Life Lists

Tonight as I sit down to write this I feel like being quick and efficient, so here are a few fun lists to give you glimpses of my recent thoughts and activities. Enjoy. :)

Today I:
1. Enjoyed a breakfast of scrambled eggs and breakfast with Surita.
2. Wrote a parent letter for Curriculum Night on Wednesday and did some marking
3. Bought minutes for my cell phone... FINALLY got off campus... it had been a week!
4. Tried a GREAT Italian restaurant with Jill, Robin, and Lindsay.
5. Navigated around the city without getting lost!! This city is NOT a grid by any means.

Highlights of the past week:
1. Trying the French Church
2. Finding out about an extension on our midterm progress reports. I think ALL teachers were happy about this.
3. Seeing two of my New-to-English kids (ALL my kids are ELL, but one...) raise their hands and begin to voluntarily participate in class.
4. Eating dinner with the family who lives below us. Great meal of Sffa and GREAT company. They are a fun family.
5. Getting a post card from Sarah!

Things I miss:
1. Starbucks (or Wendels! or Wired Monk) drinks and chats
2. Having a car and the convenience and independence that come with it
3. Friends and family - yes, definitely you guys!
4. Milk, chocolate chips, and brown sugar. Oh, and Mexican food. AND Sushi everywhere.
5. Running along the road. Sixteen laps around the track just doesn't compare to running along River Road, the Fort-to-Fort Trail, or Campbell Valley Park.


Things I am thankful for (this will be hard to fit into just 5!):
1. Internet: Facebook, e-mail, Skype, blog!
2. Encouragement from friends and family back home. Your e-mails, comments, messages, and prayers have been so wonderful!
3. Provision in this job, friends, roommates, and co-workers.
4. The retreat two weekends ago.
5. That I CAN run here... I wasn't sure if I'd be able to. I AM thankful for the track.


Things I'd miss:
1. The mustard - I think it's a mix of American style mustard and Dijon mustard. It's got a kick to it, and just makes any sandwich great!
2. The markets (and all the fun things they sell) and bargaining.
3. Speaking French and learning Arabic (my classes start this week!)
4. The community here, and my students.
5. Great sunsets over the Atlantic.

I am learning (DEFINITELY more than 5, but here we go):
1. How to get around this city and where good restaurants and shops and friends are.
2. How to be a good teacher.
3. The importance of daily finding my identity in Him - especially in a time of transition. This has been big, and I think I may do a blog post on this.
4. Arabic words.
5. Walking into a Cafe is an awkward experience. Those are really men only (except for an occasional woman). There's nothing like 20+ men staring at you, and you know you are not in your place.

Pictures Taken Since my last post:
1. The 1 KG Bar of Chocolate that Susan bought. No, I didn't eat it... we're chopping it into chocolate chips. :)

2. My first time trying Oysters.

3. Seen on the walls around the city and other towns. I understand it's used for voting.

4. Inside the Grande Mosque

5. Things in out kitchen, including mustard, "milk," Peanut Butter (that always tastes stale, and Dark Chocolate Hazelnut Spread.



1. Good Bye
2. Au Revior
3. B'slama
4. Love you guys
5. Have a wonderful and full blast day!