Ants Ants Ants and Cards Cards Cards

So good good news! I finally got my herbs planted in my garden! :) This past Wednesday at Buyijja turned out to be quiet with extra leisure time as well as muddy muddy muddy! It had poured rain all morning causing the forest to be a mucky mess. Oh and just to inform you, when it rains, the ants come out! They begin migrating to dry land by the hundreds of thousands, which means they traipse across the walking path, and you have to step lightly but quickly with high knees…even so, you still get bit…hehe…it’s inevitable! Well any who, because the day was so quiet, I took some time right before lunch and ventured to my garden with the company of a traditional healer trainee. She provided me with both the herbal seeds for three different plants good for anemia as well as help in planting them! Come to find out, she is also from the Mbogo clan…so when she found out I am now also from the Mbogo clan, she wanted to help a fellow clan member/sister out! People in Uganda are very very generous and constantly assist one another in anything…it’s considered a blessing to help a fellow person. More importantly, here in Uganda when you meet a fellow clan member, it is truly wonderful and lucky and accompanied with happy loving greetings…it’s as though you are meeting a long-lost family member :)! So because we are now from the same clan, she was so so so generous in assisting me with my garden…she even gifted me with sugar cane, guavas, cassava, and yams!!! It was all so NICE!!! So now my herbs are planted, and I can simply up-keepthe garden and wait for something to hopefully spring-up…wish me and the garden luck! On another note, I have learned a really fun and quite exciting card game that is infamous here in Uganda…you can play and play and play into the night and up till odd hours of the morning…just like we do with dominoes on Thanksgiving (for those of you who have experienced the craziness of that event)…hehe :) I have heard no name for the game yet, other than cards…but the name is not important…you just play! :) I’ll show you all once I’m back…and it could become another option for Thanksgiving game nights…wink wink! Any who, after Wednesday came with rain and ended with a late late night of cards…hehe…Thursday arrived, and all us PROMETRAns climbed into the land cruiser with the company of three visitors and ventured around Mpigi District. We visited two traditional healers’ homes to see their gardens and cultivation, as well as visited three different traditional healer groups that are attempting to develop themselves through marketing and selling of herbal concoctions and treatment. The day was full of so much activity…driving on muddy bumpy roads, climbing in and out of a packed land cruiser, walking around lush, incredibly bountiful gardens, and watching traditional healers mix and prepare herbal soaps and herbal vaselines. I was fascinated to see such dedication and integrity! These traditional healers are so so so knowledgeable about various herbal plants and their use in treating illnesses, and they manage such large variety-packed gardens as well as keep livestock and raise families! People here have so much heart and strength…I admire their drive! :) Well I think that is about it for now. I am back from Buyijja for a few days and will hopefully enjoy a fun relaxing Easter weekend! Happy Easter and enjoy the weekend!

