OMG!!! WHAT DID I DO!

Shit...why? Am i that stupid...the guilt and the constant pressure...ugghh...crap! how am I supposed to look them in the eye? help! Can't wait till this passes. will it ever...yikes?

Summer '09 Catch UP

I know...I know...I know...its been ages since I last wrote. But when you have nothing to do, no classes, barely any work, and all the time in the world you end up doing nothing but chilling, maxin' actin' all cool...haha! No seriously, I have been enjoying the last two weeks or so with utter bliss by doing things on my schedule. Waking up with no alarm clocks. I seem to naturally wake up between 8:35am and 8:47am. Working out, doing portraits of familiar but yet distant faces, and reading. Its been one of those quiet and sit under the tree shade while people watching summers. I still have been enjoying the night life, thanks to Alexa, Erin....but my days have been peaceful. Caitlyn is now full time back in the Eug, Rachel has been in and out, and Anna will be here in a few days!!!! YES! Amels and I have different paths, but i guess its normal. Things are good, in places where i can understand now. Took me a whole summer, but its coming along.
I haven't written in so long because I have been writing letters to Jenny. I pretty much write her once a week, with all the juicy details of my ordinary college life. I miss her a lot. and its going to be weird without her this fall. not till 2010, will we be in her red framed bed again. damn. Anyways, by the time I finish writing her i get burnt out writing blogs, so if you want to know the itty gritty details, ask her...she is in Marcarata, Italy! good luck.I pretty much vented to her all summer. She holds the details to the frustrations i probably would tell no one else. its funny how you can divulge so much by written correspondence, but yet face to face it is so much harder. Life. Jenny seems to be doing good, already abroad, living the italian dream. With her luck she is going to enjoy the scenic view of Italian landscape, food, and hopefully men too!
Summer is coming to a close and this upcoming week, I have a lot of training for my ambassador job. Tomorrow we are going to a camp out in the woods to bond...oh dear lord! I just have Friday the 13th movie series replaying in my head...and i am a little terrified. nerves and overreaction right? After that it it work week, 21er birthday and what not. Natalie is also moving down soon. It is going to be great to have someone else in the house, and its natalie too...which is awesome, can't wait!
My folks and I finally patched things up, I went on hike, saw three folks from SSHS at the mall working...small coincidence...having a lot of movie nights with the ladies, and gearing up tor Senior year...life has been good...

PS- DID I MENTION ANNA IS COMING BACK IN LESS THAN A WEEK!!!!!!!!!WOO HOO

FREEDOM Awaits

This past weekend my mom came down for Friday night. She slept on my bed, in my apartment. The house in the middle of Party Central St. and the music started pumping through our windows at 10pm. At 11pm she swore she heard someone ring the door bell...I tried to calm her down. Oh well...we slept through the night and survived. I had a good time with her, other than the fact that she keeps nagging at me. But I guess she is a mom and thats what they do. She drove me down to Roseburg to have my Rotary interview...I was absolutely horrible. I wasn't even thinking when I spoke, and just rambled. I wouldn't give me the scholarship either. So, no Trinidad or Tobago...sad. I just have to think of something else to do after college. Anyways, after my mom left, I just slept all day...and at night, partied away into oblivion. We (Alexa, Katie, Nathan, Erin, Mary, and I) went over to Joel's and Sergio's place at Bailey Hill and had a great night. At the party was Dillion, the dude in high school who I had a small crush on. He was super awkward and geeky back then, and I liked that. Now he is manned up a little and still super awkward. I wasn't sure what to make of him. He kind of just sits back, and watches whats going on. I had to go up and re-introduce myself, which I thought was kind of forced. Anyways, it fine after that, and I just enjoyed the night.
I have gotten back into Ally Mcbeal...such a good show. I think its my favorite TV show. The passion between Ally and Billy...is oh so good. I am on Season 4, and I haven't ever seen it before. Robert Downy Jr. is in it and I like his character, but in looks sadly he reminds me of a professor at UO who I don't like...ughh...but the show is great!!!!!!!!!!
This week is the week from hell....so much work to do. Report for Galvan, Blog for Galvan, Ecology paper, presentation, and final, and 3PM report....yikes...i am going to have a few all-nighters this week. On Friday I will be freed...yeah!

