My first trip to the beach

My flatmate Mary Anne and me on the beach. She just got soaked by a huge wave. 

As the last part of our orientation we all packed into a bus and took a trip to the beach.  The drive was an hour away and we were guests on a board members beach lot.  It took us a while to find the house as they all look the same.  We had to have some local help to direct us there by driving ahead of us on their motorcycles.  

Within minutes of our arrival the word was out on the beach that the ex-pats had arrived. They lined up and down the fence calling out "Hello!" and also making kissing sounds with their lips to grab our attention.  Most of us ended up bargaining and buying art, beads, and baskets for our homes.  I ended up with three beautiful bead necklaces that are too heavy to wear but are amazing as decorations. 

We played a little tag football and grilled some seasoned and perfectly marinated roast. A couple brought over two coolers from the states and generously shared.  The flavors popped in my mouth and made my taste-buds do the tango.  

After more bargaining we reloaded the van for the drive home which was quieter than the drive there.  We had our share of fun and had the treasures to prove it.  

Oh the Joy!

Today marked my first Friday at AISL. The day began with a bell ringing at 7:15 am. My TA Ms. Ossai and I looked at each other and she said, "Does that mean school has begun?" I looked at the clock and said, "No, it's still early." Teachers need to have signed in at 7:15 and school starts at 7:25. I diddled around the classroom checking last minute plans and making sure the everything was in it's place. I kept on hearing the kids say "I'm going home." And I was sad they didn't want to be at school, and debating in my head if I should address those comments. At 7:20 I was walking to the door and it popped open. The principal Mr. Smith was there and said surprised "Oh, you are here!" And then we had a brief confusing conversation about when school was supposed to start. Was it whenever the bell rang or was it at the official time of 7:25? I didn't get a straight answer but he said that he would address it. We all had a laugh and in came the kids carrying rocks they brought from home.

The parents are just as amazing. One mother asked me if I needed anything because she remember how difficult it was moving to Nigeria and not having anything. She started listing off things like a trashcan, towels, etc. And then today she left it by our classroom door, full of things and a note telling me to make a list of the other things that I need. And to give the stuff I didn't need to other teachers. This gesture was so thoughtful and I know it's only the beginning as everyone has told me that the gifts these families give are beyond generous.

We've been studying rocks. So far we've rubbed rocks and collected the dust and washed rocks which changed the colors and made while show up on the basalt rocks. So, a lot of children have brought in different rocks from their homes. The amazing thing is I never even asked them to. They just did. And with so much excitement as well. This so far has been the approach to everything. I'm in teaching heaven!

Last night was Tex Mex night at the GQ. I'm not sure what GQ stands for, but it's connected to the commissary which is a privilege granted to us even though we aren't military. A lot of other from school go and it's a fun social event because you get to met other ex-pats. The food is buffet style and instead of paying at the end they just put it on your bill and you pay when you want as long as it doesn't exceed 500 dollars. The ribs were tender and saucy and the pecan pie seduced for seconds.

Today after school we got a phone call from an artist who wanted to come and show his work. He has been to the other flats and is well known around campus. His name is Landre and is pronounced like laundry. He spread out his work on the floor and began to explain how he did his work. He had three different mediums, boutique, oil painting but not with paintbrushes, and string art. It was absolutely beautiful and I was completely entertained as he told us the story behind the work and the technique. I asked him if he could teach me and he agreed. After some negotiations we agreed that he would teach me for two months how to do boutique and the string art. I am thrilled! I was leaping up and down and yipping! My flatmate and I are started lessons on Wednesday for an hour and twenty minutes. He will buy the supplies and come to our flat after school.

But, it gets even better. For the dyes and paints he gathers plants from the bush. He began to tell me how he breaks the plants apart. I asked him if he could take us there and teach us about these paints. He agreed and said that he had done this before for another teacher. The bush in in another state about two hours from Lagos. So, I've decided to plan an outing for my friends. There is a national park called a tropical forest and he says that the ex-pats stay there. I'm dreaming up a plan for a weekend trip where we can use the school transport and have a beautiful and cultural weekend away.

I bought a piece of his work. It's a colorful painting of three womens walking with fruit bowls balanced on their heads and babies tied to their backs. The view is of them walking away. He is also having it framed for me. My heart is so excited to learn this African art and experience the bush and plants. I'll be sure to take plenty of pictures.

