I am not less because I am different.
I am not less because my views vary from yours.
I am not less because my experiences are not like yours.
I am not less because my choices are not ones you would make.
Or have had to make.
Or will ever make.
I am not less because I am different.
I am not less because my interests aren’t the same.
I am not less because my words don’t match yours.
I am not less because my path is its own.
Exposed.
Diverse.
I am not less because I am different.
I am not less because I am outspoken.
I am not less because I appreciate dissemblance.
I am not less because of my appearance
My dress
And my makeup.
I am not less because I am different.
I am not less because my beliefs are not symmetrical to yours.
I am not less because my relationships are intimate.
I am not less because I choose to live
Openly
And risk to learn.
I am not less because I am different.
I am not
Less
Loved.
LG
This song came to mind just before I started writing.
Artist: Third Day
Album: Wherever You Are
Song: Carry My Cross
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0K_Ny_oUtL0
As long as I remember
I've been walking through the wilderness
Praying to the Father
And waiting for my time
I've come here with a mission
And soon I'll give my life for this world
I'm praying in the garden
And I'm looking for a miracle
I find the journey hard but
It's the reason I was born
Can this cup be passed on
Lord, I pray your will be done
In this world
So I'll carry my cross
And I'll carry the shame
To the end of the road
Through the struggle and pain
And I'll do it for love
No, it won't be in vain
Yes, I'll carry my cross
And I'll carry the shame
I feel like I'm alone here
And I'm treated like a criminal
The time has come for me now
Even though I've done no wrong
Father, please forgive them
They know not what they've done
In this world
Three more days and I'll be coming back again
Three more days and I'll be coming back again
So I'll carry my cross
And I'll carry the shame
To the end of the road
Through the struggle and pain
And I'll do it for love
No, it won't be in vain
Yes, I'll carry my cross
And I'll carry the shame
Oh, I'll carry my cross
And I'll carry the shame
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Food (period)
We're on day three of 10-12 hour daytime power cuts. I'm not fed up with the no-power so much as I'm over being hungry, devoid of the strength/nourishment food provides because I can't cook anything. It's rough not having a working gas stove, really a basic necessity here, I think. At this point, our electric stove is probably only 25 percent useful. The consecutive day outages make me feel like I'm on a hunger strike I didn't sign up for.
I dream of salad bars, Chili's, Chipotle and, most recently, Apollo Burger (or, day I say, Al's Big Burger). Oh, to have calories in my stomach! Yes, I know there are people just outside my housing compound who are living on rice and beans or practically nothing. I know there are people right here, people I see as I walk outside, who are much hungrier I am. I know this. But it doesn't change the fact that I have a full-time teaching job to do and doing it with minimum nourishment is just not really working out for me. I feel like I can force myself to push through the extreme frustrations of a horrible Internet connection (or none at all). I can deal with the sauna that is my office when we are on generator at school and can’t use the air conditioner. I can get a grip on my workload that is seriously intense and slightly overwhelming right now. But the thing is, when running on a shortage of calories, these aspects of my life are just that much more challenging, when they were trying to begin with.
I am not complaining. These days I’m simply tired, weak, dizzy, unfocused, frazzled, slow. And I’m sharing why. I don’t have anywhere near an appropriate diet needed to overcome these things. Coming here, we all believed I would finally learn to cook because I’d be on my own and living where that’s predominantly the only food choice. (No fast food fixes and any real restaurant is at least 30 minutes away.) It’s March, and I’ve been here almost five and a half months. I have never cooked meat. Not once. Don’t get me wrong, I am a pasta-cooking queen now. Al dente is my special. And, of course, there’s always heating up a frozen chapati (kind of like naan) on the stove. Yet even chapatis have taken a back seat, since they don’t stay frozen in my freezer (thanks, power cuts) and when they’re not totally frozen they don’t cook right. Oh, to have chapati and cheese today. Yum. But I digress. I want to cook so badly here. I know that when I get back to the States, I will be a cooking machine. That’s because I may. I'll be allowed to. With elements refusing to let me cook here, it has only increased my desire to spend time in the kitchen. I bought some chicken breasts two days ago and must cook them today or else they’ll go bad for sure. I finally said “I’ve had it” and bought some meat to cook. Not the first time; the other meat purchases just never made it to pass because they spoiled before I had power available at time when I could cook them. Waste of money, waste of excitement, waste of food.
