Exams FINISHED! And hail!

We had a colossal thunderstorm today; not terribly unusual.  The hail, however, was new to me.  Way cool!

I had something all written for when I got to the network, but apparently overwrote the file.  Jessica is a bear of little brain during/after exams.

I'm off  to Kampala tomorrow to stay with Bishop Muhima's kids, and am very excited about that.  I'm going to avoid a computer as much as possible, so I'll be back on campus (and online) 5 May.

Blessings!

Goin' to the cathedral

For the next two semesters, I will be doing field work in a parish; here it's called block placement.  As near as I can tell, it's the equivalent of field work for seminarians in the US.  One of my friends did absolutely nothing on his field work, and one was given three parishes to preach in every week.  Some are sent to churches close by, others are sent far away, either to rural parishes, or in Kampala or Entebbe (which in ideal conditions is at least 90 minutes away).

My friends have been speculating where the school will send me for my block placement.  Tom thought they would send me to All Saints' Cathedral in Kampala (which is Archbishop Orombi's parish).  Isaac thought they would post me with someone else, presumably so I'm not traveling alone.  

Today after chapel, Canon Moses pulled me aside and asked to speak to me.  Egads - that never happens.  He told me that they were planning to place me at the Cathedral in Mukono; is that OK, or did I want to go to Kampala?

I'm fairly certain that I am the only student who has been given a choice about placement.  The Cathedral in Mukono is literally outside one of the side gates - I'll have to allow ten minutes travel time to be sure that I'm not late.

Wow.  I am actually quite relieved that I won't have to worry about traveling on Sunday mornings, especially in the rain.  Part of me feels badly that I'm [most likely] getting preferential treatment, but my gratitude is slowly beating that out.

"Yoga!"

Not that yoga...

In Soroti, "yoga" means "greetings," and is the traditional way of saying hello.  The response is "yoga nago" (or something to that effect; I don't recall the second word), but it's basically a conditioned response.  It's like when someone says "Praise the Lord," the conditioned response is "Amen!"

One of the people I met at the wedding was the Soroti Diocese's Diocesan Secretary, and we were talking about his seminarians I know here, which was nice.

I thought it would be fun to greet my friends from Soroti in their native language. Tonight (Monday) at supper, I saw my friend Charles, and went over shook his hand (standard greeting), and said "Yoga!"  He replied "Yoga na-" before he did the double take when he realized who was greeting him.  

Priceless!

Soroti Wedding

I did go to Soroti with Dr. Opol and his wife, and while I'm now worried about finishing his take-home exam (his words this weekend: "oh, don't worry about that.") in sufficient time to keep studying for Pentateuch on Wednesday, I'm glad I went.

The bride, of course, was lovely, and it was a wonderful service. Yes, I'll post pictures eventually. Dr. Opol used a lot of the liturgy from the Book of Common Prayer, so it was very familiar. But wow - our services seem positively sterile compared with the African exuberant joy! You've never heard such carousing in a church, and it was fabulous.

Time-wise, the service was three hours, and the reception was probably about four-five, which by African standards is making good time. I was gratified that the MCs kept the reception moving along.

Two differences really stood out in the reception: the speeches (which actually were cut short because the speakers blew; otherwise, we could still be there), and the presentation of the presents. Some presents came with speeches, but there was a line to give the presents to the speeches. This included the chickens and a goat. Someone announced a cow, but we never did see her. The page boy (ring bearer?) kept trying to feed the goat, who wanted nothing to do with the grass the little guy was offering.

Then we went to Serere, Dr. Opol's village, for the night. They have a lovely house there, though it lacks electricty and running water (which is common in the village). Driving through the bush is quite an experience, and Dr. Opol just has a car, not a truck or an SUV like many have. At one point he was marveling at some scratches on the hood, and I had to remind him that he'd been driving through the bush, for goodness sake! It is stunningly beautiful there; I understand why people like to go there, though I'd really prefer to have running water.

One of Dr. Opol's nephews had died a few days prior, so we went to pay condolences for the family, and were only there for about four hours. The kids were fairly star-struck to be around a muzungu; there were a couple who sat on the ground and just watched me read my notes. Most of them got up the nerve to shake my hand - I was quite proud of them.

We arrived back at campus about 11:30 Sunday night. I probably have more to say, like about the school Dr. Opol is building in the village, but 1. am tired, and 2. need to conquer his exam. More later!

Nice day!

"MDiv, stop!"

Last semester, we had the wrong exam paper.  It happened again.  At least last semester it was an exam for a different class; this was different.

This time, we were taking the African Church History exam, which is one of the classes we take with the Bachelor's students.  I noticed that our paper was the same as theirs, which was fine.  I chose the questions I was going to answer, and made my outlines. 

