On Sunday I came across two things I fear. Two things I fear very much-- cows, and crossing the street.

1. A man named Godfrey was leading us to the Smith's house after church for lunch, and he decided to take the short-cut. So we were walking on this short-cut, which was pretty much a little trail, and all of the sudden, we came across a little herd of bulls. The bulls were not little though. One of the bulls was on the trail directly ahead of us. Godfrey told us to be careful, and then all of the sudden, it was charging at us! Godfrey kicked its head, which oddly enough made it more mad, and started charging harder, and then he grabbed its horns and kicked its face and ribs until it turned and went the other way, and then he threw rocks at the others just to make sure they wouldn't come.
2. There was sooo much traffic on Sunday because school restarted yesterday, and we had to cross the street like a million times, and almost died at least half of those times. It was terrifying! But one of the times we crossed the street to get to a supermarket that had real Nutella, so that time was worth it. But I should have bought more.

All is well here in Uganda. There are some chickens in our kitchen right now, I'm pretty sure I know what's for dinner tonight...

Alone

So with our Malaria meds, there is a 5% chance you can still get Malaria. You may think that is slim, but really, it can happen. And it is awful. No, no, I do not have Malaria (knock on wood) but one of our country directors does. I feel so, so bad for her.

Lots of people have been kind of sick the last couple days, some food-related, some more flu-ish (fever, chills, achy). Ari had been achy the last couple of days, and since other people were sick (we do live in a tiny apartment[smaller than any I have lived in before, and Merrill Hall was really small] if one person gets sick, the rest of us are bound to get it) she just thought she had kind of the same thing. Until last night.

She took a little nap before dinner, but woke up because she was so cold and so shaky. She came out and talked with the cooks, and Eve told her she should go to the hospital because she thought it was Malaria (everyone thinks everything is Malaria here). But Ari just took some Tylenol and went back to sleep. Our other country director was out of town for the night, so we called him, and he said it was probably Malaria, and then he called Camera.

Camera is our friend, who just happens to be a nurse practitioner. She was just leaving her clinic in a village about an hour and a half away. So she packed up Malaria stuff, and hopped on a boda boda and came right to us. It was so lucky that we had her, because the rest of us couldn't do much, I mean, we're in an African village, and we're not really allowed to leave after dark. haha. But Camera saved the day, well night, and got Ari her meds, and then slept over. She is going to marry our African Martin in September, so we talked to her about all of that, and it was so fun! He's going to the States, and they want to get married in the Salt Lake temple, and since we'll all be home in September, they said we are all invited to their little dinner, and it is going to be so fun!

I really hope I don't get Malaria. I pray that I won't everyday. Really though. But I am comforted by the fact that Camera would immediately come help me. Also, check out THIS BLOG. It is Kirk's, and he uploads pictures because he bought his own internet stick, and uses his own computer. I'm still trying to get him to let me do a blog post from his computer so I can put some of my pictures on...wish me luck.

Never Say Never

Yesterday we went to church in Mukono, which is about a half hour away by taxi. It was so awesome. I loved it. We stayed after for two baptisms, the poor little missionary from California was trying so hard to make it a good experience for the ward members, but there were children running everywhere, and the bishopric was running on Ugandan time (this basically just means late). But it was really, really great. On our way down the street after church I finally found some Nutella-like stuff, it is called Nutcity. Not quite Nutella, but still good. I was in heaven.

Then we got in a taxi to bring us back to Lugazi. First bad sign-some boys came and had to push the van backwards in order to start the engine. And then we were on our way. But it was taking a long time to get to Lugazi because the taxi man would stop at every taxi stop and let more people in! We were pretty much on each other's laps. And then, the tire blew out. We swerved to the side of the road. All day long Kevin kept sticking his head out the window, and Britin kept telling him not to, just like a little mother. So as we are swerving to the side, he sticks out his head, and then the money man slides the side door open, right into Kevin's head. I thought he was gonna loose his head!

Then the driver and the money man tried to change the tire while we were all in the taxi still, they don't even have a jack to lift it up! But then we got out and the driver's friend, in another taxi, came and got us and took us the rest of the way to Lugazi. I never thought we would make it. As we walked back to the house we all bought some fresh chipotte bread (a better version of a tortilla) and bananas, and then we preceded to eat all of our chipotte and bananas with our newly purchased peanut butter and nutcity. And it was the greatest thing ever! We were all blissfully happy, and well fed. Mmmmm. I kinda want some right now.

