Cricket

Last year many of us at AISL noticed a problem. Well to be completely honest with you, there are many problems. Most of them we have no control over or no say in how to fix them. But, this problem was different. There could be a very easy and realistic solution.

Our campus is created of over 700 staff and over 100 maintenance workers and there is a big gap of division between us. There are elementary staff, middle school staff, high school staff, Instructional assistant staff, administrative staff, science staff, English staff and all the different grade level staff, overseas staff, local hire staff, Nigerian staff, American staff, staff that has taught overseas before, staff that is fresh fish and new, staff that has husbands who work for oil companies, staff with spouses working on location in a different state. The variety is great and the division was even greater. We noticed birthdays were uncelebrated, engagements were mere mentions at a staff meeting, bereavement was solely left to friends. Something could be done and so this called for a new committee. And hence, the social committee was formed this year. With a budge of zero nira and the daunting yet greatly needed task of unifying our school while at the same time providing stress release and entertainment they gathered and began to plan.

The first event was this weekend. It started at 4:00 with socializing in the conference room. Potluck style with music blaring from carefully positioned speakers, we mingled and tried to talk about things other than school and our students. Mary Ann and I found a recipe for minced meat pie and we made it vegan style! When I say this I really mean, we printed off the recipe and handed it to Lawrence who made it for us. He really was the one to roll the dough and cook the filling. We were the ones to bake it for 20 minutes and stack them like a pyramid, serving them with a side of ketcup. After about an hour we got down to business. We were all going to learn how to play cricket, in honor of our dear Aussie counselor Sarah who's husband was freshly transferred to Alaska.

Sarah brought her friend Nigel and he taught us the rules for this complicated game. Still having a tender back I decided it wasn't worth playing. As I don't ever want to be a guest at Reddington hospital again and really don't find laying flat on the floor all that inviting or desirable. Instead I spent the four hours cheering and taking pictures. I'm still trying to get the handle of my new camera.

A traditional sleep over

This Friday my friend Queen Lizzy (That's her real name. She shares a birthday with Queen Elizabeth) spent the night. She works at our school with the loving pre-k's and so after school she came up to my classroom and after I quickly tided up we walked home. We spent a good couple of hours sharing photos with each other. She had gone to London this summer to visit some friends. With each photo and video I joined her in her fun at the wax museum or Ripley's Believe it or Not! With each memory she shared an entertaining story.

We enjoyed a dinner of fried rice and fresh tofu spring rolls. It tasted even better since we didn't have to make it but our steward worked hard, filling and rolling each one in the rice paper wrappers I brought over from the States. And earlier this year Mary Ann found a place that sells tofu! Now, I just have to get that marinade recipe out of Katy! Then I'll be a happy camper.

After dinner we made oatmeal cookies and Queen Lizzy told us she had won a stirring contest once. She cracked us up as she whipped and beat that batter into submission. Our oatmeal cookies were vegan as Mary Ann knows a secret for egg substitute. It's commonly used in our recipes. The cookies turned out crispy on the outside and warm and soft on the inside and they were my first successful attempt at cookies in Nigeria. Usually if you recall they turn into Dali cookies, flat and melted.

We brought some cookies upstairs to the McBride's where we watched Footloose. Three of us had never seen it before so it was a significant event. At 10:00 the Friday fizzle hit and we all went to bed exhausted. I literally feel asleep in a couple of minutes. I always think Fridays are the best days for cuddling under blankets and zoning out to the drama of someone else's life. Nothing like escaping.

Queen Lizzy's visit was like a drink of water after a long desert hike. I found my heart sighing with relief as we connect easily and are open about our struggles yet optimistic about our futures. What a beautiful balance and it did me good to have some meaningful conversation. Also, she is so thankful for any gesture of friendship no matter how small. On Thursday when we went to see her in her classroom you would have thought we brought along a gift of 10,000 dollars. She kept on saying "Oh, thanks so much for coming to see me! I wish I had something to give you." Her upbeat, positive perspective is part of what makes her so unique and a rare beauty.

Rewinding

Well, I was looking through some of my pictures from this summer and realized that I never posted about some of the great events that took place. So, why not?


