Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Dec. 18
Saturday we visited Etosha Game Reserve. We toured the eastern part of the giant park in this really cool safari type vehicle. We started off slow, seeing different types of antelope and oryx. The Etosha Pans are extremely large salt deposits, and the park is the area surrounding them. The salt pans are extremely wide, and it looks like water as you look onto the horizon. We quickly spotted a few zebras, which here are shaped more like donkeys than horses. Out on the pan we could barely make out a giraffe in the distance, it looked like it was walking on water. I was pretty excited because I had really hoped to see a giraffe. I didn’t know if we would be lucky to see one giraffe or we would see hundreds. It was so far away that we couldn’t get a picture though. About 10 minutes later, in the bush away from the pans I spotted the head of a giraffe above the trees. We quickly pulled the combi over and waited. The giraffe spotted us, but continued to cautiously eat leaves. I snapped several very good pics of it. It was probably 50 feet from us.
We spotted (ok, we were shown) some elephant and rhino tracks on our way to a water hole. Along with a lion, I was hoping to see an elephant, and I just knew there would be one getting a drink. There wasn’t, but we found another giraffe spreading its legs to bend over and drink. It would only drink for a few seconds, then stand up straight and look for lions. It would take several more seconds for it to work up enough courage to bend over and then even longer to actually get its legs spread and neck bent. As the giraffe cycled through drinking, standing, looking and bending, and oryx bull came up, got a quick drink, and departed. Our guide pointed out that the giraffe was very thirsty.
We traveled along the edge of the pan between stops at water holes. There we saw a family of ostriches. The first had 14 chicks, that were running amuck. When they saw us they immediately crowded at the feet of the father while the mother stood on a high part of ground and ruffled her feathers toward us.
After a long dry spell Alex alerted the crew that something was up ahead under a tree. Right after he said “…maybe not” we spotted two ginormous elephants getting their backs scratched by the trunk of a very sturdy tree. They posed for several pictures before walking off away from the road.
We drove north in search of lions, to the open grasslands (Stephen’s worst nightmare). On the way we came across several giraffes, zebras, and springbok (small antelopes a.k.a. cheetah food). Right as we left the “woods” for the grasslands we were greeted by 5 giraffe, probably 30 zebra, and 20 or so oryx. The giraffes were a little closer, making them more photogenic. The zebras (pajama donkeys) appeared to be oblivious to us. They were “horsing around” – rolling in the dirt, biting and jumping on one another. We sped through the tall grass for ten or fifteen minutes to the water hole we thought might have thirsty lions. We did see some distant figures moving in the tall grass, but it turned out they were just oryx. No lions.
On our way home through the woods we came across a baby springbok, several more ostriches, and some kudus. Kudus are very large, like elk. They are tan, with vertical white stripes and the males have long beards and twisted horns. We found them eating as we drove right upon them. They would get scared, run and jump quickly out of the way. One time however, they just stood there, the proverbial deer in the headlights. We stopped our combi and eventually they worked up enough courage to cross the road not ten feet from us. We got some cool pictures, but just being that close to the animals in the wild was unforgettable.
As we were almost home we spotted another elephant, though he moved like a turtle. He had also covered himself in dirt, making him look like a stone. We sat in the road for what seemed like days as he slowly walked right toward us. When he was about 20 feet behind us in the middle of the road, he stopped and shook his head and beat his feet. Lindsey and I were sitting in the back, so we had front row seats to this spectacle. I don’t know if he was trying to scare us off or say hello, but after that he crossed the road and continued to walk. The guide said he was going to a nearby water hole, so we of course made him take us there. We sped ahead to find several zebra, oryx, springbok, wildebeest and one wart hog drinking, swimming, and hanging out. As the elephant slowly came into view, all the other animals cleared out. We watched him drink and spray water on himself. They drink 400 liters (Nalgenes) of water a day, so it took some time, then he slowly walked around the pool, right up to us, and away. Again he walked right behind the combi, stopped, and shook his head. It was a great way to end our first visit to Etosha. I’m not leaving Africa without seeing a lion.
