 Kate MacDougall - katiemac604 | All Comments |
Comments | |
| 25th September 2009 Jacqui Ashton | I want to help... - From: "Aunty Kate! Aunty Kate!" Hi Kate, don't know if you can help me but I have been trying to contact the ABC Learning Centre as I want to support a little girl called Isa Jallow who lives near the school. I know her Mum, Dad & Brothers & just want to help. She is such a clever little girl. I have got all the details of how much it will cost to send her to school for a year but I don't know what I need to do & who I send the money to. Please, please could you help me. I have been trying to sort this out since June 2009 & can't seem to get anywhere. I really want to send this little girl to school. Any information would be very much appreciated. Keep up the good work Jacqui |
| 19th August 2009 Baba | - From: Camp Calumet That is a wonderful tribute to you and to the camp. I think your Mom loved it also. It will be wonderful to hold onto to those hugs so you can feel free to give them. I send you my hug and good wishes for you on your next venture, college. Much love Baba |
| 21st June 2009 Claudia Kesler | Miscellaneous - From: School Supplies for Africa Kate, I was a Title 1 teacher for many years and I have a lot of stuff. I would like to donate it somewhere so waht is the process of getting it to you etc. Regards, Claudia P. S. can you use partially used pevcils? |
| 10th June 2009 ndeye | Be careful - From: Senegal I wonder how you got in contact with mr Jobe but i don't trust him. I am form Dakar born and raised and I can tel one one thing, this is not how descent man act. if u're still over there i'll advice you to find an other host. |
| 13th May 2009 mom | Great letters! - From: Sixth Graders Talk About The Gambia Love reading these letters; they give the reader such a sense not only of the education level of the kids you are working with, but also a slice of their lives and how they experience living in The Gambia. Wouldn't it be great if you could set up a pen-pal system with comparable grades at Bancroft? You might want to talk to them about this, it would be an amazing experience for both groups. Looking forward to seeing you in just a few weeks; Risky keeps going into your room and coming out all mopey, usually with a sock in her mouth. She misses you, as do we all. Duncs tells me the seniors are gone from the halls at Bancroft and he and all his freshman friends are stressing out about finals. Bet you're not missing that! Lots of mail from Boulder awaits you, you'll have a busy two weeks here before you head off to camp. love, mom |
| 7th May 2009 Di | Tweens - From: Sixth Graders Talk About The Gambia I somehow feel that you feel my pain! With Haley and Rory at 15 and 13, there are times when they won't shut up, times I want to kill them (someone is going to read this and report me and you will read about me in the newspaper), times when I can't hug them hard enough and times when I now want to send them to The Gambia so they can learn about "They childrens respect thier parents very much that, even, if the (they) see thier parents coming, they will be so quiet." Gambia sounds cool in that regard...not so much on the Moms going to get firewood and going to market every day. Ugh! |
| 5th May 2009 Joan carlson | Eventually.....you'll get everything finished - From: Too much to do, and no time to do it. Well Kate, those old days of using the"plan book" could come in handy now. Too much stuff to do, and not enough time..... I think that's the story of most people's lives. Hope your cold is all better. Lots of allergies around here. All the plants and flowers bloomed in the same week and allergic people have been suffering with symptoms since. I imagine with all the new plant if you had allergies. People are worried about the swine flu. not many cases in Massachusetts, but even one is too many. Some of my friends who teach in Texas have had their high schools closed for the week - and this is A.P. exam week and so they have to take alternate exams later. Spring is definitely here. The grass is green and dandelions are sprouting in some lawns- the leaves are out on the trees and daffodils, tulips, azaleas etc. are bringing color to the gardens. Enjoy the rest of your adventure! Miss you-please visit when you get back. I'd love to see some of your new clothes made with the cloth you buy.I bet the fabirc has gorgeous colors! Sincerely, Mother Bio |
| 29th April 2009 YFA | - From: A Gambian Wedding "a woman tried to give her baby to me to take back to America. awkward! " Love the understatement here! When are you coming home? I should ask, when do you leave there, and will you be traveling before you come back? Australia was fun. We think we've found Henry's peoples. |
