I have to say it feels quite strange to be sat back in my house in england. Where have the 6 months gone?! End of a quality adventure.
The last few days were mental busy. I was playing in a netball torn between the teachers, 1st girls team and parents only hrs before i caught the plane. Infact i had to run home to pack from the netball. I was leaving it as late as possible. It was quite hard packing up the flat and saying all the goodbyes. Everyone was SO lovely and wrote me a massive card etc which i picked up in the last staff meeting which was on monday.
The last couple of nights i was out partying with various other members of staff. It was such a good end to a fab trip. I still love Kenya as much as i did when i was younger! Im so sure i will be back...but for now- its summer, then uni...
Thanks so much to all of you who have followed my trip! Im sure i will be seeing you soon...untill then- lots of love xxx Kwaheri
Saturday, 4 July 2009
Monday, 22 June 2009
9 days to go...
I have to say im a tad tired as i write this. This weekend has just been so much fun! Both Saturday and Sunday at the rugby was quality. The atmosphere of being with 1000's of cheering Kenyans watching the games- AND Kenya winning made for a fab couple of days. On the Sunday the group of teachers went dressed as Pirates. Its all good when walking around together with people laughing and cheering us- but when wondering alone one tends to feel like a complete loser!
After the final yesterday the group of us all came back to the school bar. Donald and myself decided to text Felix (the kenya coach) to see if we could get in on the hotel after party for the rugby teams. Amazingly it worked out- so we taxi-ed it across town to a rather swanky hotel where all the teams had been put up throughout the tournament. It was quite bizarre once in there- surrounded by all the boys who we had been watching earlier in the day. There was a free bar going, so we were told to help ourselves! Felix then got us downstairs to where the dinner was going on. I sat with some of the Kenyan players- even got introduced to the Kenyan captain!
The special guest of honor at the speeches was a cheetah! Imagine! I was totally loving it!
Donald got involved with the drinking games which the Bristol boys were playing, and soon after puked in the bush (the party was going on by the pool outside). He decided that home was the best bet for him, however i stayed on and went out clubbing with the boys! ooooh yeah.
Anyways- i got back at 3 this morning, and not feeling too bad for it!
Ohh- i have managed to complete my 10km target! Will try do it a few more times this week to get the time down!
These next 9 days are mental busy with something happening pretty much every day in the evenings. I dont know when im going to pack up my flat and sort my bags!?
xx
Quick shout out to the bro- HAPPY BIRTHDAY (for tomorrow) Love you and cant wait to see you xxx
After the final yesterday the group of us all came back to the school bar. Donald and myself decided to text Felix (the kenya coach) to see if we could get in on the hotel after party for the rugby teams. Amazingly it worked out- so we taxi-ed it across town to a rather swanky hotel where all the teams had been put up throughout the tournament. It was quite bizarre once in there- surrounded by all the boys who we had been watching earlier in the day. There was a free bar going, so we were told to help ourselves! Felix then got us downstairs to where the dinner was going on. I sat with some of the Kenyan players- even got introduced to the Kenyan captain!
The special guest of honor at the speeches was a cheetah! Imagine! I was totally loving it!
Donald got involved with the drinking games which the Bristol boys were playing, and soon after puked in the bush (the party was going on by the pool outside). He decided that home was the best bet for him, however i stayed on and went out clubbing with the boys! ooooh yeah.
Anyways- i got back at 3 this morning, and not feeling too bad for it!
Ohh- i have managed to complete my 10km target! Will try do it a few more times this week to get the time down!
These next 9 days are mental busy with something happening pretty much every day in the evenings. I dont know when im going to pack up my flat and sort my bags!?
xx
Quick shout out to the bro- HAPPY BIRTHDAY (for tomorrow) Love you and cant wait to see you xxx
Monday, 15 June 2009
2 weeks 3 days left...
Im not really sure if im counting down till going back to the UK, or holding on to my remaining days out here! Very weird to think that i will shortly be back in England!
Last week i went with the year 8s on their leaving trip. In the school system here they move to secondary school from year 9 and so this is the last few weeks they are together before moving to various schools/countries. I, along with 4 members of staff took the whole year to Lake Naivasha where we had four days of camping, kayaking, mountain climbing, cycling and gorge walking. The trip was run by an adventure company which had also led the 2 previous trips i had attended, so it was good to see the guys again. It was a perfect trip for me, as it meant i got to go to Naivasha again and go to all these parks which would have otherwise cost me hugely.
Heading up Mt Longonot tested my encouragement skills as i literally dragged some kids up hand in hand. Despite the tears and 'i cant do it's we got every one of them up to the rim-an achievement!! I then took the back of the fast group who headed round the entire rim and up to the summit. It was a fairly challenging walk/climb which took us nearly 3 hours- fairly scary in parts as you slip on the dust towards the crater edge (the path was only about a metre wide most of the way round).
On the second day of the trip i headed to a game park called Hells Gate, where we cycled to the gorge. The views are spectacular and its pretty cool peddling through with zebra, buffalo and ostrich along side just munching the grass. Parts of the film Tomb raider were shot down the gorge- it is really incredible how the water has warn away all the volcanic ash over 10000s of years.
Unfortunately we had an accident with one of the kids on the trip whilst rock climbing. She happened to be the presidents grand-daughter which was good and bad! Her body guards were in the park with us and so could accompany her to hospital in their car. She was then airlifted to Nairobi hospital where she has remained since. Somehow this was leaked this to the press, and was on the main news that evening. We expected it to die down- possibly with a small snippet in the mornings newspaper, and so were shocked when it was front page news. We are hoping she will make a full recovery!
This weekend has been really chilled out which was good. I went out with some of the teachers for food and cinema and caught up on sleep!
Next weekend i am heading to the rugby with 10,000 other Nairobi-ans which im sure will be an experience. Hope the sun is shining for you all still
Be seeing you soon!! eek xxx
Last week i went with the year 8s on their leaving trip. In the school system here they move to secondary school from year 9 and so this is the last few weeks they are together before moving to various schools/countries. I, along with 4 members of staff took the whole year to Lake Naivasha where we had four days of camping, kayaking, mountain climbing, cycling and gorge walking. The trip was run by an adventure company which had also led the 2 previous trips i had attended, so it was good to see the guys again. It was a perfect trip for me, as it meant i got to go to Naivasha again and go to all these parks which would have otherwise cost me hugely.
Heading up Mt Longonot tested my encouragement skills as i literally dragged some kids up hand in hand. Despite the tears and 'i cant do it's we got every one of them up to the rim-an achievement!! I then took the back of the fast group who headed round the entire rim and up to the summit. It was a fairly challenging walk/climb which took us nearly 3 hours- fairly scary in parts as you slip on the dust towards the crater edge (the path was only about a metre wide most of the way round).
On the second day of the trip i headed to a game park called Hells Gate, where we cycled to the gorge. The views are spectacular and its pretty cool peddling through with zebra, buffalo and ostrich along side just munching the grass. Parts of the film Tomb raider were shot down the gorge- it is really incredible how the water has warn away all the volcanic ash over 10000s of years.
Unfortunately we had an accident with one of the kids on the trip whilst rock climbing. She happened to be the presidents grand-daughter which was good and bad! Her body guards were in the park with us and so could accompany her to hospital in their car. She was then airlifted to Nairobi hospital where she has remained since. Somehow this was leaked this to the press, and was on the main news that evening. We expected it to die down- possibly with a small snippet in the mornings newspaper, and so were shocked when it was front page news. We are hoping she will make a full recovery!
This weekend has been really chilled out which was good. I went out with some of the teachers for food and cinema and caught up on sleep!
Next weekend i am heading to the rugby with 10,000 other Nairobi-ans which im sure will be an experience. Hope the sun is shining for you all still
Be seeing you soon!! eek xxx
Wednesday, 3 June 2009
Half Term
I was quite excited to be driving down to the coast for the 1st time. Every time previous to this i had hopped on a plane for the 45 minute trip down, which had always been pretty straight forward; apart from the odd bit of flight sickness and Kenya Airways flying mother and myself to the wrong airport with out our luggage!! Maybe it was a good thing to be driving down this time after all. At least over the 7 hour drive you can acclimatize to the heat and humidity slowly with your bags packed safely in the boot. We left Nairobi at 630am and I had even brought my daily breakfast smoothie with me in an old water bottle. I have to say the blitzed combo of banana, soya milk, coffee and oats looked somewhat like mud, but i enjoyed it none the less.
Having been in Kenya for 5 months and not driven since my arrival- i was a tad nervous to be getting behind the wheel of an automatic...which i had never driven-ever! I made sure my left foot was tucked safely under my chair to avoid hitting the clutch-or in this case, the brake! I made all attempts not to loose my two passengers through the windscreen, kill any crossing baboons or damage the car by flying over unmarked speed bumps! At least two of these i remained successful in. I only had one near miss with an on coming land rover whilst overtaking a lorry. Stupid automatics- where is the power when you need it?! I was very calm whilst desperately hoping that i would have time to slip in front of the lorry before the land rover got to me. I have to say i felt the adrenaline rush onces safely back on my side of the road!
On arrival in Mombassa, i left my two travel buddies to jump on a matatu up to Malindi. It was a pretty easy journey, with lots of friendly Kenyans keen to tell me which bus i should climb on to. I ended up sat on a matatu for 40 minutes waiting for it to fill up before leaving. I thought i was surrounded by passengers, however when time came for us to depart i realised they had only been sat on it with me to inquire of my marital status and then if i would fancy any of them as husbands- surprisingly i didn't!
As soon as I arrived in Watamu and Col (big bro) had picked me up, i jumped in the back of the pickup to head down the palm tree lined roads to water some trees in Cols plot of land. I love being perched in the back with the wind blowing my hair into a crazy mess, not caring how much dirt i have on me with the evening sun shining down. Amazinggg!
I have to say the previous trip to Watamu at Easter was crazy hot-in fact too hot to move, so the cooler temperatures this time were much appreciated. What wasn't appreciated however where the tiny biting blood sucking devils- otherwise known as mosquitoes. I hate them. They chomped me day and night- whether i was under a net or covered from head to toe in insect repellent. It may as well have been mosquito attract-ant as far as my collection of bites can say. One night after tucking my net carefully under my mattress and lying there scratching every bite in turn i almost cried to hear the buzz past my ear of a mossie. Im sure it was laughing at me. How can i sleep knowing that this little beast was preparing for an all night feast. The thought even crossed my mind of getting a saucer of some sort and leaving a puddle of my obviously sweet tasting blood on it- in hope that they go for the easy option of suck, rather than bite and suck. I could make a small stabbing somewhere inconspicuous on my body for this very cause. Surely one scar would be better than 100s of itchy bites!?
Someone obviously ready my mind- for the very next morning i decided to shave my legs. I couldn't quite believe it when the flipping shaver decided to skin me instead of cutting the hair which i was trying to remove. I just stared at the white strip on the centre of my shin. Believe it or not the thought going through my head was that my perfect tan was now RUINED...obviously i should have been thinking about running for that saucer to collect the blood which soon ran down my leg. I even picked out the strip of tanned skin rammed in my shaver and contemplated trying to stick it back on. I am now quite ashamed at my vanity. Ah well-I have the bites AND the scar after all.
The few days i was at the coast consisted of a lot of rugby watching on the hotel TV down the road, playing with Col and Roni's 10 week old pup which was mega cute, walks down the beach, and other goodness.
Church on Sunday was quite hilarious. Col was playing guitar with a keyboard-er and bongo drummer. The guitar and keyboard where severely out of tune with each other, which i found very funny. The preacher didn't really need to use a microphone- but decided to use one anyways and so col, roni, and myself all very subtly had one ear blocked to try keep our hearing in at least one ear.
To cut what is becoming a very long story short- i had a sweeet time. Many more adventures on the trip back- including down poor rains, over taking games with a crazy bus driver who apparently didn't like us being in front of him, lorry wheels blowing out as they pass us- giving us the shock of our lives etc.
