who cares about your stupid, boring fantasies.
Friday, August 31, 2007
Thursday, August 30, 2007
UGANDA Part II: Kanungu.
Kanungu is the name of the town and district where I taught for one year at Mother Care. Having travelled around most of Uganda (North, East, Central) in 2001/02, I have to say, without any bias whatsoever, that Kanungu is the most stunningly beautiful place in the world. At least in my world.
Dorcas aka "Mummy" aka "Aunt". There's a Dorcas in the Bible, (Acts 9) "who was always doing good and helping the poor". That pretty much sums up Dorcas; a woman of incredible strength of spirit and faith. She is so awesome. In addition to having Godwin and I live with her for a year, she also had about 12 or so other dependents under her care, none of which were her biological children (who were all schooling in Kampala).
Dorcas at Mother Care Primary School.
Kadia presenting me with gifts for me and my Mom (my Mom visited me for a month in 2002). Kadia was the one with the original idea of starting Mother Care Nursery/Primary School. Great lady.
The long building on the upper hill is the Primary section of Mother Care; below is the Nursery section. In the background behind the nursery section is Dorcas' house. The long smooth hill in the far background is called Kyentare.
Judah! Though now 29 years old with a family of his own, Judah continues to work for Dorcas taking care of the livestock as well as helping out with any chores that need to be done around the place. Dorcas took care of Judah since he was a teenager. Special note: when I visited in May 2004, my friend Ben Riche came with me (shout out to Ben!). Apparently Ben made a favourable impression on Judah because he has named his first-born son, Ben Riche! Not to take away from Ben's personality, but Ben Riche is at face value an awesome name, so....
Makiro Hill. Catholic church at the top with Catholic primary and secondary schools on the way up. Below is a piece of Kanungu town...
Mother Care class room...
The Masya Gang. Masya is probably Godwin's and my favourite place in Kanungu. Many of our favourite students live in Masya; the walk up to Masya is gorgeous, and there is always an open door with a soda waiting. The final destination when going to Masya is always Monday's place. Monday is the short smiling man in the back row; he taught in our nursery section, goes to the same church as Dorcas, and knows every song in the book.
On the road to Masya...
Brothers Genesis and Naboth sitting in Monday's living room. Whenever Godwin and I visit Monday, half the kids in Masya show up and we ALWAYS end up in a big singing, dancing jamfest, led by Monday. That's why we go!
The man, Monday Andrews.
UGANDA May 2004 - with Ben Riche. THE Ben W.C. Riche.
Since I'm putting up photos of Uganda, I might as well put up some that I took in 04.
This is at the top of Kyentare, that big hill. To get to Kyentare, one must walk through Masya and thus, we are never alone by the time we reach the peak. Here is Ben with two Masya kids... Ben was really ticked that his face looked the way it did because he swears he was happy at the time of this photo. Actually, he was quite moved by the experience. The first time you see this breath-taking view, and at that very moment a small child slips her hand into yours, it's a great moment in life.
The aforementioned Genesis, three years younger, strumming away while Ben chords. He was actually really good, even though he had never held a guitar before.... the famous innate sense of rhythm that most Africans seem to possess...
Charlotte, Monday's second daughter, on top of Kyentare.
Me, Hilda (a friend of Sarah, Dorcas' youngest daughter) and Masya kids on Kyentare.
Kanungu is the name of the town and district where I taught for one year at Mother Care. Having travelled around most of Uganda (North, East, Central) in 2001/02, I have to say, without any bias whatsoever, that Kanungu is the most stunningly beautiful place in the world. At least in my world.
Dorcas aka "Mummy" aka "Aunt". There's a Dorcas in the Bible, (Acts 9) "who was always doing good and helping the poor". That pretty much sums up Dorcas; a woman of incredible strength of spirit and faith. She is so awesome. In addition to having Godwin and I live with her for a year, she also had about 12 or so other dependents under her care, none of which were her biological children (who were all schooling in Kampala).
Dorcas at Mother Care Primary School.