cont. Dec 19
Michael, I am very sorry about the pictures. It takes so long though on the internet. I’m hoping that I’ll be able to have free access at my school, so in a few weeks it shouldn’t be a problem, although it will still take me forever. Today I bought a CD and I’m going to put all 226 pictures from Etosha and others and send it to my dad. If he can figure out my blog, then the pictures will be available soon (Or I should say now). In Namibia, “now” means within the day. “Now now” means within the hour. My host mother has actually used the term “now now now,” but I couldn’t really tell a difference from “now now.” Everyone uses the phrase “I’m coming now” when they are leaving. It’s like saying “I’ll see you soon.” Rarely, you will here “I’m coming now now.” More frequently, you will here “I’m coming,” which means you should not expect their return anytime soon.
More on time: I am learning Rukwangali. It is a tribal language that is quickly going out of style. It is the language in the Kavango Region, though. Today in language class we learned that time on the clock is a relatively new concept. In the past, they only had words for day, evening, and night. We have a language test looming on New Years day starting at 8 AM. We are trying to lobby to get the date changed. I’m not sure it will matter though; I’m set to flunk either way.
We have had a language lesson almost daily for the past 4 weeks, and only about 2 hours of it has been useful. I love our teacher, but she is not a good teacher. Her most common method of teaching is holding up a card with a Rukwangali word on it, then having us guess what it is in English. This is also a time for creative answers, and we have had some fun with it: beard, hurry up (culturally irrelevant), guerrilla suit, separation funnel, old fashioned bicycle with a big wheel in the front and a small wheel in the back. Our teacher’s English is only okay, so she isn’t able to explain things to us very well either. It is a learning experience I guess.
Tonight Mizzou is playing in the Braggin’ Rights game, I’ve been thinking about it all day. I am excited to hear that they have been playing tough. Full court defense and sharing the ball on offense? Who’d have thought. Never would have happened with Quin. Also glad to hear the Cards signed Carpenter. Now I’m just waiting for Barak Obama to announce.
Almost positive now that I won’t write again before Christmas. It’s so strange that it’s that time of year, not because of the weather (although I do have the darkest tan I’ve had in years) but because of the lack of commercialism. It is very nice. We will be celebrating Xmas back at our training center in Okahandja while reuniting with the other 62 volunteers (3 have gone back to the U.S. already). We have all been text messaging each other in excited anticipation of our return.
p.s. Zach (Scott, I presume), I'll write more about the library on my next post...
Saturday we visited Etosha Game Reserve. We toured the eastern part of the giant park in this really cool safari type vehicle. We started off slow, seeing different types of antelope and oryx. The Etosha Pans are extremely large salt deposits, and the park is the area surrounding them. The salt pans are extremely wide, and it looks like water as you look onto the horizon. We quickly spotted a few zebras, which here are shaped more like donkeys than horses. Out on the pan we could barely make out a giraffe in the distance, it looked like it was walking on water. I was pretty excited because I had really hoped to see a giraffe. I didn’t know if we would be lucky to see one giraffe or we would see hundreds. It was so far away that we couldn’t get a picture though. About 10 minutes later, in the bush away from the pans I spotted the head of a giraffe above the trees. We quickly pulled the combi over and waited. The giraffe spotted us, but continued to cautiously eat leaves. I snapped several very good pics of it. It was probably 50 feet from us.
We spotted (ok, we were shown) some elephant and rhino tracks on our way to a water hole. Along with a lion, I was hoping to see an elephant, and I just knew there would be one getting a drink. There wasn’t, but we found another giraffe spreading its legs to bend over and drink. It would only drink for a few seconds, then stand up straight and look for lions. It would take several more seconds for it to work up enough courage to bend over and then even longer to actually get its legs spread and neck bent. As the giraffe cycled through drinking, standing, looking and bending, and oryx bull came up, got a quick drink, and departed. Our guide pointed out that the giraffe was very thirsty.