After we arranged for our art lessons we drove over to Tom and Lauri's house. This is the super intendant. They had invited everyone over for drinks and food to celebrate the end of our first week and the beginning of the school year. Everyone I meet I've enjoyed. People here are very unique as most of them have taught all around the world or are very outgoing and unique. Since everyone has been new at one time there is a common kindness and hospitality.

Now, I'm in bed exhausted and with a very happy dancing heart. It's been an extremely productive and positive week.

Ten Days

I have been in Lagos for a ten days. It's gone by really quickly. The first couple of days were schedule orientation. We got information about Nigeria, had a safety meeting with the American Embassy, ate at some amazing restaurants, and shopped in some busy markets.

The flats are very nice and it's been convenient living with my co-workers. It will be interesting to see if this lasts. :) I can see the pool out my window. I've been in twice. One time it was really empty and I felt like I was swimming on the bottom of the pool. I think they were doing some cleaning. My flatmate and I get a long well. She is very sweet and thoughtful.

After the couple of days of orientation my focus was on my classroom. It was piled full of left over stuff, which was convenient because my shipping school supplies that I sent in April didn't come yet. Having tons of stuff was also inconvenient however because I had to spend a couple of days sorting through all of it. I threw away so many papers from last year themes. I felt like I was wasteful but space is really tight. Today was another really long day at school. I've been working so hard to get everything ready. I have to do everything artistic. I'm so visual that I have all the details taken care of. This is okay, but it leads to a lot of work. I'll send some pictures of the classroom. Before and After ones so you can see all of the transformation.

Sad thing, I don't think we have enough broadband for me to get the latest This American Life. I have to ask our tech guys. I have had to ask them for a lot of help here and there.

Speaking of that. It's amazing the turn around here. When I ask for help or for something done they are right on it. Today I had a lot of little things done around the classroom, like some sticks sawed down, two hooks put up in the cabinet, five burnt light bulbs found for a station I made called the Light bulb Lab, my banner put up and some things laminated and printed. There are just so many capable people around. The Nigerians really make this school run smoothly.

We've gotten a wonderful steward named Grace. She come three times a week and does our washing, shopping, and cooking. We share her time with another teacher. It's been so nice to come home to a full fridge.

I thought that I could possibly use public transportation while living here but it's not safe. While I took it all the time in East Africa they recommend for us to not here. Nigeria is at the critical level for crime and they were thinking about creating a higher level just for this country. I was thinking today as I was pealing off labels that I'm so unaware of the world around me. I am not even conscious of the 20 million people zipping and zooming around me. There is no noise that would remind me I'm in such a densely populated place. The sounds I hear are the banging or hammers and shouts of calling Nigerian voices with such thick accents it's hard to tell they are speaking English. That is until I go through the compound gates. The world moves fast out there.

I will share a car with a couple of other people. This will keep the cost down and it is just more fun that way. There is a couple from Tacoma that I most likely will share with. They live in the off campus housing so I'll find some refuge over there during the weekend and they will find refuge in my flat during the school day.

I've not felt trapped at all yet and it's been a week since I last went off campus. I know this wont be normal, but I have been so consumed with getting my classroom together. Tonight was the first night that I sort of felt the pangs of missing friends and family. I'm so used to having an active social life. Hopefully, I was develop one that includes off campus friends. That is key!

The way my time flew

Here is an update on my summer. Beware it's long and detailed.

I'm home in Portland right now and I leave for Nigeria in four days. I'm getting packed up and have a couple of stops for the everyday commodities.

The summer has been more than I could have asked for or expected. It was jam packed literally every day.

I finished school really strong. There were a couple of activities with the students that brought sweet closure. While the school year overall was a major challenge and heartbreak at times it ended on a really victorious note. The children in April finally started to trust me and we were able to do some really outstanding lessons with cooking and nutrition. It's so rewarding to hear your students ask for seconds and thirds on bok choy and spinach. They even asked if they could take their lunch and recess time to continue cooking in the class. How can you deny them that. It just really confirmed my desires to use fun lessons such as cooking to make teaching holistic. They were surprised to see how much reading and math was involved in our cooking. School was done on June 17th. My friend Katy came after school to help me move my classroom. We had an auction at the end of the school year so I had given away my couch, area rug and the many lamps that scattered through the room. The move was done in a couple of hours and that was my end to teaching at Manitou Park.

