Senegal

Home

2010-05-15T09:09:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago I was attacked my my guard/gardener and had to go home for safety and health reasons. I no longer felt safe in Senegal and had to leave to ensure no further damage would happen to me. This is my last official Senegal blog.

In reflection, I have mixed feelings about my journey to Senegal. I met some terrific people and also met some definite weirdos. I am glad to be back in the USA and feel a ton safer. People always said to me "these kinds of things happen in America". I disagree. There is a sense of security and calmness here. Perhaps also organization. I know I have rights here. God Bless America!

I do miss my students. I miss eating lunch with my elementary girls, playing banana grams with Selma and Anthea, StuCo and asking Tenimba to say please. I miss my one on one chats with Rhynardt and joking with Jay and Ben. I miss Fraser and his sense of humor. I miss Chiaki's voice because each day it was getting stronger. So, I miss my students.

I also miss my wife. I am so lucky to have her in my life. What a wonderful woman and friend. A true life partner.

I miss some adults too: Desvaux, Stacey, Yeager, Mary, the library staff, Becs, Crystal, J. Smith, Natalie, the Ducharmes, and Andrea. I hope we can keep in touch, if not, that's life. I was glad to know you and share some good times.

The healing process has begun. Thanks to everyone that had followed my blog.

Accro Boabab

2010-04-27T07:11:00.000-07:00

Last weekend Gabbie and I took Jay and Amy Yeager to Accro Baobab which is a zip-line/adventure park. We had a great time! After climbing and zipping around we went across the street to Bandia and had lunch. During lunch we got to see monkeys, alligators, and water buffaloes. We had fun and now I am trying to plan a 7th grade trip for June.

7th Grade Field Trip to Sine Saloum 2010

2010-04-27T03:50:00.000-07:00

We recently took our 7th graders on the annual trip to Sine Saloum. We had a great time bird watching, swimming, fishing, and performing skits. I was really nice for me to be outside of the classroom with my students. I am seriously considering becoming an outdoor school teacher. I just find that there is a real connection you make with people when you are outdoors and in nature.

Last Days of Spring Break Vacation

2010-04-13T03:54:00.000-07:00

We have been back for almost two weeks now and I hadn't been able to upload images onto my blog. We are at full speed now with only a short time left. We have begun making arrangements to sell and ship items, which feels good. Our vacation in Paris has refreshed us and we are both in very good moods. I am excited for this week, we are taking the seventh graders to Sine Saloum. Stay tuned for an update on that. Life is getting better all the time!

Paris: Natural History Museum and Notre Dame

2010-04-03T01:27:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we hit the streets again to explore. We first headed the the Natural History Museum which was surrounded by a beautiful garden. The exhibits were well put together and very accessible for children because they were not behind glass. I saw lots of kids go up to a piece and walk around and at times even touch it. No fancy plastic computer generated exhibits, just stuffed animals and plaques. This might help explain France's appreciation for science, they train children how to look at and question objects? My point is that the exhibit was not for entertainment, but for learning.

After that we went to a movie theatre and saw Alice in Wonderland. Tim Burton's version of the two books put together was great! I got sucked into the mall after the movie and Gabbie quickly dragged me out (not without a fight). I am glad she did because close was Notre Dame and when we walked in the Good Friday service was being held. The singing was eerie and the stained glass phenomenal.

On top of that, we found an outdoor market and bought some olives, stumbled upon the Hotel De-Ville, and had a beer in a nice pub. Another great day in Paris!

Fourth Wedding Anniversary

2010-04-03T01:11:00.001-07:00

Sorry the pictures are fuzzy, my camera hasn't been taking the best indoor or night photos. Well, April 1st is the official day and for an evening celebration we walked through the streets of Montemartre. This part of the city is becoming hip amongst local artists and queers. It has been my favorite part of Paris because the buildings are beautiful and it caters to locals. Anyways, after a few left and right turns, we found this quaint French restaurant. Our menus were slate plates, we drank a bottle pinot noir, I ordered steak and Gabbie had the tuna. IT WAS AWESOME! We toasted our love and ate happily ever after. I love you Sakura.

