May 2019 in Photos

Happy Thursday, Y'all 

Tomorrow's my last (required) work day, so in my mind, I'm like this...

 

In reality, I'm not though.

I'm staying an extra week to do some prep work for the upcoming year - for Kids Club, and to work on some of the stuff for my Teacher Binder that I'll need to bring (the electronic version of) with me to the US over the summer. That way, I can do a little work on Long-Range Mapping/Planning for my students.

Anywho, on with the post...

For the past few years, I've taken a photo every single day. Then at the end of the year, I compile those photos into a book. I share some (not all) of the photos each month on here, if for no other reason, but to help me remember some of the fun memories and thoughts that went with them. 

And today, I'm sharing a few of my highlights from May.

May started off with a favorite prize in Kids Club - glow stick glasses. It made for lots of laughter and so very much fun. 

Towards the beginning of the month, I got the treat of watching our annual Spring Musical at school. This year, they did Wizard of Oz and it was so good!

Early in the month, it was like Christmas in May at school, due to the arrival of our shipping containers at school, holding all of our books and supplies and such for the upcoming school year. Seriously... It's like Christmas when the container comes every year. It may be hard work for most of our guys. But it's such a fun day!



A fun writing activity I did with my class in May was based on the book, The Best Part of Me, by Wendy Ewald. I was so very proud of my students for their writing in this assignment. They did such a great job!



I was able to spend a few days at the beach with some friends in May. It was such a nice trip. And waking up to the sound of the ocean/waves crashing, with a cool breeze blowing through the windows is such an amazing feeling. I love it!



May included some tasty treats, like home grown tomatoes (that tasted like the kind I buy in Alabama - so so good) and a new to me flavored water drink.

 




Another fun activity for my students was a new way of studying, courtesy of a Bible Jeopardy game I found online. How exciting!



Towards the middle of May, I watched the series finale of The Big Bang Theory with a friend. I've really enjoyed the show. And yes, I totally cried all throughout the last episode. It's slightly sad how sad I was at its ending.



A fun Kids Club activity we had this month was the day we'd learned the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead and then "re-enacted" the scene. Y'all... I haven't heard that much giggling in a long time. But you better believe the lesson stuck with the kids because of it. I loved it! :)



I spent a good bit of time in May, shadowing the current Drama Team Leader, watching how she runs practices, how she plans things for them, and how she handles their big dress rehearsal/performance, all in preparation for taking on that role in the upcoming school year.



One of the highlights of these two guys in May was issuing a challenge to a friend of mine and co-worker at the school, to a game of Rummikub. And even more than that... When one of my guys won, it was just the icing on the cake :)



I loved having the chance to see one of my younger students shine as one of the emcees of his class's talent show towards the end of the month.



We had our annual End of Year Kids Club Party at the end of the month, complete with cupcakes and popcorn, and a whole lot of board games and laughter. It was such a simply planned day. But the kids all had a blast! Me too :)



Another smile producing memory this month was receiving this sparkly note.

 

And then, on the last day of May 2019, we had our class party, since two friends would be leaving earlier than the others. It was such a fun time to recognize our students' achievements and reflect on such a nice year together.



And that was (some of my) my May 2019 in photos.

Oh, and in case you missed them, here are the previous months' photos...

January

February

March and April

March and April 2019 in Photos

Happy Friday, Y'all 

Since we don't have school today, this is me...

 

For the past few years, I've taken a photo every single day. Then at the end of the year, I compile those photos into a book. I share some (not all) of the photos each month on here, if for no other reason, but to help me remember some of the fun memories and thoughts that went with them. 

And today, I'm sharing a few of my favorite moments from the past two months, which have included all sorts of fun.

So here we go...

The month started with a favorite event of our school, Senior Cafe, which is a school talent show, in which one of my students surprised us all with his incredible talent for singing. I love seeing my favorite kiddos excel in their confidence and in their giftings. 

 

March also included a bunch of my favorite foods. Things like dinner at one of my favorite restaurants eating yummy Korean food, the arrival of one of my favorite leafy greens (kale) to Dakar, and a Cajun shrimp poy boy sandwich from another favorite restaurant that specializes in American-style foods.



There was time spent at church, reading from THE favorite book...



And time spent studying about one of my favorite topics, as part of my newest class which started in March.



We had another favorite event happen at school in March - Service Day. It was such a nice day seeing our kids serving others on campus and out in the community.



And my most favorite school related event was my class's field trip to a local Brazilian Cafe for tasty treats, as a way of wrapping up our Social Studies chapter on Brazil. The food was super delicious - even declared a favorite by most of my students. And time spent with my favorite students is always a nice thing, too :)




I ended the month at our AGWM West/South Africa Conference and Retreat, which was at a beautiful hotel. It was so nice to get away for a few days with some of my favorite co-workers, sleep in A/C (always a favorite), and learn more about THE favorite - God and all He has for us to do in this adventure He's called all of us on, called missions.





Then April arrived with me flying out on the first day of the month, heading  to see my most favorite people (after God, of course) - my family.



And I got to do all sorts of things with my favorites, like picking up my oldest niece from Kindergarten and spoiling my nieces with all sorts of fun treats/prizes...



I also enjoyed coloring and playing with legos...



Another favorite, and one of the main reasons I went back in the first place, was speaking at my favorite high school about Senegal and about my missions work. It was so fun to run into some of my favorite friends and former teachers :)



Singing the good ol' hymns from "back in the day" is always a favorite too. I like the new stuff. But sometimes I do miss the hymns... So when I got to enjoy that while visiting my mom's church, I was happy :)



Another favorite of my time in the US was time spent with my most favorite lady - my sweet Mama.



I also enjoyed time with some of my other favorite ladies - one of my aunts and some of my cousins. Laughing is a favorite of all of us, as evidenced by this photo :)



Before long, it was time to come back, and I was able to snag this picture of sunset - one of my most favorite times of the day, as I was leaving New York.

     

Once back in Dakar, I was met with a delivery to help me fulfill one of my favorite activities - reading. Look at that stack of books!



And eventually, it was time to celebrate one of my favorite holidays at school with my own students and with our Kids Club kids.

 



And the celebrations continued on the actual day of Easter, with (most of) my AG "family" here in Dakar.



Towards the end of the month, I got to lead my absolute most favorite event of the entire school year - Elementary Camp.




A favorite treat was given to all staff by our principal. 



And then on the last day of April, I enjoyed one of my favorite candies while completing the last assignment for my class (my last one 'til July).



And that was (the majority of) my March and April.


Oh, and in case you missed them, here are the previous months' photos...

January

February

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Today, I'm joining Erika, Andrea, and Narci and for their weekly Friday Favorites linkup. Click one of their names to and join the fun