Greetings friends. Many things have happened in the last 1.5 weeks with it being Spring Break. This will be a quick synopsis of things that have happened. If you want more details, feel free to write.
*I found a new granola recipe. It’s delicious. I’m munching on it now. (I think the secret is the apples.)
*We had our mission retreat at this French resort outside of Dakar. I love getting out of the city. I feel so free and relaxed. We played volleyball, ate 3 buffets a day, worshipped, and mainly enjoyed each others’ company. We also came to the conclusion that we are glad the youth of France are changing beach traditions if you know what I mean. Oh, oh…I also saw monkeys just running around. :)
*I got my haircut. I told one of the missionaries to cut it however she wanted. I think it looks fab. :)
*I rode a camel. It felt weird. You sort of rock back and forth. Getting up and down was almost comical. Perhaps I’ll get the video on Facebook soon. I don’t know how my great grandpa did it. It was an awesome experience and I’d do it again though.
*I camped in the desert. I mean, the type of desert where there are just sand dunes. I felt like we were in an entirely different country.
*I went to Goree Island which used to be a slave island. It was surreal. It was like visiting Dachau in a way. It’s something that everyone needs to do. It made me stand even more in awe of William Wilberforce.
*I’m getting better at bargaining. On Goree, I was getting frustrated with the vendors, especially when they said they were just charging African prices. I told them I lived in Dakar (in French) and they immediately lowered the price.
*A student and I did a March Madness Tournament Challenge at school. My bracket was awesome this year. I had MSU, UConn, and UNC in the final four. I had ‘Nova in the Elite Eight. I may win back my own candy. :)
*For the first time, I really feel homesick. I think I’m also hitting the low point during the cultural transition. This probably explains why my blog is so blah. I wanted to make it exciting. After all, I saw monkeys, camped in the desert, rode a camel, ate crab legs for lunch, etc. That’s pretty exciting stuff. If you want, look at my pics on Facebook. They’ll help explain my awesome trips.
Until next time…
Oh, and don’t worry about me. God is good and will get me through.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Thursday, March 19, 2009
That last day of school feeling…
Today we celebrated Π Day in three classes. Let me give a word of advice if you are a sugar addict like me…do not schedule 3 parties in a row. We started at 12:10. By the time 2:20 hit, I had consumed:
*1 rice krispie bar
*2.5 pieces of pie
*2 brownies
*1 piece of cake
*1 cookie
*popcorn
*chips
*4 pieces of licorice.
*3 small glasses of pop
*1 antacid ;)
I never like to see food left because people go through the trouble of making it. At least that’s what I tell myself…lol.
During my last class, we had a fire drill. My class was excited for the party so we didn’t understand the voice telling us to evacuate. We thought it was a lockdown drill so we closed the windows, bolted the door, and sat on the floor behind my desk and table. Then I realized it was a fire drill so we bolted up and got outside. I am proud to say my kids did two drills in the time we were supposed to spend on one. Talent I say…
We have two weeks of Spring Break. The first few days will be spent at a resort in Saly which is right on the ocean. I will have 4+ days of relaxation and fellowship with other C&MAers. Plus we will get 4+ days of French buffets. Ooo la la.
Then I will come back for a night and then head up north in Senegal to ride camels and camp in the desert! We will be in a setting where there will be large sand dunes and nothing else around. I am so excited. I remember fondly the stories my grandma would tell me as a child of her dad riding camels in Lebanon.
I am thankful for these breaks and a chance to fellowship with people. This has been a busy and emotionally trying quarter, but God has seen me through. He is so faithful.
I can’t wait to tell you all about my adventures.
Much love…
AP
*1 rice krispie bar
*2.5 pieces of pie
*2 brownies
*1 piece of cake
*1 cookie
*popcorn
*chips
*4 pieces of licorice.
*3 small glasses of pop
*1 antacid ;)
I never like to see food left because people go through the trouble of making it. At least that’s what I tell myself…lol.
During my last class, we had a fire drill. My class was excited for the party so we didn’t understand the voice telling us to evacuate. We thought it was a lockdown drill so we closed the windows, bolted the door, and sat on the floor behind my desk and table. Then I realized it was a fire drill so we bolted up and got outside. I am proud to say my kids did two drills in the time we were supposed to spend on one. Talent I say…
We have two weeks of Spring Break. The first few days will be spent at a resort in Saly which is right on the ocean. I will have 4+ days of relaxation and fellowship with other C&MAers. Plus we will get 4+ days of French buffets. Ooo la la.
Then I will come back for a night and then head up north in Senegal to ride camels and camp in the desert! We will be in a setting where there will be large sand dunes and nothing else around. I am so excited. I remember fondly the stories my grandma would tell me as a child of her dad riding camels in Lebanon.
I am thankful for these breaks and a chance to fellowship with people. This has been a busy and emotionally trying quarter, but God has seen me through. He is so faithful.
I can’t wait to tell you all about my adventures.
Much love…
AP
Sunday, March 8, 2009
randomness
It's been a while. I actually had written something last week, but the computer didn't save it. I honestly didn't want to write something for a while because I didn't want anything on top of the post about my grandma. I know I must continue pressing on so I decided to write a post of some of my favorite things about life in Senegal. These are just spontaneous things that are popping into my head as I write.
*Fresh fruit, especially pineapple. I love that it's pineapple season.
*Long socks. I think if I was younger, I'd play soccer just to wear the socks. ;)
*Facebook. It has been a great way to stay in touch with so many people.
*Friendships that continue to grow across borders, oceans, etc.
*The ocean. It's starting to warm up again and I can't wait until trips to the beach become part of the weekly Sunday routine again.
*Fanta Lemon. I'm not a big pop drinker, but this is one pop I could drink regularly.
*Getting to know new people, especially missionary women. I hope some of the friendships that have started will continue to grow.
*Beans. I know. Weird. I just never liked beans much before I came. I have come to appreciate rice and beans, lentils and rice, etc.
*Being able to run outside all year round.
Well, church is starting soon so I must bring this to a close.
Much love.
*Fresh fruit, especially pineapple. I love that it's pineapple season.
*Long socks. I think if I was younger, I'd play soccer just to wear the socks. ;)
*Facebook. It has been a great way to stay in touch with so many people.
*Friendships that continue to grow across borders, oceans, etc.
*The ocean. It's starting to warm up again and I can't wait until trips to the beach become part of the weekly Sunday routine again.
*Fanta Lemon. I'm not a big pop drinker, but this is one pop I could drink regularly.
*Getting to know new people, especially missionary women. I hope some of the friendships that have started will continue to grow.
*Beans. I know. Weird. I just never liked beans much before I came. I have come to appreciate rice and beans, lentils and rice, etc.
*Being able to run outside all year round.
Well, church is starting soon so I must bring this to a close.
Much love.
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