How do I measure a month?

4 services at St. Peter’s Anglican Church in Naguru

1 Book Club Meeting

20 – 25 jogs through Kololo

4 meals at the Lorenzen’s house

31 bowls of cereal

6 servings of matooke

20 staff devotionals

2,678,400 seconds

3 meals at New York Kitchen

31 Showers

1 internet bill

1 electric bill

1 water bill

4 new episodes of Grey’s Anatomy and The Office

62 cups of tea

500+ emails

12 AIM chats

31 mornings waking up to the comforting smell of burning trash

31 nights under a mosquito net

25 tuna sandwiches

50 boda-boda rides

Here's to one more month!

Time to Celebrate

Many of you have asked me how I am going to be spending Christmas this year, since I'll be in Kampala until the end of January. Most of my friends and colleagues have left town for the holidays, but I do know a few people who have stuck around and whom I'll probably join for a Christmas Eve service at All Saints Cathedral, a big Christmas Day meal (most likely cooked by me--we'll see how that goes) and general merriment as we simply do what we do best: "hang out."

I officially have two weeks off from work, which is a real blessing. I have had time off over the past year, but I am thrilled about these two weeks because they'll be so quiet. Introverted by nature, I love alone time. Don't get me wrong--I'd gladly trade these two weeks for a few days of busyness with my loved ones in California. But since I can't be with my family, I am grateful for a couple weeks of solitude.

Apparently even Kampala will be dead quiet on Christmas Eve, Christmas and Boxing Day, due to the fact that most Ugandans pack up their families and head to their villages to be with their parents and extended family. There won't be any traffic, boda-boda's zipping up and down the street, and no one walking around. I can't wait to see such a strange sight in this busy city!

If you've spoken to me in the past three weeks, you've probably heard me complain that it doesn't feel like Christmas here. Due to the constant 85 degrees Fahrenheit, it's hard to feel Christmassy. But this year I have gotten to learn a lot about what Christmas is all about, and I am grateful for how I am celebrating this year. Although there are no presents under my little tree (pictured above, and which I bought and decorated to add a little "cheer" to my apartment), I don't miss them. Although I'm a bit lonelier this year than in years past, I am grateful to God for showing up and allowing me to draw closer to Him, and to learn more about the Son He sent to us over two thousand years ago. I have already learned so much and am in high spirits knowing that I won't be all alone this Christmas, but that God is with me, and He is enough.

I hope everyone has a fantastic Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year! Much love to you all from Uganda!

Mouse in the Couch

I'm not sure, but I think there's a mouse living in my couch. As I was watching an episode of Friends and eating lunch at my apartment today, out of the corner of my eye I saw a small, gray blob come up and over the top of my couch and slide down between the seat cushions. By the time I screamed, jumped and removed the cushions, the little gray blob was gone. Any ideas on how one gets a mouse out of their couch?

Pure Bliss

On Saturday I got out of bed at 10:36 a.m. and, still in my pj’s, wandered into my living room with Plain Truth, a Jodi Picoult novel I’d picked off of my roommate’s book case two nights before, under my arm. All Jodi Picoult novels are psychological and emotional thrillers culminating in an intense courtroom drama. These books are like literary dessert, and I’ve always had a sweet tooth. Needless to say, I was easily hooked. After grabbing a second bowl of Fruit ‘n Fibre cereal and checking my email, I closed my computer, stretched out on my couch, and proceeded to get lost in the story. Eight hours later, after finishing the book, I decided to get off the couch, put on some deodorant and join the real world for dinner. As I stepped out of my apartment and inhaled the smog for the first time that day, I felt happy and light. Bliss. I spent eight hours reading in my pj’s. I couldn’t have imagined a better way to spend my Saturday.