There's only 19 days until I leave! I'm excited and nervous, and everything else that comes with a trip like this. I guess it's stupid, but I'm afraid I'm going to be sent home when I get to the border... :( There's no reason for me to think like that, but everyone else I'm going with has Norwegian passports (I have a U.S. passport). Therefore the rules for Visas are different for them than for me. All they basically need to do is meet up at the border and pay for which-ever Visa they want/need. After reading and re-reading about U.S. citizens and Visas to Zambia it seems as if I have to apply and bring both police clearance and an invitation from the school I'll be teaching at. I have kept pushing those facts aside and saying to myself that, "you'll be OK, the rules will probably be the same for you since you live in Norway and have lived here for the past 13 years". The past few days I've begun to worry that that will not be the case, so to clear things up (and hopefully put my mind at ease), I've sent an e-mail to the people who know about these things. Hopefully I've not procrastinated too long, because I don't want a small thing like this to get in the way of being able to teach in Zambia. Have you ever done something like this? If you have perhaps you feel like I do now. I feel like pulling my hair out and I keep asking myself why I didn't just send them an e-mail earlier (because they should have all the answers).
Because of Christmas my sleeping pattern has become totally out of wack. That means I can lay in bed for hours without being able to fall asleep. It also gives my brain the opportunity to think and re-think and overthink everything. Lately I've been thinking a lot about the trip (that shouldn't come as a shock). About everything I need to remember to do before I go, everything I need to remember to bring and so forth. I've also been thinking about when and how I'm going to ask local shops about donating writing supplies and footballs (soccer balls) to the kids at the school I'll be teaching at. It seems, from what others have said, like the greatest gift you can give the kids is a football. I really can't imagine how it must be not to have all the sports equipment we have here at home (I guess I'll learn soon enough though). You never know how much you have until you have something to compare to.
Friday, December 30, 2011
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Advent
Today is the first day of advent. In Norway that means turning on our "bethlehem stars", watching treelights get turned on in each housing coopertive (while we sing or play Christmas carols, and watch santa give kids gingerbread cookies) and lighting the first of four advent candles. It also means we can start listening to Christmas carols, start eating clementines and gingerbread and generally try to enjoy life a bit more than usual. I can genuinely say that I'm content and looking forward to this season. The only thing that could make it better is snow. Anyway, I hope you will all have a great holliday season with lots of music, good food and fun with friends and loved ones.
Så tenner vi et lys i kveld
vi tenner det for glede.
Det står og skinner for seg selv
og oss som er tilstede.
Så tenner vi et lys i kveld,
vi tenner det for glede.
vi tenner det for glede.
Det står og skinner for seg selv
og oss som er tilstede.
Så tenner vi et lys i kveld,
vi tenner det for glede.
Translation:
We light a candle tonight
we light it for joy.
It shines alone, for itself,
and for all those who are present.
We light a candle tonight
we light it for joy.
we light it for joy.
It shines alone, for itself,
and for all those who are present.
We light a candle tonight
we light it for joy.
Monday, November 14, 2011
I'm sitting here with a cup of coffee in my hand, thinking about the lecture I ditched because I couldn't bear the fact of spending just as much time getting to-and-from school as the lecture lasted. I guess that's a bit of a sucky attitude. Normally I'm all for going to school and learning new stuff, but lately I've just felt, well, to put it bluntly: "Blah!".
I tried to make myself feel better about staying home by telling myself that I'd use the time to start studying for my phonology exam (which is in two weeks and two days). So far, I've been doing everything but. I spent an unusual amount of time eating. Then I "had to" take a few pictures of the new snow that fell while I was sleeping. After that I "had to" transfer the pictures to my pc. Etc, etc, "yadda, yadda, yadda" and "all that jazz!". I've been trying to figure out exactly why I can't make myself study for this exam, but I can't come up with any good reasons (which only makes me feel worse). Maybe it's just that I like wallowing in self-pity... Or more plausible, because there are so many things to be done that I feel disabled. Ever feel like that? I want to make a list of everything that needs to be done, but I think I'll spare you my long-windedness.