To be honest, I’m having trouble focusing on finishing this post. Kind of dizzy and should go eat an apple. Or two. Or five. I do have the option of going over to Jen and Heather’s next door to use their gas stove. I’ll try to take them up on that offer today. (Those chicken breasts will not go to waste!) It’s just not the same though, and it’s not all that convenient. I also have the wonderful help of our two house ladies, Esther and Jacki. Unfortunately, their work schedules at our home are on the days we are “scheduled” for daytime power outages. We practically never have power when they are here, so even they can’t cook for us. (One week, however, they did manage to coordinate the use of the oven at another house on the compound that uses a generator. They did it all on their own, and they made pizza for us. They are awesome.)
So I guess I’m looking forward to eating fruit. Lots and lots of fruit this week, as I will give Esther a shopping list on Tuesday for nanasi (pineapple), ndizi (banana) and tikiti maji (watermelon). What else is there to eat when you have no way to cook and everything spoils so fast? Fruit it is, but even that fare can only take me so far.
Laura
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Give Love
Since one of my first weekends here, perhaps it was my second, I've been going to a rural area called Mandale that we simply refer to as "William's village" about 35 minutes from my home. William Jacob is a Tanzanian and the head of cleaning at HOPAC. More than that, he is one of the most amazing men I have ever met. His spirit is always joyful, genuine, and thankful, despite many personal hardships. (His wife has miscarried twice and he has had two other children die after just after birth. They continue to hope and pray for a healthy child, and his wife is currently seven months pregnant.) William leads the church in his village, and purposefully chose it's semi-isolated location because it was important for him to reach out to that community.
For the most part, I go to William's village very Saturday morning for a few hours. Marie Christianson, an incredible woman and former housemate, has been helping William run a consistent children's ministry for six months. (I've been involved for four months now.) We play games (relay races!) and do crafts (coloring!) with the kids, who range from itty bitty to teenage. It's awesome to just go and love them every week. Today was especially great because we focused on love in our lives and God's love for us. It was an incredible morning.
As it's two days before Valentine's Day, my TZ bestie Erin Steinhoff had made valentines for the children by cutting hearts out of construction paper and gluing them onto a piece of folded construction paper. Inside each one, she wrote: "[name] Nakupenda! <3, Yesu." In English, "[name] I love you! <3 Jesus." With William translating, the children learned and understood that these were Valentine's Day cards and that they were "from God." They knew to keep them as reminders of His love for us. Marie had prepared photocopied papers that each had an angel with heart-shaped wings. The angel also held a heart in which Marie had written "Upendo kutoka kwa Mungu." Translation: Love comes from God. Above the angel, the verse 1 John 4:7 was written in Kiswahili. The children--all ages--love coloring, and they took much pride using their precious crayons to decorate their heart angel papers.
I'm not a parent, so I admit I can't possibly fully understand what it is like to experience those "first time" moments in the growth of your own child. But today sure came close.
I've fallen in love with a 3-year-old boy named Yahaya, but who I refer to as my "little old man." He never wears a shirt, and his shorts are always a little too big for him. Like almost all the other children around, he doesn't have shoes and runs around the sun-scorched ground barefoot. Somehow, his small, Tanzanian body and posture remind me of Walter Matthau, and his face kind of looks like a grandpa's. When I first met him, about four months ago, he wasn't as big (he has since had a growth spurt!) and was sick for several weeks, as indicated by low energy, a runny nose and sad eyes. Most of our little friends here spoke timidly when they first met us. (There were, of course, some high-energy, go-getters in the group right from the start though.) My little old man was one of the quiet ones.
