One day I was out doing errands, and since you can't get decent chicken (a whole chicken in Uganda is about 1/3 the size of a standard chicken in the USA), I stopped at KFC. Or in this case, KGC. It was only a typo on both their bag and cup, but it was funny to me.
Another thing that I got a kick out of culturally (not all different cultural things happen overseas!!!).. was the man in rural-ish Indiana walking on a Sunday morning, with his colorful Macaw parrot on his shoulder. Yep, I certainly wish I'd had my camera out for that one.
I've thoroughly enjoyed listening to Christian radio here (go K-Love!). And visiting the Christian bookstore was a treat, seeing so many new books/authors, etc. I've spent my time perusing Wal-Mart, Target and the mall (to a degree). I'm amazed at the food in the grocery and the huge "American" portions at restaurants. I've LOVED having salads and nearly anything crunchy- especially Chex Mix, as those are things not available in Uganda. Yes, salad can be had there, but its not the same when you first have to soak the lettuce in bleach water to rid it of cholera and other ickies... and the taste changes.
I've kept pretty busy with things at Mom's (where I'm based) including painting her living and family rooms, doing a lot of lawn work (for now I've been happy to mow and weed or such), planning my HMA schedule, doing family activities, including a wonderful family vacation. Mom has a new kitten, Lizzie, who has not completely convinced me cats are okay (I prefer dogs) but she is cute. She tried to help me paint one day, but I caught her before she did any permanent damage with the kitty prints from the paint she'd gotten into. Grr. But it has been a joy to help Mom out in these areas, and to get my hands dirty.
My cousin Holly's daughter, Kerri and her husband Joel, are missionaries with the Wesleyan Church, which happens to be based here in the Indy area. They just left in July for the Czech Republic. While Kerri and Joel were out this way for trainings, we got to spend an evening with them. Meanwhile, my sister Karen and her family also have arrived for their furlough from Cameroon, so it was a mini-Fish family reunion at our house!
above: back row is my brother-in-law Dave, then my sister Karen, my Mom (Sheila), cousin Kerri, and sister Abby. front row is my nephew AJ (15), nephew Zac (13 this week!), me, and Joel (Kerri's husband). My brother was in Texas and couldn't be at this particular event.
When Kerri was in high school, I stayed with her family while I was on a furlough trip to NJ. We had a great connection and she says it helped influence her to become a missionary. I'm really thankful that I could be used in such a way!