dog bones! I know he'll love them, and I definitely appreciate the time and effort put into sending me a package (hint hint to all you bad friends out there). Anyway, that's all for now, and happy hunting.

Happy New Year!!!

Happy New Year everybody, although I'm a couple of weeks late with that one. Welcome to 2009 as they like to say here in Uganda. Actually I'm in Rwanda right now, waiting patiently for my mom to arrive today, but you get the picture.

I celebrated my New Years in a very PC way, as in I had food poisoning. And again 8 days later. The second episode was much more violent, and I'm not sure if I'm just become more blase about food preparation and what I ingest, or if this is what the new year has in store for me. Oh well. I learned I have some real friends, who make being sick so far from home not so bad. Thanks to Scott for being my errand boy, Jackie for being my nurse and chicken noodle soup maker, Maria for mothering me (and lending me a bed and toilet to vomit into), and Stephen for making sure I made it to my home safely, brought my dog down from the hill, cleaning up my puke bucket and any puddles of regurgitation that may not have made it into the toilet. Not many people would do that for you.

Things are looking up now though, as I have no gastro-intestinal issues at the moment and am going to meet some UW - Madison folk who happen to be in Rwanda on an EWB trip for lunch. It'll be nice to talk to some fellow Wisconsinites as I'm chilling and waiting for mom's plane to arrive. Well, I suppose that's enough for now, but thanks everyone for the comments you've been making. And Nikki, I do enjoy the novelas, so keep them coming. I need updates on your life.

Christmas in July

Well Hello everybody, and Happy Holidays!

As you very well know I'm sure, its getting very close to Christmas. Being from Wisconsin, it is difficult for me to understand that it is actually December, since there is no snow, and the temperature is above 80 on most days. The green doesn't help either, even with Christmas lights and signs everywhere. Not to mention people blaring Christmas music out of their radios, but even with all of that, it still feels strange to me. I guess that's a good thing, because if it actually felt like Christmas I might get sad and miss everyone at home that much more. But too bad for you all, I'm doing just fine!

I enjoyed all of the comments and well wishes after my illness blogs and the pictures of Spencer, so keep up with those. I just thought I'd give you all a quick update on what I'm doing for the holidays. I'm heading to a place called Enkoko-Enjiro to celebrate Christmas with some other volunteers. Enkoko-Enjiro actually means "White Chicken" in Luganda, so its a somehow white Christmas, kind of. We're going to cook all of our favorite holiday dishes and sing carols (I'll be the loudest I'm sure, you all know what a beautiful singing voice I have and how everyone longs to hear it above everyone else:) and do a white elephant gift exchange. Should be fun, although of course it's not the same without all of my loving friends and family from home to celebrate with (sigh, tear). Is that enough sap for you? I thought I'd give you a bit, it being Christmas and all.

Well, that's all I have for now, not much is new besides that I'm finally healthy (mostly, might have something intestinal now, I'm about to give a stool sample to the medical team) and am enjoying training Spencer. He loves to play frisbee, and is learning all the important commands, sit, no, down, no, out, no, uh uh, no, and maybe eventually stay and lay down. We'll see. At least he knows no.

Spencer!!!

Well, this is going to be very short, because I'm tired and need some rest. I have strep throat and an all over staph infection and need to heal, but everyone has been clamoring for pictures of my kaspencer, (small Spencer in Rukiga), so here he is, without further ado.