All things must eventually come to an end. Sometimes its in the person's control, and sometimes its out of the individuals hand. As I enter my 11th month in Bwindi and the hardships and challenges continue to mount. Sure, I've certainly made some enemies during my time in Bwindi, some more imaginery than others, but as I close in the annual aniversary, I being to think what else I can do with my life. All my life people have always told me I am smart, determined, and with great potential to do whatever I want in my life. Basically people say I can achieve great things. And yet, I have never really see that in myself. Call a lack of self-confidence or lack of guidance, but as much as I am preceived to be someone to others around me, which I don't see in myself.
I guess I am afraid to take on more responsibility, afraid of how if I was given more power and authority can change me, afraid of failure, and perhaps with an aged old philosophy of isolation and non interference. Yes, before my 20th birthday, I pretty much lived a careful life, no major risk, no social life, no wordly view, and adopted an ideaology of disengagment from much of my surroundings. I had a hard time forming my own opinions or making my own decisions. I was a prisoner in my own mind.
But after the 20th, I decided to venture out..to become the opposite of what I was. I reasoned that to stand idly by and do nothing when good can be done, when difference can be made, was being guilty of complacency. I guess I had come tothe realization that there is more to life. Perhaps it was the realization "that life is worth living" as one Lisa Simpson once said.
Nevertheless, in the past weeks, I have become more diluted and being to question my role in the greater scheme of things. Nevermind work, I never really felt that had much impact here in Bwindi anyways, and for me it would be stupid to think otherwise. I neither possess the impartiality nor audacity to evaluate my own work or life. For that I leave to others. But then this contradicts my "I don't give a &*^(*^ to what others think attitude." I guess I can't have it both ways. To interfere with the lives of others is to care for them. The opposite of love isn't hatred....as I once read, the opposite of love is indifference.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Gorillas and Porn and Big Bro.
I would like to thank the American folks who so generously and liberately donated to us the very expensive gorilla trekking permits which allow myself and my friends (the four of us) to trek endangered mountain gorilla species in the world famous national park in Bwindi. As any here can atest to, a gorilla permit to go trek starts at around 500$USD for foreigners. I had only wish you folks were abled to come visit and tour our Bwindi Community Hospital and see a true success story in healthcare in Uganda and Africa.
And here is where the gloves come off. Someone out there, supposely with a Harvard PhD, is going around and spreading rumours about our hospital saying as this is an African Hospital in the jungle (which it is), you should stay away at all cost. TB, HIV, MVP are all spread with you touching a doorknob or shaking hands with the infected....Oh but that is total garbage. Not true at all. Or at such as minicues chance that a single visit or two poses no risk. Hell I ve been here at the hospital in Uganda for 10 months and involve in some dubious practices and I m healthy...further more, English pair been here for +2 years and still kicking.
Gorillas and development. The tourists here are wealthy, rich to the filthy rich x 10 and hence loads of money comes to Bwindi. Some money, like that that goes to BCH is well spent, yet others simply go ..well........Lets just say the world is not perfect, neither is Bwindi.
Thing with Gorillas is that they are not unlike humans....I mean, tell it to the same American folks who gave my friends and I free pass. Didn't know that gorillas like giving face to each other. Humans lose face all the time...just that we seldom do it in front of a crowd. I wouldn't be surprise if that video and picture were posted on Youtube.
Speaking of Youtube....it is not blocked in Uganda...but more so blocked at our hospital. After months of trying I have finally created a proxy server...a computer device that can censor and block and monitor internet traffic. It is so cool, the main device that I abhor the most...something I censors the populous and yet I ve created the first one here in Bwindi and for this hospital. Even as I type this, my activites are being monitored....this site, the ads. Yes I am Big Brother and No there is no gorilla porn on this site. But please ..... does it really turn you on when you see gorillas sucking face.
And here is where the gloves come off. Someone out there, supposely with a Harvard PhD, is going around and spreading rumours about our hospital saying as this is an African Hospital in the jungle (which it is), you should stay away at all cost. TB, HIV, MVP are all spread with you touching a doorknob or shaking hands with the infected....Oh but that is total garbage. Not true at all. Or at such as minicues chance that a single visit or two poses no risk. Hell I ve been here at the hospital in Uganda for 10 months and involve in some dubious practices and I m healthy...further more, English pair been here for +2 years and still kicking.
