Thank you! :)

Dear Readers (familiar and new),

I wanted to thank you for taking the time to read this blog. Even if this is your first time here, it is encouraging to know that my experiences in Uganda will be read by you. Now, I know nothing substantial is happening right now because August 26th has not come to pass. But it will soon and I hope you will continue to keep reading. I have more updates since last we met, so shall we begin?

First off, a BIG "THANK YOU" to my friend Jessy (who is exceptional in every way), for giving me her camera for my trip!! It is a HUGE relief to know that I have a way to share my travels in a more visual aspect than words alone can convey (though, I can be particularly descriptive, imagery wise). Now, I have no excuse to not show you lovely people pictures and videos. Brilliant, no? Once again, thank you Jessy!!

Now on to the rest of that list. I went shopping today with my sister, Kelsey. It was fabulously awesome and we found a ton of wonderful items at Flashbacks (the coolest thrift store this side of Gainesville, which is to say, everywhere) and had a very full and delicious experience at a place called Burrito Famous (note: must see if they have one in GA). I found a really neat skirt and a few nice tops for teacher clothes and even a simple dress that I really like. We also went to Books-A-Million (BAM) for the sole purpose of getting a book. How obvious, right? Yes, I know. Recently though, I haven't gone to a bookstore for the sole purpose of getting a specific book. Yes, I might go into there expecting to find something (I usually always do) but it has been a long time since I went into a store and came out with exactly what I wanted. I also shop at Amazon way too much so I frequent actual bookstores far less than I like. (Wow, what a useless segment on bookstores. I'm leaving it though cause I kind of like it) Anyway, the point is I came with a purpose and in the end, I got exactly what I wanted. How very rewarding, if I must say.

I wonder how many of you I've just lost in that last little bit of bookwormish characteristics. I also wonder how many of you are asking me what book it was that I had to drive to a bookstore to get. I'm hoping the latter has more people because I'm about to go into great detail about the book I purchased today. Yay, you!

The book is called Kisses from Katie and was recommended to me by a customer because the story is about a girl who travels to Uganda to teach Kindergarten and ends up moving there, opening a ministry and adopting 13 girls by the time she is 22. I find I am intrigued by this woman. So I am reading her story and learning a little about Uganda as well. I am only on Chapter 4 but I'll finish it soon and once I do, I'll tell you all what I learned. So far I have learned that at the village Katie lives in, women do not wear jeans, you must take off your shoes when entering a house, and education is very very important to the people who live there, even though most of the time the parents cannot afford to send their children to school. Right now, in the book, she is just coming to terms with that last bit and is about to (guessing) ask friends and family members back home to help donate money to send some of the children she cares for to school. Overall, I think it will be an interesting read and one that I could learn a thing or two from.

The book did give me an idea that I thought I would share with you all. My customer that recommended the book to me had said something offhand that I cannot seem to get out of my head. After suggesting the book, she said half-jokingly, "How big is Uganda? You know, you might actually run into her!" And I thought, oh yes, what are the chances, right? But then I started reading and found out that Katie lives in a small village outside of Jinja, which is where the source of the Nile River is located. Knowing that the student teachers from last semester went to the source of the Nile, then it isn't too hard of a leap for me to think, well running into Katie could happen. Which is surreal. So what I would like to do is this: finish her book, either contact her first or talk to Dr. Bryan/my CT in Uganda/someone with authority first (whichever is most appropriate), and then see if I could visit her. Maybe even do some community service with my kids and her kids or something like that. Wouldn't that be grand?! Obviously, it is still a rough sketch but it would be pretty neat if I could meet her and even more brilliant if my kids could help her kids.

So that's all I have for now. Tomorrow my mom and I are getting some essentials for the trip: sunblock, bug spray, etc and afterwards I will feel more prepared for this upcoming adventure! Wow, it is so soon! 22 days!! (It's past midnight, so that counts)

Until next time,

Brittney