Kadia presenting me with gifts for me and my Mom (my Mom visited me for a month in 2002). Kadia was the one with the original idea of starting Mother Care Nursery/Primary School. Great lady.
The long building on the upper hill is the Primary section of Mother Care; below is the Nursery section. In the background behind the nursery section is Dorcas' house. The long smooth hill in the far background is called Kyentare.
Judah! Though now 29 years old with a family of his own, Judah continues to work for Dorcas taking care of the livestock as well as helping out with any chores that need to be done around the place. Dorcas took care of Judah since he was a teenager. Special note: when I visited in May 2004, my friend Ben Riche came with me (shout out to Ben!). Apparently Ben made a favourable impression on Judah because he has named his first-born son, Ben Riche! Not to take away from Ben's personality, but Ben Riche is at face value an awesome name, so....
Makiro Hill. Catholic church at the top with Catholic primary and secondary schools on the way up. Below is a piece of Kanungu town...
Mother Care class room...
The Masya Gang. Masya is probably Godwin's and my favourite place in Kanungu. Many of our favourite students live in Masya; the walk up to Masya is gorgeous, and there is always an open door with a soda waiting. The final destination when going to Masya is always Monday's place. Monday is the short smiling man in the back row; he taught in our nursery section, goes to the same church as Dorcas, and knows every song in the book.
On the road to Masya...
Brothers Genesis and Naboth sitting in Monday's living room. Whenever Godwin and I visit Monday, half the kids in Masya show up and we ALWAYS end up in a big singing, dancing jamfest, led by Monday. That's why we go!
The man, Monday Andrews.UGANDA May 2004 - with Ben Riche. THE Ben W.C. Riche.
Since I'm putting up photos of Uganda, I might as well put up some that I took in 04.
This is at the top of Kyentare, that big hill. To get to Kyentare, one must walk through Masya and thus, we are never alone by the time we reach the peak. Here is Ben with two Masya kids... Ben was really ticked that his face looked the way it did because he swears he was happy at the time of this photo. Actually, he was quite moved by the experience. The first time you see this breath-taking view, and at that very moment a small child slips her hand into yours, it's a great moment in life.
The aforementioned Genesis, three years younger, strumming away while Ben chords. He was actually really good, even though he had never held a guitar before.... the famous innate sense of rhythm that most Africans seem to possess...
Charlotte, Monday's second daughter, on top of Kyentare.
Me, Hilda (a friend of Sarah, Dorcas' youngest daughter) and Masya kids on Kyentare.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
UGANDA, Part I: Nyamukana.
Nyamukana is Godwin's home area. Bemanya Godwin is a very close friend and brother to me and one of the best things that came out of my year as a volunteer teacher in Uganda in 2001-2002. I stayed in the home of Dorcas, his aunt, and my "Mummy". Godwin also stayed with Dorcas and we taught together at Mother Care Nursery and Primary School - a project started by Dorcas and 3 other local women who saw a need for quality education for the town's orphaned and disadvantaged children.
The whole point of me coming to Uganda at this time was to attend Godwin's graduation ceremony from Makarere University where he attained a hard-earned Bachelor of Education degree. However, as is often the case, Makarere was short on cash (despite the ridiculous fees collected from all graduating students) and the ceremony was postponed until late September. Of course it was too late for me; I'd already booked my ticket. Eh, it happens.
Godwin picked me up at the airport in Entebbe with a huge smile and wave - it's surreal every time I see him.... I went back in 2004 for a month-long visit with one of my bestest buds Ben Riche, and it was the same way - as if it's Godwin standing in front of me! He doesn't seem to get any older; actually, he seems to be getting younger.
Godwin's wife Immaculate, and their son Baron and daughter Treasure. Godwin was always good with kids and it transfers well to his role as father.... he is a great Dad. With Baron, who isn't talking yet, he plays this game where Baron grabs different parts of Godwin's face and Godwin says, "Have you got my ear?" "Have you got my eyes?" "Have you got my nose?" and Baron "mmm"s the affirmative.
Immaculate: a lovely, gentle young woman. We really hit it off; one time, in one of the highlights of the entire trip, she was asking Baron "Who's this?" pointing at me... and she said, for him, "It's 'uncle'. Uncle Kenny!". I felt so great.
Godwin and Treasure.
Baron crawling over me. Seconds before this pic, he had hobbled over to me (he had a nasty gouge on his right heel from a biking mishap) and lay down beside me with his arms behind his head, just like me. So awesome.
The girl laughing is Anita, one of the orphans Godwin and Immaculate take care of. In the the foreground is Kevin, the only child from Immaculate's first marriage.
Anita and Deke. Anita is a great kid - she has this face which is always at the point of breaking into a brilliant smile, but she shies away and you only catch glimpses of it here and there. She's a real tease.
The wee one is Rita, another orphan under the care of Godwin and Immaculate. I originally wanted to take a picture of the pot cooking over a woodfire, but when the kids saw the camera, they quickly scurried into the scene.
Me playing pool very badly. You can see how many balls are still left; this was after 20 minutes of play. I was playing with Yu, a Japanese dude who we met on the bus ride to Godwin's place. We invited him to stay with us for a few days, and he did.
Yu, with Deke, Keven and Rita. They were all quite comfortable with us foreigners...
My last morning in Uganda.
Nyamukana is Godwin's home area. Bemanya Godwin is a very close friend and brother to me and one of the best things that came out of my year as a volunteer teacher in Uganda in 2001-2002. I stayed in the home of Dorcas, his aunt, and my "Mummy". Godwin also stayed with Dorcas and we taught together at Mother Care Nursery and Primary School - a project started by Dorcas and 3 other local women who saw a need for quality education for the town's orphaned and disadvantaged children.
The whole point of me coming to Uganda at this time was to attend Godwin's graduation ceremony from Makarere University where he attained a hard-earned Bachelor of Education degree. However, as is often the case, Makarere was short on cash (despite the ridiculous fees collected from all graduating students) and the ceremony was postponed until late September. Of course it was too late for me; I'd already booked my ticket. Eh, it happens.
Godwin picked me up at the airport in Entebbe with a huge smile and wave - it's surreal every time I see him.... I went back in 2004 for a month-long visit with one of my bestest buds Ben Riche, and it was the same way - as if it's Godwin standing in front of me! He doesn't seem to get any older; actually, he seems to be getting younger.
Godwin's wife Immaculate, and their son Baron and daughter Treasure. Godwin was always good with kids and it transfers well to his role as father.... he is a great Dad. With Baron, who isn't talking yet, he plays this game where Baron grabs different parts of Godwin's face and Godwin says, "Have you got my ear?" "Have you got my eyes?" "Have you got my nose?" and Baron "mmm"s the affirmative.
Immaculate: a lovely, gentle young woman. We really hit it off; one time, in one of the highlights of the entire trip, she was asking Baron "Who's this?" pointing at me... and she said, for him, "It's 'uncle'. Uncle Kenny!". I felt so great.
Godwin and Treasure.
Baron crawling over me. Seconds before this pic, he had hobbled over to me (he had a nasty gouge on his right heel from a biking mishap) and lay down beside me with his arms behind his head, just like me. So awesome.
The girl laughing is Anita, one of the orphans Godwin and Immaculate take care of. In the the foreground is Kevin, the only child from Immaculate's first marriage.
Anita and Deke. Anita is a great kid - she has this face which is always at the point of breaking into a brilliant smile, but she shies away and you only catch glimpses of it here and there. She's a real tease.
The wee one is Rita, another orphan under the care of Godwin and Immaculate. I originally wanted to take a picture of the pot cooking over a woodfire, but when the kids saw the camera, they quickly scurried into the scene.
Me playing pool very badly. You can see how many balls are still left; this was after 20 minutes of play. I was playing with Yu, a Japanese dude who we met on the bus ride to Godwin's place. We invited him to stay with us for a few days, and he did.
Yu, with Deke, Keven and Rita. They were all quite comfortable with us foreigners...
