Maasai mama

I've now started my second week of teaching and am proud to say that I know nearly all of the students' names by heart (there are more than 30 of them, so I thing that's something to write home about!). We have FINALLY finished prepositions with the more advanced group and have moved onto the verb "can". I'm hoping that this will mean that the students won't look so bored in class! One of the students, Jackeline, regularly puts her head down on the table--though she's far from being the best student--so today I asked her in front of the class if she was tired. I don't think she appreciated it! The slower group is struggling with the simple present (I study) and the present continuous/progressive (I am studying)--in the affirmative, negative, and interrogative--and we had an extra "help" session after school today. We take so much for granted when we learn to speak as a child! I also had to teach them about the imperative form -- for commands, requests, and giving directions. There again, I find that acting things out works the best when explaining things, and gets the best reaction out of the students!

On Monday, I accepted Monika's dare and wore my Maasai outfit to school. Hopefully I can send a photo soon. Just to see the students' faces and their reaction was worth my own embarrassment! I think Monika was just as surprised that I actually did it! She must be asking herself what I will look like by the end of my 4 1/2 months here if that's what I looked like only after 1 week. The Maasai students told me that the outfit was very expensive, given all of the beads and the little mirrors. They called me "Maasai Mama."

Regarding our kitchen rat, you'll be relieved to know--at least I was!--that Lusajo (Monika's boyfriend) chased it out of the house from its hiding spot behind the fridge. Now we have several plastic bags stuck in the space underneath the door so that the rat can't get back in, but I don't think they will hold for very long. I've suggested a rock or bricks, but so far, it's just the bags. The next challenge I will give myself will be to go to the outdoor market on my own and buy my fruits and veggies. I thought I would have the courage to do it today, but I didn't!

Please send me your comments -- I really enjoy them.

xox
Victoria

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