Père Lachaise Cemetery

2010-04-01T11:07:00.000-07:00

This famous cemetery is the biggest in Paris and holds the remains of some very well known people. Edith Piaf, Oscar Wilde, Jim Morrison, Chopin, La Fontaine, and Joseph Gay-Lussac are just a few. The sun was out, flowers were blooming, and it was not spooky even though a blond ghost was following me.

Paris, France: Here and There

2010-04-01T10:45:00.000-07:00

He are having a blast! Today is our wedding anniversary and there is no better place to be than in Paris. We have been busy walking around and checking out as much as we can. Tonight we go out for a special dinner. Loving life right now.

Paris, France

2010-03-31T08:07:00.000-07:00

I love this city!The keyboards are different and typing takes me longer, but it is a great place nonetheless. I feel settled in after staying in various places over the past few days. I went online and found a place on the flatshare.com. We are spending about 70 euros a night and the flat has hardwood floors, a kitchen, washer, dryer, etc. We are pleased and are having a wonderful time. It is very romantic, the food is yummy, and the sites are amazing. I am glad that we are spending our fourth wedding anniversary here. Right now we are drinking some bubbly and gearing up to go to the Louvre. It's cold, rainy, and I love it because it reminds me of Portland.

Lisbon, Portugal

2010-03-31T07:46:00.000-07:00

By Sunday afternoon I had had enough with Dakar. There was no water in the house, everyone wanted to talk about school, and we were irritated. I somehow convinced Gabbie that we had enough in savings to go away for the week. Turns out that ticket prices were not too bad and the exchange rate wasn't so bad either. So off to Paris we went. Fortunately, we had a layover in Lisbon, which was nice.

New Places

2010-03-21T07:53:00.000-07:00

As we gear up to move back home I feel compelled to explore Dakar a bit more. Gabbie and I have agreed that once a week, until we move, we will find a new place to explore in either Senegal or Dakar. This weekend it was the IFAN museum. On our way downtown we stopped at a new store that sells fruits, vegetables, spices, flowers, dried fruits, and yummy olives. The owner is super nice and speaks English. Snack ready, we headed to the museum which was pretty cool. On display were traditional masks, fabrics, and musical instruments. There were even rudimentary dioramas of African villages and ceremonies. On my out the door I picked up a book on Goree in English! Great find for sure. Famished from squinting at plaques in French, we headed to a cafe for some grilled paninis, sodas, and later espresso. On our way home we stopped at some stores that we had never been to before that sold local art. Gabbie spotted a store that sold mostly carved tall men (that's what I call them). We ended up buying a three footer. I wonder what next weekend will bring?

Dakar Champagne Tour

2010-03-07T12:52:00.000-08:00

Last Saturday night a group of us hired a car rapide for a champagne tour of Dakar. After four bottles of bubbly and nice drive along the corniche we went for a cocktail at La Lagoon. La Lagoon is one trippy psychedelic place with a cavernous entrance and a boat bar. It is a great place to watch the sunset as it has a very nice pier. After that we headed to Cafe de Roma, which was yucky and expensive, but fun nonetheless. Then we went to Just for You, a bar and music nightclub. It turned out that The Orchestra Baobab was playing. Gina and I danced until 1:30 AM and then it was time to head home. It was a great evening!

South to the Beach House

2010-03-07T02:01:00.000-08:00

I decided to take Jenny and Chuck to my favorite Senegalese resting place: Popenguine. We rented out the our usual house and just relaxed. The fridge broke and our food spoiled but ultimately that was a good thing because it forced us to eat out. Both restaurants we went to were very nice and the food excellent.