Gorillas and development. The tourists here are wealthy, rich to the filthy rich x 10 and hence loads of money comes to Bwindi. Some money, like that that goes to BCH is well spent, yet others simply go ..well........Lets just say the world is not perfect, neither is Bwindi.
Thing with Gorillas is that they are not unlike humans....I mean, tell it to the same American folks who gave my friends and I free pass. Didn't know that gorillas like giving face to each other. Humans lose face all the time...just that we seldom do it in front of a crowd. I wouldn't be surprise if that video and picture were posted on Youtube.
Speaking of Youtube....it is not blocked in Uganda...but more so blocked at our hospital. After months of trying I have finally created a proxy server...a computer device that can censor and block and monitor internet traffic. It is so cool, the main device that I abhor the most...something I censors the populous and yet I ve created the first one here in Bwindi and for this hospital. Even as I type this, my activites are being monitored....this site, the ads. Yes I am Big Brother and No there is no gorilla porn on this site. But please ..... does it really turn you on when you see gorillas sucking face.
Monday, August 25, 2008
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
zzzzz dzzn it...somezzz is editting and deleting all my outspoken rants and crazy comments about the nurses here have zzzzzz who are more than willing to zzzzzz but no..I can't say anything to the outside world about this zzzzzzzzzz. [Deleted by Right to Censor].
zzzzz you [Deleted by Right to Censor] ....this was the same cult group of WWF (now WWE) wrestlers who goes around censoring the zzzzz that is spoken in zzzz matches...so you don't beable to seee a hot zzzzz mud wrestling with another zzzzzz....wearing only zzzzzz ...ahhh I can't believe zzzzzz.
This blog was editted by [Deleted by Right to Censor].
zzzzz you [Deleted by Right to Censor] ....this was the same cult group of WWF (now WWE) wrestlers who goes around censoring the zzzzz that is spoken in zzzz matches...so you don't beable to seee a hot zzzzz mud wrestling with another zzzzzz....wearing only zzzzzz ...ahhh I can't believe zzzzzz.
This blog was editted by [Deleted by Right to Censor].
Sunday, August 24, 2008
man, machine and pineapple upside down cake
If you spend the next 25 years of your life trying to figure out the connection between man, machine and pineapple upside down cake...you probably go insane in 25 days. Luckily this didn't happen to me, athough some who know me or have read this blog may have conclude I m not so right for deciding to stay almost 9 months in Uganda. This equatorial country has the same time for sunset and sunrise. It simply never changes unless there are rain clouds in the sky. Hrmmm sunrise and sunset...reminds of a couple movies I really much appreciated watching...call them chick flicks..but nevertheless a well made film. The average Uganda may have a harder time understanding what these films mean (its all in the conversation), but I got one do appreciate the subtle meanings and interludes in life. Not to say that i don't enjoy the occasional action film..re Fifth Element which apparently was a major hit with the local here during our regular weekend film nites.
The shear humanity present was wonderful...well enough to fit a small living room, but hey even if the staff at the hospital don't appreciate the film nights being organized, at the patients in the wards are taking advantage of the occasion for some entertainment. It gets pretty boring at the hospital at night...few lights, no entertainment, no vending machines, no TV, no other places to go to at night. Again the official Uganda bedtime is 10pm. WEll if the patients appreciate a movie night, more than the staff and actually show and behave themselves...then more power to them and I say continue supplying the event.
And patients at BCH should appreciate even more the hospital than just free movie nights, as of a few weeks ago, we got regular X-Ray and Ultrasound services, partly thanks to me of course, and much thanks to a duet of Swedish techicians who came here to train the a hand full of staff on using such advance technology. It use to be BCH only had X-Ray Ultrasound services every Thursday when a technician came, but now with our own staff trained to do basic techniques, we got it everyday. Oh and my part....well I was the one who diagnose and fixed the X-Ray and Ultrasound machines just before the training to allow our staff to be train. Oh yes....a failure in Physic 101 and I was still about to figure out what was wrong with the X-Ray and Ultrasound. Albeit, the solution was simple, and problem easily identified, but it took some ingenuity. I never knew a common paper clip can be use to fix an 5000USD X-Ray machine and 500USD Ultrasound. In the end, I guess I did save the day..but then who am I kidding...if I didn't do it, some1 else would have.
