the week of the circus

As I sit in the couch in our arusha house with the other interns here I'm more and more reminded of how I don't get along with these students. I see what they see as humor to what I see and we are way too different to get along. So I gave my family the frisbee and they went crazy so every day I have to play with the little boys oh well its nice. I'm missing my puppy and Dan and all my friends and the adventures we go on. Although some times I may get in trouble cause I have fun. Ill be back in December and will have so much to catch up on!

days that i teach!

So at first when I got my schedule I thought that I might be sharing it with another teacher in Form 3 but I was mistaken. I am currently and will be for the time here the only math teacher to all of Form 3 that is broken down to a-d I teach everyday. A 40 minute block followed by a 80 minute block and then tea and my day is done. So when I entered my first class of the day I was overwhelmed thinking that I was un prepared and I would be mocked by other teachers. No, I wads wrong the kids tried to help me understand what I said and some times would translate what I said into kiswahili. So I felt better. Then the next class it was not like my first. But I'm working on making it work. Its hard, but its life. After school today I went on a walk because I needed to get out of the house and wanted to visit some other people around. The food here is great just really fatty and im trying to not gain weight. Fully days ahead!

the first week at the school.

I survived! Had one melt down but got over it fast. Hahaha so I was suposse to start teaching on wednesday. But I hadn't gotten my assigned material to teach! So we all started monday of the coming week. So *drum roll* I teach! Mathe to form 3 kids. It would be the equivalent to a 8th or 9th grader. Also they changed my topic about 3 times so far. I'm going to be doing geometric progression.... Go figure. Its not too hard it took me a while to understand it my self but I conquered. Also my family is soo nice to be honest though. I don't feel like I'm in africa I feel at home with the food and family and the technology in the house.

Food: cookies and mini cakes, pasta, rice and beans, soups.
Tech: computer with no internet. Occasional running water, we all have cell phones. Cd players, dvd player, flat TV with many channels!
I have the occasional car. And we shop for so many things!
I'm happy but I'm not sure I'm getting the experience I expected. My other "friends" here have either no electricity at all or a few lights. But I have a lot. Its nice... But I don't know. I washed clothes today in a bin and hung them up so that's new but its not hard. I cook occasionally on a gas stove and have a squat toilet that I'm use to since china. I go back to my group home tomorow and spend the night.

The people are nice but they all seem to have thingsbin common and I'm just really different from them so I don't talk much.


Oh damn I forgot to mention I witnessed two canning today that is how the students are reprimanded here. I'm really shocked, only because the teachers laughed at them and saw it as a game! They asked us if we wanted a try, because one of my other people with me was laughing... Me and the other were in shock I think. Not to mention the teacher hitting them was a mother to one of the travelers (not mine). Its very different here.

safari and emotions

So for my first week here I've had some interesting times. So far the kids are decent but nobody I would hangout after this program. Am I homesick no. Afraid of teaching, no. But the family is a little worry sum. I am not sure if I can be with these kids. I have to make it through this and think positive. The safari. A wonderful exciting and learning experience I have seen everything but a hyena and a king lion. I saw so many animals. Also went camping and had great meals time for work. On lesson plans

airport!

I'm sitting at the gate! With fellow travelers! Yay! But I'm not awake damn me! So I'm sitting here thinking about being chaty but I can't!

Emotions run deep

So today is the big day I'm all packed on the road and there's n turning back from my choice that I have made. I have to move forward and face the upcoming emotions that I will go through. I know that I'm tough and can make it but I am still a little kid at times wanting her puppy or her bed. Ok, maybe her mommy too. But I don't want to hit that wall now. When I hit the gate I think it will really hit me that I'm going and I can't look back. I'm excited and curious! Wish me luck and hope I didn't make a mistake.

2 DAYS

I am 2 days away from leaving the USA and being put into a village of Africa, tanzania for three months! im excited! im all packed and all i have left to do is spray my cloths with Bug repellent i have emailed all of my fellow travelers how we will hope to meet in the Amsterdam airport and get food cause i will be getting in at 7 am! My body clock will be going insane! maybe it will become normal! Im gunna be putting up photos soon of me leaving and landing!