Then on Sunday it will be LOVE...Ayla is getting married...yeah! can't wait

Family

I have been looking over old pictures from the Georgia days. How life has changed...for the good and the bad. From the pictures you could tell that me and brother were joined by the hips. Pretty much every frame we are either in deep conversation or playing together. I seemed to be the bossy one...which is usual. My brother was the laid back one. Now, we don't really have to much to do with each other, since he goes to college at western and I am in Eugene. Life has diverged, but I still have those pictures.
I caught Beena and Neena's faces in the some of the pictures. My geographically close first cousins. Its hard to imagine that my closest extended family is 3000 miles away in the deep south. They really lost in their own world, and don't want any connections. No matter how matter how hard I try to connect with them, I still get denied. it kind of hurts. but there is nothing i can do. I guess somethings can't be mended by pictures. I might be being a little harsh, but I don't think I should have to apologize for their behavior, if they act like it, then they deserve the titles. Sometimes I wonder - what if I grew up in Nepal my entire life? How different would i be...Bibisha and Bibek could be me and Raj. Do i want to be them? Probably not, but I do admit I am jealous. They have done Dasia and Holi numerous times...all I got was Merry Christmas 20 dollar present. They got the relatives, the culture and the true nepalese experience, while i got a halfway world. My parents did everything...sleeping in cars, to working 30 hour days, to living in a foreign world surrounded by strangers, and yet I am complaining. I guess all I want is to be with more family. When I was Germany, i got to meet Deepa and Aamir, my other first cousins. They were really nice in hosting me for the week, but at the end of the day we were still strangers. Deepa was beautiful, but set in German traditions, and Aamir had his directorial project going. I felt a connection...both of us alike in living in halfway worlds, but they were more set while i was still in limbo land. Deepa was pregnant...8 months...she was beautiful, I am sure she will have beautiful baby girl. I am an aunt, to a baby who probably I will never meet, and if I do meet her, it will be like strangers passing at a train station - a brief encounter on the platform but we will have to board our different trains...to our homes far apart.
Its weird how families are. We carry the same name, have the same blood flow, and at least know of each others existence, but yet we aren't nothing more than mere acquaintances. I guess i should hold on to the ones that have been there for me. Thank you Amma, Buwa and Raj...

Heart 2 Heart

This past week I have officially settled into my place on 16th and Hilyard. I went grocery shopping on a bike, and bought way to much stuff to carry. I had about 8 bags and a back pack and a bike. Definitely not the ideal shopping agenda. On the way back, I had to control every rotation on the bike or else, my eggs along with me would have hit the pavement. haha!
On Monday i went down to the DAC to do a step class. First off I am clumsy, can't keep a beat and haven't taken a step class since freshman year. So of course i was totally offbeat the entire time, but hey, time flies by in a step class when you don't know the movements, and you are trying to keep up. So I had a great time...haha. But the best part of the hour was the gentleman next to me. He was a six foot something dude with an angular jaw and blonde hair. Basically he looked like the USSR bad guys from action movies made in the 1970s and 1980s. Kind of a mix between David hasselhof and Daniel Craig. Anyways he wore blue shirt tucked into tights that were so tight for not being spandex, and cutoff right above his ankle where his red and white nike pumps enclosed his feet. Then he laid down carpet dead center of the studio right in front of the instructor. It felt as if he was trying to lead. Anyways, as everyone one was stretching he goes to the wall and does handstands spreading his legs into a V. Great, not only do i have step next to a KGB assassin look-a-like, i have to watch him stretch in a crazy manner. It made me laugh so hard at one point in the middle of the workout that i got a my ab work out in too. Then when the class began, you could see him in every mirror, and it was ridiculously insanely funny, since he would step the highest due to the combination of his height and his energy...oh god how i laughed...

then yesterday, my mom came down...she brought a whole bunch of food...i mean a whole cooler of pre cooked food. yummm.....she helped me with my kitchen and then we had a heart to heart...fun...bonding...a little dramatic too...but it was nice to talk. anyways we spent about 3 hours together...
i am in class. bored out of my mind. can't wait to be done at 6pm...then off the ranch where Alexa is house sitting...yeah...horses...pool...jacuzzi!!!!oh so much fun!

Diversity

So, life has been on the up and up...a lot of fun times. These past few days I have been hanging with Alexa, Erin and Katie doing crazy things...like standing in the Harry Potter 6 movie line for an hour, and going over to Sergs and Joel's place. Those to guys are just insanely funny...a little crass, but hilarious. We played the very honored college pastime - beer pong, but I have to admit I am horrible at it. I get a few shots in the cup but its all by fluke...haha.
This past weekend I went to Triangle lake with Martha la Rosa(I love saying her name in its entirity) and some of her friends. Its the first time in Oregon that i have hung out with a crowd that didn't have any white people, besides my "extended family. " Everyone there was from a different heritage, culture, or nationality. it was really interesting that way, beause we all bonded over the fact that we were "ferengis." I also met a girl from Eritrea, and we talked habasha a bit...haha. It was just great. We hit the rock slides and played in the water after the BBQ, which was just yummy.
I have been still working out at the DAC. Everyday...yeah...i have lost weight...but more to go yay! i like the dac...its all order people, so i don't feel judged or intimidated. Everyone is just doing their thing. i love the pool...i am horrible swimmer, but its been great working out without hurting the joints too much.
today is rachel's b-day...she is 21...which is amazing...but sad...now i am the only one of the coogs who isn't 21. oh well...only till October.
Tomorrow I have lunch with Nicole, she was in Ethiopia doing the same thing I did, but a term before me. She knows Mark, who was there when I was too. So it will be good to chat and reminise.
all in all...beautiful days (except for the thunderstorm...that scared me silly) and amos lee music.
ps- i got free stuff for the apartmen...microwaves and tables, and lamps...yeah! and Dawit from layla has finally reached ARIZONA...and facebooked me - no corruption....haha

