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
Thursday, March 19, 2009
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.
Monday, February 16, 2009
much love
It is 2:17. I just finished my last pack of Necco hearts, you know the ones you always get on Valentine’s Day. I was waiting to eat them until this moment—after the dreaded phone call came. You see, my Grandma Hall always used to buy us Necco hearts when we were kids.
I have been blessed with great grandparents. They always attended my school events and continue to be active in my life. That is why today is so hard. I keep trying to find the perfect words to write in this blog, but I know they’ll never come. Those of you who knew my grandma know the amazing lady she was. So here is what is bouncing around my head.
Memories:
The ER. My very first memory as a child includes my grandma. It is an event that she probably would have liked to forget—having to take my brother to the ER as a baby while she was baby-sitting us. It all turned out okay in the end so no worries.
Gravy and parsley. My grandma knew how to cook. She made the best gravy. One of my life goals is to learn to make gravy like my grandma. I loved stirring the roaster of gravy on Thanksgiving and being the taste-tester. Another one of my Thanksgiving duties was to decorate the turkey platter with parsley. She always commented on how nice it looked even though I was just putting green stuff around the bird. I’m sure if you look at all the turkey pictures we have stockpiled, you can see my handiwork.
Blueberry pie. My mouth waters just writing about it. You see, my grandma and I used to go pick the blueberries fresh from the woods of Northern Minnesota in order to make the pie. It was a job—taking the Cadillac in places they are probably not supposed to go, bending over to find the plants, swatting mosquitoes and deerflies, and avoiding ticks and poison ivy. Man the pie was so worth it though. The funny thing is that my grandma never really liked the pie. She did all of this year after year for us.
My grandma did more volunteer work than anyone I have ever met. She’s been recognized by governors, sworn into the 4-H Hall of Fame, and probably received more certificates and thank-yous than anyone in the state (or at least SW Iowa). She never did it for the glory or honor. It’s who she was. (Man, it’s getting hard to write in the past tense—“was” keeps making it more and more real.)
It’s been interesting to reflect back on her traits and realize I have some of them. I think my pioneering spirit comes from her. My grandma was adventurous. Case in point, she always wanted to go to the moon. If they would have taken regular citizens, she would have signed up in a second. She’s been all over the world, and I know she would have come visit me here in Africa if she could. Second, my stubborn will or as my grandpa always said, “it’s the Ingerswen in her” kept us both marching down the paths we thought we should take. Finally, my love of learning is something my grandma would love. She was always reading, always listening to things. She still has the original Time (or Newsweek) magazine for the moon landing. How cool is that!?!
When my grandparents reached the time when many of their friends relocated to the South during the harsh Iowa winters, my grandparents stayed. My grandma never wanted to miss our events. She wanted to be around the grandkids.
You see, even though I am in Africa and cannot go home, I am a fortunate one. I had a life filled with my Grandma Hall. I got to see her over Christmas, and I was able to say good-bye last Friday. Even though she couldn’t respond, my mom said she heard me. I will get to see my grandma again in heaven. That’s our home anyway. We won’t be there for our volunteer work or anything like that. It’s because we both believe in Jesus as our Messiah, God’s Son who saved us and makes it possible for us to spend eternity in the presence of God.
Well if you made it this far, I’m proud of you. I wrote this first and foremost for myself, my grandpa (who I love very much), and my family. Even though I am not there with you, I send you my love.
I have been blessed with great grandparents. They always attended my school events and continue to be active in my life. That is why today is so hard. I keep trying to find the perfect words to write in this blog, but I know they’ll never come. Those of you who knew my grandma know the amazing lady she was. So here is what is bouncing around my head.
Memories:
The ER. My very first memory as a child includes my grandma. It is an event that she probably would have liked to forget—having to take my brother to the ER as a baby while she was baby-sitting us. It all turned out okay in the end so no worries.
Gravy and parsley. My grandma knew how to cook. She made the best gravy. One of my life goals is to learn to make gravy like my grandma. I loved stirring the roaster of gravy on Thanksgiving and being the taste-tester. Another one of my Thanksgiving duties was to decorate the turkey platter with parsley. She always commented on how nice it looked even though I was just putting green stuff around the bird. I’m sure if you look at all the turkey pictures we have stockpiled, you can see my handiwork.
Blueberry pie. My mouth waters just writing about it. You see, my grandma and I used to go pick the blueberries fresh from the woods of Northern Minnesota in order to make the pie. It was a job—taking the Cadillac in places they are probably not supposed to go, bending over to find the plants, swatting mosquitoes and deerflies, and avoiding ticks and poison ivy. Man the pie was so worth it though. The funny thing is that my grandma never really liked the pie. She did all of this year after year for us.
My grandma did more volunteer work than anyone I have ever met. She’s been recognized by governors, sworn into the 4-H Hall of Fame, and probably received more certificates and thank-yous than anyone in the state (or at least SW Iowa). She never did it for the glory or honor. It’s who she was. (Man, it’s getting hard to write in the past tense—“was” keeps making it more and more real.)
It’s been interesting to reflect back on her traits and realize I have some of them. I think my pioneering spirit comes from her. My grandma was adventurous. Case in point, she always wanted to go to the moon. If they would have taken regular citizens, she would have signed up in a second. She’s been all over the world, and I know she would have come visit me here in Africa if she could. Second, my stubborn will or as my grandpa always said, “it’s the Ingerswen in her” kept us both marching down the paths we thought we should take. Finally, my love of learning is something my grandma would love. She was always reading, always listening to things. She still has the original Time (or Newsweek) magazine for the moon landing. How cool is that!?!
When my grandparents reached the time when many of their friends relocated to the South during the harsh Iowa winters, my grandparents stayed. My grandma never wanted to miss our events. She wanted to be around the grandkids.
You see, even though I am in Africa and cannot go home, I am a fortunate one. I had a life filled with my Grandma Hall. I got to see her over Christmas, and I was able to say good-bye last Friday. Even though she couldn’t respond, my mom said she heard me. I will get to see my grandma again in heaven. That’s our home anyway. We won’t be there for our volunteer work or anything like that. It’s because we both believe in Jesus as our Messiah, God’s Son who saved us and makes it possible for us to spend eternity in the presence of God.
Well if you made it this far, I’m proud of you. I wrote this first and foremost for myself, my grandpa (who I love very much), and my family. Even though I am not there with you, I send you my love.
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