We traveled along the edge of the pan between stops at water holes. There we saw a family of ostriches. The first had 14 chicks, that were running amuck. When they saw us they immediately crowded at the feet of the father while the mother stood on a high part of ground and ruffled her feathers toward us.
After a long dry spell Alex alerted the crew that something was up ahead under a tree. Right after he said “…maybe not” we spotted two ginormous elephants getting their backs scratched by the trunk of a very sturdy tree. They posed for several pictures before walking off away from the road.
We drove north in search of lions, to the open grasslands (Stephen’s worst nightmare). On the way we came across several giraffes, zebras, and springbok (small antelopes a.k.a. cheetah food). Right as we left the “woods” for the grasslands we were greeted by 5 giraffe, probably 30 zebra, and 20 or so oryx. The giraffes were a little closer, making them more photogenic. The zebras (pajama donkeys) appeared to be oblivious to us. They were “horsing around” – rolling in the dirt, biting and jumping on one another. We sped through the tall grass for ten or fifteen minutes to the water hole we thought might have thirsty lions. We did see some distant figures moving in the tall grass, but it turned out they were just oryx. No lions.
On our way home through the woods we came across a baby springbok, several more ostriches, and some kudus. Kudus are very large, like elk. They are tan, with vertical white stripes and the males have long beards and twisted horns. We found them eating as we drove right upon them. They would get scared, run and jump quickly out of the way. One time however, they just stood there, the proverbial deer in the headlights. We stopped our combi and eventually they worked up enough courage to cross the road not ten feet from us. We got some cool pictures, but just being that close to the animals in the wild was unforgettable.
As we were almost home we spotted another elephant, though he moved like a turtle. He had also covered himself in dirt, making him look like a stone. We sat in the road for what seemed like days as he slowly walked right toward us. When he was about 20 feet behind us in the middle of the road, he stopped and shook his head and beat his feet. Lindsey and I were sitting in the back, so we had front row seats to this spectacle. I don’t know if he was trying to scare us off or say hello, but after that he crossed the road and continued to walk. The guide said he was going to a nearby water hole, so we of course made him take us there. We sped ahead to find several zebra, oryx, springbok, wildebeest and one wart hog drinking, swimming, and hanging out. As the elephant slowly came into view, all the other animals cleared out. We watched him drink and spray water on himself. They drink 400 liters (Nalgenes) of water a day, so it took some time, then he slowly walked around the pool, right up to us, and away. Again he walked right behind the combi, stopped, and shook his head. It was a great way to end our first visit to Etosha. I’m not leaving Africa without seeing a lion.
cont. Dec 19
Michael, I am very sorry about the pictures. It takes so long though on the internet. I’m hoping that I’ll be able to have free access at my school, so in a few weeks it shouldn’t be a problem, although it will still take me forever. Today I bought a CD and I’m going to put all 226 pictures from Etosha and others and send it to my dad. If he can figure out my blog, then the pictures will be available soon (Or I should say now). In Namibia, “now” means within the day. “Now now” means within the hour. My host mother has actually used the term “now now now,” but I couldn’t really tell a difference from “now now.” Everyone uses the phrase “I’m coming now” when they are leaving. It’s like saying “I’ll see you soon.” Rarely, you will here “I’m coming now now.” More frequently, you will here “I’m coming,” which means you should not expect their return anytime soon.
More on time: I am learning Rukwangali. It is a tribal language that is quickly going out of style. It is the language in the Kavango Region, though. Today in language class we learned that time on the clock is a relatively new concept. In the past, they only had words for day, evening, and night. We have a language test looming on New Years day starting at 8 AM. We are trying to lobby to get the date changed. I’m not sure it will matter though; I’m set to flunk either way.
