Can't u c I'm movin' on...

Araali is no longer in the USA. He’s movin’ on, but he’s like a yo-yo, and he’ll come back before too long. How long? Only the pagan gods know. Keep prayin’!

Until then, I’ll be posting updates of life’s journeys at araalinuga.blogspot.com.



(I promise to keep this address for a while.)

I <3 NY


Anyone who know me knows that I’m on my way back to Uganda to teach for the next two years. I spent three years there (‘02-‘05) teaching in rural Western Uganda. I’ve been hired by an international school in Kampala, the capital city. I’m returning to Uganda, but his experience will be very different than my previous one.

I flew out yesterday morning from JFK, and I’m a little over an hour into a six-hour layover in Dubai. (Three cheers for free internet access in airports! Boo! to those who are too cheap and charge a fee.) I spent the weekend in New York City with my friend Sharon and visiting with other friends I have in the area. Sharon and I pretty much spend Saturday and Sunday walking, walking up and down Manhattan. It was great. She is one of the few people I know who enjoys walking as much as I do. I just like to wander around, no need for a destination. When we were not walking, we were eating. Vacations for me = eating lots of food.


I ran into Dave from blogography.com outside of the Apple Store on 5th Avenue. I also ran into another friend that I’d not seen in three years inside of a Barnes and Noble bookstore. I visited Central Park for the first time.


Italy won the World Cup. Of course, I had no idea the finals were taking place, so I had no idea which teams were competing. The were a lot of Italians partying and waving flags in the streets on Sunday. I thought there was some kind of Italian holiday that I was unaware of.


Several of my Peace Corps buddies were in town for the weekend, and we met up for brunch at Ursula’s apartment on Sunday. Catching up was so much fun!


Beth, I really wish you could’ve made it.

Celebrating

Independence


Ok, I promised to post about my 4th of July celebration. A week later, and here it is. I spend a fantastic day at Beacon Hill with my friend Holly, and her family’s annual picnic. Apparently this year it was dubbed “Dana’s picnic.” Their family is very close, and they get together for most big holiday. Independence Day is Holly’s mom’s favorite holiday of the year. I’ve tagged along to many of their family’s festivities over the years, but this was my first 4th of July. Like I said, they are very close. They really enjoy each other’s company, but if you are not a member of the family, forget it. Most of them could care less if you are there are not. Like I said, I’ve attended many of their functions over the past 20-something years. Some of the family members acted like they had no idea who I was. Funny, funny.


In the evening, we went into Port St. Joe and watched the fireworks. This was the first time in countless years that I’d watched fireworks on 4th of July. Yes, I’ve been living overseas the past several years, but I usually make it to the states for June and July. I was pretty impressed with the show. I really took me back to my childhood. Things have changed so much in Port St. Joe since I left there 12 years ago. It has gone from an industrial port town to a quaint little tourist destination. The paper mill shut down eight years ago and was dismantled. Million-dollar homes and condos have sprung up all over the place on land that was once considered of little value. Some people are getting very rich while others feel like they are losing their way of life.


The coastal area where I’m from is sometimes referred to as the “Redneck Riviera.” I know, cute. Doesn’t that just make you want to pack your bags and book a vacation in the area. The ads on the radio from the development companies are stating, “We’re taking the redneck out of the riviera.” The locals are lovin’ that.

Be Nice!

I had a wonderful Fourth of July. I spent it with my best friends Holly and Dana. I just got home tonight. I'll post more about it tomorrow. Good times.

I rented Margaret Cho's Assassin the other night.

Loved it!


Cho! Cho! Cho!

These are some of my favorite parts:

The Christian Groups, you know, these Christian family groups who are out of control. They have really, these Christian groups, they have lost their minds. Even Satanists are saying: "Wow! You guys are being really mean."


Why is Viagra everywhere?
Doesn't it make more sense leave the bullets out of the gun than to just try to avoid being shot?
Especially when the gun is an old musket, that you gotta pour gun powder in a tap it down.

Bruce Daniels was also featured on Assassin. This was the first time I'd heard his act. Definitely good for a few laughs.







The Bush twins make the Hilton sisters look like members of Mensa.