Tan lines and Lizards

"The same sun that rises over castles spills over the streets where orphans play" -Bethany Dillon

When I think of a typical day I ask myself, "hmmm what is a typical day anyway?" On the way to the school today I counted 13 lizards, 3 little goats, 1 cow and a woman carrying more than her body weight on top of her head.. To let you in on a little secret... school is just across the street from my apartment. So what I now consider typical daily events, would've made me laugh a month ago.

At about 6:30 am Kate and I awake to the melodic beeping of a standard beep beep beep alarm clock.. (You know the kind I'm sure. The kind that makes you cringe when you hear it in the middle of the day). Oh and side note: this is after about 4 roosters were ahead of the game and did there kockodoodledooing hours too early. Half asleep we make our way outside to the main road (a dirt trail made from bicycles, cattle and pedestrians.) This is when my favorite part of the day begins. I put my headphones in my ears and get lost in the depth of the music. I mean really copeland and an African sunrise- what more could you ask for?? We have faithfully jogged every morning that we've been here and I am starting to feel a little athletic again. haha watch out Belmont track team.. just kidding. But it feels good to work hard and have a routine.

Then off to school we go! We teach a class of 5 students who are 5 and 6 years old. We start out with math then move to handwriting and reading. If they're good (which is pretty often) I will read them a story. Now this story time isn't your typical three little bears page turner. When your dealing with a language barrier you do what you have to... which is me jumping around the room making faces and acting out the story. It's really funny. The kids laugh so hard... it's great. Totally worth the humiliation.

Every Monday Katie uses her artistic skills to teach two art classes. Here in Africa we call her Achin Syren. She has them doing incredible things. The first week they worked on still life drawings, now they are painting events from there life and really getting expressive. Kate is amazing!! I am so thankful for my dear friend who teaches me things every day.... talk about wisdom. We have so much fun talking in stupid voices, making up songs, and catching each other up on the 19 years of our lives before we new each other. It's been fun to say the least...

I teach music classes on Wednesdays. These kids are born with amazing rhythm so my job is pretty easy. They always laugh when I sing... I still can't figure out what that means.

Well before the power goes off I need to post this entry. Lots of love and lizards from Africa.

Apio Terry
aka Kelsey

Apio is my new african name. Terry is an old name... haha