Shopping

2010-03-06T09:51:00.000-08:00

I am so lucky! My sister and her husband decided to visit me and Gabbie. They arrived Monday and leave on Monday :(. We have had a fun filled adventure. We visited most of Dakar's markets and traveled to Popenguine. Today we hit the markets again to buy masks, baskets, and other things that you just can't get back at home.

The West African Pirogue

2010-02-15T07:25:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I went fishing with the Dietrich's. We caught a few and enjoyed the scenery. It was nice to get out and into the water. We left around 8:00 AM and got in around noon. It cost 10,000 CFA per person. While I was out on the water I started to inquire about purchasing a small pirogue. My parents just moved to a home on the Puget Sound and there is no dock. A pirogue would be perfect to paddle out on! Turns out that I could get a small one for around $200.00 dollars, which would include a sweet paint job.

After the fishing ended today, I walked around and took pictures of the unique design that each boat has. I think they came out great. They are so colorful!

Wikipedia defines a pirogue is a: small, flat-bottomed boat of a design associated particularly with West African fisherman.

Intresting Pirogue facts:

Pirogues were used by Lewis and Clark on the Missouri River and westward from 1804-1806.
The word comes from the Spainish word "piragua".

Senegal a Few Hundred Years Ago

2010-02-13T05:40:00.001-08:00

St

Currently I am taking a course on primary sources. Basically, I am being led to primary documents that I can use in the classroom. The class is awesome! I have so many sources at week two, that my mind hurts when thinking about it. Looking at them all has also given me ideas to use in the classroom. Just this last week I had my students look at images of America during the 1930's to get a better understanding of the setting to the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Primary documents rock!

What this class has also done for me, which I didn't expect, was better understand Senegal. Earlier this week I as clicking around on the Internet and found this incredible website from the New York Public Library Digital Gallery called Africana & Black History (that's a link). There they have primary documents from as early as the 1600's on different regions from Africa.

Looking at the images has made me realize that not a whole lot has changed and that I am living in history (does that even make sense?). I have photographs of some of the images above and nothing has changed. It's amazing! Seeing the images from the 1820's has helped me realize why I have some of the frustrations I do. This place is so different than anything I have ever experienced. How can I expect it to be anything like home? How can I expect locals to live like me?

My Garden

2010-01-31T11:14:00.001-08:00

About a month before we left for Thailand I began a garden behind the school. I wasn't very optimistic but decided to give it the old college try. I was fortunate because the boxes were already there. I just had to weed and mend the soil. I brought some some seeds back with me this summer (thanks mom!) and began them in trays in Gabbie's classroom. They germinated and in the beds they went. I have carrots, peas, lettuce, okra, kale, chard, broccoli, tomatoes, and cucumbers growing. So far I have harvested peas, carrots, a few cucumbers, and lettuce. I actually have enough lettuce to make a fresh salad for me and Gabbie everyday! Needless to say, it's nice to get my hands dirty. I find it very peaceful and from time to time, beautiful red birds land to feed on grass seeds nearby.

I have to give a big thanks to Yoshiko for the donkey manure and a ride to the seed store where I bought some eggplants seeds.

I also have a compost going and now have a place for my scraps. sometimes I even take lawn clippings from the school field. Yahooo!

Popenguine: Chez Omar

2010-01-24T12:30:00.000-08:00

The girls minus Gina and Hillary.

Check out the amazing wildlife in their natural habitat.

That wood was heavy and carrying it sucked!

We made it back safely to Dakar. A few bags did not make it as soon as we did, but it all worked out in the end. We had a wonderful break but was soon back in the swing of things: ISD, grading, meetings, low morale, progress reports, stress, and a constant cough now that sandy winds have returned. After two weeks of our noses to the grindstone, we decided to head out of town for some R&R.

Gina, Shelby, Crystal, Bex, Hillary, Gabbie, Buddy, and I left for Popenguine Friday evening. A nice time was spent eating good food, swimming, relaxing, walking, chilling by a camp fire, and a whole lot of laughing. This was by far one of the best groups I have traveled with. Everyone had food to contribute, cleaned up after themselves, and were chill. Everyone was loving it!