It was a wonderful summer, full of friends and doing the things I love. I traveled to see many of my beloved friends. First was a trip to Tacoma. I got to spend five days with Mardie. I got her all to myself as Jeremy flew home to the East coast for a short vacation. We had a blast making journals, sailing and creating a variety of earrings at The Bead Factory off six ave. Then I spent the rest of the week with Katy and James. Katy and I romped around the beach front searching for the best pieces of drift wood. My favorites were the snarled pieces that were worn smooth by the salty waves. We ate meals together complete with the extra fiber of snails and slugs and we mostly just enjoyed the every day aspect of life together such a debriefing about our days or processing through different situations that would arise. While Katy was at work I would walk down the street and spend the day with Nora and Kathy. We baked cookies while Nora napped and all piled into the car for a trip to the local art store. At the end of my time we drove an hour into the beautiful country side to celebrate Marta and Eudis who got married to the symphony of clapping thunder. I love doing life with these three ladies. It was hard to say our goodbyes at the end.






Next was Boston where I visited Abby and Tim for four days. It was the perfect vacation with them as we got to explore the green spaces of Boston together. One day Tim and I went and read in the park the next Abby and I rode our bikes along the Emerald necklace and then together we went to explore the outdoor farmers markets down the street. Being able to slip in and out of someones life is so comforting. Knowing that distance and time doesn't separate us but that the bonds are stronger than either. The first night I was there I sat in their arm chair and watched Abby mix her ingredients for pizza dough. Such joy was raising in my heart at being in the same room, of sharing space so comfortably together. What a luxury and gift to be able to feel this with all of my closet friends. They are my home. They are my resting place.




I once again boarded the plane for a short flight to Texas. I stopped over in Atlanta and then flew into Dallas where I spent the night with my friends Denea and Stephen. We stayed up late laughing about our memories of 19 hour truck rides and sleeping three to a queen bed during our time in Mozambique. It was amazing to see that even after two years of just emailing we could pick up where we left off and that the bond is still close. We went through so much together we can't help but real with each other.

The next day I went back to the Dallas airport and boarded a small plane for the 25 minute flight down to the booming town of Waco. This town top sites were a suspension bridge and a park. I got to visit Mike for 7 days and got to explore Waco while he was in class. The highlight of the trip was taking him to Austin for his birthday. We got to visit my uncle Preston. I loved listening to those two talk about business deals in China and how it similar it is to the twisted ways of Nigeria. The next day was hot so we dipped in the natural Barton Springs and met some long time family friends who were close to my grandparents. Needless to say, this was another really difficult goodbye. I decided that I was done saying goodbyes and I wasn't going to do it any more.

Unfortunately I didn't really have that choice. My last trip was down to Pacific Grove to spend six days with my dad and Kathy. I loved every minute of my time with them. While Kathy was at work my dad took me around to local surfing spots and to national parks. The first weekend B came down from San Fransico. Kathy took us on her daily 7 mile walk to downtown Monterrey. I thought my legs were going to quit due to over-use. But the promise of an In and Out burger the next day was motivation for burning so many calories. One of my favorite things to do with my dad is to walk to a near by beach and watch the surfers. This time I also really enjoyed watching my dad play with Abby our chocolate lab mix. My heart almost broke to pieces as I waved goodbye to him at the airport drop off. My heaven is a place where I'm surrounded by all those I love and there are no goodbyes.



Then my summer was almost over. I got to spend the next two days packing and spending time with my mom and Tommy. In between each trip I would get a couple of days to recoup in Beaverton. I loved the routine of being home with my mom and Tommy. My mom would leave fresh pressed juice for me in the fridge next to the blueberries she picked that morning. One of my favorite times was when we went to the Hawthorne district together. We waited for about 30 minutes for our order of to go tater-tots. It was worth the wait! Tommy and I got to do some outdoor adventures together. To celebrate fathers day we piled our mountain bikes into the car and went to Forest park and one day all three of us met to watch the 3-D UP movie.

The two months in America ended really well and I could even say with all honesty that I was looking forward to returning to Nigeria. This obviously was supernatural, divine and greatly appreciated.

A rest in my bed

I’m resting in my bed. Normally this wouldn’t be anything out of the ordinary. Except, it’s Friday and 11:57 which means school is still in full swing. Another reason this fact is so glorious is that I’ve spent three nights in a hospital bed. A very hard, orthopedic hospital bed.

