Sunday, May 30, 2010

What I’ve been doing

It’s getting to be the end of the school year here. I spent many Friday and Saturday afternoons in May going to the local high school, middle school, and Dar Talib (Student House-dorms for kids who live out of town but attend the middle school). For the end of the year the school puts on a program to give out awards and the kids put on a show. Although I didn't understand half of it, (singing, comedy sketches, and short skits) it was still good. Last Friday I went to the program at the middle school, and as they were announcing the awards they called my host sister’s name. She had won a drawing contest for her non-smoking poster. I’m so proud of her.

At the high school, I finally convinced some new people to come to the Dar Chebab. At first, a bunch of the guys came and we had a ping pong tournament. Right now the high school kids are cramming for their BAC (kind of like the SAT) but they have to pass it in order to get their diploma. I've been helping out a group of boys with studying for their English exam. It's been a lot of fun, hopefully they will pass. Their test is a week away so I'll be working hard until then.

So, I don’t usually give out my phone number but kids get it one way or another. Most times I get text messages when I have been gone for a while asking me where I am. But once in a while I get text messages like this: “You already know how you plan for you I see only a few days your eyes are shadowed what happens is that in your life your silence will respect me I m –insert name here.” If you can make sense of it, then you are better than me. But for now I’ll remember that sometimes they probably think my Arabic makes as much sense as that text message.

Also, the mosquitoes are back! I'm thinking I may actually break out the mosquito net, my windows have screens but apparently aren't helping.

I finally have started to get things for my house, couches and a refrigerator in particular. I was finally motivated, since my parents are coming for a visit in two weeks!