What's Up March

   Happy Wednesday, Y'all

Today, I'm joining Shay, and Sheaffer for their What's Up Wednesday link-up. 

Every month we answer the same list of questions based on how things are currently going in our lives. 

The questions are...

 

What am I eating? 

I could live my life without most sweets. I rarely eat dessert. And candy is never my first choice of treats. But, ice cream... Ice cream breaks all of those rules, especially when you live in a climate that is hot more days than it's not. So yeah... Give me ice cream and I'm a happy girl :)

What am I reminiscing about?

Easter 6 years ago... My brother and sister-in-law brought my nieces over to see us. We spoiled them with all sorts of Easter goodies, loved on them, and enjoyed our time all together. And what makes it even more special is now knowing that was the last time my dad got to see my nieces before he passed away just a few short weeks later. I remember my oldest niece sitting next to her Pawpaw, talking up a storm. And my youngest niece, who wasn't yet talking, just staring lovingly into his eyes, giving the sweetest hugs and kisses before leaving. My dad was born to be a Pawpaw. That is for sure. So when I think back to memories like these, I think of the joy he had and I can't help but smile :)

 

What am I loving?

I'm loving not having to set an alarm clock at the moment. 

What have I been up to?

Well, two days ago I went on a safari drive. I know I've lived here for over a decade. But y'all... It doesn't matter how long I've been here. It still occasionally boggles my mind that I actually live in Africa and can do stuff like this... Past that, I'm been resting, relaxing, and enjoying Spring Break.

What am I dreading? 

I semi dread the middle of April each year. This year, it will be the 6th anniversary of my dad's death.I recently had a conversation with a friend about how I still miss being able to pick up the phone and call him. I miss going to him with questions I have about the Bible. I miss swapping book recommendations. I miss asking him advice about life and ministry. I miss receiving those periodic texts and emails saying he's praying for me and he's proud of me. I miss landing at the Birmingham airport and seeing him waiting by baggage claim, ready to give me a hug and to ask about my flight. I miss sitting in church and hearing him preach a sermon full of truth and grace and love. I miss our spontaneous roadtrips and adventure seeking times. I just miss him so much...

What am I working on?

Embracing the concept of "rest"...

 What am I excited about?

Nothing terribly exciting at the moment... Although, I was pretty happy to find some sunglasses at a random little store we stopped in yesterday, especially since I forgot mine at home. And seeing that they said they were Gucci glasses just made me laugh ;)

What am I watching?

I watched the series finale of Superstore last Friday. As someone who has watched every single episode, I was quite pleased with how they wrapped everything (and everyone's stories) up so nicely. After all, a happy ending on a show makes me a happy girl :)

What am I reading?

I'm currently reading my 16th book of 2021.

What am I listening to?

Someone told me about Carrie Underwood's new gospel album. So I found it on Apple Music and I've been listening to it ever since. I love her voice. And I love these hymns. So it was a win win. 

What am I wearing?

All the comfy, non-work clothes, thanks to it being Spring Break

 What am I doing this weekend?

I'll get back home on Saturday. Then, Sunday is Easter and I'm planning to go to church. But past that, I have nothing planned. We'll see what I can get into :)

What am I looking forward to next month?

Well, it's still Spring Break for another week and a half, which is quite awesome. So there's that. But past that, there's Easter. There's also some fun stuff happening at school along with some fun projects and lessons I have planned for all of my classes. So there's that as well.

What else is new?

I'm in the middle of my newest Educational Research class. As someone who loves doing research and writing papers, this class is perfect for me. So I'm definitely enjoying myself. And since I have a nice view to enjoy while I study this week... Well, that's just icing on the cake for me :)

And that's what I'm up to this month.

What about you?

What are YOU up to this month?

Randomness on a Tuesday

Happy Tuesday Y'all

Ready for some randomness?

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Here's your funny kid story of the day...

Yesterday a student told me I had a lot of "glitter hairs."

