What's Up September

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?

The theme of this week has been tacos. I made a big batch of taco meat and beans. So I've had tacos or taco salad for my lunches/dinners the past few days. I also mixed up a big batch of trail mix and pre-portioned it out into individual servings so I could have quick and easy snacks for the week.

What am I reminiscing about?

This photo popped up in my Facebook memory feed the other day. I remember taking it last year, noticing my Montevallo hat, and thinking back to the day I changed my major towards the beginning of my college career because I knew I wanted (and was supposed) to be a Special Education Teacher. And when I shared this photo last year, I was sitting in my classroom, marveling at all God's done in my life/career since that day all those years ago. He still has. I love my work. I love that God allows me to do what I'm doing. And I love reminiscing about all the memories made throughout my years of teaching. 

 What am I loving?

Finally having a working A/C again at home. We're currently in the middle of Hot Season, where the temperature and the humidity are both ridiculously, over the top, high, which is quite unpleasant. So yeah... Having A/C again definitely makes life more tolerable/enjoyable :)

What have I been up to?

All the lesson prep...

What am I dreading? 

I know I'll probably miss the rain when it's gone again. After all, once it finally stops here, it doesn't rain again for months and months. But y'all... I almost dread going anywhere lately, because I'm afraid I'm going to end up getting soaked by an unexpected rain shower and the accompanying massive water puddles everywhere after the rain is over.

What am I working on?

Doing a better job of looking for the beauty and goodness around me... I love the "flame trees" that bloom here in Dakar. They're so beautiful. And yesterday, when I walked out of my apartment building, I saw this one whose blooms had fallen off, given me the feel of Fall (even though it's a bazillion degrees outside right now, so nothing like Fall, for real)...

 What am I excited about?

We have a 4 day weekend coming up not this weekend, but the next. I love my students. I love my job. But oh my word is my brain tired and I am most definitely excited about and ready for this upcoming break :)

What am I watching?

I'm working my way back through Friends. Yes, I've already seen every episode. But it's still funny. And it gives my brain a bit of a break at the end of a long work day. So I'm enjoying it.

What am I reading?

I just started my 33rd book of the year. It's a total "fluff" read, meaning it's a light, no real thought needed type of book. And since so many of the books I read are either for work/grad school, I enjoy the occasional "fluff" book.

What am I listening to?

Nothing new or exciting... Anyone have a recommendation for me?

 What am I doing this weekend?

I told a friend I'd help her with something for her daughter's birthday party on Saturday morning. There's a lacrosse tournament at school Saturday night that I promised some of my kids I'd go to so I could watch them play. Then on Sunday, there's church and then afterwards, we're having an AG get-together. And at some point, I'll need to spend some time lesson planning and prepping for the upcoming week and to complete the week's grad school assignments. This weekend won't include a lot of down time or time to relax. But that's okay. The following weekend will be a 4 day weekend. So It'll even out in the end :)

What am I looking forward to next month?

Well, October will include 4-day weekend. And I am, for sure, looking forward to that. Past that, I have a few fun lessons/projects/experiments coming up with some of my classes that I'm looking forward to.

What else is new?

I applied for my grad school graduation. This will be my second master's degree. So if you add up my 13 years of traditional schooling + 5.5 years for my bachelor's + 3.5 years for my first master's +3 years for this master's ... By the time I graduate in December, I will have been a student for 25 years. It feels weird to be (almost) finished. People keep asking if me if I'm going to continue after this degree. At one point, I'd planned on getting my doctorate. And I actually would like to do that at some point. But I just don't think I can do that one online... I feel like it'd be a bit too much to handle at the same time as teaching (in a challenging teaching position, at that). So, I think my brain will be happy to no longer be a student for a change... :)

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. 

September's prompts are...

  * beginning *  ending * loving * picking * posting *

I'm currently beginning my newest grad school class, which is on human development/learning theories, from a Christian perspective. Just reading ahead a bit in my textbook has shown me that I'm going to enjoy this one. I'm also enjoying the fact that this is my next to last class before finishing this degree...

I'm currently ending each day, by looking back over the course of the day and making a list of the seemingly little things that made me smile. Things like a funny story from one of my students or a sweet note given to me from a friend or pretty flowers in this often sandy/dusty place I call home... 

