Springing Forward

Hi Friends,

I returned from Uganda over a month ago now, and when I arrived back in DC spring was (technically) already here. But I was cold in my bones. It's been hard for me to warm up, difficult to return to my life here. It's been slow.

Cherry blossom season is my favorite time of year here, and I was lucky to get to share it with my sibs, who came to visit for a week. It was fabulous to get to spin with my sister as the petals spilled and floated from the trees, and so good to hear about my brother's awesome work back at home.

This month M and I escaped several times into the Shennedoah Mountains, a favorite retreat. We visited friends, and poked around the trails and the towns, relaxing. We found a few vintage treasures (one involves food and the color red, and the other jewelry, so that's pretty much perfection) and a dear library, among other things.

So after this hiatus and recharging period -- a mini winter hibernation -- I feel like I'm getting back into my skin. And....

I'm off to Bosnia in just under an hour. This time the trip will be short: 2 weeks working on a consulting project. I'm excited, but a little sad to leave M and Matisse so soon! I have really missed blogging, and will try and post from the road. If you feel so inclined, please leave comments. I enjoy them so much!

love and cherry blossoms to you all,
Aimee

Missing This Funny Face...

so, so much. Trying hard to get back into the swing of things here. Trying to prepare for Bosnia, too. Slowly, slowly. Or, I guess, quickly, quickly.

Sigh.

Favorite quote of the week:

"Wandering around has changed me more than I thought, I am not me anymore. At least, I am not the same me I was." -Che Guevara

I've wandered around quite a lot before, but I've never felt changed in quite the same way...so deeply. (Photo courtesy of James -- thank you!)

Home!

I landed in the concrete jungle known as JFK on Tuesday. It felt strange to be back, but wonderful to see m again. Some nasty African stomach bug hitchhiked back home with me, so I've been sleeping on the couch, resting, and drinking clear fluids, just like Mom always told me to do.

I want to thank you all for following me on this grand adventure of my past three months. Thank you for supporting me and sharing my experience. You might never know how much it has meant.

Just because I am home doesn't mean that I am going away! On the contrary, I have found that it was nearly impossible to process and share most of my time in Uganda on this blog in real time. Too time consuming, too overwhelming. That is why, as I readjust to life here, I will continue to share photos and stories from my time in Uganda, as well as current events that deserve our attention. So please stay connected, and let me know what you think, or what you'd like to hear more about. Love to you all....

Aimee

So Little Time

Dear Friends,

It's hard to believe that I will be leaving Gulu in just two days, and home within the week. I am overflowing with stories, news, and photos to share, both beautiful and horrifying. I will return with these packed carefully and tightly as I consider what may be my next steps for (and within?) this area I have come to love deeply.

A quick update, with more to follow...

• Guess who is home, playing with the neighborhood kids, and enrolled in pre-school? Yup, Joyce! If there was ever reason to hope, I have found it in the form of a 3 year old girl picking out her first school bag (purple blue with flowers).
• Northern Uganda is in the midst of a severe food crisis. The UN has cut rations in the camps, (which were originally only enough to meet minimum needs for survival -- not health) in HALF. I have been spending a lot of my time in the camps and will share my impressions and understanding of this once I get home. Suffice to say, this is catastrophic, and worse, the people living there have only learned of these cuts in the past two days. Please, read more here.

Much love to all,

Aimee

Gulu Town Snapshots

Women's Day at Awer IDP Camp

We Love To Read!

Hungry?

I pass this restaurant all the time, and yesterday I snapped a photo. It's my favorite. I haven't dined there, but it makes me smile every time.

Abductions and Agony - 20 Years

Gulu Town