Friday, September 29, 2006
Miriwe! Good afternoon! Well, I certainly hope those of you who have been blogging, emailing, calling, keep up your momentum. Some observations: I finally feel like I am starting to settle in and that my area is meeting my expectations (feeling more rural, quaint, if you will). I live in a "suburb" of Kigali (the capital city), called Gikondo. Gikondo appears to be a bit infamous for its lack of water, which actually makes me feel quite happy. Exploring my neighborhood has made me feel more at home. I have gone on two "sunrise in Kigali" runs. This country is quite exquisite, the hills/mountains never end. Some cultural tidbits: apparently, I would have been legally beaten in school for my left-handedness. Sometimes, I think that is more of a shock to people then my race or religion. Also, twins here get married at the same time!! How fun! Lastly, if I understood correctly, people here generally use their surname first, but their surname is not usually a family name, but a made-up name, like we have with our first and middle names. At work, I am finally trying to help treat (more physical therapy then occupational therapy right now) and talk to the kids. Most of them look at me like I am the monster hiding under their bed, but I smile sweetly, say "Mwaramutse. Ama kuru? Witwande? Umfite imyaka n'angahe?" (good morning, how are you, what is your name and how old are you?)...I do leave them time to answer though!
PS went on my first motorcycle ride today (it is a cheap type of taxi service here)!
PS went on my first motorcycle ride today (it is a cheap type of taxi service here)!
# posted by Julie @ 8:16 AM 
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As usual, I'm the first to comment on your latest blog entry ...
Seems like you're doing great with the language. Since the alphabet's the same as ours, I'm assuming that the words you have provided us here are spelled as they are spelled there. I'm having trouble, though, trying to pronounce them! I guess there's no point in asking whether you (or they) wear helmets when you're riding on these motorcycles, is there? L'shana tova (again).
Love,
Mom
Seems like you're doing great with the language. Since the alphabet's the same as ours, I'm assuming that the words you have provided us here are spelled as they are spelled there. I'm having trouble, though, trying to pronounce them! I guess there's no point in asking whether you (or they) wear helmets when you're riding on these motorcycles, is there? L'shana tova (again).
Love,
Mom
# posted by 
: 5:28 PM
: 5:28 PM
hey jules
did you get my snail post yet ? happy new year ! sara said to remind you that by having a cook, you are providing for her family thru vso! it sounds so beautiful there - i can't wait to see some of your photos... what's the scoop re: posting them on your blog ? you could write a cd and mail it and we can pass it around - glad that you're beginning to adventure and enjoy the unique landscape. (please be safe on the motorcycles...) it sounds like you're really glad to be working with the kids outside kigali. when will you begin travelling to smaller villages ? have you been in touch with/seen nicola in kigali ?
all is well here(dad is perservering - status quo - yesterday he said that he needs to adjust his meds again because of x,y,z.though whatever he keeps doing is keeping him rolling on.)the kids (incl karabelo who is 2 on 11/26) are blossoming in leaps and bounds ! i had rosh hoshanah dinner here last week and then went to services in dc. missed break - fast at the flaks home last night cause i was in dc again with friends. you would have loved the services i went to. for the sermon, an afro-columbian who is in exile spoke of the oppression of 2 million people in columbia - he's been in dc for 4 years raising consciousness and funds to help the situation. david the rabbi, edited/wrote the prayer book and it felt like coming home with it's relevance to today and my life. unfortunately, they convene in potomac - and it's too far away to participate regularly.
now that fall is here - the days are crisp and clear and cool. work is busy. i'm working with a lovely protestant group on church renovation/additions for a large congregation in howard county. will be heading to arizona in mid nov. for 2 + weeks to do healing work training and visit arch and indian sites with martina and hannah who is already 5. they're in ariz for 3 months while matthias is collaborating with a mathmetician there.
love you and miss you and hope that you're having wonderful experiences !
love reading your blog entries - just figured out the friday routine... though i'm hoping for images soon !