I'm currently loving yesterday's lunch/dinner. There's a local Lebanese restaurant we can order lunch delivery from during the week. They make the best hummus. So I got a large enough container at lunch to give me leftovers for dinner as well. Add in the pita bread they send with it and some fresh veggies from home, and it's delicious perfection :)

I'm currently picking this as my "theme" of this school year. Because when I keep this perspective, I'm focused on the One who called me, who equipped (and is still equipping) me, who gives me grace and guidance every single day... When I keep this perspective, I'm focused on my students and the true blessing it is to be their teacher.

I'm currently posting (or rather, I posted) these pictures... I took them yesterday when I got to school. The rain might be a pain at the moment. But I'm loving how this time of year, the sky is so bright blue and the grass/trees are so nice and green. It's all so beautiful and a good reminder of how God is the Master Artist.

And that's about it for me.

So what about you?

What are you currently up to?

What's Up August

  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?

In an effort to have a healthy breakfast AND to not have to actually turn on my stove (because it turns my already warm apartment into a sauna), I've decided to have a smoothie... Usually, I can drink it at home while getting ready. But sometimes, I take it with me to drink on my way to work... 

What am I reminiscing about?

Time with family. I love being able to do what God's called me to do. But I do still miss my family and wish there weren't so many miles (or an ocean) between us...

 What am I loving?

I'm loving being back in school with my students. I love the hectic routine of my job. I love working out all of their schedules, making all the little "pieces of the puzzle" fall into place. I love sitting with them and talking with them and teaching them all that's required in our classes. I love reading with them and watching their knowledge base grow and grow. I love seeing those "lightbulb" moments, when they finally get some topic they've been struggling with. I love learning about their lives. I love discovering how they best learn and being able to meet their needs. My job is challenging and at certain times of the year (like now), it's even a bit overwhelming. But I truly do love it.

What have I been up to?

Lesson planning. So much lesson planning... 

What am I dreading? 

The rain

 You know, I love that the rain cools things down a bit around here. And granted, it's only around for a few months. But the rain is not my friend anymore. My ankles are so not happy when it's raining. Pain, swelling... It's just so not enjoyable. The arthritis in both ankles makes me feel like a little old lady when rain comes...

What am I working on?

Helping my people master opening a combination lock... And I may or may not be having flashbacks to my 9th grade year when I was stuck with an awful locker that was on the very far end of the hall and had a lock that would stick and refuse to open more times than not, making me late to my next class. I hated it! But hey, it's allowing me to have sympathy for my people. So I suppose it wasn't all bad. Was it? :)

 What am I excited about?

Nothing terribly exciting is happening in my life at the moment... It's not that things are bad. They're just not over the top exciting ;)

What am I watching?

I've just started working my way through The Office. I've seen clips here or there online and watched an episode or two on TV over the years. But I decided to finally start at the beginning and slowly work my way through. I wasn't sure at first... But it's grown on me :)

What am I reading?

I'm currently reading my 30th book of the year, The Night Circus, by Erin Morgenstern. It's not really the type of book I would typically choose to read. But a friend recommended it and I'm actually enjoying it. 

What am I listening to?

Last night, I heard the Kristene DiMarco's song Fear Not for the first time. 

I love the lyrics of this song. My favorite part is at the beginning, when she says,

When life piles up and you're feeling overcome

Stand still and believe, I won't let you drown

When a cry's in your throat, watching all the waves below

Lift your eyes to the sky and trust that I won't pass you by

God definitely knew I needed to hear this song (and those specific lyrics) when I did. I'm so thankful for this reminder. ...that even when I feel the stress and feeling of being almost overwhelmed, with that cry "in my throat," I know He'll hold my head above the water. He won't just pass me by. What a great reminder!

 What am I doing this weekend?

There's a dodgeball tournament at school this weekend. So at this point, I'm planning to go watch some of my students and co-workers play in that. Then I'll be doing my usual weekend routine... Lesson planning, grad school work, church, spending some time with friends, and resting/relaxing as I prep for the week ahead.

What am I looking forward to next month?

Nothing out of the norm...

Although, I am hoping to have my new A/C installed by then. But we'll see... I'm still waiting to hear back on a final price before I completely agree to it. So I suppose I am looking forward to that hopefully happening next month :)

What else is new?

