Martha's Birthday
It truly is an unexpected surprise that we are being able to load our pictures onto our blog. This is our most recent family shot. It was taken on Martha's 33rd birthday.
The birthday celebration began by going out to eat with our friend Sarah. There are basically two restaurants that we frequent in Arua. We ate at "Oasis" on my birthday. Eating out is always an interesting experience. The first 5-15 minutes is spent trying to figure out what they actually have on the menu. This process requires the server to run back and forth to the chef to find out what is really available. It is not uncommon to take 3 or 4 tries before finding something that they have. Nonetheless, it is nice not having to cook all of the time.
While we were waiting for our meal (this can take an extremely long time) I received a call from my family to wish me happy birthday. They all sang into the telephone. It was nice to connect with everybody.
After dining at Oasis, we went to the Waffler's (missionary friends here in Arua) house for a party. Pam made a beautiful birthday cake for all of us to enjoy. After the cake, I was informed that it was an Arua tradition to lift the birthday person in a chair as they yell "Hip, hip hooray!" I was a little uneasy about this but there was no getting out of it. As they didn't all lift at the same time though, I almost took a dive on top of Eric. However, it was quite fun!
Following this tradition, Eric and I taught the group how to play a new card game called Mau, the game of arbitrary rules. It was a fun evening and a good way to start of f my new year. God certainly has surrounded us with some wonderful friends in Uganda.
posted by Team Smith @ 2:22 AM
7 comments
7 Comments:
And we thought that getting together on one key for happy birthday was a coordination accomplishment! Glad that you added some new traditions for your special day. Mau sounds like one we should all learn to play.
Love you,
AB
Hip, hip, hooray! Your birthday sounds smashing. I am so thankful for the many friends who stand in for family on this special day.
So, what did you finally get to eat at the Oasis? (I love the name!) What types of food do they serve? I'm beginning to get nervous and wonder how much peanut butter to pack.
Love
Mom B
Dearest niece Martha,
Belated birthday wishes! If I remember correctly, it's Dec. 30. Sounds like you had a great day and we wish you many more! How I love your pictures and hope you post many more. Best wishes!
Yes, Martha, I too would like to know what you ate at Oasis (refreshing name, I agree)and I am glad you have such good friends there at Arua. It's amazing how friends pop up in the oddest places.
Good picture of you and pets too.
So now 2007 has officially opened for adventures and you are fortified byhaving each other and friends and furniture and animals. May it prove rewarding and enriching!
love,
mama a
There are basically two restaurants that we frequent. One is Indian and the other is African/European. The trick to eating here is first finding a meal that is good, and second, finding out if the restaurant actually has the food that is on the menu. Inevitably, anywhere from 5-15 minutes can be spent trying to figure out what foods they have for the day. This requires the very slow server to ask the chef every time you try to order something. As the menus are large, you can’t just say, “What do you have that is on the menu?” The even more fun part is revealed when they serve your meal as they may choose to make it completely different from one time to the next.
For my birthday meal, I had grilled (which here means fried) pork chops and chips (french fries that you don’t really even want to eat too many). While it was prepared amazingly the same way as times before, there was extremely little meat to be found. Nonetheless a meal out means a meal that we are not cooking or cleaning up so it was GREAT!
There are basically two restaurants that we frequent. One is Indian and the other is African/European. The trick to eating here is first finding a meal that is good, and second, finding out if the restaurant actually has the food that is on the menu. Inevitably, anywhere from 5-15 minutes can be spent trying to figure out what foods they have for the day. This requires the very slow server to ask the chef every time you try to order something. As the menus are large, you can’t just say, “What do you have that is on the menu?” The even more fun part is revealed when they serve your meal as they may choose to make it completely different from one time to the next.
For my birthday meal, I had grilled (which here means fried) pork chops and chips (french fries that you don’t really even want to eat too many). While it was prepared amazingly the same way as times before, there was extremely little meat to be found. Nonetheless a meal out means a meal that we are not cooking or cleaning up so it was GREAT!
Hi Team Smith,
Happy Belated Birthday, Martha! I guess I have not been by in awhile...sorry about that. You guys look GREAT!!! Your house is looking like a home now - and no bugs in sight!
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