A day of anxiety.......

It's Sunday morning. It is gloomy, drizzly and gray out today.

I was lying here in bed reading and I heard a familiar sound. It sounded like a shovel against the sidewalk...like a neighbor shoveling snow. I knew that couldn't be possible, so I got up with my camera to looked outside. Here is what I saw....a little lady pushing dirt into a pile with her broom and dust pan ..... cleaning up the street before the rain comes.

A birthday party I was invited to last evening. Crystal on the left, Jenni and the birthday girl - Courtney. It was Courtney's first birthday here in Morocco. She was missing home, so the party "theme" was America! We had hamburgers, attempted mac and cheese and french fries, angel food cake with maple syrup and fresh fruit. We had a lot of laughs and just a great time together! I have to say, I work with a GREAT bunch of teachers!!!

 

 

So why the day of anxiety you say? Well, for the past couple of weeks we have been getting messages from the US Embassy warning us of demonstrations that might take place, that may or may not turn violent.  Today and next Sunday are the times they anticipate the biggest crowds. Prayers for the next two Sundays would be very welcomed!!

Christian churches were closed today. Moroccans told us if anything does happen, it would be good to stay home and have plenty of food stocked up. (Kind of reminded me of a CO snowstorm about to happen....only this one could get violent.) So, like I said, it is gloomy outside. It just "feels" like something is unsettled or things are restless....  I am planning to stay in my cute little apartment all day ....but wondering what is happening in other parts of Morocco and the rest of Africa today.

Thank you friends and family for taking the time to read my blog (my thoughts) and for your concern and prayers. I love hearing from all of you. You have been so faithful with notes and comments.

Blessings to all on this Sunday of unrest.  love you, Jill

Night sounds....

I'm listening to two sounds....the lovely one is the sound of the huge waves rolling in from the ocean.

This photo was taken back in the fall. (I can't even believe I am saying "back in..."....like I've been here that long!!) The past week the waves have been at least three times this size and they start rumbling a lot further out in the ocean....They have been amazing to watch in the daytime and at night to listen to them crashing into the rocks.

It's 1am here. I went to bed at 9, woke up at 10:30 and now I'm up again because my stomach is aching from the antibiotic I'm taking for my bronchitis.... :(  bummer.... I am suppose to take the pills one more day, but my tummy has been aching since I took yesterday's pill. ?? Just feels like it is chewing up my insides!  I told the nurse my tummy doesn't do well with the azimycine family!! I kind of remember dr.s back home saying the same thing she did..."oh this one doesn't usually affect people the same way as the others".....next time I'll remember to say...YES, it does....no thank you! :(

The annoying sound that I can hear when I wake up in the middle of the night are the wild dogs barking. They never seem to sleep at night. I won't miss that when I go back home. I keep wondering what it would take to quiet them down....just a piece of meat, another dog, or do I need to invite them all in to sleep inside????? Actually, I have thought of meat with little, itty, bitty pieces of sleeping drugs inside the meat.....just a thought.....or rocks from my window, or a be-be gun. (I don't even know how to spell it, let alone buy one in a foreign country!) :)

Oops.....you know what....the dogs have taken a break....(thank you God for looking out for me)....I'd better try to go back to sleep NOW! Pretty soon the sound I hear will be the clip-clop of the donkeys on the street bringing fresh oranges and bananas for the neighborhood on Sat. am.

Good night all!

Celebrating Chinese New Year!

A couple weeks ago we celebrated Chinese New Year in the second grade classes. Gail's (my co-worker and friend) parents  were originally from Asia and then moved Michigan before she was born. So she had lots of little "extras" to help make the celebration interesting! 

This was a book Gail shared with my class. It had all kinds of great activities about China for the kids to actively learn more about Chinese New Year. They had fun learning a few words and facts about China.

The kids enjoyed coloring in the dragon masks and trying them on! Can you believe they don't sell crayons in Morocco??!! The kids get one box of crayons at the beginning of the year that are shipped here from the US! But they LOVE using markers!!  Personally, I LOVE crayons best!! Good thing I brought some of my own.