Obviously, there are missing details, but I’ll fill you in on those right away. Monday I was feeling great and back to myself after resting during the weekend to get rid of the stomach bacteria. I felt well enough to do some excising with Mary Ann. So, we loaded up the DVD and lifted and crunched away. There is three levels to this DVD and we had just spent two weeks on week one and now were advancing to level two. Well, I over did it. But, I didn’t know this until Tuesday. I had just gotten done reading aloud a chapter from 26th Fairmont Ave by Tomi dePaola. I got up and that’s when I felt it; the extreme pain in my lower back. Not wanting to alert anyone or make a big deal out of a small thing. I tried to stretch, walk slowly, not sit down and just make it until lunch.

At home during my lunch period I immediately passed by the guys working in our bathroom on our airport internet system and laid down on the tile with my two orange massage balls. It hurt but I knew it would. Only problem was when I tried to get up to take a pain killer I couldn’t. It seemed like my mobility was becoming more limited by the minute. Eventually I was on the floor and calling our Mary Ann’s name. We agreed there was no way for me to return to work. I called Justin and arranged for my class to be covered. He sent over the school nurse who together with Mary Ann lifted me onto my bed. I just rested until that night. I tried five times to get up to go the bathroom and every time ended in tears of pain and frustration.

At 5:00 Lily came to give me a massage. I thought this would loosen any tight muscles and help me to heal quickly. It actually made things worse. I was in shooting pain and was screaming in agony. I began to get a fever and this is when Mary Ann came home to see how I was doing and we quickly concluded I should be taken to the hospital. We were worried it was a kidney infection.

Tom called an ambulance and loaded me in a wheelchair. Then he and Jon lifted me down the six flights of stairs to the stretcher. It was not a pretty sight as they loaded me on and took me on the bumpy roads of Lagos. It had just rained which meant very bad traffic. No one heeded the flashing lights or screaming siren. Instead they followed closer on our bummer or darted into the space up front.

My time in the hospital began in ER with a shot in the bum and a specialist came in to check on me. They concluded even though the x-ray didn’t show it I had slipped a disk in my lower back. His order was for bed rest. Mary Ann stayed with me the whole time, toting our bags and my big poofy blanket and pillow everywhere with us. She was a great comforter and a consistent friend. The situated us in the Baba Tunde ward where we spent the night. Me flat on the orthopedic bed, she scrunched up in a plastic arm chair.

The next day our sink in the bathroom broke in two while Mary Ann was washing her hands so we were moved to another room. That afternoon they told me I had to get an MRI. At first I was terrified. I pictured those big, hollow tubs of plastic and light that surround you and get inches from your face. No way! I wasn’t going to do it. They also told me that their MRI machine was faulty so they had to put in an ambulance and take me to Lagoon hospital in Apapa which was about an hour away. Even getting me out of bed made me sick and so they gave me a shot in my thigh for nausea. They almost dropped me twice while putting me in the ambulance but I was so grateful that most of my back pain was gone because of the rough handling. There was no way I could have handled that the day before. Even though their shouts to be careful and the looks on Mary Ann’s face made my heart drop my back never hurt.

We had to wait a long time at Lagoon for the machine to be ready. I had started to get panicky on the way over due to the heat and the closet feel of the ambulance. I tried to talk them into letting me go back to Reddington without doing the MRI. But, cool icepacks on my head and neck and Mary Ann’s affirmations about the machine not being the type we thought, and our encouraging nurse Grace, made the task seem do able. So, in I went and 40 minutes later, out I came. I think I dozed through the whole thing. Even with the big thuds and loud banging of the machine there was something relaxing about it. And that night talking with Mary Ann about the highlight of her day she and I agreed that it was the MRI. That it went so smoothly and that it wasn’t scary at all.

Mary Ann went home that night and I was hoping to follow her soon. The next day I waiting all day hoping the specialist orthopedic would come to discharge me. While many other people walked in and out, taking care of my needs, he never came. I spent the whole day napping, reading and trying to watch snippets of CNN.

Then this morning he came and he said I shouldn’t be standing up and that I was still on bed rest. I told him I was fine and that I was about to take a shower but that I would really like to go home. He gave me permission to be discharged. I waited another two hours for the paper work to be completed and then I walked out the doors into the muggy air and Kolade was waiting for me. He inquired of my well being and then drove me through the muddy streets fresh with rain.

So, that brings me to where I started. I’m resting in my bed and this indeed in an extraordinary fact and one that makes my heart sing.