Grad school... I finished one class yesterday and a new one starts this weekend. This one is on Educational Psychology, from a Christian perspective. And I'm  looking forward to it. And let's be honest... I'm also looking forward to this being my next to last class. If all goes well with this class and the next one that starts in October, I'll finish by December. I love taking classes. I love learning new things. But doing so at the same time I'm teaching has been difficult. So very difficult. And considering this will be my second Master's degree, completed online, while teaching (teaching overseas, at that), I think I'm done with being a student after I get this degree. My brain is tired. :)

 

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. 

August's prompts are...

  * admiring *  anticipating * enjoying * spending * saving *

I'm currently admiring this picture I took at sunrise while flying back to Dakar this past weekend. I've always been a fan of sunrise/sunset. But this was the first time I caught it from the plane window. Isn't God such an incredible artist? :)

I’m currently anticipating the need for an umbrella being a regular thing around here for a while. Hello Rainy Season. I'd say it's nice to see you again since you sort of cool things off for a few minutes. But after that, you bring on humidity and big huge water puddles that aren't enjoyable to walk through. So I'm just not sure how I feel about you... ;)

I’m currently enjoying being back in Dakar. It's been nice seeing friends and co-workers again. It's been nice seeing a couple of my students (and former students) and their parents again too. And as sad as I am to see Summer Break (with its days of no alarm clock setting) leave... I truly am enjoying being back to work and prepping for the upcoming school year.

And yes... I even enjoy writing IEPs ;)

I’m currently spending my days in meetings. We have 2 weeks of professional development before school starts back for students. Although, we do get quite a bit of classroom work/lesson planning time built into that schedule. ...which is nice because that will give me time to meet with teachers about our shared students and to also start meeting with parents to start IEPs for the year...

I’m currently saving money by bringing my lunch this week, instead of ordering in from somewhere. It might be sandwiches most days because that's quick and easy. But hey... Nothing wrong with that ;)

Yes, I could totally afford to order delivery if I wanted to. But this is quicker/easier....

 And since it's my blog and I can, I thought I'd share a couple more :)

I'm currently reminiscing about some of the fun summer memories I made. It was a busy summer, full of traveling, speaking at churches, hanging out with family, visiting friends and mission supporters, and stocking up on all sorts of American essentials. Busy and tiring... But it was such a nice summer. It really, truly was.

I'm currently planning to celebrate my birthday on Friday with some friends. Yay for birthdays!

I'm currently buying groceries and things, trying to re-stock my fridge and cabinets. Well... I did that this past weekend. Ironically, I did well at stocking the fridge/freezer. But I kind of forgot a lot of the basics... Flour, sugar, that sort of thing. So I suppose I'll need to go again at some point this weekend.

And that's about it for me.

So what about you?

What are you currently up to?

12 Years Ago

At the end of this week, it will be 12 years.

12 years ago...

I landed in Senegal for the first time.

So as I thought back to that time, I started to thinking of all the emotions I was feeling then. I started thinking of all the thoughts I was having. And I decided to write a letter to the Me of that time in my life...

Dear 23 (almost 24) years old Me,

Wow! You are so brave! 

You may not realize it yet. 

But trust me...

You are, indeed, brave. 

At this point, you're on an adrenaline high. 

You've had a roller coaster of emotions zooming through your heart and mind. ...from the extreme lows of saying goodbye to your family at the Atlanta airport to the extreme highs of the excitement of landing in Dakar. 

I realize it's scary. 

You've never even lived away from home.

 So I know you're nervous right now.

And while you've got a bit of teaching under your belt, it's not a lot. So your confidence in yourself as a teacher is quite low. 

Trust me... 

One day, twelve years from now, you'll be writing yourself a letter and smile at how confident you now (then?) feel as a teacher. After all, by that point, you'll know you're actually an Educational Rockstar ;)

And yes, you did read that correctly.

I said twelve years from now...

I know you're thinking you'll only be staying for one year (maybe 2 max). But just so you know... God has a sense of humor. So go ahead and get comfortable. You're going to be there a while. And in a few years, when you leave for a bit, you'll still end up coming back.

You're still finding your footing as a Missionary Teacher. 

Many of your missions supporters don't fully get what you do. You'll hear the following question a lot...

"So are you a missionary or are you a teacher?"

And each time, you'll take a deep breath, smile sweetly, and say...

I am a Missionary Teacher.

And then you'll explain what that means.

I won't lie to you.