| 27th April 2009 mom | HEAT here too - From: HEAT Yes, another comment from your mom about the weather. It has been like summer here, in the 80s every day. If you come home to this, you will feel like you are still in Africa! We are counting the days until you are home. Duncan figures it out mathematically of course. Red Sox are playing awesome; they beat the Yanks the first of 3 in extra innings, yesterday afternoon (in a game that didn't end until almost 9pm!) 16-11, and tonight they are playing at 8, still scoreless. Leigh is at the game tonight with her friend Lindsey and her parents. The little monster girl comes on Thursday along with the ever-handsome ROON, we are quite excited. Hallie dropped off two gates and so we are all set. Many dog walks and much neck biting and face chewing. Glad you like your roommate, we didn't have the option of creeping anyone on facebook, wrote letters back in forth (long-distance was expensive!) and hoped for the best. We love you and miss you; glad you are enjoying mango season!! xoxoxo mom |
| 26th April 2009 uddY | meeting yourself - From: HEAT hey doob. i love the idea that you find yourself in africa on some street corner and who do you run into but...yourself! lovely! i like hearing about all this drumming everywhere, it seems to permeate the air no matter where you go, an underscoring to your daily life? i am curious to hear about church. I am longing for mango and custard! the sox have beat the yanks in two very action packed games. Game three is today. Saw "Funny Girl" with Leel last night. That's cool about Farrand! I think that's near the UMC and the Music School. love you. ud |
| 25th April 2009 Christina | - From: HEAT Ya know...I'm getting to an uncomfortable level of jealously towards you...;). I understand the heat thing kinda, apparently it got up to 93 today and I was singing in a church for 2 1/2 hours, definitely thought I was going to pass out. But I'm sure it's muchh hotter there so sorry for complaining, feel free to yell at me haha. I love hearing about the kids you teach! They all sound so cute, pleeeease tell me you're taking pictures. I seriously can't wait to see you, like I read this and I just miss you like hell, come back to mee! Even though you're going to camp when you get back (grr). Ok, I'm going to stop rambling now, glad you're making friends and having fun, love you! |
| 25th April 2009 Erin Nelson | Calumet - From: HEAT So i'm listening to Itunes my music and i just realized i had a song i recgonized and it go to the chorus and guess what song it is??? One way Jesus! oh camp love it and miss it. |
| 24th April 2009 anonymous | summer is here! - From: HEAT so its like april 24 and it feels like summer here at the university of dayton in dayton ohio. It is awesome i spent two hours lying outside in the sun waiting to go to work to find that oh we're going to focus lights ( i work in a theater btw) and then he's letting us go because its so freakin' nice out! woo! Exams for me start on monday and i go home saturday. Schools done on may 1st and its summer for me for 4months! woo! i love how your in africa. its awesome. <3 |
| 23rd April 2009 Erin Nelson | - From: A Quest for Friends (continued) so i was going to say something about something you wrote but i don't remember anymore. OH i remember the people from ohio! woo! i live out there now well for college at least. did i tell you that my parents are moving to california? well i'll be in conneticut this summer but still i won't be in CT probably much after that. miss you |
| 22nd April 2009 Erin Nelson | - From: A Quest For Friends Hey, wow so you can't drink alcohol and you'll get kicked out? whys that? seems kind of strange. |
| 19th April 2009 Joan Carlson | Hi from New England - From: A Quest For Friends Dear Kate, Actually, I am spending the 3 day Patriot's Day weekend up here in Maine at our beach house. I am glad you had a chance to walk the beach- I have always found that so relaxing. There are sand dollars up here on Maine beaches but usually i get to find them in the early summer of fall. i am glad you had a chance to connect with some Americans. The Red Sox are doing better ( they got off to a slow start) Right now they are playing Baltimore and just won 2-1. ( took all 3 games in the Baltimore series) They played at Fenway and it is beautiful day for baseball (sunny and in the 50's.) No much time left before the seniors finish here at the end of April. The senior prom is next saturday night. All the girls have been out spending way too much for their prom dresses. lots of money for one night with tickets, dresses, shoes, hair etc. I guess you'll get back to teaching the little ones after this spring break. Keep going on the blogs. I love to hear of your adventures. from your Biology "Mom' at Bancroft |
| 16th April 2009 Joan Carlson | This is your vacation??!! - From: Dakar Your adventure blog has the makings of a great article for your college newpaper! Your going to have to change the character of this Mr. Jobe as he way too weird!!!!!! |
| 15th April 2009 Christina | Glitter - From: A Second Grader's Birthday Party Kate! I miss you soo much! And I'm reading like 6 of your posts in my chemistry class because, well, why would I ever pay attention? And I literally almost laughed out loud when reading the thing about the girls with the glitter. Remember how from like grades 4-7 we wore glitter everywhere? I sure do, especially at the dances (remember getting ready for dances together in your old house?) I just thought that was so funny and so cool that girls are the same in every culture pretty much. Your experiences make me so jealous and I can't wait to see you when you come home so I can hear more! <3 Christina |
