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