Hali ya hewa
It was a beautiful sunny day; for once, it didn’t rain. Temperature maybe in the mid-seventies; sunny with beautiful, glowing, varied clouds; gentle breezes that whipped my still-cleanish hair around my face (when it gets greasy I keep it up, but when it’s clean I keep it down to enjoy).
I taught two Form III streams, the oldest students I teach. The classes are relatively small–about thirty students per–and they’re relatively attentive. I realized today that, to encourage students to write down what I write on the board (which is something that’s hard to do!) I can make them show me their completed notes to get into the computer lab, as a sort of ticket. It worked very well with these classes, but it will be trickier when I need to split the class because they can’t all be in the lab at the same time. Maybe the first twenty to take notes will use the computers for the first amount of time. I’ll work it out.
Walking down the main street in town, the wind on my face and the sun on my back looking around at the dramatically lit mountains and sky, I was completely happy.
Posted: January 28th, 2009 under Uncategorized.
Comments
Comment from Ron
Time January 31, 2009 at 5:22 pm
Hi Marie,
Glad to hear things are improving. My guess is that it will be much better when the students get to know you personally and you can see –at least some of– them progressing.
I’ve been very curious for quite a while now–can you give us any clue as to how the Swahili language (written, at any rate) works? I always want to know what the Swahili titles to a given entry to your blog mean. I guess all the time, based on the content of the entry–but of course I never know how close–or way off– I am.
I agree with Jan on singing–I’ve read that every song you learn is a friend for life. So the more songs you know, the more friends you have.
I’d be also very interested if you knew of any Tanzanian songs.
And also what the Africans you’ve met have said about Obama. It’s always great to get many perspectives on what’s going on.
I’m sure you’ve heard about the brilliant guy who tried to sell Obama’s Senate seat.
Mac sent me a link to a guy who wrote parodies (of Christmas carols in this case) on political developments.
My favorite of these (to a tune you definitely know)
Rodney, the red-faced governor
Didn’t know they tapped his phone
He’ll join Chicago’s legends
In the joint like Al Capone.
Looking forward to your next blog entry.
Take care,
Uncle Ron
Comment from Jan
Time January 31, 2009 at 4:45 pm
Hi Marie,
It was a relief today to find a blog that you are at last happy in! We are feeling very sorry for you with all the problems you have been having. We really enjoy reading your blogs though and you write extremely well, very descriptive. It brings Africa and Makete alive for us.
I am putting together another box to send you, is there anything that you particularly want me to include? The children want to put something they have made in the box for you. So I will help them with that next week and it will either go in this box or the next one for you.
Look after yourself, and try singing and whistling in the house when you are alone, (or with company) that always makes me feel good when I am on my own.
lots of love,
Jan
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