On top of the list that keeps growing every day, someone else I knew died this weekend (this is sort of becoming the blog of death and despair, isn't it?). It was a guy who went in my little brothers' class. We lived out in the country when we were going to school, so "everyone knew everyone". I used to hang out a bit with my little brother and his friends on the soccer field, and this guy was one of the guys my brother hung out with the most. Anyway, you're probably wondering how he died? He went to an afterparty and got stabbed to death. When I first heard about the accident I thought, "that's awfull! But it's probably not anyone I know". Then I heard that the victim was from the little place where we lived and was told his name. It was like someone knocked the wind out of me. I couldn't really believe it. I mean, what's the chance? I feel awful and I've been wondering even more about life after death. I'm agnostic, so people can tell me that "this and this" happens when you die, but unless they have proof I have trouble believing it. I've been wondering if maybe it's better to believe in some kind of life after death just to comfort ones' self, but at the same time I'm terrified of the thought. What if there is some kind of judgement? Can I really say that I've lived a good enough life? I have no clue, but that's perhaps another reason why I feel so down for the time-being.
Anyway, I just wanted to get that off my chest. My coffee cup is empty and studying awaits (if I can manage to make myself study). Cheers!
I tried to make myself feel better about staying home by telling myself that I'd use the time to start studying for my phonology exam (which is in two weeks and two days). So far, I've been doing everything but. I spent an unusual amount of time eating. Then I "had to" take a few pictures of the new snow that fell while I was sleeping. After that I "had to" transfer the pictures to my pc. Etc, etc, "yadda, yadda, yadda" and "all that jazz!". I've been trying to figure out exactly why I can't make myself study for this exam, but I can't come up with any good reasons (which only makes me feel worse). Maybe it's just that I like wallowing in self-pity... Or more plausible, because there are so many things to be done that I feel disabled. Ever feel like that? I want to make a list of everything that needs to be done, but I think I'll spare you my long-windedness.
On top of the list that keeps growing every day, someone else I knew died this weekend (this is sort of becoming the blog of death and despair, isn't it?). It was a guy who went in my little brothers' class. We lived out in the country when we were going to school, so "everyone knew everyone". I used to hang out a bit with my little brother and his friends on the soccer field, and this guy was one of the guys my brother hung out with the most. Anyway, you're probably wondering how he died? He went to an afterparty and got stabbed to death. When I first heard about the accident I thought, "that's awfull! But it's probably not anyone I know". Then I heard that the victim was from the little place where we lived and was told his name. It was like someone knocked the wind out of me. I couldn't really believe it. I mean, what's the chance? I feel awful and I've been wondering even more about life after death. I'm agnostic, so people can tell me that "this and this" happens when you die, but unless they have proof I have trouble believing it. I've been wondering if maybe it's better to believe in some kind of life after death just to comfort ones' self, but at the same time I'm terrified of the thought. What if there is some kind of judgement? Can I really say that I've lived a good enough life? I have no clue, but that's perhaps another reason why I feel so down for the time-being.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Sports Conference
Been to a sports conference this weekend. I went as a trainer and got to go to different seminars about what professional athletes (and regular people) should be eating before, during and after training, what is expected of professional athletes (and their trainers), what is important to professional athletes (what their trainers do to help them get better/reach their goals), etc. I thought the most interesting seminars were the one about eating right (because I'm very interested in food and how I can eat right as an athlete) and the one about what is important to professional athletes.
