Thursday, August 30th:
Walked to the school first thing for a meeting. No kids as the school day had been canceled. We got home by 10am and I was able to get a lot of lesson planning done. I took a nap in the afternoon and slept much longer than I had intended. In fact when I woke up, I realized that John and the maintenance man from our school were over, looking at Sarah's room to install the split (AC/heater unit that mounts on the wall). They went right to the market, bought one, and came back with a couple men for installation. In no time at all, Sarah had cool air in her room! That is a major accomplishment, especially as it was finished in one day. As they left, I went to my room to get something and saw that my family was calling me! We got to talk for a few minutes, but John, Mary, Sarah, and I had already made plans to go furniture shopping before dinner. We walked to the furniture store and Sarah was able to pick out a wardrobe, desk, nightstand, and we both got a desk chair! So many things accomplished in one day - AMAZING! We treated ourselves to dinner at the Turkish wrap restaurant (Tantuni), then walked home to meet Andy and Lisa for some ice cream. We were able to talk about some of the transitions with the school which have been difficult to decipher. For now, we are simply taking one step at a time and doing our jobs to the best of our ability.
Friday, August 31st:
Woke up at 6:20 this morning, threw a load of clothes in the wash before Skyping with my family. Eithen "woke up" when he heard me (he had just gone to bed), so we got to talk a little bit. Stephen showed me his new school clothes (always a fun time of year) and I got to talk to Dad and Mom for a little bit too. I still feel like I am floating through each day. Everything seems normal, but I'm not sure that I've fully adjusted. I am beginning to wonder if there will be some shock once I finally find my feet on the ground. Devotions have reminded me to lean upon Christ, that "all things are safe in Jehovah's hands; what we entrust to the Lord will be secure, both now and in that day of days towards which we are hastening." He knows how much I FEEL I have given up to be here and how much more I am afraid I will have to give up. My feelings are secure with Him. My spirit rests in the knowledge that God's will is always best, but the flesh continues to put up a fight.
Finished my lesson planning and worked on an art project for my room. I will post pictures when I am done. I am trying to make my room more personal this year, since I realized it was hard to come back here when it didn't feel like a home. Sarah has been a great encouragement and we've had fun putting the house together. We drew out our family trees and a timeline of our lives in the kitchen (picture coming). It was a fun bonding experience and a good visual aid showing how God has led us through the years.
In the afternoon we went over to John and Mary's for a break from school, then had Pizza Hot delivered (well, John went and picked it up!) :) It was better than I remembered, except for the olives which I took off and gave to John (an ongoing joke since he dislikes them as much as I do.) Thankfully Mary and Sarah like olives, so they get extra on their slices. :) We were hoping that since it was evening, things would be open again, so we ventured out to Mazi. Western Union wasn't open, which meant we couldn't get our wire, but we took a nice walk and then picked up some groceries at Mazi.
After all the lesson planning we've done, I've come to realize that this will be a busy year. I still don't feel mentally prepared, but I am trusting God to guide my footsteps and open my eyes to see all He is doing here. My desire, more than anything, is to have my heart turned in the right direction that it might align with His purposes.
Showing posts with label Repairs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Repairs. Show all posts
Friday, August 31, 2012
Thursday, January 26, 2012
January 25th and 26th (Days 18-19): Second Hand and New Experiences
January 25th:
Had a long and exhausting day at school. Started at 8:30 and didn't leave until 2:30. Had a few breaks between classes to grade books and prep for the next period. I also visited Julie's 5th grade class which was fun as I met some of my students' older siblings and saw how much my 4th graders will mature and grow mentally throughout the next year. By the afternoon, I was worn out and looking for a diversion. Julie and Lisa were both free, so we to decided to go "second-handing."
We took a taxi down to the market where there is a second-hand clothing section! It is really neat. They have stalls set up just like the rest of the market, and each stall has clothes hanging around the walls and across the entrances or piled on tables. I found a cute skirt for $2.50, two sweaters for $2.50 each (definitely needed right now), and a heavy outdoor jacket ($8). What a great deal! Tried looking for pants, but that was a challenge as I don't know my size here. (By the way, it is acceptable to wear pants as long as you wear a long shirt and it is better if they aren't too tight - even though I've see some pants here that I would never even wear at home!) It was nice to shop without looking for anything in particular and not being disappointed because the store was "out" or it just doesn't exist here. It was also encouraging to have some girl time. We went to the fruit and vegetable "den" again and bought some veggies for a few recipes I'd like to try this weekend.
Went home to our COLD apartment and cooked up the rest of the chicken in a fricassee over rice. The kitchen is our warmest room in the house because of the gas stove, so it's a good motivation to cook! Since the water heater isn't working, we have to boil our water to do the dishes - feels like a cabin in the country. In some of the other rooms in our apartment, I can actually see my breath! Our next door neighbors who are part of SGI have been gracious enough to allow us to use their apartment while they are still in the States. I packed up some of my things and camped out for the night.
