Twas the Week Before Spring Break

Research is Important

Living out west makes it hard to get things done like doctor's appointments or banking because everything closes early AND the things that do stay open go on a hiatus for hours at a time during the day.  Therefore, we go to the city for everything.  Last week I searched and searched for a place to get vaccinations for my trip to Zanzibar.  The doctor out west gives the vaccinations up until 2:00.  We went at 1:40pm on a Thursday and were told to come back because registration takes a long time.  They told us to come back Sunday at 7:00am and just go to work late.  The catch is that the Doctor would be there Insha'Allah (AKA maybe or maybe not).  So, we decided to make appointments in the city.  After work on Sunday we rushed to the city to get a yellow fever vaccination and malaria pills.  I get in the office and the doctor asks me who told me I needed the vaccination.  Now, I looked online and saw that the vaccination was optional for Zanzibar but let other people convince me that I NEEDED it.  The doctor stated that there have been zero cases of yellow fever in Zanzibar despite the presence in other countries around it.  She did not recommend the vaccination unless I just wanted it, but did recommend the malaria pills.  I got the vaccination anyway because I do hope to travel to Kenya soon.  Additionally, I got the pills as she recommended. When I got home, I sent my mom a picture of the pills as I normally do to make sure they were legit. She then tells me that I have a sickle cell trait which protects me from malaria.  No pills needed.  After all I went through to find a doctor, I didn't really need anything.  Yes, I am probably going to take the pills on some better safe than sorry stuff, and yes the vaccination will last me ten years, but I did all that running around and rushing for no reason.  The moral of this long story is....do your research and call your mama before making any decisions.  SMH.

The Adventures of Toya and Her Looks
Here I go again trying some new stuff.  Got my hair braided and tried getting my eyebrows "colored" AKA I don't do makeup so I went and got them done.  Man, that eyebrow lady made them a little bit too close to the locals.  Thick, very dark eyebrows are the norm here but should never be on my face. She didn't make them as dark as they wear theirs but she could've eased up on the thickness a bit. Luckily it wears off after a day or two.

Palm Sunday
By now, you all know that we are one big family out west.  Last Sunday we came together to have Palm Sunday.  This consisted of fellowship, food, a few Easter speeches, some songs, and some prayers.  We had a lot of fun, but at the end of the day it is good to know that we all have a personal relationship with God and can fellowship with like-minded people.

But she was really directing the song

Listening to Easter speeches

Before I arrived

Closing remarks

Note: Because of my adventures with the vaccinations, I was a bit late to Palm Sunday at what we like to call "Mt Gharbia Episcopal, Hold My Camel While I Shout Church of the West" so I missed a lot of the activity.  But I did say the closing remarks wishing everyone a wonderful PD week and a safe spring break.  


PD Blues
The hardest thing in the world for a teacher is being present when the children are absent.  It has been slow torture sitting through Professional Development sessions with spring break on our minds.  They try to make the presentations engaging and interactive, but who really cares when you see beaches and other countries in your near future.  One more day of PD and I am off to Zanzibar.  Some of my coworkers from the city actually missed the week of PD to volunteer teach in Kenya.  The village there can't afford teachers, so they allow volunteers to come in to teach.  Had I known about this opportunity, I would've been there as well.  The pictures and videos that one of the teachers posted would bring tears to your eyes.  The children are so eager to learn.  They go to school, when they can, in a one room building with no technology, no blackboard, and barely any supplies.  Yet, you can see on their faces how eager they are to learn.  Right now, I am going to donate to the school. In the future, I would like to try to volunteer some time to teach (maybe winter break).  I wonder if any teachers from the states would like to go with me.  Hmmmmmmm.

If anyone is interested in donating, here is the site: http://www.gofundme.com/qcc9seeaa.

Feeling Loved

I received a care package from my "big brother" today.  I am sure he sent it a while ago but somehow I never get the calls from the post office in a timely manner.  I have got to start answering the phone more.  But anyway, he sent me a few things to remind me of home, some stickers for my kids, some socks to match my kickball jersey, and a message from him and his wife.  I love my friends!  I miss them so much but nothing makes me feel better than reading or hearing that they are proud of me.  It is the little things that count.  Thank you Janea and Kalina.  Love you both!