The students were allowed to wear red that day. These are  three of my kids that really got into the whole clothes idea!! Aren't they adorable? Yes....that's my little Kung Fu Zack in the middle again! :)

Driving in Morocco...

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Avoid Night Driving Dangers

Traffic death rates are three times higher at night than during the day, according to the National Safety Council. Driving reactions rely heavily on vision, and darkness severely limits depth perception, color recognition and peripheral vision. The keys to reducing your risk of an accident are maximizing your vision and your vehicle's visibility.

Improve Night Vision
Install high-quality headlights and wiper blades to improve visibility, and replace the headlight bulbs on a regular basis. "You'll notice a huge difference," says automotive expert Lauren Fix, known as "The Car Coach" on TV and the Web. "Remember, 90 percent of your driving decisions are based on visibility." A can of glass cleaner and paper towels will help keep your turn signals, windshield, mirrors and brake lights clear—making it easier for you to see, and easier for other drivers to see you. Older drivers and those with vision problems may find it especially challenging to drive at night. They should see a medical professional who can determine whether they are able to drive safely and suggest eyewear that may help.
Align Headlights and Mirrors
Headlights out of alignment can be a danger to you as well as to other drivers. Your visibility might be compromised, and the errant beam of your misaligned headlight could be hitting other drivers directly in their eyes. "If you think your headlights are aimed incorrectly, find an automotive technician to adjust them properly," Fix says. If a vehicle behind you has misaligned headlights upsetting your vision, adjust your rear-view mirror. "Flip that switch on your rearview mirror—called a dimming mirror—and try not to look at those lights because they can be very distracting," Fix says.
Adjust Speed and Following Distance
Because darkness reduces your ability to judge what other drivers are doing, you'll want to reduce your speed and increase the distance at which you follow other cars. "Just don't go so slow that you become a hazard," Fix says. A good rule of thumb for determining your speed while driving at night is to rely on the illumination distance or reach of your headlights. "Don't overdrive your headlights," Fix says. "You should be able to stop within the illuminated area."
For more safe driving tips visit statefarm.com®


I read it carefully, because, seriously....night driving here is my number one fear!!!! But....I didn't see any tips in there that deal with a donkey, a person or a bicycle jetting out of the bushes along side the road (not to mention the motorcycles and bicycles driving ahead of me with no lights on the front or back of them!!)and that happens to me DAILY! Driving in the day time and at night are crazy here. I'm praying that I don't hit and kill a person (I've already hit TWO dogs!) or I don't get hit by someone else!!!

A sick day........

Well the good new is I made it to school for Valentines Day. The bad news is that I felt pretty icky by the time I got home at the end of the day. I didn't sleep well and this morning could hardly breath. I called in sick, then called and talked with the school nurse. She thought by the sounds of it that I have bronchitis. She recommended an antibiotic and rest.

It was a blustery day outside, so I bundled up and went to see my favorite Pharmacist. The store was open and she was there...yeah! In Morocco it is kind of like in Steamboat....one never knows for sure if a store will be open or closed at any particular time of the day!! :) 

I showed her the paper that I scribbled the med down on and she went to the shelf to get it. She came back with one box and I had told her two boxes. I reminded her again and she smiled and said okay. She took my money, put the one box of meds in a bag, came around the corner of the counter and said, "I will go with you a few blocks away to get the other box." (Only in Morocco!! I am laughing inside and loving the uniqueness of this place!!) So she gets in my car, we drive 4 blocks to another pharmacy, she gets out, brings back the meds, and I take her back to her store. 

I think I would enjoy getting to know this lady more. I am going to make a point of stopping over to see her some day when I am well and just chat with her. She and I had a nice discussion in the car. She said she has been to Paris and Madrid, but not to the US. She said that takes too long and is too expensive.  She commented on how bad the roads are in our little town here and how everyone is getting sick because of the weather lately. 