A highlight happened last night. Late in the afternoon Crystal and I negotiated for some hard wood with a beach fire in mind. We got what we needed and the woman that sold us the wood even got a candy ring out of the deal (she was like what is this?). After a wonderful dinner of grilled chicken, beans, and stiff drinks, we built a nice fire on the beach. About an hour into it, some local "beachcombers" played some music for us. The started off their set with "I Will Survive" and finished off with "The Banana Boat Song" (by request).

Day light came and me not want to go home.

Sunset Snorkeling

2010-01-04T01:11:00.000-08:00

Captain of the longboat.
The beach we were to dine on.
The snorkelers! I met people from Australia, Norway, South Africa, Holland, Ireland, and Canada.
The cool boat we got to board.
This snorkeler was sea sick. Cool booties though!
Chok Di (cheers in Thai)
Mr. Mek, one of our guides.
Gabbie doesn't like it when people comment on her excellent sun protection.
Above is the cave we snorkeled in.

Gabbie arranged for us to take a snorkeling trip yesterday. We first boarded a longboat and went to our first beach. It was awesome to be in water where the coral is still alive and the tropical fish plenty. We then hit another bay and that was nice too. Our third spot allowed us to swim into a cave, which was really cool. After that we switched boats and boarded a wooden ship. From there we went to a beach to have dinner. It was dark out by then and after dinner we went for a swimming in phosphorescence. That was a first for me and it was outstanding.

New Years Eve

2010-01-04T00:54:00.000-08:00

It turned out that it was mandatory for Gabbie and I to be diners at the hotel new year's event. It only cost roughly a hundred dollars per person. Ha! It was an okay buffet accompanied with Thai performances (video). Drinks were extra so we took off early. Happy New Year!

Railay Thai Cooking School

2009-12-31T19:28:00.001-08:00

Our instructor Anm.

That's Kinga.

Yesterday I decided to take a cooking class. I love Thai food so much, so why not? Class started at 8:30 AM and went on until about 1:00 PM. Just me and an Hungarian woman named Kinga registered. Kinga and I first had to decided what we wanted to learn and we chose: spring rolls, green curry, Pad Thai noodle dish, coconut ginger soup, and bananas and coconut milk for desert. I later got recipes for spicy beef salad and mango sticky rice. Our instructor Anm was very nice and fun to work with. She first showed us how to chop and prepare. Then we cooked a dish, ate it, cooked a disk, and then ate it... let's just say I was really full by noon. I have recipes for it all and am willing to share. Let me know what you'd like.

Railay Bay

2009-12-30T21:13:00.000-08:00

We are on the red dot, near Phuket.

Funny monkey!

Our home for now, the Railey Princess Resort and Spa. Can you see the pool right above the fish pond?

Thai longboats.

The tide is out.

Me climbing some limestone.

Gabbie did great! Can you see her up there?

That's the rock we climbed.

Our super nice guide "M".

A few days ago Gabbie and I traveled south to a beach/bay called Railay. We are staying at a well used resort called Railay Princess. There is a lot to do here like: rock climbing, SCUBA diving, fishing, snorkeling, and hiking. There are no cars here. Just a few tractors and many walkways. I pulled my right calf muscle running a few weeks ago and the injury has caught up to me. It's hard for me to get around and that is quite frustrating as I am an active person. Yesterday we climbed for half a day, even though my legs bums me out, it was still fun. I forgot how exciting rock climbing is. Gabbie and I have decided that when we get back to Portland, we will join the rock gym. It is great exercise and something fun for us to do together. Needless to say, I am sore today and regret not staying in the best of shape. Railay itself is beautiful. However, it is more touristy than Gabbie remembers. Something unique about this area are the monkeys. They are everywhere. I was feeding some from our porch last night. One actually took Gabbie's mango tango shake. That was hilarious! Check out the video.

