So, this post is basically a post for me to test whether or not I want to do this at all. It seems like everyone has a blog nowadays, from grandmothers blogging about the newest knits to teens who bemoan their lack of cool. Normally, I wouldn't choose to do such a thing as I tend to be rather nervous about putting my thoughts on the internet. I view the internet as a place that is all too permanent and concrete. Anything I write here could come back to haunt me at any time. Clearly, I have my reservations. However, at present it seems my reasons to write a blog are stronger than any reservations I may have.
Why is this? Well, I'm about to go with my university to Uganda. Jeebus. Uganda? I'm Canadian, used to harsh, well, rain. Also, more rain. It doesn't get hot too often where I live. And that's not the only thing that will be different. I can't think of many things that won't be. I, and a few other girls from my university, will be doing Community Development in Literacy in Primary Schools and Libraries. I am so excited. However, there is limited internet access in Kitengesa, where I am going, and the thought of using Skype is, apparently, a joke. So relaying information via email seems crazy. There will be so much to tell, especially when you can't use the speed of words to talk. Thus, this blog. I want my family and friends to be able to know where I am and what I am doing.
Not a lot of thought went into doing this blog, though. I was talking to a friend on the skytrain, came home and spontaneously decided I would try it out. A couple of the other girls are doing the same thing. Why not? I thought. At the very least I can try. I just have to be honest with myself and, I suppose, you, my reader. I may not always be consistent. I may end up forgetting about this blog altogether. I'm not sure. It's an experiment. We shall see.
Anyways, I'm currently at the pre-trip part of my journey. I haven't left yet, I haven't even opened my suitcase. My things for the trip are scattered haphazardly around my house. I have a mounting pile of books that is growing by the day. Irrationally, one of my most horrifying fears is running out of things to read. So far I've bought 23 books for the kids, from Bailey School Kids to the Magic Treehouse, to Geronimo Stilton, among others. I've bought about 20 for myself as well, although some are copies of my favourite Tamora Pierce books. I feel like I need to bring those. Tamora Pierce books are like comfort food. They're books that feel like coming home. At least, they are to me. I've been reading her books since I was in Grade 5. I've also picked up the second and third Song of Ice and Fire books. They're like small bricks in my suitcase, but I know I will want them desperately. I've also finally picked up the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, which I'm pretty excited about as well. Point being, I'm pretty sure one of my suitcases is going to be just books. Good thing I'm going to a library. Library folk like books.
I've gotten almost all of my medication. I'm actually blown away by how much it all costs. At home my medical costs are almost nothing. For one thing, I'm Canadian and thus blessed so I don't have to pay for my medical coverage. For another, I don't take pills. When I was stocking up for my trip I had to lure out the poor pharmacist from whatever she was doing to explain the functions of the many pills I was putting into my cart. "What does Immodium do?" I would ask, and then, "What about Tums? And Advil? What is Advil?" I am completely out of my league with pills. When I get sick, which I usually don't unless I'm stressed and eating terribly, mostly because of school, I get better like my Daddy taught me to: Bed, chicken soup, and herbal tea with honey and lemon juice. No pills, no Advil, and none of that Berkley's stuff. We do it old school in my house, so new school is kind of like a whole new school.
Anyways, I think I'll end this about now because I know that if I actually do continue with this and start showing it to people my one friend will begin to complain because I will have written too much. I wouldn't want to bore her. :P Until next time, if there is one.
