i've been carrying on my "usual" routine - assist preschool in the mornings and two computer/independent study classes in the afternoon. i like that schedule. it's solid. and allows me enough time to plan because not much happens after dinner during the week besides me falling asleep reading a book. one of the national (local) teachers missed a couple days last week and i filled in. no biggie. i can wing it for two classes. well, this week she was out every day and me being the "wonderfully flexible" person i am (flattery has gotten them everywhere), was asked to substitute. usually, i'm informed of this at morning assembly right before school starts ... not much time to prepare. no lesson plan, at least not one that i can decipher, and a room full of wiggly six year olds. being unprepared is not my favorite position to be in. i just knew by friday she would be back or that someone would relieve me of this duty. that didn't happen. and coupled with other challenges and frustrations in the classrooms this week, it was too much for me to bear. there are language and cultural barriers that add to the ordinary obstacles of teaching. i felt overwhelmed and confused and had to leave my preschool class early to get myself together. after an intense cry-it-out-pray-it-out session in my bedroom, i powered through and the rest of the day went better than i expected.
my word for 2009 is confidence. this recent string of "put teacher laura in that classroom, she'll do it" has been my first test ... i asked for it, i got it. instead of fleeing the scene as is my per usual response, i'm trying to remember to use my talents and to treat each day here as a precious gift. (plus, where am i going to go, right?) i actually put some creative effort in my P4 class this afternoon and it went great. they may have actually learned something! ahh!
*it will not be you speaking, but the spirit of your Father speaking through you." - matthew 10:20
with all the rain lately (that is MUCH needed), i've been cooped up on campus ... no one wants to drive these roads in bad weather. thankfully there are some games set up for tomorrow, so we'll get to play and take lots of pictures. sunday, i'll ride to church with a couple of the families. it's pretty great to pile into a taxi and sing old hymns with twenty or so children dressed in their sunday best. as long as the windows open.
i hope my sporadic blogs are satisfying your need for updates. finding the time and energy and consistent internet connection to do these is not always easy. never fear, i am keeping a journal of my adventures. despite some eek! moments, things are going great here and i am thankful every day that i have the opportunity to serve in this beautiful place that is a constant reminder of despair AND of hope.
some of my favorite quotes of the week:
"tit tis well (tit tis well), with my soul (with my soul)" - preschool 4's class
"sula bulungi teacha!" - moses, age 3 from across the playground
(sula bulungi = good night)
"teacher laura? i want you to teach me spanish." - thomas, age 10
(that was so random and, knowing thomas, so funny)
"good job, guys. good job, girls." - john, age 4 ... when it was his turn to help teach the alphabet to his classmates
"twinkle, twinkle little star how i wonder what you are. bah, bah, bah the world so high like a diamond in the sky." - harriet, age 4
"kwata auntie." - what the mamas or carolyn say to the smallest children. literally means "take" or "hold" auntie ... my hand. or my skirt, depending their height. :)
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