The mystery

Earlier this week on Tuesday night I woke up around 12:00 with a migraine. This was nothing new. I get them often here, sometimes twice a week. Most of the night I was up and down from bed making frequent stops to the bathroom. These trips made me wonder if this migraine was something more than it seemed. At 5:00 in the morning I called my principal, Justin, and told him I needed a sub. I rested all day and felt well enough to return to school. Later in the week I went to the doctor knowing they would take blood samples, urine samples and then call me the next day with the results.

On Friday I got a call from the doctor at Reddington hospital telling me it wasn’t malaria, my urine was fine, however, there were traces of Typhoid in my blood samples. He thought these traces were from my injection in 2008. So, he concluded it was bacteria. To treat it he said to take vitamin c and multi vitamins. I was already taking these so he suggested a course of antibiotics. And it was at this time that I decided I would need to seek a second opinion.

I was relieved to have the weekend come which meant two days of rest and so I canceled all of my plans, which included a walk in the forest with my friend Staci. I had to cancel last week as well due to my driver being out of town.

I woke Saturday with joy that I wasn’t in much pain. My stomach only had a little bit of nausea and it was raining and thundering outside which made it a lovely day to get cozy and comfortable. I tried to fast all day and made it until 2:30. I ate some plantain chips and rice crackers with Staci and we munched and chatted about our next weekend plans. She had stopped by after her Boy Scout meeting and this visit made my day. Well, those chips were like razor blades in my stomach. For the rest of the night I had stomach cramps and pain.

That night I called another doctor called Hobicche from Lebanon. I was told that he was a great doctor with really poor bed-side manners. But, right from the start I liked him. He called me darling over the phone and told me to come to his house tomorrow, a Sunday, at any time. I asked for directions and he told me some landmarks but told me to just call him when I was on my way. So, I called Matthew and arranged for him to pick me up at 1:00 after his church. As we were pulling out of the garage I called Dr. Hobicche to get directions and he told me he was eating lunch and told me to come in an hour. So, I went back upstairs to read and rest for an hour. I once again called for directions on our way and he told me to come at 2:30. So, we got to the landmark of Mega Plaza (which one of my kids families owns) and waited. I called him a little after 2:15 and he said that he would come and get me. So, Matthew and I pulled the car onto the main road and just parked. After 5 minutes I got a phone call from Dr. Hobicche asking me what color and make my car was. He found us and then followed them to his house. He lead me to his office asked me a couple of questions, pushed on my stomach and gave me a prescription.

When leaving I asked him how much I owed him and he said “Nothing.” “Wow, Thank you so much!” I replied. He said something along the lines about having to move around a lot. But, I couldn’t decipher his thick Lebanonese accent.

The whole visit took around 5 minutes and we were home by 3:00 with Buscofan and the renewed hope that I will be better by tomorrow and that there are kind people who care about others even amidst the rat race of Lagos.

We've started the third week of school and it has been really good. I find that each day has it's own beauty. Yesterday, Tyron was doing super star and he brought all of his motor bike gear. He walked into the classroom complete with huge helmet and heavy biker boots. He had plastic armor under his jersey and special heavy pants. The kids were stunned and in awe! I had to run down stairs to make a quick copy and when I came in they were all collected on the carpet and so intrigued. They were using such great manners and so of course we earned a cooperation jewel. :)

For the past couple of weeks we've not had a steward and it's been hard. Cooking daily meals, doing 2 loads of laundry and tackling those every invasive dust bunnies was overwhelming. We worked it out with Tim and got Lawrence back for two days! Yipppeeeee! He is currently in the kitchen. The pans banging the dryer humming and the local hip hop blasting is all music to my ears!

Today Bookie pooped bright red seeds all over our carpet. Our whole classroom is tile except for two places of throw rugs. In our library there are two small rugs that our parents have brought in to make the space more cozy. This is where we found the surprises. Of all places! However, I love the fact that we have Bookie to learn responsibility so it was the Pet Pals job to clean it up. I wish you could have seen their twisted and goofy faces as they walked back and forth from the trash can with crumbled up napkins. The funny thing is this all happened two minutes before lunch and our first student council meeting. So, the 1st and 2nd grade reps and new 1st grade teacher were greeted with excited exclamations of "Bookie pooped!" It's always an adventure in our class. Oh, not to mention the bizzerk fire alarm next to our room was blaring as well. It's been malfunctioning and frazzling my nerves since school started.