Keep the spirit alive – Ann Kyamulabi

An Overly Large Critter and Lake Wamala

These past few weeks have been full of more power-outages, no internet connection, and sun sun sun…heat heat heat! Even still, the weeks have gone well. Office work has been directed towards planning and organizing a traditional healer workshop that will be hosted here in Uganda by PROMETRA Uganda in May. It’s going to be a big event…international delegates are to attend as well as various traditional healers from Uganda. There is a lot of planning that goes into it too…and in such little time! As for Buyijja Forest School, the past three Wednesdays have been pretty low-key…with the exception of this past Wednesday. That day I assisted one of my PROMETRA colleagues in facilitating Class II on learning about the symptoms and causes of hernias…I enjoyed it so much! :) Three Wednesdays ago, after classes ended at Buyijja, I hopped on a boda boda with one of my PROMETRA colleagues, and we zoomed down the road in the direction of an infamous Croc Resort in Mpigi District. The place sits on Lake Victoria and is both a small resort and a crocodile farm. The resort part was beautiful…very peaceful and relaxing! Along the beach there were so many fishermen fishing both with lines and with very large nets, that they tossed into the water with such ease and grace…it’s as though a soft melody floated in the air and guided them in their every move. After gazing at the water, the setting sun, and the graceful fishermen, we visited the actual crocodile farm There we found so many crocs ranging from very large to teeny tiny! All the crocodiles resided in various incubators depending on their age and size…in one cage there resided a very very very large male crocodile…and I mean huge! At one point, the gentleman escorting us around the farm climbed into one of the cages and…without any hesitation…swift fully picked-up a little crocodile with his bare hands and held it out for us to pet…ahhhh…the man was brave…and the crocodile was quite soft! :) We were told the croc farm produces for both the sale of crocodile meat and skin…it’s a good business here because of its ability to produce a food delicacy as well as a high-class fashion. It really was an interesting place…both a resort and a croc farm…what a mix! So on another note, I have finally chosen the herb I wish to plant in my garden…Akawulira…its used for hyper-tension, brainpower, and others I can’t recall at the moment. A traditional healer who helped me significantly in preparing my garden told me about the herb and said it would be perfect! :) Again on another note, the previous weekend was quite the ride. Friday came, and one of my PROMETRA colleagues and I left work just a few hours early to get a jump start on what would become a long long journey to a distant village, Kibale, in Western Uganda. By about 7 p.m., we arrived at the departure destination just within Kampala city center, where we met about ten other people who were headed in the same direction…we were to all pack ourselves into a taxi-bus and drive for hours into the night. I think it was between 8 and 9 p.m. when we finally took off! To make a long story short, we arrived at the bride’s home around 2 a.m…everyone then relaxed and reminisced a bit, then ate, then went straight to bed! Three hours later, everyone was awake and slowly preparing for the day’s celebration. Not till about 2 p.m. did the ceremony finally begin…from then it lasted till around 9 p.m. The event was really nice, full of beautiful gowns, up-beat music, and delicious food! After the Introduction ended, the music turned-up and people jumped out of their seats to begin dancing the night away. I lasted only for a short while, for exhaustion simply overtook me. I woke up around 3 a.m. to find the music and dancing still going strong! People here really love music and really really love to dance! :) So the next day, we woke up and began the long journey back Kampala by mid-morning. At one point during the journey, I looked up to see a very large…and I mean LARGE!...spider crawling across the ceiling of the taxi-bus!! I think my heart skipped a beat…I had to find a way to distract myself until the overly large critter was out of site…for all I could think at that point was “out of sight, out of mind”…hehe…I mean what else can you do when you are crammed in a little taxi-bus racing down the road, and all other passengers are quite calm about the awkwardly large spider tagging along for the ride?...hehe! Well it eventually disappeared and was never seen again…thank goodness! :) Let’s see what else has been going on…ahhh yes…the past three Thursdays have been days of research research research. One of my PROMETRA colleagues and I have stayed behind at Buyijja the past three Wednesdays in order to venture around Mpigi District the follows days. My colleague has been so kind as to hall me around on his boda boda from health center to center, sub-county to sub-county. After each days’ research is completed we have ventured all the way back to Kampala…about a two hour drive…on the little boda boda that could! :) It has been quite the journey and quite the experience, for I have been able to see so much of Uganda’s countryside while on a boda boda! Just this past Thursday, the research journey took us to the farthest end of Mpigi District (Maddu). It was a long but fun fun fun journey! After the research was complete, we, along with a traditional healer who accompanied us on the long journey, ventured to Lake Wamala…this lake is considered a spiritual lake and is very important to locals and spiritualists. The story goes…back when Uganda was being colonized by Britain, the lake dried up completely from improper/over use. After many many many years, spiritualists began to have dreams that the lake was going to be replenished. A very heavy heavy rainfall began and the lake filled once again. The belief is that an ancestral spirit was pregnant…when she went into labor, instead of delivering a baby, she simply delivered water which filled Lake Wamala. So that is the main reason for its spiritual connection and importance. When we visited the lake, I floated out onto the water alongside the traditional healer…a.k.a. spiritualist. Let me just say, it was a beautiful and empowering experience…it was evening and the sun was lowering just over the water…the water was clam and shimmered with the reflection of the setting sun…it was simply captivating! :) So that’s about all I have for now…I hope it’s a good enough update for the past few weeks…again sorry for the delay in blogging! For my final words…every day is a new adventure…an adventure in Uganda…hehe! I hope all is going well back in the states!

