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.

Livin here makes ya wanna...fill in the blank...:)

Well, it has been a long time since I have blogged….super sorry!!! Been dealing with life in Benin! It has its ups and down, but hey I am still here and going strong. I would just like to tell ya about my daily life in Lokossa and my trips to Cotonou…..I teach Monday thru Thursday to 7th and 8th graders. The students are very happy to have my as their teacher, but they can really get me going sometimes. The patience level is def. on a low level some days, but then I think, I can do this! Most of the kids are great though! I can always see their brains thinking super hard and I love those AHHH HAAAA moments!! The kids always like to say “here, ici, Madame, teacher, snap snap…” all for attention because they know the answer. There is no nice hand raising in the schools here, but guess what the students learn quick in Madame Kay’s class because I will not answer them. Haha They are like oh crap Madame Kay sorrry!!! Love it! Actually had a moment where a student was just vomiting under his desk for about 10 minutes…..guess how the students cleaned it up!!! Come on you can do it!!!! They threw some dirt on it and sweeped it up with some sticks! Eww, I had no idea what to do except give stickers to the helpers and pat the boy on the back and say Ca va alle!!!! It’s going to be okay!!!! J My voyages to Cotonou and back…oh well that is a story in itself!! The driver stops and pees on the side of the road about three times a trip one way…vendors shove fish, water, bread….etc in your face until you need to vomit and then there are random traffic jams where men are chasing taxis, ripping doors open and beating the driver….witnessed this…no worries…I just thank God that I always have my helmet…may need it to catch a Zemi or hit someone with it haha But the zemi drivers arent very nice at times either….they like to haggle me for money! ummm yea cause I am American…..go figure lol My day to day walks to school consist of a lot of Good mornings or good afternoons, people are really getting to know who I am through the 5-6 min conversations we have…have to leave 30 minutes early just to make sure I do not offend anyone haha. I find myself taking lots of naps at around 1-2pm everyday…much needed repose…NAP! The French is coming along and the English is slowly flying far away…lol cant speak any language correctly anymore, the animals are reproducing like mad and the stars are beautiful! Actually saw a shooting star two nights ago……….I think….it was super fast….;) Just got a package from Sept and it is not Nov. so yes, I wait and wait…..could be worse….I could get the package a year later even though it was stamped 10 months ago…haha Well, I hope everything is going well at home in the US of A! Miss and love everyone!! Keep me posted on the latest gossip…oh how I ache to hear about life in Ashtabula…BAHAHAHABAHAHAHA ilu xoxoxo Oh, and even if you stay on the path, there is always pooop to be stepped on!!! ewww I know!!! So, that just shows no matter how hard you try to stick to the normal day to day life…you will not be able to find the fun in life! Be adventurous, see the world, explore, find your way! I am def. trying my best!!! Thank you to all those who have stayed in contact and support my throughout my crazy and exciting journeys around the world!