Chew Lan Lake

2009-12-27T06:45:00.000-08:00

Today Gabs and I drove by car for about a half hour and then went by boat on the Chew Lan lake to check out some houseboats for rent and do a bit of swimming. Once we saw the places where tourists could sleep, we were thankful that we did not commit to an overnight stay. Anyhow, we arrived at houseboats, swam, ate lunch, drank some beer, kayaked around, and then swam some more. I found that life jackets are more fun when you sit on them. I floated around for about an hour. The water was lukewarm but refreshing. There was also a ladder you could jump off of and I had fun practicing my dives. 3:30 rolled around and we headed back. On the car ride home I saw men riding elephants, no big deal around here :). Tomorrow we have a chill day and then we are off to Karabi which is a bit more south.

Khao Sok Town & River

2009-12-26T03:26:00.000-08:00

Gabbie getting some espresso.
Market on wheels! She had all things that are good.

Ninety-year old man.
A statue that looks a lot like the ninety-year old man.

Take notice of the small boy behind me, he was our guide. I asked him if I could take over for a bit and he did.
Beautiful river!

The river take out location

Khao Sok is a petite town nestled amongst large limestone mountains. The flora and fauna is amazing. Hiking is everywhere. Today we walked around town, canoed down the river, checked out a religious cave, and the had pizza for dinner. It has been a wonderful stay so far. The river trip was peaceful and relaxing. It is so nice to be out in nature again. The cave was pretty cool too. We got to feed some fish. Check out the video.

Khao Sok Elephant Ride

2009-12-25T05:38:00.000-08:00

We ventured out into the jungle today. Well... it was more like a rubber tree plantation. The elephants were really cool. We rode for about a half hour then stopped at a water fall and swam for a bit. I saw a snake, panicked, and got out as soon as possible. It was still refreshing nonetheless. On our drive back from the elephant place we saw a king cobra and later on stopped for a photo opportunity. We got back to the bungalows, showered, and then hit the small town for some food. Dinner was once again awesome. On our walk back we stopped and got massages. What another Wonderful day!

Khao Sok Las Orquideas Resort

2009-12-24T22:53:00.000-08:00

After an eight hour train ride, we made it. I enjoyed the train and was glad I brought my own food. It was nice to see the country side. I took videos of the progression of the ride also known as jump cuts. When we arrived at the train station we still had an hour and a half to go by car. We rented a taxi and make it quickly. The hotel/bungalows is very nice. It is owned by a Spanish man named Francisco. We woke up this Christmas morning or I should say afternoon to an excellent breakfast and amazing surrounding. Orchids, tall limestone mountains, paradise! We are now off to a tour of the jungle on elephant back. I will post more later. Merry Christmas everyone!

Day Three in Bangkok

2009-12-23T11:13:00.000-08:00

Woke up.
Grabbed the hotel ferry to the sky train.
Took photo of boat.
Took photo of hotel.
Bought some espresso.
Rode Sky Train.
Took photo of school girls.
Ate some street food.
Shopped.
Saw weird Christmas decorations.
Took Taxi to spa.
1.5 hour massage.
.5 hour foot massage.
Got food.
Listen to Thai lady and man play some blues.
Ate yummy food.
Shopped some more.
Went to Tailor to get fitted for a suit.
Ate more yummy food.
Took taxi back to hotel.
Ordered champagne from room service.
Opened Christmas presents.

Siam Center

2009-12-22T02:24:00.000-08:00

Today Gabbie had to go back to the dentist to get the second half of her work done. While she was out I went Christmas shopping. I decided to go to the mall called Siam Center. It had almost everything you could imagine. I did a little shopping for the both of us and then relaxed to a Japanese style hibachi lunch. It was about 4:00 PM when I decided to head back. The traffic was horrible and as the meter ran high so I decided I needed a second plan. I got out of the cab and asked a local for some assistance and directions. He kindly hired a motorbike taxi for me and I was again on my way. The motorcycle ride was exciting, but not very safe. I am back at the hotel and Gabbie just came in. She got her teethed whitened as well and they are Hollywood white. Now we are off to get massages.