Keep the spirit alive – Ann Kyamulabi Louise Tezak

Spirituality, Hiking, Power-Outages, and my Ugandan Name

This past week was quite interesting…lots of rain and frequent power outages. I still can’t believe I forgot to bring my umbrella! Who’d of thought a tropical area had so much rain…hehe! :) So as for the week…all went well. Monday was quite busy attempting to finish video scripts…PROMETRA Uganda wants to put together little videos that explain PROMETRA Uganda itself and all the realms of traditional healer medicine and practice which are studied at Buyijja Forest School. On Tuesday all us PROMETRAns ventured back out to Buyijja Forest School, arriving the earliest I have experienced yet. This allowed me to head straight to bed and get a few hours of shut-eye, before I was summoned to join the evening spiritualist class…which is an ALL-NIGHT class. The first Tuesday night of every month, the spiritualist class meets for an all-night session…it is believed that the night provides the best atmosphere for connecting with ancestors/spirits. So I rested, woke up by 9 p.m...quite groggy…then ventured up to the shrine and joined many spiritualists in a feast of rice and chai (local tea). After eating and visiting, we all (20 or so) shifted into the little round building known as a shrine. There we simply sat for a while… relaxing and visiting …while one of my PROMETRA colleagues explained things to me, like what the night will entail and what some people were saying or doing. It turns out, we were preparing for a cleansing. The time came, and we all ventured outside, faced North, then were sprinkled with water and herbs one-by-one…then we turned around to head into the shrine…never looking back. Once inside the shrine, singing, drumming, and dancing began. The first song recited was called a ‘twin song.’ The idea of ‘twin’ is very important to spiritualists…the belief is that every person has their human body form and their spiritual form…therefore everyone has a twin. Oh, and all spiritual songs always last for even numbered minutes…spirituality is very complex and deep! The entire night was full of dancing, singing, and drumming with many intervals where spiritual/ancestral connections were made, via spiritual possession. Just a reminder, the spiritualist class at Buyijja Forest School learns about spirituality as a practice of healing…a few patients attended the evening class to seek consultation. It’s difficult for me to describe spirituality through typing…even still I don’t understand it completely…but it really is a fascinating traditional healer practice. I will attempt to explain things much better in person once I return to the states. :) So the night continued into the morning. By about 7 a.m., all came to an end…we drank chai and simply enjoyed the brisk morning air. After some time, my busy day was to begin…or better yet continue! We had guests visiting Buyijja Forest School, so I was to travel with them as they visited each class and were given an introduction to Buyijja’s traditional healer school. The day finally came to a close in the afternoon/eveing, and everyone ventured out of the thick of the forest. Immediately, I was greeted by Doctor and asked to accompany him and a few guests on a little adventure around Mpigi District…I agreed, and we took off. Come to find out, we were visiting all the acres of land Doctor owns. We traveled to different places diving deep into forests…the drive was full of beautiful countrysides and landscapes. Our final destination was to the top a mountainish-hill called Msindye. Once there, we all exited the vehicle and began hiking! Now remember, I hadn’t slept the entire previous night…eshk! But all went well…we moved slowly and rested multiple times to simply gaze out over mile stretches of Mpigi District…we could even see Lake Victoria…it was breathtaking! The hike finally ended…to discover we lost track of where we had left the land cruiser…hehe…no worries, we found it…hehe. :) We drove back to Buyijja, packed up, then headed back Kampala. I went straight to bed!!!...and woke up the next day quite refreshed! The week then finished well. We finished an assignment that was to be sent off to Nairobi, Kenya no later than Saturday. It was actually quite hectic simply because we had worked on the project all day Friday to then have the power go out around 5 p.m….we lost the entire project! Shorty after, the power came back on…we sat back down and quickly threw things together once again, saving the document every minute…just in case…we had learned our lesson! We decided to gather again on Saturday to finish. I woke up Saturday morning to pouring rain but pushed on to work…we finally and successfully finished the project, sent it off, then the weekend began! I basically hung around my apartment preparing for field research…venturing into Kampala City Center a couple times. Not too much else to report. :) Oh and one last thing…I have been given an Ugandan clan as well as an Ugandan name…I have been here long enough and have learned a little of the language, so I deserve it now! I have been welcomed into the Mbogo clan, which translates in to buffalo or bull, and my given name is Kyamulabi. Here in Uganda, more specifically in the Buganda kingdom, everyone is from a clan (typically named after an animal) and there are certain names that go with that clan. I had been searching for the right clan and name that fits me…I’ve finally found it! So now I have a fourth name…Kyamulabi…no quite sure where it fits into Ann Louise Tezak…maybe Ann Kyamulabi Louise Tezak…hehe! Well that’s all for now! Hope all is well back in the states!

