A Look Back at 2017

Today, I'm joining Andrea and a few other bloggers and taking a blogging stroll down memory lane, looking back at my blogging highlights from 2017.

~ JANUARY ~

My first post of 2017 was a trip down memory lane. My mom and I finally deactivated my dad's Facebook account, but first we salvaged a bunch of pictures and videos. And we had the best time reminiscing while we worked. 

Instead of the traditional New Year's Resolutions, I created a word list, full of words I hoped to integrate in my life throughout the year. I also read the book, Martin's Big Words by Doreen Rappaport, to my 5th graders and had them choose their own big words to integrate into their own lives.

~ FEBRUARY ~

One of my more fun posts was where I highlighted my 5th graders' answers to the question, What is Love? I also made a list of things I wished I could've said to not-so-smart comments made by people at the time.

~ MARCH ~

I began March with another Q & A post on my new Special Ed class. Then in honor of International Women's Day, I wrote a post all about my sweet Mama.

I also shared my most embarrassing story ever and I wrote a bit about hope, among other things. Also, I made a trip to the US for Spring Break and in 2 weeks time, I spoke to 3 schools and 6 churches, raising awareness of and funds for my new Special Ed. class. 

~ APRIL ~ 

In April, I wrote a post commemorating the 2nd anniversary of my dad's death. I also wrote another Q & A post on the starting of my new Special Ed. class, among other things...

~ MAY ~

I started May off with a recap of the Living Wax Museum we held at school for our 4th and 5th graders. I wrote a post about the pain some feel on Mothers Day and I also wrote a happier post to moms. Another post I enjoyed writing in May was the one where I shared why I teach. 

~ JUNE ~

I started June off with a letter to the 2016-2017 school year, sharing some of my highlights. I also did one more Q & A post on my new Special Ed class. 

Then on Father's Day, I hid from the world and drank peach soda and reflected on memories of my sweet Daddy. And I ended the month with a look at some of the little things that were meaning the most in my life at the moment.

~ JULY ~ 

I wrote a few different posts in the month of July, but my two favorites were my post recognizing my 8th anniversary of arriving in Dakar...

And my recap of my time spent in the US during July.

~ AUGUST ~ 

I started August off with my list of 32 things I wanted to accomplish in my 32nd year of life. And my favorite post of all was my introduction of my new Special Ed. classroom all set up, and ready for my students to arrive.

Another notable event that happened in August was me injuring my left wrist on the first day of school, leaving me working one-handed (and that one hand was NOT my dominant hand) for a ridiculously long amount of time. P.S. If you're reading this and will, please pray that the strength returns to that wrist. I still can't use it to hold/pick up anything very heavy. And it still hurts any time I use it for any extended length of time.

~ SEPTEMBER ~

I started September off with a little 24 hour get-away with a friend, and it was while on that trip, in the wee hours of the morning, that I wrote a post baring my soul (the good and the bad) about how I was dealing with my wrist injury...

I also gave an updated "tour" of my classroom. I shared my Reverse Bucket List. But my favorite post of September was the one in which I introduced my class :)

 

~ OCTOBER ~ 

I started October off with a post full of memories of my dad. I wrote a few random posts and then later on in the month, I shared a Day in the Life post, which contained all sorts of pictures taken on our Senegalese Appreciation Day. 

~ NOVEMBER ~ 

In November, my school held Spirit Week, so we dressed up in silly clothes and had lots of fun. I shared a bit about that in my Currently post at the beginning of the month.

 

On Thanksgiving, I shared a bit of what I'm thankful for. And then on Giving Tuesday, I shared a big financial need I'm facing at the moment. And I think one of my favorite posts of November was when I shared my Week in Black and White.

  

~ DECEMBER ~ 

I started December off with a look back at my November, when I spent the entire month choosing to think outside the box about what I'm thankful for...

I also shared my grown up Christmas List, a lesson from Winnie the Pooh, and ended the month with a look at how I celebrated Christmas in Africa. 

And since I won't be sharing any more blog posts in 2017 because I'll be boarding a plane in the wee hours of the morning tonight/tomorrow for a continent wide mission conference/retreat, I'll go ahead and end this post by saying...

Happy New Year!

So, how was your 2017?

Christmas in Africa

Merry Christmas from Senegal!

It's always hard to be away from family on big events/holidays like yesterday. And I honestly have been a little sad lately about not seeing my favorite 5 people this Christmas...



But, this Christmas season has been so nice. And yesterday was a day full of happiness and no sadness at all. And I can honestly say, I'm so glad God allowed me to spend my time here in Dakar this December.

Here's a little taste of what I've enjoyed this December/Christmas season...

I watched Christmas programs and concerts full of some of my favorite kids :)



I decorated my classroom for Christmas.

 
 

We had a lovely Staff Christmas party at school.

I did all sorts of fun Christmas crafts and activities with my students.

  

There were class/club Christmas parties with "my" kids...

  

 

  

There was Christmas with my fellow AG-ers.

I had the joy of Christmas tree shopping with a co-worker new to Senegal, which was a super fun experience, full of more laughing than I honestly think I have ever done before :)

 

I went to quite a few Christmas movie nights with friends and co-workers...

I went to an International Fair with friends, had a delicious lunch, and even bought myself a Christmas gift or two :)

 

I went out for a fancy schmancy lunch with some friends and had the most amazing ceasar salad, lamb & mashed potatoes, and créme brûlée ever, with this fabulous group of ladies :)

I even cooked a bit more than usual since I was on Break and not in a fog of exhaustion like I usually am at dinner time each night during the school year :)

 

 

I celebrated Christmas Eve with a big group on a co-worker's roof, singing Christmas carols and worshipping together, freezing in the 70 degree windy evening's air, with the local mosque's call to prayer blaring in the background.

I was blessed to spend Christmas with a family that didn't mind taking in a "stray" like me for the holiday, who wrapped every item in my mom's package of goodies, so I'd have wrapped Christmas gifts this year both under the tree and in a stocking, making it extra special :)

 

My mom made sure I was loaded down with goodies, sending a box full of my favorites all the way from sweet home Alabama. And so between my mom and my friends, I racked up quite the Christmas loot this year :)

 

And we had a yummy Christmas Dinner with friends. Our dinner included turkey and all sorts of other deliciousness! My contribution was a banana pudding :)

 

All in all, I'd say this Christmas Season has been a nice one. And for that, I'm grateful!