But today, we reached a milestone. When I walked into the one-room church, he came right up with outstretched arms and spoke to me. For the first time. He spoke to me. I bent down and scooped him up, my jaw gaping but my mouth smiling. I have no idea what he said. I instantly played it over and over in my mind. Words. Some kind of words I could not decipher and probably don't know in Kiswahili yet anyway. By way of grunts or quiet, paired words, my little old man had been laughing and chatting with his older brother (a 13-year-old boy named Ridiwani) for the past few weeks, but today he spoke to me--and in a full sentence. He hadn't even so much as uttered one direct word to me before. Just grins and telling eyes to communicate. Until today. I can only imagine what it must be like for parents to hear their child's first words, for what I experienced this morning was an amazing and unforgettable moment. What a day of love.
xoxo,
Laura
For the most part, I go to William's village very Saturday morning for a few hours. Marie Christianson, an incredible woman and former housemate, has been helping William run a consistent children's ministry for six months. (I've been involved for four months now.) We play games (relay races!) and do crafts (coloring!) with the kids, who range from itty bitty to teenage. It's awesome to just go and love them every week. Today was especially great because we focused on love in our lives and God's love for us. It was an incredible morning.
As it's two days before Valentine's Day, my TZ bestie Erin Steinhoff had made valentines for the children by cutting hearts out of construction paper and gluing them onto a piece of folded construction paper. Inside each one, she wrote: "[name] Nakupenda! <3, Yesu." In English, "[name] I love you! <3 Jesus." With William translating, the children learned and understood that these were Valentine's Day cards and that they were "from God." They knew to keep them as reminders of His love for us. Marie had prepared photocopied papers that each had an angel with heart-shaped wings. The angel also held a heart in which Marie had written "Upendo kutoka kwa Mungu." Translation: Love comes from God. Above the angel, the verse 1 John 4:7 was written in Kiswahili. The children--all ages--love coloring, and they took much pride using their precious crayons to decorate their heart angel papers.
I'm not a parent, so I admit I can't possibly fully understand what it is like to experience those "first time" moments in the growth of your own child. But today sure came close.
I've fallen in love with a 3-year-old boy named Yahaya, but who I refer to as my "little old man." He never wears a shirt, and his shorts are always a little too big for him. Like almost all the other children around, he doesn't have shoes and runs around the sun-scorched ground barefoot. Somehow, his small, Tanzanian body and posture remind me of Walter Matthau, and his face kind of looks like a grandpa's. When I first met him, about four months ago, he wasn't as big (he has since had a growth spurt!) and was sick for several weeks, as indicated by low energy, a runny nose and sad eyes. Most of our little friends here spoke timidly when they first met us. (There were, of course, some high-energy, go-getters in the group right from the start though.) My little old man was one of the quiet ones.
But today, we reached a milestone. When I walked into the one-room church, he came right up with outstretched arms and spoke to me. For the first time. He spoke to me. I bent down and scooped him up, my jaw gaping but my mouth smiling. I have no idea what he said. I instantly played it over and over in my mind. Words. Some kind of words I could not decipher and probably don't know in Kiswahili yet anyway. By way of grunts or quiet, paired words, my little old man had been laughing and chatting with his older brother (a 13-year-old boy named Ridiwani) for the past few weeks, but today he spoke to me--and in a full sentence. He hadn't even so much as uttered one direct word to me before. Just grins and telling eyes to communicate. Until today. I can only imagine what it must be like for parents to hear their child's first words, for what I experienced this morning was an amazing and unforgettable moment. What a day of love.
xoxo,
Laura
 |
Yahaya, my little old man. |
Artist: Third Day
Album: Revelations
Song: Give Love
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjOn5VrrYGc
Album: Revelations
Song: Give Love
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjOn5VrrYGc
Whisper softly to me
Share with me your heart
And just ignore the world and what it does
I know that you've been hurting, you've been torn apart
And I pull you close and hold you in my arms
If you give love
I'll return the love and you will see
So much more than you gave away
If you give love
Give it to me
Listen very closely as I sing this song
And please believe that I mean every word
When I say I love you
I mean it with all my heart
Let it be the best thing that you've ever heard
If you give love
I'll return the love and you will see
So much more than you gave away
If you give love
Give it to me
Oh, give it to me
Oh, give it to me
Whisper softly to me
Share with me your heart
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Quotes of the Week 1
I approach the tables of goodies that make up the snackbar at the school's nightime football (soccer) game.
Student 1: Oh, Miss House!
LG: What?