The next day I packed up my room and drove down to Portland. This was more stressful than I thought. It was a challenge getting everything into my car, but I made it all except for my bike, which I planned to get the next time up.

I had that night to pack for New Mexico. I was going to visit my best friend Roxie. We hadn't seen each other since last March when I was here for those two months before Australia. She was the perfect host always telling me about the surrounding geography and history behind the names that we zoomed by on the highway. We did two hikes at Pueblo Indian reservations. And we had some great conversations since we have had some different theology.

My mom picked me up from the airport late that night and I stayed up until 2:00 am unpacking, doing laundry, repacking and uploading pictures. My dad arrived at 5:00 sharp the next morning to start our 2,200 mile road trip down the West coast and into Baja. This was a momentousness time of my life as I've never had such a long period of uninterrupted time with my dad. Not only do I love him because he is my dad and it's my daughterly duty, but I adore him as a person. I made sure to take some mental snap shots and store some of these memories into my heart forever. The drive was great and long. I slept most of the way and also read and listened to podcasts. It was all desert and dry land until we got to the Sea of Cortes which was a brilliant blue and such a welcomed sight.
We picked up my step mom the day after we arrived at our house and after that we rested, swam in living aquariums of teeming fish, and enjoyed the tiny artistic town of Todos Santos.

We left our rig in Todos Santos and flew back on the 13th of July. I then had four days to get some shopping done and to tie together some of the loose strings before my move.

But I still had a lot more fun scribbled into my diary planner. On Thursday night I picked up my friend John who had gotten a ride share down to Portland from Tacoma. He spent the night and the next morning we set off with a packed car of borrowed camping gear. We were going to a Bluesgrass Festival called The Northwest Summit. We arrived to a sea of cars and tents. It seemed like the rest of the crowd had come early to steak our their spots. We eventually found a spot to unload. I was a little anxious going into this festival. John and I are really good friends but we had never discussed drug use as we have some different views in some areas but not most. I was totally reassured when I researched the website for the festival and it overly stressed that this was a family event, cars would be searched and any found drugs would result in a cut bracelet. But, as we walked around the camp grounds the smells and sights made me realize that this was just a facade to keep the officials away. I was in culture shock for the first day and John told me that he was pretty sure me and him were the only ones sober. Despite this shock I enjoyed the concert with the dancing and people watching. The outfits were outrageous as it was a mix between Halloween and giant frat party. I do regret not taking pictures of these characters. I've concluded this aspect of the hippy culture is not for me and it was empty compared to the dancing we get to do in response to the Divine.

We came home dusty and smelly on Sunday night and after getting cleaned up and me doing another load of laundry we feel asleep to the strumin bluegrass still dancing through our heads.

Monday I repacked and we set off for Tacoma where I would meet up with friends until Wednesday. My time was busy and satisfying. Every day I got to see at least three different people. I went for walks around my home town, sipped tea at my favorite cafes, and best of all just connected with people. On Wednesday I picked up my friend Phuong and we headed north for the San Juan Islands. We had reservations at a bed and breakfast on Orcas Island. Surprisingly enough one of my friends was also on the island during the same time. Tray was leading a biking trip and she was cooking lunch for her group. She invited us to join her. Also I had made a new friend on the ferry, Damion, and we had dinner at his friends house that night. The trip was charming and I'm very much drawn to island life in this artistic community that has only curvy roads with a 35 miles speed limit. I think I might look into moving there some day.

We got back on Friday through tons of uncalculated but expected traffic. It was Friday afternoon and the whole world is trying to escape from work. I did arrive home in time for my dinner date and was ready for bed when it was time.

Saturday was more friends and some really amazing conversations about spirtuality and Christianity as I have been having tons of questions recently. In a nutshell I'm trying to figure out if I'm solely disillusioned with the church or does it go deeper to the core of something bigger. I've been asking questions and this day I had two great conversations that were food to my soul.

Sunday John and I drove down the the state capital and meandered through the farmers markets and then down the waterfront. I wanted to go to my favorite free trade store/restaurant. They were closed. After lunch at a different restaurant and a quick walk John caught the bus back up to Tacoma and I drove east to Shelton.