My last morning in Uganda.
Monday, August 27, 2007
PROACTIVE.
It is not uncommon, when English-speaking foreigners get together, to make fun of "Engrish" in Japan. The neverending hilarity of nonsensical signs, the outrageous, unwittingly witty witticisms of our students who tell us they'd like "a burger with flies". But it's only fair to point out that most of us use stupid English all the time without even knowing it, and without the valid excuse of it being our second language (although it is for me, chronologically). The following is an example of such ill-usage. Place: Vancouver International airport, awaiting boarding of plane to Japan.
Airport Dude: "OK, I apologize for the delay, but I will now begin proactive boarding. Those who have seats 1-25 please come to the counter to begin boarding, proactively. I repeat, we will now proactively begin boarding those with seats 1-25."
At this point, a kid of about 10 who was beside me, asked his Mom what proactive meant. The Mom told him. A few minutes later...
AD: "I am continuing to proactively board passengers at this point. Will those with seats 25 through 50 please come to the counter to be boarded proactively. I am proactively boarding... blahblahblahblahPROACTIVE blahblahblahblahPROACTIVELY blahblahPROACTIVE PROACTIVE PROACTIVE".
After awhile this was the only word I heard, because I was waiting for it. The Mom beside me was laughing too..."He's so proactive".
Let this be a lesson to us all, that when the airplane of our dreams is delayed by the inevitability of bad karma, we must not be afraid to take up the sword of proactivity and board the flight of a better life.... man, Dave Barry makes it look so easy.
It is not uncommon, when English-speaking foreigners get together, to make fun of "Engrish" in Japan. The neverending hilarity of nonsensical signs, the outrageous, unwittingly witty witticisms of our students who tell us they'd like "a burger with flies". But it's only fair to point out that most of us use stupid English all the time without even knowing it, and without the valid excuse of it being our second language (although it is for me, chronologically). The following is an example of such ill-usage. Place: Vancouver International airport, awaiting boarding of plane to Japan.
Airport Dude: "OK, I apologize for the delay, but I will now begin proactive boarding. Those who have seats 1-25 please come to the counter to begin boarding, proactively. I repeat, we will now proactively begin boarding those with seats 1-25."
At this point, a kid of about 10 who was beside me, asked his Mom what proactive meant. The Mom told him. A few minutes later...
AD: "I am continuing to proactively board passengers at this point. Will those with seats 25 through 50 please come to the counter to be boarded proactively. I am proactively boarding... blahblahblahblahPROACTIVE blahblahblahblahPROACTIVELY blahblahPROACTIVE PROACTIVE PROACTIVE".
After awhile this was the only word I heard, because I was waiting for it. The Mom beside me was laughing too..."He's so proactive".
Let this be a lesson to us all, that when the airplane of our dreams is delayed by the inevitability of bad karma, we must not be afraid to take up the sword of proactivity and board the flight of a better life.... man, Dave Barry makes it look so easy.
VANCOUVER.
Picking up where I left off, my last few days in Canada were spent in Vancouver with one of my oldest friends, Meghan (she's 85 years old).
Meghan, of Wilmot Centre, Ontario, Canada, drinking two drinks with two straws at the same time.
We went to a bookshop where I found this cat casually napping atop my favourite Dean Koontz novels. It was all nice until I tried to get a book from underneath it; apparently this cat knows that Dean Koontz novels make the best mattresses. My own mattress needs refurbishing - I've had to make do with Dan Brown's works.
The weather was gorgeous and, as Meghan promised, so was Vancouver.
Speaking of gorgeous...
I've been working on these poses since I was an elementary school kid when everyone assumed I knew karate.
"Dirty Pizza".... I forget what the actual restaurant was called, but this was good pizza. The expression I'm trying to...express...sigh... is "bliss".
Meghan's boyfriend Michele and his Mom, and me, climbing up towards Mt. Seymour. We didn't make it.
Meghan and Michele.
Picking up where I left off, my last few days in Canada were spent in Vancouver with one of my oldest friends, Meghan (she's 85 years old).
