Back Home

So, I’m back at home.  The house was more-or-less in good shape.  The lawn is completely overgrown thanks to rainy season and my orange tree is gone (I suspect the evil goats).  The fence is…not done, but now all that left is the gate and dog-proofing.  I got the Deputy Head-master on board with having students that need to be disciplined finishing my fence, slashing my lawn, and pulling up all my weeds, so that saves me having to do it.

I’ve adjusted my class schedule so I no longer teach Form 1 (9^th grade).  It frees up time so I can do more fun secondary projects like Grassroots Soccer (http://www.facebook.com/grspcskillz), teacher workshops, and getting a garden put in at our school so the agriculture and biology classes can have hands-on learning.  Also, I didn’t like teaching Form 1 because they’re still a little too kid-like for me to handle a group that large, and as everyone knows, I’m not exactly a kid-person.  Needless to say, I’m quite happy with the change.

Thank you for all the people that sent me packages!  I went to the post office to find 4 boxes and many envelopes full of goodies.  The December packages have not made it here yet, but the letters have.  I’m very impressed with the number of Christmas cards I got, including some from a couple people I’ve never met, but apparently enjoy reading this blog.  Thank you for the overwhelming feelings of being cared about even from half-way across the world.  It’s going to take me a while to respond to all of them, but I have written 10 letters I will post to everyone that sent me a letter or package.

Yup, life is good!  Rainy season is in full swing, so cooler temperatures (mid-80s to high-90s during the day), and lots of rain with the occasional thunder storm that ever gets this Florida boy’s attention.  I’m just spending this weekend at Maji Zuwa, working on finishing the 5th novel from A Song of Fire and Ice series (Game of Thrones), relaxing, and doing work on the computer.  Tuesday is a holiday here, John Chilembwe Day, honoring someone that was pivotal in Malawian independence.  With me not teaching on Mondays, that made this a 4 day weekend for me.  Time to get some of those house chores I’ve been putting off done!  Hope all is well wherever you are reading this from!

A Pictorial Adventure to the Magical Land of Likoma Island

So, since my last post, I've experienced a ton!  We had in-service training in Lilongwe at a place called Korean Gardens Lodge, which was really nice.  We had full food service, WiFi, electricity, running water, and such, as well as nice rooms.  Training itself was pretty good for the most part.  It was also really nice to be reunited with my training crew.

After IST, worked my way back up the coast of Malawi.  The important thing, though, is vacation!  Since I don't really feel like recapping my entire vacation to Likoma Island in detail, we'll just take a journey to a tropical island through international waters together in pictures.  Come with me, if you will.  (For added effect, listen to the Jurassic Park theme song as you look at the pictures.)

A Pictorial Adventure to the Magical Land of Likoma Island

So, yup, heading home soon, but sitting in America Light right now, known as the Mzuzu Coffee Den.  They have fast WiFi, coffee (iced or hot), and burgers.  Basically, amazingness!