Bangkok: First Day

2009-12-21T08:34:00.000-08:00

We woke up at 8 AM and took the hotel ferry across the river. We then walked to the nearest subway station, which was really nice. Nicer than in Seattle and NYC (not hard to beat NYC!). We then proceeded to the dentist office and along the way I ordered some Phad See Ew for 75 cents. It was awesome! The dental office was very nice. Our x-rays were taken within 10 minutes. Our consultation included prices and options. My dentist doubled checked everything and even asked for new x-rays. Everything was explained in clear English. It was by far the nicest, quickest, and informational visit I have ever had. I needed a new filling and to add some porcelain to an old crown. Gabbie had a large cavity and filling. For the both of us it only cost $300.00. Then we headed to Khao San road for some food and shopping. We stopped and I had some grilled beef salad, it was also awesome and only cost two dollars. We shopped around and bought clothing and hammocks. After that we went and got an hour of Thai massage for six dollars per person. Again, AWESOME! On the way home Gabbie picked up a banana and Nutella crepe for one dollar. We are now lounging in out hotel. What a day! I love Thailand!

Ethiopian Air: Traveling to Bangkok

2009-12-20T01:55:00.000-08:00

At 5:45 AM we left the bungalows and headed for Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Turns out that Ethiopian air lives up to it's image. For food we were given cold UN rations and water. Just kidding! Seriously though, check out the video of the airplane safety video. The first half is in English, the second half in Huttesse (Jaba the Huts's native language). The landing in Ethiopia was rough, but we made it. Our four hour lay over was nice. Then we headed to Bangkok. Twenty-two hours later we made it. It turns out that my kick ass wife had champagne waiting for us in the room. I love her! I ran a bath and drank some bubbly. We then ordered room service. I love vacations, I love Bangkok and I love Gabbie!

2009 Winter Holidays

2009-12-12T13:50:00.001-08:00

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Being away from home for Christmas is harder this year than last. I miss Wintry's ornament party, seeing women wear festive sweaters to work, cold weather, decorating the tree and seeing family and friends. I can't complain too much because we are heading to Thailand. I will take tons of photos and blog when I can. I wish everyone a wonderful holiday and a happy new year.

Senegalese Cars

2009-12-03T12:24:00.000-08:00

I have been taking photos of cars in Senegal and now that I have a few I will share my collection. I know, cars are gas eating polluters. Next time I will focus on bicycles.

Thanksgiving/Tabaski Road Trip-Sine Saloum

2009-11-28T10:28:00.000-08:00

Grading, check
Grade comments, check
Conferences, check
Planning for trip, check

What does one do when they have a four-day weekend? They drive to a delta known as Sine Saloum. Thursday morning, the Desvaux, the Bryant, and the Olson-Hendel clans drove to the south of Senegal to spend two days at an off the grid eco-tourist lodge. Getting out of town, even at 7 AM, was hell. Folks were traveling to their homes to celebrate Tabaski. Rams, goats, and herders were roadside. It is a tradition to sacrifice a ram and people do find creative ways to get their new animals where they need to go. Rams were on rooftops and in trunks of cars. I even saw four or five; each placed in a grain bag, and tied to the top of a bus. We eventually made it to the port and traveled the last thirty minutes by pirogue. The lodge was great. I had a very relaxing time. I fished from the dock, caught sunfish, and Gabbie went bird watching. It was quiet and the moon was bright. Traveling home was perfect; no one was on the road thanks to Tabaski. Rufisque looked like a ghost town, weird really, but cool too. We all had a very nice time.

