It was a short work week due to the ending of Ramadan but I was surprisingly tired. I think anytime my routine gets messed up I suffer a bit :) But here were the highlights...
1) Attempting to run to the beach with Sarah, my fellow math teacher, and his wife... It was a beautiful run but Sarah and I were not quite ready for the distance (or able to breathe super well because of the polution). This is something to work on :) This was our first time seeing the beaches of Casa! It was beautiful and fun to see so many futbol (soccer) games going on. We went to a cafe on the beach and ordered coffee and fresh squeezed orange juice...perfect way to start the morning.
2) A little fun/practical shopping - coffee mugs, bathroom rug, dust pan, candles, a hand mixer :) You need to enjoy the little things in life!
3) Visited a juice bar with some staff members --- kiwi-orange juice...mmmmm!
4) Night out with the girls... Can't get much better than dinner and dancing :)
5) Went back to CIPC for church... I'm anxious for this to feel like home. Everyone is very friendly and I can't wait to start forming relationships! We had a guest pastor today from Illinois! He had a great message on courage and talked about needing to choose to listen to only God's voice. Our scripture was from Romans 12:2 and Acts 27. It was great because he talked about how we sometimes throw away hope during the storms of life but we need to have the courage to choose God's voice and direction even when life doesn't change around us! He said, "There may be nothing else you can do but that doesn't mean there's nothing else that can be done!" I love this...so encouraging for where I am in life!
6) A day of rest...naps, fresh juice, a good book...life is good!
I love and miss you all! Know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. May God bless each of your weeks.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
A Weekend Away
This weekend Sarah and I, as well as four other teachers, were able to get away from the city and enjoy a weekend at the beach! We rented an apartment in Skhirat, a small town near Rabat. It was a beautiful location and so relaxing (exactly what we needed). Arriving Saturday afternoon, we made dinner and sat around and talked for the rest of the evening. The big event of the evening was seeing a small sliver of moon in the sky! Ramadan ends with the new moon and so this meant one more day of Ramadan...which also meant no school on Monday or Tuesday! Sunday was spent at the beach, and for the first time in four years I was able to thoroughly enjoy reading a book :) That evening two of our friends made a Tajine (another traditional Moroccan dish made of meat and vegetables) YUMMY!
We squeezed in our last hours of sun on Monday before heading back to Casa. Now Monday was Eid (much like our Christmas), but we were told the trains would still be running. No so. This was the beginning of our adventure home :) Three taxis, and a lot of close contact, later we were back home! Yeah!
We squeezed in our last hours of sun on Monday before heading back to Casa. Now Monday was Eid (much like our Christmas), but we were told the trains would still be running. No so. This was the beginning of our adventure home :) Three taxis, and a lot of close contact, later we were back home! Yeah!
Friday, September 18, 2009
Moroccan Dress Day
Thursday was the 27th day of Ramadan (it lasts for 29 or 30 days depending on the moon). For the Moroccan people, all of wednesday night is spent praying. The people gather at the mosque and other places for this night of prayer. At school we celebrate Ramadan coming to an end by having a Moroccan dress day. Teachers and students are encouraged to wear traditional Moroccan attire. Sarah and I went to a market-like place called the habus to get our own jelabas! It was so fun to see the kids dressed up!
Unfortunately I got sick after my first class on Thursday and had to go home. I tried going into school again today but ended up leaving again due to intense stomach pains. Thankfully my fever is starting to go away and my appetite is coming back...all good signs since Sarah and I had plans to travel this weekend!
A funny story though... As you know my 6th graders have been anything but easy. Apparently my substitute was a little late for their class yesterday. Ironically it was my trouble makers who were the first to come running to the principal saying, "Miss our teacher isn't here! Where is our teacher?" And her response was, "Well she's sick. You made her sick." They just stood there stunned...we'll have to see how long that lasts!
Unfortunately I got sick after my first class on Thursday and had to go home. I tried going into school again today but ended up leaving again due to intense stomach pains. Thankfully my fever is starting to go away and my appetite is coming back...all good signs since Sarah and I had plans to travel this weekend!
A funny story though... As you know my 6th graders have been anything but easy. Apparently my substitute was a little late for their class yesterday. Ironically it was my trouble makers who were the first to come running to the principal saying, "Miss our teacher isn't here! Where is our teacher?" And her response was, "Well she's sick. You made her sick." They just stood there stunned...we'll have to see how long that lasts!
