What's Up April

     Happy Wednesday, Y'all

Today, I'm joining Shay and Sheaffer for April'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?

I made a big pot of pasta the other day and am eating that each day for lunch. I used bow tie noodles, some boursin garlic & herbs cheese, spinach, chicken, and some random spices/seasonings. It's super tasty and filling!

What am I reminiscing about?

The 9th anniversary of my dad's death was last week. So that's definitely been on my mind. I've been thinking a lot about him. He was always so incredibly supportive of me and my ministry here in Senegal. But he also made me feel like a million bucks when I'd come home for a visit. And I know if he were alive today, he would be so excited about me moving back to Alabama. Oh my, do I miss him!

 What am I loving?

I'm loving being back with my people after Spring Break ended a couple weeks ago. Whether that's teaching lessons, helping students in a Study Hall, watching their games, or attending events with them, I love it. I'm in my element when I'm with my people.

What have I been up to?

I've been applying to/interviewing for jobs for when I'm back in the US. I have a nice little set up at my dinning table that I use during the interviews and obviously, I only schedule interviews during the late afternoon/early evenings (my time), since I'm still teaching during the day. In that sense, the time difference works out well for me. Anywho - Since the beginning, my prayer has been that God would open the right doors and close the wrong ones and that if I received an offer of a job, He'd make it exceptionally clear what answer I should give. It's hard to turn down jobs, but I know what I'm looking for and I have to fully trust and believe that He knows what's best for me. Now, if the one that is best for me would finally just offer me a job :)

What am I dreading?

If I'm being honest, the goodbyes that are coming at the end of the school year are weighing on my mind. I always hate the normal end of year goodbyes when students leave or friends move away. But this year, I'm feeling the weight of this even more since I'm leaving. I'm leaving students. I'm leaving friends and co-workers. I'm leaving my school/ministry. I'm leaving this country that I love so much. Yes, I'm excited about what's next. But the goodbyes will still be hard. Boy, will they!

What am I working on?

I'm working on sorting and packing. There's just so much stuff. I guess that's normal when you've been in a place as long as I have. But seriously, I had no idea I had so much until the time came to pack to move back to the US in just a few suitcases... People have no idea.

 What am I excited about?

I'm excited about getting some fabric and having a couple things made before I leave. That is one thing on my "bucket list" and I'll soon be able to check it off. A couple friends and I are going to the fabric market this upcoming weekend. Then I'll visit the tailor at some point, maybe the week after that. Here's the style inspiration picks I've been looking at... I'm planning to get a dress, a skirt, and a jacket (not pictured) made. I'm not really sure what color, or even design, of fabric I want. So really, I'm just planning to look around until something catches my eye. So we'll see :)

What am I watching?

Nothing - I watched my way through Brooklyn 99 during Spring Break. But I'm back to ignoring TV shows/movies again. My brain enjoys the quiet in the evenings, more than the thought of watching a show.

What am I reading?

I was reading Romans 12 earlier, realizing I want this to continue to be my guide as I finish out my time here in Senegal. Then our school chaplain shared these verses with us in our staff devotions time this morning. So it was like a little further confirmation for me. Such a great group of verses!

What am I listening to?

Nothing new - Anyone have any suggestions? I'm not terribly picky :)

What am I wearing?

Nothing new or exciting - I've been slowly sorting through my clothes, as I get ready to head back to the US. My plan is to do one last sort next week, keeping out the ones I'll need for the rest of my time here in Senegal and go ahead and pack up any I'm taking to the US with me when I go. Then that'll be one more (well, more than one) thing I can get rid of...

 What am I doing this weekend?

I'm doing a CPR/First Aid training on Saturday morning. Then on Sunday, I will have church and afterwards will go to the fabric market with a couple friends. Then I'll need to do a bit of lesson planning and meal prep at some point too.

What am I looking forward to next month?

All the end of year fun with our seniors (especially the senior trip), along with other stuff happening at school. I'm also looking forward to finishing the big sort and packing for the US (minus the clothes I'll be wearing between now and then). I'll also need to sort through/pack up my classroom since I don't know what's happening in it. And since I purchased a lot of what's in there, I'm planning to sell a lot of that stuff as well. And yes, I'm also looking forward to the random Wednesday we'll have off from school in May, thanks to Senegal having Labor Day then. I'm also planning to take the two days after that off to do that last big sort/pack that I was talking about earlier. 

