"Time After Time"

I think it is neat how humans can be surrounded by different languages or different cultures and yet still have a song from their own culture pop into their mind at any given moment. I am also shocked at the many "expressions" we have in English... with teaching English classes I have essentially learned that we speak in "code" and do not even realize it. Perhaps that is an exaggeration... but it is also most defintiely partially accurate.

My work is going well; sometimes it is slightly overwhelming but I am managing. This evening I have a "reunion" with all of the parents of my students in the high school level. I get to share with the parents how I run my class, what my expectations are, and how I am a good professor for thier children. I am not necessarily nervous, but at the same time, there is a lot of pressure considering French is not my first language, I look as if I am the same age as their children, and I am new to the school. All will be well.

I am moving into my apartment today and tomorrow! Alxhumdililah! This last weekend Moussa helped me buy a bed in town and then a cousin of mine (Fatou; she is very sweet and yearns to have more freedom) went with me to the market to buy cleaning supplies as well as tubs for laundry etc. Tomorrow Moussa and I will search to buy a fan because it is still quite warm here and then after that we'll find a small propane tank that I will do all of my cooking on! All is coming along; I should be getting my keys this evening, inshalla!

I am missing everyone quite a bit these days. I am ready to hang up the many photos I carted all the way here to Dakar. Also, I am ready to sleep in until 6am without hearring the goats "baaaaaaa" me "Good Morning!" at 5:30 each morning :)

The older of my younger host brothers, Dany, turned 18 on Wednesday, October 5th and then the next evenign, Thursday the 6th he left for France! He is going to finish his studies there through a program where he will start working at the same time. The house has not been the same since he left. The kids are different and well quite frankly, a little more moody. I understand the situation though; the house is still in mourning. Dany had a presence at the house that everyone, including me, misses. The family is starting to evolve as the children gow up - in the near future Mactar or Mohamed will be finishing their studies and trying to travel as well. I am enjoying observing, processing, and althouth in a different light, experiencing these evolvements of life within the family.

I found out a piece of troubling news this week: Linfield is considering, well more than considering, in the process of terminating the Senegal study abroad program as well as the Francophone African Studies curriculum and professor's position. I, as well as a fez Linfield Alum and current Linfield students and professors, are currently writing letters to the President and the Dean to express the importance of maintaing the program at Linfeld. Please keep this in your thoughts this week... there are expereinces to be had, opportunities to be granted, and human connections to be made through these programs.

I feel as if there are many more items to share but alas, I cannot. I must head off to the parent-teacher conference! Below are a few pictures and there are more to come this weekend!

Cheers,
Lacey

 

Sometimes there are small riots in the road when the power out last for long periods of times - they consist of burning brush in a throwing rock and garbage onto the road for the police to clean.

Sometimes there are small riots in the road when the power outages last for long periods of times - they consist of burning brush in throwing rocks and garbage onto the road for the police to clean.

Moussa and Me at the beach.

Sarah (lively Italian volunteer), Mary (conscientious American student), Mathias (polite and spunky neighbor-boy), Marianne (bright little sister), Mohamed (definite adolescent stage younger brother :), et Me

These next 6 pictures are of the apartment I stayed at during the first week I was in Dakar - it gives you a good sense what apartments for rent are like... my apartment pictures are coming SOON!

salon/living room

salon/living room

cuisine/kitchen

chambre/bedroom

toillette/bathroom