Shelly's House in N'Gor Village

2009-10-26T12:07:00.000-07:00

We ended up giving our colleague Shelly a ride home today. Shelly is a unique wonderful soul who loves to dance. She has met the Dalai Lama, lived in a Tee pee for ten years (in Vermont!), and is a mother and wife. Her husband is from Guinea as is her beautiful young son, both love to fish. Shelly has traded in the expat luxurious and sometime mundane lifestyle for the vibrant and friendly African village of N'Gor. Shelby, Gina, Gabbie and I were lucky enough to get invited into Shelly's home and neighborhood. We got to see baby goats, watch fisherman bring in fish, play a little soccer, and watch young boys get chased by a goose.

My Neighborhood

2009-10-20T12:43:00.000-07:00

Gabbie and I live in N'Gor. It's near the airport, Virage beach, the casino (not the grocery store), and festival de glaces. I went walking around the other day and decided to take some photos.

What's New

2009-10-15T11:12:00.000-07:00

Well besides working, I have been busy. Softball season has started and there are parties everywhere. This time around it is not so hard. I don't even notice the garbage anymore. Things make me laugh instead of angry. So, that's it, I'm okay. It's good.

This new signed popped up recently in my neighborhood. It doesn't make sense to me. An African product/billboard sign featuring a young Latino gangster. I am boggled and tickled.

The other image is me with our jarden'er Muhammed. He's kind and light hearted. Gabbie discovered today that he smokes and was surprised.

Signs, Signs, Everywhere Signs

2009-10-03T15:08:00.000-07:00

I thought I would post what some of the billboards look like here. Which one is your favorite?

Our Commute to Work

2009-09-15T23:39:00.000-07:00

Sure, if I was in Oregon this wouldn't be a big deal. I mean a whole blog on what our commute to work looks like. The pictures are a little dark because it's 7:30 am. It's not a bad drive, it only takes ten to fifteen minutes. Cycling is scary but we do it anyways and that takes about 30 minutes. Drivers here do what they want, when they want. That includes making three lanes when there are only two or passing on the sidewalks (I only did it once). Cops like to randomly pull you over but I ignore them when they wave to me and they haven't chased me yet. My neighborhood is called N'Gor (named after the island that we go to). Then we pass through Almadies which is posh. Then we drive up the green for now hill where the lighthouse is located. The Frenchies like to run there. We then pass down through the palm tree lined Corniche and that is where the school is located. The Corniche is nice because it runs alongside the ocean. It's a nice place to walk or ride your bike. Many Senegalese like to workout along this road. Lately though there have been attacks on expats and one of my colleagues and her husband were mugged. That sucked!

Who's who: That's Saun at the first gate, Cisse at the second with Gabbie, and Adams with a paycheck.

New Classroom

2009-09-13T12:16:00.000-07:00

It's Sunday and I am at work getting some grading done. It's about 7pm. I really like my new classroom this year. I still have a smart board, Chantal gave me her couches, and I have plenty of boards and book shelves. Last year my room never felt complete. This year I even have two plants and brand new Mac (thank you Wayne and Board members!). I haven't blogged since I came back. I keep forgetting my camera. So, I promise friends/followers (if you are still out there) I will keep you updated.

Maui Dive

2009-07-18T20:36:00.000-07:00

This morning Gabbie and I woke up at 5 am and headed towards the south shore to go SCUBA diving off of the island Lanai. The Maui Divers shop was organized and we were well on our way to two dives. The first was at Cathedral Rock where we dove through cave holes. The visibility was great and the current small for our fifty minute dive. The light that shown through the covering rocks was like seeing light from a church stained glass window on a cloudy day. The second dive was not like the first. It was choppy, had a very strong current and at 500 left on the tank I got a leg cramp. In all it was a great trip. The outfitters took care of everything and that help make it more relaxing.