January 26th:
Slept in! Glad for the warmth. In our apartment, it had been difficult to sleep well at night and even harder to get out of bed and dress in cold clothes! Brrr!
Stacy and I decided to go to the market today to get some more blankets so I made a quick bowl of oatmeal for breakfast (cinnamon, honey and dates - YUM!) and we headed out. It was raining, and the sidewalks and streets had a muddy layer over the concrete. My pants (the only pair I brought with me from the States) were a muddy mess by the time I got home. We picked up some blankets, two sharp knives, a long mirror and a space heater (still need the city electricity for this to work...) Got lunch from the "cafeteria" down the street to eat at home, then I headed out for my 1:45 class (3rd grade - not the rowdy bunch of 4th graders).
It was "pajama day" at school. The students normally wear dress clothes (the boys have to be in blue and the girls have to be in pink), but today they were allowed to wear their "track suits" or sweat pants and sweatshirts. Many of the teachers dressed down too. I wore a sporty jacket, but made sure to have my long coat once I went back out on the street. It is hard to know what the standards are, especially for women. The majority of people here think that all Americans are "immoral" and are looking for us to meet those expectations through the way we dress or behave. Because of their prejudice, it is really important that we are circumspect and hold forth a good testimony. I actually had one person tell me she knew I was a believer - I was wearing a long skirt. Interesting that God is teaching me in my personal study that I need to stop focusing on outward forms and simply walk in His power, being "clothed in His righteousness" alone. Culturally, I am surrounded by people who are consumed with outward appearance. They will openly point out and comment on someone's facial hair or acne. A man touching a woman (even to help her across the ditch in the sidewalk) is shameful. Because I am American the locals may suggest something that would normally be unacceptable (a man giving me a ride home), assuming I won't care. If I am not careful and fail to realize that their suggestion is culturally inappropriate, I could end up compromising my testimony without even knowing it. I ask Stacy a million of these hypothetical questions, but I need to continually ask God for wisdom to avoid improprieties.
Back to class - they were a little wound up from all the "fun" today, and I had to take three of the boys outside. We talked about their behavior and then I made them help me get something from the teacher room. It was obvious that they were afraid I was taking them to the principal's office. One of them asked me if I was going to punish them. I asked them if they deserved to be punished, and told them I was going to show them mercy. I explained what mercy was and let them return to class. They were well behaved and finished their assignments.
Andy came by and tried to fix the light bulbs, but it turns out we need a new part. That seems to be the norm for projects here... there is always something else wrong. After he left, Stacy went to her Kurdish class and I did a load of laundry and made a list of things I need the next time we go to the market (that is another norm here - there is always something else to get or more groceries to buy).
Around 4pm, I headed out for an adventure on my own. I went down to a clothing store at the end of our street called "Helin Fashion" (how apropos!) It is still strange to me that men work in all women's clothing stores, but the man there spoke some English and that was helpful. I was worried I wouldn't be able to try anything on, but it turns out they do have dressing rooms - trying to communicate that was interesting though. I found a pair of pants and even though I paid more than I would've like (even with his generous $3 discount), I just put it towards a great learning experience. Not only did I figure out my size here, I discovered that I can push myself just that much further in unfamiliar situations. The two women clerks were tickled with my attempts to learn some Kurdish and it is nice to feel like I am getting to know some people in my neighborhood. I also went to the "green store" up the street (nicknamed by us for the color of the building) and bought a squeegee for my shower now that the cold water works.
Made a faux quesadilla for dinner - sliced some processed cheese (it is hard to find the real stuff - this tastes like American cheese), cut up some onion and grilled it in pita bread. It actually tasted a lot like a quesadilla. I just need to work on making some salsa!
Looking forward to a restful evening in a warm room.
Had a long and exhausting day at school. Started at 8:30 and didn't leave until 2:30. Had a few breaks between classes to grade books and prep for the next period. I also visited Julie's 5th grade class which was fun as I met some of my students' older siblings and saw how much my 4th graders will mature and grow mentally throughout the next year. By the afternoon, I was worn out and looking for a diversion. Julie and Lisa were both free, so we to decided to go "second-handing."
We took a taxi down to the market where there is a second-hand clothing section! It is really neat. They have stalls set up just like the rest of the market, and each stall has clothes hanging around the walls and across the entrances or piled on tables. I found a cute skirt for $2.50, two sweaters for $2.50 each (definitely needed right now), and a heavy outdoor jacket ($8). What a great deal! Tried looking for pants, but that was a challenge as I don't know my size here. (By the way, it is acceptable to wear pants as long as you wear a long shirt and it is better if they aren't too tight - even though I've see some pants here that I would never even wear at home!) It was nice to shop without looking for anything in particular and not being disappointed because the store was "out" or it just doesn't exist here. It was also encouraging to have some girl time. We went to the fruit and vegetable "den" again and bought some veggies for a few recipes I'd like to try this weekend.