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Moroccan Cuisine
Tonight a group of teachers went out to a new restaurant in town called the Stone Cafe. It was a really nice building with three different restaurants, each on their own level. After walking up a beautiful (but very large) spiral staircase, we reached the Moroccan restaurant. Since breaking of the fast is around 7pm and we got there at 9pm, the place was empty. We had a seat and out came "appetizers": Harira (traditional Moroccan soup), milk, dates, sweet mint tea, fresh orange juice, and some Ramadan specialty sweets. The main course come out on a large plate and contained an assortment of real Moroccan cuisine. I was not sure what anything was so I took a bite of what I thought was chicken covered in a sauce. As I began to chew I quickly realized the squishy, and somewhat slimmy, substance was not chicken. I kept chewing to be polite and a fellow teacher started saying what the some of the different things were. Then just as I was about to finish chewing and swallow, she said, "and that is sheep brain"! So yes, last night I had my first taste of a sheep's brain. Can't say I'd have it again but now I can at least say I've tried!
One thing I've noticed about myself in my short amount of time here is that my brain has stopped listening to people talking. Since I can't understand what is said most of the time, when someone is actually talking to me I usually have to ask them to repeat it (just ask Sarah...she thinks I might need hearing aids). A classic example of this also accured last night when a gentleman (who obviously worked there) came up to our table, said something, and then left. I leaned over to my friend and asked what he said. She said, "He asked if the volume of the television was okay...(pause)... He was speaking in English!" Hopfully this problem gets better as I learn more French and Arabic :)
One thing I've noticed about myself in my short amount of time here is that my brain has stopped listening to people talking. Since I can't understand what is said most of the time, when someone is actually talking to me I usually have to ask them to repeat it (just ask Sarah...she thinks I might need hearing aids). A classic example of this also accured last night when a gentleman (who obviously worked there) came up to our table, said something, and then left. I leaned over to my friend and asked what he said. She said, "He asked if the volume of the television was okay...(pause)... He was speaking in English!" Hopfully this problem gets better as I learn more French and Arabic :)
Thursday, September 10, 2009
More Moroccan Firsts
Last night Sarah and I experienced our first thunderstorm (which we've heard is quite rare for this time of year). Although I am not easily awakened, I did wake up and realize that our windows were open. I closed the ones in my bedroom and then went to the livingroom to close those. Meanwhile Sarah had woken up also and went to make sure my windows were closed (knowing I can sleep through almost anything). It was at that moment that I came around the corner...both frighted by the sight of unexpected dark shadows, we screamed (and then laughed once our hearts had stopped racing)! What a great bonding experience :)
Things were quite wet yet when we woke up. And, upon arrival at school, I quickly figured out that the school was not built for heavy rains. I knew it wasn't good that the water began filling the hall more and more as I approached my classroom. And quess what awaited me...a flooded classroom! What teacher doesn't want to see that an hour before class begins :) Thankfully someone was able get it out (they use giant squeegies to clean the floors) and I still had a half hour to prepare! Can you think of any better way to start a day?!!!
Things were quite wet yet when we woke up. And, upon arrival at school, I quickly figured out that the school was not built for heavy rains. I knew it wasn't good that the water began filling the hall more and more as I approached my classroom. And quess what awaited me...a flooded classroom! What teacher doesn't want to see that an hour before class begins :) Thankfully someone was able get it out (they use giant squeegies to clean the floors) and I still had a half hour to prepare! Can you think of any better way to start a day?!!!
Monday, September 7, 2009
Okay NOW I'm a Real Person :)
It's just after 7pm and Sarah and I are sitting on the roof of our apartment building enjoying the peaceful calm that comes over the city at ifta. It's a beautiful thing.
The most important thing though, is that we survived our first day of teaching!!! I was quite nervous and hardly slept (althought that was partly due to the louder than usual street life last night) BUT everything turned out great! I did sweat through my shirt within the first half hour of being at school...but that's beside the point :)
Coming into this year I was a bit nervous to teach high school (partly because I look like I'm their age). However, after today, I'm pretty sure those classes are going to be my favorites. I was talking with Jodi (my principal) today after school and she told me that a number of my high schoolers sought her out to say thank you for hiring me! That pretty much made my day!!! My 7th graders are 7th graders and my 6th graders are pistols...I'll need lots of prayer for that situation. When I tell them to stop talking and pay attention they say "okay" and then continue talking to their friends! AHHHH! But, from what I've heard they are that way for every teacher.