Keep the spirit alive - Ann

A Ugandan Gomez

It’s been about two weeks now, but the memory of Sunday’s Introduction ceremony stays with me! It was a day of celebration! Two young people in love were joining together in marriage…which also means that two very large families/clans were forming a bond. As I mentioned, the celebration is called an Introduction, where the groom’s family visits the bride’s home and is introduced to her family and friends typically for the first time. The Introduction I attended was a traditional Bugandan Introduction…depending on the kingdom you are from in Uganda, Introductions can be done in different ways. So, now to examine Sunday’s event. I woke up bright and early, still exhausted from the previous day’s adventure of driving to 16 different sub-counties in Mpigi District in order to make contact with health centers and the In Charge…all for research I am conducting while here. Anyway, Zurah picked me up mid-morning, and we ventured to her house, just a ten minute walk away. First thing first, I greeted more than 20 different people…with many more to go. Everyone was very excited and curious to see a Mzungu (white person) attending the Introduction :) …all in good spirit! Then I sat down with the bride, Zurah’s sister, and ate a gigantic meal of matooke, rice, meat, and potatoes! Within a few minutes, I was summoned to get dressed…so I quickly devoured my food and found my way to a back room, where many women were also preparing for the celebration. Zurah introduced me to one of her aunts who was to help wrap me up in a traditional Gomez…for the first time! :) After greeting her aunt and many others, it was time to get dressed. Zurah pulled the Gomez out of a tightly packed chest and dangled it in front of my eyes…I reached out and felt the silky smooth texture of the fabric…I was told the material was baby silk. I grasped the Gomez and held it up high to admire the amount of fabric and colors that made-up the traditional unique gown…it was a soft blue with red, orange, and yellow flowers…with a gold belt-type wrap-around (I’ve forgotten the name at the moment). After admiring the gown, it was time to get dressed. Zurah’s aunt with the help of others draped me in layers of fabric…first the under layers…then came the top layer (the Gomez itself). The final touch was to decorate my wrist in about 10 gold bracelets. I was finally ready to face ALL the guests as a Ugandan myself! As gracefully as possible, I found my way to my seat…it can be difficult walking in a Gomez…so much fabric to control and direct! So the ceremony then began with the arrival of the groom’s family. All the seats were separated into two sections facing each other…on one side sat the bride’s friends and family, while on the other side sat the groom’s friends and family. The Introduction primarily entailed the bride and her family/friends greeting the groom’s side and accepting offerings such as meats, fruits, house supplies, etc. This part of the Introduction went on for quite some time…at one point I was summoned to introduce myself and then to help serve cake to ALL the guests! Let me just say…serving cake while roaming around in a Gomez can be a slight challenge and entertaining for all the locals I’m sure! :) Shortly after came the big meal! Groups of people shuffled around gathering and eating large amounts of food! After ALL the guests ate their meals, the celebration came back to order. Now, I should explain that depending on scheduling, sometimes Introductions are done the same day as the actual wedding and other times they are done months in advance…in this case, the wedding was the same day and in another sub-county…the groom’s birthplace. So the celebration began again…this time the bride appeared in her wedding dress. She was presented to her fiancé, and shortly after they made their way to a long line of vehicles that would escort them to Masaka…the groom’s birthplace and location of their wedding. The majority of people followed the bride and groom…vehicle after vehicle of family and friends…for about a 2 or so hour drive to Masaka. I was not included in that group, for the journey would have required an over-night stay, and on Monday I had to return to work. I was informed the following day that the wedding ceremony did not even take place till around midnight…eshk! After the bride and groom began their journey to Masaka, music began for guests who stayed behind. I not only enjoyed the music but also enjoyed my remaining few minutes wearing a traditional Gomez. It was already past 4 p.m….kids danced, while adults simply sat, relaxed, and reminisced about the new young couple. After a short time, I changed out of my traditional Gomez…coming back to reality :) I enjoyed some music and a relaxing chair for some time before venturing back to my apartment. All-in-all it was a wonderful day and experience…I loved wearing the Gomez and being part of a very significant Bugandan tradition…plus Zurah informed me that everyone was very excited to see a Mzungu wearing a Gomez…and I think I wore it well! :) So that was my experience wearing a traditional Bugandan Gomez! I would recommend it to anyone! Oh and my profile picture is me wearing the infamous gown! :)