mosquito bites... DAC...and all

so it was the 4th weekend, and the night before, I went down by the river with Amels...it was the fastest bike ride ever...if i only had a road bike I might have been able to keep up...anyways, bug bites was the night's main event. The fourth was weird...I began moving, and then at night had fun with Sergio, Juel, Erin, and Alexa...crazy time...Good god...I don't think I will ever forget that night...haha. moved into my new place...even though I am not quite settled. soon enough though...
I joined the DAC...downtown Athletic Club...its kind of a high end gym...a little pricy...but what the heck...if i am paying that much...I know...well, i have to use the facility...it kind of forces me to go and workout...which is good. While there I ran into Raya and Naomi. Raya just got back from Ethiopia and met Abenezer and Tsion and all the other kids...I hope to talk with her more about her experience. Naomi and I talked for a while about the frustration on not being able to do anything other than wait for the process to move along...I just hope that everything goes off with a hitch before the summer is out...i really do hope so. Anyways, I took a swim at the club...I am horrible at swimming...but no one was in the lane...so I didn't feel to bad. It was an amazing workout...yay!
All in all...I want to bake a pie, finish my homework, enjoy the sun this weekend, finish galvan's essay, and take over the world...haha
anyways...peace
ps- I got a check from the UO for a substantial amount...I am not sure why, but it has my name on it so...I am no longer broke...at least for a while...haha...

Life in the Summer Heat

Summer has officially set in. I have been pretty busy, doing random things...but I feel like nothing is getting done. Work and school...the usual. My anthropology class is a little tiring...but I have met some cool friends...just having it for 3 hours everyday is ugghh... I am in the random transition phase...still...I need to move to my place and get settled...soon...
I just talked to Jenny and Anna on the phone...they are in the san juan islands and ecuador. I am vicarioulsy living thru them. Jenny is in the perfect spot...hippie ville meets outdoorsy world.
I went to a bbq with Martha, Matt and Mitzi...and had kava with Colin Kiley...it numbed my toungue and lips and totally de-stressed me. amazing. however, even though it is non-alcoholic...its the only time I've had a hangover...not cool.
I took a weekend class. Humanitarian Aid was the topic. We looked at a lot of case studies...very eye opening but helpful in understanding current issues in the international fiels. Made me think about International law and studying that. The GTF was five months pregnant...she had to pee every 45 minutes so we had a lot of breaks throughout the day...but the best part was the discussions we had...a small group trying to solve the world problems...great convos
Amels made dinner for me...a spinach, goat cheese pie...loved it....we also had a cherry pie...it had egg in it...a little off beat...but not bad...it was some martha stewart recipe...love my martha. Makes me want to cook now...when i finally settle down and have ingredients in the kitchen.
I had my Rotary interview...the first stage...they enjoyed my chat with them...it was informal...so it was more a free flow conversation. They were actually really cool people...a very international group. One of the folks there had an NPO in Kenya. Pretty interesting group of people.
My biggest pressure is coming from the research paper i have to write for galvan...ughh...i have a mental block when it comes to Ethiopia...miss it horribly though.
i am waiting for something...but i am not sure what...a change...some inspiration...i am kind of in a rut...

Caitlyn's Bed

So this past week I moved into my friend, Caitlyn's room. She live in this adorable house and has a very spacious room with a comfy bed. But for some bizarre reason I have the most weird dreams when sleeping there. They are dreams where you panic the entire time. The first night in her bed, I dreamed that I had flown to Ethiopia on an emergency because a kid at Layla house was in trouble, and I was freaking out the entire time because the next day my summer school classes started and I had no way of getting back to the USA in 12 hours. The second day I had a nightmare. I was getting married in 24hrs and was 8 or 9 months pregnant. I feel like I wake up every morning thankfully it was only a dream...and NOT REALITY...but when dreaming it feels like reality. I wake up oh so very thankful.
who knows...it maybe stress, or the actual bed...haha...caitlyn's bed...wonder what dream is next...

I PASSED MY HUMAN OSTEOLOGY CLASS...AMEN!!! I was worried...but no more...thank God for Pass/No Pass grading options!!! dodged that bullet

Brown bag lunches, empty rooms, waiting, and dodging goodbyes...the last day of my junior year...

