Saturday, April 21, 2012
I don't have much time left here in Kenya. I am definitely having some mixed feelings right now. Although I'm excited to see my friends and family again, I'm really going to miss my new friends and family I have over here. As excited as I am about eating delicious food from places in the states, I'm really going to miss eating and cooking with the Raymonds! I'm very excited about working at camp again, but I'm really going to miss going on safaris and seeing really cool sights in Africa. I'm going to miss my students and I'm going to miss my African home and my year in Kenya. Although I am ready for summer break, June 5 will be very bittersweet, and I have no idea what is in store for me. I want to make the most of my time left here. And I'm so glad I came as an SM.
Thursday, April 19, 2012
SM Documentary
When the SM's met in Amsterdam...we decided it would be really cool to make a documentary of our experience in Kenya. Turns out that Drew Forsey is actually extremely legit at making videos and two parts of the documentary had been released..until last night. Here are all three parts...love looking at these and remembering all the really sweet times I've had here in Kenya. God has really blessed me throughout the past 8ish months and I'm so glad I came to Kenya as an SM! In case you're wondering, there is about one more part left that will be released just a bit after we leave. ENJOY! :)
Trailer: http://vimeo.com/30752794
Part One: http://vimeo.com/31078372
Part Two: http://vimeo.com/35616284
Part Three: http://vimeo.com/40669737
Trailer: http://vimeo.com/30752794
Part One: http://vimeo.com/31078372
Part Two: http://vimeo.com/35616284
Part Three: http://vimeo.com/40669737
Friday, April 6, 2012
Another update
I sit here as I wait for the hot water to heat up. It is rainy out side, my housemate turned the pump for the hot water to off, and I need to shower and be ready for church now in about 40 minutes. This is not the first time this has happened, and it is not pleasant when it does.
This past week went by so quickly. (they always do!) Nothing too exciting happened. I had a good time watching over Kyle and Caleb while Derek and Yani were enjoying Mombasa! AND I got to make some really good Cuban rice and beans thanks to Ashley's mom, Loida, for teaching me the recipe! :) skyped Lynzee one night, and Mom, Dad, Kristel, and Aunt Darney last night. It's always nice to see the faces of my family and talk to them for awhile. It's so hard to keep up with skyping sometimes because of the time difference, but I'm glad for what I can do.
Thursday afternoon was our last classes before long weekend. I'm working again this long weekend..so I went to staff worship for the first time ever on Friday morning (it's usually during classes at the elementary so we can never make it), I supervised on the "town trip" with the students at Galleria, I played piano, baked a cake, went to vespers, and came back to enjoy some company at the Raymond's house (and ate a lot of spice cake, tea, and noodles to fill me up) Today will be pretty chill. I'll be going to brunch here soon, then we're watching a movie for church, hanging out in the afternoon and who knows what I'll do tonight.
Anyway, nothing to interesting or profound this time. Just a little update to let you know what happened the last couple of days. A couple of things I'm really excited for: my sister in law, Julie, to have her baby, coming back home and seeing friends and family, eating American food, showing some good recipes to my friends and family, (sukumawiki and ugali is included in that list) working at summer camp, (and seeing ALL my awesome camp family, days off, chipotle, ect!) going back to southern, being an RA and living with Lynzee and my friend Sophie in BIRCH 1 (newest SV building) and being in Rachel's wedding! I can't wait! :) Happy Sabbath peoples!
This past week went by so quickly. (they always do!) Nothing too exciting happened. I had a good time watching over Kyle and Caleb while Derek and Yani were enjoying Mombasa! AND I got to make some really good Cuban rice and beans thanks to Ashley's mom, Loida, for teaching me the recipe! :) skyped Lynzee one night, and Mom, Dad, Kristel, and Aunt Darney last night. It's always nice to see the faces of my family and talk to them for awhile. It's so hard to keep up with skyping sometimes because of the time difference, but I'm glad for what I can do.
Thursday afternoon was our last classes before long weekend. I'm working again this long weekend..so I went to staff worship for the first time ever on Friday morning (it's usually during classes at the elementary so we can never make it), I supervised on the "town trip" with the students at Galleria, I played piano, baked a cake, went to vespers, and came back to enjoy some company at the Raymond's house (and ate a lot of spice cake, tea, and noodles to fill me up) Today will be pretty chill. I'll be going to brunch here soon, then we're watching a movie for church, hanging out in the afternoon and who knows what I'll do tonight.
Anyway, nothing to interesting or profound this time. Just a little update to let you know what happened the last couple of days. A couple of things I'm really excited for: my sister in law, Julie, to have her baby, coming back home and seeing friends and family, eating American food, showing some good recipes to my friends and family, (sukumawiki and ugali is included in that list) working at summer camp, (and seeing ALL my awesome camp family, days off, chipotle, ect!) going back to southern, being an RA and living with Lynzee and my friend Sophie in BIRCH 1 (newest SV building) and being in Rachel's wedding! I can't wait! :) Happy Sabbath peoples!
Monday, April 2, 2012
Recent news
Today it rained big time!! It actually started last night. During the banquet it was raining and it continued to pour all through the night. This morning I didn't expect it to rain for some reason...but all day long there were thunderstorms and the students acted like they had never seen anything like it before. It was a bit ridiculous. OH, and with the rain comes termites! WOW. They were everywhere today! But, the good news is that we moved into the new classroom and it's nice because now I don't have to bother the how much noise the 7/8 graders make.