Glitter = Gray

What I wanted to say...

Thanks, Kid. I'm pretty sure it's your fault I have them.

What I actually did...

Laughed

After all, what else can you do? Laugh at the craziness. It makes life much more enjoyable/tolerable after all. Laugh at the craziness. I think that's going to be my new motto in life. 

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12 years ago, I was offered a job at Dakar Academy. How in the world has that much time passed? Some days, it seems as if that were just yesterday... In that time, I've taught Elementary School (1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th), ELL (all grades), and SPED (all grades). I remember telling people before I left that I was just going for a year, maybe 2 years tops. And I'm thinking that God just laughed at me when I said that...

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It's almost Spring Break. We just have to finish out this week and next week. Then we'll have 2 weeks off for Spring Break. I love my job. I rally, truly do. But oh my word, Y'all... I'm so ready for Spring Break!

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I'm working on trusting in truth of the verse shown above. The thing is... I know it's true. But y'all, sometimes it's hard to connect what we know and what we feel. Sometimes the mind/heart don't work as closely as they should. Last week was intense. Between fears for safety in our country to the stress/added work load of switching back and forth between online learning and in-person learning to worrying about issues with my students to stuff going on back home and on and on... It's been a lot. But at the end of the day, I do know that Jesus is in control. I do know that He knows what's best for me. So I will continue to push through on the hard days and cling to the promises He's given me.

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 Happy Tuesday, Y'all

Today, I'm joining Ashley and Erika for their monthly Tuesday Talk link-up, where bloggers come together and talk about whatever is on our mind at the moment. And today, for me, that was a random assortment of things.

Currently

   Happy Wednesday, Y'all

Today I'm joining Anne from In Residence for her monthly link-up, where we share what's currently going on in our lives. And each month, Anne gives us a list of prompts to use to guide our posts. 

March's prompts are...

  * choosing *  imagining * making * recommending * wearing *

I'm currently choosing to come into work early each day, doing whatever last minute prep I need to do, so I can leave fairly soon after school's over. I used to do the opposite. But staying late every day, getting home just at dinner time every day was no fun. So when I came back from the States this semester, I switched it up. And I must say... I'm enjoying having so much time at home (or time to hang out with friends) in the afternoon/evening. Plus, since as a morning person, I do my best work earlier in the day, I'm actually NOT coming home each afternoon, looking like the picture below. So yay for that! :)

I'm currently imagining all sorts of fun things...

I'm currently making tentative plans to take my Praxis tests online. I have  to take 3 of them to renew my AL Teaching Certificate. And I just found out that they are all available online, which would allow me to take them here and not have to wait 'til I got back to the US. ...which could come in handy if I end up not being able to go back to the US this summer. 

I'm currently recommending this recipe for homemade orange chicken. I've made it a few times before and have loved it. Then I made it again the other night and tweaked it just a bit, and it turned out even better. I'll definitely make it again soon.

I'm currently wearing this shirt I got for Christmas. The high bun, sunglasses, and SPED theme... It's perfect for me. Plus, now that it's Cool Season (our "winter") here in Dakar, I actually enjoy wearing long sleeves. 

Yes, I did share the photo from Amazon. ;) I kept forgetting to take a picture of myself wearing it.

 And since it's my blog and I can, I thought I'd share a couple more :)

I'm currently working to do better at just "resting" at night. My brain has a tendency to shift into overdrive the minute I lie down each night. I think it's because I'm finally still and letting myself fully unwind from the day. So when that happens, my brain then starts thinking all the things... 

I'm currently finishing up my latest grad school class. I only have two more assignments to do and then I'll be done next week. I really have enjoyed this class. But even so, it'll be nice to have a bit of a break :)

I'm currently reading through the book of Isaiah. A book full of so much richness, so much of the goodness that is the hand of God at work, so much hope for the future.  

And that's about it for me.

So what about you?

What are you currently up to?