Went home to our COLD apartment and cooked up the rest of the chicken in a fricassee over rice. The kitchen is our warmest room in the house because of the gas stove, so it's a good motivation to cook! Since the water heater isn't working, we have to boil our water to do the dishes - feels like a cabin in the country. In some of the other rooms in our apartment, I can actually see my breath! Our next door neighbors who are part of SGI have been gracious enough to allow us to use their apartment while they are still in the States. I packed up some of my things and camped out for the night.
January 26th:
Slept in! Glad for the warmth. In our apartment, it had been difficult to sleep well at night and even harder to get out of bed and dress in cold clothes! Brrr!
Stacy and I decided to go to the market today to get some more blankets so I made a quick bowl of oatmeal for breakfast (cinnamon, honey and dates - YUM!) and we headed out. It was raining, and the sidewalks and streets had a muddy layer over the concrete. My pants (the only pair I brought with me from the States) were a muddy mess by the time I got home. We picked up some blankets, two sharp knives, a long mirror and a space heater (still need the city electricity for this to work...) Got lunch from the "cafeteria" down the street to eat at home, then I headed out for my 1:45 class (3rd grade - not the rowdy bunch of 4th graders).
It was "pajama day" at school. The students normally wear dress clothes (the boys have to be in blue and the girls have to be in pink), but today they were allowed to wear their "track suits" or sweat pants and sweatshirts. Many of the teachers dressed down too. I wore a sporty jacket, but made sure to have my long coat once I went back out on the street. It is hard to know what the standards are, especially for women. The majority of people here think that all Americans are "immoral" and are looking for us to meet those expectations through the way we dress or behave. Because of their prejudice, it is really important that we are circumspect and hold forth a good testimony. I actually had one person tell me she knew I was a believer - I was wearing a long skirt. Interesting that God is teaching me in my personal study that I need to stop focusing on outward forms and simply walk in His power, being "clothed in His righteousness" alone. Culturally, I am surrounded by people who are consumed with outward appearance. They will openly point out and comment on someone's facial hair or acne. A man touching a woman (even to help her across the ditch in the sidewalk) is shameful. Because I am American the locals may suggest something that would normally be unacceptable (a man giving me a ride home), assuming I won't care. If I am not careful and fail to realize that their suggestion is culturally inappropriate, I could end up compromising my testimony without even knowing it. I ask Stacy a million of these hypothetical questions, but I need to continually ask God for wisdom to avoid improprieties.
Back to class - they were a little wound up from all the "fun" today, and I had to take three of the boys outside. We talked about their behavior and then I made them help me get something from the teacher room. It was obvious that they were afraid I was taking them to the principal's office. One of them asked me if I was going to punish them. I asked them if they deserved to be punished, and told them I was going to show them mercy. I explained what mercy was and let them return to class. They were well behaved and finished their assignments.
Andy came by and tried to fix the light bulbs, but it turns out we need a new part. That seems to be the norm for projects here... there is always something else wrong. After he left, Stacy went to her Kurdish class and I did a load of laundry and made a list of things I need the next time we go to the market (that is another norm here - there is always something else to get or more groceries to buy).
Around 4pm, I headed out for an adventure on my own. I went down to a clothing store at the end of our street called "Helin Fashion" (how apropos!) It is still strange to me that men work in all women's clothing stores, but the man there spoke some English and that was helpful. I was worried I wouldn't be able to try anything on, but it turns out they do have dressing rooms - trying to communicate that was interesting though. I found a pair of pants and even though I paid more than I would've like (even with his generous $3 discount), I just put it towards a great learning experience. Not only did I figure out my size here, I discovered that I can push myself just that much further in unfamiliar situations. The two women clerks were tickled with my attempts to learn some Kurdish and it is nice to feel like I am getting to know some people in my neighborhood. I also went to the "green store" up the street (nicknamed by us for the color of the building) and bought a squeegee for my shower now that the cold water works.
Made a faux quesadilla for dinner - sliced some processed cheese (it is hard to find the real stuff - this tastes like American cheese), cut up some onion and grilled it in pita bread. It actually tasted a lot like a quesadilla. I just need to work on making some salsa!
Looking forward to a restful evening in a warm room.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
January 23rd and 24th (Days 17-18): Warm Heart, Cold Hands
January 23rd:
Had the 8:30 class this morning. The walk in the morning is frigid and I have to wear earmuffs and gloves to keep from freezing. We are working on a school-wide project for Valentine's Day, so it took up most of the class. I had them draw me a picture of what they would be when they grew up if they could choose anything. I had some interesting responses, but many of them wanted to be engineers (contractors), doctors, and car drivers.