May is always a super busy month for us at school. But this year, it'll be even more so with all the graduation related events, since I'm one of the senior class sponsors. And while the thought of that causes a roller coaster of emotions in my gut and heart, I'm choosing to embrace it all, deal with/work through the hard times as they come and live in the moment, enjoying the time I have left with the people (and in the place) that I care about so much.  Here's to May!

Favorite recent Amazon find?

I ordered this "belt bag" off Amazon for someone to bring out to me. Yes, I'm about to leave but the smaller purse I use all the time is slowly unraveling. Clearly, I use it every single day. Anywho - I needed something new. And this one met all the criteria: small, nothing fancy, cheap good/safe for travel, and black so it'd go with everything. So yeah... When I realized someone was coming this way, I asked if he'd be willing to bring it out for me.

What's new this month?

My decision to take a picture each morning on my walk to my classroom isn't necessarily new. But the picture below was new, as I took it yesterday. My goal a couple months back was to take a picture each morning on my walk to school. It forced me to stop for a second, take a breath, and look at the sky, marveling at God's handiwork. I'm currently in a busy, stressful, emotional roller coaster time of life, as I finish up another school year and prepare to wrap up my life in Senegal, a place where I've lived and worked for the majority of my adult life. And even though I know that I am 100% lead by God to make this change, it's still hard y'all. So hard. And I don't want to get so caught up in the busy-ness and stress that I forget to notice the seemingly little things that God is doing in my life and the lives of the incredible people He's placed in my path. I want to stop and smell the roses, so to speak. Or in this case... I want to stop and marvel at the beauty of the clouds or the sunrise.

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

What about you?

What are YOU up to this month? 

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...

People - Spring Break was so quiet. I love having a couple days of down time, but I can't seem to enjoy going too long without seeing people. I guess that comes with being surrounded by people/noise all the time. You get used to it... Not to mention the fact that with me leaving, I'm feeling the desire even more to spend time with friends. I didn't get to do so as much over Spring Break as I would've liked. But I definitely enjoyed the couple of times I did.

My Mom - She's been my "secretary" the past few weeks, as places have called wanting to set up an interview with me. She takes their name and number and then I call them back. 'tis the best solution for me since I'm overseas, in a different time zone, and don't have a US number. Anywho - I told her I should be paying her for working so hard. 

My Dad - This Friday will make 9 years since my dad passed away. It's hard to believe that it's been that long. Boy, do I miss him!

My Apartment - It looks like a tornado hit. I've got piles everywhere, as I've started sorting through every drawer, cabinet, shelf, etc. There is a method to the madness. But I will be so very glad when this part of the big move is done. That is for sure!

Job Search - It's still going on. I've applied at a lot of places, interviewed at many of those, and even had to unfortunately turn down a couple jobs that just weren't the right fit for me at this point in life. I'm still praying that the right one will come along. And while I'd like to say I'm being patient in that waiting, I must admit, I'm not feeling as patient as I probably should. Ah, the unknowns in life...

Peanut Butter Cookies - I found THIS recipe for peanut butter cookies online the other day and I think I'm going to try it tonight. The best part of it is that it only uses 3 ingredients: peanut butter, sugar, and eggs. I'm a little skeptical, if I'm being honest. But we'll see.

Brooklyn 99 - I watched a lot of this show over Spring Break, in between sorting and packing. And sometimes, I just had it playing in the background to make a little noise. It's such a funny one. I'm not sure why I didn't get into it when it first came out.

My Students - School starts back today. And we only have 7 1/2 weeks left before this school year is done. I've always said that time seems to fly by after Spring Break. And I imagine it will even more so this year. This time is so bittersweet. I'm, by no means, ready to say goodbye to these kids who have stolen my heart (whether I teach them or are their class sponsor). But I'm so excited to see what God has in store for all of these kids - whether they're graduating this year or not. I've been so blessed to have had the opportunity to teach and/or work with such incredible kids. I really have been!

And I guess that's about it for today.

What's on your mind today?

Currently

    Happy Friday, Y'all

I'm joining Jennifer from Overflowing with Thankfulness, along with a few other bloggers, and sharing a look at what's currently going on in my life. The prompts for this month are:

* loving * looking forward to * planning * wearing * eating *

I'm currently loving the slightly cooler temps we've been having lately. Although, I'm sure I just jinxed us all by saying that. But seriously, y'all... Hot Season has drug on for a long time this year. So it's about time we had some cool breezes around here. Just saying :)

I'm currently looking forward to Spring Break. I love my students. I so love them. But y'all... Teaching during the time between going back to school in January all the way to Spring Break, which isn't until the very end of March/beginning of April with no breaks (unlike a couple that those in the US get) is HARD. It makes for a long long time. So yes... I am definitely looking forward to Spring Break :)

I'm currently planning out my next newsletter which will come out at some point in the next few weeks. I've got some big news that will be shared in this one. So if you'd like to hear my upcoming ministry update, let me know and I will add you to my list.