Student 2: [leans over to friend] That's Miss STEINHOFF!
LG: [blank stare]
Student 3: NO you guys! That's MISS GORDON.
hahahahaha I was so amused. I told the third student to find me on Monday and I'd give her a housepoint. LOL
In the bajaj, Erin was on a roll after her Kiswahili lesson of the week.
Erin: [to the driver] Sisi ni walimu hapa. [We are teachers here.]
Later, in another bajaj.
LG: Tell him your line! Say your line to him!
Erin: [to the driver] Sisi ni walimu hapa. [We are teachers here.]
Bajaj driver has had enough of our grammar.
Erin: Unajui?
Driver: [laughs]
Erin: ... unajui ...
Driver: [kinda laughs]
Erin: ... unajui ...
Driver: [sternly] unaJUA
Us: Ohhhhhh
Jen M. walks up with a pretty gift bag.
LG: Ooo, what's in the bag?
Jen: Cheeeeeese!
Student 1: Oh, Miss House!
LG: What?
Student 2: [leans over to friend] That's Miss STEINHOFF!
LG: [blank stare]
Student 3: NO you guys! That's MISS GORDON.
hahahahaha I was so amused. I told the third student to find me on Monday and I'd give her a housepoint. LOL
In the bajaj, Erin was on a roll after her Kiswahili lesson of the week.
Erin: [to the driver] Sisi ni walimu hapa. [We are teachers here.]
Later, in another bajaj.
LG: Tell him your line! Say your line to him!
Erin: [to the driver] Sisi ni walimu hapa. [We are teachers here.]
Bajaj driver has had enough of our grammar.
Erin: Unajui?
Driver: [laughs]
Erin: ... unajui ...
Driver: [kinda laughs]
Erin: ... unajui ...
Driver: [sternly] unaJUA
Us: Ohhhhhh
Jen M. walks up with a pretty gift bag.
LG: Ooo, what's in the bag?
Jen: Cheeeeeese!
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Totally Backlogged, But Gotta Start Somewhere
Ohhhh do I feel bad about not updating this blog more often. Yikes!! I have good reasons though. Well, OK, fine. Only one good reason that expired almost 20 days ago: My family was here!! SO awesome and SO amazing!! But, let me be honest: As I sit down to write this, I'm coming off of a very disheartening day. For the greater part of the day I have been trying to remind myself of all the numerous blessings God has been providing for me every day. I've been trying to keep those positive thoughts at the forefront of my mind, but I'm still just feeling downright down. Today, two hours before I was scheduled to teach my first journalism course (an elective), I learned it was cancelled because only one student signed up; other students (grade 11-12) signed up for drama, photography, business, etc. It broke my heart. Truly. And, I had just finished putting together an AWESOME intro to journalism PowerPoint on what is media and the role of journalism. I was completely psyched and went from a super high to a super low. Now, as I type, I'm trying to find the balance of somewhere in between again; that good, nay great, place I was in just yesterday.
The best news is my life has been filled with SO MANY things to be thankful for. God is providing and I am SO grateful for His love and grace. I could not be doing any of this without Him. One of the great joys was having my mom, dad and sister come for two weeks over Christmas break. We spent a few days running around Dar, then up to Arusha, next on to safari before returning to Arusha and back home to Dar. A separate post to come on that incredible time!!!
For now, I feel like I should just write what comes to my head. Life feels normal here, so it's hard to pick out exactly what to write about. To me, the following will probably be random thoughts, but for you it will be a good overall of various aspects here, both trivial and not-so-trivial.
I'm eating a lollipop right now. (Score one for trivial!) They are one of my highlights here. It's my last one so gotta go to the store soon. Food here is definitely one of my, well, I wouldn't say challenges, but subjects that make me miss home I guess you could say. Take anything back home in California, take away half the flavor and that's pretty much what everything is like here. I am lucky my family brought me a luggage of goodies, which I'm consuming sparingly because when they're gone, they're gone! I might sound ghetto revealing this, but one of the first places I want to eat when I get home is Sizzler. I miss lettuce soooooooo much and dream of eating salads again!! Oh and those diced ham bits on top! You can occasionally find lettuce here, but it is a real pain to clean it (i.e. prep by soaking in bleach water, etc.) and to be sure it's totally rid of bacteria.