Also, today some of us were lost in a different district then we usually are in, and it was pouring rain (this was like 4 hours ago and I am still soggy) and we seriously had no idea where we were going. And then I heard some JB, Never Say Never to be exact, so we followed it. And guess what was right around the corner from that beautiful music? Pastor Francis' school, exactly what we were trying to find. It was amazing. Not only that we found the school, but that there are Beliebers here in Uganda.

I'M HERE

Hello people. So, I'm here, still alive, barely, our boda boda (look it up) driver almost drove me into a truck today, but I'm here. The power is out most of the time, and because of political stuff going on, the internet is down usually. We check everyday, and this is the first time it has been on!
There are five other girls, Hollee, Kristy, Emily, Abby, Brittin, and two boys, Kirk and Kevin. We live in a tiny two room house, one bathroom, BUT we are lucky, we have an actual shower, yes, it only gives us cold water, but it is a shower. It is so beautiful here, and I already have started planning more trips back! These people I am with are so patient, it's lucky actually, living so close together and in these circumstances, you have to be. I eat so much, the street food, it's amazing.

Hopefully I'll be able to get back on soon!
(Someone should tell my parents I posted. Thanks.)

T minus 9 hours people!

BUT! Today I got to be part of something really cool...and this added even more emotions, to an already emotional heavy week (previous posts).

Natalie Ann Steckler got married. Can you believe it? We are that old. It was so sweet, and in the words of Maggie, "We're really glad and happy she found someone who loves her just a little bit more than we do."

International Development Training

HERE'S TO THE GREATEST SUMMER YET!

We're Alright

WARNING: This is a long and sentimental post. With pictures.

Since when did this kid...

get to be so big? AND get his mission call?

Last night that's when.
And he's gonna be awesome in the California Arcadia mission speaking Spanish!

Technically, I only have 2 little sisters, but really, I have 4 little sisters and 3 little brothers, and all of the sudden, we are all growing up. Will got baptized earlier this year, now Kaitlyn and Tanner are graduating, and Tanner is goin on his mission. I can't believe it.

Now, I've always been a little jealous of those two. They are the same age, they go to the same school, they have the same friends, they see each other every day, they're officers together, they went to dances together, they have all these dumb inside jokes, they're always making fun of my dad, they're in classes together, doing the same homework (ok, not really, Tanner is way smart).

...it just isn't fair! I want to be their age too!

Last night when I was walking back to my house from the Johnston home, I realized that through all of our hikes, family vacations, motorcylce rides, Holy Grail watching, ice cream eating, teamgive helping, these two have become some of my best friends (there might be some tearing up happening right now) and I am so proud of what they are doing. I also realized, that as much as I tell myself it is ok, I am really sad that I am going to be missing their graduation. I will always be a little sad that I won't have a picture of the three of us, with them in their caps and gowns. They better be missing me too!

Neither of you will probably read this, but I love you both so much, and I really am proud of you, you have an exciting couple of years ahead of you!

Bonfire of the Vanity

Sometimes, things get stuck in my head. Not just the usual song (although 5 out of 7 days a week JB is in my head when I wake up in the morning), but words, titles, those get stuck in my head. I am currently trying to write a paper on Britain's role in WWI and WWII, and when I was supposed to be typing "the Royal Navy," I totally typed, "the Royal Wedding." And then I laughed. I still commonly text and type "beliebe" instead of "believe." I loved it at first, and then I got annoyed, because the Biebs was occupying quite a lot of my brain space, and now I just find it funny. Beliebe isn't even a word, it was invented by 15-year-old girls.

We finally moved our beds back into our rooms last night, they had been out front since the Royal Wedding. The slumber party is now over, just in time for finals.

Let It Be

As much as I am excited for AFRICA, I am also pretty excited for the week after...

Especially to meet up with Alexa Kirk and Allie Dopp. They are each in Italy for schooling purposes, and they are each having a blast!

You can check out their blogs about their experiences here and here, respectively.

I can't believe that in a week from right now I will be on my way to do something I have wanted to do so badly for so long. Crazy.