Sometimes it's going to be hard.

Friends will leave.

There will be hard things to deal with back home in the US.

And the list goes on...

But trust me...

There will be plenty of good.

Today, you stepped on Senegalese soil for the first time. And when you did you instantly felt that you were at home.

Today, you fell in love with the country whose sandy streets and tall buildings, whose colorful outfits and lively music, whose open doors and hospitable people all make it the fun place you love.

12 years from now, you'll be in line at the post office, chatting with the worker, and tell her that while the U.S. will always be home... In a way, so will Senegal. Senegal is where God called you to go AND where you choose to live and the U.S. is where you visit. 

And you love the truth in that statement.

The past 12 years have produced rich memories that will last your heart for a lifetime. Take time to remember them. Take time to truly notice the goodness and faithfulness of God each step of the way. 

Take time to be grateful for all God's doing in your life in the next 12 years (and beyond). 

See ya in 12 years ;)

Sincerely,

35 (almost 36 year old Me)

 ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 Today, I'm joining Erika and Andrea, for their weekly Friday Favorites linkup and sharing about one of my most favorite topics to discuss - Today's my Senegal-iversary... The anniversary of the date I landed in Senegal for the very first time.

What's Up July

 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?

All the shaved ices I can get... Fun fact - It's hotter and more humid here at my mom's house in the U.S. than it is at my apartment in Senegal. Seriously. Another fun fact - The A/C in my mom's truck went out the other day. And since she and I both are using her truck this summer, we're on the road a lot. So shaved ices and their incredible coldness are pretty awesome ;)

What am I reminiscing about?

All sorts of memories made from the years of working in Senegal with these sweet friends... It was such a fun, unexpected gift to be able to get together for lunch last week, to take a few hours to sit and chat, to catch up on each other's lives, and to reminisce about all sorts of fun memories. I definitely consider these three ladies to be sweet sweet friends. What a blessing this time with them was!

 What am I loving?

Having extra time with my Mama. Thanks to a change in the date of my return flight, I was able to have 3 extra days with my mom. I have so enjoyed having this summer with her. I must say... She's pretty awesome. And I'm pretty blessed to call her mine :)

What have I been up to?

This summer has found me spending a lot of time on the road, traveling to speak at churches, to meet with pastors and other missions supporters, to visit friends and family, to attend meetings, etc. I don’t drive in Senegal. So I love when I’m back in the US and able to be back behind the wheel. 

What am I dreading? 

The goodbyes happening tomorrow night/Friday morning... I love being able to follow the call of God on my life. I 100% do. But I absolutely hate the goodbyes/see ya laters that must happen as a result :(

What am I working on?

A blog post about my "Senegal-iversary," which happens later this week... Somehow time has flown by and July 30th will be 12 years from the day I landed in Senegal for the very first time. 

 What am I excited about?

In church a couple weeks ago, my pastor spoke on the first part of 1 Peter, Chapter 1. And it's stuck with me. He asked us the question, "Are you excited?" pointing out how God chose to create us. That, in itself, should make us excited. After all, the same God who created THE ENTIRE EARTH actually CHOSE to create you and me. How cool is that?! :)

What am I watching?

I've been watching very little TV... 

What am I reading?

At the moment, I'm finishing up "The Common Rule" for our required Staff Development book study. It's a good book. I'd definitely recommend it.

I'm also reading "Unorthodox" by Deborah Feldman. The TV series version came out on Netflix a while back, but I wanted to wait to watch it until I'd read the book version. I'm not too far into it yet. But, I can say this... Wow! What a story!

What am I listening to?

I heard Switchfoot's "The Strength to Let Go" on the radio the other day and fell in love with the lyrics / music. 

 What am I doing this weekend?

I will be leaving my brother & sister-in-law's house in the wee hours of the morning Friday, starting my 24ish hours of travel back to Senegal. If all goes according to plan, I should be back in my apartment by mid morning on Saturday. So my weekend will primarily be spent in airports and on airplanes, and then unpacking when I finally get home.

What am I looking forward to next month?

My birthday

School starts back

Seeing my students again

Seeing friends again

What else is new?

I ordered this fun notebook to take back to Senegal with me. IEP Season at our school is at the beginning of the school year. So I thought this would be the perfect addition to the stack of school supplies I’ll be taking back with me :)

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

What about you?

What are YOU up to this month?