Speaking of bacteria, I have been so lucky (*knock on wood!!*) that I have had pretty darn good health here. I'm always scared to say (or write) such things because I don't want to jinx myself. I will admit that for the past three and a half months I have been holding my breath waiting for something really stressful or extremely challenging to happen. It hasn't. Thanks be to God!! Oh, and can I get an AMEN for dropping a pant size? Hooray! I eat so much less here; smaller portions, less snacking, fresher meals, lots of water. And of course sweating and walking to/from/around school add to it too!
I love our house lady. (No transition there, sorry.) We have two actually. Esther comes three times a week and cleans and bakes bread, and Jacki comes once a week to cook. We've only had Jacki make fruit salad so far, but boy is that an effort. Everything, especially food prep, takes longer here, and fruit especially takes time. I rejoice having these two beautiful, hardworking women in my home. I especially love when I come home to a bed that is made so crisply that someone would think it was ironed. (I only have a tight sheet and a loose sheet for my bedding here; no comforters or duvets--no way!) But more than the perfectly made bed is how adorable it is to see my Stitch doll (a la "Lilo & Stitch") propped up in difference places. Esther and Jacki do an incredible job taking care of my home and I am so thankful. Sometimes items in my bedroom will be moved around and I smile because I think it's entertaining for them to redecorate and see all the different ways the can style the room. Just the other day when I came home from school, I entered and said "hodiii" (may I enter) and Esther, in a happy and high-pitched voice, sang from the kitchen "karibuuu!" (welcome) They are great women.
The heat has not been bad except for the last week of December/first week fo January. I think it was because Arusha was cold (i.e. 70 degrees) and my body wasn't into getting thrown back into the high temperatures and humidity. I actually don't notice how humid it is until, like the other night, I realize my body is so drenched I literally have to take out a towel and dry myself off. That was the other evening when I was getting ready to go out. I don't use the air conditioner in my bedroom. Never had A/C at home, so I don't totally know what I'm missing. Plus, I always wanted a ceiling fan and using that lets me keep my two sets of windows open so I can enjoy the view from my room. But, I definitely notice (and struggle with) the heat when the power goes out at school. We don't use the air conditioners when we are getting power from the generator, so when I'm in my office (sans fan), I sit there and just soak in my own sweat. Lesson planning is impossible and grading is totally out of the question. I just cannot think straight! However, when Heather (the grade 6-8 English teacher) isn't teaching in our English classroom, I can move my office work in there because the ceiling fans are rockin'. I also get hot when I walk home from school and the sun is blazing down on me. TZ is like 11 degrees south of the equator or something, so the sun's strength is major. Shade is awesome here! Oh, and cloud cover!! I love mornings when I walk to school in the "shade" because the sun is hiding behind the big ol' clouds.
God has been good in answering prayers. One of my goals for the new year (no "resolutions" this year, just "goals") was to enjoy my classes more. Not that I wasn't enjoying them; I was. I just knew that I could really appreciate my lessons, teaching and students more. And I have been. The month is half over and every class period I have ended with a smile on my face. I feel like my students are learning more, too, so that is very rewarding. I am planning on starting a creative writing club and eventually publish a student literary journal, complete with a "book launch" affair that will be a collaboration between the English, art and music departments. Kind of like a night of the arts! Also want to do a speech and debate club.
However, time is working against me. Term 2 and term 3 go so fast. In fact, between April 1 and May 6, I only have 12 teaching days with my students in grades 10-12 (due to Service Emphasis Week and spring break). May 6 is their last day at school before the go on home study leave for end-of-the-year examinations. I will be teaching my grade 9 until the last day of school, June 17. The next six months are going to fly by, and I already feel like the last day of school will get here and I will be saying "it's all over?!?!?!" I had actually been dreading my family leaving because then it would leave a six-month abyss before me. However, God had other plans and I am doing great and receiving amazing news every day. In fact, Dave is coming to see me!! He leaves San Diego on my birthday (March 24 for those of you playing along at home) and arrives in Dar two days later on Erin's (my roomie's) birthday! Just in time for the parrrtayyy! Haha He is staying an incredible two weeks and I thank God for this opportunity for him and for me and for us.
