Blend and blur

Can't believe that it has been so long since I've last written. Can't believe even more that I don't have anything really too exciting to catch you up on. *sigh*

Life here is bizarre as I seem to manage to find things to keep me busy but can't really list them off at the end of the day. I haven't had a lot of time where I just sit around or read or daydream about this, that, and everything else but yeah, I'm not sure if I've been all that productive. A typical day consists of me arriving down at the office and puttering about as I help the kitchen get breakfast and lunch organized, then sort things out for the cleaning girls before I start in on the snatch and grab game of two students here, three students there. I'm slowly learning that time management and organizational skills, precious threads of peace of mind in our western world, are foreign concepts never meant to be woven into life here. Thankfully, I'm learning to be okay with this. A whole new level of relaxed, and I really am okay with this. I may catch myself sighing enormously as I walk back and forth to the office store room for my hundredth trip to bring yet one more thing to the kitchen, or up to the local staff area to get someone back on track, but it's quickly checked as I hand it over or it's received with a smile and a "thank you teacher!" (I'm working on getting them to call me "Janice")

Some days there are loads of staff here, all eager for class, other days, few bodies and even less interest, but I'm getting in at least four hours of teaching a day, spread out randomly throughout the day. Anytime between 4 and 6 pm, after the kitchen staff has changed over and the cleaning girls have bid me farewell, I am thoroughly drenched in sweat and stink. (Charming, hey?) ... oh look at that, in the midst of writing all of this, I have gotten laundry soap, filled Mac in on what's happened on his morning off, sympathized with an ill and unhappy staff member, greeted and chatted with a long term guest, and gotten two packs of tomato paste for the kitchen. An ADD child's worst nightmare!!! Putter, putter, putter about. But it's good, it's really good. If I didn't feel useful here, at least in the smallest of ways, I think I'd lose my mind a little bit more than I already have. Everybody likes to feel needed now and again, I get to feel that way all day long!

I've been for another quick walk to the village, where a mzungu will always be a local celebrity no matter how many times I go, but this time the children were a little more curious and a little more brave. One or two keen little boys attempted to fill me in on the names in the crowd and then giggles all around as there were gentle and trepidacious high fives exchanged. Late afternoon seems to be a good time to go as everyone is home from school and the various creatures have been brought home from their random grazing plots. OH! Speaking of! Was desperate for a camera as I watched the tiniest of boys, no more than three years old, with a thin stick in his hand herding 4 sauntering, emaciated cows back to their home. His older brother trailed behaind with 6 cows in his command. This little smidge of a boy, in shorts with a turned up collared shirt and no shoes on, was the consummate professional as he jogged up and back, tapping this rib or that flank, all the while a very serious and determined look on his concerned little face. Oh how I wanted to run up and grab him, squeezing him to bits, but I didn't think that it would be too well received at this point in my stay. Well, I guess it wouldn't be well received at any point in my stay, but you know what I mean. He was just so very cute.

Ummm... okay... where was I? Ramble, ramble, ramble. So yep, my days just seem to melt away. shoot. hold on.

and there you go... Mac's day off, kinda, he never really has a day off unless he leaves the island, and for the most part, I can take care of whatever needs to be taken care of while he's up at his house. It was arranged that 40 (adult) students from the thriving city of Chake Chake were coming to check out the resort. Just walk around and see the place. I confirmed again this morning that they needed nothing from us, just wanted to walk around. As they arrive one hour early, they want to know who will be taking them on their tour. ...gulp... pardon? your what? Okay. So as Mac delegates the tour to one of our local staff who is responsible for lunch, I run around and get lunch set out for our guests who were returning from their dive as the group of students began their procession with today's "assistant manager" leading the way. ahhh... good times, good times. Lunch is set, divers are showering, students are being led away, and I am now back at my computer. This is pretty much how it goes. So yes, while I don't ever feel that I'm incredibly productive with my day, there's always something going on.

I had the chance to make a quick trip into Chake, the main hub of this little island, and while it was a quick trip, it was worth it. I only briefly got to see the main street and a few side streets of a market but I loved it. Ducking here and there, not the complete chaos or glorious tidbits of an Asian street, but so very interesting. Pressed for time, I just had to grab a few necessities, I will go back soon. One, to get off the resort and two, to check it out a little more. Nothing too life changing, but oh how I love poking around local centres. More details once I've had more of a chance to explore.

Haven't been out to dive nearly as much as I want to, but the few times I've been continue to be spectacular. Amazing sites out here. Not once have I been out for a swim in the sea. Time and the rocky bottom and sea urchins just keep me away. The kayaks are nice and the small pool they have on site are good for cooling down, the sea is all about the dives. All about the dives. Oh, wait now, I have been out in the sea once. I'll tell you that story another day.

Anyway, I'm presently working on my next entry which will try to outline the shining cast in my current team of players. Small number with one new addition but it may help to sort out who's who when I mention names. Good days, bad days, it's all part of the game. But yes, there has been drama despite our small numbers. For now, I just wanted to check in quickly, remind all of you that I haven't forgotten my committment to connect, and the story shall continue...

love you.
xoxo