Hopefully many more adventures to come within the next few weeks!! Love to all xx
Having been in Kenya for 5 months and not driven since my arrival- i was a tad nervous to be getting behind the wheel of an automatic...which i had never driven-ever! I made sure my left foot was tucked safely under my chair to avoid hitting the clutch-or in this case, the brake! I made all attempts not to loose my two passengers through the windscreen, kill any crossing baboons or damage the car by flying over unmarked speed bumps! At least two of these i remained successful in. I only had one near miss with an on coming land rover whilst overtaking a lorry. Stupid automatics- where is the power when you need it?! I was very calm whilst desperately hoping that i would have time to slip in front of the lorry before the land rover got to me. I have to say i felt the adrenaline rush onces safely back on my side of the road!
On arrival in Mombassa, i left my two travel buddies to jump on a matatu up to Malindi. It was a pretty easy journey, with lots of friendly Kenyans keen to tell me which bus i should climb on to. I ended up sat on a matatu for 40 minutes waiting for it to fill up before leaving. I thought i was surrounded by passengers, however when time came for us to depart i realised they had only been sat on it with me to inquire of my marital status and then if i would fancy any of them as husbands- surprisingly i didn't!
As soon as I arrived in Watamu and Col (big bro) had picked me up, i jumped in the back of the pickup to head down the palm tree lined roads to water some trees in Cols plot of land. I love being perched in the back with the wind blowing my hair into a crazy mess, not caring how much dirt i have on me with the evening sun shining down. Amazinggg!
I have to say the previous trip to Watamu at Easter was crazy hot-in fact too hot to move, so the cooler temperatures this time were much appreciated. What wasn't appreciated however where the tiny biting blood sucking devils- otherwise known as mosquitoes. I hate them. They chomped me day and night- whether i was under a net or covered from head to toe in insect repellent. It may as well have been mosquito attract-ant as far as my collection of bites can say. One night after tucking my net carefully under my mattress and lying there scratching every bite in turn i almost cried to hear the buzz past my ear of a mossie. Im sure it was laughing at me. How can i sleep knowing that this little beast was preparing for an all night feast. The thought even crossed my mind of getting a saucer of some sort and leaving a puddle of my obviously sweet tasting blood on it- in hope that they go for the easy option of suck, rather than bite and suck. I could make a small stabbing somewhere inconspicuous on my body for this very cause. Surely one scar would be better than 100s of itchy bites!?
Someone obviously ready my mind- for the very next morning i decided to shave my legs. I couldn't quite believe it when the flipping shaver decided to skin me instead of cutting the hair which i was trying to remove. I just stared at the white strip on the centre of my shin. Believe it or not the thought going through my head was that my perfect tan was now RUINED...obviously i should have been thinking about running for that saucer to collect the blood which soon ran down my leg. I even picked out the strip of tanned skin rammed in my shaver and contemplated trying to stick it back on. I am now quite ashamed at my vanity. Ah well-I have the bites AND the scar after all.
The few days i was at the coast consisted of a lot of rugby watching on the hotel TV down the road, playing with Col and Roni's 10 week old pup which was mega cute, walks down the beach, and other goodness.
Church on Sunday was quite hilarious. Col was playing guitar with a keyboard-er and bongo drummer. The guitar and keyboard where severely out of tune with each other, which i found very funny. The preacher didn't really need to use a microphone- but decided to use one anyways and so col, roni, and myself all very subtly had one ear blocked to try keep our hearing in at least one ear.
To cut what is becoming a very long story short- i had a sweeet time. Many more adventures on the trip back- including down poor rains, over taking games with a crazy bus driver who apparently didn't like us being in front of him, lorry wheels blowing out as they pass us- giving us the shock of our lives etc.
Hopefully many more adventures to come within the next few weeks!! Love to all xx
Thursday, 21 May 2009
6 weeks to go...
Hello lovelys,
Last week ended on a high as the Under10 netball team that i and the other gappy (tash) had been coaching won the tournament!! Ohh yeah...obviously genius coaches eh?! We didnt even lose a game! Imagine. We had some team pics taken- so when i get hold of those i shall whack them up for viewing.
Other than that- i am very much looking forward to half term- this school business is tiring! We get 5 days off (including a weekend) from next thursday. I am hoping to hitch a lift with some other teachers to the coast and stay with big bro Colin. He came to visit me last night which was very cool.
Humm- not a lot else to say really...ive kept up with my running...now doing 6km 4x a week. My aim is to get to 10km before i leave (ideally in under an hr!). Gives me a challenge and something to work towards.
Shall write more sooon...
Hugs all round xxx
Last week ended on a high as the Under10 netball team that i and the other gappy (tash) had been coaching won the tournament!! Ohh yeah...obviously genius coaches eh?! We didnt even lose a game! Imagine. We had some team pics taken- so when i get hold of those i shall whack them up for viewing.
Other than that- i am very much looking forward to half term- this school business is tiring! We get 5 days off (including a weekend) from next thursday. I am hoping to hitch a lift with some other teachers to the coast and stay with big bro Colin. He came to visit me last night which was very cool.
Humm- not a lot else to say really...ive kept up with my running...now doing 6km 4x a week. My aim is to get to 10km before i leave (ideally in under an hr!). Gives me a challenge and something to work towards.
Shall write more sooon...
Hugs all round xxx
Wednesday, 13 May 2009
Naivasha pics
Here are a few snaps from Naivasha trip. It was soo totally beautiful there...love it!! xx
Monday, 11 May 2009
Well hello blog followers!
It is already week 4 of this term, and I have another busy week ahead of me. Every day this week i have lunchtime and after school practices/clubs of various sorts. Myself and the new gappy (Tash) have been given the responsibility of choosing and training a team for a netball torn on friday. We are holding training sessions every day so hopefully will have a nice little team to go and win...'no pressure' said the head teacher...
Saturday i decided i needed to go and get some new clothes- as its often wet and chilly in the mornings, and i have lost one of my hoodies. Well done me. I walked to where i could catch a matatu (about 25min walk) and then hopped on to the toy-market. This is an african clothes market where they sell 2nd hand clothes that they get from somewhere?! Ive heard different stories- some say they get them from lost luggage, and others say they are donated and flown across. It was very bizarre wondering up and down the rows of wooden shacks picking out clothes from topshop, next, h&m etc. You really do have to search out the good clothes, and after nearly 2 hrs i walked away with a hoodie, tshirt and 2 dresses. Dont ask me why i bought the dresses...i just did...!
From there i caught another matatu to the gym, where i did a workout and then walked the 40 mins back to my flat and then the pool. Yey for exercise.
Last night donald tash and myself went to a local eithopian restaurant and then back to my flat to chill out. We had a great idea to build a fire on my balcony to toast some marshmallows we didnt have...
Sadly none of us seem to be very skilled in the fire building department...although we agreed to try again this week after going to buy some marshmallows.
My english lesson went well last week-im not sure how exciting it was for them- but they did the work and i managed to stay in control, so it was a success as far as im concerned. I have a feeling this is going to become much more of a regular thang- as i have another lesson to take tomorrow on smilies. All good practise!
Love and hugs xxx
It is already week 4 of this term, and I have another busy week ahead of me. Every day this week i have lunchtime and after school practices/clubs of various sorts. Myself and the new gappy (Tash) have been given the responsibility of choosing and training a team for a netball torn on friday. We are holding training sessions every day so hopefully will have a nice little team to go and win...'no pressure' said the head teacher...
Saturday i decided i needed to go and get some new clothes- as its often wet and chilly in the mornings, and i have lost one of my hoodies. Well done me. I walked to where i could catch a matatu (about 25min walk) and then hopped on to the toy-market. This is an african clothes market where they sell 2nd hand clothes that they get from somewhere?! Ive heard different stories- some say they get them from lost luggage, and others say they are donated and flown across. It was very bizarre wondering up and down the rows of wooden shacks picking out clothes from topshop, next, h&m etc. You really do have to search out the good clothes, and after nearly 2 hrs i walked away with a hoodie, tshirt and 2 dresses. Dont ask me why i bought the dresses...i just did...!
From there i caught another matatu to the gym, where i did a workout and then walked the 40 mins back to my flat and then the pool. Yey for exercise.
Last night donald tash and myself went to a local eithopian restaurant and then back to my flat to chill out. We had a great idea to build a fire on my balcony to toast some marshmallows we didnt have...
Sadly none of us seem to be very skilled in the fire building department...although we agreed to try again this week after going to buy some marshmallows.
My english lesson went well last week-im not sure how exciting it was for them- but they did the work and i managed to stay in control, so it was a success as far as im concerned. I have a feeling this is going to become much more of a regular thang- as i have another lesson to take tomorrow on smilies. All good practise!
Love and hugs xxx
Thursday, 30 April 2009
the rainy season is here!
I find it hard to recall what has actually happened this last week. Time seems to just zip past in a whirl wind of activity. We are now back into the 2nd week of term (although both 4 day weeks- which is lush!) Already school is mega busy with so much going on. We have been having loads of netball practices, as the A,B,C and D teams have matches next week, school discos every week for various years etc.
Last week I met up with Natalia (my best friend from my school days here). I went out for a meal with her and her family and then back to her place for the night. Surprisingly i was back for lessons in time the next morning! She took me out on Friday night to a pub/bar place where all the white Kenyans hang out. I loved being away from school with different people dancing the night away! I got back to bed at 6am, and then up again to head to a baby shower by lunchtime. I have to say i struggled for the rest of the weekend-i am definitely a person who doesn’t function well on little sleep. It was sweet getting the chance to re-meet and hang out with Natalia again- i never thought after 8 years of not seeing her that i would get this chance.
PE lessons so far have been fitness based, with ball skills to get the girls in shape for a competitive netball season. I have been taking part in all these lessons-running their cross country lap at the start of each lesson, and then onto some sort of strength exercise (we have worked on arms and stomach muscles so far) and then onto sprint stuff using a fitness ladder. I tell thee i am gonna be the fit by the end! Ive kept up with swimming my mile everyday (where i can...it normally works out at 4 or 5 times a week) and im going to go to the gym with some of the other girls where i can find time. It feels so re-energising doing exercise, and i would prefer to spend my evenings doing that than sitting in the bar!
By the time i post this i will have taken my 1st proper English lesson by myself! I feel very professional with my lesson plan...teaching a lesson on adverbs to year 8s. The teacher has been great, and is going to leave me to it. This is good! I think i would feel quite uncomfortable with her in the room-we shall see ho w it goes...
Tomorrow i am heading to Lake Naivasha to camp for the long weekend with a bunch of the other teachers. We have divided up the food to bring etc and gonna go chill. Some keen-ies are going to head up Mt Longanot, however i have no intention to climb any mountain...at any time.
I have swapped 2 of my pe lessons this term for some art. I love it. I think i am still a bit of a kid hanging on to the school days. Its great- i get to play sports, make clay masks, sit in English lessons analyzing poems-with no pressure at all to complete any essays or make any grades. Sad? Maybe.
I am writing this on one of the pe teachers laptop in my flat- i am sick of the computers at school freezing every 3rd letters i type-so im multi tasking making cookies for our trip and writing this AND enjoying his collection of 7000 songs on i tunes. Amazing.
Righto- love to all xx
Last week I met up with Natalia (my best friend from my school days here). I went out for a meal with her and her family and then back to her place for the night. Surprisingly i was back for lessons in time the next morning! She took me out on Friday night to a pub/bar place where all the white Kenyans hang out. I loved being away from school with different people dancing the night away! I got back to bed at 6am, and then up again to head to a baby shower by lunchtime. I have to say i struggled for the rest of the weekend-i am definitely a person who doesn’t function well on little sleep. It was sweet getting the chance to re-meet and hang out with Natalia again- i never thought after 8 years of not seeing her that i would get this chance.
