DeniseJCulbert's Guestbook

Sithi uhm ingonyama
Hi Denise Thanks for the blog update. This portion of your African experience also seems to also have a mixture of awe combined with harsh reality. You are doing a great job of keeping your blog positive by focusing on the awe part, yet accents with the realites of long rides, heat, and muddy camp conditions keeps it very real. I hope your trip to the Serengeti was pleasant and if any locals yelled "sithi uhum ingonyam" (oh yes it's a lion), that they were referring to one a safe distance away! Love Dad

Hi Deni
I wasn't going to add any comments mainly because of my typing skills, (swearing verbally is easy, with fingers NOT), but this entry, you've put in, really has hit home, to me, why you and Brittney are doing what you've done. I'm sure there have been a lot of quite tears shed both by you and people reading your blogs through these last few weeks. We can only share, through you, the trials and tribulations experienced by the people you meet. DO NOT MISTAKE what you two have done as trivial. That you could have done more. Far from it. You will leave a small part of yourself there through the visits you made to the sick, the games and lessons you teach the kids ....even the pleasure of touch to braid your hair. That will be left behind forever in their and your memories. Its nice to have the photographs but you know in your heart that most everything has been etched into your psyche forever. Can you believe it a whole sort of paragraph without a F word. Good luck on the rest of the trip, be safe and don't you dare go into that pool at the top of the Victoria Falls. OK I'm not your father, but I refuse to look at any photographs taken. Mark

try again
I think my last comment got censored. Not sure if the A. S. character (friend) is part of it, but it's all a joke! (until someone loses an eye) I never mentioned that I met A. S.'s mother Dianne Aeria (she re-married.most people call her 'Lady Di'.) But I go off topic... I wanted to tell you about our office experiences. I am now sitting in your desk. I think I like it! You can see and hear everything going on. Mark is where he was and Carl sits in the corner with Bland behind the Berlin wall. Danielle is now in Niagara Falls. Mark, I and her did a road trip last week up to the Regional Headquarters to get the H1N1. She wanted someone to go with cause she is prone to faint getting needles. She had to go into a room so she could be laying down when she got it. Did not faint but she flinched and the needle cut her. Otherwise we all did good. Mark only cried for about 10 minutes, overall he was very brave though. ... A.S. and myself continue to watch your exploits. You are our hero! Keep it up and as always. Be Careful.

How ya feelin?
Hi Hon I sure hope you are on the mend. I don't like the sounds of you not feeling well. That bathroom experience must have been awful. I wish I could be there to give you some flat ginger ale and toast. I know dad filled you in on a bunch of stuff so I'll wait a day or two before sending another email. I was right about your Yankees losing last night. Oh well, better for them to win it in New York anyway. Lots of love, Mom.

Concerned Gramma
Hi Denise Sorry you are not feeling well I hope you get better fast .Every day I check your blog You must feel very proud that you have such a following Thank God for the internet. How much longer are you in this location ? We have 2.5 weeks and we are leaving for Fla. I hope I can keep in touch, We sure are going to miss you and Jason at out xmas I have the flu but I hope iam getting better every time I cough I think the top of my head is going to come off I hope you are still thinking about Fla It would be great to see you and Lisa Take car Denise stay safe and healthy Love you Gramma

Great Blog!!!
Hey Denise: I have just spent that last hour reading all of your entries....WOW I am in total awe and amazement!! You are dong some amazing work in Kenya I am so proud of you and this huge accomplishment!!! It must be so rewarding to work with the kids, you have had some crazy adventures already, the camera one sounded a bit scary!! We are still up to our shirt sleeves in the H1N1 pandemic, Taylor was off school for a week with the flu which she so graciously shared with me...hits you like a rock after 5 days I finally feel like I am getting some of my strength back. We sure will miss you and Jason at our family Christmas on Nov 14. we will toast to the both of you. Take care Denise, be safe and be well I am looking forward to reading your next entry Cheers love Aunt Sharron

WOW!
Hi Denise, Bob Jackson sent a "Hickson News" email out with your blog details and I just read through all your blogs ..... you are amazing, Denise! Can't believe how different a life you are living........making a difference and making memories you will laugh and talk about forever! So proud of you and will keep you in my prayers! xoxoxo Nancy

Awesome Blog!
Hi Denise! Just heard from Mom about your adventure... and what an adventure it is! I know others who have been transformed by their experiences in Africa and I see that transformation has already started. I'm so proud of you for putting yourself out there and giving so much. I've never been much of a Blog follower, but you've got me hooked on this one! If you don't adopt that absolutely angelic little girl, I'm going to!!!! I'm sure the boys would love to have a little sister - NOT!!! Anyways, take care and I look forward to reading more. Love Lori, John, Jakob and Ben

Mini Sticks
Great to see the toys you took being put to good use. Brittney doesn't look to good in the corners! Looks like the kids are really enjoying playing- must be hard to move around garbage etc. Hope you found some chocolate Denise! I am sure you are getting excited to head out on your trip in one week. I bet it will be bitter sweet. Brittney said you are going to an AIDS march. I am sure that will also be a learning experience. Look forward to your next entry. Joan

Flu versus HIV
Hi Denise Great blog again. It's such a contrast to read about everyday life in Kenya compared to Ontario. All those living with HIV whereas overhere the big health issue is H1N1. (Health officials don't call it swine flu anymore - finally!) There is a bit of panic with people rushing to be vaccinated, spurred on due to the report of a 12 yr (?) boy who was playing hockey a week ago but died last Sunday due to H1N1. As terrible as that is, it's a much different magnitude of problem than the HIV epidemic and economic situation over there. Grandma Wilker is down for a visit this weekend, so we are updating her on your experience. Bye for now. Love Dad

Sallinger style
As far as your trip mate... Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr (I think that is how you would spell that noise he makes)

Feeling better?
Hi Hon So good to hear from you again. I hope you are feeling better. You sound so enthusiastic when you talk about the kids and teaching them stuff. What great experience!! Of course many Canadian children are not as eager to learn as the children you talk about. It sounds like you are getting some meals that appeal to you too...so that's good. You did the right thing to eat Freda's food. My understanding is that many other cultures are also insulted if you don't accept and finish what they offer you. My client from Turkey was the same way, and she was so generous with the servings. I used to come away from those visits just stuffed! All is well here. Grandma Wilker is coming for a visit this weekend since Dad is going to Guelph today for a meeting. I am having some tiring days working at H1N1 clinics back here. The turnouts have been crazy and this week is supposed to be only for high risk people. Anyway, keep writing and KEEP SAFE!! Love you forever, love you for always, as long as I'm living, my baby you'll be. (Did I get that right?- I even went and looked for the book but couldn't find it) lol Love Momma

Good to see you are doing good, Steve deffinately has the "I told her so " look when he reads your comments. Im a little disappointed you havnt had a all you can eat safari yet. "cute and tasty!" Enjoy and take lots of pics, the guys seem to enjoy the pics of your trip-mate. Cheers Treehugger