This is my last adventure. I joined my friends Sandra and Sage and we went up north and had a grand time skipping in and out of the watery tide pools.

Now, I'm home. My sister comes up from San Fran tonight. I've packed one bag and have two more to go and am confident I can fit all of my life in.

Here is my new mailing address. All else will remain the same.

AISL
Sandy Hackbarth/ CAb Annex
For: Meag Diamond
C/O Tacoma School District
P.O. Box 1357
Tacoma, Wa 98401-1357

They will send the mail to me twice a month.

Now that I've given you a novel to pour over I would love one in return. Don't leave out any details! :)

Lovingly,
Meag

I have been having grand adventures around the area for my spring break. Actually, my finger tips are so sore right now, it's hard to type. The reason why is I got to work on a garden plot. There is only two organic farms in Tacoma and I have a plot of garden in one of them. My friend John is a Jesuit Volunteer and he lives in a house next door to a intentional community. They have the organic garden. They gave space to John to plant and have fun and knowing how much I love gardens and getting my hands dirty he invited me to have it with him. We worked yesterday in the pouring rain and the brilliant sunshine. It was a very fickle day and on moment would be blue skies and warm sunshine. The layers would need to be stripped off and then passed thirty minutes and the pouring rain that drenches you in seconds would start. When it was raining we would retreat to the greenhouse and we planted seeds of tomatoes and basil. In the garden plot we were preparing the land by getting ride of the intruding morning glory, black berry bushes and fennel. I come alive when I'm in a garden surrounded by nature, but my fingers sure paid the price. It's even tender to the slightest touch making writing, typing, and dishwashing unbearable.

I had a beautiful spring break. Just breath taking. On Sunday through Wednesday my friend and housemate Julia and I drove up to Mount Rainier. We snow shoed for 7 miles with a 2,000 foot elevation gain to a little cabin called Cooper Creek Hut. It's run by a non-profit and can sleep 14, so each night we had different company. During the day we would take long day hikes that lead us out on the very tops of mountain ridges. The mountain was close and up in our business. We would come back to the cabin right when the other groups were booting up and heading out for their day skis. This left the cabin quiet and peaceful. We blasted the fireplace and got all toasty after taking a quick snow bath. With so many others sharing space we had to share the stove, but worked out really nice and we made some delicious food including a Trader Joes pot roast and roasted green beans and almonds.

Wednesday was a day of relaxing and transition as I got ready for the second half of my break. I drove the opposite way this time to the Olympic mountains. I was so engulfed in my music that the hour and half dive seemed like minutes. Here I stayed with my friends the Weissgerbers. They are a comfortable older couple in their late sixties. I had a lot of space to read, work on a puzzle, and journal. Mary Lou was an excellent cook and I looked forward to her meals. One day we went exploring on the shores of Lake Cushman and we all found walking sticks as souvenirs.

I had such a wonderful spring break and today we went back to school. We had a great day and I was surprised with how much my students had grown. They came back with new hair dos and a couple of inches taller.

American International School of Lagos

One of the things that I am thrilled about and losing sleep over (not really) is this teaching opportunity in Nigeria. I have my interview tomorrow and we had an informational meeting today. I've never been so excited about anything! Honestly! I keep on thinking, "Could I be any better suited for this job?" It will beautifully intersect all my passions except for one but I'm sure that will work out as well. Through this teaching job I would get intentional community living, a two minute walk to school,an international diverse classroom, cheap travel opportunities, more money, live in Nigeria, live by the ocean, explore a part of Africa I've never been, get to be with people who share the same passions, and be part of a team of teachers who will pour their heart into their teaching. Pinch me, I'm dreaming! My interview is tomorrow and I will be heartbroken if I don't get accepted. I'll let you know how it goes.

Revolving door

I'm always so surprised with how quickly my life changes. There seems to be a permanent mark of accerleration. And I perfer it this way! The very next day things have already rotated many degrees. First off, two kids left my classroom. One was Cole who's move has lead him to a teacher Mr. Most across the hall. What caused this move was constant sly remarks and name calling by some boys in our class. I was so sad to hear about this happening and that it couldn't have been resolved a different way. The principal reiterated that it wasn't my fault, but I it makes me wonder what I could have done differently to prevent this. I was so unaware and so oblivious. Adrian is the second student to be moving, but his location will be a farther distance. Today was his last day and I made sure he left with a letter I wrote to him about my determined belief in him and how proud I was of him. I hope those words can cancel at least two or three of the negative ones that are thrown at him day and night.

