A soaking wet graduation

It was a beautiful day, well at least it started off that way.
By 11am the graduand was set and ready to go, he looked grand and spiffy as always :-). He had to be at the graduation hall early we waved him off.

Mom, Mich and I had a little more time so we got ready at our own pace.

I pulled out my little number (dress) that I had planned (for seasons) to wear for the big occasion. I had already imagined how I would look in it. It was a perfect dress to celebrate spring/summer. Some where a long the way plans changed and I ended up wearing a gomesi (traditional dress) - the very first in my life and that is not counting the little ones we used for folk songs back in primary school.

I was a little apprehensive at first but after a while I got comfortable and managed to pull it off.
I had lots of admirers I tell you, thanks to mom.

The clouds got really dark and heavy as the day progressed so we carried umbrellas but kept our fingers crossed - hoping that the "rain rain would go away and come back another day".
The ceremony was in the Franklin stadium- an open enormous field, with no shade, you get the picture?(a sure way to get drenched) well, for those of you who don't get it - here
















The graduands walked on to the field and oh my!- it was a wonderful moment. The feeling of 'wow! it's finally over, the hard, hard work has paid off'. Well not that we are making big bucks yet but we can officially start making the money to pay off school loans, rent, electricity, school tuition for Mich and maybe me, and so on and so forth. Isn't it interesting the things we live for?! - go to school, study hard, get a job and start paying for things. Aha!



















Mom screamed and shouted her heart out when she saw her 'baby'. It was a very special moment for us. Not many people get to see their children graduate from a masters programme in an internationally recognised institution like Wharton. But I'm thinking maybe there should be certificates for spouses and partners because ...
Anyway, as soon as the ceremony commenced it started to rain and rain it did for the rest of the day.
We managed to get some shed but the most graduands got soaked to the bone. Some to the extent that you could hear squish squash as they walked because their shoes were water logged.
Sam took an umbrella so he was fine.
In Uganda I imagine the ceremony would have stopped until the rain subsided but here that is not an option. The graduands walked up in the rain as their names were read and the professors got soaked as they waited to shake each hand. Poor fellows, first they spend their days and nights lecturing and because they were so good at what they do they are chosen to stand in the rain to congratulate their students (an interesting way to get appreciated).

Wharton International Cultural Show '08

WICS went very well.

Busy weeks

I signed up to participate in the African dance for the Wharton International Cultural Show. Rehearsals have been on almost every other day.
I did a lot of sitting around for the most past of the winter, now all over a sudden I'm working out like there is no end in sight. My body (poor thing) must be going through shock, wondering what's going on.
With the first practices I was aching every where, now I just feel exhausted.
This should help me lose a few pounds. It doesn't help that the rest of the dancers are tiny, I'm like the big mama in the group. Other than that, it's fun interacting with Wharton students.
The function is later on today and I'm looking forward, I think it's gonna be lots of fun.

After this I have to tune my voice for a wedding on Saturday. That should be quite interesting, I haven't attended any serious functions for almost two years let alone an American wedding. I'm not quite sure what the dress code is, I might have to go look for something because my ward robe has been in the "stay home mom" mode. You know, faded jeans, sneakers and t-shirts, I'm not even sure what's "in" these days. It feels like I closed that chapter when I came here - how ironic.
Anyway, I have a rehearsal dinner on Friday and the wedding on Saturday. As if it's not hard enough finding suitable clothing for the wedding, I have to think of the rehearsal dinner too.

Meanwhile it's 2 o'clock in the morning and sleep is no where to be found. Shoosh!

Communication class

Sam told me about Communication classes that were being held at school. They were not on the curriculum but students who were interested could attend. I thought that was fantastic because I'm seriously toying with the idea of going back to school for a Communication major.

I walked into the class and made myself comfortable. Not wanting to draw attention I carried along like I knew just what I was there for. That worked until the professor mentioned she was sending us the work for discussion over email.
Problem - the computers have student logs, I wasn't a student,I couldn't get to my yahoo account.
I walked up to the professor and gave myself away, "I'm not a student, I'm a partner..." for a while there she was speechless. She opened her mouth to speak but the words were not forth coming, I thought I was undone. I wasn't sure whether she was cross with me or she actually had trouble expressing herself.
She said I was welcome to stay but all the work was going to be on computer.
Ka-ching! I got the bright idea, called my dear husband and he gave me his password, that worked and I enjoyed the class.
As it turns out the professor wasn't cross with me, she had the same expressions even as she taught.