Finals...THEN SUMMA' and Grandpas

Its been a struggle staying up in my classes this term. The first six weeks were filled with culture shock, no matter how much I tried to deny it...and them my usual procrastination skills kicked in. haha. So here I am on a Wednesday night cramming for three finals - human osteology, human biological variation and diseases of Africa...ugh...I can do it though. But after tomorrow...I just have to sleep. Anyways, enough about classes. My friends are flying the nest this summer. Anna is in Ecuador, Caitlyn is in Spain, Rachel is in Switezerland, Jenny is off to the San jaun island and then Italy (bye bye lova'...six months is too long) and Amelie and I are in good ole Eugene. I will be taking classes...I know nothing new...but at least I will graduate. YEAH! Its scary to know that I have only one more year of college. I have to get ready for grad school, or something. its a scary world, but all i want to do is think about SUMMER. I got a super cute place in the alley between the co-ops...and I am living with NATALIE...who I am super in love with and completely jealous of due to her amazing art skills and ability to play the piano. Plus she is super tight and relaxed(paradoxical?), and easy to click with. its a tiny place, honestly, super tiny, but the two of us can make it a very fun pad. I'll be moving in pretty much on July 1st, but she doesn't come down till September...sad! Anyways, I get go home for a week to hang with Ama, Buwa and Raj. They started catering, so the day after i arrive, I will be cooking for a party of 80...yumm and fun...I have the whole week. I'll meet up with Melat's fam...I heard she has final decided to come to Salem from Ethiopia, she is dealing with alot. Its hard transitioning...but she has a great fam.
Also I hope to see Pam, do art, read, and hang with the bro. Life will be good. Then back to the Eug.
I got my Ambassador job...working with Anna Banana next year...haha. It will be pretty crazy... the two of us behind the same desk...crazy!!!!
Who knows what the summer holds...fun times, work, and just a whole lot of sun...and hopefuly relaxing. I just want to soak it all in...capture the time in a frame and scarpbook for my old days...haha. and also I hope Abi and Tsion will be coming...i miss them oh so dearly...if only i could do something to speed up the process. Till then, I will enjoying summer and hoping that they are ready to come home.
Earlier today i was thinking about my Grandparents. Its been nine + years since I last saw them. I heard my grandad isn't doing great...but at least he has other family around. I remember him and I picking mangoes together from the tree in the front yard, him telling me ghost stories on the roof of the Biratnager house, and riding around town on his motorbike. It had black with blue highlights. He even had a small helmet to fit me. I try to find him in others, but its hard...I really don't remember his personality, just his gentle hands and warm smile. haha...grandpas, aren't they just loving and adorable. hopefully I will go back soon. Before its too late... but now i really need to study!!!

the kids didn't pass court...
Abenezer said Iloveyou to me...my heart jumped with joy...

But this blog is to remember a great guy...a guy who shall be missed
Sadly, another friend passed. And I just found out...he was an Irish star...
I was in Africa...packing my bags, ready to fly home when he passed. I wish I could have said something to make it all better. But he is gone and in a happier place. Peace...Love...and i'll miss you Beau...Niha

I took my Midterm...
I didn't sleep at all last night...studied from 12am till now...
but i check the AAI facebook group...it said:

"Lots of kids passed court this week, and we are hoping for many more next week. I know many of you are praying for up the coming court date!"

hope that applies to my favs.

A month has passed

so a month has passed, and I still am in Ethiopia mindset...yikes.

I miss it...simply miss it.
Its cold here...i never noticed it before
Classes are harder to focus in
My dreams include the kids, especially Shiferaw, Tarikwa, Letarik
I speak in choppy sentences now
I found out I have 14 dollars in my balance...yikes
I lost my rainboots
Tomorrow is Abenezer and Tsion's court date...I am praying
Tomorrow is my Human Biological Variation Midterm...I just started studying and its 11:00pm
I am two weeks away from being SCUBA certified...but Ethiopia is landlocked
I am trying to find anyway to stay in Eugene this summer
I am thinking about doing Peace Corps
Its been more than two months that Nati and Beti have been in Michigan, Kirubel too
I miss Eskedar dearly
I think about Yared, Sintayu Bereket, Zodu, Sayeed and Helen - how are they?
My German Cousin - Deepa - is giving birth any moment
Swine flu has had an outbreak
Meski is heading back to Finland soon, Gutu is in Addis, whats next?
My diseases of Africa class, makes me itch. I knew I should have taken my pills
And I am in college.

My Last few Days (3/17/2009)

Sorry for not writing often....things have been kind of busy...but in a good way. The big event that has happened is that I went on a five day trip to Northern Ethiopia. Generally, its known as the historical route since you pass through buildings build back back in the days. We didn't get to do the entire route due to our time limit...but we did so much. I was with three other girls...Meske(the adopted Ethiopian) Helen(the local Ethiopian) and Karis( the one foreigner looking chick in the group) and Me(the halfcaste):

The first day we flew from Addis to Bahir Dar. That morning was insane. We woke up at 5 am and our driver was waiting for us about 5:30 to take us to the airport. But of course...something had to go wrong. Our guard had left the compound to walk a neighbor to church( which is was sweet) but locked us inside the big massive gate....great! So we were stuck inside while our driver was outside. But the four of us devised a plan. We were going to move this massive water barrel to the gate climb it and jump over the 12ft wall, with sharp arrow headed fencing...As we were moving the barrell which was about a 1000 lbs, we ended up dropping it - releasing the storage water for the compound when the water goes out...oops...but it made it lighter to move...so we repeated it...of course the four of us are crying out laughter and desperation. So when we finally get it to the gate...I climb up...ready to scale the wall...and we here the gate click....the guard walked in...after all that chaos...we began our trip...

In Bahir Dar which is the Ethiopian version of a California boardwalk...we saw the massive Tisissat Falls ( the second biggest in Africa) and the lake monasteries which are about 1000 year old. At the falls we took a bunch of pictures and got misted by the pressure of the water. On the way up we stopped at the lady's place who was making coffee. It was hilarious. Here we were in front of a giant fall, and a lady was making coffee at the edge of the cliff...just chillin' looking for tourist to drink coffee. Its was hilarious. Other than that we just chilled on the lake, with the monkeys and sipped macchiatos at Obama Restraunt and Bar.

