"Just be what you are and speak from your guts and heart- it's all a person has." -Hubert H. Humphrey

Our sugar packets have insightful quotations on them and I've been collecting them daily so the title of this blog is from a packet I got last week. It fact, quote are incorporated in a number of places and there's something uplifting about seeing them throughout the day.

Something interesting popped into my head yesterday but I forgot to write about it. Since we've been here we've heard so much about how Motswana (They aren't called Botswanans like you might think) really care about their neighbor and will go out of their way for people they don't even know. And we've seen it as we've gone around the city and in our interactions with quite a few people. But despite this idea of camaraderie they are very worried about crime. There was a letter on our table about preventing theft in the apartments and it's not just locking your doors when you're gone, it's locking them when you're there which is not really something I'm use to. I just find it a little strange that a place that seems to have such a community, help thy neighbor, greet everyone you see attitude can have such a concern for theft. You would think that not stealing from your neighbor would just be implied. Maybe I'll ask someone to explain this to me.

(Pic: the 4 of us were crammed in the back of Pearl's car but you can only see Mandy & I in the pic haha)

Today was me & Kate's second day at Baylor. When we got there Dr. Ryan sent us off to a lecture which was really interesting. It was the KITSO training (Kitso means knowledge but is also an acronym) about Pediatric and Adolescent medicine dosage and adherence. Dr. Ryan was explaining that at Baylor adherence to taking medications is one of the biggest problems because if they fail to take their medicine at the right time they can develop and immunity and lower the longevity of their life. Dr. Partha who also works at Baylor and gave the psychosocial part of the lecture discussed ways to approach the disease with young children. He suggested describing the medicine as a way to help the child's soliders become stronger because there is a bad guy that makes them weak but when you take your medicine correctly he goes to sleep. This is essentially telling the truth about the disease, it attacks (the bad guy-HIV) a person's CD4 cells (soliders) and makes the child ill but if they take their medicine the viral load is lessen (putting the bad guy to sleep). He also expressed that full disclosure can be an important aspect of a child's medical and psychological health because they don't have secrets and have access to clinical, familial, social support that they may not if they don't disclose but he made it very clear that public disclosure is not usually that beneficial because of the stigma associated with the disease. Overall the presentation was insightful and I'm glad we were able to attend. It was interesting to be the only two white people attending though I'm not sure noticed initially. I felt bad that we had to leave as soon as he was done, it would have been nice to mingle with some of other people in attendance to see what kind of work they do but Dr. Partha said it was mainly pediatricians and doctors attending.

When we got back we helped Stu finish taking pictures of x-rays and labeling them. I'm amazed at how sloppy doctors write. I mean I knew it was bad but you would think they would at least make the name legible so that you know they could find the right file?! I did my best and now that project is completed. We also briefly met with the social worker and basically set up a meeting to meet with her and the psychologist tomorrow to discuss possibly creating the curriculum for parenting/caregiver groups that they have wanted to start. Then we had another lecture to go to called Better Medicine for Children, If Not Now...When? by Stuart MacLeod, a member of the World Health Organization. He was mainly discussing the lack of clinical testing of medication on children and how this can be detrimental. In the past 75% of drugs on the market had not been tested on children and yet were prescribed to them just the say. That's pretty scary if you ask me! I was getting pretty annoyed though because being "on time" is completely relative here. I could have showed up to the lecture 30 minutes into it and I don't think anyone would have cared, except maybe Dr. Ryan. People were coming in and out during almost the entire thing and it made it very difficult for me to focus on what he was saying. I felt completely distracted the entire time but as I looked around, it didn't seem like anyone else was phased by it. I can get being laid back but I guess to me it just felt really disrespectful to

have people showing up 40 minutes into the lecture and making so much noise while someone is trying to give a presentation. When we met with Dr. Ryan again he had talked to Mmpula about a pamphlet project they wanted us to work on so we have a meeting with her tomorrow morning to discuss what she needs from us. So it looks like we will be put to you!