PE lessons so far have been fitness based, with ball skills to get the girls in shape for a competitive netball season. I have been taking part in all these lessons-running their cross country lap at the start of each lesson, and then onto some sort of strength exercise (we have worked on arms and stomach muscles so far) and then onto sprint stuff using a fitness ladder. I tell thee i am gonna be the fit by the end! Ive kept up with swimming my mile everyday (where i can...it normally works out at 4 or 5 times a week) and im going to go to the gym with some of the other girls where i can find time. It feels so re-energising doing exercise, and i would prefer to spend my evenings doing that than sitting in the bar!
By the time i post this i will have taken my 1st proper English lesson by myself! I feel very professional with my lesson plan...teaching a lesson on adverbs to year 8s. The teacher has been great, and is going to leave me to it. This is good! I think i would feel quite uncomfortable with her in the room-we shall see ho w it goes...
Tomorrow i am heading to Lake Naivasha to camp for the long weekend with a bunch of the other teachers. We have divided up the food to bring etc and gonna go chill. Some keen-ies are going to head up Mt Longanot, however i have no intention to climb any mountain...at any time.
I have swapped 2 of my pe lessons this term for some art. I love it. I think i am still a bit of a kid hanging on to the school days. Its great- i get to play sports, make clay masks, sit in English lessons analyzing poems-with no pressure at all to complete any essays or make any grades. Sad? Maybe.
I am writing this on one of the pe teachers laptop in my flat- i am sick of the computers at school freezing every 3rd letters i type-so im multi tasking making cookies for our trip and writing this AND enjoying his collection of 7000 songs on i tunes. Amazing.
Righto- love to all xx
Thursday, 16 April 2009
Easter Holiday fun
Hasn't it been an age since i updated you on my life! Im sure you have all been gutted...
Holidays began with my trip to Sagana with a bunch of year 7&8s. I was very much looking forward to my return after having such a laugh on the previous trip, and as expected-it was good fun. There had been a severe lack of rains which meant that we couldn't do the white water rafting for the first 3 days. The kids were occupied with raft building, swimming, climbing, games and the like. It seemed to be the trip of injuries and sickness as we had one lass sent to hospital with a broken elbow after an intense game of capture the flag in the dark. By the end of the week we had a lot of completely exhausted, and possibly slightly dehydrated kids! I was sleeping in a little tent, placed beautifully by the not so quiet generator! This however was majorly out done in noise by the thunderstorms we had nearly every night we were there. I swear the storm was about a meter above my tent, and flip me did i jump out of my skin when the thunder roared. I was actually scared. Thee loudest thunder ever to thunder. It meant however that we were able to raft the last 2 days of our stay-which was totally tiring but great. There is no way i was to remain in the raft as the kids were determined to get me in as often as possible. They would launch themselves at me to force me out the raft. Don't get me wrong-what a laugh- but seriously frustrating with my apparent lack of upper body strength trying to get back into the raft! I ended up covered in bruises. One section of the river we come to a waterfall, which obviously we paddle to as hard as possible to get underneath. If you are sat on the right of the raft, which inevitably i was, you have the full force of the water landing on your helmet and shoulders. Its actually fairly painful, and several of the kids were blasted out the boat by the force of the water. Ha.
On the 2nd to last day, after watching about 10 people previously, i decided to do a bungee jump over the river.(I will hopefully be able to upload a video when i get hold of it). It is actually part of an old crane that is concreted into the ground-stretching 200ft up. I, and one other teacher climbed up this crane (basically a biiig ladder) to the little box hanging from the top. Stupidly i decided not to wear any shoes-bad move- i had sore feet by the time i reached the top. Strangely i was not nervous at all...until the little gate opened and i had to jump. When you have nothing in front of you apart from air- your brain tells you its not such a wonderful idea to jump off. There was NO way i was backing out with all the kids watching and cheering at the bottom. I had already decided that as soon as the gate opened i would just have to go-don't engage brain!! All i could think of was having to yell 'GO Braeburn' on my way down, as the footage is possibly to be shown in assembly. Anyways i did it- i don't actually remember the point of jumping! What a rush.
The afternoon we got back, i had to sort the flat and head to the shops to get some food in for mums arrival the next day. She is sitting in the departure lounge as i write this- so i have just said goodbye- but it was great to have her come visit my world. Bit of role reversal as she came to my flat, and i was in charge of food and organizing etc.
A few days after she arrived in Kenya we headed down to the Indian ocean. This was a long awaited trip for me- heading back to one of my favorite places in the world! We had booked to fly to Malindi, however the stupid airline decided to put us on a flight to Mombassa instead, telling us they would taxi us to Malindi when we arrived. They didn't help themselves getting back into our good books when they decided to put too much fuel in the plane, and so not able to take our luggage. You can imagine a plane full of peoples faces as we watch out the plane window and see our bags being driven away. All fine in the end as they put the luggage on the next plane and drove it to us that evening.
We were staying in a guest house run by conservationists who work in the local area to promote eco-tourism and the like. My 'big bro' Colin, who used to come stay with us when we lived in Nairobi as a family works there, so it was uber cool to hang with him and his wife Roni. A bunch of us went out one night to a creek to do some bird ringing. They set up nets on the creek, and then would check them every hour or so throughout the night to collect the caught birds and bring them back to our camp for weighing, measuring and to put a tiny ring on. I took role as scribe for the night, noting down numbers and the measurements for each bird. Was a long night out with the mosquitoes, but i really enjoyed it. We caught and rung a total of 105 birds! Can you believe that the 2 gappys working at the guest house and out bird ringing with me came from my year Henley college, where i did my A Levels last yr. Mental.
The guest house where we were staying was about 1/2 hr walk down the beach from a fav hotel of ours. We decided to buy a day pass which meant we got 2 meals, free drinks all day and the use of their pool etc. It was such a treat to go back there. We fell into temptation, and went to ask how much it would be to stay one night. After some negotiation, phone calls, and making sure they realized we were old friends of the hotel, we got a very good deal and took the key to our air conditioned room!! You would not believe how excited we were about the air-con. Both mum and myself were struggling in the humidity and heat, so it was truly amazing to have the pool and cool room. On our last night at the coast we were walking along the beach and came across a massive turtle heading down the beach into the water. I assume it had been up to lay its eggs! Seriously cool!
Back in Nairobi, Mum and I went into the centre of town, cooked, made smoothies with a smoothie maker that a legend sent out to me with ma and generally had a good time. We traveled round to various places which hold a lot of memories from life out here as a child (the elephant orphanage, a few restaurants etc).
I hope you all had a fabulous easter break!? Lots of love xxx
PS: thanks for the song jazz! Beautiful x
Holidays began with my trip to Sagana with a bunch of year 7&8s. I was very much looking forward to my return after having such a laugh on the previous trip, and as expected-it was good fun. There had been a severe lack of rains which meant that we couldn't do the white water rafting for the first 3 days. The kids were occupied with raft building, swimming, climbing, games and the like. It seemed to be the trip of injuries and sickness as we had one lass sent to hospital with a broken elbow after an intense game of capture the flag in the dark. By the end of the week we had a lot of completely exhausted, and possibly slightly dehydrated kids! I was sleeping in a little tent, placed beautifully by the not so quiet generator! This however was majorly out done in noise by the thunderstorms we had nearly every night we were there. I swear the storm was about a meter above my tent, and flip me did i jump out of my skin when the thunder roared. I was actually scared. Thee loudest thunder ever to thunder. It meant however that we were able to raft the last 2 days of our stay-which was totally tiring but great. There is no way i was to remain in the raft as the kids were determined to get me in as often as possible. They would launch themselves at me to force me out the raft. Don't get me wrong-what a laugh- but seriously frustrating with my apparent lack of upper body strength trying to get back into the raft! I ended up covered in bruises. One section of the river we come to a waterfall, which obviously we paddle to as hard as possible to get underneath. If you are sat on the right of the raft, which inevitably i was, you have the full force of the water landing on your helmet and shoulders. Its actually fairly painful, and several of the kids were blasted out the boat by the force of the water. Ha.
On the 2nd to last day, after watching about 10 people previously, i decided to do a bungee jump over the river.(I will hopefully be able to upload a video when i get hold of it). It is actually part of an old crane that is concreted into the ground-stretching 200ft up. I, and one other teacher climbed up this crane (basically a biiig ladder) to the little box hanging from the top. Stupidly i decided not to wear any shoes-bad move- i had sore feet by the time i reached the top. Strangely i was not nervous at all...until the little gate opened and i had to jump. When you have nothing in front of you apart from air- your brain tells you its not such a wonderful idea to jump off. There was NO way i was backing out with all the kids watching and cheering at the bottom. I had already decided that as soon as the gate opened i would just have to go-don't engage brain!! All i could think of was having to yell 'GO Braeburn' on my way down, as the footage is possibly to be shown in assembly. Anyways i did it- i don't actually remember the point of jumping! What a rush.
The afternoon we got back, i had to sort the flat and head to the shops to get some food in for mums arrival the next day. She is sitting in the departure lounge as i write this- so i have just said goodbye- but it was great to have her come visit my world. Bit of role reversal as she came to my flat, and i was in charge of food and organizing etc.
A few days after she arrived in Kenya we headed down to the Indian ocean. This was a long awaited trip for me- heading back to one of my favorite places in the world! We had booked to fly to Malindi, however the stupid airline decided to put us on a flight to Mombassa instead, telling us they would taxi us to Malindi when we arrived. They didn't help themselves getting back into our good books when they decided to put too much fuel in the plane, and so not able to take our luggage. You can imagine a plane full of peoples faces as we watch out the plane window and see our bags being driven away. All fine in the end as they put the luggage on the next plane and drove it to us that evening.
We were staying in a guest house run by conservationists who work in the local area to promote eco-tourism and the like. My 'big bro' Colin, who used to come stay with us when we lived in Nairobi as a family works there, so it was uber cool to hang with him and his wife Roni. A bunch of us went out one night to a creek to do some bird ringing. They set up nets on the creek, and then would check them every hour or so throughout the night to collect the caught birds and bring them back to our camp for weighing, measuring and to put a tiny ring on. I took role as scribe for the night, noting down numbers and the measurements for each bird. Was a long night out with the mosquitoes, but i really enjoyed it. We caught and rung a total of 105 birds! Can you believe that the 2 gappys working at the guest house and out bird ringing with me came from my year Henley college, where i did my A Levels last yr. Mental.
The guest house where we were staying was about 1/2 hr walk down the beach from a fav hotel of ours. We decided to buy a day pass which meant we got 2 meals, free drinks all day and the use of their pool etc. It was such a treat to go back there. We fell into temptation, and went to ask how much it would be to stay one night. After some negotiation, phone calls, and making sure they realized we were old friends of the hotel, we got a very good deal and took the key to our air conditioned room!! You would not believe how excited we were about the air-con. Both mum and myself were struggling in the humidity and heat, so it was truly amazing to have the pool and cool room. On our last night at the coast we were walking along the beach and came across a massive turtle heading down the beach into the water. I assume it had been up to lay its eggs! Seriously cool!
Back in Nairobi, Mum and I went into the centre of town, cooked, made smoothies with a smoothie maker that a legend sent out to me with ma and generally had a good time. We traveled round to various places which hold a lot of memories from life out here as a child (the elephant orphanage, a few restaurants etc).
I hope you all had a fabulous easter break!? Lots of love xxx
PS: thanks for the song jazz! Beautiful x
Monday, 23 March 2009
one week till holiday...
The last week of term seems to be a bit of a mess really. We have the school production of the lion king 3 nights this week, which means a lot of the kids are out of lessons for final rehearsals. Today is sports team photos, and a lot of teachers are out. I cant wait till Friday when i am heading off rafting!
This weekend i had to be in school for a squash tournament. The kids are really talented, but i have to say i wouldn't choose to spend my Saturday watching them if i had the choice. There isn't really a lot to say about this last week. I decided that i would get back into swimming and so started to do my mile swim everyday where possible. Feels goood!
I would put some pics up to make up for lack of writing, but my memory stick with all my pics on went wandering on wednesday so i cant! Bit of a pain really.
