Hello Monday

    Happy Monday, Y'all

Today I'm joining Holly and Sarah, and a few other bloggers, for today's Hello Monday link-up, where we say Hello to Monday with a look at what's going on in our lives at the moment.

 So what's on my mind?

A lot. But 'tis the norm with me, I suppose.

Things like...

Indoor Yard Sale - I had one this past weekend. While it was incredibly chaotic and overwhelming at times, it was still good. I was able to sell/give away so much stuff. I was able to make money to set aside for all the random things I’ll need to pay for at the end of the school year. And while I do still have some random odds and ends to get rid of, at least the big stuff is all gone now. 

 

The Sight/Sound of Waves - This is something I love. It's so relaxing and peaceful. A friend and I went out to eat yesterday at one of my favorite locations in Dakar. And the reason I like the location so much is because of the view of the water. And since I wasn't sure if I'd have the time to get back out there again before I'd leave, I went yesterday...

Jungle Book - Our school held their annual Spring Play this past weekend. It was so fun to see the talent of our kids (and their teacher/director, who is super talented as well). I loved the show!

Thai food - I went out for it with some friends the other night. I haven't been to this restaurant in a long time, but it was still just as good as I remember. And of course, since thinking of various memories is my new thing now... I thought about us having our elementary teacher dinners there a few years in a row. I thought about dinner with two friends there to celebrate one graduating with her master's degree. I thought about dinner with my former AGWM Area Directors and Supervising Missionaries. I thought about some friends and former DA co-workers who got engaged there, remembering how excited she was when he dropped her off at home that night and they told us the news. I even thought about the time a few friends and I drove all the way over there battling the crazy Dakar traffic at night just to find out they were closed, so we ended up at the restaurant just down from the school, eating ice cream for dinner and we talked and laughed for so long. Ah, memories :)

5 - That's how many weeks (minus a day) are left before I'm scheduled to leave Senegal. That fact is crazy to me.

Romans 12:11-12 - These are the verses God keeps bringing to my mind. Lord, help me not lose sight of them. Help me 

Rest - I've needed it. Boy do I. I didn't realize 'til I finished prepping for the "yard sale" and I had finally sat down. I may not have a ton of it the next few weeks. But I'm hoping to find a way to "get away" for a bit once school's out - to read my Bible and pray and to give my brain/heart a couple days to process the last almost 15 years of my life before shifting to whatever God has in store for me next. I've thought about heading to a hotel here in Senegal - one that's close to the airport, so I can take the few days between the end of school and the day I fly out - and spend a couple nights there and then take the shuttle to the airport. But they're a bit pricey. So I'm back to researching online, to find an option, either here or in the US, that I could actually afford...

And I guess that's about it for today.

What's on your mind today?

What's Up December

     Happy Tuesday, Y'all

Today, I'm joining Shay and Sheaffer for their What's Up Wednesday link-up. Except, I'm posting on Tuesday, since I'll be traveling most of tomorrow...

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?

I've been cooking/baking quite a bit since being out on Christmas Break. It's been nice to have the time to do it AND to actually not be exhausted while doing so. However, I really really just wanted a simple, "finger foods" type meal. So I made that happen... All sorts of fresh veggies, homemade sausage balls and some homemade chocolate chip/reeses pieces cookies (which didn't get pictured). So so good!

What am I reminiscing about?

Christmas with my students... The last couple weeks of school put me through the emotional ringer. But we took some time in between studying for exams and doing required classwork and the kids decorated the tree. Then we had the sweetest little Christmas party with the kids we see in our room each day. And then there were lots of times with various kids wanting to sit near the lit up Christmas tree and read or study or do their work. I love Christmas time as a teacher!

 What am I loving?

I must admit. I've been loving not having to set an alarm clock lately. I may still wake up super early each day. Not sure that'll ever change... But at least I don't have to hear an alarm clock blaring. Yay for breaks from school!

What have I been up to?

I finally started driving in Dakar. And while I found the picture below on Google images, I think I still could've taken one almost identical to it while out and about, driving, this past week. Y'all, traffic and driving in Dakar is no joke! But yay for independence!

What am I dreading? 

One of my students left. And if I'm being honest, I'm dreading the return in January with our classroom make-up being so different as a result of that departure. Boo to sad goodbyes :(

What am I working on?

I've been working on not working ;) Y'all... One of my main goals for the first week of Christmas Break was to rest/relax/take some time for me and just get refreshed. This past semester has been a doozy. And now I'm leaving today for a week and a half of meetings (with some fun times thrown in too, of course). So I knew I wanted to take some time at home, doing absolutely nothing. And it was glorious! :)

 What am I excited about?

I'm traveling. I'm leaving later today for a conference in South Africa. I'm looking forward to having time to fellowship with friends and colleagues, to worship together and hear about what God's doing all across Africa and let's be honest... I'm also looking forward to being able to visit a mall and maybe even McDonalds or Krispy Kreme, as well. :)

What am I watching?

I've always been a bit intrigued by the royal family. So even though I already have some pretty strong feelings about Harry & Meghan, I wanted to watch their Netflix series. So I downloaded all the episodes to watch while flying. I rarely can sleep on a plane anyway. So it'll give me something to do.

What am I reading?

It's Christmas Break so you'd think I would have had a lot of time to read. But I haven't read anything. I do have a few books downloaded (which have been downloaded for a while, actually, on my iPad to read while traveling tonight/tomorrow. So hopefully, that'll happen...

What am I listening to?

Nothing new or exciting... I will say, though, I think I've hit my limit of Christmas music. Which is odd because I am someone who can usually listen to some of it year around... Ah, how we change :)

What am I wearing?

As I was packing for my trip, I realized that I wear a lot of black. I mean, I already knew that. But wow, did I see just how much this is, indeed, true. Ha!

 What am I doing this weekend?

I'll be in South Africa for our AGWM West Africa and All Africa Conferences. So I'll be in meetings and such for that. It'll be nice seeing friends and co-workers I haven't seen in a while, hearing about what God's doing across this continent, worshipping and fellowshipping together, and staying in hotels/eating nice food/shopping a bit, etc. :)

What am I looking forward to next month?

Well, January starts off still in South Africa for a conference with all of my fellow AGWM co-workers serving in Africa. So that part will be nice. School will start back the second week of January. I can't say I'm thrilled about having to go back to school, but I will be happy to see my students again.

Favorite recent Amazon find?

A friend generously offered to bring me something back from the States, so I ordered some fun things to help me in my New Year's goal of Bible Journaling more. So I'm looking forward to putting those to use when she gets back and passed them on to me :)

What's new this month?

Normally, on Christmas Day, I go with my mom to my cousin's house. It's a fun day celebrating with my mom, her sister, and all of my cousins on that side of the family. I love that we all get together like this each year. Well, since I couldn't make it this year, my cousin set out one of my missions prayer cards so it was like I saw still there with them. It may seem like such a small thing, but to me, it meant so incredibly much. It definitely brought a smile to my face as I faced a "new" way of celebrating Christmas this year. 

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

What about you?

What are YOU up to this month?

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?

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?