I am actually sitting at school right now doing nothing. I was supposed to go into three different classes today, but the teachers all requested that I didnt come. I am hoping that this isnt a reflection on my skills as a teacher!! Just kidding...I know it isnt. It just so happens that all the teachers I support in-class on Fridays are giving tests or lecturing today, so it is really a waste of my time to be in their classes. So, I basically have a free day! Yipee!!!!!
I will start by telling you about ESP. ESP stands for Extended Studies Program. It is a full week program where the teachers take the students away to learn about Tanzania, to build social relationships and to do some onsite learning in the natural environment. I happen to be on two grade level teams, so I am one of two teachers in the school that gets to do this twice in the year. My next one is in February...and I will be taking the grade 10 students to Light in Africa!!! This time was with grade 7. The grade 7 students are by far the best in the school. They are a perfect mixture of cultures and backgrounds, academic ability, etc. so they offer a lot to both each other and to us, as teachers. Our group went to Pugu Hills, a nature/forest reserve and then onto Bagamoyo, a city on the coast that was an important trading port for slaves and other goods. The week was tiring, but very rewarding in the end. I had one low moment, which I will share with you. In Pugu Hills, we were scheduled to go on a hike. When we arrived, it was as hot as any place I have EVER been in my life. I am getting better with the heat issue, but this was unbearable. However, we still had to follow the itinerary and do the hike. So, we set off at 1:00 for our so called "45 minute" hike. Mind you, none of us teachers had ever been to Pugu before so we didnt know what to expect. 2 hours later, covered in sweat, legs swollen, water gone, students passing out from heat stroke, teachers with heat rash...we reached our destination. The cattle market. I have to say, I have never seen less enthusiastic students about anything. Our water was gone, they were starving, everyone was staring at us, and frankly...the cows smelled awful. Our non-english speaking guide had nothing to offer, so we attempted to sit down for lunch before the dreaded hike back!!! Par for the course, the only spot available to sit in the shade was in a CEMETERY!!! In histerics, I told the students to choose a gravestone and dig in!!!! I almost melted that day, and it took days to get back to normal. The students were great though...better than the teachers...and pushed through. I guess they have good stories to share!!! On the whole, the ESP week was very good and very worthwhile. I bonded with both teachers and students, and saw a part of TZ that I hadn't seen before. I am very excited for my week in February!
In other school news, we are nearing the end of term. This term has flown by! I can't believe that I will be leaving for Italy in less than a month. The students and teachers are both nearing saturation point now. There is a lot to get done in a very short amount of time. Our students are extremely good, though. On the whole, they are hardworking, dedicated to their schoolwork and activities, and very respectful to one another and to teachers. The mixture of nationalities and backgrounds is immense here at IST. We dont have a single race of student that makes up more that 12% of the school population. We also have a wide range of backgrounds and races represented amongst the staff. It is such a nice environment to work in...and so extremely different that the 100% American staff you get at home. Not saying Americans are bad...............just saying that I like the variety!!!! The TCK (third culture kid) is something new to me this year. They are also referred to as "global nomads." These are kids who have spend most of their lives in cultures other than their own. I would say a huge majority of the students here fit that description. Often times you ask a student, "Where are you from." And the response you get is, "I don't know." These kids might have an Indian mother, a Kenyan father, born in Senegal, went to school in Ghana, Egypt, South Africa and Tanzania. They really dont have a secure identity. It is definitely something I had not encountered before. Quite a fascinating culture of its own!
OK...now onto Moshi. I will make this quick because I always talk about Moshi. Basically, I am trying to get there once a month. So far, I have been successful!!! The LIA kids definitely expect me, but never know exactly when I will be there. This time they had no idea. However, when we pulled up in the red Pathfinder that Abdi had rented for us, they must have had a "feeling" that it was me. Immediately the boys started chanting..."Jennifer, Jennifer, Jennifer." They couldn't have seen me, as I was in the back with tinted windows. So, that was a very nice welcome!!!! We took some of them out to lunch and then we spent the whole day Sunday at a posh hotel swimming with the older boys. It was such a relaxing weekend after the somewhat stressful and extremely HOT ESP week!!! I was also able to take Theresa and Lucia (fellow teachers) with me, and neither of them had left Dar until this trip. So, they were very happy to see a different side of TZ. Moshi is such a different (and better!) city than Dar. They both enjoyed the contrast of the two cities, but ultimately agreed with me that Moshi is MUCH better.
I turned 30 on Wednesday. The big 3-0. Cant quite believe it, myself, but I dont feel any older, so I guess that is good. My students tell me I dont look any older either!! The day was very special. Abdi, after spending the weekend in Moshi with me, took the bus to Dar so that he could be there with me on the actual day. He is great in that sense...always travelling to Dar to see me. I appreciate it a lot, considering it is about an 8 hour bus ride. So, we went out to dinner at my favorite Indian restaurant on Tuesday night when he arrived. Delicious. Indian food is my new favorite cuisine!!! Then on Wednesday, I went to work and the ladies in my department had a small party for me at break. I got presents from each of them, and we had cinnamon rolls! After school, I had a horribly boring meeting that I was itching to get out of. I had tolkd Abdi to meet me at home at 2:30 to go to a movie. At 3:00, the meeting was still dragging on! When I finally got home, I walked into a beautifully decorated house, with a bottle of chanpagne, birthday cards and decorations, a birthday crown, etc. Abdi had spent the day shopping and decorating. It was very sweet and much appreciated after the horrible meeting. We immediately got in the taxi and headed to watch a Bollywood flick. This wouldn't have been my first choice, but Abdi loves Indian movies, so I caved since he was so sweet!! I must admit, the movie was very good! After the movie, we met some friends at the Ethiopian restaurant for dinner and they had a cake for me there...and more presents! All in all, it was a wonderful way to celebrate the end of a decade! 30's...here I come!
Well, I must get back to work. Oh wait, I dont have any work to do!!! I guess I can get ahead in writing grade reports and the SSP's (IEP's) for my 4 students!! Tough life, eh?
Love you all!
Jen
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