This past weekend, I went with some SM's on a impromptu camping trip. We packed up, and left with the white van Sabbath morning for Lake Naivsha! Once we got there, we ate lunch and explored around our campsite and Crater Lake. Crater Lake was pretty cool because it was up high and had a cool view. Unfortunately, I kept forgetting my coat and due to the rain I sit here typing with a drippy nose. :( After we got back to our campsite we made ramen noodles with FRICHIK and went to bed. (we kept getting attacked by mosquitos) The next morning we woke up for the beautiful sunrise, had noodles again for breakfast, went shopping for some cards, played some pool, drank some tea, and headed for Crescent Lake. Once we arrived there, we hiked around the island, chased wildebeast, took pictures with giraffes, no big deal. It was fun..but I kept getting thorns in my feet and I got a bit of a sunburn.
What a great trip!! I'm so glad that we decided to go...camping is fun and full of memories! :)
This past weekend, I went with some SM's on a impromptu camping trip. We packed up, and left with the white van Sabbath morning for Lake Naivsha! Once we got there, we ate lunch and explored around our campsite and Crater Lake. Crater Lake was pretty cool because it was up high and had a cool view. Unfortunately, I kept forgetting my coat and due to the rain I sit here typing with a drippy nose. :( After we got back to our campsite we made ramen noodles with FRICHIK and went to bed. (we kept getting attacked by mosquitos) The next morning we woke up for the beautiful sunrise, had noodles again for breakfast, went shopping for some cards, played some pool, drank some tea, and headed for Crescent Lake. Once we arrived there, we hiked around the island, chased wildebeast, took pictures with giraffes, no big deal. It was fun..but I kept getting thorns in my feet and I got a bit of a sunburn.
What a great trip!! I'm so glad that we decided to go...camping is fun and full of memories! :)
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Purpose
Sometimes I wonder how or why I am here at Maxwell. I think about what things would be like if I was at an orphanage or at a more remote area. I try to figure out why God sent me here. Being a teacher can be fun and rewarding, but lately it just seems overwhelming, tiring, exhausting, draining, and discouraging. However, God says that He has gone before us and will never leave nor forsake us. I've been listening to Casting Crowns a lot lately and I really really like their music. This song I just love. Check out this verse and then listen to the words of the song on this video! Whether it's school or a job or whatever situation you are in. Realize that God has a special plan for your life and that we have a greater purpose than just life on earth. Our goal is Heaven and our "concerns/problems" here on earth are only temporary. Don't be discouraged!
"The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” -Deuteronomy 31:8
"The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” -Deuteronomy 31:8
World Read Aloud Day-March 7, 2012
Here's a link to what some of my students had to say to the question: "What would the world be like if everyone could read?"
Thursday, February 23, 2012
3rd Quarter Midterm
So it's officially long weekend and I just finished eating fried tofu and some fried gluten!! So delicious! I really like cooking and baking..pretty sure it's my favorite pastime. (BUT NOT doing the dishes)
Anyway, I finished updating grades last night and taking care of school things and it's nice to be off. NOW, don't get me wrong..me being "off" doesn't mean too much. I still had a meeting with a parent about her son's grades and missing work. I'm going to be supervising this weekend through the form of being a dean. I get to do all that fun stuff like turning off the power, unlocking doors, and getting girls ready for church. And, since I'm the only one left from Spiritual Committee I get to run the videos for church/verspers--set up board games Saturday afternoon and who knows what else. BUT, it will be nice to get a little extra sleep and not have to teach classes.
I'm here taking on these responsibilities because I decided not to go on the famous school trip to Mt. Kenya. I decided this for a couple reasons, but there is a part of me that wishes I would have forced myself to go anyway. I decided I wouldn't go so that I could save time on Thursday afternoons when we would have the meetings and Sundays during the prep hikes. (I was able to sleep in and get LP's taken care of) I also decided that I would save money. Not only would I get some money back from the Mara trip, but I wouldn't have to spend money buying all the necessary items for my trip. It started to boil down to the fact that not going outweighed going. While I stay back on campus, I also told Hadassah I would help her with Zivah and Zahra since Richard will be gone. Those girls are just so adorable and I really miss being with little kids. (Like Logan and Connor!!!!)
In other news, I've been trying to take care of some things for Southern, like who I will room/house with..where I will work, ect. We'll see what turns out of it!!
Anyway, I'm hoping to get more sleep..and I think I should start that tonight.
Anyway, I finished updating grades last night and taking care of school things and it's nice to be off. NOW, don't get me wrong..me being "off" doesn't mean too much. I still had a meeting with a parent about her son's grades and missing work. I'm going to be supervising this weekend through the form of being a dean. I get to do all that fun stuff like turning off the power, unlocking doors, and getting girls ready for church. And, since I'm the only one left from Spiritual Committee I get to run the videos for church/verspers--set up board games Saturday afternoon and who knows what else. BUT, it will be nice to get a little extra sleep and not have to teach classes.
I'm here taking on these responsibilities because I decided not to go on the famous school trip to Mt. Kenya. I decided this for a couple reasons, but there is a part of me that wishes I would have forced myself to go anyway. I decided I wouldn't go so that I could save time on Thursday afternoons when we would have the meetings and Sundays during the prep hikes. (I was able to sleep in and get LP's taken care of) I also decided that I would save money. Not only would I get some money back from the Mara trip, but I wouldn't have to spend money buying all the necessary items for my trip. It started to boil down to the fact that not going outweighed going. While I stay back on campus, I also told Hadassah I would help her with Zivah and Zahra since Richard will be gone. Those girls are just so adorable and I really miss being with little kids. (Like Logan and Connor!!!!)
In other news, I've been trying to take care of some things for Southern, like who I will room/house with..where I will work, ect. We'll see what turns out of it!!
Anyway, I'm hoping to get more sleep..and I think I should start that tonight.
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