I'm so tired anymore. I really think it's the lack of sunlight in the evenings because it just makes me think it's bed time. I laid down for a little after work but never really fell asleep. It's always pretty loud. The walls are thick but the doors are not at all so you hear every little thing. I think the other reason I was so tired today is because I was basically up from 4 something to 6:45 because the outside door kept slamming from the wind. I almost went crazy and knocked it down!! I hope it doesn't do that tonight.

Tonight Thato and Pearl took us to Square Market to get some groceries. Mandy and Kate have to pack their lunch unless they want to eat fat cakes and chips every day lol and I decided I wouldn't mind packing mine from time to time to avoid having to eat the same 6 items for lunch and dinner nearly everyday for a month! So I got some bread, peanut butter, jelly and chips to take with me.

(Pic:Here's Mandy and her sweet treat! I got 2 ice creams also but I'm saving them for later!)

Again, I don't have many pictures but there wasn't really anything to take pictures of today so I'll try to get some tomorrow because I know this is much more fun to look at when you can see the things I'm doing! I'm going to go shower and relax some before I head to bed. I may try to hit the sack again early in hopes that I will get a good nights rest!

5 Cow Special

I had my first day at BIPAI and it started off a little rough. We all loaded on to the bus and began to get dropped off. The advisors dropped us off and came into to ensure we were received. Unfortunately, the current program coordinator didn't know that we were specifically coming and was a little thrown off. He was really nice though and kept saying it wasn't out fault but that it does cause some problems because they have certain protocol that they follow pretty strictly. He took Kate and I into a conference room to ask some questions about our education background, experience, goals for our time there, interests, etc. He was really nice and helpful and seems to feel confidently that we can find some way to get involved. The staff psychologist and social worker were both out of the office today. The SW came back later and we met with her briefly before we headed home and will meet tomorrow afternoon to do paperwork and other logistical tasks.

After meeting with Dr. Ryan we met Ed who is in charge of a lot of their work with teenagers invited us to work with him and to go to their Teen Club meeting this Saturday. http://botswanateenclub.wordpress.com/ They get together once a month with adolescents and play sports and offer educational information about HIV/AIDS and provide life skills training. This Saturday they will be doing football drills (remember, that's soccer in the States) and doing a crime prevention lesson. Kate and I are going to attend and Clare said she's interested in going too so I hope it's a good experience.

Stu took us down the play group area which is typically outside in a decently open space that also has tables so kids can play with blocks, legos, read books, color, etc. But when it's colder or raining they have the group in under the stairwell which is a pretty small space. It would be great if they could somehow get a covering for the outside area and an outdoor heater to keep it warmer. I spent most of my time helping a little guy build a lego house. He was so adorable. I taught him how to give me five and he would just get the biggest smile on his face every time I put out my hand. It was a little weird knowing that all the kids we were with had HIV or AIDS, not because of the disease itself but because they seemed so lively and smart. A couple of them knew very good English which seemed surprising since they appeared quite young and we were told that English isn't usually taught until they are 6 years old. They helped teach us some words also so it was a learning experience. I need to write down some common sentences so that I can refer to it and communicate better with them as Setswana is mostly the preferred language of the kids.

We went to the "Visiting Scholars" office with Stu (another intern from Michigan State) and we were able to get on the computer and read some more material about the organization. We also met a few other interns: Josh, Lisa, JW and a new employee B2. I was reading about these Hero Books that they have children create which seemed really interesting but also seemed like they would take a long time to complete. http://botswanateenclub.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/making_a_hero_book.pdf But I really like the concept of them and it reminded me of the Lifebook Shawna (another intern at OU's Counseling & Psychological Services) had told me a lot of Social Workers utilize with adopted children.