Sorry this blog has taken me so long to post…the internet is tricky…hasn’t worked this entire week…plus recently power outages have been frequent due to the rainy season! But hope you still enjoyed the story! :)

Keep the spirit alive - Ann

Eye-Opening Experience

I want to begin by apologizing for taking so long to post a new blog…eshk!…with a busy schedule and sketchy internet it can be difficult sometimes :) But I am here now to tell you about my past few experiences. Last week was pretty busy with office work at the PROMETRA Uganda headquarters, as well as our weekly visit to Buyijja Forest School on Wednesday…which turned out to be pretty fascinating! I was able to visit the Spiritualist class! Now some of you might be wondering what I mean by spiritualist and what that class entails :) Well it is slightly difficult for me to explain simply because it is new to me, as well as I am not a spiritualist. The best way for me to explain is by first saying that African traditional spiritualists believe that everyone contains their human form as well as their spiritual form…that means there is always you and your spirit. And when one dies, certain people’s spirits are chosen/allowed to return to earth in order to continue their work…as a spirit. There are certain chosen people who have the ability to receive communication from those spirits via visions, dreams, spiritual possession, etc. Now, spirituality is very diverse across the world and is culturally defined. So far, this is the best explanation I can give for African spirituality…for that of which I have encountered. Now for the class…the spiritualist class at Buyijja Forest School trains in spirituality as a form of traditional healing. When I visited the class, I was able to interact with the students…I asked them many questions, while they in-turn asked me questions. Shortly after, the music, dancing, and singing began! :) A drum kept the beat while the people mastered the lyrics…I was unsure of what they were saying, but was aware that a spiritual connection was taking place. Then music ended…people gathered around to converse with spirits…via spiritual possession…in order to receive guidance, answers, consultation, as well as give thanks and pray. It was a powerful experience to observe…I was quite speechless. After the class commenced, I simply needed to digest what happened. I walked away with questions as well as with my eyes wide open. In short, Spiritualism is a captivating traditional healer practice…you must come with an open mind to then leave with a greater sense of appreciation. After the day ended, all us PROMETRAns ventured back to Kampala to finish out the week. Friday came as a day of celebration! Another of my PROMETRA colleagues graduated from a local University...as I mentioned before, University graduations in Uganda are BIG deals! That evening we all traveled to the beach...on Lake Victoria...to eat, visit, and reminisce. It was relaxing and fun! :) Then the weekend came. I ventured into Kampala city center with some friends both Saturday and Sunday…first visiting Centenary Park...which I enjoyed a great deal and hope to return to…then visiting Garden City…for a little Valentine’s Day outing :) After the weekend passed, work began once again. Us PROMETRAns traveled back to Buyijja Forest School again on Wednesday. This time, over 60 Nkozi University students came to visit the school and be introduced to traditional healing medicine and practice. I moved with the group, as they visited each class…just as a reminder, Buyijja Forest School consists of three classes: Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 (divided into Traditional Bone Setters, Traditional Mental Health Specialists, Traditional Birth Attendants, Herbalists, and Spiritualists). There was so much energy throughout the entire day…the students were there until late in the evening learning all they could…and still not enough… about some of their African roots and traditions! Eventually they left…hopefully with opened minds and a greater sense of appreciation! Shortly after, us PROMETRAns traveled back to Kampala to get a solid night’s sleep! That brings me to today…another good day at the office. So far my time here in Uganda has been wonderful…every day is an adventure, and I am always experiencing new things...in fact, this Sunday I have a traditional African introduction (a pre-wedding-gathering-type-event) to attend! Wish me luck and fun! :)

