Happy Wednesday, Y'all
Every month we answer the same list of questions based on how things are currently going in our lives.
So let's get started...
Once a week our staff has the option to order Korean food for lunch. I don't do it every week, but I do splurge every now and then. My new favorite is this kimchi fried rice dish. Y'all, it's so deliciously spicy and flavorful and good. I love it! I also love that it makes enough to give me leftovers for dinner too. Anywho - That's what I'm eating today. Although, I kind of forgot to take a picture. So just trust me when I say it looks good and it tastes good too. :)
What am I reminiscing about?
I've been in a bit of a reminiscing sort of mood lately. The other day, I was sitting in the car, waiting on my friend to grab her things so we could go somewhere, and I noticed this school sign. And I started thinking about that first phone call I had with the director at the time, making plans for me to come and teach at Dakar Academy. I had only recently even learned where Senegal was, less alone this international Christian school in its capitol city. If I'm being honest, I was 100% scared at the thought of leaving Alabama, leaving my family, my home, and all things "comfort." But I knew... I knew God had called me to this place. I knew God had this adventure that is ministry in place. I knew I would go and love it. I went that first time in 2009, thinking I'd be here for just one year. And here I am, all those years later. I've taught 150+ students in that time, in a variety of classrooms and grades and subject areas. But sometimes, I think back to that first phone call and I smile. I smile at the memories of young 23 year old me, making plans for the big change that would be happening later that year.
What am I loving?
I'm loving all the beautiful green/flowers on our campus. I suppose that's one of the perks of this time of year. The rain / sun helps everything grow so nicely. It's just so beautiful! I love it!
What have I been up to?
A friend and I got to head out of town during our school's Fall Break a couple weekends ago. Thanks to a great deal on a hotel, I got to spend a couple days enjoying time by the pool, sleeping in a nice hotel room, eating amazing food I didn't have to cook, and hanging out with a good friend. It was a nice little break.
What am I dreading?
Turning on my stove/oven. Y'all, Hot Season in Dakar is no joke. And living in a small apartment, if I turn on my stove/oven, it basically turns my whole apartment into a sauna. It's so so hot! Therefore, I'm a big fan of meals - no matter how simple they may be - that do not require the stove :)
What am I working on?
Helping our seniors plan and prep all the things for our upcoming Harvest Festival at school. It's a big fundraiser for their class. And there are a lot of moving parts. So there's a lot to do to get ready for it.
What am I excited about?
Is it sad to say that I'm looking forward to Saturday? This week has been exceptionally busy because of prepping for our class fundraiser happening on Friday, having various parent meetings and conferences, having mission meetings/dinners, and all the other meetings and general busy-ness of the teaching side of my job. And while most of that is fun and enjoyable, it still makes for a lot of hours and feeling super tired. So yeah, I'm so excited to have nothing planned on Saturday. And I might just crash and sleep the day away. Because as of now, that sounds absolutely amazing :)
What am I watching?
I've been enjoying watching the seniors do all the things. I love how excited they get about wearing their senior hoodies or planning a fun game to run at the upcoming Harvest Fest or happily hanging out with friends. I love that I've had the chance to teach a lot of these kids over the years - as their elementary teacher or teacher of various middle/high school classes. And I love that I've gotten to watch most of them learn and grow over the years into the incredible soon-to-be young adults they are. This class definitely has stolen a piece of my heart and I'm so thankful that I've had the opportunity to play just a small part of their time at our school. It's such a blessing working with them. It really is.
What am I reading?
I'm in the middle of Beowulf with one of my classes. I can't say it's my most favorite thing to read. However, I must say... The lessons and activities I've planned to go along with it are pretty fun :)
What am I listening to?
Lindsey Stirling's music ... She is such a talented musician. And I love that the majority of her YouTube videos are upbeat songs and are just instrumental. I'm able to have it playing in the background, while I'm lesson planning or working around my apartment. So I can listen and enjoy the music but not get distracted by the words, because knowing me, that would cause me to want to sing along and get zero work done as a result. Ha! :)
What am I wearing?
Our seniors ordered hoodies and my fellow co-sponsor and I ordered one as well. A couple of our kids designed the hoodies and I think they turned out nicely. It's still far too hot outside to wear them, in my opinion, but the kids all very excitedly put theirs on right when they picked them up. Here's hoping Cool Season arrives soon and I can wear mine without having a heat stroke. ha! :)
What am I doing this weekend?
On Friday, we have this semester's big fundraiser for our seniors. So since I'm one of the senior class sponsors, I'll be busy with that, all day. It'll be a busy/full day out in the sun. But it'll also be a lot of fun. So I'm looking forward to it. Then I'm thinking, I'll crash and just sleep all day Saturday. Then, on Sunday, there is church and I'll probably do a little last minute lesson prep after that.
What am I looking forward to next month?
October was a busier month for me. So I'm looking forward to November being less so. There will also be our school Olympics day which is always fun and a fun event for our senior class, too. Then, Thanksgiving (hello yummy food!) will be happening, along with a couple days off from school (hello no alarm clock!). I'm also planning to buy my plane tickets to fly to the US for a quick vacation during my school's Christmas Break (hello to family time).
Favorite recent Amazon find?
As I shared last month, I ordered this devotional, on Psalm 27, for a co-worker to bring out since he was coming this way this week. A fellow AGWM missionary to West Africa wrote this devotional and I've had it on my "to buy when I can" list and I finally ordered it, when the offer to bring things was given. I've already started it and I'm loving it! I definitely recommend it!
What's new this month?
Not much to be shared here :)
And that's what I'm up to this month.
What about you?
