random thoughts

This isn't very good, just a bit of rambling on my part.

I told Sheela the other day that I think I will "have my head around" my work by maybe after Christmas. I have never been so busy at any job I have ever had. It got so bad last week that I started waking up in the middle of the night thinking about things I need to finish. My head is spinning. That being said, I feel like I can see the bigger picture and I am enjoying my new challenges. I really do like my job and I haven't enjoyed teaching this much in quite some time. But OMG, I can't wait until January!!! A lot of it is just getting used to a new system and the added responsibilities of being head of a department.

I went to Tioman, Malaysia a few weeks back. I was one of four teachers that got to go. It was pretty amazing. I really need to devote a whole entry to what I experienced there. The most eye opening part was the kids. Many of them have travelled the world, but have never really left their nannies behind. I couldn't believe some of the things I was seeing and hearing. I came away from that trip a much more educated person and I understand our kids much better now. I promise more on that soon!

FYI, right now my brother is running the Marine Corps Marathon. www.marinemarathon.com. I feel like a parent, watching and waiting (online) to see how he does. Fortunately, they have updates every 5k. I am very nervous right now!!! I really hope he gets the time he wants. I will not comment on that any more since I am a bit superstitious. Anyhow, if you know him or would like his number to call and congratulate him please shoot me an email. He has worked so very hard for more than 18 weeks and he certainly deserves a phone call!!! I love that guy!!! His wife is also running and it would appear as if she is going to achieve her PR as well! Way to go!

I head to Tokyo in a few days. I am super excited. I can't really imagine what it will be like. I keep imagining Bill Murray in Lost in Translation. Anyhow, I am heading there for a professional development workshop. I look forward to the workshop, but hope it doesn't go late into the evening so that I might do a bit of exploring.

I have been feeling a wee bit homesick lately. We recently received our shipment and so I suspect that is the reason. All the items we haven't seen since mid-July back in Chapel Hill. Ed, Mike...been thinking about you guys. Our house in the woods is sounding pretty good right about now. I had an epiphany the other day. I was showing another teacher my disc-golf discs and I started thinking about where we could go outside of school.....and my realization was that there isn't really anywhere we could go. The field at school was pretty much it. That hit me pretty hard. In a city of 15 million people there is little space to throw frisbees around. For someone as active as myself that is a tough one to swallow.

We were out and about the other day. This small child that wasn't much taller than Kaya did her best to sell some flowers to us. I really wasn't interested in the flowers, but I was curious as to how old this child could possibly be. I had Sam, Sheela's father, ask her and she didn't know. That also hit me kind of hard. What a tough life this kid lives and it will only get more difficult. She didn't even know her own age, there is no way she had any education and most likely no plans to do anything except just make it. I felt so bad for her. I bought the flowers, she stopped badgering us and left. I ran into her later and gave them back so she might make a few extra taka. I remember the days back in Belize when I would sit in my hammock and say to myself, "I need to appreciate all that I have." Well I am doing the same thing now. I truly treasure and value all that I am experiencing. I can already tell this will influence me in ways I don't even realize. I hope the same for Kaya and Miss Shia as well. Both times I have lived abroad it does something to me and I find myself thinking a lot more than I do when I am back in the States. There's a big world out there and I gotta see it....live it.....understand it.....

Holy #$%^ He did it!!! He qualified for Boston!!! He just finished. He ran a 3:08:59!!!! That is incredible. I love that guy so much. I am so happy for him!!!! Genna, can my brother stay with you when he comes to Boston!? What a stud, wow!!!

Good night, I think about you all often. I miss you and can't wait to see you sometime soon.

Here is a video of the drive to work. It must have been shot during Eid because there is no traffic. There is normally loads and loads of cars and rickshaws everywhere. At least you can see the route we take to school. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h54N8VEmsr4