| 15th April 2009 Erin Nelson | - From: Dakar So i'm curious why does mr. jobe expect you to pay for everything for him? obviously that is not fair! Well i hope you have a better vacation!!! |
| 15th April 2009 Erin Nelson | - From: And The Gambia Takes The Cup! I wish america had random holidays whenever they want. i randomly don't have school tomorrow (thursdsay) |
| 15th April 2009 Erin Nelson | - From: American Money and Spanish Lessons (in africa?) Hey kate, its Erin i'm at university of dayton and enjoying your journals from africa! i wish i could do that but i do'nt think i have what it takes. i'm almost done with school for the year. I still need to find a job. Ohio likes to have random weather so today it is cold yesterday it was warm. gotta love ohio. the recession kind of sucks a lot because people can't get jobs and that is justnot good and well basically its a big FAILURE to the world. thats about it |
| 14th April 2009 Joan | The other side of the world - From: Senegal Wow, what an adventure. You will so appreciate driving with your own seat to sit in and not piled in with others when you get back home! Spring has finally come here. The temperature today is in the 50's and daffodils and tulips have started to come out The kids here at Bancroft are planning for their prom, buying their prom dresses, and planning the evening events. College acceptances are in and now students are going for visits to decide what school they want to attend. Hope you are taking a lot of pictures. You need to have phot albums to go along with these journal entries. This Mr. Jobe character seems a bit "sketchy". Take care of yourself. See you when you return. Sincerely, Mrs. Carlson |
| 9th April 2009 Baba | - From: A Second Grader's Birthday Party Happy Easter. It is hard not being with your family over these special holidays. We also are without family as we elected to stay in Tucson until May. The cactus and all the flowers and trees are in bloom. It is beautiful and warm. We love it here, but will be glad to get home and see the family again. We will have two new dogs in the family, one yellow lab and one black lab. Take care and know we are very proud of you. Much love Baba |
| 8th April 2009 Leel | Hi Katy dear - From: A Second Grader's Birthday Party I am so enjoying your blogs. Perhaps if the food is too spicey we can arrange to cater your next meal from our nearest Taco Bell. I believe it's only 16,532 miles away. You are such a wonderful person and the fact you enjoy teaching and learning the culture and eating te food and putting up with everything that comes your way is so amazing and so y-o-u. Here's a big hug and kiss, honey. Love, Leel |
| 8th April 2009 mom | - From: A Second Grader's Birthday Party Hi honey, the party sounds a bit confusing and maybe overwhelming? I can tell you weren't a fan of the food. In today's Globe G section, there is a recipe for African peanut stew that I am going to make for us to try, it has peanut butter in it so maybe it is close to what you are having when you are back at your homestay house. Hope the next 2 weeks go well while you are on break and that you find some blander food to eat. It is really cold here today; about 45 but with the wind it feels like the 30s. I walked the dogs early this am and there was a good frost on the ground still. By the time you get home it will be spring and the magnolia will be blooming, and all will be well. Miss you and love you--mom |
| 4th April 2009 Di | Sports Holidays - From: And The Gambia Takes The Cup! We kind of have this in the South. The first day of the ACC tournament is kind of a de facto holiday. No one is at work after 12 or if they are at work, there is a TV surrounded by people watching the games. |
| 3rd April 2009 doug Lockwood | dancing you - From: American Money and Spanish Lessons (in africa?) doob. it is I...UD! i am caught up now. I love that you and I are both teaching now! I am transported by your blogging. I also started taking African Dance last week and thought of you. At one point I was in such a FRENZY that one of the drummers got off his perch and came right over to me banging on his drum right in my face. Loved it! Please buy me some kind of shirt or shorts. PLEEZE! Love you. ud |
| 3rd April 2009 Sarah | Hi - From: American Money and Spanish Lessons (in africa?) I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often. Sarah http://www.craigslistpostingonline.info |
| 3rd April 2009 Emily | SPRING! - From: American Money and Spanish Lessons (in africa?) SOOOO today it was SIXTY SEVEN! spring is FINALLY here! Round TWO of letters from Camp went out a couple days ago so of course there is more fb creepin' then ever! haha. i can't wait till camp starts. UH not much is happening in the states thats like "BIG NEWS"... the usual. *sighs* recession. BUT ANYWAYS i'm reading your blogs like crazy now (i just read three in a row because i lost track of time since you last wrote) and i just love hearing about it Kate! I can't wait to see the clothes & ALL those pictures YOU HAVE TO TAKE. okay well that's what i can report, sorry its nothing too, too exciting. ♥ em |