By the time we ate lunch, I was absolutely starving. I felt like I had a hearty breakfast and I'm still amazed that I get hungry for meals because of how much I eat during them but apparently I'm just burning right through the calories! Stu, JW & Josh took us out to the Main Mall area to get some food. I didn't catch the name of the place but it was traditional Botswana cuisine and really good. After that we headed back but it was pretty much time for us to leave. We lucked out because we are only about 5 minutes from our organization so we can walk to and from and avoid the long bus ride others have to take. Everyone was really friendly and seem like they do a lot of stuff together, they already invited us to hang out this weekend so we might go do something fun, it will just depend on everything else we have going on. The name of this post actually comes from lunchtime.. as we were walking to Main Mall, Stu was telling me how on a number of occasions mothers have offered him their young daughters because they want them to marry white men. A lot of families still use a dowry system which is why they would tell him you can have my daughter for 5 cows...this is a special price as the traditional village we went to said that 8-9 cows was standard, hence, 5 cow special.

We got back at like 3:30 in the afternoon and I decided to take a little nap. It was realively short lived as most of my naps here have been. I swear I can hear every little thing, and it probably doesn't help that I'm the room closets to the outside hall because I hear everyone coming in and out of their apts. After some other people got back we attempted to go to the bookstore but it was closed. Everything closes really early here. Then we headed to our first meeting to discuss how everyone's first day and first week has been. A couple people shared moments that really made them uncomfortable while they have been here. I'm grateful that they did share those stories even though it seemed difficult for them because it really helped put some things in perspective for me and will force me to keep remembering that being the minority carries certain implications unfortunately.

One of the downfalls of this place is that because it is a clinic there are a lot of regulations and we cannot take pictures or anything like that. It's was kind of a bummer to see other peoples pictures with the kid and how cute they look and to just see all the stuff they do and know that I can't really offer that for my friends and family. They do have awesome art work everywhere and the clinic tends to not to have very many clients after 3pm so I'm going to run around with my camera and get some snap shots of the things I like which I can post.

Well that's about it for today... I'm going to go over to the boys room and watch a movie and organize some things for tomorrow!

First Day at Baylor International Pediatric AIDS Initiative

I'm up and ready for my first day! Heading to breakfast (and probably having 3 cups of coffee) then out to the bus so we can all get dropped off... the bus pick up makes me feel like we're in middle school again! Wish me Luck!!

P.S. Coffee Count Total for week 1 = 18

wow..either this stuff is not strong or I'm immune to caffeine!

Welcome to the Sunday Sermon

We woke up bright and early today and headed to Mmshumi's church. It kind of looked like an old strip mall that they had taken over and turned various building into different departmens like an office and then they had the actual chapel. When we first got there we stood outside for awhile, at first I was wondering if there was a problem with us coming but it turns out they pulled out all the stops for us. We were sitting in the main building 3 and 4 rows back from the stage, behind some of the elder preachers. We passed people sitting outside, and just a reminder it's winter in Botswana, under tents for the 2 1/2 hour service. I kind of felt bad being inside when so many people were outside because it is definitely colder in the morning. But they seriously wear sweaters and coats all day and it will be in the mid 70s! It's funny becuase they are like "It's winter, it's coooold!" and we're like "This weather is great!" We were all starving when we left church because I don't think anyone thought it was going to last until 10:30 and none of us had time to eat breakfast which we have become accustomed too. They served our breakfast at 11:00ish but a couple of us had to wait almost a half hour for food which wasn't a big deal except they said lunch would be at 12:30 and there was no way we were going to be hungry. Breakfast was good so I really wasn't hungry until dinner anyway and because we didn't eat lunch we missed out on live....oh darn! lol

Thato and Pearl came and took Me, Kate, Clare & Mandy to Game City for a girls day! I got a couple things.. a cute dressy top that's gold, a white long blouse, a pair of gladiator heels, and a necklace all for like 70 dollars. I can't get over how cheap things are. I'll spend hundreds of pula

but it only amounts to 30 dollars or something. Crazy. It's good to know that my shoe shopping problem translates across cultures but I love what I bought so far! I think Kate, my former college roommate for those of you who don't know, would be very proud of my collection! She's is the queen of shoes and it's definitely rubbed off on me!