We have had a language lesson almost daily for the past 4 weeks, and only about 2 hours of it has been useful. I love our teacher, but she is not a good teacher. Her most common method of teaching is holding up a card with a Rukwangali word on it, then having us guess what it is in English. This is also a time for creative answers, and we have had some fun with it: beard, hurry up (culturally irrelevant), guerrilla suit, separation funnel, old fashioned bicycle with a big wheel in the front and a small wheel in the back. Our teacher’s English is only okay, so she isn’t able to explain things to us very well either. It is a learning experience I guess.
Tonight Mizzou is playing in the Braggin’ Rights game, I’ve been thinking about it all day. I am excited to hear that they have been playing tough. Full court defense and sharing the ball on offense? Who’d have thought. Never would have happened with Quin. Also glad to hear the Cards signed Carpenter. Now I’m just waiting for Barak Obama to announce.
Almost positive now that I won’t write again before Christmas. It’s so strange that it’s that time of year, not because of the weather (although I do have the darkest tan I’ve had in years) but because of the lack of commercialism. It is very nice. We will be celebrating Xmas back at our training center in Okahandja while reuniting with the other 62 volunteers (3 have gone back to the U.S. already). We have all been text messaging each other in excited anticipation of our return.
p.s. Zach (Scott, I presume), I'll write more about the library on my next post...
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Dec. 06
I read Lindsey’s blog last night. She is a much better writer, huh? Anyway, we have traveled from our permanent site in Nkurenkuru to Grootfontein for more training. The focus of this training is to practice teaching for a few weeks. We spent Monday and yesterday planning what is basically a summer school program for 157 learners. Today was the first day of “teaching.” I didn’t get past introductions in any of my three 8th grade math classes (I also teach two periods of gym, but I think it is evolving toward recess). English proficiency is not as much of a problem as I thought it would be; most of my students were able to understand what I was saying, I think. It’s funny, though; British English is much more common, so my learners think I have an accent. Several of the other volunteers shared my experience of having timid learners. When asking a question of the class, no one would respond. And they all speak so quietly (well, except for my class of all 8th grade girls). As we were going around the room, I would hold my hand up to my ear and ask them to repeat what they had just said, and they wouldn’t make it any louder the second or third time. I am thankful that discipline is not a problem. Eye contact is super effective. Maybe once they get to know me a little better they will cause more trouble, but maybe not.
Tomorrow I am going to be giving my classes a basic quiz. Although they all (allegedly) passed 7th grade, I have a feeling there is a wide discrepancy of prior knowledge and ability. I hope that will make it clear what I should focus my lessons on. It’s also difficult having only a chalkboard and them having only a paper pad and pen. Also, the math texts here are completely worthless, no exaggeration. Even the design on the cover is flawed. It is decorated like many math books, expressions and equations scattered all about. However, one says x times y times z times z is equal to 2xyz (when it should be xyz squared)! And sadly, the cover is the book’s best feature. Instead of giving examples, it tells learners to ask their teachers for examples. I could go on and on.
Some of the learners seem really neat, and I love that they are so easily impressed. When I told them I was married that simultaneously replied “ooohhh.” Maybe I’ll be able to snap some photos (but that’s another thing. The internet is so slow, it takes forever to upload pictures to my blog or email. I really have to narrow it down to the best ones, but I’ll try getting some asap).
Dec. 11
I got distracted from that last entry and am just now getting back to it. We have now had four days of model school. The students did awful awful awful on the quiz. They need help on everything, so I decided to start with the basics -- multiplication. They understand what multiplication is, they just can’t remember any of the facts. It really pains me to be drilling them. For one thing, it is mind numbing. But also, it reinforces the student perception that coming up with a quick answer is what is valued. I’m reading Teaching as a Subversive Activity right now; which preaches the exact opposite. The book makes so much sense, but with no materials and only 9 teaching days, I decided to just drill them on facts – or, if you will, take the easy way out.