Im gonna be away from a computer for a couple of weeks now- but will update you with lots of stories on my return. Mother is heading out in just over a week, and i am heading to the coast with her which will be loveelly indeed.
I hear the sun has been shining for youse lot this week? I hope all is well.
Lots of love xx
This weekend i had to be in school for a squash tournament. The kids are really talented, but i have to say i wouldn't choose to spend my Saturday watching them if i had the choice. There isn't really a lot to say about this last week. I decided that i would get back into swimming and so started to do my mile swim everyday where possible. Feels goood!
I would put some pics up to make up for lack of writing, but my memory stick with all my pics on went wandering on wednesday so i cant! Bit of a pain really.
Im gonna be away from a computer for a couple of weeks now- but will update you with lots of stories on my return. Mother is heading out in just over a week, and i am heading to the coast with her which will be loveelly indeed.
I hear the sun has been shining for youse lot this week? I hope all is well.
Lots of love xx
Monday, 16 March 2009
funny week
Morning lovely blog followers!
I shall start by telling you that things are pretty calm in Nairobi. There have been a few riots and demonstrations because of the Mungiki stuff earlier on in the week, however apart from causing mass traffic jams throughout the city; it didn’t affect us at all.
On Thursday I went on a school trip with the year 8’s to a farm about an hour out of Nairobi. This was a disaster from the moment I awoke. The alarm goes of at 730 as per usual, however today I can’t open my eyes! I think it must have been due to the anti mosquito stuff I had applied to my arms, hands and cheeks to deter the pesky mossies from nibbling me throughout the night that caused my eye lids to swell. I found my way to the mirror, and then rang Donald downstairs to share my horror. Upon walking down to his flat, one of the other teachers opened their door and kindly suggested I wore sunglasses all day! Now normally this would have been fine with the sun blazing away, however that morning was overcast and really quite dull. I felt like a complete fool walking into school under the clouds with the sunglasses on. I could tell it was going to be an interesting day- walking round a farm with swollen eyes. Great.
Anyways the trip was a bit of a disaster. Trying to get a year 8 class excited about going to see vegetables growing is a hard task in itself, and even more so when the guide taking us round the farm was a quiet timid man, who could not hold the attention of the kids at all. He was chattering on about the four different types of cabbages growing in front of us, whilst the kids wondered off and started picking the tomatoes and cucumbers to eat! If I found it hard to stay focused on the leeks and onions (and not just because my eyes would only half open!) you can’t really blame the kids for not being interested. I’m sure you can imagine their excitement when they were given a bag of vegetables each to take home at the end of the day.
Saturday I went with two other teachers to the final boy’s hockey tournament. The best 6 players are selected from each of the British schools to compete against each other. It’s a very formal day with all the head teachers of the school there to cheer on their boys. Braeburn won the tournament- which is very cool…first time we have won it.
Sunday afternoon I came across to the school for the Goat Derby! This was an organized fundraiser event where 7 goats had been hired to race down our school field. We would go and place our bets on the goats before each race and then watch the very entertaining sight as each goat was chased down a channel of sidewise turned tables by men with sticks. Some of the tables were smaller than others so often the goats leapt over and ran around the field. I’ve never seen anything like it!
Anyways, I hope everyone is doing good?
Muchos love xxx
I shall start by telling you that things are pretty calm in Nairobi. There have been a few riots and demonstrations because of the Mungiki stuff earlier on in the week, however apart from causing mass traffic jams throughout the city; it didn’t affect us at all.
On Thursday I went on a school trip with the year 8’s to a farm about an hour out of Nairobi. This was a disaster from the moment I awoke. The alarm goes of at 730 as per usual, however today I can’t open my eyes! I think it must have been due to the anti mosquito stuff I had applied to my arms, hands and cheeks to deter the pesky mossies from nibbling me throughout the night that caused my eye lids to swell. I found my way to the mirror, and then rang Donald downstairs to share my horror. Upon walking down to his flat, one of the other teachers opened their door and kindly suggested I wore sunglasses all day! Now normally this would have been fine with the sun blazing away, however that morning was overcast and really quite dull. I felt like a complete fool walking into school under the clouds with the sunglasses on. I could tell it was going to be an interesting day- walking round a farm with swollen eyes. Great.
Anyways the trip was a bit of a disaster. Trying to get a year 8 class excited about going to see vegetables growing is a hard task in itself, and even more so when the guide taking us round the farm was a quiet timid man, who could not hold the attention of the kids at all. He was chattering on about the four different types of cabbages growing in front of us, whilst the kids wondered off and started picking the tomatoes and cucumbers to eat! If I found it hard to stay focused on the leeks and onions (and not just because my eyes would only half open!) you can’t really blame the kids for not being interested. I’m sure you can imagine their excitement when they were given a bag of vegetables each to take home at the end of the day.
Saturday I went with two other teachers to the final boy’s hockey tournament. The best 6 players are selected from each of the British schools to compete against each other. It’s a very formal day with all the head teachers of the school there to cheer on their boys. Braeburn won the tournament- which is very cool…first time we have won it.
Sunday afternoon I came across to the school for the Goat Derby! This was an organized fundraiser event where 7 goats had been hired to race down our school field. We would go and place our bets on the goats before each race and then watch the very entertaining sight as each goat was chased down a channel of sidewise turned tables by men with sticks. Some of the tables were smaller than others so often the goats leapt over and ran around the field. I’ve never seen anything like it!
Anyways, I hope everyone is doing good?
Muchos love xxx
Monday, 9 March 2009
mixed week
Hallo all.
First things first...i am totally loving netball. All enthusiasm for hockey had died after the 9 weeks of endless lessons, matches and after school training. There are only so many drills you can make up, and only so many times you can tell the kids to 'spread out and use the wings'. I think i can surely say that although i am still very keen on being a teacher- i am so certain that i would die if i was to teach PE. I'm not patient enough doing the same sport constantly, and dislike trying to teach something i myself am completely lame at (football in case you had any doubts!)
This morning the teacher was absent from the yr 7 English lesson...so i put my teacher hat on and took the lesson. Its funny how you pick up phrases and act like teachers you have watched/experienced. It still feels like a bit of a game really as the responsibility of the class isn't mine!
Thursday last week there was a bit of trouble in Nairobi due to a gang called the Mungiki*. All the after school clubs and practices were canceled so the kids could be sent home. It didnt really affect us, apart from things got very quiet! It all seemed to sort itself out, and everything was back to normal the next day.
We have been watching the rugby this week, everyone getting very excited with Kenya playing. Lots of Kenya rugby shirts/hats etc! We sneaked out of assembly on Friday to try and watch one of the games during the day! Well done to Wales anyways!
This weekend was a bit of a low. I felt absolutely rough from friday night, with hot and cold-ness, headaches, dizzyness...went to bed really early and slept rubbish! Was sick some on saturday morning and stayed in bed till 3pm. Some lovely family frinds came and picked me up and took me to their place- which was really good...somehow having a TV to sit and watch makes a big difference when you feel bad! Anyways it seemed to be a 24hr thing that i must have picked up and i feel completely fine now. whey!
Right- i have been put on swimming gala duty this afternoon, so i must ruunn...
Love to all xxx
Mungiki:
(* The gang consists mainly of youths from Kenya's largest tribe, the Kikuyu, and began as a hardline offshoot of the Tent of the Living God, a religious sect that espoused a return to traditional tribal beliefs and a rejection of Western values.
* The word Mungiki means "multitude" in the Kikuyu language.
* Its size is unknown but it claims thousands of members, especially unemployed youths including some whose communities were destroyed in tribal clashes in the 1990s. It has adopted a politically militant tone, siding with the poor against rich elites it accuses of doing the bidding of former colonial masters.
* Police say Mungiki is Kenya's version of the mafia: involved in murder, extortion and racketeering, levying protection fees on the urban poor and supplying electricity and water illegally at a monopoly price. They say it commits kidnappings and hires out thugs as political muscle.
* Security experts say gang members swear an oath of secrecy not unlike the Italian mafia, and can leave the gang in only one way -- by dying. Any betrayal is punishable by death.
* The government banned the gang in 2002 after knife-wielding members killed more than 20 people in a clash with a rival gang in Nairobi's Mathare slum, a Mungiki stronghold.
* The gang is said to be behind the beheadings of up to eight people in June 2007. The heads were placed on poles and body parts scattered in the bush around Central Province and near the capital, a Mau Mau tactic to instil fear.)
First things first...i am totally loving netball. All enthusiasm for hockey had died after the 9 weeks of endless lessons, matches and after school training. There are only so many drills you can make up, and only so many times you can tell the kids to 'spread out and use the wings'. I think i can surely say that although i am still very keen on being a teacher- i am so certain that i would die if i was to teach PE. I'm not patient enough doing the same sport constantly, and dislike trying to teach something i myself am completely lame at (football in case you had any doubts!)
This morning the teacher was absent from the yr 7 English lesson...so i put my teacher hat on and took the lesson. Its funny how you pick up phrases and act like teachers you have watched/experienced. It still feels like a bit of a game really as the responsibility of the class isn't mine!
Thursday last week there was a bit of trouble in Nairobi due to a gang called the Mungiki*. All the after school clubs and practices were canceled so the kids could be sent home. It didnt really affect us, apart from things got very quiet! It all seemed to sort itself out, and everything was back to normal the next day.
We have been watching the rugby this week, everyone getting very excited with Kenya playing. Lots of Kenya rugby shirts/hats etc! We sneaked out of assembly on Friday to try and watch one of the games during the day! Well done to Wales anyways!
This weekend was a bit of a low. I felt absolutely rough from friday night, with hot and cold-ness, headaches, dizzyness...went to bed really early and slept rubbish! Was sick some on saturday morning and stayed in bed till 3pm. Some lovely family frinds came and picked me up and took me to their place- which was really good...somehow having a TV to sit and watch makes a big difference when you feel bad! Anyways it seemed to be a 24hr thing that i must have picked up and i feel completely fine now. whey!
Right- i have been put on swimming gala duty this afternoon, so i must ruunn...
Love to all xxx
Mungiki:
(* The gang consists mainly of youths from Kenya's largest tribe, the Kikuyu, and began as a hardline offshoot of the Tent of the Living God, a religious sect that espoused a return to traditional tribal beliefs and a rejection of Western values.
* The word Mungiki means "multitude" in the Kikuyu language.
* Its size is unknown but it claims thousands of members, especially unemployed youths including some whose communities were destroyed in tribal clashes in the 1990s. It has adopted a politically militant tone, siding with the poor against rich elites it accuses of doing the bidding of former colonial masters.
* Police say Mungiki is Kenya's version of the mafia: involved in murder, extortion and racketeering, levying protection fees on the urban poor and supplying electricity and water illegally at a monopoly price. They say it commits kidnappings and hires out thugs as political muscle.
* Security experts say gang members swear an oath of secrecy not unlike the Italian mafia, and can leave the gang in only one way -- by dying. Any betrayal is punishable by death.
* The government banned the gang in 2002 after knife-wielding members killed more than 20 people in a clash with a rival gang in Nairobi's Mathare slum, a Mungiki stronghold.
* The gang is said to be behind the beheadings of up to eight people in June 2007. The heads were placed on poles and body parts scattered in the bush around Central Province and near the capital, a Mau Mau tactic to instil fear.)
Monday, 2 March 2009
another trip down memory lane...
Another week of routine in the main- lessons as per usual, sports matches and the like. I went with one of the girls hockey teams to Kenton College (another brit school in Nairobi). One of the old teachers from my school was there at the sidelines- so i went over to say hello. I think its quite a positive thing she didn't recognize me until i said my name...you would understand why if you saw photos of me when i was here. We had a great chat about old times and people.
