I am pretty awful at updating this blog. This time last year I was much better at it. I am afraid that my life hasn't been terribly interesting lately and I don't have very much to say.
Today marks the end of term 1 and the start of the April examinations. I cannot believe that time is flying by so fast now. This is the end of my fourth school term in Namibia. Where was I this time last year? I was still adjusting to my placement and getting the hang of teaching in a foreign country. I was scared to death of how my kids would do on their exams. I had Hunter in my life by this time and I was living with my best friend. A lot can change in a year. I think a lot of us know this fact.
Today I am living with some nice people but none of them to really call a friend. I don't have Hunter anymore and I have to say adjusting to a new school wasn't as hard as it was last year. I knew some of what I was doing this time around and it has been easier to teach and to feel confident that I was teaching the correct material. I have wanted to give Okatope the same chance that I did with Onambutu. I think it's difficult when you build a life around a place and then suddenly you leave. I do like Okatope but it's really not as happy of an experience as I had last year. My friends are all scattered and it makes me feel very alone a lot of the time.
I'm trying to make it a happy experience again. I go out and meet the people around and I have some friends that I see on occasion here. I have tried to start to go walking again and I've even tried to start running. Anyone who knows me knows that I am not one to understand why people run let alone go out and do it myself. However, like many things you do not try for yourself, as I am getting older I do enjoy a good run instead of dreading it as I used to. I find that it relaxes me and gives me a peace of mind that I am doing something good for my body and my health.
I am also trying to eat a bit healthier. It is harder to do because these small bugs seem to get into my food no matter where I put it or what I put it in and then I end up having to throw it away. I have also taken up drinking tea because I enjoy a good cup of hot tea to relax after a long day.
I think figuring out things that make you happy however simple they may be is just the ticket to turning a sour attitude around. Only I can make myself happy and I am doing everything in my power to do that for myself right now. I have also found that I am and have always been too concerned with others happiness (not that it's a terrible thing to want for others to be happy) over my own. You need to start with yourself and that way it's easier to spread the happiness through your own light shining from you. I have always found this to be true with my mother. She has a certain glow around her that everyone finds infectious. She exudes happiness and positive attitude. I hope to one day be able to do just the same.
Well onto my plans for the next couple of weeks. I am sad to say that I will have absolutely nothing to do at school since at this particular school, only class teachers give the exams and since I am not one of those, I am now sitting in the computer lab planning for next term and trying not to be bored. I will be doing this for the next three weeks. I'm happy to say that my friend Casey who also extended is making a trip to see me this weekend which should be an excellent break and some much needed American time. After exams are over I will be travelling to Swakopmund where I am renting a room so that I can have some much needed beach therapy. I plan on spending my entire vacation there getting lost in a good book and eating excellent food at their yummy restaurants by the sea.
Crazily enough I started missing having a pet around the house and considered looking for another dog or even a cat. However, I don't know how often I will be out on the weekends and I find that this isn't fair for the animal and I end up stressing. I must find some other ways to cope with the hole that Hunter is leaving in my heart. Don't get me wrong, I know he is happy and healthy and making the little boy I gave him to very happy; however, I do miss him very much. He was the first pet I had on my own and he got me through some tough times last year.
Oh I posted this on Facebook but it made me laugh so I'll post it here as well. The other day I was sitting in the classroom while another teacher used it for his class. Naturally I wasn't paying attention to his accounting lesson. At the end of the period, three or four boys from the class came up to me and said, "Miss one of the girls stole your pen. You should pray that God returns it to you" I was put off at first kind of angry that someone would steal from me. This is not the first time. I told them "Well, God didn't steal my pen so you had better point me in the direction of the girl who did". I don't think any of them wanted to be the one to rat her out so I said "Oh, never mind just have a nice rest of your day boys". I think that the girl needed the pen more than I do and I need to let it go. Some things you just let be and move on to things that are more important to worry about or care about.
Until next time...
Peace and Love,
Chels