Went home afterwards and took a quick nap. It was nice to get some extra rest. Stacy was out, so I made lunch for myself - spaghetti with tomatoes, bell peppers, garlic (yum!) and cheese. I also decided to make some date bread later, so I used the time to do some prep. 15 minutes and 5 very sticky fingers later, I had my cup of chopped dates ready for the recipe. Felt a little discouraged/apprehensive as I headed out for the afternoon class (my rowdy bunch).
The entire class was out in the garden when I arrived (sometimes this happens when the teacher before me doesn't show or if they are released early). Some of the students headed for class when they saw me arrive and I got to walk with them and get to know them a little better. The others dawdled to see how long they could wait. I closed the classroom door at 1:45 and had the students start on the lesson; as the others trickled in, I put their names on the board (for bad behavior). Class went amazingly well. Even though we had the V-Day project (which means more freedom to move around and usually worse behavior) the students were attentive to the assignment ("if you could be anything what would it be?") and cooperated during the project. My worst student in the class, "Pedro," was my best student of the day! As we cleaned up to leave, "Pedro," "Evie," and "Alex" stayed late to help. Each one carried something for me to the teacher room and "Evie" kept telling me, "I love you, Miss. I love you." I just floated along with them, soaking up the affection! As I walked home, a little stunned, I couldn't stop thanking the Lord for His goodness.
Once home, it was time to work on the meal for our team meeting. (I also baked the bread, which turned out alright. Because I have no temperature reading on the oven, it is a wild guess - the bread was extra crispy on the top and a little gooey in the middle, but still edible. I will figure out the oven eventually!) For the team meal, we cooked up the chicken from yesterday, sauteed some mushrooms and onions, and mixed it together to put over rice. We picked up fresh bread on the way and broiled it with some (not-so) garlic butter. Lisa made an amazing salad with pomegranate and 'feta' and candied walnuts - YUMMY! And Julie made no-bake chocolate, coconut cookies for dessert. I love collaborative meals!
We talked to Dave and Lisa, enjoyed fellowship and had a great Bible Study afterwards. We looked at Mark 7:14-23 (it is not what goes into a man that defiles him, but what comes out from the heart). We studied the passage by reading it aloud, repeating the major concepts by memory, and then answering the questions, "What does this say about God?" "Man?" and "How am I to apply this specifically for the week?" As I prayed over the application, I asked God to show me how the verses fit with what I have been learning over the past few days. He showed me that my focus is too often on my outward appearance (Is my classroom maintained? Am I controlled? Do I say and do the right things?) I want others to perceive a godly outer appearance as proof of inner Christianity. Consequently, when I feel shame, I try to cover myself through outward forms, but only Christ can provide the true covering. He has made me clean. I am no longer defiled because, and only because, I am found in Him. It is not through outward appearance that others will know I am undefiled, it is through what is seen coming from the inside. I think I saw this after class today when my three students hovered around longing for what they had seen coming from within. This week I pray that God will allow others to see who I am on the inside (that part I have guarded so long) that they might see Christ. Bold words? Yes. But only if I am not walking in the power of God.
January 24th:
The city electricity keeps turning off and it gets extremely cold in the house. I went to my 9:15 class, which went very well. When I got home, there was a funny smell coming from the breaker box. Apparently the transformer needs to be replaced. The rest of the complex has city electricity and it turns out we are the only ones without - glad Stacy realized this so we can get it fixed (or at least make a lot of phone calls to ask the landlord to send the repairman).
Went to the 1:45 rowdy bunch again. The group dynamics have shifted a little without "Pedro" and "Joel" to head up the trouble. ("Joel" was 'drifty' at the beginning, caused trouble behind my back, and wouldn't connect with me in any way. Now he is attentive, tries his best, and is showing artistic improvement.) The new ringleaders tried to flex their muscles and I sent two of them to the principal's office. This time, they refused to go! I wrote a note to the principal asking him to give the two students red cards and sent it down with "Alex." I expected the principal to send the two red cards back to class, but he sent a message telling the students to come to his office. Still they refused! I wasn't sure what to do next, but needed to continue providing instruction. After a few minutes the principal came to the classroom and collected the students! He might have forgotten or decided I didn't need him, but God was merciful. The class stabilized once they left and I was able to have good discussions with both when they came back.
The Vice Principal gave me a ride home (his daughter is in one of my classes). I was thankful for another opportunity to build relationships (and glad I didn't have to walk home after an exhausting day). Andy and Lisa came by later and Andy was able to fix the cold water on the shower (I tightened the hot water valve on the sink last week, in case you were wondering). It turned out I just wasn't strong enough to turn the handle. :P Andy also offered to buy some light bulbs and install them later (the kitchen doesn't have one and it is pretty dark on one side). Thankful for handy and helpful team members!