I thanked her and dropped her off at her pharmacy and then started coughing again and couldn't stop. I have been home in bed every since. For lunch today I had some US chicken-noodle soup that I have been saving (thank you Lauri!) for just this occasion and it tasted SOOO good! We have the next two days off for a Moroccan holiday, so I hope I have a quick recovery and will be ready for school on Friday!!

That's all for today in Morocco! Sending my love to family and friends back home!!

Valentines Day at my school........

Valentines Day 2011 at my school! What can I say...it's hard to get 25 kids to look the same direction, not be putting fingers up behind someone else's head, AND smiling!!!  :) MOST days at our school the children are made to wear uniforms, but on Valentines Day and a few other occasions this year the kids could wear other clothing. This day they were told they could wear red or pink tops! Gail and I always comment on how much more "alive" and happy the kids look in bright colors!!

And (of course) ....the crazy shot! :)

This was a VERY special gift very a very dear friend. We don't speak much of each other's languages, but we mean a lot to each other. Her name is Mariama and she is the cleaning lady for Gail and my rooms. Each day she is outside our rooms, in the breezeway and in the bathrooms keeping everything spotless! At the end of each day she comes in the rooms and does a wonderful job cleaning. She surprised me today and brought me this hand-made necklace. She made it with real flowers from the fields near her home. Mariama made my Valentines Day a special one this year!!

My friend, Mariama and me!

This little girl in the other 2nd grade went all out for Valentines Day! Doesn't she look beautiful?

....and my most photogenic student....Yasmine! Always happy! Always smiling! smiling! Hanging out with this little girl makes ME SMILE!!   :)  !!  

Being sick in Morocco.....

Being sick anywhere is a bummer, but the nice things about being sick here are:

There is a "Pharmacie" on almost every block. Seriously....in the little village I live in there are probably 30 streets and at least 10 Pharmacie's that I know of!!

When you are sick (unless it's like you need stitches or an Xray) you walk to the pharmacy and tell them what is wrong with you. Now it took me a while to find one with a Pharmacist that can speak English, but I found TWO within a couple blocks of my home!

They chat with you a bit,  get just the right thing for you off of the shelf, you pay the $3 - $5 for the meds, and off you go....home to bed!

It is as easy and cheap as that.....no driving across town to the Dr., no Dr. appointment, no waiting in the office with all the other sickies, no waiting in the room for the Doc, no expensive office visit, no waiting for someone to fill the prescription......

It's great! Now....I'm praying it will WORK!! :) Actually, I haven't coughed for the last 1/2 hour...that is a good start! My nose isn't clogged....that is wonderful! I think I might just be in good shape for tomorrow.....because I can't miss tomorrow...It's Valentines Day!!!! :) Today I've been busy making Valentines all day for my students and co-workers! I know....crazy....but what else was I to do home, sick and in bed!! :)

Lunch with a student and his family......

 Remember my student, the astronaut-doctor? 

Well, Adam's family invited me over for "lunch" today. They were inviting all of Adam's dad's side of the family over as they just moved into a new home in August and hadn't had the big family gathering yet. So, they invited me to come at 1pm.  I arrived at 1:15 and found the children all dressed up and the parents still in sweats....they said the rest of the people would probably arrive around 2:30 (it's the Moroccan way). There were probably 40 people there and only two others besides the host and hostess that could speak English....so I spent a lot of time smiling and listening.

 We sat from 2 - 4 in the front room, chatted, had a glass of delicious, fresh squeezed juices of various kinds and a small, sweet, tasty appetizer.

Then we went into the next two rooms and sat at three large tables that were all decorated with flowers and fancy dishes and napkins. The first course was pistillea (one of my favorite dishes). It is a philo(sp?) dough with chicken, cinnamon, almonds and other yummy spices cooked together. The presentation was beautiful!(very Moroccan) It was served on a huge platter and was wound around and around like a large rope. First the server (they had hired help for everything today!) cut a portion for all of us and served it on our plates, then after that everyone just reached in and plucked out a bite and so on....(again...the Moroccan way) Because I still have this cold that is lingering on, I was a little reluctant to keep putting my fork in and out of the food, so I held off a bit on that course.