Then we took a mini bus to Gondor, which is the local mode of transportation...so of course the four of us were squished in the back seat...the two ethiopian looking, the one foriegner and the halfcast, sucking on lollipops catching the attention of everyone on the bus...because they have no idea how the four of us got together and are on a local bus...which generally no foreigners ride....it was just classic. We watched the country side fall behind us as we rose up into the mountains. its was just drop dead gorgeous. In gondor we pranced around as princesses in a 12th century castle. It was surreal...Of course we got shouted at because we climbed some ruins...but we didn't realize that we couldn't...That night we were so tired and we were just sitting in an internet cafe waiting for our hotel arrangements to be done...and three people...who weren't beggars asked us for stuff...we were so tired and they just cracked us up...the other locals in the cafe...thought it was hilarious too. For some reason- we just happen to attract all the wrong people.

The next day we went to Debrak...which is this po-dunk town 3 hours north of Gondor. The only reason we went there...was to hike in SIMEIN MOUNTAINs....which was absolutely gorgeous. We were walking on trails at the edge of 1000 ft cliffs...watching gelada baboons scale them as if they were just monkey bars...and sat at the edge of a drop eating kolo(the local snack) just admiring the view. It was phenomenal. THe drive was okay but an experience...since it was super dusty and the windows wouldn't shut...we were covered in dust...head to toe. again...hilarious.

The next leg of the trip was a fully day and half driving to Lalibella...again by local transportation...so we got a lot of stares... and we tried to communicate with the locals...shared food...kolo, sugar cane...and so on...Of course they all spoke amharic to me, trying to test if i was local...and I made up a story that my dad is Ethiopian and my mom was Indian. It made them so happy...one guy gave me a personal tour of the country side as we passed along on the bus...trying to re-acquaint me with my country of heritage...i did feel kind of guilty...whoops,...but it still was nice. It took us about a day and a half to travel from Gondor to Lalibella...which in American terms is less than 150 miles...

When we finally reached...we were jumping in joy. literally...haha. Lalibella...is just breath taking...there are churches carved into massive rocks about centuries ago and the same tradition and culture still prevails. The coolest thing was watching a church teacher (who dressed very traditionally in a white shawl and white head wrap w/ a cane) teach two young boys the giz language... the language of the Ethiopian orthodox church. It was a beautiful site...since they just plopped themselves down in a spot amongst rocks carved by history...

We also did more hiking...watched the sunset and made friends who showed us around in Lalibella. All in all ...it was beautiful

When we got back to addis...of course there was no water in the house...and life just went back to normal...

but all in all...the trip was hilarious, gorgeous and jaw dropping!

THE BEST DAY EVER! (2/10/2009)

Sorry that I haven't written in awhile...I promise to fill you in soon. I have had an amazing last two weeks. I have had such a blast working and enjoying the life here...its is unexplainable. But, nothing can compare to this day, this moment, this feeling. i just found out that my Abenezer has got a family. He isn't really mine, but yet in my mind he is. He and his little sister...the most adorable little girl Tsion found out today. They are wearing T-shirts of the local university in their town. Have gift bags filled with toys and photo albums from their adopting family. They seem like a cool family. Abenezer currently has the chicken pox, but is being a trooper... and Tsion is being the fiesty little girl she always is. I am just so elated...I couldn't hold it in. I had to share the news. I was terrrified of leaving without them getting a family. I am just bubbling with motherly emotions right now....haha. I love all the kids here dearly, but Abi was the one who stuck out from the beginning. now that he and Tsion have a family, it feels right!!!!!! Yeah
Write more soon
love
Niha

PS - I haven't told you the best part. the t-shirts they are wearing are from the UNIVERSITY OF OREGON. They are coming to a family in Eugene, OR. In OREGON, my state!!!!!!!! I am in HEAVEN!!!!

YES WE CAN!! (1/22/2009)

So...this week...was crazy fun! A lot of stuff went down and I somehow still have a little energy left. On Saturday, another volunteer Mark, who is from Western Oregon University and I took over Addis the local way...by mini bus. We started out doing a little business at Kidane Mehret, another orphanage in town. We had to get weight and heights for some kids. Basically the place is run by two Italian nuns, who are the funniest people I have met in my life. Imagine this - two short pudgy ladies which the gray habits and velcro sandals, who had polka dot socks on. All while, they are shouting at the kids in Amharic out of love and discipline trying to get them in for lunch. They reminded me of the singing ladies of Sister Act or something out of a Hemingway novel for some bizarre reason. haha. Their names were sister Lugarta and Camilla...and they basically made my day. After that, I wanted to check out my playground...since it was my first actuall weekend in town. Mark, who is this super tall ferengi and me, this questionable habasha hit the local squares, which happen to be named after foreing nouns. Mexico square is where the mini bus central is, Pushkin square is the nearby mall which is names after a Russian poet whose father is supposedly from Addis, and Piatza - an Italian named circle area. We just traveled around, floating from one region to another via mini bus. In the mini bus, you are cramed up next to a local , who tries to communicate...but the lack of Amharic words or the mixing up of them causes utter failure in conversation. I once asked -how much is the fare ? instead of - what is your name? haha. Mark, who has been here since September thankfully has bigger vocabulary base...which is nice. Anyways, we got off at the wrong place, and had to hike about a mile to Edna Mall, where we decided to watch Bride Wars, since I had seen Transporter 3 and he had seen Yes Man. I felt bad, cause Bride Wars is definetly a chick flick...but Mark was a good sport and watched it with me. They movie had Amharic subtitles and the concession were the right size and price...not as ridiculous as the 3 galoon soda you get in the states for an overrated price. When we walked out, if felt unreal. I had just watched Kate Hudson and Anne Hathway fight over wedding planning on the big screen in Addis. Earth to Niha...it was just...different from the lifestyle here. That summed up most of the day!!!