One of the most exciting things this weekend was that the guy who had the seminar about the importance of what trainers do to help athletes get better has won 3 olympic gold medals. He was so nice that he sent the medals around the room so we could all have a closer look. I got to hold 3 gold medals in my hands! I sort of wish I had gotten serious about sports a lot earlier, because I would really love to have one of those myself. It was interesting that they were so heavy though. I thought they would have been a bit lighter. You would think the medals would make the skinniest of athletes fall over. :P
I know this doesn't have anything to do with the conference, but I'm starting my practicle teaching tomorrow. I'm looking forward to it, but at the same time I'm very nervous. I'll give an update as to how it goes some time this week. :)
One of the most exciting things this weekend was that the guy who had the seminar about the importance of what trainers do to help athletes get better has won 3 olympic gold medals. He was so nice that he sent the medals around the room so we could all have a closer look. I got to hold 3 gold medals in my hands! I sort of wish I had gotten serious about sports a lot earlier, because I would really love to have one of those myself. It was interesting that they were so heavy though. I thought they would have been a bit lighter. You would think the medals would make the skinniest of athletes fall over. :P
I know this doesn't have anything to do with the conference, but I'm starting my practicle teaching tomorrow. I'm looking forward to it, but at the same time I'm very nervous. I'll give an update as to how it goes some time this week. :)
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Livingstone
Had a meeting today about my trip to Africa. Looks like I'll be teaching home economics for the most part. I might be teaching english as well, but that's a bit up to the teachers at our school.
The students who were there last year were also at the meeting. They told us about their experiences and we got to ask questions. They said that the teachers were a bit against them teaching english (perhaps because they hadn't taken english as one of their subjects). That's why I'm a bit unsure if I'll be allowed to teach it or not. But I am taking english as one of my subjects, and english is my mother-tongue, so perhaps they'll let me.
The school I'll be teaching at is called Nanzanzu and I've been told it has around 1000 students (which is a lot compared to what I'm used to here at home). Here at home I've been used to teaching at schools where there are 300 students. Anyway, it seems like most of my subjects (art, music and gym among others) are only used at what they call; club activities. Club activities is an after-school program for the kids. When I learned that, I thought to myself how boring it would have been for me if I had never had art, music or gym during school. They're the subjects I loved the most, because I got to use my hands, and suddenly I find out they dont have them?! Perhaps I've understood wrong. I hope so....
I'm really looking forward to teaching them and experiencing everything. We'll be staying in Livingstone, which has approx. 90000 people (which is about 20000 more than my home town). As some of you may know, Livingstone is very close to Victoria Falls. So obviously we'll be making at least one trip to see it (especially seeing as we'll be there during rainy season when the falls is at it's largest). I've also already told you that I want to go skydiving and perhaps even bungee jumping. Other than that we were advised to take a two-day safari, which I think we'll do (I believe we decided we're going to play hookie for a week to see a bit more than we would have otherwise done). I'm usually a very good student who never skips school, but when I'll be using so much money to get there I'd like to be able to see a bit more.
There's sooo much on my mind right now, it's spinning.... I guess that's my que to log off. Until next time good people!
The students who were there last year were also at the meeting. They told us about their experiences and we got to ask questions. They said that the teachers were a bit against them teaching english (perhaps because they hadn't taken english as one of their subjects). That's why I'm a bit unsure if I'll be allowed to teach it or not. But I am taking english as one of my subjects, and english is my mother-tongue, so perhaps they'll let me.
The school I'll be teaching at is called Nanzanzu and I've been told it has around 1000 students (which is a lot compared to what I'm used to here at home). Here at home I've been used to teaching at schools where there are 300 students. Anyway, it seems like most of my subjects (art, music and gym among others) are only used at what they call; club activities. Club activities is an after-school program for the kids. When I learned that, I thought to myself how boring it would have been for me if I had never had art, music or gym during school. They're the subjects I loved the most, because I got to use my hands, and suddenly I find out they dont have them?! Perhaps I've understood wrong. I hope so....
I'm really looking forward to teaching them and experiencing everything. We'll be staying in Livingstone, which has approx. 90000 people (which is about 20000 more than my home town). As some of you may know, Livingstone is very close to Victoria Falls. So obviously we'll be making at least one trip to see it (especially seeing as we'll be there during rainy season when the falls is at it's largest). I've also already told you that I want to go skydiving and perhaps even bungee jumping. Other than that we were advised to take a two-day safari, which I think we'll do (I believe we decided we're going to play hookie for a week to see a bit more than we would have otherwise done). I'm usually a very good student who never skips school, but when I'll be using so much money to get there I'd like to be able to see a bit more.
There's sooo much on my mind right now, it's spinning.... I guess that's my que to log off. Until next time good people!
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