I had written one paragraph when Canon Moses stopped us.  Our paper said "Master of Divinity" on the top, so I'm not quite sure what happened.  But he collected our papers and gave us new ones.  I liked the first questions better, I must say.  The second questions were doable (and thankfully related, so I could reuse my notes).

One thing that has been great is that for the three papers we've sat for thus far, they've had us attempt four out of eight questions.  Last semester, we had to choose two questions from section A and two from section B, which I am not fond of at all.

I had been dreading telling my class that I'm not sitting for the African Theology paper.  They've been very supportive; Amos told me that he was surprised that I sat for African Church History.  One friend, not in my class, called me a chicken for opting for a take-home exam.  He kids a lot, so I hope he's just teasing.  The Dean agreed that it was a good decision, which is a relief.

The internet in the Honours College has been gone for about a week.  I can often get access in the dining hall, but came Thursday evening, and it was out there too.  This is tragic for communication, but especially since I ws planning to do my research for my take-home exam on the web.  I will probably have to go to the library now, and will just pray that I can find the books I need.

Mea culpa

Two exams down, four to go.  While I am certain that I will not fail this semester, I'm not at all confident that my grades will be as good as last.  We're all praying for favor and grace, but while I understand everything, I seem to have misplaced my brain capacity.  First exam wasn't too bad.  Second was.  Not anticipating enjoying the third this afternoon (African Church History).  After this, it eases considerably, but we'll still be going at a good clip until Wednesday.

Logistics of exams

While I'm trying to memorize the potential bias in information collection, I remembered something about exams I forgot to mention:

Today on the way to church, we walked by some classrooms, and they were being prepped for exams.  How?  The desks are actually in neat columns and rows.  Exams are the only time this happens; the rooms are usually a mishmash of desks, and it's fairly difficult to navigate past the first three rows.  

The only things we're allowed to take into the exam room is our pens, registration card, and keys.  No phones, no paper.  None of the lecturers need us to bring our Bibles.  I've had my registration card out for two days so that I won't forget it.

Church today was confirmation and communion and only took two and a half hours; we had 10 students and one staff confirmed, which is pretty cool.  Bishop Zack, the assistant bishop of Kampala, was here.  Wow.  What a dynamic preacher.  He apparently likes to really go off the cuff:  he had the children come up on stage to sing a song for us before they were dismissed for Sunday School, then asked the parents to stand up.  He then told them that he wanted each of them to take a turn helping in Sunday School, and that he was going to see if that really happens.  Later, he told the chaplain to not disseminate confirmation certificates unless each person confirmed had planted a tree on campus to take care of the environment.  That last one really surprised me and felt very Episcopalian (which isn't a knock on anyone, but reminded me of home).  I mean - who's going to coordinate that effort?  Eleven people are supposed to 1. obtain trees (which presumably cost money) and 2. plant them randomly?

"Relax!"

This morning, one of the girls walked down the hall, admonishing us: "you people, relax! Exams have always come and gone." I laughed.

Then someone calls out, "Tell that to Jessica!" 

Indeed.

Tonight in chapel, the text read was Matthew 6:25-34, do not worry.  The preacher (also a lecturer), naturally talked about how we should not worry about our exams, that we have been revising all semester.  As I was pondering whether that was really true, he said that we should not worry if we have not read enough for an exam, then followed that with, "like for my exam, Jessica."  After chapel, I pointed out that I hadn't read enough for his exam, which is tomorrow afternoon.  He laughed.  I was actually serious.

In other news, one of the lecturers, Dr. Opol, invited me to go to a wedding with him and his wife this weekend.  Dr. Opol is a friend of a few All Saints' parishioners, so we've had a good time reminiscing about people and Virginia (and I've really enjoyed his class).  The challenge is that the wedding is in Soroti, about a five hour drive away.  This means leaving Friday night and returning Sunday.  Dr. Opol is the one giving me the take-home exam, and I was going to finish that this weekend.  He snuck up behind me in the DH tonight (which really startled me, because lecturers don't eat there.  Hey - how did he get past the guy checking meal cards?) to ask if I was coming.  I tried to equivocate out of it, and he was really disappointed.

This is my quandary - I'd really like to go.  I really need to study.  I really need to sleep, do laundry, and enjoy my friends who are leaving this semester.  Gads.  I don't know what to do.  I also need to get permission to leave campus, which wouldn't be a big deal except that the first person who needs to sign for me is rarely around.  If anyone has any thoughts on this one, I'd love to hear them.

Back to reading Research Methods for tomorrow afternoon.

Clinic reflections

Mom - I'm FINE. It's just a sinus infection.

Having said that, I was in much better shape today at the clinic than I was a couple weeks ago.  Then, when the dizziness hit I could barely remain vertical.  This time, I was able to actually mark the differences between the clinic here and being in the US, and had the brainpower to reflect on them.