On Sunday, is the biggest festival besides Easter.Tim Ket is what was being celebrated and that is the Baptisim of Jesus Christ. Basically, Allula and I hit the big celebration at this massive massive massive field, where everyone possible crammed into dancing and singing traditional songs. Priests from the orthodox christian chruch dressed in beautiful golden garbs lead the procession. We basically just soaked in the heat dancing and enjoyed the atmosphere.

The biggest day this week was Tuesday...which was OBAMA DAY!!!! YEAH! The day was normal...just everyone going about their own business. I went to work, hung out with the kids and just enjoyed the sun. There was excitment, every mini bus has a picture of Obama above the dashboard, and Obama T-shirst are everywhere. But at night, we got dressed up and went to this club to watch the inaguaration. It was 9pm here and a little past 12 pm when Obama was sworn in. The event was held at Juventus club, a local Italian joint, and all the ferengi's in the country attended. Most of them worked for different organization such as the UN, Peace Corp, Wildlife Conservation programs and so on. Somehow they all new each other, but it was nice to be there. I think I was the youngest person there. Anyways, we watched the inaguatation live on a huge screen and saw Aretha Fraklin belt it out. The best part of the whole night was when a group of us were dancing to the song Celebrate, and on the big screen Bush was getting on the flight saying goodbye...and all of us were dancing shouting good ridance...and CELEBRATING! It was a blast. In general, it was just amazing to be watching the US inguaration, in Ethiopia at an Italian club. who would have thought? YES WE CAN!

Within the past two days I have developed a light cough...but I hope it wont get to bad. Yesterday, I got to take the kids to visit their siblings at AHOPE(the HIV section) and play with kids there. It was fun...since we got to chat Bollywood...which I love. And later that night, a man named Daniel who is adopting 12 year old Melat came for a visit and is boarding with us. The cool thing is that he is from Salem, OR...so I get to visit Melat in the states too. She leaves before I get home, so when I do get home, she will be soaking in the American culture...and I'll be able to have a little piece of the Layla house tucked away in my very own city!!!! YEAH!

catch ya later...

The daily (1/16/2009)

Life here has caught onto a routine, which is nice. I play with the kids, teach class, and hang out around town. Its pretty sweet. Everyone I come into contact is just so nice...very considerate...even the beggars. It is such a wonderful city...massive though...I swear one taxi ride takes 30 minutes...for me that is a lot of driving through pebbled alley ways, and dysfunctional highways with no traffic rules...but it gets us where we need to go. We have taxi driver we call up all the time, named Getu...he is hilarious. On his dashboard is a light up neon crucifix, and on the back window is a silohoutte of a very voluptuos woman...naked...haha! He is great!
Anyways, last night he drove us to Yad Abyssinia which is a traditional cultural restaraunt. They have a program of dancing and singing while you eat. During one part they bring a up some customers to the stage...and they chose me. So I had to dance and eat on stage for 10 minutes...sweet and embarassing. But i had a blast. Now i can shake it like a HABASHA (Ethiopian).
Its really funny...people here don't know what to make of me. In the volunteer group...there are 3 white americans, one girl from Finland but was adopoted from here, so she look Ethiopian and then there is me. The other Americans look like (ferengi -foreigners) and the people here love pointing that out. When you walk past them...they just say ferengi! thats it...the little kids love it...they want to shake your hands. For me, its a little different. They give me the inquisitive eye. I am brown like them...but my features are different...so they are puzzled. At cafes...you can hear an entire conversations behind our table based on what my nationality/heritage is. And when the finally decide to ask...they can't belive I am American and have no idea where Nepal is...its hilarous. Sometimes I get Arab ferengi or western Ethiopian (which are people who look like they are from Saudi, supposedly) I have a fun time toying with people.
This past weekend we got to go to Awash Natural Park. The park itself is split by a road. On the left side of the part are the Afar people, which is a tribe... and they live in the park (which is about 30-60km off the main road) On the right side are the Aromo people, which is another tribe. The two tribes always fight, so the entire time we were in the park we had two armed gaurds - who were extremely nice. They let us hold their guns!!! I have never helded a gun... so it was a new experience. Anyways we saw these massive waterfalls...and a whole bunch of animals...a lion, oryxs, lesser kudus (which look like deer but have thin white stripes on their backs -gorgeous) baboons, grovet monkeys, warthogs - yes, like the one from Lion king, camels - though it was a herd with the Afar people and weren't wild, a crocodile, dik-diks(which looked like mini deer/hairless rabbits). The birds were small but had beautiful coloring on their wings...a deep turqouise. Also, the butterflies were amazing. The just flitted and floated around...and and each one was different...just amazing...they were actually my favorite part. That night we stayed at a small hotel...which was overpriced since we were non-habashas. We ended up drinking on the roof...which was blasting tradtitional music. We danced the night away Gin and coke or wine and coke...The local wine here is very good...and is made to be mixed with coke or pepsi...very nice. Its not what we think of wine...but still does the job! All in all...it felt like a friday night back in Eugene! haha
THe next day we went to a natural hot spring...freakin hot...but looked like an oasis and chewed on the local drug of choice...chet. It is just a local leaf that stimulates the body. We were all just super excited. I had to give it a try...my excuse, it is part of the culture and thats what I am here to experience! haha.
Anyways it was 4-5 hour drive...and the driver, Allum played the 90's classics...over and over...I don't think I can handle Celine Dion, or the Backstreet boys for a while.

