So I don't know if you guys have noticed, but America is like, REALLY cold. ALSO (don't be alarmed), there are A LOT of white people in this country. I know, crazy huh?
Remember how I was planning that giant Thanksgiving dinner? Well it all went very smoothly and I successfully (with help) cooked for about 18 people. We went to a friend's place on the plantation where he has an oven and lots of alcohol. That's about all I need to cook so it worked out well. He got me a turkey somehow, and when I asked where it came from he said "Don't ask; it's not, strictly speaking, legal." So I said, alright whatever, as long as I have a bird! It ended up being about 15 lbs and as delicious as I remember turkey should be. I also made sweet potato casserole, apple sausage stuffing, and sauteed veggies. Plus we had a huge salad, copious amounts of rolls and mashed potatoes, and even a dutch dish from a friend from Holland. AND we had ice cream galore, two cheesecakes, and two mango-apple crumbles for dessert. And of course there was ton of wine and beer to go around. It was wonderful, to say the least. The majority of the people there were not even from the States (Germany, Holland, the UK, Scotland, and probably other small European countries were represented). So since Thanksgiving has never been a tradition with most of them, they all (after eating my meal) decided that it was definitely worth having again :) Here's the proof:
Even though I've only been in the States since Friday, I've actually been away from home in Kilifi since the end of November. I left Kilifi on the 27th, got a wonderful free and air-conditioned ride to Machakos, just outside Nairobi, where we ran Model School for the new group of Education Trainees in country. They are actually supposed to swear-in as real volunteers tomorrow. Congratulations guys!
Model School went relatively well. Machakos, which has had a primary deaf school for a number of years now, just opened a secondary deaf school at the beginning of this year. So about 11 of the new Form 1 students stayed behind to be students in our Model School. And what was super cool was that one of my kids from Kilifi, Dennis Mwanzia, who left school at the end of the first term to move to Machakos, was one of the ones who stayed behind. It was fabulous to see him again and catch up. I had forgotten what an awesome dancer he is, but the Thursday night Talent show quickly reminded me. We also had game night, movie night, and a bonfire at the end of the week.
After a busy week of the trainees figuring out how tough and wonderful teaching at a Kenyan school for the deaf is going to be, I packed my bags again and headed the short two hours to Nairobi. Our mid-service medical exams started bright and early on Monday morning and ended on Wednesday. Thankfully, I don't have TB, my eyesight hasn't really gotten any worse, and I don't think I have schistosomiasis. Unfortunately however, the stresses of working at my school have caused me to stop sleeping normally, and apparently to grind my teeth like one of those automatic pepper shaker things. I've never in my life had problems sleeping, but that's only because I've before had to deal with the level of stress that I deal with at my school. Thankfully, some heavy antihistamines will help the sleeping problem, and the dentist's advice for grinding my teeth was "take a long holiday." Well, long holiday or not I'm still going to have to go back to school, so we'll see what my American dentist says when I see him.
Medical ended on Wednesday and I hung around Nairobi until Thursday evening when I went to the airport so catch my plane to Amsterdam, which, let me tell you, my luggage was SUPER excited about because apparently they love it there. The scheduled 7-hour layover turned into 8 1/2 and by the time I actually got through customs and through figuring out where my bags were, it was about 7 pm Friday when we finally made it home. Driving home in that lovely DC rush hour traffic, I realize that's definitely not one of the things I miss about America. And spending the last few days in luxurious comfort at home, with squishy beds and fluffy towels and water pressure that could kill you, I also realize that even though I miss these American comforts, living without them is not only simple, but also way more fun. Life in the US is just so darn easy. It's much more interesting when you have to work at things a little, believe me. And sitting down to sweet and sour meatballs and asparagus with Mom and Dad last night, I also realize how much I miss ugali (but don't tell anyone).
After getting home and waiting for my luggage, I spent the next few days going back and forth from church, helping my mother set up for her huge Christmas dinner, and prepping my own stuff for the big presentation I had on Sunday morning. Saturday night at the dinner everyone was saying how excited they were for my talk on Sunday morning, which only added to the nervousness I was already feeling of having to actually speak in front of a large group of people, rather than just sign. Thankfully, though, one minute into talking it felt like I was giving a tour again, just a tour of my school and students in Kenya instead of Maryland. I showed some videos of me teaching, and some of my kids being themselves, which everyone loved, and tons of pictures as well. I got numerous compliments about everything and multiple secretly-slip-the-money-in-the-handshake-s, which actually ended up being just about enough to buy that projector I've been wanting for my school. I also might have enough to get some more textbooks and calculators when I get back as well.
(Side note - If you are feeling generous this holiday season and want an outlet for it, I am still desperately in need of funds to do things at my school. I have all kinds of crap I would still like to get for my kids, but not the financial resources to get it. My email is sarahchubbard@gmail.com, and getting in touch with me that way would be the easiest way to get the ball rolling if you feel the urge to donate. Coming home to my childhood bedroom this season and seeing all the loads of crap I've acquired over the years, I realize I don't need anything material for Christmas, I just need money for my kids. Please let me know if you want to help and my kids and I will be eternally grateful. Thanks in advance!)
So I'm spending my time in America going to Target and Old Navy as often as humanly possible, and seeing as many people as I can. My one and only AngiePants comes in to Maryland next week, as does my redonkulous brother, and I couldn't ask for a better Christmas present, before I fly back to Kenya on the 27th.
I hope everyone has an amazing Christmas/holiday season, and a glorious new year. Keep on keepin' on and don't forget to be thankful for what you do have this year.
Happy Holidays from Maryland and from Kenya!
<3 Shub :)
No comments:
Post a Comment