Tonight Sarah and I are going to try to relax and get things prepared for tomorrow...yeah for homework ;)
The most important thing though, is that we survived our first day of teaching!!! I was quite nervous and hardly slept (althought that was partly due to the louder than usual street life last night) BUT everything turned out great! I did sweat through my shirt within the first half hour of being at school...but that's beside the point :)
Coming into this year I was a bit nervous to teach high school (partly because I look like I'm their age). However, after today, I'm pretty sure those classes are going to be my favorites. I was talking with Jodi (my principal) today after school and she told me that a number of my high schoolers sought her out to say thank you for hiring me! That pretty much made my day!!! My 7th graders are 7th graders and my 6th graders are pistols...I'll need lots of prayer for that situation. When I tell them to stop talking and pay attention they say "okay" and then continue talking to their friends! AHHHH! But, from what I've heard they are that way for every teacher.
Tonight Sarah and I are going to try to relax and get things prepared for tomorrow...yeah for homework ;)
Saturday, September 5, 2009
The Staff
What an interesting mix of people I will be working with this year...a very diverse group of personalities! Because of Ramadan food is a bit more difficult to get, so we have been doing a number of things together as a staff. These times are quite entertaining :) Just to give you an example...one night we went to a teacher's apartment for nachos. She proceeded to get out her disco ball and spot light and dance. Then to everyone's surprise the 60 year-old social studies teacher gets up and starts shaking his hips along side her!!! Need I say more...we have some characters among us!
Seriously though, everyone is so nice and willing to help with anything. The preschool teacher wrote out a list of survival arabic words, which has been very helpful. We bought a map of the city and are beginning to get our bearings. Today we went to the Marif market...what a wonderful array of fresh food! That is a definite perk of living here.
Seriously though, everyone is so nice and willing to help with anything. The preschool teacher wrote out a list of survival arabic words, which has been very helpful. We bought a map of the city and are beginning to get our bearings. Today we went to the Marif market...what a wonderful array of fresh food! That is a definite perk of living here.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
ifta and the plummer
Tuesday night we were invited as a staff to a family's home for ifta, "breaking of the fast". It was a beautiful, large home (it's amazing what amazing homes you can make out of concrete!). Our time began the traditional Moroccian soup and a pigeon soup...I opted for tradition :) We also were served fresh fruit juices and Moroccian mint tea. After that course, we moved to a large coffee table filled with different cheeses and pastries. Everything was delicious!
Since it is Ramadan, people don't really work during the day because they are fasting...this makes them tired and grumpy :) SO, the work day picks up around 9pm! When we moved into our apartment there was not a faucet on the bathroom sink. Therefore, we made due with the kitchen sink for a few days. The plummer had come earlier in the day but didn't have what he needed (I'm beginning to realize that's how things work here...stuff doesn't get done right the first time). Despite the fact that we don't speak french or arabic and he didn't speak english, we were able to make another appointment for 10pm. This would have been okay except for the fact that he didn't show up until after 11pm!!! He fixed the sink and then moved on to hook up the washing machine. In order to do this, he needed to drill a hole through the cabinet to hook up to a water supply. So it's 11:30pm and the drilling begins. (Now remember we live on the 5th floor of an apartment building) As we plug our ears and the apartment starts to shake, a very angry arabic man walks in our door and starts yelling at me in arabic! I hold up my hands in a puzzled manner and apologize (which he probably couldn't understand) and he storms out! I think he likes us ;) So finally after 10 minutes of loud drilling and 15 of assembly, we were able to go to bed. It was a pretty eventful day.
Since it is Ramadan, people don't really work during the day because they are fasting...this makes them tired and grumpy :) SO, the work day picks up around 9pm! When we moved into our apartment there was not a faucet on the bathroom sink. Therefore, we made due with the kitchen sink for a few days. The plummer had come earlier in the day but didn't have what he needed (I'm beginning to realize that's how things work here...stuff doesn't get done right the first time). Despite the fact that we don't speak french or arabic and he didn't speak english, we were able to make another appointment for 10pm. This would have been okay except for the fact that he didn't show up until after 11pm!!! He fixed the sink and then moved on to hook up the washing machine. In order to do this, he needed to drill a hole through the cabinet to hook up to a water supply. So it's 11:30pm and the drilling begins. (Now remember we live on the 5th floor of an apartment building) As we plug our ears and the apartment starts to shake, a very angry arabic man walks in our door and starts yelling at me in arabic! I hold up my hands in a puzzled manner and apologize (which he probably couldn't understand) and he storms out! I think he likes us ;) So finally after 10 minutes of loud drilling and 15 of assembly, we were able to go to bed. It was a pretty eventful day.
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