back at the children's home today is a going away party, for Genet and Awaris. Genet is 17yrs old and her brother Awaris is 15. They are leaving for Camas, WA (very close to portland) to live with their adopting family. They already have two brothers there and sister who were adopted two years ago, so it will be a big reunion for them. So, today all the kids will have cake and soda. Its is a very bitter sweet moment. But I am looking forward to it.

miss ya...and hope all is well!

(1/9/2007) I'm in LOVE...

...with a 10 year old. His name is Abenezer and I want to adopt him and his sister. Her name is Tsion. I had no idea that they were related until today. All the kids are just AMAZING! So many beautiful eyes, open hearts and loving smiles. They have so little but give so much. For example, some kids have siblings in AHOPE, which is the children's home for kids who have HIV/AIDS. On Christmas Day, which was Jan 7th, the siblings from AHOPE came over as a surprise visit. They normally get to see each other once in 2 weeks for only an hour. But since it was Christmas, the volunteers thought it would be a nice thing to bring families together. Anyways, the kids at the place I volunteer only got one gift from Santa, since there are a 150+ kids. But the all the kids gave their one gift they got to their siblings from AHOPE...my heart melted at this generosity. One brother and sister is Yubsika and Kidist. Yubsika is only 10 or 11, and he is the best big brother I have ever seen. He absolutely adores his little sister, and treats her like a princess. He traded his air soft gun(?) for a Barbie, so he could give her a present. Since he only gets to see her once in two weeks, he is always asking about her and how she is doing...it is the most adorable thing I have seen. Thankfully, a family in WA has adopted them and soon they will be living under the same roof. Every moment with them is so rewarding, and eye opening. I wish I could adopt everyone there.

Today, my boss - IVY...who is a tough petite women from New Jersey, and is the complete Jersey girl, including the Jewishness and biker chick look with a sensitive soul, adopted her first son today - Alazar (2yrs old). It was really exciting being here for that, since so many other volunteers have known her, we get to experience this transition phase with her. So , last night we decided it was going to be her last night as a single lady...since tomorrow she will have a short bald man as the apple of her eye. We went to Aladdin restaurant and ordered about 16 dishes btwn 7 of us. We shared everything which was so much fun. Afterwards, we headed to the Black Rose, a bar. It was tight....dim lighting...w/ candles and cushions everywhere. We ordered drinks, and being a klutz - I broke a glass...embarrassing...oh well! Anyways after some dancing, and Icelandic men scarring the shit of me, we called the night in and headed home. We blasted 80's music in the van, and sang our hearts out...even to Free Fallin' by Mr Petty...it was awesomeness.

Back the children's home, I have been just getting to know the kids and vice versa. They have nicknamed me HaNi (which is my name backwards...they think that is hilarious) and Oregon...since thats the state I'm from. When you meet the kids...they ask you two questions
1)What is your name?
2) What is your state?

The second question is pertinent since all the kids are adopted into one of the 50 states. Once they get a family...they try to get to know everything about their state. We have a lot of children going to WA, MI MN and MO. One sibling set is going to Salem, Oregon...yeah! However, Abenezer still doesn't have a family...but it shouldn't be too much longer. I hope its in OR or WA so I can visit. I love his spirit. He is so compassionate and wild. He just comes up to me, and grabs my hand to put around him. He also jumps on my back without warning, punches and kicks me like no other and loves to play anything with me. But the best part is when he just sits on my lap...or shoulders and doesn't say a thing...just sits their...holding on to me. I absolutely adore him.Every morning he runs up to me a plants a soft Papi(kiss) on both of my cheeks and does the same when I leave...I love that too. His sister is like that too...but just a little more outspoken...a wild child! haha. She loves being held...and is just the most adorable 6 year old with beads in her hair ever. I know when she is jumping onto me because the beads make some noise...but yet she always tries to surprise me.

Outside the children home, all the people are just wonderful. Right across the street from the home is a cafe - Serene Cafe and all you need shop. The cafe has become our little hangout, when we need to take a break from the kids. Kind of like out Central Perk from the FRIENDS show. I love the coffee here! I know...you thought you would never hear me say that - I love Coffee! its literally 20 cents a cup. Now thats what I call a good deal. The cafe owner - Ahmed is super chill and chats with us all the time. Sammy, a loitering customer joins in on the fun...and the children home teachers come and drink with us too.

Anyways...tomorrow is my first weekend... and I am off to Awash Natural Park...to hike a volcanic mountain, check out the animals...and see the country side, with the volunteers and Gutu ( the music teacher) ! yeah! It will be a blast.

