Finally a moment to blog!

I realize it has been nearly three weeks since my last blog post...I have not had even a few minutes to sit down and write, let alone write all the things I have to say. I won't be able to do that now, either, because I have 60 senkyem quizzes to grade, a week's worth of lesson plans to write, and two exams to create, but I'll give you a quick update! Here goes!

The last time I wrote, I had one more week of orientation to go. That week was full of class prep (and thus, uncertainty...), Creole lessons, and work, which included less rock crushing and more painting (of the mural making variety) which was actually more of a challenge for me than the crushing!

That first day of school was terrifying.  While I was confident everything would go fine, but I had no idea what to expect. I hardly had any idea what I was doing. You know what? I started figuring it out. I'm still figuring it out, but I know this year is going to be fine.  My students are wonderful and I picked up on lesson planning surprisingly quickly. I've got this. :)

So my life of late has consisted of those many lesson plans, reading, grading, study hours, work projects, and so much more. My 5:30am-10pm days are packed and tiring, but somehow I have energy to do it again every day.

Yesterday, I got up early (later than normal though...yay for sleeping in until 6!), got everything ready for the laundry ladies, ate breakfast, and set out for our four hours of work projects. While I spent that second week of orientation basically rock crushing all day every day, my work projects these days are a little more here and there...I like to think that's because whatever I'm told to do, they know I'll do it well. Today, I sifted dirt for the compost, scraped some paint in the kitchen to prep it for repainting, and then got to work helping with a mural of Our Lady of Chiquinquira. After I cleaned up and ate lunch, I spent about an hour shooting hoops and practicing drills, brushing up on my skills for my first practice with the Boys' Varsity team this week.  My Saturday wound down with Mass and Adoration as usual, although I spent most of Mass with a 5 year old Ti Moun (our children's program) girl sleeping in my arms, something that admittedly is not usual for me and is considerably hard. Sleeping children are heavy. Mom and Dad, I give you a ton of credit. ;) After Mass and Adoration, we prepared our sandwiches for dinner and had game night, which was tons of fun. Sometimes you just need a night with the community to laugh and wind down.

Today was pretty laid back too, as after breakfast we played a few games of basketball, did some laundry, and spent the afternoon grading and prepping for the week. The students are due back to campus in a half hour, and then we begin week three!

Love and prayers from Haiti,
Mandy <3