I'm currently wearing nothing terribly exciting. I did dress up for this first night of our Senior Cafe this past weekend though. Our seniors dressed up as various music genres. So thanks to my 80s girl t-shirt and a few cheap, neon pink accessories from Amazon, I was "80s Rocker." That was fun :)

I'm currently eating very boring, plain-ish foods and very little of it, since we're like 95% sure I have an ulcer (or at least, the start of one) or maybe some intense acid reflux. Partly due to gut issues. Partly due to anxiety/worry. Partly due to life and getting older and such. Partly due to other issues. It's also partly (well, more than partly) not fun.

And since it's my blog and I can, I'm including a few more currentlys in this month's post :)

I'm currently feeling thankful for a change of scenery while doing lesson planning this past weekend. There's just something calming/relaxing about sitting close to, and watching the water and hearing the waves crashing.

I'm currently enjoying looking back over the pictures and videos I've seen of this past weekend's Senior Cafe (a school-wide talent show put on by our senior class). It was such a fun weekend! I wish I could show you all the pictures I took of the kids. They were all dressed up and worked so hard, both in prepping before the event, during it, and then cleaning up after. 

I'm currently finding listening to hymns in the afternoons/evenings or when I'm working is a source of calm for me. There is just something so nice about these incredible songs - so many that were written long long ago. But they're just so incredibly peaceful.

I'm currently reading a book that I checked out from the school library. It's Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns. I'm only a few pages in so far, but so far, so good. I'm hoping to be able to read a bit this weekend.

I'm currently gearing up for a busy day tomorrow. I'm helping with the proctoring of the SAT on campus in the morning. Then I'll probably bring lunch with me and finish up lesson planning/prep after that. And then we have a get-together with the other AGWM-ers here tomorrow afternoon/evening. But as of now, I have nothing but church and resting planned for Sunday.

I'm currently praying for God to move in big ways for my students - both current and former ones. Will you help me pray for these incredible humans that I call "mine..." Because whether I teach/work with them now or I taught them a decade ago, I still call them "mine" :)

And that’s about it for me.

What  about you?

What are you currently up to? 

Currently

  Happy Thursday, Y'all

I'm joining Jennifer from Overflowing with Thankfulness, along with a few other bloggers, and sharing a look at what's currently going on in my life. However, I'm ignoring the prompts for this month and instead just writing about some of the random "currentlys" floating around in my head.

So what's currently on my mind?

I'm currently thinking about Christmas. I found the cutest shirts on Amazon for my nieces. Each one has something on it that I know they'll love. I wasn't even looking for them. I was looking for a dress for myself and for some reason, Amazon showed me these shirts. And the best part was that they were on sale because of an extended Cyber Monday deal. So that helped! And on the off chance, they're reading this over someone's shoulder, which could indeed happen knowing them, I don't want to post the pictures of them just yet ;)

I'm currently smiling over (about?) the sweetness of my students. One of my girls mentioned wanting to mail a birthday card to a friend in the States. So I quickly found a card design on Etsy, printed it out, and asked a fellow teacher if this student's classmates could sign it during his class the next day, and then a person visiting took it later that night to mail once he got back to the States. Then there was another student who helped me plan a snack theme for our Christmas party that all students could enjoy, including the one friend that has fairly significant food allergies. There was another student who asked to borrow my colored pens to write a birthday note to her mom, asking me how to spell certain words as she wrote. And yet another who excitedly told me all about his plans for an upcoming project he’ll be doing with his parents and the mission work they’re doing, because "I just love getting to help other people, especially when they don't know that I'm helping. It's all about them and nothing about me!" :)

I'm currently shifting into study mode with most of my people, as we prepare for their midterms next week. I told someone the other day that it's somewhat surreal... For so many years, as an elementary teacher, at this point in the school year, I would have been planning all sorts of Christmas crafts and coloring sheets and all of that. But for the last few years, I've been creating, helping kids study for, and administering exams. And while I do miss the fun Christmasy activities, I do so love what I'm doing now too :)

I'm currently enjoying this casserole I made the other day, with shredded pre-cooked rotisserie chicken, rotel, cream of chicken, a bit of chicken broth, cilantro, some random seasonings, and topped with grated cheddar cheese. And it lasted a while too! Y'all... It was so good!

