Going to Egypt!

I just found out that my proposal to give a workshop at the NileTESOL conference in Cairo in February (Creating Safety in the English Classroom) was accepted. I am SO excited. It's fun to think about being in my third African country in less than five months. Much more than that, this is an affirmation of my decision to take a year off from teaching despite serious misgivings that doing so would derail my career. There were so many days--and even more sleepless nights--in Guatemala when I thought I was committed professional suicide by taking the break, despite feeling that I had nothing left to offer my students.
The other challenge I am taking on at the same time is letting some truly wonderful students know that if they don't work, I won't work with them. I have always had trouble with boundaries, professionally and personally, and it is an important learning step for me to recognize that, as much as I wish to be motivating and engaging as a teacher, the decision to work and grow rests in the hands of my students and not in mine. It is also satisfying to be able to act without anger or blame.

Parting is such sweet sorrow...

It's almost impossible to imagine that I will be leaving Dakar four weeks from tomorrow. I have been feeling very emotional and weepy.  The greatest sadness for me will be saying goodbye to the members of Youth English Society. It's hard to believe that I came here six weeks ago with the question of whether I would go back to teaching, whether I was still capable and still had the energy for it.
Despite (or perhaps in part because of) some bumps with the group, who are brilliant and talented and focused beyond any group I have worked with before but not always as accountable as I would like, I find myself inspired, engaged, and able to come to my work with new energy and clarity.
More later...

Babs

Babs is my guardian angel in Dakar. He says I am like his mother, but I think he does more mothering! He texts me every day to check in, goes out on the streets of Dakar with me to follow my dear cattle, finds out the relationships in my family, and explains that the vegetables in the bowl we eat from are  mostly ornamental, so I feel free to dig in. We talk a lot about cultural differences. He thought the story of the woman who sued McDonald's over the too-hot coffee was unbelievable.
He, of course, is the best wrestler!

Mon Professeur

A couple weeks ago after our public speaking class, Arfan asked how I was. I said ok but that I was planning to leave Dakar early to look for more opportunities to study French. The deal had been that I would teach public speaking in exchange for French classes, but it wasn't happening. Arfan aplogized profusely, took my words to heart, and has become my teacher, giving me daily classes. Other YES members are interested in working with me too, but between being satisfied with Arfan and trying to recover, I have them on hold right now. BTW, he's the best wrestler!

And the most special blessings!

Babs(left) and Arfan are members of Youth English Society and  some of the most special people in my life here. Yesterday I had my French class with Arfan, then he called Babs, and we met up, went and hung out on the beach and talked until after dark, and each of them told me why he was a better wrestler (the national sport). Then we went to Via Via to listen to a fabulous Senegalese band. I think I am becoming a groupie!
EREV, where I can work and where I teach, is in the background on the far  left. The yellow and red building behind Babs is Piano Piano where they have wonderful music almost every night. When I wake up during the night, I sit out on the roof and listen.

Many blessings

My friend Theresa left to travel with her sister, and I miss her! But she left me her washtub, and I love it! She also helped me buy the little gas stove and pot in the background, so I can make tea and coffee in my room. And I bought a broom so I can sweep my room and the bathroom and the hall and the roof...
after getting my tub, I did all my laundry while standing in the shower, very efficient! I put it out on the line, and when I got back, I discovered that someone had tied knots in everything so it wouldn't fly off the line.