6 weeks to go...

this is me trying not to count down the days...but I think it's always harder when the end is in sight! the last 2 weeks have gone by quite fast, considering the struggle it was to get used to the changes in environment, people and work while fighting off a cold and then a tummy bug...let's just say they weren't the most enjoyable weeks of my time in Uganda. But the people here are great - we just said a sad goodbye to Kerry from Cork (Ireland) who came to the end of her time here yesterday. There's still one more muzungu besides Katy and me - a girl from Virginia called Lauren who got here a couple of weeks before us, and was a great help in getting started...has anyone seen me with a baby before?! thought not...that's because i was terrified of them til now - and while i wouldn't say i've learnt to love them, i can at least bottle-feed and change nappies without being in constant fear of killing them in one breath! the kids here are really anything but delicate - i haven't yet got comfortable with carrying them by the customary one arm, but it doesn't bother me now to hear them scream about a slight bash - they quite often scream for no apparent reason anyway, so i know now that whatever happens, they'll get over it : )
if only i could get photos up on here...there's one boy, david, who's just hysterical - whenever he's particularly happy or excited (when a new person comes in, or he sees food...) he sticks his tongue right out and squeals! and mealtimes are a generally entertaining time (as long as you avoid the food + drink that finds it way everywhere but their mouths) as the terrible threesome (Godfried, David and Emma) engage in a thrilling debate of "da?" "da." "da!" makes a change from "how are you?"" "fine.""how is here?""fine.""how is there?........" i can tell you!

there are 9 babies and 6 toddlers here, and they keep the 20 or so staff running around 24/7...we have 3 shifts, 7am - 3pm (A), 1pm - 9pm (B) and 6pm-8am (D). So every day we get some time off! The only difficult shifts are the night shift followed by a B and then an A - it seems like the inbetween times are barely enough to catch up on sleep! i do quite like the night shift though - the toddlers are safely tucked away, so all we have to do is feed babies and watch movies...we usually have power and there's a tv with dvd and video machines! it's a harsh environment indeed...

i do have a newfound respect for parents and anyone who's involved in childcare now - kids are hard work, not just because of the constant need to be on your toes, but because of the sheer monotony of the tasks...give me cows anyday!