I thought it was going to be 'nuclear physics' seeing as she was teaching "Wharton" students, but it wasn't bad at all.
At times being around Wharton students can give you a 'complex' but the truth of the matter is they're just a simple, down to earth, brilliant, intelligent, well travelled group of people. The 'complex' is self inflicted (most times).

African Dance

Shoot!! it's March already?, can some one tell me why time is flying by so fast?
Just the other day we were celebrating Christmas and now we are facing Easter and soon it will be Christmas again.

Anyway a little bit of an update on my dancing quests. I told you how I went for a salsa audition, well I didn't make it. Turns out that almost all the people I danced with had taking salsa classes. I wasn't up to par but that's ok. I'm thinking of taking some classes so I can polish up, you never know when the skill might be required.
Since I didn't get it I decided to try out for the African dance, now that is more in my league. We had our fast practice today and it was so much fun.
First of all we were only five Africans, including the black Americans. The rest, fifteen or so of them were from every where else. It was a wonderful representation of Asia and Europe, we had Indians, Japanese, Israelis,Americans and some I couldn't quite make out.
Now when I say African dance, I'm talking about West African pretty much. It involves shaking the waist and other parts of the body which normally shouldn't be moving. Lets just say I was riding on being African and the talent that God gave me.
Just getting people to understand the strokes was hilarious. The instructor had to go way beyond the basics to, "put this leg here, then move in this direction, then you lift your hand like this...".
Aaaah! this is fun.
I'll keep you posted on how things go, so far I wouldn't want anyone I know see me do some the strokes because things are tight. I keep telling my self, this is a once in a life time thing so I might as well make the most of it.

Salsa

Yesterday I went for a Salsa audition.
Wharton is preparing for it's annual International Cultural Show and students and partners are welcome to participate.
I signed up for Salsa and the African dance.

So yesterday I got an email invitation for the audition and I thought cool!, finally things are coming together. It was fun, I happened to be the only partner, the rest were students but that was fine. The choreographer was very friendly and kind of put us all at ease.

He begun to play the music and man! it was nice and full of rhythm. Then he taught us a few moves and we practiced those for a while. I got a hang of it.
Then came part two, the couple dance. There were only three guys so all the ladies had to take turns dancing with them.
Wow! I begun to sweat, all over sudden the place was crammed and hot, 'open the windows people, can't breath' (it's the middle of winter girl, you don't open windows). Anyway my issue was and still is, I haven't danced up close with a guy since... well I can't remember. Yes, I'm married but you know, Sam isn't into dancing. Ok may be he does dance but in most cases we are spread out lest some one (me) loses a toe or something that drastic. By the way I had to ask for permission before putting all this info out here so don't worry, Sam and I are cool.
Everything went down hill from the "couple" stage, I was not able to concentrate and I messed up a lot.
I don't know if I will be called back for the dance but I think it's okay. Some of those moves were really hot, I went home wondering if I could actually dance. I need to cross check you know.

Kids Club Handover

Hum hum humm!!! I know what you are thinking, 'girl, whatsup?, you have more time to your self now that Mich is in school and look, you haven't posted anything for a while, whats going on???'
I know, I know, well I will tell you all about it in bits and pieces. As usual the best place to start is at the beginning.

It's a new school year, well not so new anymore and with that comes handing over of responsibilities. So much of the past weeks have been about meetings, nominations and handing over files.
I was officer in charge of the Welcome Weekend, I couldn't have been given a better post because I had fun fun fun! I enjoyed working with the students and administration, late nights corresponding with prospective students with partners and kids and attending endless meetings but it was all good.
The first year moms are here so we threw a welcome party for families just so we could put faces to some of the names and chat a little bit. Then the next week or so we had a meeting, old officers describing their duties in the various posts and having the new members deciding which positions they were comfortable taking up.

All the post were taken up except mine, can you imagine?! I don't whether it's because I didn't do a good job selling my position or I sold it so well that they freaked out with how much time one had to put in. Unfortunately I can't carry the post two years in a row so by the time we met again, they had found someone. The lady seemed worried about taking on the task but I put her fears to rest when I told her I would be there to help out and that it's not nuclear physics or anything.

We ( the out going officers) had fun working as a team and decided it was only fitting to treat ourselves to a dinner while the guys took a turn looking after the kids.