Hey, outta all these events, it was suggested I look into a career in radiography...man and machine....problem solving....technical skills development and teaching. Not a bad idea..certainly something to keep in mind. I really need to get back to school. I simply don't have the refined skills and qualifications needed to move on. But what to study and where to go? Now these questions alone can take the next 25 years to answer...and after what I ve gone through...last five years seraching the world for something to do....and to have another 25 years....it could be too much.
Whch is how I came to this one solution, the solution to everything: Pineapple Upside Down Cake. ALways a hit, unless your allergic to pineapple or wheat or eggs. But caramelized pineapple with sugar and a splash of rum....what can go wrong with tat...oh zzzz...I burnt the pineapple...fzzzzk shizzzzz...[Deleted by Right to Censor].
The shear humanity present was wonderful...well enough to fit a small living room, but hey even if the staff at the hospital don't appreciate the film nights being organized, at the patients in the wards are taking advantage of the occasion for some entertainment. It gets pretty boring at the hospital at night...few lights, no entertainment, no vending machines, no TV, no other places to go to at night. Again the official Uganda bedtime is 10pm. WEll if the patients appreciate a movie night, more than the staff and actually show and behave themselves...then more power to them and I say continue supplying the event.
And patients at BCH should appreciate even more the hospital than just free movie nights, as of a few weeks ago, we got regular X-Ray and Ultrasound services, partly thanks to me of course, and much thanks to a duet of Swedish techicians who came here to train the a hand full of staff on using such advance technology. It use to be BCH only had X-Ray Ultrasound services every Thursday when a technician came, but now with our own staff trained to do basic techniques, we got it everyday. Oh and my part....well I was the one who diagnose and fixed the X-Ray and Ultrasound machines just before the training to allow our staff to be train. Oh yes....a failure in Physic 101 and I was still about to figure out what was wrong with the X-Ray and Ultrasound. Albeit, the solution was simple, and problem easily identified, but it took some ingenuity. I never knew a common paper clip can be use to fix an 5000USD X-Ray machine and 500USD Ultrasound. In the end, I guess I did save the day..but then who am I kidding...if I didn't do it, some1 else would have.
Hey, outta all these events, it was suggested I look into a career in radiography...man and machine....problem solving....technical skills development and teaching. Not a bad idea..certainly something to keep in mind. I really need to get back to school. I simply don't have the refined skills and qualifications needed to move on. But what to study and where to go? Now these questions alone can take the next 25 years to answer...and after what I ve gone through...last five years seraching the world for something to do....and to have another 25 years....it could be too much.
Whch is how I came to this one solution, the solution to everything: Pineapple Upside Down Cake. ALways a hit, unless your allergic to pineapple or wheat or eggs. But caramelized pineapple with sugar and a splash of rum....what can go wrong with tat...oh zzzz...I burnt the pineapple...fzzzzk shizzzzz...[Deleted by Right to Censor].
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Why we play the game.
Oh yes, with the onset of the Euro Cup and the maniac soccer fans in Uganda, it is only prudent we play some soccer. And yes the hospital has it own zzzzz team, a bunch of rag tag zzzz zzzz bend threatening the opponent a zzzzz zzzz zzzz score more than a zzzz or getting more than 3 scores. Well, this sunday I hope to play my first match against the zzzz Boda Boda drivers....if they play anything like they drive...whoa we are in for real showdown.
Speaking of boda bodas....my friend is back in Vietnam....oih yes VN...probably one of those country I would considering going back to and living there a while. Great place...cheap stuff...awesome food. Not sure how well the Xoem driver (VN 's equivalent of the bodA boda) would fair in a soccer match.
But back to Uganda...I am approaching my 8 th month of internment in Bwindi, Uganda. And the hospital is developing along peachily. We got new med students from the English land and I got a social life again, although everyone here at the guesthouse left me all alone tonite :(
I wish there was more things interesting to talk about here, unfortunately anything interesting all revolving zzzzzzz [Deleted by Right to Censor] and how we zzzzz and how I zzzzz zzzz zzzz....especially on one nite of pool and zzzzzz chattin when we zzzzz (well I did much of the zzzzz) all the way zzzzz to the ends of the earth. Whoa....I was on zzzz with my zzzzz....saying things I usually say anyways, but in a cooler matter. I wonder if I zzzz zzzz while learning a new language, maybe I can master than language in a matter of weeks rather than months.