Rested at home ... still freezing ... but received a special blessing - a Skype call with Eithen and Mom! Mom set up the laptop so I could watch Eithen play in the sink, build Duplos, put on his pants by himself, and just be a part of his life for almost 45 minutes. Mom and I shared what we've been learning and talked, as only moms and daughters can, for another hour. A refreshing time, desperately needed. Went to bed with my jacket on. Even as I write this I am wearing gloves (which means it has taken twice as long) because it is so cold!
Had the 8:30 class this morning. The walk in the morning is frigid and I have to wear earmuffs and gloves to keep from freezing. We are working on a school-wide project for Valentine's Day, so it took up most of the class. I had them draw me a picture of what they would be when they grew up if they could choose anything. I had some interesting responses, but many of them wanted to be engineers (contractors), doctors, and car drivers.
Went home afterwards and took a quick nap. It was nice to get some extra rest. Stacy was out, so I made lunch for myself - spaghetti with tomatoes, bell peppers, garlic (yum!) and cheese. I also decided to make some date bread later, so I used the time to do some prep. 15 minutes and 5 very sticky fingers later, I had my cup of chopped dates ready for the recipe. Felt a little discouraged/apprehensive as I headed out for the afternoon class (my rowdy bunch).
The entire class was out in the garden when I arrived (sometimes this happens when the teacher before me doesn't show or if they are released early). Some of the students headed for class when they saw me arrive and I got to walk with them and get to know them a little better. The others dawdled to see how long they could wait. I closed the classroom door at 1:45 and had the students start on the lesson; as the others trickled in, I put their names on the board (for bad behavior). Class went amazingly well. Even though we had the V-Day project (which means more freedom to move around and usually worse behavior) the students were attentive to the assignment ("if you could be anything what would it be?") and cooperated during the project. My worst student in the class, "Pedro," was my best student of the day! As we cleaned up to leave, "Pedro," "Evie," and "Alex" stayed late to help. Each one carried something for me to the teacher room and "Evie" kept telling me, "I love you, Miss. I love you." I just floated along with them, soaking up the affection! As I walked home, a little stunned, I couldn't stop thanking the Lord for His goodness.
Once home, it was time to work on the meal for our team meeting. (I also baked the bread, which turned out alright. Because I have no temperature reading on the oven, it is a wild guess - the bread was extra crispy on the top and a little gooey in the middle, but still edible. I will figure out the oven eventually!) For the team meal, we cooked up the chicken from yesterday, sauteed some mushrooms and onions, and mixed it together to put over rice. We picked up fresh bread on the way and broiled it with some (not-so) garlic butter. Lisa made an amazing salad with pomegranate and 'feta' and candied walnuts - YUMMY! And Julie made no-bake chocolate, coconut cookies for dessert. I love collaborative meals!
We talked to Dave and Lisa, enjoyed fellowship and had a great Bible Study afterwards. We looked at Mark 7:14-23 (it is not what goes into a man that defiles him, but what comes out from the heart). We studied the passage by reading it aloud, repeating the major concepts by memory, and then answering the questions, "What does this say about God?" "Man?" and "How am I to apply this specifically for the week?" As I prayed over the application, I asked God to show me how the verses fit with what I have been learning over the past few days. He showed me that my focus is too often on my outward appearance (Is my classroom maintained? Am I controlled? Do I say and do the right things?) I want others to perceive a godly outer appearance as proof of inner Christianity. Consequently, when I feel shame, I try to cover myself through outward forms, but only Christ can provide the true covering. He has made me clean. I am no longer defiled because, and only because, I am found in Him. It is not through outward appearance that others will know I am undefiled, it is through what is seen coming from the inside. I think I saw this after class today when my three students hovered around longing for what they had seen coming from within. This week I pray that God will allow others to see who I am on the inside (that part I have guarded so long) that they might see Christ. Bold words? Yes. But only if I am not walking in the power of God.
January 24th:
The city electricity keeps turning off and it gets extremely cold in the house. I went to my 9:15 class, which went very well. When I got home, there was a funny smell coming from the breaker box. Apparently the transformer needs to be replaced. The rest of the complex has city electricity and it turns out we are the only ones without - glad Stacy realized this so we can get it fixed (or at least make a lot of phone calls to ask the landlord to send the repairman).
Went to the 1:45 rowdy bunch again. The group dynamics have shifted a little without "Pedro" and "Joel" to head up the trouble. ("Joel" was 'drifty' at the beginning, caused trouble behind my back, and wouldn't connect with me in any way. Now he is attentive, tries his best, and is showing artistic improvement.) The new ringleaders tried to flex their muscles and I sent two of them to the principal's office. This time, they refused to go! I wrote a note to the principal asking him to give the two students red cards and sent it down with "Alex." I expected the principal to send the two red cards back to class, but he sent a message telling the students to come to his office. Still they refused! I wasn't sure what to do next, but needed to continue providing instruction. After a few minutes the principal came to the classroom and collected the students! He might have forgotten or decided I didn't need him, but God was merciful. The class stabilized once they left and I was able to have good discussions with both when they came back.