I'm currently feeling happy that at the end of next week, I'll be able to see my family again, for the start of my Christmas Break vacation :)

I'm currently looking forward to Friday's lunchtime party with my students. We're having ice cream (or sorbet) and juice. Then they can either eat lunch and hang out in my room or take it with them when they come pick up their Christmas gifts. I enjoy this day each year. We get to "party" before the craziness of the last week gets here - when my younger students get out early since they don't take exams and my older ones will be busy studying for their exams.

And lastly, I'm currently planning to pick up this journal that I ordered for myself a few weeks ago when I arrive in the States next week. I like that there are 366 pages in it, so my plan is to take a page a day in my efforts to journal all year and also, to intentionally notice/show gratitude for all the ways God is working in my life in 2024. P.S. How is it almost 2024 already?! Is that crazy to anyone else besides me?! :)

And that’s about it for me.

What  about you?

What are you currently up to? 

Currently

Happy Monday, Y'all

I'm joining Jennifer from Overflowing with Thankfulness, along with a few other bloggers, and sharing a look at what's currently going on in my life. 

The prompts for this month's post are:

* loving * excited about * watching * seeing * observing *

So what am I currently up to?

I'm currently loving what I'm teaching. I've always loved lesson planning. I love researching activities to meet the needs of the students I'm teaching. I love finding creative ways to instruct my students and give them the needed tools to successfully master the standards for their various grade levels. I love finding little ways to make learning more enjoyable for them. Research has always been enjoyable to me and since this is sort of a form of research, I think that's why I like it so much...

I'm currently excited about this school year with my people. I'm soaking in all the things... Lessons I'm teaching, students' sporting events, small groups, class parties, senior/graduation events, chats with students, all of it... I'm enjoying it all and I'm so grateful to be here doing what I'm doing.

I'm currently watching nothing. I really do think I could enjoy living my life without TV. Just saying.

I'm currently seeing the price of plane tickets go up and up. I'm planning to buy my Christmas Break flight tickets in November. Here's hoping that price goes down before then...

I'm currently observing how God's working in a situation that is not quite ready to be shared. I love how God perfectly opens/closes doors, making His perfect will for our lives clear. And while it's often not on our own (even preferred) timing, it's on His. And that's what is most important :)

And since it's my blog, and I can, I'm throwing in a few more Currently's...

I'm currently drinking more water. If I can have ice and a straw, it's definitely far easier for me to drink water. And thankfully, it's better this year because I actually have planning periods this year, which means I have more time to break during the day if need be due to drinking all that water. Ha! :)

Although, let's be honest... I'm also enjoying drinking pumpkin spice chai lattes from a little tea garden down the street. I won't be able to drink them all the time, but y'all... This little weekly treat I buy myself is amazing. Just saying :)

I'm currently spending time laminating each week and I love it. I love the tediousness of it. I love that it's something quiet and simple I can do at the end of my day, as a way of "unwinding," all while helping out my co-workers. I enjoy it.

I'm currently reading and studying the book of Genesis, as part of a Ladies Bible Study I'm participating in AND as part of one of the classes I teach. And once again, I'm reminded about what a gift it is to 1) teach in a Christian school and 2) to learn new things from the Word of God each time I read it even if I've read the same passage (book) many, many times throughout my lifetime. 

So what about you?

What are you currently up to? 

Currently

  Happy Sunday, Y'all

Today I'm joining Jennifer from Overflowing with Thankfulness, along with a few other bloggers, and sharing a look at what's currently going on in my life. The prompts for this month's post are:

* loving * picturing * craving * wishing * collecting *

So what am I currently up to?

I'm currently loving the incredible kids God has entrusted into my care this school year. It's not always easy. But our days are almost always full of excitement and are rarely ever boring. We have so much fun together. And we might even learn a bit here and there, too. ;) I'm just so thankful for the kids I am able to call "mine." 