xox
bev
did you get my snail post yet ? happy new year ! sara said to remind you that by having a cook, you are providing for her family thru vso! it sounds so beautiful there - i can't wait to see some of your photos... what's the scoop re: posting them on your blog ? you could write a cd and mail it and we can pass it around - glad that you're beginning to adventure and enjoy the unique landscape. (please be safe on the motorcycles...) it sounds like you're really glad to be working with the kids outside kigali. when will you begin travelling to smaller villages ? have you been in touch with/seen nicola in kigali ?
all is well here(dad is perservering - status quo - yesterday he said that he needs to adjust his meds again because of x,y,z.though whatever he keeps doing is keeping him rolling on.)the kids (incl karabelo who is 2 on 11/26) are blossoming in leaps and bounds ! i had rosh hoshanah dinner here last week and then went to services in dc. missed break - fast at the flaks home last night cause i was in dc again with friends. you would have loved the services i went to. for the sermon, an afro-columbian who is in exile spoke of the oppression of 2 million people in columbia - he's been in dc for 4 years raising consciousness and funds to help the situation. david the rabbi, edited/wrote the prayer book and it felt like coming home with it's relevance to today and my life. unfortunately, they convene in potomac - and it's too far away to participate regularly.
now that fall is here - the days are crisp and clear and cool. work is busy. i'm working with a lovely protestant group on church renovation/additions for a large congregation in howard county. will be heading to arizona in mid nov. for 2 + weeks to do healing work training and visit arch and indian sites with martina and hannah who is already 5. they're in ariz for 3 months while matthias is collaborating with a mathmetician there.
love you and miss you and hope that you're having wonderful experiences !
love reading your blog entries - just figured out the friday routine... though i'm hoping for images soon !
xox
bev
# posted by : 6:18 AM
: 6:18 AM
Oh Julie, this is so exciting to read your blog. Your adventure sounds like it's really beginning to take shape. I love learning of the fascinating cultural nuances (like the right hand/left elbow thing)...I'm expanding my world vicariously through you.
The kids are great - 2 birthdays down, 1 to go...party today, real thing tomorrow. 8, 6 and 4 y/o - how did that happen?
We're going camping this weekend in western MD, to the Cunningham Falls, it's the largest falls in MD (maybe 78 feet). So I doubt we'll be seeing the same geologically wonders as you, but we're sure trying ;)
We love you and we're so proud of you, making a difference half way (or more) around the world!!!
Sher & gang
p.s. Your typing is perfect. Did you get used to the French keyboard?
The kids are great - 2 birthdays down, 1 to go...party today, real thing tomorrow. 8, 6 and 4 y/o - how did that happen?
We're going camping this weekend in western MD, to the Cunningham Falls, it's the largest falls in MD (maybe 78 feet). So I doubt we'll be seeing the same geologically wonders as you, but we're sure trying ;)
We love you and we're so proud of you, making a difference half way (or more) around the world!!!
Sher & gang
p.s. Your typing is perfect. Did you get used to the French keyboard?
# posted by : 6:24 AM
: 6:24 AM
hi juls
just wanted to show you that i am indeed checking every day to make sure i haven't missed any updates. the left handed thing makes me happy i'm somewhat ambidexterous.
you would be proud of me that i have been going on long walks. the hills here are just as steep as sf but there is a great river path through sheep pastures. so instead of hearing cars and buses i hear "baaaaa." we are having a bbq tonight (it's finally spring!) and then jon's band is playing. he's turned into a rock star!
that's all the update for now. love you and miss you!
gayleah
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just wanted to show you that i am indeed checking every day to make sure i haven't missed any updates. the left handed thing makes me happy i'm somewhat ambidexterous.
you would be proud of me that i have been going on long walks. the hills here are just as steep as sf but there is a great river path through sheep pastures. so instead of hearing cars and buses i hear "baaaaa." we are having a bbq tonight (it's finally spring!) and then jon's band is playing. he's turned into a rock star!
that's all the update for now. love you and miss you!
gayleah
# posted by : 7:00 PM
: 7:00 PM << Home