I am happy here, to say the least. I give every day up to God and He gives me the strength and the patience and the ability to carry on. Not just carry on, but to live. A life here is not easy, and I by no means mean to make is appear so. However, with constant thankfulness I am able to enjoy this Tanzanian life and feel like I belong. Life is normal, and I love it.
L
The best news is my life has been filled with SO MANY things to be thankful for. God is providing and I am SO grateful for His love and grace. I could not be doing any of this without Him. One of the great joys was having my mom, dad and sister come for two weeks over Christmas break. We spent a few days running around Dar, then up to Arusha, next on to safari before returning to Arusha and back home to Dar. A separate post to come on that incredible time!!!
For now, I feel like I should just write what comes to my head. Life feels normal here, so it's hard to pick out exactly what to write about. To me, the following will probably be random thoughts, but for you it will be a good overall of various aspects here, both trivial and not-so-trivial.
I'm eating a lollipop right now. (Score one for trivial!) They are one of my highlights here. It's my last one so gotta go to the store soon. Food here is definitely one of my, well, I wouldn't say challenges, but subjects that make me miss home I guess you could say. Take anything back home in California, take away half the flavor and that's pretty much what everything is like here. I am lucky my family brought me a luggage of goodies, which I'm consuming sparingly because when they're gone, they're gone! I might sound ghetto revealing this, but one of the first places I want to eat when I get home is Sizzler. I miss lettuce soooooooo much and dream of eating salads again!! Oh and those diced ham bits on top! You can occasionally find lettuce here, but it is a real pain to clean it (i.e. prep by soaking in bleach water, etc.) and to be sure it's totally rid of bacteria.
Speaking of bacteria, I have been so lucky (*knock on wood!!*) that I have had pretty darn good health here. I'm always scared to say (or write) such things because I don't want to jinx myself. I will admit that for the past three and a half months I have been holding my breath waiting for something really stressful or extremely challenging to happen. It hasn't. Thanks be to God!! Oh, and can I get an AMEN for dropping a pant size? Hooray! I eat so much less here; smaller portions, less snacking, fresher meals, lots of water. And of course sweating and walking to/from/around school add to it too!
I love our house lady. (No transition there, sorry.) We have two actually. Esther comes three times a week and cleans and bakes bread, and Jacki comes once a week to cook. We've only had Jacki make fruit salad so far, but boy is that an effort. Everything, especially food prep, takes longer here, and fruit especially takes time. I rejoice having these two beautiful, hardworking women in my home. I especially love when I come home to a bed that is made so crisply that someone would think it was ironed. (I only have a tight sheet and a loose sheet for my bedding here; no comforters or duvets--no way!) But more than the perfectly made bed is how adorable it is to see my Stitch doll (a la "Lilo & Stitch") propped up in difference places. Esther and Jacki do an incredible job taking care of my home and I am so thankful. Sometimes items in my bedroom will be moved around and I smile because I think it's entertaining for them to redecorate and see all the different ways the can style the room. Just the other day when I came home from school, I entered and said "hodiii" (may I enter) and Esther, in a happy and high-pitched voice, sang from the kitchen "karibuuu!" (welcome) They are great women.
The heat has not been bad except for the last week of December/first week fo January. I think it was because Arusha was cold (i.e. 70 degrees) and my body wasn't into getting thrown back into the high temperatures and humidity. I actually don't notice how humid it is until, like the other night, I realize my body is so drenched I literally have to take out a towel and dry myself off. That was the other evening when I was getting ready to go out. I don't use the air conditioner in my bedroom. Never had A/C at home, so I don't totally know what I'm missing. Plus, I always wanted a ceiling fan and using that lets me keep my two sets of windows open so I can enjoy the view from my room. But, I definitely notice (and struggle with) the heat when the power goes out at school. We don't use the air conditioners when we are getting power from the generator, so when I'm in my office (sans fan), I sit there and just soak in my own sweat. Lesson planning is impossible and grading is totally out of the question. I just cannot think straight! However, when Heather (the grade 6-8 English teacher) isn't teaching in our English classroom, I can move my office work in there because the ceiling fans are rockin'. I also get hot when I walk home from school and the sun is blazing down on me. TZ is like 11 degrees south of the equator or something, so the sun's strength is major. Shade is awesome here! Oh, and cloud cover!! I love mornings when I walk to school in the "shade" because the sun is hiding behind the big ol' clouds.