Hopefully, later next week I will meet up with Alula - Alex ( a local friend/contact) and check out more of the city!

Miss y'all and keep me updated on all the hot gossip.

XOXO - HaNi/ Oregon girl

jk- Niha

Dena Nesh? (HOW ARE YOU? -Amharic) or Salam! - 1/7/2009

I reached Addis safe and sound after a grueling 16hrs plane ride. On the first flight, Angelique (from the dorms)+ a girl from a SGH + a girl from high school were on the flight....weird coincidence. I got here at about 11pm, and went straight to the volunteer house(my sleeping room) The electricity and water was out, so I pretty much settled in by candle light, and managed to cinch my hair 3 times...I am still a klutz half way around the world. the next day was Sunday, so we had breakfast at Kaldi's Coffee, which is a restaraunt version of Star bucks. The logo is copied straight from the Settle chain. It was hilarious. I ordered fries...not very Ethiopian of me. haha. Then we spent the rest of the day at the children's home. It was so much fun. They all are so gorgeous and heart warming. I made friends with some by playing a seriously amazing game of UNO, sadly I lost..haha. The girls and I just talked...well as much as we could do to the language barriers....the house moms which are just locals...can't believe I am not married. It took them convincing that I was single. they cracked me up.
Yesterday was my first official internship day...and I taught 2 classes of math...they taught me was more like it. I totally forgot about improper fractions and what 3 x 3 is...I need to go back to elementary school.
After school I cut onions and folded sheets with them (it was chore time). Then I just played with them... two little boys...dawit and abenezar think I am punching bag and always want to fight with me. The girls, lydia and yordanos want to play with me...dress up...or just girl talk. It is pretty amazing. I get to teach America, Activities and Religion class (about Hinduism...I am guest professor is what we call it) me a professor...haha!
Today is super exciting...it is Christmas here and we have a huge celebration. The kids get traditional ethiopian garb and presents and we get to see 4 goats get slaughtered for the feast...the boys are so excited by that.
I finally got to take a shower today since I arrived...I was lathering up the deodorant till now. The water finally came through the taps and shower heads and toilets. YEAH!!!

The walk to the layla house is about a 20 minute jaunt thru town. We first start on the pebble like road passing these huge mansions surrouded by brick fences (like it is in Nepal). Each house has a gate and security gaurd...love the style! Then we turn left on the street with pink house where the road is cemented. On this street are all the embassy's possible. From the DRC to the EU, AU, to Norway's, Mozambique to the every other country. After that stretch we make a left past the goat herd down a hill, cross the main street and the layla house (children's home) is just there. I love the walk to and back. Yesterday I got to kick a few times in a street pick of game of soccer! It was pretty tight - would have made you proud!

All in all it is laid back here...and I am loving it....
let me know how it is goin' with yall...but do it on my wall...it takes for ever with dial up to get to the message section of facebook.

miss ya...
Niha

Ethiopia Bound!

So, I am off to far away land called Ethiopia. I started badgering my parent to let me study abroad since 10th grade. After multiples of NO NO NO, college rolled around but my desire to go abroad was still there. With papa Gates on my side, I shopped around...Greece, Madagascar, Scotland...but my final selection was Ethiopia. Somehow I applied...and now within 10 hrs I will be on plane there. My stomach is half butterflies, half can of worms. I don't know what I am feeling. nerves, possible vomit
(seems to be what i do best on planes), or just fear. Fear of not knowing...ugh...I feel like I am back in 3rd grade, my first day boarding school...when my parents left. I was alone. All my roommates had older siblings doors down, and I was lost, confused, and wondering where my folks were. I did not have any control. It feels like that. i know my intern at the Layla House will be phenomenal. The cultural will be so refreshing and the people just welcoming, but I still feel lost. The airport is not going to help either. Hundreds, thousands of people pretending to no where they are going, speaking in some unintelligible language. When actually they are like me, lost in crowd just waiting for the damn sea to part and the path to be shown. I talked to Jenny. She calmed my nerves. It was not too long of a conversation, but definitely needed. Rachel sent some music and I am definitely going to need that back up on the plane. Buwa and Ama have been great the past two days. Helping me pack and all. They seem to be getting along...which has put my nerves at ease somewhat. Raj is as usual....work...sleep...eat...computer...with some interaction. I hope when I get back we can spend some time together....mini golf??? We played another two rounds of cards....my worst nightmare...but everyone else enjoys it. The game Marriage, just didn't float my boat, neither does the real concept of Marriage...at least for now.

But still...I am do not feel brave enough. Its 2:00 am and I am the condemned building right before a giant wrecking ball hits it. I just want to get there, and put the idea of airports, and no control behind me. I am worried about getting there...when I should just think about the fun experience ahead! I know its time, and I should be ready. There is just a good, learning time ahead...So I have decided to kick back and let the good times roll!!! Here I come Layla House, Addis Ababa, and Ethiopia...braver than I actually am...OM MANI PADME HUM!!!!
PS- even though I am so confused...I am extremely thankful...Ama/Buwa...and will miss everyone...expecially the Cougs! I'll try to blog...and keep and touch....see you in the spring!