I can’t put the book down, though. I read a few lines, think about it, and read it again. I think when I’m done I’ll have to read the whole thing again. It is absolutely amazing. The most important idea, so far, is Chapter 2: The Medium is the Message. To summarize less elegantly: How teacher’s teach is more important than what they teach. Actually, how they teach is what students actually learn. The book is critical of the traditional classroom, where quick responses and memorization are valued. However, if a teacher values independent and creative thought and asking why, as I do, then the traditional way of learning if far obsolete. It’s not that this book is a new idea by any means; it just provides more background and justifications for such teaching. I think it will have a profound effect on my future employment.
Anyway, back to model school, where I am reinforcing that idea that quick memory is a vital skill to my eighth-grade learners. The students are used to math teachers who usually don’t come to class because they don’t understand math that well. Today I corrected a poster on the wall (and I took joy in blatantly marking out the error) that claimed octagon was nine sides and had the signs (spelled “sighns”) for less than, greater than, less than or equal to, and greater than or equal to backwards – an unforgivable mistake. So, although I’m not doing as much as I feel I should, my presence in the classroom is a much needed improvement.
Today was also the first day that we were no longer allowed to have “gym” class. By gym I mean lax supervised chaos. It drove the “principal” and local teacher nuts, so we had to scrap it. I held a Socratic seminar instead. I didn’t really know how to do it, so I put the kids in a circle, gave them a few dialogue rules, and let it rip. I asked what I thought were pretty good thought-provoking questions about Namibia and America (The most popular reason for why people go to America was to see celebrities). It was like pulling teeth getting them to respond, but I think it was beneficial considering their previous educational experiences. I didn’t interject a single opinion anywhere, so when I was done I opened up the floor for questions. For five or ten minutes I wrote as fast as I could, and I’ve now got enough material for the remainder of model school just to give my opinions and answers to questions. They want to know: What jobs are in America that are not in Namibia? What I like about America? What I think of Dubya and Iraq? What I think about Namibian dress? Is there discrimination in America? What do I think Namibian schools will be like in the future? What languages are in American? How America won independence from Brittan? Did they vote or select George Washington? What tribes are in America? Will I return to Namibia? Which country is more beautiful? What is the young generation like in America? aHave I ever seen Diego or Paloma in person? Or Eminem? Diego and Paloma are two characters in a Spanish soap opera, but most people refer to the show as Paloma. The show is dubbed over in English. Lindsey and I don’t think that the majority of people know that it is dubbed or even what dubbing is. As a result, they think Mexico is in America. Many of them also think that London is in America because Paloma is currently in London. The top three answers to favorite places in the world are consistently America, Mexico and London in no particular order. The Paloma fascination is not age or gender specific. Getting the learners to open up is a challenge, but (like all large groups) some of them are really neat. If nothing else, model school has provided me with an opportunity to interact with people that have a unique viewpoint I’ve never encountered before.
A little about the family we are living with. There is a mom, Maria Lulu, two daughters, Kauna and Siku, a son Trevor, and random but constant houseguests. Kauna, 13, left today for the holidays. She was nice. I can see why she would take the opportunity to leave, her mom made her do all the household chores, and then some. She would even ask her to bring her water, a spoon, or the remote. Siku, 8, is so sweet. We have studied multiplication, division, clocks, and patterns and Lindsey has done reading, writing, and spelling with her. I’m not sure if her interest is genuine or she just likes spending time with us, but, either way, I’m happy to oblige. Trevor, 3, is spoiled rotten like no kid I’ve ever seen. His hobbies are throwing dirt, using the bathroom in the yard, punching and crying. Don’t even get me started… It is difficult for us adjusting to living with a family, for sure, but we’ll manage. That’s all I’m going to say about that.