Meghan, of Wilmot Centre, Ontario, Canada, drinking two drinks with two straws at the same time.
We went to a bookshop where I found this cat casually napping atop my favourite Dean Koontz novels. It was all nice until I tried to get a book from underneath it; apparently this cat knows that Dean Koontz novels make the best mattresses. My own mattress needs refurbishing - I've had to make do with Dan Brown's works.
The weather was gorgeous and, as Meghan promised, so was Vancouver.
Speaking of gorgeous...
I've been working on these poses since I was an elementary school kid when everyone assumed I knew karate.
"Dirty Pizza".... I forget what the actual restaurant was called, but this was good pizza. The expression I'm trying to...express...sigh... is "bliss".
Meghan's boyfriend Michele and his Mom, and me, climbing up towards Mt. Seymour. We didn't make it.
Meghan and Michele.
Monday, August 06, 2007
HOMESTAY PROGRAM
Part II: Quality Time With Mom and Dad.
Location: Kinmount, Ontario.
My parents decided that it would be prudent of them to take me far far away for a few days so they could have me to themselves, as I had basically been absent for my first 3 days at home (see Ben & Becky's Wedding). We went up to my parent's (and more historically, my Dad's) old stomping grounds near Kinmount, Ontario - about 200 km north of Toronto (maybe). Anyways, Dad used to own a piece of riverside property where he built a "cottage" (little more than a garden shed) where he could stay on weekends to fish, canoe, and enjoy the beautiful peace of Canadian wilderness. Back then, it really was wilderness...now there are cottages here and there, but back then, it was my Dad (later, my Mom) and the fish and the trees and the river.
Note the sweater and jeans. It was remarkably cool when I got to Canada, although everyone had been saying how hot and humid it had been... The tune I was playing here - you can probably tell - is "Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" by legendary Canadian fisherman Gordon Lightfoot.
Safety first!
I didn't catch anything all day. My dad caught a little small-mouth bass in the morning, and on the way home, we stopped at his secret spot and caught this little sunfish. But as all good fisherpersons know, it's not how many you catch, or how big they are, but rather, how many times you wipe out on the slippery rocks getting to your secret spot (Dad and I - once each).
On the beautiful porch of Kinmount Bed and Breakfast (http://www.fobba.com/member_kinmounthouse.shtml) where my parents had come several times before. A gorgeous old house renovated beautifully into a gorgeous B&B. Patrick Healey is our host - excellent cook, easy conversationalist, generous with time and knowledge, good guy.
Guess how old my Dad is? Go on........... 70 years old, y'all. Seventy.
Delicious desert provided by Patrick - note the award-winning cranberry loaf.
Me Ma and I.
Part II: Quality Time With Mom and Dad.
Location: Kinmount, Ontario.
My parents decided that it would be prudent of them to take me far far away for a few days so they could have me to themselves, as I had basically been absent for my first 3 days at home (see Ben & Becky's Wedding). We went up to my parent's (and more historically, my Dad's) old stomping grounds near Kinmount, Ontario - about 200 km north of Toronto (maybe). Anyways, Dad used to own a piece of riverside property where he built a "cottage" (little more than a garden shed) where he could stay on weekends to fish, canoe, and enjoy the beautiful peace of Canadian wilderness. Back then, it really was wilderness...now there are cottages here and there, but back then, it was my Dad (later, my Mom) and the fish and the trees and the river.
Note the sweater and jeans. It was remarkably cool when I got to Canada, although everyone had been saying how hot and humid it had been... The tune I was playing here - you can probably tell - is "Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" by legendary Canadian fisherman Gordon Lightfoot.
Safety first!
I didn't catch anything all day. My dad caught a little small-mouth bass in the morning, and on the way home, we stopped at his secret spot and caught this little sunfish. But as all good fisherpersons know, it's not how many you catch, or how big they are, but rather, how many times you wipe out on the slippery rocks getting to your secret spot (Dad and I - once each).
