Cultural Experience

Two new things this week:

#1: On Wednesday, I wore a "bati"--simple cotton Somali dress with a scarf tied around it and wrapped a scarf around my head. It wasn't exactly a Somali look, but still African...despite my pale, pale skin. It was fun, and the kids appreciated it since it was one of their parents that bought me the bati. And they had fun seeing me all dressed up--I got tons of compliments, though I'm sure I didn't look that spectacular. They were just tickled that I actually tried it out.

#2: Today I got a special treat from a few of my graduating senior girls. After school they took me to the Somlali mall. That was quite the experience. I had no idea that mall was hidden behind some of the main shops in Uptown. In the mall there were many little shops selling TONS of skirts, dresses, scarves, food, perfume, shoes, and whatever else you might want to find. First the girls wanted me to pick out a skirt--they wanted to buy one for me, but weren't sure of size and style. We did find one eventually, and it's unique and very pretty. I'll be happy to wear it--probably next week.

In the middle of our skirt shopping, they took me into one of the shops to have henna put on my hands and feet. That was just awesome. I can't say it was the most hygenic operation they had going in the shop, but it was super cheap and they did a great job. I have little vines and flowers and leaves all over the front and back of my hands and wrists, and even more of them on the tops of me feet and up past my ankle. The stuff will probably wear of the palms fairly quickly, but I'm hoping the rest lasts a couple weeks. The only downfall is that I have to try not to wash too much. But don't worry, I won't let it stop me from essential hand washing and showers...I don't think that would make a good impression, even with pretty hands and feet.

The girls were so sweet. They not only bought the skirt, but they paid for my henna, AND got me a treat from one of the shops to eat after the henna dried on my hands. That was some GOOD sambusa. The henna, cheap skirts, and good food really make me want to go back there, even though I certainly stood out like a sore thumb. I was the only white person in sight, and one of only a handful of nonSomali patrons. I was surrounded by the language and sights of the culture (like I am most of the day anyway), which made me really wish I would take the time to learn to speak Somali. If I'm going to stay at least a couple more years at the same school, it's probably worth investing the time and effort to learn it. Besides, it would be cool to be able to speak another language, and the pronunciations aren't that hard. We'll see.

Other news?

Graduation is this Sunday, so I've been spending all that "extra time" I have as a teacher getting things prepared for that again. I'll be MCing again, which is fine. Maybe next year someone else will volunteer. But I'm happy to do it since I really will miss this class. It's a small group, but they're hard working and have great positive attitudes. We'll see how next year's group does.

The school year ends in a week, then I have to get grades together and clean out my room, since I'll have to move everything out for the renovations they're doing this summer. I'll have to teach my summer school class over on the elementary school side, which should be interesting. That same day I start teaching summer school (part time thankfully) will be my first day of class for my first grad school class. Sometime in the next two weeks I have to get to St. Thomas and get my student ID card and books. I'm hoping to bike to and from work and class as often as possible. It'll be dark on the way home from class, but Chris said he might meet me sometimes part way, which would be sweet.

Last weekend we helped my parents build a shed in the backyard. That was the most I've been outside all spring. Building it was a pain in the ass, but also a lot of fun, since it was like a puzzle we all had to use our brains and brawn to put together. There were tricky parts, so I'm glad we were there to help. There's no way my parents could have done it by themselves without a serious mental breakdown.

I'm excited for the summer since Scott and Jennifer will be in Green Bay for a while. It'll be nice seeing them without having to drive to Texas in the summer heat. We'll save that for fall or winter.

Overall, I just can't wait for the school year to end. I love my job, but I need a BREAK. Even just cutting back to part time will help immensely. Even with taking a class, I can't imagine it being more hectic than what I've done all year. Then I can go biking, head to the lakes, hang out with friends and husband, and, most importantly, play video games! ;)