In the short time I’ve been gone I’ve already learned two things about America. Or, I should say, relearned. I’ve know this all along but not really been able to appreciate it until now. I hope this list will continue to grow as my time away grows, but here’s what I’ve got right now: Opportunity and Access to Information. They are pretty self explanatory, I guess. Maybe I’ll elaborate later.
I guess that’s it for now. For those of you that have emailed me or left a comment, I really appreciate it. I’d really be interested in hearing political or music news (the new Modest Mouse album out yet?) if anyone knows any, just send me a quick email. The internet is just too slow to casually browse for news. I should post again before Christmas, but if not: Happy Holidays.
I read Lindsey’s blog last night. She is a much better writer, huh? Anyway, we have traveled from our permanent site in Nkurenkuru to Grootfontein for more training. The focus of this training is to practice teaching for a few weeks. We spent Monday and yesterday planning what is basically a summer school program for 157 learners. Today was the first day of “teaching.” I didn’t get past introductions in any of my three 8th grade math classes (I also teach two periods of gym, but I think it is evolving toward recess). English proficiency is not as much of a problem as I thought it would be; most of my students were able to understand what I was saying, I think. It’s funny, though; British English is much more common, so my learners think I have an accent. Several of the other volunteers shared my experience of having timid learners. When asking a question of the class, no one would respond. And they all speak so quietly (well, except for my class of all 8th grade girls). As we were going around the room, I would hold my hand up to my ear and ask them to repeat what they had just said, and they wouldn’t make it any louder the second or third time. I am thankful that discipline is not a problem. Eye contact is super effective. Maybe once they get to know me a little better they will cause more trouble, but maybe not.
Tomorrow I am going to be giving my classes a basic quiz. Although they all (allegedly) passed 7th grade, I have a feeling there is a wide discrepancy of prior knowledge and ability. I hope that will make it clear what I should focus my lessons on. It’s also difficult having only a chalkboard and them having only a paper pad and pen. Also, the math texts here are completely worthless, no exaggeration. Even the design on the cover is flawed. It is decorated like many math books, expressions and equations scattered all about. However, one says x times y times z times z is equal to 2xyz (when it should be xyz squared)! And sadly, the cover is the book’s best feature. Instead of giving examples, it tells learners to ask their teachers for examples. I could go on and on.
Some of the learners seem really neat, and I love that they are so easily impressed. When I told them I was married that simultaneously replied “ooohhh.” Maybe I’ll be able to snap some photos (but that’s another thing. The internet is so slow, it takes forever to upload pictures to my blog or email. I really have to narrow it down to the best ones, but I’ll try getting some asap).
Dec. 11
I got distracted from that last entry and am just now getting back to it. We have now had four days of model school. The students did awful awful awful on the quiz. They need help on everything, so I decided to start with the basics -- multiplication. They understand what multiplication is, they just can’t remember any of the facts. It really pains me to be drilling them. For one thing, it is mind numbing. But also, it reinforces the student perception that coming up with a quick answer is what is valued. I’m reading Teaching as a Subversive Activity right now; which preaches the exact opposite. The book makes so much sense, but with no materials and only 9 teaching days, I decided to just drill them on facts – or, if you will, take the easy way out.
I can’t put the book down, though. I read a few lines, think about it, and read it again. I think when I’m done I’ll have to read the whole thing again. It is absolutely amazing. The most important idea, so far, is Chapter 2: The Medium is the Message. To summarize less elegantly: How teacher’s teach is more important than what they teach. Actually, how they teach is what students actually learn. The book is critical of the traditional classroom, where quick responses and memorization are valued. However, if a teacher values independent and creative thought and asking why, as I do, then the traditional way of learning if far obsolete. It’s not that this book is a new idea by any means; it just provides more background and justifications for such teaching. I think it will have a profound effect on my future employment.
