In the meantime, I continue to carry out life:
1. Learning how to gut a chicken
2. Training for a 10k race to raise money for an orphanage
3. Making arrangements to go to a teacher’s conference over spring break
4. Sweating at night. Yes, the “cold” season has ended and it is your stereotypical steamy Africa…ALL the time. We are waiting for the rains to come and clear the air of all the dust.
5. Picking up piano again
6. Having the hostel girls over for movie nights
7. Hanging out with the compound guards, practicing my Hausa
8. Walking 20 min. to and from church.
9. Exploring abandoned buildings.
For a certain period of time, I questioned whether I could teach the rest of my life because it seemed to devour all of my time and energy quite literally. I am happy to announce that I believe that I actually can do this! People weren’t lying to me: the second year really is easier than the first! I do things quicker and certain things come more natural. I imagine it continues to get easier. Although, I have seen that even the most esteemed experience teachers still struggle with “those students.” Still, it’s different for them.
I’m looking for things to report to you people, but I’m running out of ideas. Feel free to post a comment or a question on this thing, or you can even email me! I’d love to hear from you!!
Since I’ve been here, I’ve learned more about what it means to be “American” or “Western.” It’s nice to know that I do have a culture that is uniquely “American” that’s neither good nor bad. A couple differences you might find interesting:
1. Here, there’s not much thought about “postmodernism” or how the church ought to respond to it. I’ve even forgotten that took up any of my grey matter only 2 years ago.
2. As one might guess, we don’t typically call before we show up. We just come and hope you have something for us to eat or drink…something other than water, thank you.
3. To honor one’s guest, they’ll serve you food and let you eat it alone. Sometimes they’ll even leave the room!
4. All transactions ought to be made with the right hand, no matter how inconvenient.
5. You want to buy something? Well, get yourself in front of the shop owner and dictate what you want. And be big so that you are served before another person squeezes before you. I’m still not good at that.
6. If you have a T.V., blare it. If you have light, all switches are on. Period.
7. A “greeting” is not just a card. It is a conversation that can last 30 seconds to 3 minutes.
8. Smiling doesn’t mean you’re weird here. You smile and you simply get more attention.
