Reminiscing

2012 has come and gone and with that brings my full year here in Uganda.  365 days of living and working amongst some of the most hospitable people I have met and 365 days of conversations, cultural exchanges, and crammed taxi rides. 

I thought this would be a good time to reflect on the past year and to set some goals for incoming.  In no particular order…

The Past (2012)

- Moved to the Southern Hemisphere in Uganda

- Stood on The Equator

- Grandpa passed away

- Best friend got engaged, in addition to many other friends

- Lost weight

- Celebrated my sister’s 21^st birthday

- I was forgiven for mistakes that allowed me to reconnect my relationships with people

- Saw my first elephant in the “wild”

- Left my beloved family at SFO to discover newfound friends in Africa

- Ate and enjoyed guacamole

- Can successfully eat tomatoes, chickpeas, and hardboiled eggs without gagging

- Used a pit latrine

- Made cheese, tortillas, and pita from scratch

- Took my first international flight

- Took my first flight over a body of water

- Practically cried every time after I talked to my family

- Got to spend the softball season on the field with my Daddy, umpiring and reminiscing

- My Mama and I got to spend more quality time together and connect over workout exercises and poker games

- I realized how much my relationship with my sisters mean to me and we finally got over our bickering stage

- Rafted The Nile

The Future (2013)

- Make Sunday my day to talk to family and friends

- Communicate on a regular basis with family and friends

- Start a VSLA (Village Savings and Loan Association)

- Save $100 USD every month from my living allowance

- Make National Camp GLOW incredible!

- Don’t be afraid to initiate conversations and program ideas

- Only spend $1 USD a day during the month of April

- Start a life skills youth group

- Run the Kampala half marathon in the fall

- Complete the 3-month Insanity workout

- Eat healthy

- Don’t be jealous of others… Including those living in the first world

- Lose weight

- Take each day as it comes

- Move to my new site in hopes of having a fresh start and a new impact

- Do not burn bridges

- Zero procrastinating

- Write in my journal on a weekly basis

- Do not let the tears, distance, and Facebook photos showing people moving on to new and exciting things get me down

- Make Sunday my Skype, phone calling, letter writing day

- Take the time to wave, greet, and hang out with Ugandans in the community

- Appreciate the small things

- Celebrate any accomplishment… Big or small

Morals of the past year: My family is my foundation, my rock, and my world.  The first world may be all glitter and glitz but the developing world is just as inspiring.  Patience is key.  Oh and using a pit latrine will never be easy.

Note to self: Everything will change and at the same time, nothing will change.  Thanks Soph!