The Vice Principal gave me a ride home (his daughter is in one of my classes). I was thankful for another opportunity to build relationships (and glad I didn't have to walk home after an exhausting day). Andy and Lisa came by later and Andy was able to fix the cold water on the shower (I tightened the hot water valve on the sink last week, in case you were wondering). It turned out I just wasn't strong enough to turn the handle. :P Andy also offered to buy some light bulbs and install them later (the kitchen doesn't have one and it is pretty dark on one side). Thankful for handy and helpful team members!
Rested at home ... still freezing ... but received a special blessing - a Skype call with Eithen and Mom! Mom set up the laptop so I could watch Eithen play in the sink, build Duplos, put on his pants by himself, and just be a part of his life for almost 45 minutes. Mom and I shared what we've been learning and talked, as only moms and daughters can, for another hour. A refreshing time, desperately needed. Went to bed with my jacket on. Even as I write this I am wearing gloves (which means it has taken twice as long) because it is so cold!
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
January 15th and 16th (Days 9-10): Anne of Green Gables
January 15th:
Spent the morning preparing for my 11am class, writing each child's name on their new art book. Also created a "Getting to Know You" questionnaire for all my classes. There are two very difficult students in the class - one is the class clown and the other has been held back several grades so has some insecurity and is also bigger than me. I am starting to build rapport with the latter student, but I sent the first student outside and because he couldn't behave after he came back in, he spent the entire class in the hallway. The rest of the students were attentive and we are beginning to develop a routine for procedures and consequences for bad behavior. They were very respectful with their books and class ended up going really well.
When I got home I was pretty tired, so I rested for about an hour. Then I set to work on the bathroom! I removed the drain and faucet which were both rusting and leaking.
I tried fixing the shower (the cold water valve is stuck), but didn't have the right tools. The sink was quite a project, especially since I only had a pair of dollar center pliers and a small all-in-one utility knife to work with.
I bought date fruit at the market, but after eating a few, I'm afraid I'm allergic to them! What a disappointment! I tried washing them, but I am still getting a cough and a ticklish throat/tongue when I eat only a few of them. [On the other hand, and I'm hoping this is the reason, it may also be the result of the cigarette smoke that bothers my sinuses, combined with fighting off a cold...]
Stacy went to teach English lessons so I sauteed some veggies for dinner and put them in a "pita" with "cream cheese" (Labneh). It was pretty good, except I burnt the bread when I went to defrost it - the smell was awful and made it difficult to taste the food :( It looked pretty though!
Spent the morning preparing for my 11am class, writing each child's name on their new art book. Also created a "Getting to Know You" questionnaire for all my classes. There are two very difficult students in the class - one is the class clown and the other has been held back several grades so has some insecurity and is also bigger than me. I am starting to build rapport with the latter student, but I sent the first student outside and because he couldn't behave after he came back in, he spent the entire class in the hallway. The rest of the students were attentive and we are beginning to develop a routine for procedures and consequences for bad behavior. They were very respectful with their books and class ended up going really well.
When I got home I was pretty tired, so I rested for about an hour. Then I set to work on the bathroom! I removed the drain and faucet which were both rusting and leaking.
I tried fixing the shower (the cold water valve is stuck), but didn't have the right tools. The sink was quite a project, especially since I only had a pair of dollar center pliers and a small all-in-one utility knife to work with.
I bought date fruit at the market, but after eating a few, I'm afraid I'm allergic to them! What a disappointment! I tried washing them, but I am still getting a cough and a ticklish throat/tongue when I eat only a few of them. [On the other hand, and I'm hoping this is the reason, it may also be the result of the cigarette smoke that bothers my sinuses, combined with fighting off a cold...]
Stacy went to teach English lessons so I sauteed some veggies for dinner and put them in a "pita" with "cream cheese" (Labneh). It was pretty good, except I burnt the bread when I went to defrost it - the smell was awful and made it difficult to taste the food :( It looked pretty though!
January 16th:
Had an 8:30 class this morning, but they are the quiet group of 4th graders. My main concern with this group is that they don't put their thoughts into their artwork. We drew pictures of the proverb "As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country." Some of my third graders on Sunday had a better understanding than most of the 4th graders. The girls can also have bad attitudes, especially if I don't respond the way they would like (for example I won't answer their questions if they don't raise their hand), so this is another area I am praying for guidance in.
After class, I went to the hardware store and bought a new faucet and drain. When I got home, I was able to install both parts, but didn't have a wrench to tighten the hot water hose (the cold water at the sink works great, though!) I also hung the bathroom cabinet using cord and some existing nail holes.