| 2nd April 2009 YFA | - From: American Money and Spanish Lessons (in africa?) Kate-you are channeling Bubby right now. If you REALLY want to channel her, you will buy copies of this book and give it to all of your friends and family! |
| 30th March 2009 katiemac604 | Address - From: School Supplies for Africa woops. didn't make that clear. send it to my home address in the states. when i get home i'll send it all at once to africa. |
| 30th March 2009 katiemac604 | Ishmael - From: Zingamama Zingamama Zing Zing Zing Zing it's one of those books that is really good but also needs to be read by the entire human race. there's a quote on the cover that says "every book is now lumped into two categories- those i read before Ishmael and those i read after." or something like that. it's incredible and extraordinarily eye-opening |
| 30th March 2009 Di | Ishmael - From: Zingamama Zingamama Zing Zing Zing Zing I believe your Mom recommended this to me about 20 years ago and I didn't read it. Maybe you will finally push me over the edge. |
| 24th March 2009 Aunt Sue | Wonderful - From: School Supplies for Africa Hi Aunty Kate: I just now finally got caught up on your adventure in The Gambia, having read through all of your postings in one fell swoop. I am so impressed with you! Not only are you resourceful, but you are so incredibly mature. I think being the oldest in your family and all of your camp experience, among many others, I'm sure, is standing you in good stead. Your reports really bring your experiences to life. It sounds as though you have been given a terrific placement and are making the most of it. Most important, you are making friends and making a contribution to the lives of these people. Hope you'll have a chance to post some photos so we can see you and them. Winter is taking its sweet time disappearing from our lives, as you have been hearing. The sun is telling us that it's spring. The bulbs planted last Fall are telling us it's spring. But we are still shivering in 30 degree temperatures and the pile of snow in my driveway is taking forever to disappear. However, it will be only a matter of time before we are complaining about the heat. I'll gladly donate some supplies to your school, though I think it might make more sense for you to take up a collection when you get home and send it all at once. I wonder how long it will take for our packages to get there, too. Is French your daily language? Je t'embrasse! Milles abrazos! Aunty Sue |
| 18th March 2009 Joan Carlson | You must be a great teacher! - From: "I can't speak toubab" Kate- How great it is to see this culture through your eyes. I hope you are taking photos of everything! You'll come back with a new wardrobe and incredible memories. This experience is incredible and we love these blogs. I bet you are a remarkable teacher for these children. Keep track of these new foods and bring some recipes home with you. What kinds of spices do they use? Spring hasn't quite happened here but most snow has melted and it might reach 60 degrees tomorrow! Spring break from school here for the next two weeks. Your blogs are incredible. Keep sharing with all of, your great work! |
| 15th March 2009 Emily | Soaking This Up Like A Sponge - From: "I can't speak toubab" Hey Kate- wow you've been busy! donuts sound good, where they? loved the "in PE i taught them elbow tag, wizards and trees, and tag everybody's it (thank goodness for camp). " Wizards & Trees IS a great game! Can't wait to see the fabric (bring some to camp, maybe?) and this all sounds amazing. glad to know you're doing great. -emily |
| 14th March 2009 Spencer Doehlert | Title! - From: "I can't speak toubab" This is wonderful, I think I might have to steal Toubab for some of my... whiter friends. :D I'm glad you're doing well, the kids sound glorious. I miss you terribly. -Spencer P.S. Sox beat the Yanks in Grapefruit League, 8-4 today. I managed to catch the last inning when I got home, which was nice. |
| 12th March 2009 mom | Great descriptions! - From: "I can't speak toubab" Honey, i loved reading about Gamo, your donut making, and teaching the kids about integers! I sent this link to Karl at Calumet because he'd love the camp reference in terms of games. My guess is that you'll be speaking in their language soon enough, or at least enough to get by. Keep posting! We are still waiting for spring here; Aunt Hallie and I walked the dogs today at Callahan and had to skirt around the edges of giant ice patches. Of course the dogs didn't mind and just fell and skidded all along the path. Addy is feeling better; not back at school yet but healing all the time. Duncan has his first baseball practice this afternoon and leaves for spring training next week, and Jeff is doing well and will begin outdoor soccer as soon as the ground thaws, which will be...april maybe? Oh, and Duncan is going to get his permit next week! love you-- mom |