On the beautiful porch of Kinmount Bed and Breakfast (http://www.fobba.com/member_kinmounthouse.shtml) where my parents had come several times before. A gorgeous old house renovated beautifully into a gorgeous B&B. Patrick Healey is our host - excellent cook, easy conversationalist, generous with time and knowledge, good guy.
Guess how old my Dad is? Go on........... 70 years old, y'all. Seventy.
Delicious desert provided by Patrick - note the award-winning cranberry loaf.
Me Ma and I.
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
HOMESTAY PROGRAM:
Part I: Ben & Becky's Wedding
Section C: Ceremony and Party.
The sun was shining as it had never shined before. It shined like a freshly minted loonie pressed into the still-wet cement of a sidewalk in a new subdivision in Baden. It was the shiniest rehearsal ever. The next day, for the actual wedding, it poured (rain). I kept telling anyone that would listen that "adversity unites people" and I think this was the main reason why people had such a good time despite the dismal weather. Ben, you're welcome.
This is Ben and me dancing to Dave Matthews Band "Crash Into Me". We pretended to have a lady with us in the hopes that a lady would see us, take pity on us for having imaginary partners, and come join us. It didn't work, probably because my tie was askew and what woman of integrity wants to dance with a man with a skewed tie?
The Rob dance.
My dad, Morio, dancing. I dragged my Mom onto the dancefloor where she humoured me as much as her dignity would allow. My dad joined us a few minutes later, bopping his way over to us. My dad is a natural bopper. He always bops and hums when he's heard a song that's moved him - i don't think he realizes that he does it. If look carefully at the photo, you can see his right foot bent at a 135 degree angle and his heel slightly off the floor. Together with this motion, he taps his right leg with his right hand (pictured) and thus loses himself in the joy of dancing for minutes at a time.
The Cousins Lichti: Derrick and Todd sing Thunderstruck. As you can see, it is not just a great rock song, it is a way of life.
Ladies in reeeeeddddd.... Steph and Lindsay, dancers and song-knowers esquire.
Part I: Ben & Becky's Wedding
Section C: Ceremony and Party.
The sun was shining as it had never shined before. It shined like a freshly minted loonie pressed into the still-wet cement of a sidewalk in a new subdivision in Baden. It was the shiniest rehearsal ever. The next day, for the actual wedding, it poured (rain). I kept telling anyone that would listen that "adversity unites people" and I think this was the main reason why people had such a good time despite the dismal weather. Ben, you're welcome.
This is Ben and me dancing to Dave Matthews Band "Crash Into Me". We pretended to have a lady with us in the hopes that a lady would see us, take pity on us for having imaginary partners, and come join us. It didn't work, probably because my tie was askew and what woman of integrity wants to dance with a man with a skewed tie?
The Rob dance.
My dad, Morio, dancing. I dragged my Mom onto the dancefloor where she humoured me as much as her dignity would allow. My dad joined us a few minutes later, bopping his way over to us. My dad is a natural bopper. He always bops and hums when he's heard a song that's moved him - i don't think he realizes that he does it. If look carefully at the photo, you can see his right foot bent at a 135 degree angle and his heel slightly off the floor. Together with this motion, he taps his right leg with his right hand (pictured) and thus loses himself in the joy of dancing for minutes at a time.
The Cousins Lichti: Derrick and Todd sing Thunderstruck. As you can see, it is not just a great rock song, it is a way of life.
Ladies in reeeeeddddd.... Steph and Lindsay, dancers and song-knowers esquire.
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Probably the worst English I have ever seen on-screen is the comments section on You Tube [second place goes to Facebook wall posts]. The comments section seems to bring out the most malicious, fickle, childish, and stupid impulses from humans. Ninety-nine percent of the time, the bickering is not about the video itself but about someone else's comments. Seriously, everyone seems to take random strangers' comments personally. It's hilarious.
Aaaanyways, every once in a while, someone is malicious in a funny way and I have posted it below. It was when I was watching some clips of Conan O'Brien and Jennifer Garner was on the show....
TheGermanJuggernau (2 days ago) Show Hide Marked as spam