Tonight after we napped and went to dinner we decided to go to the courts. Some people were playing basketball and soccer but some of the other girls decided to do our own exercises. We did a mini pilates work out and lunges, squats and ran. It felt good to do some physical activity because besides walking I dunno that I have done much. I think we're going to start making it a daily thing just because most of us feel better and have more energy when we work out in some capacity. Apparently there is a gym we have access to so that would be nice to figure out.

Tomorrow we start our placements. I'm excited and nervous at the same time. I'm anxious to see what they will have us do. Here is the link for the their website if you want to check it out: http://bayloraids.org/africa/center.shtml and of course I'll let everyone know tomorrow how the first day was! I hope I can sleep tonight because I'm so excited!!!

I called my parents today. I finally figured out my skype account so I put money on it so I could wish my dad a happy father's day. The phone cut out a bit so I didn't exactly get to say goodbye but it was nice nonetheless. I let Mandy use it to because she doesn't have a computer and we still don't have phones here. It seemed like her parents enjoyed hearing from her. That's one thing I've really enjoyed about this trip, everyone has been sharing with everyone. Anytime anyone needs anything there's someone offering to help out, which isn't how things always are. I also called Andrew to say goodnight. We've mainly been using facebook chat and messages so it was nice to hear his voice. Well of course it's midnight already (where does the time go?) Broko.

Cow Stomach = Yuck! Fete de la Musique = Tres Bien!

These early mornings are straight killing me!!! You would think that I would be use to them because of my internship but unfortunately there was one week in between the ending of that and this trip and I got somewhat use to sleeping in... well at least until 9-9:30. We were out quite late last night though I slept like a log so that was good. Unfortunately I'm an idiot and left my ipod alarm set from the day before so I had the lovely Taylor Swift singing to me at 6:45am. I just went back to sleep for about a half hour, but it wasn't good sleep. So basically I'm running on 4.5 hours of sleep. Good call. I believe it was worth it...

We had our last class meeting. We played this game where you take 7 different beads and they represent important people in your life: mom, dad, brother, sister, best friend, etc and then you go to stations and roll a die. Depending on the number it lands on there are

instructions on the card telling you what to do. There were 6 stations and my life went like this 1) Life goes on as normal 2)

My mom is infected with HIV 3) My mom dies from AIDS 4) My grandma dies of malaria 5) My sister gets raped and contracts HIV 6) Life goes on as normal. Some life huh? Thank God these were just beads! But I got the point, it was to show us how easily something like this can affect a family and how it affects everyone, not just the person who contracts the disease. It was interesting to see what happened to other people because I didn't really read through the other possibilities. It also helped put into perspective the kinds of things I could run into while I'm here. We also received our placements and dun dun DUN.. I'm at Baylor Pediatic Clinic!! It was my first choice so I'm really happy. Kate, one of the counseling doc students, will be there with me which I think is awesome because she has actually worked in the field with families so I feel like I can learn a lot from her. I'm anxious to get acquianted and see what they do instead of just hearing about it.

After class we went to lunch there was new entree on board today. One of the girls informed us it was cow's stomach but I made a committment to try everything here (minus anything with tomatoes lol) so I had her put a little on my plate. Huge mistake. I wish I had taken a picture of it just so you could see how gross it looked to begin with. It was smooth on one side and reminded me of what an artery would look like, sliced in half. Then on the other side was this sp

ongy, broccoli looking stuff. Clare, Mandy & I cut off pieces and tried it. At first were like oh this isn't so bad..I mean it doesn't taste amazing but it really just didn't taste like much of anything. That is until you swallow it. It literally tasted the way poop smells. It was awful. NEVER NEVER NEVER AGAIN. I just gagged typing all this.