I'm currently picturing my last few weeks of school being a little crazy... There's 4.5 weeks of teaching, followed by 1 week of exams. There's a big banquet that the class I sponsor is responsible for putting on (sort of like proms back in the US). There is graduation and all sorts of other events for our current seniors. There are 3 of my full-time kiddos who will be moving on away from our school, so I have to emotionally prepare for that. And that's on top of the normal day to day teaching, lesson prep, class sponsor responsibilities, Special Ed paperwork, grading, etc. etc. etc. At least it won't be boring. Right? ;)

I'm currently craving Taco Bell, which doesn't exist here in Dakar. I do realize that I could easily make my own tacos. But it's just not the same. Soon... ;)

I'm currently wishing that life came with an "easy button." Remember the old Staples commercials that included an "easy button"

I'm currently collecting a random assortment of drink mix packets. I'm finding that mixing these with water make it so much easier for me to drink more water...

 So what about you?

What are you currently up to?

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 April

 Happy Monday, Y'all

Today, I'm joining Shay and Sheaffer for their What's Up Wednesday link-up. Except, I'm finally posting on Monday. Such is life when you're busy... 

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 wanted fries the other night, but didn't have any frozen ones in the freezer. So I decided to make some homemade fries and then seasoned them with garlic salt. Seriously y'all... So quick/easy/delicious!

What am I reminiscing about?

Times with my dad... It's hard to believe that he passed away 7 years ago. At times, it really does seem like it happened just yesterday. I've been struggling a bit lately and I just keep thinking about how much I wish my dad were here, so I could talk with him about it... Not to mention, how I hate it for my mom, knowing that last week would've been their 38th anniversary. 

 What am I loving?

I've been loving the weather we've been having lately. It's cool at this time of year, but not freezing. And the sun's out, but it's not so hot, as to make us feel like we're going to have a heat stroke. So yeah... Definitely loving it right now :)

What have I been up to?

Helping all of my people plan their schedules for next year... There are so many different "puzzle pieces" to figure out. I love that part of it. But even so, there are so many other aspects of schedule creating for my people that is hard. So my brain is working in overdrive at the moment :)

What am I dreading? 

Nothing really...

What am I working on?

There's so much going on in my head at the moment. My job is not always the easiest. Teaching is hard. Teaching Special Education is really hard. Teaching Special Education overseas is super hard. So yeah... I'm working on weeding through the mental to do list I have at the moment...

 What am I excited about?

I got a new stove. The burners on mine were slowly going out, which made cooking a bit tricky. So, I'm a little excited about cooking again. So there's that :)

What am I watching?

I'm wrapping up a Creation/Evolution unit in one of the science classes I teach. So we've been watching all sorts of  little videos about those, all in hopes to make this mostly abstract topic more engaging for my people. 

What am I reading?

One of the joys of teaching at a Christian school is being able to teach and study the Bible with students. I love reading through various parts of Scripture with my people. I love seeing them enjoy their reading/studying. And I love how well they're learning what we're studying.

What am I listening to?

Is it sad to say that by the time Saturday comes along, I look forward to listening to silence? My days are full with teaching and meetings and such. And I love my students. I love doing what I'm doing. But it's exhausting. So while I love my people, I also love my quiet Saturdays too ;)

What am I wearing?

Nothing terribly exciting... I do need to pick up a few things when I'm in the States this summer. Line drying clothes in the almost constant harsh sun/sand takes its toll on clothes here. That's for sure. So, I figure I'll look for some deals when I'm back there this summer.

 What am I doing this weekend?

Well, considering the weekend's over... I'll, instead, answer what I did over the weekend. I did very little that was productive, to be honest. I stayed in my classroom late on Friday, finishing up lesson planning just so I could relax over the weekend. Then Saturday I rested/relaxed and did a little meal prep. And on Sunday, I was in bed with a massive headache most of the morning and when I could finally sit up and look at my computer screen long enough to do so, I did a little lesson planning last night. Sometimes, God knocks me flat of my back to get me to slow down. I can be a little stubborn, after all ;)

What am I looking forward to next month?

The arrival of May means we're one month closer to Summer Break. So there's that. I'll also be able to finally buy my plane tickets for the summer too, once I get paid in mid-May. So that's exciting too! Y'all... The price of plane tickets is no joke! And contrary to popular belief, it is not a mission expense. So I save up and pay for it out of pocket. But that's okay. It's 100% worth it. Anywho - Past all of that, I've got some fun stuff planned with my classes this month - experiments and projects and novels to read... :)

Favorite Recent Amazon Find?

My black sandals "died" and needed to be replaced. So a friend who made a recent trip to the States was kind enough to bring back this pair I ordered from Amazon. They're nothing fancy. But they're super comfy and they meet the shoe dress code requirements at work. So, I'm calling them a win.

What else is new?

Nothing much :)

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

What about you?

What are YOU up to this month?