Hrm....definitely a experiment to try. Of course I all might well mouth my fucked up zzzzz zzzz off to the wrong person and get beaten up [Deleted by Right to Censor].
But what is life without a little risk. According to the Joker as he holds a razor to Batman's face: "What's a couple of nicks between friends?!"
So in the end, we play the game because it is fun...and I play because I want to know what happens in the end.
Speaking of boda bodas....my friend is back in Vietnam....oih yes VN...probably one of those country I would considering going back to and living there a while. Great place...cheap stuff...awesome food. Not sure how well the Xoem driver (VN 's equivalent of the bodA boda) would fair in a soccer match.
But back to Uganda...I am approaching my 8 th month of internment in Bwindi, Uganda. And the hospital is developing along peachily. We got new med students from the English land and I got a social life again, although everyone here at the guesthouse left me all alone tonite :(
I wish there was more things interesting to talk about here, unfortunately anything interesting all revolving zzzzzzz [Deleted by Right to Censor] and how we zzzzz and how I zzzzz zzzz zzzz....especially on one nite of pool and zzzzzz chattin when we zzzzz (well I did much of the zzzzz) all the way zzzzz to the ends of the earth. Whoa....I was on zzzz with my zzzzz....saying things I usually say anyways, but in a cooler matter. I wonder if I zzzz zzzz while learning a new language, maybe I can master than language in a matter of weeks rather than months.
Hrm....definitely a experiment to try. Of course I all might well mouth my fucked up zzzzz zzzz off to the wrong person and get beaten up [Deleted by Right to Censor].
But what is life without a little risk. According to the Joker as he holds a razor to Batman's face: "What's a couple of nicks between friends?!"
So in the end, we play the game because it is fun...and I play because I want to know what happens in the end.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
ZZZ someone
No, this is not about some zzzz abuse incident or showing zzzz to my fellow zzzz zzzz. Instead, a zzz achievement here at Bwindi Hospital. Yes apart from the fact BCHC is now officially recognized as a hospital and zzzz for government funding, but I...with much effort finally got the first deskphone to work in the hospital. Soon anyone in the world can call Bwindi Community Hospital. The phone works now, but I m still testing out the reliability and stability of our signal. But once that happens, the hospital will announce to the world in a great marketing and ad campaign that we got a phone. [Deleted by Right to Censor] This is an achievement because inthe past, not so long ago...in fact a few weeks ago, we had to climb a hill or mount or tree to get signal to our mobile phones. Now, I can potentially chat with someone calling from Canada..chatting about french zzzzz and hockey zzzz from the confort of a zzzz zzzz administration building office.
Yes, consider this the first step to BCH finally reaching out and zzzzzz someone. Wonderful news for our marketing and fundraising division. As you can understand, a hospital in Uganda relies heavily on the goodwill of others around the world. We need funding...even with govt. funds, we still need donors to supply running costs. It ain't easy running a hospital in the middle of nowhere...the logistics have hampered us greatly. But the serene nature and beauty of this place is certainly worth me extending my contract for another 6 months.
Yes as said, I staying till zzzzzz and hopefully my second half of my term will be more rewarding and better. Yes, better. Now the next thing to do is prepare for this lecture I am giving in a few days. Electricity and safety and fun childrens science experiments. Remember that fun experiment back in elementary school when you take a lemon and try to light a lightbulb from it. Well, lemons are hard to come by here so....another way.
Well, update in a week how my lecture goes.. This is my first big time teaching session. And I got much to live up to. All the hype I created...I hate to dissappoint. I just hope that touching someone does n't result in a zzzz or zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. Yes, there are things worst than zzzzzzzz. :(
Yes, consider this the first step to BCH finally reaching out and zzzzzz someone. Wonderful news for our marketing and fundraising division. As you can understand, a hospital in Uganda relies heavily on the goodwill of others around the world. We need funding...even with govt. funds, we still need donors to supply running costs. It ain't easy running a hospital in the middle of nowhere...the logistics have hampered us greatly. But the serene nature and beauty of this place is certainly worth me extending my contract for another 6 months.
Yes as said, I staying till zzzzzz and hopefully my second half of my term will be more rewarding and better. Yes, better. Now the next thing to do is prepare for this lecture I am giving in a few days. Electricity and safety and fun childrens science experiments. Remember that fun experiment back in elementary school when you take a lemon and try to light a lightbulb from it. Well, lemons are hard to come by here so....another way.
