jumping worlds

I didn't realize how many people actually read my blog, so I must admit Ive been pretty terrible at updating. However, a trip home proved contrary so I shall make a concerted effort in keeping you all abreast with my life here.

When I first came to Uganda I was convinced that I had been transported to another planet. Everything was so different that I didn't even know where to begin. It was hard for my brain to fathom two diametrically opposite worlds existing simultaneously. Slowly, I got used to the world here, and it became my reality. I accepted things as normal that I would have been shocked about before. Soon, the world I once knew and who I was in it, dissipated. Going home for a visit was not hard. I fell back into the lifestyle I grew up with with such ease I feel I should apologize for it. It was comforting beyond expression. Despite the fact that little had changed since a year and a half ago, I noticed how dramatically I changed personally, and consequently my view on people and my home. Doing something as drastic as living abroad for 2 years inevitably does so. But when you have no way of monitoring or measuring yourself removed from all your defining people and activities I hadn't realized how much I had changed and gotten used to.
Life in the States is easy. We all know that on one level or another. I knew that intellectually and had traveled enough before to see it. But living in another place for an extended period of time gives you a true sense of appreciation for just how easy it is. Not only is it physically exhausting in Uganda, but I have been challenged mentally to a greater degree than anything Ive done. Albeit, contrary to what my eye wrinkles depict, is still a relatively short life. It has forced me to become stable, which seems to only be gained from challenges. It has shifted my paradigm of the world and people and has simultaneously disconnected and connected me to so much more.
When I came back to Uganda I knew what to expect, but again I changed, by realizing my change while home in the states. Its an odd feeling to come back to the same places and people and know they are the same, only that your mind sees them in a different light, in a different way. Its an out there sort of experience.
I am safe and sound back in my home, after an 8 hour trip on the bus. Always fun, especially my propesity to having large woman sit next to me and take up both of our seats. I have had a ton of cleaning to do. Typically I clean spider webs up daily so one can imagine how many I had to clean up after a month. I also had 4 frogs move in, a massive lizard that I havent been able to kick out as of yet, lots of bugs, and more lizard poop than I care to describe. My yard was also overgrown and Ive been out all day pulling weeds and hand slashing my yard. Ive been putting off my laundry... Its been easy to do with all the welcome backs and visitors. I think people are always shocked when mzungus do actually come back.
I should be busy the next couple of months. I also have exciting news about the library project! Books for Africa donated an extra 50% of books, so there will now be 2,400 books coming to Ngora Girls S.S! Thanks again for all of your help and contributions! Ill keep you updated when they arrive. Evidently the books are on the Mediterranean somewhere, expected to hit Mombasa early October. Cant wait!

It was so hard to leave you all again, more so than the first time. I realize how void life is without all the ones you love. Ive never appreciated my family and friends as much as I do now. I know what life is like without you all. Thank you all so much for all your love, support, and for spoiling me rotten while I was home, you give me more strength than you could ever know. I cant wait to be home, but I also know that I need to finish everything here. Im thinking of you all and am missing you all so much!
Enjoy the begining of fall a little extra for me :)

Love always