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A typical day for me in Uukwiyoongwe
Village
At about 5am I
wake up to the sound of the first rooster’s crow (okay, actually the
first rooster’s crow is at around 2am, but apparently I’ve gotten used
to it because it doesn’t wake me anymore). So, I fall back asleep for an
hour and finally drag myself out of bed at around 6am. I then make
coffee, eat a banana, make my lunch, wash my face in a basin, get
dressed, and walk to school. I usually try to get to school by around
7am. This way the kids that get to school early have a room to hang out
in, and I have a chance to get organized for the day. Depending on the
day of the week, we start school with either a staff meeting or morning
assembly. Morning assembly includes the Namibian National anthem, a
prayer, a song, and any announcements (usually coming from me
J
)…the morning staff meeting includes frustration and not enough time to
get anything really accomplished.
Most days of the
school week I am simply busy teaching, or planning for, Physical
Science, Life Science, Art, and Life Skills. In between classes I am
usually working on various secondary projects. You can read about such
projects on the School Projects link. I usually leave school between 3
and 4pm either to go to town for the afternoon to run errands for the
previously mentioned projects, or to go home. If I head home, I usually
take a half hour nap the minute I get home…I don’t know why but I am
always exhausted right after school! When I finally come to…I clean, do
wash, read, work on projects at home, hang out with Beatha and Simon,
and then I go for my evening run.
Oh, my evening
run! How I love this time of day! This is my “me” time and I savor every
minute of it. Even days when I feel lazy, I still go…not so much for the
run, but for the mental break…or mental stimulation, depending on my
day/mood/whatever. To run along a sand path in a remote village where
all you pass is the occasional cow, donkey, or homestead, is truly
something I will miss for the rest of my life. On some days, I am even
lucky enough to be accompanied by neighbor kids, which are also my
learners. These days are extra fun because we often mix it up and race,
or skip along, or talk about their lives. I let them listen to my music
and it never gets old listening them try to sing along to American pop
songs they’ve never heard before.
After my 30 – 40
minute run I take a bucket bath in our outdoor bathing area. I love
bathing outside. Watching the sunset and feeling so good after a run,
while bathing is just exhilarating! After my bath, I usually cook and
eat dinner, which is never too exciting (tuna fish sandwich, rice and
beans, or chicken and vegetables). I then maybe hang out with the family
for a while and then retire to my room. I will read for a while, write
in my journal, sms with friends, and then go to bed. If I can’t fall
asleep easily (which is often the case… Thanks Larium!) I have a full-on
dance party by myself in my room. Usually in my underwear, and usually
for like 2 hours! Then I pass out and push ‘repeat’ for tomorrow. The
End.
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