Independence day(s) celebration

It's the end of September and the beginning of October, looks like lots of African countries got their independence around this time.
So the Africans at Wharton threw a joint party today, to celebrate anniversaries gone by and those yet to come (like Uganda's which is in about 9 days time).

We had lots of fun, African music, plenty of dancing, African food of course and a movie "The Last King of Scotland" (there couldn't have been a better choice).

Sam in Quantico

Last week Sam came to a point where he thought it was time to change careers apparently school is doing things to him. He decided life as a marine might just work better.




















I hope by now you have realised that I'm just pulling your leg.

On a serious note, Sam and a few other Wharton students had the opportunity to experience life as a marine for a day. They went to quantico the camping and training base for the marines and this is what happened.



































And lastly the writing on the wall.

Wharton International Cultural Show

Hey, just wanted to give you a sneak peak into some of the interesting school events that "Whartonites" enjoyed this semester. They are not all about books you know and as the saying goes work without play makes Jack a dull boy.


I attended the Wharton International Cultural Show, aka WICS, it had dances from all around the world, it was amazing. After the show I kind of felt like I had been to each of the different countries just for the brief moment.

I'm a little biased here but I honestly think the African dance was the best, it got the most cheers (or may be I was cheering too loud to hear anything else). The guys as usual danced with rythm and such ease like all the moves came naturally to them and the ladies were colourful and African, I mean what can I say?!.

Check these out.

Year 1 down

I'm really excited and privileged to say we are about to say goodbye to year 1 at Wharton. Classes are over at the school, that means no more lectures for the 1st years and 2nd years are wrapping up and waiting for graduation.
It feels great to say 1st year is over, I kind of feel like the student here and in many ways I have been a student. There has been a lot I got to learn in this year, it's not to say I will not be learning any more but I can say that I'm a little bit on top of things. I can talk with authority when sharing my views with the new admits soon to be 1st year students.
With all of the intensity that was wrapped up in the first year I can say it was great. Culture shock, finding my way around, making new friends, realising abilities I never knew I had, seeing Mich grow, exposing him to greater learning, ... there is a lot.
Getting to experience God in a whole new and intimate way, giving of my time unreservedly in ministry, seeing another dimension to my relationship with Sam, appreciating my country, friends and family more, like I said there is a lot.
Realising I don't have to be employed to make life meaningful, that the small things of life like seeing Mich make friends, being there to answer the many questions he asks (some of which leave Sam and I speechless at times), listening day by day as he begins to adopt the accent of the kids around, they make all the difference. Daily routines of giving him a bath, making breakfast, finding fun things for him to do, sitting and watching his favourite cartoons with him, seeing his personality get molded and praying to God for wisdom on how to raise him right ... there is a lot.
Now the challenge a head, moving to a new city (Dallas) for Sam's internship, having to make new friends, finding a church to attend for the three months we will be out there. Looking out for the playgrounds, shopping centers, hoping I can get some local foods (Matooke, Cassava, Gonja ...) to keep me going. Experiencing summer in a whole new way, I'm told it gets really hot in Dallas and if the heat of Philly when I had just come is anything to go by, it's really for praying. Mmhhmm it's a lot.
Thank God He has always shown me that I can find all the answers I need in Him even when I don't see how.

Wharton Welcome Weekend

Finally I can say I'm through with the Welcome weekend, it's been busy, it's been fun, it's been great! For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about, sometime last year I was nominated to represent the kids club at the schools "new admits week". Here are some of the students I was working with clubs.wharton.upenn.edu/welcome/students.html
When we got our ID cards the other day I was impressed with my title, Mary Ongwen, Committee Chair, '08. The last three weeks involved attending meetings once every week, there were times I wasn't up to it but knew I had to be there especially considering that we received emails the day before reminding us how mandatory these meetings were.
I made some good friends through out this period, especially colleagues in the Partners Club. See, the Kids Club and Partners Club are separate the basic difference being we have children and they don't. It was a nice time to exchange ideas and work together






We had a Q and A panel session where we could share our experiences moving to Philly and life as parents and partners to students. Then we had time for the admits to ask questions.
We also had a club expo, where we talked more about our clubs, what we did, membership e.t.c
It's been intense but now that it's over I'm kind of missing the action. Hopefully I will find something else to keep me occupied and challenged.