We spent the afternoon/evening at the French Music Festival or Fete de la Musique! We all thought it was going to be French music (which we also all thought was weird) but it was actually a wide range of different genres from hip hop to jazz to classical and afro-pop. I enjoyed everything except the heavy metal which actually had really good music and just horribly singing. I hate that stuff where people yell in the microphone and try to sound scary, it hurts my ears. But besides that it was really good. I'll try to add a video of it later but right now it's not loading.It was amazing all the sounds they could make just using their feet, hands, mouth and a whistle! I was quite impressed and it seemed like most everyone else was too. We decided to

just get

dinner at the festival instead of coming back to the cafeteria. I got all of that for 12 Pula or 2 dollars! haha On the other side of the stage there was a store that had all kinds of really cool African souveniers. They had all kinds of stuff from flags to scrapbooks to statues, walking sticks, and awesome pottery. I got myself this little wood container. I figure I'll find something

to put in it! The carvings are elephants! I think it's pretty neat looking though. I also got my nieces gifts for their birthdays and my mom something but of couse I won't disclose that here or she'll know! We heard that Main Mall has a lot of similar stuff and for even cheaper than this place. I got all my stuff for less than $80.00. I can't wait to get more stuff to take back! I honesly want one of the dish sets but I have no idea how I'd get it back with me without breaking it so I probably won't get one. Well now I'm pretty well all caught and of coure I didn't get to bed early like I wanted to. This is becoming problematic. Oh well, it was worth it to get to talk to Andrew for awhile. I miss him...

Dumela borra & bomma

All of us at dinner

I finally have my internet hooked up..after fighting with my web browser for an hour I miraculously fixed it! I really wanted it so that I can keep up on these blogs...there's no real point in having one of these things if you can never access/write in it.

So let's see..today was...long. Seems to be the theme haha but I really don't want to miss anything so I'm trying to pack as much in as possible. We had another Setswana lesson and I was using it correctly at breakfast & lunch today! I've trying to make sure I greet everyone when I walk by (refer to the title of this post...which means hi gentlemen & ladies) and this one cleaning lady always says Dumela baby when I greet her lol She's cute! I think they like my shoes too. They are always pointing and talking about them when I walk by...or maybe I just have ugly feet?

I'm blown away at how nice everyone is here. I have yet to run into one rude or unkind person. Our guides have been really awesome too! This weekend Thato and her friends are taking me and the roommates out to one of the nicer malls so we can get some cute clothes. They tried to tell us that they are behind us in fashion but they dress super cute so I'm really excited to see their shops. We actually went shopping today.. I bought 3 pairs of shoes which is insane but I only brought three with me (dumb!) so that's what happens when I try to restrict my packing.. I just come back with even more. I don't think I even have any space left on my shoe rack...The amazing thing was that 3 pairs of flats, 1 hoodie, 1 cardigan, 1 tee, and a purse was only about 60 bucks. This is my kind of place to shop...

We also had 3 organizations come in and talk about what they do and what we could expect to do if we were placed there. The first was SOS which is a children's orphange. It seemed like it would be such a fun and interactive place to work but is likely where a number of people want to go so I'm kind of already ruling it out just because it doesn't have an emphasis on counseling like some of the other orgs. The second one was SAPPSSI which is the Salvation Army's organization paired up with some churches and schools. It seemed like it would give people the opportunity to work in a variety of settings and again was mainly focused on children. I liked that they had a peer mentoring aspect to it...it seems like it's important for them to really empower the young people in Botswana which I think is really cool especially since one of our informed lectures today was talking about how so many young people get there information from their peers. What better way to provide them with the facts than through training the people they listen to? The third organization was Lifeline Botswana which is an international organization that's main focus is providing free counseling for people as well as a training and other servies that may require a fee. They work in conjunction with a women's shelter and hospice and serve all ages so again it would be an opportunity to work in a multiple settings with various groups of people. Right now that's where I'm leaning but we still have a number of groups to hear from and YOHO didn't show up today was definitely a place I had thought about so we'll see. We don't have to decide until Friday anyway.

-This is for Eric..Blue Sambuca!!

Side Note: The stray cats have vicious meows. Almost peed my pants when one started going nuts in our hall just a second ago. hope one doesn't bite me or I'll probably seriously regret forgoing the rabies vaccine....

Ke a otsela (I'm sleepy)

Boroko! (Goodnight)