running in uganda.

i feel like the LORD has really given me the gift of time while being here. at home, it's so easy to be busy. there is work, classes, sports, family, friends from home/high school/college...the list goes on and on. i hardly ever had time to myself. here, it feels like that is all there is! it's not always easy to look at this as the blessing it is, but i'm trying. i have hours every night to myself. reading, cooking, watching movies/tv seasons on dvd, the possibilities are endless, :).

one of the most rewarding things has been that i get to go to bed before 11 almost every night. i am getting 8 hours of sleep every night for the first time since elementary school! who knew the effect it could have on my life?! i feel healthier, i'm not yawning at my desk, i have energy, i'm happier, and most importantly, i have plenty of time to wake up in the morning and run! i have NO excuse not to now. at home, there are a thousand reasons not to. here, i got nothin. after season ended in december, i decided to give my old body a break after 15 years of soccer. the break turned into something more permanent and i never really got back into the habit. until now.

each morning, i've been getting up a little before 7 and going for a 30-40 minute jog. jog, not run, because there are waaaay too many hills and i am still waaaay too out of shape to be actually running, :). running in uganda is MUCH different than running in pa. especially morgantown, pa. at home, i will rarely pass runners and there aren't many cars to share the road with. here, i'm constantly dodging children, crazy motorcycles (boda-bodas), huge taxis which are actually 15 passenger vans, and speed bumps every 50 yards. there is so much action. and it's impossible to run at all without attracting attention.

well, i should say, be WHITE and not attract attention. some kids run next to me shouting 'mzungu, mzungu!' some point at my headphones or the ipod in my hand and scrunch their eyebrows, not understanding what that thing is. some duck behind their mothers when i wave to them. some just look up and see me and say way too loudly, "good morning madame, how are you?!" it feels so great to have a small child so excited simply to be greeted by you. mind you, it's absolutely exhausting to smile and wave every 10 feet as you run up a gargantuan hill.

the bodas still think there is a chance i need a ride even though i'm clearly in running clothes, with running shoes on, out of breath, sweating, and listening to an ipod. they all offer me rides when i run past them and taxis beep at me, always stopping to see if i want to get on. maybe i just look that exhausted like i can't move another step, i dunno. i even had a woman try to sell me some produce the one day. this is where it differs most. in america, you don't mess with a runner. they are on a mission, they are exercising. leave them alone. here, people don't operate that way. they multitask. i should be able to run AND greet every person i see. if i want to stop for produce, why not? i don't think there is a right and a wrong, just a difference.

tomorrow, i leave at 5:00 a.m. to go to mbale. i'm so excited to celebrate the 4th of july with an american couple there, derek and julie. they were rafting with us last weekend and they are great. apparently, julie is making some real cookies, which i haven't had in 6 weeks. it's going to be fabulous, :). i will be gone for 9 days, but should have internet each night. keep me posted on things going on at home, i miss you all so much!