Before heading to class, I stopped by the art supply store (also an office supply store) and bought some paperclips, scissors, and other supplies for school. At CSM they have a box of "colors" - perhaps 50 pieces of badly broken crayons that the students don't really enjoy using. Some of the students will bring their own colors, but not all can afford them. I bought 5 boxes of colored pencils to take to each class - I will need to remind them to take care of them since they are not always careful with belongings.
At 1:45 I taught the group of rowdy 4th graders. This class has been a challenge from the first. Several of the students will wander all over the room and just as you get one group settled down, three more are yelling or standing around. After 15 minutes of trying to bring them under control, I took the 4 rowdiest to the principal's office. I don't think they thought I'd actually do it (while I, on the other hand, was just thankful they actually went with me)! It reminded me of Anne of Green Gables... the day she uses the rod on a troublesome student. She never thought she would use that as discipline, but it was exactly what the student needed. When the four boys came back, I had the rest of the class following procedures and working on an assignment. The four boys sat down with hardly a word, except a few apologies, worked on their assignment and finished the class exceptionally well. There were four more boys who were warned that they would be next to the office and they quieted down quickly. As the students left, I either thanked them for being respectful or made them tell me how they would better the next class. One of the students, whose behavior improved rapidly once the boys were sent to the office, thanked me and told me I was a good teacher. :) Walking home, I remembered how much I wanted to be an "Anne of Green Gables" type teacher. Though I intended to win each of my students over with love and kindness, I pray that sending them to the principal will be the best thing yet.
In the evening we had a good team meeting. Stacy and I brought cucumber and tomato salad with parsley and balsamic vinegar and Julie made veggie lasagna - sounds like home, huh? To top it off, Lisa made a caramel chocolate cake with whipped cream frosting. Now I've really got all of you wanting to come here, right? After dinner, we celebrated Andy's 29th birthday, talked with the SGI directors and got updates on one another's lives.
Overlooking the rest of the city from our side
Here are some random pictures along my walk home from school...
Saturday, January 14, 2012
January 13th and 14th (Days 7-8): It's the Little Things
January 13th:
Went to the International Fellowship and met expatriates from around the world. It was neat to connect with everyone so quickly simply because we have the common factor of being foreigners. After a time of study we enjoyed fellowship over a light meal - cakes, trail mix, dried fruit, bread and cheese, candies, tea and coffee. Our time together started around 10:30am and we didn't leave until almost 2pm.
C (a Dutch girl attending the fellowship) and I went to Dan and Julie's house for some more food and fellowship. We had grilled cheese and onion and grilled PB&J sandwiches. Yum! It was a really nice time to hang out and get to know each other better.
About 4:30pm, I walked home and met some of my neighbor kids playing outside my door. We couldn't really understand each other, but I asked them their names and ages. They began to speak rapid Kurdish, but I didn't know what they were saying and told them they would have to tell me the next time Stacy was with me. (I found out later that they wanted me to come to their house.) :) At home, I listened to Pastor VonDoloski's sermon from the previous Sunday, caught up in my journal and wrote some emails.
January 14th:
My first Saturday! Stacy and I went to the market in the morning. We went to the "Dollar Center" where I found some good deals - hooks that have a suction cup (essential here where everything is tile and concrete), silverware, pliers, etc. By the way, the store looks just like a Dollar Tree back home. Shelves with all kinds of cheaply wrapped miscellaneous items that may be a good deal if they work, but no guarantee that they will. At the market I bought a medicine cabinet for the bathroom, a tea kettle, a shower head, and a coat rack. Stacy and I were overladen by the time we were finished and it was quite a hike back to the house. We dropped our bags and went to the little fruit/vegetable store near our house for some tomatoes, an onion, eggs, and garbanzo beans. At home, Stacy made eggs and tomatoes for lunch with bulgur and tomato paste. (Bulgur is a type of wheat cereal and tastes like a grainy malt-o-meal when boiled).
After lunch, I went through all the purchases and re-organized a little. I changed the shower head (see picture below) and put up the medicine cabinet (see picture below - I will have to re-do this as one of the hooks fell off).
It's the little things that can bring a smile to your face! The common conveniences that we take for granted are a tremendous blessing right now. Not that I want to take comfort in the physical, but I am thankful that God allows us these simple pleasures.
At 3pm Stacy went to Kurdish lessons and Julie came over so we could go to the art store together. It is a huge store, located behind the market where you can find all kinds of office and art supplies. I bought 100 thin sketch books for my class. I am going to try to teach them personal responsibility and instill in them a desire to do their best work and keep it as a portfolio of their ideas. I also bought an organizer for my classes and some sketch paper for myself. Separately, everything would have cost me 31,500 dinar, but because we (well really, Julie) bartered a little, I got everything for 24,750. Getting great deals on purchases is always a gratifying experience! :)
At the market, Julie and I met up with Lisa. We wandered through leisurely, looking for house furnishings (laundry baskets, trash bins, towels, etc.). Because there is sooo much to look at, it can be overwhelming at times. It was reassuring to realize that I could remember where different stalls were located and where I had made previous purchases. I know the shopkeepers are beginning to recognize me.
