When the post on my Facebook wall said something to the effect of "Do you need the link to your blog?" it was a sure fire sign that my blogging practices had gone amiss. However, I don't think it's been all that long - now has it? Two weeks. Well, let's get all caught up on the good, the bad and the ugly - yes, there is all three in this blog posting. You're in for quite the adventure.
The good:
Life is ticking along! It's almost the end of September, which means in just over 3 months I will be heading home for Christmas holidays. I think it was early last week that a facebook friend had posted it was only 15 weeks until Christmas. Well, since that was last week and this is this week that means there are only 14 weeks left, right? Look at me math. I'm amazing! My students are quite lucky to have such an accomplished mathematician to lead them along the path to mathematical enlightenment. Ha ha ha. I kill me. At any rate, I've now officially checked the calendar. There are only 12 weeks and 4 days until I will be home. Whoot whoot. The good news is just pouring in!
Other goods: Well, the other day I decided to bake muffins. I wanted a hearty, healthy muffin. My nanny had made some pumpkin soup earlier in the week and there was a dish of pumpkin left in the fridge. My dear friend Angela had sent out a recipe for a yummy porridge with pumpkin earlier in the week and given my aptitude in the kitchen, I felt I could combine random ingredients not called for on a recipe and make a delicious tasting muffin.
Well, the muffins taste good, but I might have taken more liberties than a normal cook would have considered. First of all, the "pumpkin" was actually pumpkin soup - which I knew as soon as I opened the dish. However, I was wanting these muffins so I said, "What the heck - in it goes". Next, I used my muesli so I could have some crunchy bits as well as dried fruit. I put in more than the recipe called for - good and hearty - and then adapted everything else that I added. A little of this, a little of that. Well, the batter smelled awful - soooo, I opened my brand new pouches of cloves, nutmeg and cinnamon and spiced away. Well, the smelled better, were probably the best "baked" muffins that I've ever made and, in the end, don't taste all the bad. I'm really excited to try them with actual pumpkin instead of pumpkin soup :)
The last good news that I'll share with you today is all about my work days. There are more good than bad, I think. I'm really enjoying my students. They are an active group, but they are genuinely nice kids. We have our share of issues, but I must say that I don't have mornings when I don't want to go to work - so that is always a positive. I think not taking uni classes has allowed me more time to really focus on being in the classroom, and of course, leaves me less stressed - which is good for all involved. I am enjoying working with my teaching partner too! We have a good rapport with one another and are learning to work very well together.
The bad:
Well, I'm off my gym schedule for the next month or two. My stupid foot (which is getting better - but slowly) has made it difficult to do much of anything. I've taught for much of the last two weeks from my chair. I'm to the point now that I can weight bear using crutches and it's so much easier than last week when I was having to haul my butt all over the school, up and down stairs and such on one foot. It's made a huge difference to my mood. So - I guess that is a good/bad and not just a bad/bad.
I am missing the gym though, but have taken to the pool. I am quite fortunate - we have a loverly pool on campus and spending a little less than an hour there makes me feel like I've accomplished a little something.
On other bad news, I'm sure you've seen in the media, the anti-american sentiments stemming from a video that was very ant-islam. Well, the demonstrations and protests are making their way here now. As a school we're on "high alert". We are quite close to the US Consulate, so when a protest is planned, it impacts us here - as we're not sure how things will unfold. Right now, there is a large protest scheduled for Thursday. We may not have school that day, as a result. We'll see what happens. That being said, I find being on this state of "high alert" is just a little too frustrating. It is very different - day to day life remains calm. But at the same time, there is always the "uncertainly" that leaves me feeling hesitant. Oh well, I've been through protests and demonstrations before. I'm sure we'll manage just fine.
The ugly:
Well, I don't really have anything ugly. Haven't seen any cockroaches for ages (touch wood) though I do have a baby gecko who has been hanging out in my room with me. It's really quite cute. He's just itty bitty. One good thing about Ella not being here is my cute little gecko and I can co-habitat. I am sure if she were here, he'd have taken his leave long ago.
And on that note, I think I best be publishing before this gets lost in cyber land. Miss you all very much. And remember - Christmas is like, 12 weeks away, so get shopping :)
Love ya
Ty
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