Next came bread and small plates filled with cold veggies....carrots, squash, peppers, mushrooms, olives.....that they sat around in front of us and again we just took a bite from where ever and shared the plates. In the middle of all the small plates they brought out a huge platter again with leg of lamb, mushrooms and fried quail eggs on it.

The last course was another huge bowl that was filled with all kinds of fresh fruit. We just used our table knives to cut up and slice apples, strawberries, kiwi, bananas, dates, nuts......

Then the DJ put on some very loud Moroccan music. The men went outside and the women got up and started dancing. They pulled me in as well and it was a lot of fun being silly and laughing with the other women. Pretty soon Adam's Dad and one of his brothers joined in and showed their great dancing skills too. So, then I thought there was a little slow time and I would say good-bye.....well, no...

Next was hot mint tea and LOTS and LOTS of Moroccan cookies. I was sitting by Mohammed's mother and she was instructing me to take one of EACH kind. I went along with it on the first tray as there were only 4 varieties, but the next tray had like 7 or 8 different types of cookies....I took ONE and smiled at the server! She gave me a funny look and moved on.....then the dancing and loud music began again! 

Well, as a typical Moroccan lunch would be....I was there for 5 1/2 hours!! :) crazy!!

I'm home now and settling into doing laundry and grading papers. But....just 1/2 block down the street from me I noticed a large tent set up in the middle of the street this am. There is a wedding reception going on tonight. Soooo MORE loud music and singing!! I'm thinking this might be a long night!! :)

Oh, I almost forgot..... I found out where Adam came up with the whole idea of being an astronaut-doctor. He and his dad watch all of the Star Trek shows/movies together and he loves them!! His dad and mom are the coolest parents. They are VERY involved with their kids and it shows! The kids are very smart, ask great questions, and are very well behaved. Wonderful family!!

The simple things...

Didn't the lilies open up beautiful??  Loving them!!

Hello family and friends,

I'm home after a long day. I actually would have stayed at school longer and gotten more work finished, but I needed to go to the Dar Bouazza Police Station on the way home.

I guess I am tired, but I'm just feeling like....I'm ready to go  home......

I'm missing the simple things... like family and friends, my church (although I watch Pastor Troy's sermons every week online and love it!), US food and roads where people and donkeys don't dart out in front of you and lines that cars and people stay inside their own lines....and clothes dryers and .......... and red licorice!!  

These are some simple photos I took last weekend.....

A rather large Moroccan woman in a jelabba got down from this horse and buggy to run into the little pastry shop across the street from my home. (My home is in the background of the photo.)

I took my walk along the sidewalk of the beach last week. It is right across the street from a condo village that Marcia, Judy, Lynn and I had thought we might want to live.

Simple beauty along the sidewalk.

Marcia....check out this gorgeous swimming pool that is right next to the ocean. This is right across from the white Oceana Condos. It is just low enough that when we were driving we never noticed it! It is so pretty. I have walked there a couple of times now and there haven't been people swimming in the pool. I'm wondering if it is maybe not heated. But they sure keep it clean and beautiful!

I stood and watched this simple man for quite a while. It looks like he has everything he owns right here with him....a bike with a basket on the back full of odds and ends, a fishing pool, some wood that he was trying to start a fire with, and some clothes lying near by......

Especially on the weekends I see women sitting together outside. They are always covered up like this and sitting in the middle of a grassy field, or in this case, along the ocean. They stare at me and I guess I am interested in them too!

More women walking along side the road on my way home.

