Eat, Sleep, Teach...

Been super busy these last two months on my own at post. I now have four classes Monday-Thursday…some may say that is not a lot, but believe me it is a lot…It’s almost time for the end of the year test and then Christmas break. I am thinking about going on safari during my time off. That is my top priority for vacations besides coming home X-mas 2011!!!!! Yep, I said it! Believe it! Woop woop! Days have been super hot for me these past couple weeks. It’s hard to sleep even with the fan on. Inside my house is like 20 degrees hotter than outside…no wonder people sleep outside. Sticky, icky, and hot hot hot! Three or more showers a day does the trick! Thank God for my shower…I am blessed.I drink so much water, I pee about every 20 minutes. Cant keep the water in me long enough. Have been able to start cooking on my own-yams, kick butt sauce, rice, beans, plantains….etc…have lots of variety-cant complain because I have an unlimited supply of Sangria! Made the trip to Parakou for PSW training with all the other TEFLers. Going to be here until Friday early morning. Have to take the 8 hour bus ride back to Cotonou then back HOME to Lokossa! Miss it so much there! J We are going to cook some Thanksgiving dinner Thursday at the workstation. I am going to make deviled eggs because I am not able to cook very well. Plus, I would not want anyone getting sick on Kayla’s meal. Hahahahaha I am learning slowly but surely…I can cook spaghetti with mayo, rice, sauce, yams, plantains, and some beans…and of course oatmeal! Yay me! Ha It’s nice to be around the other teachers for the week. We can catch up on all the crazy stories and teaching experiences we have had. Parakou is very beautiful and it is located in the middle of Benin. It’s hilly, green, and there are huge boulders randomly chilling around the town. I believe you can find anything you want in this town, you just have to be patient and know just where to go…lots of fresh air here! It is very dry though and my lips and nose are super dried up! Cant keep chapstick on…pretty much reapply every 30 minutes. C’est la vie! So, I am going to say it--holidays away from home really stinks…but all the way in Africa really is hard. But, I have the support of my family and friends here. Going to have lots of fun being creative with meals, presents, and celebrating! I know I am going to dance a lot! J Makes me happy what can I say? The change in season just does not happen here for me….just a temp of hot and hotter. I cant see the change like the change of leaf color, snow, blizzard, ice, flowers….etc…cant see the change in seasons in the stores…like you see Halloween costumes in your local Wal-Mart, then Christmas ornaments, and fall scarecrows…here we have the same thing everyday…kind of hard, but you know what we can do this! I know I can! When I set my mind to something--I will do it…no matter how hard! Once in a lifetime experience right here, right now! Cant believe how fast time is flying--pretty soon we will be welcoming PSL 24 and saying good-bye to PSL 22 L Wow. Everything is going well, ,have internet, post is great, traveling to where I got to go safe and sound, making friends everywhere I go---must be my great personality--ha--enjoying everyday as much as possible! Love you.