Saturday 5-31-14

Saturday May 31, 2014

                I was feeling a little better today when I woke up, but still took my time in waking up and actually feeling awake. I told the kids I would make them pancakes for breakfast, but I wasn’t up enough yet when they were hungry so they ended up eating a banana, animal crackers, and Nutella. It was pretty cold outside this morning so no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t get them to go outside and play. But they were pretty good still. They stayed inside and played their tablets, they even chose learning games, so I guess it was okay. We did do a quick walk up to the village to get some goat so I could make goat chili tonight for dinner. Once we got back, I put on ITunes and we listened to Adele while I cut and worked with the goat. They kids had a blast dancing and singing. They climbed the walls in the hallway also and said they felt like they were flying. I told them as long as they washed the walls when they were done and were extra careful with Bibi’s pictures. They did a good job listening to the rules.

                Around 10 the kids started coming and so Ayla and Jove finally headed outside. There was a lot of swing time and going onto their mountain to play. As I had the chili just starting, I began making the pancakes (from scratch) for the kids lunch. They ended up smelling so good that I decided to eat some of them also. I don’t think I have ever had better pancakes. Jove must have agreed because his were gone in a matter of a few seconds and when he discovered there were no more he went into the pantry and began to cry. I explained to him that he already got more than mom, and I would make more the next day, and after that he was okay and even thanked me for the pancakes. He said they were just so yummy he really had wanted more.  Next, I grabbed a cup of chai and went outside with my book to read and watch all the kids play. It was very relaxing. I need that bad. I even got a few cute pictures. I haven’t been using the camera much, and didn’t realize how much I missed taking pictures of all the kids.

                After a little while of reading I decided I should accomplish something and so I went inside to start laminating the flashcards for Farida. That machine drove me crazy, it kept jamming up, but I eventually got them done going through the machine and I put that away gladly. When it came time to cutting them out, I put on Lord of the Rings again. I never did get to finish it the other day. Ayla and Jove heard and came to watch with me. They asked if we could watch again soon because they wanted to go back outside and play. I told them of course we could and they should go and have fun. The flashcards turned out pretty good and hopefully they help her in her division difficulties.

                I took advantage of the quiet time and called my mom. I first tried using Mamaliz’s phone, but for some reason it will not recognize many of the numbers as a working real number. But we luckily had good enough internet that I was able to Skype my mom. There was a 20 second delay, but even so, I was able to talk to her for a while and I believe it was nice for both of us. I was surprised to hear her tell me she was proud of me for doing this. I believed that both my parents were mad at me for going to Africa, but she is proud of me for doing something she would never be able to do herself. I know it is silly, but it made me feel good hearing that. Right about when I was getting off Skype with her, I heard something at the door. It turned out to be an egg lady. She brought me 21 eggs. I was so surprised and excited because now I will get to make the kids pancakes and scrambled eggs in the morning for breakfast. It will be a feast. Well, after I finally got off the phone with my mom, I went to let the kids each know she said she loved them and pass on the hugs and kisses. They were over on their mountain, so I went over to check it out and let them know. There were quite a few kids and they were with Teacher Logan. Turned out they were getting ready to go on a walk. I asked if they would wait for me so I could clean up the toys quick and lock up the house and that I would love to come along.          

                I hurried and got back over to the mountain. We went left which I hadn’t done yet, so it was a whole new scene for me. We followed the dry creek bed for a while. The girls kept finding pretty flowers and wanting me to take pictures of them. Jove was with some of the boys way off in the lead exploring. I took so many pictures and had so much fun on this walk. At one point we came upon a tree and all the kids started going nuts. It was one of the trees with the orange-ish berries that you can eat on it. While the kids were looking for the ripe berries a few started to freak out. They found two masses of caterpillars. There must have been about 15 to 20 in each mass. They were scared but Ayla wanted o hold one. So I gently pulled one off and showed the kids. I explained to them (although only a few understood English) that many caterpillars will release their hairs when they get scared and they will feel like cactus spines. But if you are very careful you can still pick them up and hold them. Ayla ended up bringing two of them back with her. She named them Mickey and Minnie. Only Ayla would name caterpillars. The rest of the kids thought it was funny, but when she dropped Minnie they all helped to find it for her. As we started back, I asked Farida if she knew of any men that sold stones. I told her that one man gave me a stone on Easter in hopes I would buy more, but I didn’t understand then, and that I really wanted to get some while I was here. On the way back home, she found a guy that sold stones and he said he would go home and get them, then bring them to the house afterward. We agreed.

                We got back to the house and I brought the toys out. This may have been a bad idea because it turns out we had a tail of about thirty village kids. I didn’t realize there were so many. A few immediately tried to sneak some of the toys in their clothes, but my school kids were keeping a close eye and called them on it. I stayed outside to make sure no fights broke out or anything like that. We took a bunch more pictures, the kids were having a good time with it. When I saw the stone man coming, I had the kids clean up the toys (it was almost dark anyways). Joan, all on her own, decided she was going to herd up the kids and check all their pockets to make sure no one stole anything. I thought it was funny.

                So Farida came inside to help me translate. She does a good job, but it is moments like that when I wish I had Samweli nearby. I am not sure what two of the stones I got were, but I did get some pieces of green tourmaline. It was very pretty and it looks nice and clear. I figured, even if I did get ripped off a little, I still spent less than I would have on one single trip to the grocery store back home, and I helped someone out with their business. And now I have cool stones from Tanzania, which many may think is strange, but because of my dad and brother that both facet stones, I find very interesting.

                After the stone guy left, I went to call my dad and tell him about the rocks. We talked for a little while which was nice. Then I put on a movie for Ayla, Jove, Joan, and Wendo (Farida had already left, but before she left, I did reward her with some jelly beans for helping me out today). While talking to my dad I believe he figured out what is wrong with Mamaliz’s fridge. He said it sounds like there was a leak in the Freon and it would need to be found and soldered, and then have the Freon recharged. Hopefully it is something simple so that eventually Mamaliz can have a fridge again (although I know she does just fine without it).

                A few moments after getting off with my dad, I Skyped Asa before he went to sleep. The connection wasn’t great, but it is always nice to be able to talk to him. Then came snuggle time with the kids. We finished watching Epic, then it was off to bed with them. I will have them take a bath in the morning because they were already up an hour past bedtime and it would have taken too long to fill the totes up to get them cleaned. Now it is quiet and I am fully enjoying it. I can hear the crickets chirping and an occasional bush baby screaming. I am just thankful the couch cat that seems to be constantly in heat hasn’t’ come around yet. She just sounds so miserable, and annoying.

                I think today has been the best day I have had since Asa left. Even though it started out as me being sick and the kids had a few moments where they were driving me crazy. I got a lot accomplished, I had plenty of relaxing time, good food, a great walk, all in all a very fun and enjoyable day. I am glad that I am still able to enjoy myself. Sometimes I believe I depend on Asa too much for my happiness, it is nice to know it can still happen even if we aren’t together for a while.