Thursday night we had a girls night in Crutchie's flat. (there is a pic of Crutchie in one of the earlier blogs). Dana and myself made homemade pizza for us all (base an' everything!) Very yummy. As per usual a lot of wine bottles were emptied, but i have to say i was appreciating some English chocolate! The cadburys you get here just doesn't taste anything like the stuff in the UK. I think they put some anti-melt stuff in or something, but it really is not nice!! Hence i haven't had chocolate in a while! Not a bad thing! Anyways, we chattered away until the boys returned from their poker night, and eventually went to bed gone 1. This is not a good thing when you have to be energized for the PE lesson the next morning.
I have been wearing my Kenyan rugby shirt that i was given all weekend. Kenya are playing England on Friday-and i have to say im unsure who i should be cheering for. Hmm!
This week i braved matatu's for the first time. For those of you who don't know- the Kenyan roads are rammed full of these interestingly decorated mini buses, who think they own the road, and so drive like maniacs. It doesn't matter if the other lane is for the oncoming traffic, if they think they can beat the traffic by using it- they do. Obviously the pathways are not for pedestrians- but actually a special lane built for matatus to drive down. You get the idea? I decided i didn't want to walk to the shops, and so nodded at the number 46 which was driving past- and was quickly bundled on. Good fun really!
Saturday and Sunday i spent with the Kip family. When we first lived in Kenya, we lived with this quality family for about a month, so it was quite surreal going back to their house. Everything was in its place and the same as usual. Smells hold the most amazing memories. I went and helped cook chapati for dinner...im now a pro! Im not going to bore you with all the details of memories, but it was very very cool to go back and remember. Im sorry to inform you that Sunday afternoon i spent by the pool sunbathing and swimming.
There was something going on out in the road by my flat last night. Donald (the other gappy) came up to my flat after crossing the road from school. There were loads of people running down shouting, and the security gaurds out with their battens. He was freaked because the gate to our flat was padlocked, and the gaurd not the fastest to open it...poor don just wanted to get out the road! ha. There were gunshots about 9pm- but i havent heard anymore info on what happened. Never a dull moment. I assure you its all safe tho.
Right-lunch time! I wonder what lovely school food there is today...
xxx
Thursday night we had a girls night in Crutchie's flat. (there is a pic of Crutchie in one of the earlier blogs). Dana and myself made homemade pizza for us all (base an' everything!) Very yummy. As per usual a lot of wine bottles were emptied, but i have to say i was appreciating some English chocolate! The cadburys you get here just doesn't taste anything like the stuff in the UK. I think they put some anti-melt stuff in or something, but it really is not nice!! Hence i haven't had chocolate in a while! Not a bad thing! Anyways, we chattered away until the boys returned from their poker night, and eventually went to bed gone 1. This is not a good thing when you have to be energized for the PE lesson the next morning.
I have been wearing my Kenyan rugby shirt that i was given all weekend. Kenya are playing England on Friday-and i have to say im unsure who i should be cheering for. Hmm!
This week i braved matatu's for the first time. For those of you who don't know- the Kenyan roads are rammed full of these interestingly decorated mini buses, who think they own the road, and so drive like maniacs. It doesn't matter if the other lane is for the oncoming traffic, if they think they can beat the traffic by using it- they do. Obviously the pathways are not for pedestrians- but actually a special lane built for matatus to drive down. You get the idea? I decided i didn't want to walk to the shops, and so nodded at the number 46 which was driving past- and was quickly bundled on. Good fun really!
Saturday and Sunday i spent with the Kip family. When we first lived in Kenya, we lived with this quality family for about a month, so it was quite surreal going back to their house. Everything was in its place and the same as usual. Smells hold the most amazing memories. I went and helped cook chapati for dinner...im now a pro! Im not going to bore you with all the details of memories, but it was very very cool to go back and remember. Im sorry to inform you that Sunday afternoon i spent by the pool sunbathing and swimming.
There was something going on out in the road by my flat last night. Donald (the other gappy) came up to my flat after crossing the road from school. There were loads of people running down shouting, and the security gaurds out with their battens. He was freaked because the gate to our flat was padlocked, and the gaurd not the fastest to open it...poor don just wanted to get out the road! ha. There were gunshots about 9pm- but i havent heard anymore info on what happened. Never a dull moment. I assure you its all safe tho.
Right-lunch time! I wonder what lovely school food there is today...
xxx
Monday, 23 February 2009
weeks fly by...
Well hello my lovely blog followers.
I have had another good week. 'Healthy me' week turned out to be sweet as because it meant i got the 1st two lessons off everyday! Heck yes. I did however get up early one morning to go and help sort out the yr 7&8 healthy breakfast. We chopped masses of fruit, toasted bag loads of bread and boiled boxes of eggs. How very entertaining it is to be dressed in a chefs outfit at 730am...nah twas a laugh.
Saturday just gone i got up early to travel with the 1st hockey teams upcountry to a boarding school (Pembroke house). The girls did extremely well winning 3-0. On the Friday the girls had been given a talking to, and had an 'aggressiveness session' trying to knock the wosey-ness out of them. We had them trying to flatten one of the teachers who had rugby tackle pads, and had them charging at each other with hockey sticks. It seemed to work!! I spent the rest of the weekend with family friends, which was poa sana (very cool).
Has been a fairly standard week apart from that. Lessons all going well. I am very happy that from next week netball begins and football ceases! I have managed to blag myself another trip to sagana (for 5 days this time- Yes that is 3 days of rafting instead of the one day last time.) V exciting!!
Time is going so fast! I cant believe i was originally going to be coming back in 5 weeks time...very happy to continue my adventure here till june/july!
Love to all xxx
I have had another good week. 'Healthy me' week turned out to be sweet as because it meant i got the 1st two lessons off everyday! Heck yes. I did however get up early one morning to go and help sort out the yr 7&8 healthy breakfast. We chopped masses of fruit, toasted bag loads of bread and boiled boxes of eggs. How very entertaining it is to be dressed in a chefs outfit at 730am...nah twas a laugh.
Saturday just gone i got up early to travel with the 1st hockey teams upcountry to a boarding school (Pembroke house). The girls did extremely well winning 3-0. On the Friday the girls had been given a talking to, and had an 'aggressiveness session' trying to knock the wosey-ness out of them. We had them trying to flatten one of the teachers who had rugby tackle pads, and had them charging at each other with hockey sticks. It seemed to work!! I spent the rest of the weekend with family friends, which was poa sana (very cool).
Has been a fairly standard week apart from that. Lessons all going well. I am very happy that from next week netball begins and football ceases! I have managed to blag myself another trip to sagana (for 5 days this time- Yes that is 3 days of rafting instead of the one day last time.) V exciting!!
Time is going so fast! I cant believe i was originally going to be coming back in 5 weeks time...very happy to continue my adventure here till june/july!
Love to all xxx
Monday, 16 February 2009
Half term over!
Well well, half term is over (all four days of it), and I am now back in school. This week is 'Healthy Me' week, which means the kids are off time table 1st two lessons everyday to learn about healthy lifestyle. The whole school is out on the field every morning for half hour to do aerobics or stretching, AND this morning, all the teachers were supposed to come dressed as something healthy. I have to say I failed to do this, although with great excitement last night, Donald (the other gappy), showed me his carrot costume...an orange sleeping bag over his head!! Call me a spoil sport, but no.
Half term was really lovely actually, despite its short-ness. It was nice to get out of the fumes of Nairobi to the beautiful surroundings of the Masai Mara. It was a horrific 7 hour bus journey to get there. I think quite possibly, the worst road I have ever been on. There were 4 of us on our little bus, all young female teachers, who were quite genius at making up games to pass the time. It took us over 2 hrs to travel 35km!! We did however have about 30 school kids chasing our bus for a good 15 mins, which was quite amazing!
When we arrived I was very pleasantly surprised to find our 'home' for the next few days was right on the edge of the river running through the Mara. There were 3 huts which had been beautifully done, one with an open bedroom and bathroom looking out over the river! Lucy, one of the teachers, said it felt like she was in a herbal essence advert! Very good description. I slept in a tent, which was all fine-however the wind was mega and so not the easiest to sleep. There would be fires made every night, and lanterns put out to light the way to the long drop (luxurious one). We could even hear the hyenas in the morning! Twas all very lovely.
Two of the huts
Inside one of the huts (living room area)
On the Friday morning we went to a local school to give them the football goals, rounders stuff, books/posters etc that we had brought. We had a great welcome with all the kids shouting and then giving us a Masai dance! They had never played rounders before, so we marked out the pitch with the chalk we brought, and set up the posts. They were amazingly good at picking up the game, and their catching/throwing was really fast! I think they actually beat us!
A very cute boy at the school.
Saturday morning a few of us went on a game drive...saw some lions- very nice, before heading back to Nairobi. There was a crash on the rift valley road which prolonged the whole thing, but we all got back safely. Marvelous!
Lioness and her wildebeest kill.
Sunday I spent re-decorating my flat. I walked to a Masai market in the morning (50 min walk) and bought some bits and bobs to make my living room more homely. I decided I didn't want the big ugly table taking up masses of space, so I rang Donald to come and help me get it out. It was a frustrating hour trying to get the damn thing out my door (wasn't happening!!) and so we eventually decided to unscrew the wooden top from the metal frame legs. This wasn't easy in itself, although once achieved we chucked the legs off my balcony. Haha...don't worry- nothing damaged!! Stupid table.
Hope you are all well!
Happy Birthday to Grandad for Friday!! :o)
xxx
Monday, 9 February 2009
heck yeah!
I feel this is going to be an epic post, for 2 reasons. Firstly, it has been a while since i have posted, and secondly...i have had thee most amazing week!
The trip was quality! Wednesday morning i pack as much as i can into my small backpack and walk across the road into school clutching my pillow. The year 7s were split into 2 buses and we depart for Sagana. Driving with a bus load of very excited 11 and 12 year olds was not a quiet affair, but we did a 'sweet run' before leaving- a run down the bus to collect a stash of sweets for the teachers! sorted!
When we arrived we let the guys that run the adventure site take over-getting the kids going in team building activities. Our main job on the trip was to supervise the free time, and so we all worked very hard sat round our table drinking our tea and coffee...straining our necks once in a while to check that the kids hadn't fallen into the river!
Dana and Crutchie hard at work
Dana and Crutchie hard at work
There were a bunch of brit army guys also staying on site-so that night we wondered over to the 'bar' (where the girly teachers had planned to sleep before the army converted it!) to say hello. Lets just say that they hadn't had any alcohol since being in Kenya training, nor had they had any female company...and leave it there.
The 1am bedtime didn't really work too well with the 615am wake up call, as the noise of the kids crept through the thin wall of my tent! By 7 we were all having breakfast and preparing for the day. I was in the group to go whitewater rafting first, so we life jacket-ed and helmet-ed up and jumped on a bus to go up river. The kids aren't allowed to start at the beginning due to the bigger rapids..but i suffered and went with the instructors to load the boats and make our way down to a point where we could pick the kids up. Flipping heck was that 1st bit amazing. Needless to say i was already soaked by the time we picked the kids up. The instructors wound the kids up with their instructions to watch for water snakes etc. Every so often they would smack the water with their paddles, making everyone jump and then informed us that "its ok...i killed it". haha..kids freaked out-very funny!
The kids about to go kayaking
During the calmer bits of water we would chuck each other in, and in some cases we were told to jump out and sit like we were on a water slide as the rapids took us down the river.
That afternoon we went on a 4 hour hike. I have to say i enjoyed this somewhat less than the rafting...it was mega hot, and there was a lot of clambering through bushes going on-however we got some quality views with Mt. Kenya in the distance.
Some of the kids deciding their group name and rules
The rest of the time the kids were doing abseiling, kayaking, bridge building across to the island and map reading stuff. I almost did a bungee jump over the river...but due to mis communication between Kenyan man wanting money at the bottom...and bloke at top who would have let me do it free...i didn't do it.
I came back from the trip completely exhausted, but good sleep-age sorted me out for the BBQ in the game park the next day. It is a teachers social that they do every year- taking a cook and the full school bar with us to a picnic site inside the park. We spent the day eating, drinking, playing rounders and chatting surrounded by bush and the wildlife- sweet as!
