a non-cohesive update on life

Okay…so I’ve been waiting for my random thoughts to magically organize themselves into a cohesive blog post for a few weeks now. Unfortunately that hasn’t happened. So, instead…here are some rambling, rabbit trail musings! :)

1) Murphy’s Law of Rainy Season Urination – No matter how long it’s been since you emptied your bladder, when it starts pouring, you WILL need to pee. Badly. And you’ll end up in an internal wrestling match over whether or not to get soaked on your way to the latrine, or endure the torture or staying inside and listening to the (normally beautiful but currently awful) sound of rain hitting your thatched roof. Every. Single. Time.

2) Meetings in Namibia can be… overwhelming. I’m not even sure that’s the right word. My beginning of term staff meeting began at 1:00pm, just after school let out, and I got home at 6:00pm. Let’s just say, surviving a meeting can take some considerable strategic planning.

The Sestito Guide to Nam Meeting Survival

step 1 – Have a good morning. Do whatever you need to do to put yourself in             a good mood. Listen to happy music, treat yourself to some American goodies (like Starbucks via!)… anything that will give you positive energy. Trust me, you’ll need it.

step 2 – Eat before the meeting, even if you’re not hungry yet. By the middle, you’ll be starving.

step 3 – Prepare a mental list of things to think about once you zone out.

step 4 – Always begin the meeting with your water bottle less than full. At some point, you’ll want to stretch your legs… and filling it up will be a good             excuse.

step 5 – smile! :)

3) Shitenges, a traditional cloth in my region are amazing. I always have one with me now. Always. Somehow a piece of fabric, about two yards long, has become an integral accessory to everyday life. I’m keeping a running list of all the ways to use them I’ve come across.

- As clothing. Most women in the village wear them as a wrapped skirt. I’ve also used mine as a beach cover-up, shawl, and dress.

- As shade. While walking in the sun, draping a shitenge over your head is surprisingly helpful. Also, if the sun is shining into the car, you can use it as an instant window shade. :)

- As a shower curtain.

- As a quick dry towel.

- To carry laundry, or other various items

- To carry babies (I thought they deserved their own bullet point…)

- To cushion your head when carrying heavy containers of water

- To lay on the ground when sitting outside.

And, did I mention they come in all sorts of awesome patterns, and cost approximately $2.35 USD?

4) Teaching is challenging, rewarding, frustrating, exciting, and hard work. Most of the best and worst moments I’ve had in the past month have been in the classroom. But, I’m getting there. I’m starting to develop some good routines. I’ beginning to get better at planning good lessons (that are at the appropriate level for my learners, and take the right amount of time). I’m doing my best to learn all of their names. And I’m starting to be relaxed and confident enough in the classroom to have fun while I teach.

5) I cannot get over how beautiful the sky is here. Whether it’s raining, sunny, morning, dusk, or evening… it’s always mind blowing-ly gorgeous. Neither photos nor words do it justice. Come and see.

Okay…..that’s all for now. Much love to everyone!