| 11th March 2009 Baba | - From: "Aunty Kate! Aunty Kate!" What an experience you are having. I love your blogs. It's a little like my experience on the Indian reservation. No matter what you do it is better than what they have. Stay well. Much love Baba |
| 7th March 2009 Emily | KATE! - From: "Aunty Kate! Aunty Kate!" Hey Kate, wow sounds like you've been really busy but i bet you're having the time of your life! well back here in the masshole i think the snow is FINALLY getting ready to leave for the season *crosses fingers* everyone got there letters from camp and so creepin' on the book of faces has been a full time job! haha... i miss you and glad you're partying up with the grade school kids. oh yeah, could you teach ME factoring?! i hate it to the max! well glad to know you're doing swell. get some sleep and stay healthy! -em |
| 4th March 2009 Erin Nelson | - From: My African Boyfriend Hey kate! wow! i can't believe your in Africa. I'm only SLIGHTLY jealous! Reading about how you teach these kids is so amazing. I can't believe you get to teach these kids and everything. and how you just like know what to do. So are you there to teach kids and help them out and such? Cause thats what it seems like you are teach the kids. I see there is a cultural difference. When i read about the whip i almost like was cried on the inside i can't believe they do that!!! Maybe with your being there they will stop using it. :-D I hope all goes well!! Sounds like you are having a blast! miss you love Erin |
| 3rd March 2009 Di | Wicked peaceful - From: My African Boyfriend I loved that, "wicked peaceful." Just read it to my husband. I hope you loved Confederacy of Dunces like I did when I read it years ago recommended by guess who? Your Mom. |
| 2nd March 2009 Emily | Hey Kate - From: Have you ever been the only white person in a crowded stadium? So I'm commenting to tell you I read this and I am soaking all this in like a sponge. I'm pretty jealous of all your experiences you're getting and I expect to see pictures. Hope you're having the time of your life. See you at camp! Love, Emily |
| 28th February 2009 mom | - From: Have you ever been the only white person in a crowded stadium? Great entry sweetie! Sounds like you are in a great place in every way. I love the idea of Cleaning Day...oh wait, we have that here every Friday. I'll have to remember to buy some baoba juice to keep you hydrated while you work on your room :) We are expecting 12 inches of snow tomorrow night; yes that means Duncan and Jeff will be home from school again and Jeff will be finishing school in July. I judged speech today, Mardi Gras (Duncan was home sick), and Bancroft did really well. Gabe judged too. love you- mom |
| 28th February 2009 leel | Greetings from Antigua - From: Have you ever been the only white person in a crowded stadium? Hi sweetheart, We so enjoyed your first blog and have shared it with the Brilliant Burbidges who live in the next room to us at Curtain Bluff. Quite possibly many of our friends who work here can trace their ancestry to where you are. The big world suddenly seems smaller. Sheil and I are having a wonderful vacation. The blenders are constantly whirring and the water is beautiful and so are the people, just as I hope you remember it. We anxiously await hearing further from you about Katy Mac's magnificent adventure. love and hugs, Sheil and Leel |
| 1st December 2008 Di | Dulce yum! - From: Buenos Aires I love Dulce de Leche!!! And when we were in Mexico last week, I learned what dulce means! It wasn't quite as, um, native as your travels since we never left the confines of our resort. But we did get to practice a little Spanish. Sorry you were sick! |
| 23rd November 2008 Barbara MacDougall | What an experience - From: The Journey to Machu Pichu, Days 1-3 Iloved the details of your narrative. 15,000 feet is really high. I think you did wonderfully to reach it. When I hiked over a mountain in New Zealand I was always at the back of the pack. I also wanted to stop and look. I was so stiff when a day or so after we came down I had to go down hill backwards. The top of my legs just killed from going downhill over a rocky terrain. Great adventure you had. Keep up the blogs. Much love BABA |
| 20th November 2008 Jackie | ah! - From: The Journey to Machu Pichu, Days 1-3 kate these sound amaaaaaaaaazing and i'm so jealous. glad you are having fun. I MISS YOU and love you! |
| 14th November 2008 uddY | jealousy - From: The Journey to Machu Pichu, Days 1-3 katie i have never been as jealous as i am after reading this blog. well done. the hike sounds awesome. i've been at 14, 255 but not as high as you. you are the yertle the turtle of our family now. i dont think anyone has ever been as high. flaming bananas? i love you. ud. |
| 11th November 2008 Joan | What a Hike! - From: The Journey to Machu Pichu, Days 1-3 Kate, Wow, what an experience. Hiking in hail!!!! Hope you have some good hiking boots. This whole experience is quite an adventure. Can't wait to see the pictures you have taken. They sure feed you well, but with all that exercise I bet you are losing weight. Keep up this blog. You vivid descriptions make us feel we are there with you. Sincerely, Mrs. Carlson |