Anticipation of a Wedding

Tomorrow is the big day! Our former guard weds his lady love! (See Hongera Mr. Sakwa! for backstory.) I've only been to one Tanzanian wedding, and that was a few years ago, for a couple I didn't even know. So, I'm excited to truly celebrate this one. Here are some things that I'm anticipating:

1. I think the service will be long, followed by more ceremony at the reception... 
2. Part of which will be gift giving. We went colorful for the gift, because that seems culturally appropriate. 
3. The fun part about gift giving is I'll probably get to dance the gift up to the front of the room.
4. Sometime in the day the wedding party will leave to take photos along the lake. I've been asked to drive the parents of the groom there. That means I get to be part of the wedding car procession... Usually cars are decorated with big ribbons, there is a band playing in the back of a truck, everyone is honking, and all the cars swerve back and forth the whole route!!
5. We'll probably eat pilau, a traditional rice dish with potatoes, spices, and maybe bits of meat. We'll definitely drink soda. 
6. Knowing Mr. Sakwa, I think I'll see some tears in the ceremony! 
7. And, it's guaranteed that I'll learn something new about TZian culture.

Walking on Flowers

One of the little sweet things in my life is walking on flowers. Plumeria or Frangipani, they grow on trees and have a delicious scent. My current house has maybe five trees; they drop on my path to the gate and I see them from above when I watch the sunset from my rock. The learning center has some too, so they are the beginning and end of my walk to school everyday. :)

8 3/4 in. Snakes

I'm having a lot of fun teaching this semester. After singing/Bible/prayer time, I start out with three rounds of math: 1st grade, 3rd grade, then 6th grade. You see, I let myself warm up to the harder concepts. By the time I get to 6th grade we're graphing algebraic expressions with multiple variables! Here you see 3rd grade, with their very accurately measured snakes: each 8 3/4 in. long. I highly value accuracy in snakes.

After math is three rounds of writing, read-aloud, and African geography. I've posted some photos of that on Facebook. It's fun teaching, especially because the kids are LOVELY!

Hot Dog Encouragement

Way back in the summer of 2006 I went for my first job interview. I remember that morning I prayed that God would give me the "people, place, and purpose" that He wanted for me. My mom drove me to the interview, 4 hours away. It was really hot. I was nervous; when I changed into my interview clothes in a public restroom I remember looking up to the skylight and feeling like Joan of Arc going to the stake. (Dramatic, yes.)

I interviewed. They offered me the job that day, but I followed proper etiquette and said I'd think about it... Then I called the principal early the next morning to say I'd take it. Her reply: "Hot dog!" Her enthusiasm made me so happy. Then, after I started teaching I got this cute metal hot dog decoration in a gift from the district. They didn't know about her declaration, but it's been an encouragement to me ever since, hanging in my classroom wherever I go.

I'm so thankful for God giving me the people, place, and purpose He gave in that first job, and when I taught in Dar es Salaam, and where I am now, in Musoma. I'm also thankful that I know He has good plans for the future, though I don't see what they are right now. Maybe here, maybe somewhere else.

Journal Jar All Filled Up!

As I prepared for the new semester, I realized that the Journal Jar needed attention. The kids write in their journals when they finish all their other work. Sometimes they just can't think of what to write. The Journal Jar is there for inspiration... Only problem is I need inspiration to know what to PUT in the Journal Jar. Since I had many other things to plan, like math and writing and African geography, I decided to call for help. I emailed a few friends and asked for writing starters. The responses were fantastic. The Journal Jar has never had such fun inside him. He's very happy. Here are a few examples:

• Today I am thankful for....
• The color purple reminds me of....
• Describe your favorite t-shirt and why you like it so much.
• Three ways to cheer someone up are...
• If I were a cookie, I would be….
• What is your favorite thing about socks?
• If you had all the LEGOs in the world, and the time to do it, what would you build?
• Have you ever seen a miracle? What was the best miricle that you know of?
• I wish I had never read my teacher’s secret journal, because it made me feel…

My Fridge

When people live overseas there are items that are priority, regardless of limited luggage space, which might surprise. For me, glitter is important. So are favorite art pieces and handmade dishes. Then there are magnets. My grandparents collected magnets from trips, and I always liked looking at their collection. I think I caught the fetish from them. Some of my magnets are theirs, some from my own trips, some are presents, some I made... Many are art pieces in themselves. But the best thing about magnets is that they hold photos.

Mostly I have photos of friends and family who aren't near me now. There are memories of adventures and holidays and shared meals. They bring smiles when I'm putting toast in the toaster, or taking something out of the fridge.

Back to School

This week I've been preparing for the new semester. One family will be in Israel for the semester, as the father studies Hebrew to improve his Bible translation skills. So I got materials ready for them to work remotely and for me to teach the two families in Musoma.

I moved furniture, prepared books, planned for an Africa geography unit, figured out a schedule, etc. It was a lot of work, but fun. I'm looking forward to starting with the kids on Monday.

Here's a tour of the learning center, all ready to go!