Keep the spirit alive - Ann

A Week's Journey

It’s Sunday night, and I am exhausted! This past week...today especially...has been jam-packed with hustle-and-bustle…late nights and early mornings! Let's see...The week started off good… but with exhaustion in the air simply because of Sunday’s graduation excitement. Then Tuesday came, and all us PROMETRAns journeyed back out to Buyijja forest… arriving late in the night. The next morning (Wednesday) I awoke bright and early to the sound of a rooster cock-a-doodle-doing in the brisk morning air. After enjoying breakfast, it was time to venture into the thick of the forest. First thing first...I was designated a garden plot. It is part of Buyijja forest school that all new trainees manage their very own garden plots and grow whichever herb/plant they desire. Well since I am volunteering with PROMETRA and will be visiting Buyijja every week as an observer and partial trainee, I am to abide by the rules as well! So a few PROMETRAns gathered around to instruct me on how to build and manage my own garden plot…the Ugandan way. At first I was skeptical but then realized...I am in the middle of a Ugandan forest learning about the life of traditional healers...why not embrace it and TRULY experience every part! :) So I began plowing my little garden! Two PROMETRAns joined in shortly after to help. It was definitely hard work… but also made me feel good to know that slowly but surely a garden will manifest and be sustainable after my departure. I'm still not sure the herb/plant I will grow...I'll keep you posted! So after the initiation of the garden plot, the traditional healer classes began. I observed different classes from the previous week...still having more to observe this coming Wednesday. After the day ended, us PROMETRAns drove quietly back to Kampala…arriving late…thankfully not as late as the previous Wednesday. Then came Thursday and Friday…good days at the office...full of editing scripts and bringing in my outside perspectives. Friday evening Zurah taught me how to make Matooke...yum yum yum! It is one of the staple foods here in Uganda....bananas cooked in water and oil with veggies and curry! :) Mmm Mmm Good! I then cooked it by myself (not too bad…hehe) Saturday evening after arriving back from Kampala City Center with Zurah...we had shopped a little in the packed markets of Nabukeera Plaza. That day I experienced my first ride in a mini bus taxi! These mini bus taxis are simply everywhere...a main way of transport...along with boda bodas. It was a fun experience...just a little bus that carried about 10, if not a few more, passengers...weaving through traffic as though it owned the rodes :) And lastly to describe today...Zurah and Najibu first took me to Kasubi...where all the tombs of the late kings of Buganda rest. A very spiritual place! After that, we drove to Mango (hope I spelled that right) and visited a 350 year old Tortoise (or at least the gentleman told us he was 350 years old)...he was gigantic...I mean gigantic!!! Then we drove all the way to Entebbe to walk through the zoo. There I saw…up close and personal…Uganda’s national bird the crested crane...a beautiful bird with colors that match the Ugandan flag! Then we visited Lake Victoria…oh so grand!...A massive body of water...you would think it was the ocean, if you didn't know any better! So that pretty much sums up my week! Sorry for having written a mini novel! :) So much detail…so little time! Hope you enjoyed!!! :)

Keep the spirit alive - Ann

Graduation Celebration!

So let me see how to describe this... It was about 2 in the afternoon. Mathias and Hadijah from PROMETRA stopped by my apartment to pick me up for the graduation celebration. At this point, I experienced my first ride on a boda boda...Mathias, Hadijah, and I cruised the streets of Kampala, while weaving in and out of traffic on a little boda boda that could :) I should add here that Hadijah and I were both wearing skirts...good times...hehe! We made it to the ceremony safe and sound. Many people have told me that graduation celebrations are very grand here in Uganda. Well this celebration was even more than I expected! It was held at Martin's house (the graduate). A little tent was set up in his front-ish yard with everyone (like 40 or 50 people, not including all the children and bystanders) squeezed tightly underneath. So many people attended...family!!!, friends, friends of friends, etc. The first half of the celebration was filled with lots of talk...in Luganda. People stepped to the center to reminisce about Martin's childhood and years of transitioning into a man. Many people were recognized and thanked for their significant role in Martin's life over the past 20 or so years. Then came the congrats ...i.e. everyone! embraced Martin one-by-one in a big hug while handing over their gifts. Meanwhile lively music blarred in the background...i.e. a DJ was hired to keep the party up beat...he did his job! Then came the food...and lots of it...various Ugandan dishes. Shortly after...dun dun dun...the dancing music began!!! Like I said, the DJ knew how to keep the party going! People began to trickle onto the dance floor (just his yard) to dance the night away! At one point, African traditional songs played and people danced the traditional dance...simple but not all that easy might I add :) The dancing continued long into the night...children danced, elders danced, we all danced! Ugandans are quite lively and enjoy any chance to celebrate and be happy in the form of song and dance! It was a graduation celebration to remember! When the night...early morning...finally ended, Mathias delivered Hadijah and me back to our apartments to catch a few hours of shut-eye before Monday's work. So in short, the party was a blast...hehe!!!

Keep the spirit alive - Ann