As an added bonus I got the infamous pink slip in my box this afternoon meaning we have a new student next week. CRAZY WEEK will be the official title for it because we lost one student, had one move to the next door classroom, and gained a new student. Three major changes, one day to adjust!

Another change has been a proposal that I've not decided how to respond to yet. Amy Rogers who I wrote about in the last email has asked me to teach her two sons while living in Kenya. I was thrilled but have not concluded if this is the direction I want to take. For some reason it seems like a step away from my dreams and so I need to give it further thought and ask her some defining questions.

Future plans? Glad you asked!

I have felt a lot of clarity on my future and have been getting this direction straight from God himself and then it's been confirmed through other people. Since you asked what my future held here is the answer in a long winded way, but I don't feel that this could be answered in brevity. When I came back from Australia I felt that I could do both teaching and Africa. I thought it might be teaching during the year, Africa during the summer. I'm still not totally sure what will manifest but this is where my heart is leading. I really feel like I'm still seeing in part but that there is more direction then even two weeks ago.

Well, my life continues to unfold like a red tapestry. It's beautiful and the closer I look the more I'm aware of the intricate details. Here is some of that detail, I've been planning on going back to Kenya this summer. But, I'm not sure what will happen with the violence over there. There is a chance that it might not happen. I'm really praying that I will be able to go and support them in the rebuilding and reconstruction.

But, there has been some more open doors as well. There are some job openings to teach at a sister school in Nigeria. I'm feeling excited about applying. I can see how God could have perfectly arranged for this to happen. It is only open through the Tacoma School District. It's required that you have three years teaching experience. And my principal was principal over there for five years and just got back last year. She said that she would write me a really great recommendation. The commitment would be for two years. And I feel it would be an amazing next step towards starting a school/orphanage in Africa. God has been expanding my vision for teaching and Africa even just within the past weekend.

I also got off the phone with the directors wife of the mission I'm working with this summer. They said that they are thinking about moving back to Kenya like in a year or so but that they would need a teacher to work with their autistic son. I have a lot of experience with this and am wondering what God has up his sleeve. I've begun to see glimpses of the future an there is a great excitement and anticipation in my spirit. I'll continue to keep you updated on these changes but I'm excited to see where God is leading.

Chapters of my life

If I was to write you a story about my classroom and the experiences there it would be titled GOD MY VINDICATOR! My teaching continues to be a challenge. BUT I can see how everything is really purposeful. I'm learning so much and I feel that if I can see the big picture of why these lessons are important than I can handle anything. It's been really amazing because I've been challenged by God to live up to His standard and not to compromise to the standard of the school district of the school or the individuals on my team. Over all of these there is a heavy spirit of apathy and victim mindset. He has challenged me to be the atmosphere changer and bring the presence of God into everything I do. Recently there has been a lot of opposition to me. My teammates will start to yell at me, my parents will refuse to come to the conference or the guardians will storm into the school to report an issue. But, the great thing is since I've been working for God I've built a reputation with the administration of being fair, consistent and dedicated to my students. They have stood up for me in every issue and I'm seeing justice and vindication. It's been beautiful and I've been learning that if I take care of myself and walk in integrity, then God will take care of the rest.

One of the chapters in this story about my teaching would be called MIRACLES IN A PUBLIC SCHOOL? IT IS POSSIBLE! Also there are some real miracles in my students recently. That has been giving me motivation to continue. One of my students Adrian has changed so much just in one day. I prayed for the apathy over him to be broken and the would have motivation to work. The next day he was different. He was productive, staying in his seat, not having side conversation, raising his hand with answers or asking for help. I've rarely seen this from him. I took time out in the class to brag about him to the other students and then gave them the chance to brag about him and complement him on the things that they've seen him doing. People began to sit next to him, they initiated conversations with him, they would put their arm around him. I feel as if all of heaven has encouraged each of us in this classroom to reinforce these positive choices he started to make. It's been miraculous to watch! I'm excited to see what God continues to do!