God has been good in answering prayers. One of my goals for the new year (no "resolutions" this year, just "goals") was to enjoy my classes more. Not that I wasn't enjoying them; I was. I just knew that I could really appreciate my lessons, teaching and students more. And I have been. The month is half over and every class period I have ended with a smile on my face. I feel like my students are learning more, too, so that is very rewarding. I am planning on starting a creative writing club and eventually publish a student literary journal, complete with a "book launch" affair that will be a collaboration between the English, art and music departments. Kind of like a night of the arts! Also want to do a speech and debate club.
However, time is working against me. Term 2 and term 3 go so fast. In fact, between April 1 and May 6, I only have 12 teaching days with my students in grades 10-12 (due to Service Emphasis Week and spring break). May 6 is their last day at school before the go on home study leave for end-of-the-year examinations. I will be teaching my grade 9 until the last day of school, June 17. The next six months are going to fly by, and I already feel like the last day of school will get here and I will be saying "it's all over?!?!?!" I had actually been dreading my family leaving because then it would leave a six-month abyss before me. However, God had other plans and I am doing great and receiving amazing news every day. In fact, Dave is coming to see me!! He leaves San Diego on my birthday (March 24 for those of you playing along at home) and arrives in Dar two days later on Erin's (my roomie's) birthday! Just in time for the parrrtayyy! Haha He is staying an incredible two weeks and I thank God for this opportunity for him and for me and for us.
I am happy here, to say the least. I give every day up to God and He gives me the strength and the patience and the ability to carry on. Not just carry on, but to live. A life here is not easy, and I by no means mean to make is appear so. However, with constant thankfulness I am able to enjoy this Tanzanian life and feel like I belong. Life is normal, and I love it.
L
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Photo Post: Housewarming Party
A wonderful housewarming party was organized for us the Saturday we moved across the compound from the tembo house to the twiga house. Even though it had only been inhabited for less than a day, the house already felt like a home by having good people gathered in it. (Nov. 13, 2010)
 |
| An overview of the party in our downstairs living room/dining room. |
 |
| Background to foreground from back left: Erin, Marie, Kate, Steve, Dyan and Lisa. |
 |
| Left to right: Ben, Mary, Jen and Heather. |
 |
| A pretty package of cleaning supplies! |
 |
| Kitchen wares! |
 |
| Placemats, plant and cutting board! |
 |
| Rug/mat for upstairs living room! |
 |
| Opening up the cleaning bucket! |
 |
| We're excited with all our generous gifts! |
 |
| Proof of Erin's "crazy face." LOL |
 |
| Friends again! Ben, Mary, Jen, Heather and Lisa. |
 |
| Housemates' first night at home! Kate, Erin and me. |
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
December in Dar
Tomorrow is HOPAC's Christmas Fair and Tanzania's Independence Day (i.e. no school). I plan on grading, grading, grading. Because the next few days (perhaps week) are going to be so busy, I thought I'd post a quick update now.
I'm getting over a cold (as I sit here sniffing) and today was a crazy day. Things have been really busy because Term 1 grades are due on Monday and the grading system is insane. And I'm still grading assignments, nevermind attempting the calculation system. So, it's going to be a crazy few days for me as I want to try to get ahead of the grading because I have a ton of more grading to do that's due Jan. 7 and that's for the Grade 10 mocks. They sat for (practice) exams this whole week and I have about five essays per student to grade (read: 110). Ugh. And that grading scale is even more insane than the regular one. Lots to learn. Don't want to have to do it or worry about it over Christmas break.
We (Erin, Kate, Carley, Jen and I) went to see a play, "The Wizard of Oz," tonight. There's a place called The Little Theatre and they do productions. Two of my students were in it. Cute. Nice to get out for a change.