Liz and myslef in the park.
I realise you all must think that i am working way too hard out here...but i can assure you that i will take some time to rest...heading off the the Mara in half term (beginning on Thursday!) haha. This is the life!
However, this morning, I was given a class and told to teach football (lack of staff due to people being away at the mo). Such a ridiculous suggestion, because i really do have no clue. I was rescued by a high school pe teacher who happened to wander through and pick up on my distressed signals. After watching his skill drills etc i am now much the wiser how to take a football lesson.
During the calmer bits of water we would chuck each other in, and in some cases we were told to jump out and sit like we were on a water slide as the rapids took us down the river.
That afternoon we went on a 4 hour hike. I have to say i enjoyed this somewhat less than the rafting...it was mega hot, and there was a lot of clambering through bushes going on-however we got some quality views with Mt. Kenya in the distance.
Some of the kids deciding their group name and rules
The rest of the time the kids were doing abseiling, kayaking, bridge building across to the island and map reading stuff. I almost did a bungee jump over the river...but due to mis communication between Kenyan man wanting money at the bottom...and bloke at top who would have let me do it free...i didn't do it.
I came back from the trip completely exhausted, but good sleep-age sorted me out for the BBQ in the game park the next day. It is a teachers social that they do every year- taking a cook and the full school bar with us to a picnic site inside the park. We spent the day eating, drinking, playing rounders and chatting surrounded by bush and the wildlife- sweet as!
Liz and myslef in the park.
I realise you all must think that i am working way too hard out here...but i can assure you that i will take some time to rest...heading off the the Mara in half term (beginning on Thursday!) haha. This is the life!
However, this morning, I was given a class and told to teach football (lack of staff due to people being away at the mo). Such a ridiculous suggestion, because i really do have no clue. I was rescued by a high school pe teacher who happened to wander through and pick up on my distressed signals. After watching his skill drills etc i am now much the wiser how to take a football lesson.
Photos are being annoying...will try add more soooon xxx
Monday, 2 February 2009
Habari ya asubuhi!
Habari ya asubuhi! (Good Morning!) Check my swahili eh!
Hope you have all had a good few days?
I had a good weekend! Friday night we didn't go into Nairobi, but stayed in the school bar till 2.30am dancing away. Muchos laughter and fun. I have to say i did stay in bed till about mid day on Saturday. I was not tempted to go to the hockey match at 8.30...oh no. Sadly however, the school next door was having some sort of thing going on, so i had the joy of a band marching up and down by my wall at 730am playing a whole aray of noisy tunes. So unimpressed i was! Oh when the saints was not how i had planned to wake that morning! That eve i went out for a girly eve with icecream, nibbles, films and wine--always a good combo!
This week is gonna be good...im heading off on the school trip wed morning to do the hiking, waterrafting etc, so im looking forward to all that. The day after i get back the teachers are having a bbq in the gamepark, which will be fun.
I dont know if you guys have heard about all the fires in Nairobi this last week? There was a fire in a shopping centre (Nakumatt) and then a oil truck tipped over, spilled, and those who were trying to scoop the fuel ended up being burnt to death when the fire caught. About 150 people dead, which is really sad.
On a happier note, some of the kids still havent grasped how to say 'Miss Buie' and my latest name in one of the classes is 'Miss Beauty'. I havent yet corrected her as i quite like that name! ahaha. Bless them.
I had my 1st girls football lesson today. What a joke. I cant, and i fear will never have any skill as far as football is concerned. Bring on the netball term i say!
Righty. Later my loves xxx
Hope you have all had a good few days?
I had a good weekend! Friday night we didn't go into Nairobi, but stayed in the school bar till 2.30am dancing away. Muchos laughter and fun. I have to say i did stay in bed till about mid day on Saturday. I was not tempted to go to the hockey match at 8.30...oh no. Sadly however, the school next door was having some sort of thing going on, so i had the joy of a band marching up and down by my wall at 730am playing a whole aray of noisy tunes. So unimpressed i was! Oh when the saints was not how i had planned to wake that morning! That eve i went out for a girly eve with icecream, nibbles, films and wine--always a good combo!
This week is gonna be good...im heading off on the school trip wed morning to do the hiking, waterrafting etc, so im looking forward to all that. The day after i get back the teachers are having a bbq in the gamepark, which will be fun.
I dont know if you guys have heard about all the fires in Nairobi this last week? There was a fire in a shopping centre (Nakumatt) and then a oil truck tipped over, spilled, and those who were trying to scoop the fuel ended up being burnt to death when the fire caught. About 150 people dead, which is really sad.
On a happier note, some of the kids still havent grasped how to say 'Miss Buie' and my latest name in one of the classes is 'Miss Beauty'. I havent yet corrected her as i quite like that name! ahaha. Bless them.
I had my 1st girls football lesson today. What a joke. I cant, and i fear will never have any skill as far as football is concerned. Bring on the netball term i say!
Righty. Later my loves xxx
Thursday, 29 January 2009
sa sa?
Well, its been a pretty normal week so far. It has been raining quite a lot for the time of year, but always returns to its normal sunny self. Monday night I did go to the cinema- saw Australia (good film!). It was nice to get out the flat as i didnt have any power from 7pm. It didnt come back on again until the next evening, which was a bit of a pain, although worse for some of the teachers who had just been shopping and filled their freezers!
I really enjoyed the swimming lesson i gave on tuesday. I was given one guy (year 7) who really cant swim very well, and was asked to work on his frontcrawl. Its so satisfying working with an individual as you can see the improvement massively. I remembered back to my swimming lesson days and the techniques and drills i was taught, and used some to help him. Swimming training session after school is another thing altogether. Im given around 10 kids and just told to take them...not really the best situation, as i get given the ones that are struggling with their swimming. How do you teach all of them at the same time?! Respect to teachers...hard work!! That eve i went back 'home' to the Johnsons. I love being with them and around their family.
Friday night, after the year 3,4,5 school disco (themed 'safari') the girls are going out clubbing. Im sure it will be a laugh, and im interestesed to see the night life of Nairobi! There is lots going on round school at the moment...lots of sports matches (i was at Banda yest until 6.15pm with the girls hockey team) the school play rehearsals, the teachers are stressed with report writing etc but all is well. :o)
I hope you all are good. I really dont get long on the computers so sorry for lack of emailage!
Big love xxx
I really enjoyed the swimming lesson i gave on tuesday. I was given one guy (year 7) who really cant swim very well, and was asked to work on his frontcrawl. Its so satisfying working with an individual as you can see the improvement massively. I remembered back to my swimming lesson days and the techniques and drills i was taught, and used some to help him. Swimming training session after school is another thing altogether. Im given around 10 kids and just told to take them...not really the best situation, as i get given the ones that are struggling with their swimming. How do you teach all of them at the same time?! Respect to teachers...hard work!! That eve i went back 'home' to the Johnsons. I love being with them and around their family.
Friday night, after the year 3,4,5 school disco (themed 'safari') the girls are going out clubbing. Im sure it will be a laugh, and im interestesed to see the night life of Nairobi! There is lots going on round school at the moment...lots of sports matches (i was at Banda yest until 6.15pm with the girls hockey team) the school play rehearsals, the teachers are stressed with report writing etc but all is well. :o)
I hope you all are good. I really dont get long on the computers so sorry for lack of emailage!
Big love xxx
Monday, 26 January 2009
habari yaco?
Sawa, Monday morning again! Weeks seem to be flying by.
This weekend i went upcountry to a place called Turi. We pass by Mt. longonot and continue up for 3.5 hours! I had to be at school by 6am with the Under15 hockey teams. Both the boys and the girls had 3 matches before getting back on the bus to head back to Nairobi. The altitude it mega, and so breathing becomes much more of an effort. It really was beautiful up there though- the school grounds are amazing. I now have very distinct tan lines from my ankle socks- very pale feet! haha. The trip back was painfully slow, as the big school bus drags itself up the long hill. The driving is very entertaining to watch, as people overtake in the most stupid of places! Horns beeb, cars swerve, and we gasp! Some very near misses I tell thee!
Sunday I churched it, which was all good, and then went out for a curry with the Johnsons before heading back to Cassia Court to watch a film. Quite a relaxing day- nice nice. Sunday eve I spent in my flat, trying to make it more homely! I have turned my curtains the wrong way round so I have the plain cream side-rather than the horrid green patterned stuff! I have stuck candles in old soda bottles and arranged prettily on the table, and I started to paint some canvas to put up on my walls! :o)
This avo is the year 7 and 8 swimming gala, so I think I’m going to be sat by the pool cheering and trying to control excitable children! Possibly going to cinema later with Donald and Felix (Kenyan rugby coach/player).
Sorry for lack of photos…I haven’t been taking many, will try get some more up soon.
xxx
This weekend i went upcountry to a place called Turi. We pass by Mt. longonot and continue up for 3.5 hours! I had to be at school by 6am with the Under15 hockey teams. Both the boys and the girls had 3 matches before getting back on the bus to head back to Nairobi. The altitude it mega, and so breathing becomes much more of an effort. It really was beautiful up there though- the school grounds are amazing. I now have very distinct tan lines from my ankle socks- very pale feet! haha. The trip back was painfully slow, as the big school bus drags itself up the long hill. The driving is very entertaining to watch, as people overtake in the most stupid of places! Horns beeb, cars swerve, and we gasp! Some very near misses I tell thee!
Sunday I churched it, which was all good, and then went out for a curry with the Johnsons before heading back to Cassia Court to watch a film. Quite a relaxing day- nice nice. Sunday eve I spent in my flat, trying to make it more homely! I have turned my curtains the wrong way round so I have the plain cream side-rather than the horrid green patterned stuff! I have stuck candles in old soda bottles and arranged prettily on the table, and I started to paint some canvas to put up on my walls! :o)
This avo is the year 7 and 8 swimming gala, so I think I’m going to be sat by the pool cheering and trying to control excitable children! Possibly going to cinema later with Donald and Felix (Kenyan rugby coach/player).
Sorry for lack of photos…I haven’t been taking many, will try get some more up soon.
xxx
Wednesday, 21 January 2009
memories!
heey,
Well, it has been a few days of going back to the past! Yest after my swimming training (yes i made them tired) i caught the late bus to Cassia Court (the compound where we used to live). It was just incredible going back. More and more things were familiar as we drove towards our road, but there were also things which were missing. (The dukas* that used to be at the end of the road, were no longer! Apparently they got ripped down sometime last year.) It is so strange how things stay the same...the tire swing, the pile of sand on the corner car parking space, the bush where the stray cat had her kittens...walking up the stairs, the familiar floor...so so strange! Its funny too how things seem so much smaller!! The time i was there i kept noticing different things which i had forgotten...i cant really explain all the emotion of going back 'home'! Wow. Today was just the same. I have just got back from a hockey match at Hillcrest (my old school). As soon as i got off the bus i abandoned the team and walked into the school. Again a lot of memories come flooding back, it all looked so similar. They had knocked down a couple of walls, and the trees had grown--apart from that, i felt like i should have been in my school uniform running to class. I felt like a bit of a trator walking around in a Braeburn shirt, and i have to say im not too disappointed that we drew in the match! Crazy thing was one of the ladies handing out water reconised me!! We chatted for a while about old teachers etc, mental! Its hard to describe to you everything, as most of you wont understand, but its just so amazing to be able to come back and see where i spent my kenya years.