Well, update in a week how my lecture goes.. This is my first big time teaching session. And I got much to live up to. All the hype I created...I hate to dissappoint. I just hope that touching someone does n't result in a zzzz or zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. Yes, there are things worst than zzzzzzzz. :(
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Eve of Round 2: The better half.
Oh yes, I may have been away for a while but I am back and ready for Round 2. VSO, the org. sponsored me to head to Bwindi, Uganda in the first place thinks I should stay in Uganda for another 6 months after my initial 6 months. Many say I am nuts to be headed to Africa in the first place and now I am an official nutter to stay here for so long...upto a year. My mother will zzzzz. Yay!!!...zzzzz.mzzzzzz...oh well. Maybe I'll call home. I so happen to agree with VSO that my work is far from done which is why I am staying put. Thing is I am never great at first impressions so the second half of anything for me is always the better half.
I just came back from Lake Bunyoni, a magical paradise gulf islands type of place ...similar to the Gulf Islands off western Canada's coast. I am still teaching people computers here but more and more I am proving to be as effective as a troubleshooter and electrician. I got assigned to the upcoming power development project set to revolutionize the power infracstructure here in Bwindi. The hospital hopes to get a 24/7 power available...yahoo..a working fridge and cold beers if I am lucky. Furthermore, I also learnt one of my friends maybe ...highly likely headed to Kenya for work and well....Nairobi is as close to Kampala and Uganda as any of my friends have gotten. Trip to Zanzibar I hear is in the works and I am hoping to see the truth of Indian meets Middle East meets African. Great Beaches I hear in Zanzibar too.
Work wise, I am zzzzz. There doesn't seem to be the same zzzzzfactor to work anymore, but then I just came back from vacation and well my brain is something that I either use it or lose it. Apparently 5 days away from work was enough to fried my brain to it "lose it" state. KNow what I spend my vacation doing? I was in Kabale learning how to use Linux operating system from ym friend and later when to the lake of an island paradise to study physics. And yes I got a Z in first year physics. I need to refocus and get some results at work hence the interest in rereading the physics textbook I so dreaded in university. As I am now the chief person here with any sense and understand of basic electrical knowledge, I am planning a lecture/teaching sesson on electricity and safety. Hey might as well since this hospital and surrounding community will soon get 24/7 power. But knowing Africa, soon could be years down the line. Hopefully this is just months down the line.
We all got two sides to us. Me, it's my lateral side that is better in everyway. My better half for some reason always tends to finish last.
I finally watched the Canadian film Juno. Great film, made in Vancouver too. Yay!!! And of course....GO HABS!!!!
I just came back from Lake Bunyoni, a magical paradise gulf islands type of place ...similar to the Gulf Islands off western Canada's coast. I am still teaching people computers here but more and more I am proving to be as effective as a troubleshooter and electrician. I got assigned to the upcoming power development project set to revolutionize the power infracstructure here in Bwindi. The hospital hopes to get a 24/7 power available...yahoo..a working fridge and cold beers if I am lucky. Furthermore, I also learnt one of my friends maybe ...highly likely headed to Kenya for work and well....Nairobi is as close to Kampala and Uganda as any of my friends have gotten. Trip to Zanzibar I hear is in the works and I am hoping to see the truth of Indian meets Middle East meets African. Great Beaches I hear in Zanzibar too.
Work wise, I am zzzzz. There doesn't seem to be the same zzzzzfactor to work anymore, but then I just came back from vacation and well my brain is something that I either use it or lose it. Apparently 5 days away from work was enough to fried my brain to it "lose it" state. KNow what I spend my vacation doing? I was in Kabale learning how to use Linux operating system from ym friend and later when to the lake of an island paradise to study physics. And yes I got a Z in first year physics. I need to refocus and get some results at work hence the interest in rereading the physics textbook I so dreaded in university. As I am now the chief person here with any sense and understand of basic electrical knowledge, I am planning a lecture/teaching sesson on electricity and safety. Hey might as well since this hospital and surrounding community will soon get 24/7 power. But knowing Africa, soon could be years down the line. Hopefully this is just months down the line.
We all got two sides to us. Me, it's my lateral side that is better in everyway. My better half for some reason always tends to finish last.
I finally watched the Canadian film Juno. Great film, made in Vancouver too. Yay!!! And of course....GO HABS!!!!
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