Part of my purchases that day! I love how they are right off the tree...branches, stems, leaves and all! Aren't they beautiful? The trick is to NOT buy very many at a time. UNLIKE the ones in the States, these are VERY fresh and will spoil in a day or two. But, eaten right away, they are delicious!!

I think I mentioned that I miss having a dryer, right? Well, this is how my clothes dry each week. It usually takes a couple of days to dry now that it is winter and I can't leave them outside because we might get a shower. So......................one has to PLAN AHEAD! !    :)

 

As I was leaving school today I stopped by the office where we get things run off and walk in on the guy that does the copying ....he is on his knees praying....(ya, I don't think that is suppose to happen during school time), then I head to Dar Bouazza to the Police Station. I went there two days ago to get my carte se sure. One of the HR people went with me to speak Arabic and help me navigate the situation. Well, with MUCH talking and waiting and talking and waiting, we left with a temporary carte se sure in hand, but without an original copy of a paper we needed to hold onto. So, today I returned there alone....NOT a great idea....they didn't remember me (of course) and couldn't find the paper work from the other day (of course) ......I gave them the papers they said they needed from me two days ago (but didn't remember or think they needed the papers today), but didn't get the original of the paper I needed from the other day....they just kept giving  me the thumbs up sign and motioning for me to leave.....so I left....kind of sad and close to tears. Next I went to the hunoot to buy some green beans for dinner and see that the magazine rack is in front of the door...I look over and ....yip, the guy is on his knees praying....I kill some time looking at all the veggies and fruit and finally he is done praying and ready to open back up and take my money........and....I go home.........

I'm tired and I wanna come home......
but.....instead, I'll go make dinner, go to bed early and be ready for another day tomorrow....WAIT...it will be FRIDAY!! I can do a FRIDAY!! right??   ;=)   Hugz to all of you!

Career Day!

A contractor!

Now I feel reallllly bad....everyone seems to know what they want to be when they grow up except ME!! :)

We had career week this day and on Friday the kids dressed up and shared their stories about what they want to be when they grow up......

I thought you might like to see what my kids are thinking...

A rock star singer!

A famous soccer player!

An explorer!

A minister to the King!

A teacher.....notice the name tag. (just like the one I wear) At least I'm making an impact on someone!! :)

Get this....an astronaut doctor!!! And knowing Adam...he will be!! What a great kid!!

A banker! This little girl all dressed up in a nice suit for the special day is the one that cracks me up ALL the time. Usually, she has on very casual clothes and is one of two girls in my class that regularly plays soccer with the boys at recess. She can run and kick and yell and shove just as well or better than any of the boys!! But today...quite professional as a banker!! :)

A kung-fu instructor!

A mom! I LOVE IT!! :)

Another one that threw me off a bit. When I saw his nice looking suit I asked what he was going to be....I expected him to say a business man or something similar....then he whipped out the skate board! :)

Yip...a professional skateboarder! :)

My other explorer!! These two girls are awesome! They will make wonderful explorers. I really expect to see their faces in National Geographic some day!

More professional sports players! They will probably earn 10 times what I make!!! :)

My personal favorite....a vegetable farmer like his Grandpa! :) I told him my Dad and my Grandpa were farmers too!

Sophia is from England and wants to be a backstage hand on Broadway. She will be perfect...she has the lovely accent, the beautiful hair and clothes and a very dramatic personality!! :)

Miss Nour wants to be a doctor of little babies. Again, the perfect choice! This little girl brings her small notebook out to recess and stands and asks the other 2nd grade teacher and myself questions about upcoming tests instead of running and yelling like the others in her class. Don't get me wrong, she loves to play and the others love her too, but she is a VERY dedicated student and wants to do only her VERY best!! Love my little Nour!

....and one last famous singer!! :)

So there you have it....that is what my 7 and 8 year olds think they want to grow up to be! Now....I have to figure life out for me. I guess my problem is, I really don't ever want to grow up. I'm having too much fun trying new cities, jobs, locations, countries.....so, we'll see what I do next! :) It will be a surprise to you AND to me!