*duka=a small shop made out of metal, by the side of the road.
xxx
Well, it has been a few days of going back to the past! Yest after my swimming training (yes i made them tired) i caught the late bus to Cassia Court (the compound where we used to live). It was just incredible going back. More and more things were familiar as we drove towards our road, but there were also things which were missing. (The dukas* that used to be at the end of the road, were no longer! Apparently they got ripped down sometime last year.) It is so strange how things stay the same...the tire swing, the pile of sand on the corner car parking space, the bush where the stray cat had her kittens...walking up the stairs, the familiar floor...so so strange! Its funny too how things seem so much smaller!! The time i was there i kept noticing different things which i had forgotten...i cant really explain all the emotion of going back 'home'! Wow. Today was just the same. I have just got back from a hockey match at Hillcrest (my old school). As soon as i got off the bus i abandoned the team and walked into the school. Again a lot of memories come flooding back, it all looked so similar. They had knocked down a couple of walls, and the trees had grown--apart from that, i felt like i should have been in my school uniform running to class. I felt like a bit of a trator walking around in a Braeburn shirt, and i have to say im not too disappointed that we drew in the match! Crazy thing was one of the ladies handing out water reconised me!! We chatted for a while about old teachers etc, mental! Its hard to describe to you everything, as most of you wont understand, but its just so amazing to be able to come back and see where i spent my kenya years.
*duka=a small shop made out of metal, by the side of the road.
xxx
Monday, 19 January 2009
Monday morning...
Hey my lovely s,
Hope you all had a good weekend! Hmm...what did i get up to?!
Saturday morning i had to be at school by 7am to travel with one of the hockey teams to a match over the other side of Nairobi. It was absolutely tipping it down, so by the time i had made it to school (in my hoodie and 2 rain coats) i was SOAKED! Very unusual to have rain like that at this time of year, although its not a bad thing as its been very dry. The pitch was about 1/2 hr away, and was covered in puddles which made play interesting! I was running up and down the length of the pitch shouting at the girls to 'push up' or 'ring the ball' etc as the coach was reffing and so not allowed to coach during the game. It continued to rain throughout the game, so i was feeling rather damp by the end. Sadly we lost that game, however we won 2 and drew one of the others. The year 8's are just amazing at hockey! They have been drilled since year 2 and so by the time they are at the top of the prep school they are nothing to compare to the UK yr 8s. Its funny how much older they seem.
I came back to my flat to dry off, and spent most of the afternoon sleeping! It was so nice to just relax and do nothing. In the evening i went out to westlands with a group of the 'newbie' women teachers for an Indian. It was really nice to go with them, eat and chat. We left the restaurant about 11 and decided to walk to a nearby club/bar. Ha, we soon turned back and took the car as it was slightly dodge and we were being followed by various kids begging for money. It was quite funny going to this place, which was def an Indian hanging out place. The music was old school club tunes, which progressed into Indian beats...i had never heard anything like it!! I got back home about 1230. Good fun.
Sunday i went to church again and then i was invited out to lunch with a few people. We went to a garden restaurant place amongst the beautiful trees and watched the tree hyrax scuttle about as we ate. They paid which was very nice!! I got back to the flat around 4 to Donald who was waiting for me so we could walk to the supermarket. We decided that we were going to use our brown bananas to make a cake! What a joke. We have no measuring stuff, no mixing bowl, we bought a wooden spoon to mix, and no cake containers. I guessed how much of the ingredient to use and we cooked it in frying pans that we put in the oven. Quite an hilarious evening to be honest! Im amazed that they tasted pretty good, although it wasn't much to look at as they weren't so good at coming out the frying pan in one piece. Ah well!
Mum, you will be jealous to hear i bought my mango and massive bag of black passion fruit which cost me 70p! oh yes.
Well, that is it for now. Hugs all round! :o)
xxx
Veiw of Lake Naivasha...
This is Felix, me, ben, Donald, and Byron in the school bar
Hope you all had a good weekend! Hmm...what did i get up to?!
Saturday morning i had to be at school by 7am to travel with one of the hockey teams to a match over the other side of Nairobi. It was absolutely tipping it down, so by the time i had made it to school (in my hoodie and 2 rain coats) i was SOAKED! Very unusual to have rain like that at this time of year, although its not a bad thing as its been very dry. The pitch was about 1/2 hr away, and was covered in puddles which made play interesting! I was running up and down the length of the pitch shouting at the girls to 'push up' or 'ring the ball' etc as the coach was reffing and so not allowed to coach during the game. It continued to rain throughout the game, so i was feeling rather damp by the end. Sadly we lost that game, however we won 2 and drew one of the others. The year 8's are just amazing at hockey! They have been drilled since year 2 and so by the time they are at the top of the prep school they are nothing to compare to the UK yr 8s. Its funny how much older they seem.
I came back to my flat to dry off, and spent most of the afternoon sleeping! It was so nice to just relax and do nothing. In the evening i went out to westlands with a group of the 'newbie' women teachers for an Indian. It was really nice to go with them, eat and chat. We left the restaurant about 11 and decided to walk to a nearby club/bar. Ha, we soon turned back and took the car as it was slightly dodge and we were being followed by various kids begging for money. It was quite funny going to this place, which was def an Indian hanging out place. The music was old school club tunes, which progressed into Indian beats...i had never heard anything like it!! I got back home about 1230. Good fun.
Sunday i went to church again and then i was invited out to lunch with a few people. We went to a garden restaurant place amongst the beautiful trees and watched the tree hyrax scuttle about as we ate. They paid which was very nice!! I got back to the flat around 4 to Donald who was waiting for me so we could walk to the supermarket. We decided that we were going to use our brown bananas to make a cake! What a joke. We have no measuring stuff, no mixing bowl, we bought a wooden spoon to mix, and no cake containers. I guessed how much of the ingredient to use and we cooked it in frying pans that we put in the oven. Quite an hilarious evening to be honest! Im amazed that they tasted pretty good, although it wasn't much to look at as they weren't so good at coming out the frying pan in one piece. Ah well!
Mum, you will be jealous to hear i bought my mango and massive bag of black passion fruit which cost me 70p! oh yes.
Well, that is it for now. Hugs all round! :o)
xxx
Veiw of Lake Naivasha...
This is Felix, me, ben, Donald, and Byron in the school bar
Thursday, 15 January 2009
piccys
Lake Naivasha
The little sailing boats...
Driving to Naivasha...
Landscape...
Mt. Longonot
Over the rift valley.
Its cloudy today!!
Love xx
Wednesday, 14 January 2009
tired!
Heya,
I am so very tired right now! The days are so busy, and it doesn't seem to matter how much sleep i get, its still exhausting! The hockey lessons and practices i seem to do as much as the kids, so im sweaty and very hot right now! Tomorrow im doing swimming coaching after school with the team, so i am looking forward to being splashed!! Sat i have to be at school by 7am on sat to go to a hockey match on the other side of Nairobi...so its going to be a busy weekend!
Last night i went to a baby shower with a lot of the female teachers. We played stupid games, such as: guess the babyfood, put the nappy on the baby blindfolded etc. Bit of a laugh really.
I am in with a yr 7 and a yr 8 english, which has been great. We are doing poetry (yr 7) and media (yr 8). Im starting tomorrows yr 7 lesson with my own poem, before they all have to present one. Today i spent the yr 8 lesson trying to control the cheeky boys, who were loving the attention more than anything i feel. I even got invited to one of their birthday partys, and told that i should stay so i could be a class teacher next year- haha i love them.
Did i tell you about the trip i get to go on in feb? I have learnt that this is going to be white water rafting, so im well excited! Apparently its the female teachers turn to stay in the cottege, so im quite happy i dont have to get into a tent wet. Bring that on!
untill next time...love love xx
I am so very tired right now! The days are so busy, and it doesn't seem to matter how much sleep i get, its still exhausting! The hockey lessons and practices i seem to do as much as the kids, so im sweaty and very hot right now! Tomorrow im doing swimming coaching after school with the team, so i am looking forward to being splashed!! Sat i have to be at school by 7am on sat to go to a hockey match on the other side of Nairobi...so its going to be a busy weekend!
Last night i went to a baby shower with a lot of the female teachers. We played stupid games, such as: guess the babyfood, put the nappy on the baby blindfolded etc. Bit of a laugh really.
I am in with a yr 7 and a yr 8 english, which has been great. We are doing poetry (yr 7) and media (yr 8). Im starting tomorrows yr 7 lesson with my own poem, before they all have to present one. Today i spent the yr 8 lesson trying to control the cheeky boys, who were loving the attention more than anything i feel. I even got invited to one of their birthday partys, and told that i should stay so i could be a class teacher next year- haha i love them.
Did i tell you about the trip i get to go on in feb? I have learnt that this is going to be white water rafting, so im well excited! Apparently its the female teachers turn to stay in the cottege, so im quite happy i dont have to get into a tent wet. Bring that on!
untill next time...love love xx
Monday, 12 January 2009
1 week in...
Haallo!
Hope you all had a good weekend!?
Friday night one of the teachers asked if we wanted to go with the school sailers to the lake Naivasha, and so, by 8am on sat morning Donald and I were at school with a packed lunch to head off. Its about 1.5 hr drive out of Nairobi. The road used to be awful, however it has been redone recently so it was a v smooth journey down. It was pretty cool to drive down the rift valley with the veiws of Mt longonort (sp?). We used to do it quite a bit as a family when we were here- so was a bit of a trip down memory lane! We got to the sailing club and i sat in the sunshine by the lake whilst the kids rigged up. ( I thought i would be more of a hinderence trying to help as i havent got a clue about sailing!) Its so peaceful and quiet and totally beautful. I went out on the rescue motorboat- which was quality just racing around the lake for hours. The kids were pretty good, having more fun purposefully capsizing their lasers only to clumb back in them. We had to watch out for hippos, and had to back off at one point as hippos were spotted over our side of the lake. Its amazing what you can do for such little money over here. It cost the kids 10 quid for the whole day including transport- never would you get that in the UK. They do these trips 3 times a term, so i think i will be heading down there with them quite often. Good day! Sunday morning i went to church with the Johnson family. It is based at Hillcrest Sec school, which was so bizzare! (I used to go to hillcrest prep). I wandered around the site out to the back fields where we would often play hockey/crosscountry and then peered across to the prep school (it was locked up). It was quite amazing to be back there in a place which holds SO many good memories. wowie...very cool indeedy. We drove back to the Braeburn to have lunch and swim in the pool which was a fun avo. The evening was spent in the bar as it was the Man/Chelsea match. I have to say i didnt really care much for the footie, but cool to socialise with the teachers and be with lots of people. I dont think i have drunk so much beer in my life- yey for tuska! I met one of my old class mates who is the son of one of the teachers here...i dont think i would have reconised him if i hadnt been told he was there...but cool to catch up a bit.
Anyways, will chuck some pics of Naivasha up sometime when i have more time. Love to all xx
Hope you all had a good weekend!?
Friday night one of the teachers asked if we wanted to go with the school sailers to the lake Naivasha, and so, by 8am on sat morning Donald and I were at school with a packed lunch to head off. Its about 1.5 hr drive out of Nairobi. The road used to be awful, however it has been redone recently so it was a v smooth journey down. It was pretty cool to drive down the rift valley with the veiws of Mt longonort (sp?). We used to do it quite a bit as a family when we were here- so was a bit of a trip down memory lane! We got to the sailing club and i sat in the sunshine by the lake whilst the kids rigged up. ( I thought i would be more of a hinderence trying to help as i havent got a clue about sailing!) Its so peaceful and quiet and totally beautful. I went out on the rescue motorboat- which was quality just racing around the lake for hours. The kids were pretty good, having more fun purposefully capsizing their lasers only to clumb back in them. We had to watch out for hippos, and had to back off at one point as hippos were spotted over our side of the lake. Its amazing what you can do for such little money over here. It cost the kids 10 quid for the whole day including transport- never would you get that in the UK. They do these trips 3 times a term, so i think i will be heading down there with them quite often. Good day! Sunday morning i went to church with the Johnson family. It is based at Hillcrest Sec school, which was so bizzare! (I used to go to hillcrest prep). I wandered around the site out to the back fields where we would often play hockey/crosscountry and then peered across to the prep school (it was locked up). It was quite amazing to be back there in a place which holds SO many good memories. wowie...very cool indeedy. We drove back to the Braeburn to have lunch and swim in the pool which was a fun avo. The evening was spent in the bar as it was the Man/Chelsea match. I have to say i didnt really care much for the footie, but cool to socialise with the teachers and be with lots of people. I dont think i have drunk so much beer in my life- yey for tuska! I met one of my old class mates who is the son of one of the teachers here...i dont think i would have reconised him if i hadnt been told he was there...but cool to catch up a bit.
