Adventures both internal and external

Let's start with external...

This weekend a group of the USP students (26 of us) went to Jinja and went white-water rafting and bungee jumping on the Nile! We stayed at a hostel that was SOOOO chill. The staff was awesome - full of guys with dreads and fros and great senses of humor. The white water rafting was on up to class 5 rapids which was more than absolutely epic! Our guide's name was Nathan and he was HILARIOUS! The boat I was on was a blast, we joked around the whole time, but also got serious for the insane rapids we had to tackle. A few funny stories...one time when our raft flipped my friend Charles and I who were in the front got tangled up as we launched into the water...once we figured out where the surface was he goes "Oh no, Nicole, we're going the wrong way!!" He was so disoriented he thought we were being pushed upstream...how that would even work I have no idea. But it was super funny especially because then I was confused for a minute, too. Anyways...we did make it safely back into the raft. On another rapid, called Silverback (like the guerillas) I literally could not breathe. We got rocked down the falls and seeing as Charles and I were in the front got the brunt of the waves to the face. The only thought in my head was "Can't breathe, can't breathe, can't breathe, ahhhhhh, need to breathe, I see air, must breathe....ahhhh!! Gasp!"It was crazy. And awesome. Bungee jumping the next day was also completely epic and such an insane rush of adrenaline I don't even know how to describe it. I highly recommend the process to anyone considering it. Oh and after diving off the platform at the bottom I was dunked into the Nile waist-deep. Definitely went through the whole "Can't breathe!...water...can't breathe... so muchwater!..." thought process again. It was such a blast hanging out with USE people that I don't usually get to spend alot of time with. Ahhhh, I'm just so thankful to be here!!!

Ok so to more internal adventures...a little list of the plethora of things I have learned/am learning...

-The water bottles full of awkward yellow colored liquid substances on the sinks are SOAP! Yes...I JUST figured this out...and only because someone told me. :)
-How to stave off a cow when walking by a stray one...pick up a stick and wave it in its face
-Being okay with Ugandans not answering questions when you ask them...whether by way of just laughing it off or simply not answering. (Just not required here...)
-Consequently...how to avoid answering questions or requests if you so desire...just laugh :)
-When passing through narrow pathways or doorways if there are Ugandans in the way they will move out of the way, but that means leaving a good inch for you to push through...don't feel bad though, just go.
-Crossing the street involves insane amounts of trust and boldness...but you better just get up and go or you will stand there forreeeevvveeerrrr!
-Rejecting offers from Boda Boda men (motorcyclists who are EVERYWHERE to give cheap rides to people...the source of most of the proposals I have received)...just say "Kula" (grow up) and your problems will be solved!
-Stopping, catching, riding, and stopping a matatu (taxi vans)
-Appreciating the night bucket in my room (for short calls)
-How to quickly drink SUUUUPer hot tea (trick from dad...ask him if you could also benefit from this :))
-Walking to school without being run over by bodas or cars who are trying to avoid the crazy ruts in the road...they will drive literally inches next to you
-How to make a huge group of school kids laugh...just say "Hi!"
-Cutting pinneapples
-Making juice the REAL way
-The beauty of febreeze and fabric release spray
-"Fake" bathing when you are in a rush and don't feel like tackling the basin...just clean your legs and feet and they will think you are clean ;)
-How to truly appreciate even the smallest piece of chocolate...mmm...
-Appreciating my friends' parents and relatives for the packages they send and sweets I therefore get to partake in
-The widespread influence of Spanish soap operas
-What it means to offer my presence to others
-To appreciate/value other people for the presence (not necessarily deep conversation) they offer
-Seeing God's beauty and bounty and blessings in a WHOLE new way
-the joy of a simple life
-What all you really DON'T need to get by...everything from a big bedroom, to running water, to lots of clothes, to a huge variety of food, ...
-Africa is beautiful. The people. The food. The smells. The sounds. The geography. The trees. The birds. The cows. The insects. The faith. The love. The community.
-Oh so much more...but this list is getting long...so I will leave you with that for now. Can't wait to share more later!

A few other random things - sorry for not responding to e-mails in a long time, mine hasn't been working for a while now...its very temperamental. Also, I was just talking to one of the interns and he said that if people are going to send letters/packages they should probably do it in the next week or so or else they won't get here on time. We leave campus April 22nd - he said that they usually get alot of packages after everyone has gone and its very sad. Not to be rudely asking for things - but just a warning that if you were going to...the sooner the better or it may be best to just save the postage. Thanks. :)

Love you all. Be blessed.

Phil 2:3-4