Merry Christmas everyone.
It is my first holidays away from home and I guess it would be dishonest not to admit it is a little hard. But, being on vacation, having rwo weeks away from my students, and being surrounded by other Americans helps ease the pain a bit. With Christmas is obviously another birthday. I am turning 23 and this is the first year I can remember actually feeling older. These past five months, for some reason, have gone by so quickly, but I feel like it has also been a dump into the real world.
I have a house, job, and live in another country. I guess that is a pretty big year.
These past few weeks at post have been both busy and boring. The first quarter is done and the students have finished all theur tests. I held review sessions and open office hours the week before the test. It was funny and cute, I was not sure who to expect or what they would want to review. I had given exerceises and told people to work together and use it as a practive test. Well; close to 40 kids showed up and it was so neat to see. Of course, much like any students, the good ones who really did not need help were overwhelmingly the ones who came.
It is just so neat to see a light bulb go off in their head when they finally understand. The smile, small nod of the head, and the realization they can and will be able to learn. It is something so precious and yet I have to be content with knowing only about half of my students will ever have such a reaction.
My house is also coming together quite nicely. I, in typical Annie fashion, have hung up every picture, decorated the walls, and written quotes or wacky BBC news. Is it true that Cosco is selling coffins? It keeps me sane and I have also come to the realization it is probably the biggest and nicest home I will ever have.
As for boring times, I read a lot and listen to the BBC at least one or two hours a day. They have some great programs as well as African and world news. It is hard to make friends. Actually, nearly impossible. Just because there are few women who are educated and know French more than I know French. There are older students, but that gets awkward because of the professional attitude I must maintain. Men and women in general associate socially along gender lines, so it is okay to talk and visit other teachers, but that is usually it.
To be honest, I have realized these two years are a chance for me to learn about the world not only see it. I find myself readiçng about the history of West Africa. Trying to read and educate myself while I am seeing and experiencing it all. I have cole to realize I was so busy in college and high school, I never really had time for this stuff. I do not regret such decisions, but there is no time like the present.
What else? My hair is getting pretty long and thus hot. I think cutting will soon be in order. I have lost quite a bit of weight. ABout 40 pounds to be exact. Increased physical activity will do that I guess. I almost feel like I am playing basketball again. I have made quite a few good close freinds with other volunteers. I think in some ways this is just as important as the Benin friends I make. They are people to bounce ideas off of, to share the highs and lows, and to just be a nerdy 22 and 362 day year old.
Alrighty, I have rambled on long enough. Love and miss you all more than you know. Please write and e mail. It is your support and love that keep me going. Sing a Carol for me!
Annie
PS I will be checking e mail again around the 15th or 16th of January.