Anyways, will chuck some pics of Naivasha up sometime when i have more time. Love to all xx
Friday, 9 January 2009
more photos...
This would be my bedroom...
One of the school pools (where i teach swimming) There is another pool in the top floor of the sports hall- its so crazy having a pool up there!
This is the school canteen area.
This is PE group being taught outside the yr 6 block.
This is my bathroom at my flat. Yes mum, thanks for the bathmat...
Sawa sawa (ok in swahili!) there you are, a few more piccys to help you imagine where i am!
Apparently, from time to time, we have the president of Kenya come drink at our school bar!! Oh yes.
Ooh, i had news today that i am going on a school trip with yr 7s 1st week of feb to a place called Sagana. I have no idea what this will involve, but we are away for 3 days...!!
sorry guys who are writing to me on facebook- i really can hardly ever get on there due to school blocking it- so i cant reply on there...im not igoring you (sophie lowen!).
Ooh, i had news today that i am going on a school trip with yr 7s 1st week of feb to a place called Sagana. I have no idea what this will involve, but we are away for 3 days...!!
sorry guys who are writing to me on facebook- i really can hardly ever get on there due to school blocking it- so i cant reply on there...im not igoring you (sophie lowen!).
Loovvee xx
PS: J- i eat banana and yoghurt every day after school. Havent touched the weatabix (it was bought for me before i got to the flat) Marmite on toast in my prefered breaky! ;o)
Thursday, 8 January 2009
attempt at photos...
Hallo you all.
I have downloaded some pics, hopefully this will work...!
Yest after school i went to Nakumatt with one of the teachers, Lucy. She is lovely! We made it through the Nairobi traffic, parked, shopped, and then tried to leave. Ha, the car wouldnt start-so we had fun pushing it round the carpark with two kenyan security gaurds trying to start it, which we did! Whey!
The power was very blippy last night. I had bought some candels, but forgot the lighter- so was running up and down the stairs borrowing one. Just as you blow the candles out when the power comes on, it decides to switch off again! Going to bed was my solution!
This is my kitchen in my flat.
This is the school from the back...
Wednesday, 7 January 2009
Lessons start...
Im already burnt! You soon realise which little sections you forgot to put sun cream on, so i have now decided to slap it on everywhere! ha.
I spent all day yest out on the field doing sports/swimming lessons. They have a lot of teachers involved in the sports lessons, and so unlike the uk where you have a class, and teach them all together, they get divided into little groups and have a teacher each. One of the swimming teachers was away yest, and so i got handed an assessment form and told to teach the bottom group of year 6. She had presumed i was cover! Eventually the cover teacher showed up, but just sat on the side leaving me to teach the lesson! hah, talk about thinking on the spot! Managed to pull it off ok tho i think!!
It is quite hard to find things to do in the evenings. There is a bar in the school- but no-one was around last night, so Donald and myself went back to the flats. He went to bed about 8, leaving me sitting in my big flat trying to busy myself by rearranging furnature or re-sticking the photos that KEEP falling of my dusty walls!
I had my first classroom lesson today: english with year 7s. We are doing poetry...my fave...hmm! haha, its good tho to spend some time not out in the sun, and seeing how they do english here. It does mean that i am changing clothes every lesson as a swap between pe and lessons!
Days are quite long, although its good to fill our time. We start around 8ish and will often finish at 5.30 with sports practises for 2 hrs after school hours finish. I expect i will be away some weekends going to fixtures around the country (turi!). After school yest, the teachers had a PE insect where they were taught how to teach basic drills and ref. A lot of the class tutors of the younger years have to take groups in pe, which is why we all had to do it. We ended up having a game, which was really good fun! I forgot how much i liked hockey! There is a social game every friday for teachers and any parents who want to play, so i shall be doing that!
Sorry still for lack of photos, i have a long free tomor so i will bring my camera over to download some then. I hope you are all doing good. Big love xxx
I spent all day yest out on the field doing sports/swimming lessons. They have a lot of teachers involved in the sports lessons, and so unlike the uk where you have a class, and teach them all together, they get divided into little groups and have a teacher each. One of the swimming teachers was away yest, and so i got handed an assessment form and told to teach the bottom group of year 6. She had presumed i was cover! Eventually the cover teacher showed up, but just sat on the side leaving me to teach the lesson! hah, talk about thinking on the spot! Managed to pull it off ok tho i think!!
It is quite hard to find things to do in the evenings. There is a bar in the school- but no-one was around last night, so Donald and myself went back to the flats. He went to bed about 8, leaving me sitting in my big flat trying to busy myself by rearranging furnature or re-sticking the photos that KEEP falling of my dusty walls!
I had my first classroom lesson today: english with year 7s. We are doing poetry...my fave...hmm! haha, its good tho to spend some time not out in the sun, and seeing how they do english here. It does mean that i am changing clothes every lesson as a swap between pe and lessons!
Days are quite long, although its good to fill our time. We start around 8ish and will often finish at 5.30 with sports practises for 2 hrs after school hours finish. I expect i will be away some weekends going to fixtures around the country (turi!). After school yest, the teachers had a PE insect where they were taught how to teach basic drills and ref. A lot of the class tutors of the younger years have to take groups in pe, which is why we all had to do it. We ended up having a game, which was really good fun! I forgot how much i liked hockey! There is a social game every friday for teachers and any parents who want to play, so i shall be doing that!
Sorry still for lack of photos, i have a long free tomor so i will bring my camera over to download some then. I hope you are all doing good. Big love xxx
Tuesday, 6 January 2009
In kenya!!
Well hello my lovelys!
I have arrived, infact, this be my second day in school. We have just managed to find someone who told us our log on to the computers, so sorry for not getting on here sooner.
Its so amazing to be back here- the sun is out and beating down, so i will be coming home very brown!! My flight was all good. I hate flying normally, but i felt fine. There was a total of 40 of us on the flight, so i had my 3 seats to myself to lie down. I spent most the time sleeping, which meant the time went fast. Kenyan James was at the airport to pick me up, so all that went very smoothly. He took me to the dep head (joanne's) house to sleep that night. I was fairly shocked at her house- it was huuge! I dont think i have ever slept in a 4 post bed that big before, and i was not expecting my 1st experience of it to be in Africa! She and her family were very welcoming, so it was very relaxed. She grew up in kenya and went through Braeburn (the school) herself. The next morning i was taken to my flat, which is just opposite from the school. Its really quite big, with a kitchen area, living room, bathroom and bedroom. I made myself at home straight away by sticking all my photo's up. I will be chucking some photos up here soon so you can see. I even have a little balcony from my room, but typically the door is jammed. I went out to buy some tape yest after school meetings at the local shop (nakumat) to tape up the whole in my balcony door. Its about a 20-30 minute walk each way, so me and Donald (another gappy from new z) walked it together. I had a bucket shower this morning, as my water was freezing cold! I used the kettle to get some warm water, and only after i had managed the art of bucket hair washing, did i see the switch clearly labled 'water heater'. d'oh!!
Yest eve Donold and I stayed in the bar to get some food (which we get given) and the PE teachers bought us a drink...or two...! They drink LOADS, and only stopped when i told the barman to take back the 3rd bottle of Tuska that they ordered me (donold had the my 2nd!)
All the teachers are lovely, although its a bit of a challenge trying to remember all their names! There is about 50/50 of white/african teachers. I have mostly PE/Games/Swimming and English lessons, which is cool. The 2 Pe lessons i had this morning were cool- year 4 and then yr 8 hockey. They get taught so much more here than in the UK where proper hockey lessons would start in year 7!
It is so familiar being here...the smells bring back a lot of memories of old houses and old school. It was very weird meeting my old teachers Mr Webber and Mr Mmbigori (sp?) although very cool. I havent been bitten once yet by a mossie, which is amazing, although i squished some against the walls! haha. Doom is a good thing to have in the flat! The school is pretty impressive, really nice buildings and a couple of pools (much bigger than Hillcrest). Sorry for lack of photoage right now, but i left my camera in the flat. Im not sure how well these comps are going to deal with the large pics...we shall see.
Facebook is blocked here throughout the day, so i cant get on there at the mo.
Sorry this has been a bit all over the place...so much going through my head that i wanted to tell you all! I just LOVE it...being back is so incredible. eeeee!!
I shall leave it there for now. Hope you are all doing ok back in the cold and snow(aaahahah!)
Love you all :o)
xxx
I have arrived, infact, this be my second day in school. We have just managed to find someone who told us our log on to the computers, so sorry for not getting on here sooner.
Its so amazing to be back here- the sun is out and beating down, so i will be coming home very brown!! My flight was all good. I hate flying normally, but i felt fine. There was a total of 40 of us on the flight, so i had my 3 seats to myself to lie down. I spent most the time sleeping, which meant the time went fast. Kenyan James was at the airport to pick me up, so all that went very smoothly. He took me to the dep head (joanne's) house to sleep that night. I was fairly shocked at her house- it was huuge! I dont think i have ever slept in a 4 post bed that big before, and i was not expecting my 1st experience of it to be in Africa! She and her family were very welcoming, so it was very relaxed. She grew up in kenya and went through Braeburn (the school) herself. The next morning i was taken to my flat, which is just opposite from the school. Its really quite big, with a kitchen area, living room, bathroom and bedroom. I made myself at home straight away by sticking all my photo's up. I will be chucking some photos up here soon so you can see. I even have a little balcony from my room, but typically the door is jammed. I went out to buy some tape yest after school meetings at the local shop (nakumat) to tape up the whole in my balcony door. Its about a 20-30 minute walk each way, so me and Donald (another gappy from new z) walked it together. I had a bucket shower this morning, as my water was freezing cold! I used the kettle to get some warm water, and only after i had managed the art of bucket hair washing, did i see the switch clearly labled 'water heater'. d'oh!!
Yest eve Donold and I stayed in the bar to get some food (which we get given) and the PE teachers bought us a drink...or two...! They drink LOADS, and only stopped when i told the barman to take back the 3rd bottle of Tuska that they ordered me (donold had the my 2nd!)
All the teachers are lovely, although its a bit of a challenge trying to remember all their names! There is about 50/50 of white/african teachers. I have mostly PE/Games/Swimming and English lessons, which is cool. The 2 Pe lessons i had this morning were cool- year 4 and then yr 8 hockey. They get taught so much more here than in the UK where proper hockey lessons would start in year 7!
It is so familiar being here...the smells bring back a lot of memories of old houses and old school. It was very weird meeting my old teachers Mr Webber and Mr Mmbigori (sp?) although very cool. I havent been bitten once yet by a mossie, which is amazing, although i squished some against the walls! haha. Doom is a good thing to have in the flat! The school is pretty impressive, really nice buildings and a couple of pools (much bigger than Hillcrest). Sorry for lack of photoage right now, but i left my camera in the flat. Im not sure how well these comps are going to deal with the large pics...we shall see.
Facebook is blocked here throughout the day, so i cant get on there at the mo.
Sorry this has been a bit all over the place...so much going through my head that i wanted to tell you all! I just LOVE it...being back is so incredible. eeeee!!
I shall leave it there for now. Hope you are all doing ok back in the cold and snow(aaahahah!)
Love you all :o)
xxx
Friday, 2 January 2009
Nearly gone...
Well, the plane departs hideously early on Sunday morning, and i am yet to pack. The pile on my floor is, for once, actually supposed to be there- as i collect together the bits and bobs to chuck into the suit case last minute! I cannot wait to feel the sunshine again. I was not built for the cold!
So I say goodbye England...Hello Kenya...!
So I say goodbye England...Hello Kenya...!
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