At the end, we went to the fruit and vegetable market which is located beneath the main floor. The variety of colors is stimulating (see pictures). I tried to communicate with the vendors a little more on my own (I usually rely on Stacy or Julie). Even though I wasn't terribly successful, it was fun and the vendors were patient.
When Stacy came back from Kurdish lessons, we went to a "cafeteria" (walk-up eatery) down the street and got felafel sandwiches. They are pieces of bread sliced open with felafel (fried chickpeas), tomatoes, and french fries inside. It was quite good - I will try to take a picture next time. All in all a fun-filled day that felt very productive!
Went to the International Fellowship and met expatriates from around the world. It was neat to connect with everyone so quickly simply because we have the common factor of being foreigners. After a time of study we enjoyed fellowship over a light meal - cakes, trail mix, dried fruit, bread and cheese, candies, tea and coffee. Our time together started around 10:30am and we didn't leave until almost 2pm.
C (a Dutch girl attending the fellowship) and I went to Dan and Julie's house for some more food and fellowship. We had grilled cheese and onion and grilled PB&J sandwiches. Yum! It was a really nice time to hang out and get to know each other better.
About 4:30pm, I walked home and met some of my neighbor kids playing outside my door. We couldn't really understand each other, but I asked them their names and ages. They began to speak rapid Kurdish, but I didn't know what they were saying and told them they would have to tell me the next time Stacy was with me. (I found out later that they wanted me to come to their house.) :) At home, I listened to Pastor VonDoloski's sermon from the previous Sunday, caught up in my journal and wrote some emails.
January 14th:
My first Saturday! Stacy and I went to the market in the morning. We went to the "Dollar Center" where I found some good deals - hooks that have a suction cup (essential here where everything is tile and concrete), silverware, pliers, etc. By the way, the store looks just like a Dollar Tree back home. Shelves with all kinds of cheaply wrapped miscellaneous items that may be a good deal if they work, but no guarantee that they will. At the market I bought a medicine cabinet for the bathroom, a tea kettle, a shower head, and a coat rack. Stacy and I were overladen by the time we were finished and it was quite a hike back to the house. We dropped our bags and went to the little fruit/vegetable store near our house for some tomatoes, an onion, eggs, and garbanzo beans. At home, Stacy made eggs and tomatoes for lunch with bulgur and tomato paste. (Bulgur is a type of wheat cereal and tastes like a grainy malt-o-meal when boiled).
The market
Fruit, nuts, grains sold in bulk
Success at the market!
A new shower head (glad I have a Grandpa who is a contractor)!
A towel rack
The medicine cabinet (and a new soap dish)
It's the little things that can bring a smile to your face! The common conveniences that we take for granted are a tremendous blessing right now. Not that I want to take comfort in the physical, but I am thankful that God allows us these simple pleasures.
At 3pm Stacy went to Kurdish lessons and Julie came over so we could go to the art store together. It is a huge store, located behind the market where you can find all kinds of office and art supplies. I bought 100 thin sketch books for my class. I am going to try to teach them personal responsibility and instill in them a desire to do their best work and keep it as a portfolio of their ideas. I also bought an organizer for my classes and some sketch paper for myself. Separately, everything would have cost me 31,500 dinar, but because we (well really, Julie) bartered a little, I got everything for 24,750. Getting great deals on purchases is always a gratifying experience! :)
At the market, Julie and I met up with Lisa. We wandered through leisurely, looking for house furnishings (laundry baskets, trash bins, towels, etc.). Because there is sooo much to look at, it can be overwhelming at times. It was reassuring to realize that I could remember where different stalls were located and where I had made previous purchases. I know the shopkeepers are beginning to recognize me.
At the end, we went to the fruit and vegetable market which is located beneath the main floor. The variety of colors is stimulating (see pictures). I tried to communicate with the vendors a little more on my own (I usually rely on Stacy or Julie). Even though I wasn't terribly successful, it was fun and the vendors were patient.
A little bit of everything
Sometimes this stand will sell broccoli (an uncommon occurrence)
Lots of people on Saturday
There are different sections for everything - clothes, shoes, hardware, food, dishes, etc.
Yes, that's Bob the Builder, Cinderella and Cars!
In the fruit/vegetable section below the market
Pomegranates are plentiful here
A cute "Veggie Tale" eggplant
The electricity went out, so I snapped this picture (the bright lights are hard to capture)
When Stacy came back from Kurdish lessons, we went to a "cafeteria" (walk-up eatery) down the street and got felafel sandwiches. They are pieces of bread sliced open with felafel (fried chickpeas), tomatoes, and french fries inside. It was quite good - I will try to take a picture next time. All in all a fun-filled day that felt very productive!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)