I played my first-ever soccer game today. 'Tis true! A bunch of athletes are going up to Moshi (near Arusha) for a sports weekend against other leagues from around the country, and as a send off to them the afternoon periods were shortened and the last 40 minutes of school we had staff vs. girls/boys soccer game. I played! OK, so I only kicked at the ball three times (and missed twice), but I made contact once and kicked it so I "officially" played in the game! LOL I think my position was left defense... IDK if that even makes sense. I played during the game against the girls team. We won (2-1). It was pretty fun. Would have played/tried a lot more, but with this cold I was like, um, not willing to take a step back with my progress just for the match.
And it rained today! Yesterday and today were much cooler because of the clouds layering the sky and blocking the sun. What a difference. Tonight, just as we left for the play, it rained. Loved it! We sang "Let It Snow," like a Dar version, on the way for a few minutes.
At the grocery store (Shoprite) two days ago I bought an artificial tree! It's 120 cm, however big that is. I haven't taken it out of the box yet. It was on clearance because the box is all ripped and banged up so I got it for 8,000 tsh which is like $5!! Probably going to set it up in my room tomorrow.
With the power out again last night (although not according to the "schedule"), Erin, Kate and I brought Christmas into our home by candlelight. I decorated our lil' Christmas tree while they bedecked the house with holiday cheer. It's truly December in Dar.
Thanks to everyone who is reading about my life here and for those who are keeping me in their thoughts and prayers. Please pray for traveling mercies for family and friends coming to and leaving TZ as everyone will be going their separate ways in a week's time. Please pray for the country's power (electricity) and for the water supply. Prayers of praise for cloudy weather and Christmas memories.
Love,
I'm getting over a cold (as I sit here sniffing) and today was a crazy day. Things have been really busy because Term 1 grades are due on Monday and the grading system is insane. And I'm still grading assignments, nevermind attempting the calculation system. So, it's going to be a crazy few days for me as I want to try to get ahead of the grading because I have a ton of more grading to do that's due Jan. 7 and that's for the Grade 10 mocks. They sat for (practice) exams this whole week and I have about five essays per student to grade (read: 110). Ugh. And that grading scale is even more insane than the regular one. Lots to learn. Don't want to have to do it or worry about it over Christmas break.
We (Erin, Kate, Carley, Jen and I) went to see a play, "The Wizard of Oz," tonight. There's a place called The Little Theatre and they do productions. Two of my students were in it. Cute. Nice to get out for a change.
I played my first-ever soccer game today. 'Tis true! A bunch of athletes are going up to Moshi (near Arusha) for a sports weekend against other leagues from around the country, and as a send off to them the afternoon periods were shortened and the last 40 minutes of school we had staff vs. girls/boys soccer game. I played! OK, so I only kicked at the ball three times (and missed twice), but I made contact once and kicked it so I "officially" played in the game! LOL I think my position was left defense... IDK if that even makes sense. I played during the game against the girls team. We won (2-1). It was pretty fun. Would have played/tried a lot more, but with this cold I was like, um, not willing to take a step back with my progress just for the match.
And it rained today! Yesterday and today were much cooler because of the clouds layering the sky and blocking the sun. What a difference. Tonight, just as we left for the play, it rained. Loved it! We sang "Let It Snow," like a Dar version, on the way for a few minutes.
At the grocery store (Shoprite) two days ago I bought an artificial tree! It's 120 cm, however big that is. I haven't taken it out of the box yet. It was on clearance because the box is all ripped and banged up so I got it for 8,000 tsh which is like $5!! Probably going to set it up in my room tomorrow.
With the power out again last night (although not according to the "schedule"), Erin, Kate and I brought Christmas into our home by candlelight. I decorated our lil' Christmas tree while they bedecked the house with holiday cheer. It's truly December in Dar.
Thanks to everyone who is reading about my life here and for those who are keeping me in their thoughts and prayers. Please pray for traveling mercies for family and friends coming to and leaving TZ as everyone will be going their separate ways in a week's time. Please pray for the country's power (electricity) and for the water supply. Prayers of praise for cloudy weather and Christmas memories.
Love,
LG
PS: Emails count as Christmas cards! Please send! LOL
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)