Anyway, back to model school, where I am reinforcing that idea that quick memory is a vital skill to my eighth-grade learners. The students are used to math teachers who usually don’t come to class because they don’t understand math that well. Today I corrected a poster on the wall (and I took joy in blatantly marking out the error) that claimed octagon was nine sides and had the signs (spelled “sighns”) for less than, greater than, less than or equal to, and greater than or equal to backwards – an unforgivable mistake. So, although I’m not doing as much as I feel I should, my presence in the classroom is a much needed improvement.
Today was also the first day that we were no longer allowed to have “gym” class. By gym I mean lax supervised chaos. It drove the “principal” and local teacher nuts, so we had to scrap it. I held a Socratic seminar instead. I didn’t really know how to do it, so I put the kids in a circle, gave them a few dialogue rules, and let it rip. I asked what I thought were pretty good thought-provoking questions about Namibia and America (The most popular reason for why people go to America was to see celebrities). It was like pulling teeth getting them to respond, but I think it was beneficial considering their previous educational experiences. I didn’t interject a single opinion anywhere, so when I was done I opened up the floor for questions. For five or ten minutes I wrote as fast as I could, and I’ve now got enough material for the remainder of model school just to give my opinions and answers to questions. They want to know: What jobs are in America that are not in Namibia? What I like about America? What I think of Dubya and Iraq? What I think about Namibian dress? Is there discrimination in America? What do I think Namibian schools will be like in the future? What languages are in American? How America won independence from Brittan? Did they vote or select George Washington? What tribes are in America? Will I return to Namibia? Which country is more beautiful? What is the young generation like in America? aHave I ever seen Diego or Paloma in person? Or Eminem? Diego and Paloma are two characters in a Spanish soap opera, but most people refer to the show as Paloma. The show is dubbed over in English. Lindsey and I don’t think that the majority of people know that it is dubbed or even what dubbing is. As a result, they think Mexico is in America. Many of them also think that London is in America because Paloma is currently in London. The top three answers to favorite places in the world are consistently America, Mexico and London in no particular order. The Paloma fascination is not age or gender specific. Getting the learners to open up is a challenge, but (like all large groups) some of them are really neat. If nothing else, model school has provided me with an opportunity to interact with people that have a unique viewpoint I’ve never encountered before.
A little about the family we are living with. There is a mom, Maria Lulu, two daughters, Kauna and Siku, a son Trevor, and random but constant houseguests. Kauna, 13, left today for the holidays. She was nice. I can see why she would take the opportunity to leave, her mom made her do all the household chores, and then some. She would even ask her to bring her water, a spoon, or the remote. Siku, 8, is so sweet. We have studied multiplication, division, clocks, and patterns and Lindsey has done reading, writing, and spelling with her. I’m not sure if her interest is genuine or she just likes spending time with us, but, either way, I’m happy to oblige. Trevor, 3, is spoiled rotten like no kid I’ve ever seen. His hobbies are throwing dirt, using the bathroom in the yard, punching and crying. Don’t even get me started… It is difficult for us adjusting to living with a family, for sure, but we’ll manage. That’s all I’m going to say about that.
In the short time I’ve been gone I’ve already learned two things about America. Or, I should say, relearned. I’ve know this all along but not really been able to appreciate it until now. I hope this list will continue to grow as my time away grows, but here’s what I’ve got right now: Opportunity and Access to Information. They are pretty self explanatory, I guess. Maybe I’ll elaborate later.
I guess that’s it for now. For those of you that have emailed me or left a comment, I really appreciate it. I’d really be interested in hearing political or music news (the new Modest Mouse album out yet?) if anyone knows any, just send me a quick email. The internet is just too slow to casually browse for news. I should post again before Christmas, but if not: Happy Holidays.
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
just some pictures...
Kim, the fridge is gas powered. But we won't have to worry about that because we have electricity! Woot woot
Ok, these pictures take way too long. I need free, uninteruppted access, this is rediculous...
Kim, the fridge is gas powered. But we won't have to worry about that because we have electricity! Woot woot
Ok, these pictures take way too long. I need free, uninteruppted access, this is rediculous...
