2 weeks later, 1 year older

I’ll just speak in general about my emotions; normally, they stay at a pretty, steady, “I feel happy” but I do have minutes/afternoons of swings. Now that the rain has really been coming down, especially the last few days, and that I’ve turned a new direction on my daily walk, I so often feel in awe of being here. I’m living in a new place and it’s gaining a kind of permanence. I feel that I’m starting to “know” the road; even in my shopping town, I’m starting to see so many more familiar faces. And while that is exciting, it reminds me of the other side: these things are happening on the other side of the world too. It may sound odd, but sometimes I forget everyone is living their lives too. I get stuck in my bubble. Which makes me miss all of you! This feeling is best summed up when I get a new picture of Natalie, which I just opened from a lovely care package from my family (filled with spices, tea, chocolate, crosswords… happiness in cardboard box). She is my favorite human in the world, and it makes me so happy to see her. At the same time, the fact that she’s changed and grown so much makes it really hit that I’ve been gone for 6 months. Yes, I’ve been gone for 6 months. A simultaneously short and long length of time. And now the birthdays are rolling around! My dad’s, my own, my little sister Iza’s, and my mom’s birthday are all within 2 weeks of each other and it feels weird not to be there with everyone (P.S. Happy Birthday Momma- love you ♡).

So last week I spent my first birthday in a different country, and got to travel to 2 new countries and weekend at one of the wonders of the world, Victoria Falls! Since my Reconnect training, I’ve finally been allowed to travel abroad. And since I’m only 4 hours away from Vic falls (a fact that still blows my mind), the birthday weekend was the perfect time to do it. Plus, 2 other volunteers in my region also had their birthdays a few days after mine, and we went with a big group.

My 4 hour drive consisted of crossing 2 borders and getting on a ferry through Botswana and Zambia. It just got even greener and greener, and I saw a giraffe and an elephant. So 24 started pretty right. And I’m looking forward to many more weekend trips out there! It’s a beautiful part of the world.

School wise, I’m still catching up from missing a week from training and trying to figure out all the protocol and expectations other learners and teachers have of me. Most pressing: figuring out how to mark and provide efficient feedback to 170 learners using 40 minute classes. This week was better, since I’ve been attending afternoon and evening study every day, and I’ve noticed more learners coming to ask for help. But I still have a lot to figure it. It’s a learning curve for sure. I’m also going to work with my principal on community fundraising and a grant, and with a counterpart to get career testing happening for our Grade 12s. It’s getting busy!

Here’s some pics: