What's Up May

      Happy Wednesday, Y'all

Today, I'm joining Shay and Sheaffer for May's 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.

So let's get started...

What am I eating?

On Tuesdays, a friend has a random group of people over for Taco Tuesday. It was fun to join in a few times this school year. I couldn't do it as often as I would've liked. But the times I did get to go were great! Between the company, the food, and just time with people, it really was nice :)

And let’s face it. Anytime you can eat tacos, it’s a good thing. Right? :)

What am I reminiscing about?

My time in Senegal - It's hard to believe that such a long chapter of my life is finally coming to a close. I have a little over a week left until I board that plane to leave this place. I first arrived here in 2009, somewhat fresh out of college. That means that I've spent the majority of my adult life here. And while Alabama is (and always will be) home and while I'm so excited to live near family again, it's still hard to leave this place. A place that holds so many memories. This past week, my closest friend in Dakar (and fellow senior class sponsor) threw me a going away party. In attendance were some of my friends and co-workers, almost all of our seniors, along with some of my students and their parents too. It was such a special time and getting to reminisce with so many of them either through stories told or kind words shared or just me thinking back to fun memories from over the years.

 What am I loving?

Time with my students... I only have a few more days left with them. So I'm soaking it all in - exam prep, study hall help, daily chats about classes and life, game time when their brains feel like they're going to explode from studying so much... 

What have I been up to?

We recently had Senior Sneak, the annual Senior Trip at my school. It was so fun to get out of the city for a few days and spend time with these incredible humans we call our senior class. We went on a safari drive and then hung out at a nice hotel for a few days. And it was such a great time. I loved seeing the kids all happily spending time together, just relaxing and enjoying life and not stressing about schoolwork or exams or the future for a change

What am I dreading?

The goodbyes that are coming... While I made the choice to leave and while I 100% know I'm following the call of God on my life to leave, it still is hard to leave. I've lived here the majority of my adult life, since college. I had only been out of college for one semester when I moved to Senegal. So I've been here from July 2009 'til now (minus the 1.5 years I was back in the US mid-way through). Leaving this school, this country, these people... Leaving the class I started and program I fought so hard to develop... Well, it's difficult and emotional. It's hard. And I do want to say, that I'm excited about what's coming. I truly am. But that's what makes it bittersweet. And I think it's okay to recognize the sadness/grief associated with leaving a place (and people) that are so important to you. You can be excited and positive thinking about what's to come while still being sad about what you're leaving behind.

What am I working on?

We're in the midst of exam prep with all of my high schoolers. Exams start tomorrow and will go through next week. And while I only have to give one exam of my own, I'm proctoring (so to speak) a zillion others, since many of my students will need to take their exams with me to receive various accommodations. So we're studying all the subjects lately :)

 What am I excited about?

I have a job lined up for the Fall. I'll be teaching Elementary Special Education at a school in south Alabama. The way God worked this all out was (is) nothing short of a blessing. One day, I'll have to share the full story. But seriously... It was a total God thing for sure :)

What am I watching?

I just watched the last two episodes of Young Sheldon. Oh my word y'all. So sad! I need a new show to watch. Anyone have a suggestion? I'm not super picky. Just no cop shows and nothing scary.

What am I reading?

I recently read THIS article about leaving well. It's a good article. I'd recommend it to any missionaries (or really anyone) leaving/moving from a place.

What am I listening to?

At this moment, it's the end of my planning time, so my room is quiet. But I'm enjoying listening to our elementary kids outside at recess just outside the walls of my classroom. I love hearing their sweet, happy little voices talking, playing, laughing, and just having the times of their lives. It's sweet :)

What am I wearing?

Our principal let us dress casually all week. So I'm basically just living in jeans :)

Is this true? I don't know. But sounds good to me. Ha! :)

 What am I doing this weekend?

I'm going to dinner with my fellow AG people on Friday, as a sort of goodbye dinner with them. On Saturday, I'm planning to finish packing up my classroom. Then all I'll have left to do next week will be to supervise my people taking their exams in my room and then move all the furniture to the middle of the room once the last exam is over on Wednesday. It's an end of an era, y'all And I'd be lying if I said I don't cry periodically because of that. But it's time. 

What am I looking forward to next month?

I'm looking forward to our graduation reception and service this weekend and the actual graduation for my seniors next week (which will all be in the next month as well). It's been such an incredible joy to work with these kids. I've taught many of them - some in elementary and some since taking on my current role when they were in middle school. So I've taught many of them for a long time. I've mentored some. I've co-lead the girls' small group this year. I've co-sponsored their class all 4 years, so I've spent time at fundraisers and parties, and most recently, their senior trip. This class is a big reason why I've stayed here so long. And I'm so incredibly proud of each and every one of them and can't wait to see them walk across that stage next week at graduation.

And yes, I'm also looking forward to seeing my family again too :)

And lastly, I'm looking forward to being back in the US, seeing friends and extended family, enjoying fountain drink diet dr peppers with lots of ice, enjoying trips to Chick-fil-A and the local Mexican restaurant, oh and eating and all the salads and fresh veggies I can get too :)

Favorite recent Amazon find?

I ordered THIS bag on Amazon and a friend brought it out a few weeks ago. I didn't really see the appeal when these became popular again. But I figured it'd be great for travel. Plus, while I love bags and all, I really do hate carrying a big one in a store. So having a small one like this, that can be close to me (i.e. safe and secure) at times like that, or for travel, is perfect. And now, I'm glad I have it :)

What's new this month?

I created a Back in America Wishlist on Amazon, full of some things I'm hoping to purchase for my new classroom and some things for me too. If you want to check it out, you  can click HERE to see it. Stuff like this would be a huge help since I won't be paid for a few months this summer and since I need to be continuing to save up for a place to live and a car. And yes, someone has graciously/generously offered me each of these to start my time in the US. But I'll need my own soon...

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

What about you?

What are YOU up to this month?