When you check in, the clerk gives you your medical file (which he actually couldn't find for me, so he just made a new visit sheet).  Then he directs you to the doctor, who takes the sheet, and asks your symptoms.  I realized that she was first screening for malaria, though my complaints were totally upper respiratory (except for the fever and upset stomach).  So she sent me down the hall to the nice technician who poked my finger again for the malaria test.  But I noticed that while the doctor asked if I had a fever, she didn't take my temperature, or other vital signs.

The malaria test came back negative (praise God!), and the doctor then gave me an antibiotic, painkillers, and something for my stomach.  Got the meds filled, then went to finish my proposal.  That's another story, but it's DONE.

And we get these services for $19 a semester.  Amazing, isn't it?  

35 angry international students

Have you ever stopped to think about how tuition hikes are calculated?  I didn’t.  That is, I didn’t until the fee increase for international students was astronomical.

I started hearing rumblings a couple weeks ago that the fees for international students increased by 35% for next year (which begins with the May semester).  This is not good, but in the grand scheme of things, we’re trying to get the new library built, and we have the sea cable (internet access at somewhat reasonable speeds!)… point being that while the international student fees are always a bit higher (for reasons unknown), I honestly didn’t see this as huge. I’m still paying less for the semester than I would for a class in the US, and that includes tuition, room, and board.  I do appreciate that it’s a burden for many of my African friends, and that does concern me.   

Turns out that this monster fee increase came about because of the exchange rate fluctuations.  All international students pay fees in US Dollars, and apparently the current rate has caused havoc on our fees.

All this background is leading to the fact that we had a meeting today with the administration to address the issue.  That was rather interesting.  Let's leave it at that.  They came to discuss, not to propose solutions.  *sigh*

Please pray for provision for my African brothers and sisters.  My fees increased about $400; I don't know that the bachelor's fees increased that much, but it's still a tremendous burden for them.

Ugandan Easter

Alleluia, He is Risen!

Today, God was good and had the colossal rain stop before it was time for church.  We had a lovely service, and I think the sermon was excellent.  I'm hesitant because I spent a lot of the sermon holding/playing with my friend Esther, six months.  She's the daughter of Xavier Grace, one of my classmates, and was the first of three babies born to our class over the long holiday.  Since it's Easter, we also had communion, and the chaplain gave us directions for an orderly procession in the hall, which was nice (it's usually quite chaotic).  This was only nominally chaotic (no ushers going by row - you just get in line when you're ready).

The USP girls made Easter dinner tonight, and it was delicious!  Chicken, rice, macaroni and cheese (white Cheddar), mashed potatoes (which the Ugandans call 'smashed'), green beans, roasted veggies with the chicken, pineapple, chipati (a delicious flat bread), and guacamole (which I don't like in the US, but don't mind here).  I wish they had told us there was dessert when we got dinner:  chocolate chip pan cookies with ice cream.  And Peeps!

Now the question is whether I can productively read on African Church History, or whether the food coma will kick in.  I'm voting for the latter.

Unfortunately, it's my turn to revenge on (pay back) Joan:  now she has malaria, but seems to be faring better than I was.  Please pray that she is healed quickly and can study well for exams.

Exam schedule

It's been quite rainy of late (and therefore muddy).  I have no issues with rain, but have a bone to pick with the mud.  And I need a sunny day so I can wash my towel (because it takes longer to dry) and sheets.

Regardless of whether the cause is weather, or students staying up too late on laptops, the power, and the internet, have been more flaky than usual lately.  This is causing some small angst as I try to finish my proposal, but all in all, I think we're in the home stretch on that one.  I have to be:  it's revision week, and I have to memorize the semester.

We're pretty pleased with the exam schedule, though we don't love taking an exam Monday afternoon then turning around and taking on the next morning.  The Tuesday morning has quite a large scope of material, too.  Here's the breakdown:

Monday 12 Apr: Research Methods 2-5
Tuesday 13 Apr: Introduction to the New Testament 9-12
Wednesday 14 Apr: African Church History 2-5
Friday 16 Apr: Worship II and Spirituality 9-12
Tuesday 20 Apr: African Chrisitian Theological Methods 2-5
Wednesday 21 Apr: Pentateuch 9-12
Thursday 22 Apr: Go to the Muhimas for the short holiday!

The toughest exams are front-loaded, which I reckon is a good thing.  I'm actually not taking the African Christian Theological Methods exam; I'm doing a take-home instead.  The school has a provision whereby a student can request to write a paper rather than take an exam.  I've thoroughly enjoyed this class, but there's a LOT of background that I simply don't have, and think it would hurt me on the exam.  Fortuntately, the lecturer is fabulous, and has studied in the US: he said there were professors that he wouldn't take (even though he wanted to) because they tested by essay exams, rather than writing papers.  He's been wonderfully supportive.  

I've not yet told my class about this, and am really not looking forward to that conversation. But the semester is almost finished! Praise God!