Last Days

Well, I have wrapped up my first year (more or less a year) in Nairobi. It has been fun, but filled with many new challenges that you might not face other places. I do however, love Rosslyn and my kids. They have been wonderful to teach and fun to get to know. I have met so many people from around the world. Some I will never see again, well until heaven.
The last week of school was more or less a pack up and party week filled with extra amounts of tears. VERY different than a last week at Morrilton. hahaha
Our grades were due Monday morning at 8:30 but we still had 5 days left with kids. A few kids had left early but not many.
So Monday- Kids turned in books, helped take down bulletin boards, put my name on all my desks, chairs, etc., and helped organize our class library better. Then we had a full afternoon of awards ceremonies!
Tuesday- We went to library and made sure everyone had taken care of over due books and fines so they could get their yearbook. At lunch the kids went to the auditorium with the whole school and we had our yearbook celebration which is a huge deal at Rosslyn. The yearbook is included in tuition. Each year they dedicate the book to a teacher. This year it was Ward Nicholson aka Senor Nick!! I actually went to OBU with his son and daughter in law and he is now my life insurance man (the son). SMALL WORLD!! So after 39 years of teaching as a missionary teacher for the IMB he is retiring to TEXAS!! YEA for Texas. So they have a slide show about the person who the book is dedicated to and then present him with the very first book!! He gets flowers and applauses and yada, yada, yada, After that ceremony the kids spent the rest of the day signing yearbooks.
Wed.- Morning we watched a movie, a few kids helped me do last minute cleanup in my room. By Wed. afternoon, my room was 100% packed and ready for summer cleanin'.
Then we had a 6th grade going away party for 4 of our kids. 2 were coming to the states, one to Ethiopia, and one to Barbados (I've already made plans to see him at Christmas hahaha).
Thurs.- A half day we went to the pool the entire morning and had a Middle school beach party!! Friday- A half day- more yearbook signing, me getting cleared through all of the various people so that I can leave on Sat. and then we had 2 assemblies a middle school assembly which we said goodbye to all who were leaving and then a whole school assembly in the auditorium. After that there were many tears (well there were many before that too).
And then the kids were dismissed to go home. LOTS OF TEARS!! It is so different here. In fact one of the teachers said, "This is a bit different than the last day of school in the states." And Dan replied with, "Yea, normally all teachers are on high guard looking for any gang fights or problems that would/could occur" and the sad thing is that is SOOO true! Especially, when I was teaching in TX. That is exactly what it was like. Getting in their last minute beat up sessions to show who was boss. It was sooo different.
Then the teachers all go to the bus line and wave at each bus of kids as they leave. Each bus honking his horn and pausing at the line of teachers. It was crazy! A bit emotional, but I didn't cry cause I'm a big girl now. HAHA!! Well, ok I got a bit chocked up, but no real tears were flowing. I had to be tough.
So that is a quick summary of our last week of school.
I went to lunch with the girls came back for our last staff social (ice cream woohoo) and went shopping. HAHA!! I had to buy some things for me madre. She was paying not me.
Then we went to visit Ward in the hospital- poor guy after 39 years of teaching he was in the hospital for graduation and the last day presentations. I felt so bad for him. No real closure.
We played one last game of rook (a new favorite- except when I am losing). And then said good bye to Ward.
I went home and finished packing. Man I have a ton of stuff. If you recall I was moving and leaving on the same day. I had 7 trunks, 3 large suitcases, 1 small suitcase and other small bags full of random things. I was finished packing by 11:00pm went to bed one last time in that house. Got up Sat. and Dan and Dalina helped me move all of my stuff into my new house.
I am going to have a lime green room. I picked it out myself. WOOHOO!! Shouts out to Keturah for handling the hiring of a painter and watching over him!! I owe the Nippers BIG time!! They are currently my estate managers. HEHEHE!!
SO I am leaving at 11:45PM on Sat. the 31st. I think that wraps up the last few days of life in Kenya. Until next time friends. Peace be with you and thanks for all of the love and support and prayers. I hope God has some big blessings for you and all you have done for me. I love you!!