Out for a run

So I woke up one morning and decided to go for a run. Low and behold there were a few other thousand people who decided to do the same. Ok so I actually, was participating in 10k in the Nairobi Marathon. What a great day!

The Kenyan band came to serenade us as we ran. They showed up at various places in the route.
I am a little worried about this man. He might become cross-eyed from reading so closely.

The gals. Jo, Mel, and Kerry were in the half marathon- Great Job! Ladies. Lisa and I ran the 10k. (Ok Lisa ran, I ran- walked)

A few of my close Kenyan friends. Ok I know none of them. :)

It was fun and a great experience. If only I was more dedicated.

Thanksgiving in Africa

For Thanksgiving we (Chris, Chris, Jessie and I) traveled to Lake Boringo. It was about a 3 or 4 hour drive from Nairobi. On the way as you can see from the sign below we had to be careful and watch for turtles. The lake had some amazing birds. I saw some of the craziest beaks around and some beautiful color.

Well, you can't see the beak that well, but it was cool.

This is about 30 yards away from our porch. Each day we got to enjoy the crocs. On a boat ride, we were startled by a croc who was apparently mutually startled by us when he came out of the water. Um his head (large jaw) was less than an arms length away from our little canoe type boat.

In the brush, just next to our cottage. A large lizard (can't remember its name). He came out one day for a walk across our yard and I chased it. He was very fast. It was pretty amazing.

Our cottage and Chris L enjoying the morning view. I do not miss the misquitos. We came away with sooo many bites. I was paranoid about Malaria.

The hippos were also just below our cottage. At night you could hear them grunting and you had to be careful if you left your cottage at night. These little dudes are loud and not so little.

A termite hill. It was huge!!! The top is cut off, but it was super tall. That is me kissing it. Not sure why, but apparently I felt the need to pucker up.

It was such a relaxing time and other than the mosquitos it wasn't too bad. A cook, househelp, a yard to pass the volleyball, soccer ball and frisbee around, a comfy porch to read and play cards on and so many amazing creatures just a couple feet away and depending on the bravity of the bird inches away. I will miss this about my Africa.

OCTOBER 1st

Here at Rosslyn Academy, the date OCTOBER 1st is huge. It is the day that teachers must decide whether or not they are re-signing for two more years. So every other year teachers must make this decision. Sometimes it is not difficult. You know for sure which way you are going. However, for some it is a long journey of indecisiveness. That would be me. If you had asked me last April, the answer would have been I am staying for sure. This summer although, I enjoyed not doing a lot living out of suitcases, caused me to really miss my family and life in the states. As the school year started, I was torn. I had a dozen pro con lists and they were of no help. I had a million people praying and well actually (as I told my mother) was not feeling it. Basically, God hadn't written me an email or message in the clouds that said "stay" or "go". As the day of the 1st grew closer, I was in such turmoil and couldn't decide what I wanted.
My two biggest problems: 1) I am tired of teaching, I am tired of kids 2) If I am not going to teach what will I do in the states (where the job market is definitely not at its peak)
So my decision... after talking to my mom everyday for 5 days straight...I decided to re-sign, with the possibility of resigning next year. So if you have any job opportunities for me, can you hold them until the summer of 2011?hehehe

Mara Safari- Part II

Me at the border of Tanzania and Kenya. Our Tent

The outside view of our tent.

Me conquering the extension bridge (or whatever they are called).

My Students

Welcome to Room M1. The 6th graders for 2009 and 2010.

This has been a very trying year. Not only is the largest class I have had 46 with 3 more coming 2nd semester, but they are DRAMA, DRAMA, DRAMA! I was dying the 3rd week of school. It is ALWAYS something with this group. I have some real sweeties, but unfortunately they are completely outnumbered.

6B

6A

Masai Mara- Birthday Celebrations

So the boys each have a birthday on August 1st. So I planned a safari to the Mara. Complete with decorated birthday van, birthday cup cakes and treats. July, August, and September is when the wildebeast migrate and there are thousands of wildebeast. The pictures here do not do the Mara justice. Not pictured (a cheetah and 2 leopards). The gang Christopher David Lehman, Christopher David Ritchie, Jessie and Me.
Two hippos.

Two more hippos, but you only see one because ladies and gentlemen it is MATING season. that's right lots of gurgling and "farting" noises.

Ah the baby hippo so cute!

Wildebeast on the Sand River.

Wildebeast (known as the idiot animal) trying to decide if they want to cross and where.

The slippery slope up. This is actually a very dangerous route up. there were lots of falls and cuts, but no deaths today. Shew!

Wildebeast grazing.

The birthday boys and I.

Oh look more...

Buckin' wildebeast!

Another baby.

King of the Mara!

Queens of the Mara. We saw over 9 cats this weekend.

Wide open Mara.

They walked so nicely in a single file line. If only my students could learn the one thing these animals do well.

We had a crazy ex-matatu driver, so our rides were extremely adventerous.

We had an amazing time saw a man staggering down the middle of the road in a small village covered in blood. Chased an "Across Africa" truck down and chewed him out for his bad safari habits. Nearly broke my arm while standing during the drive off the actual dirt road.

Amazing time!

Rome Part II

Rome was hot so we ate lots of ice cream. (Don't know how to spell the Italian term of ice cream!)
The Spanish Steps.

OH YUMMY FOOD!!! Hard Rock!

The Mediteranean Sea!

The 'White Cake' at night!

The place where Ceasar was murdered! Now the home of hundreds of stray cats!

A weird statue!

The Sistine Chapel.

The Sistine Chapel

'Small World Little People' at the Vatican.

Mailing my grandfather a letter at the Vatican Post Office.

The Sistine Chapel.

The Pope!

Where the Pope sits and preaches.

The Vatican. Another oblesk.

Me under where the Pope comes out from his window.

St. Petersons.

So, this was Rome in a nutshell. I am not impressed with my picture taking. I need to work on that.