During the hour boat ride back to the dock I talked with a 45 year old firecracker of a man from Louisiana. He had two pieces of advice. First, some will, some won't, so what. Meaning that for example in teaching, some will think I am a great teacher, some won't, so what. Second, don't sweat the small stuff... and it is all small stuff. He clarified that one with, if you have money, you pay your bills on time, and are in general doing well, don't worry about the rest. That was something for me to chew on.

Fourth of July Deschutes Float

2009-07-07T11:00:00.000-07:00

Gabbie and I decided to take a good friend of hers from college on the Deschutes for the fourth of July weekend. The canyon lands are even more beautiful than I remembered. I keep finding myself in isolated areas this summer which makes for solitude. I love Oregon!

Fishing in Alaska

2009-07-07T10:36:00.000-07:00

My brother Hans, my father Terry, and I recently traveled to Bristol Bay Alaksa to fish the Nushagak River. We had to charter a small plane to get to a small reservation called Ekwok and from there we traveled my boat to the lodge. Being off of the grid, catching salmon (kings and reds), and using a hot stove/sauna/steam room for a shower for seven days really made me realize how nice it is to be off line and checked out. We had a wonderful time and caught some nice fish. I am enjoying my summer in the USA more than I imagained.

Coming Home June 15th

2009-05-30T10:05:00.000-07:00

Well, we did it. Gabbie and I have almost finished our first school year abroad. We have had some ups and a lot of downs, but feel that this has been a huge learning experience for the both of us. Not much has happened in the last few weeks except for the school year winding down. Last weekend we went to Popenguine again and that was nice. So I am posting my last African post until August. I do plan on posting my summer adventures that include Alaska, Maui, fishing, and camping in our new van. So stay tuned, more will come.

The pictures attached are hopefully not repeats. It is a collection of pictures taken from the year.

Tour of the USS Nashville

2009-05-13T11:38:00.000-07:00

Today my 8th graders and I were fortunate enough to tour a US Navy ship. They came into port a few days ago and are here for humanitarian reasons (wink wink). We had a wonderful tour, our guide was very friendly, and he even gave me his hat at the end. It was pretty cool!

St. Louis 8th Grade Field Trip

2009-05-08T14:47:00.000-07:00

Today I arrived home from our 8th grade field trip to St. Louis (northern Senegal). It was a nice excursion. The hotel had cute little bungalows with warm water, a pool, and excellent beach access. However, I don't think the owners liked kids very much. Anyhow, Thursday we first went to an area called Guembeul Reserve where locals are trying to restore the area's natural habitat. My students and I were able to hold baby tortoises, see monkeys, some oryx, addax and gazelles. Then we headed for the Langue de Barbarie National Park for a pirogue ride on the delta. We saw many pelicans and other birds gathering to mate. We also stopped and played on the Grand Cote. Then we headed back to the hotel for some free time. After dinner, the students put on wonderfully funny skits based on African folk tales. Today we had breakfast and toured St. Louis on horse carriage and ate beef kabobs at small local restaurant. I enjoyed the trip and feel that the students got a lot out of it.

Popenguine

2009-05-04T00:31:00.001-07:00

About 80 Kilometers (50 miles) south of Dakar is a great little beach getaway named Popenguine. Gabs and I were going to go to Saly but a friend of mine suggested that we go with her instead to Popenguine because Saly would be way too touristy and busy. I am so glad we took her advice. We rented a house that was right on the beach. We swam, fished (I didn't catch anything), surfed (mini beach break waves), and explored. The house had this wonderful kitchen that opened up to the ocean, it was great. It was also very relaxing and very close to Dakar. I have found my getaway. On the way home I leaned over to Gabbie and said, "I kinda like it here now".

Dakar Pub Crawl

2009-04-29T11:29:00.000-07:00

Last Friday a good friend of mine decided to rent a car rapide (the main form of Senegalese public transportation) and go on a pub crawl. We started the evening by eating Chinese and then headed for the bars. I have stopped drinking for at least a month and as you can see my inhibitions are abnormally high. I also have a really nice cold sore which I love explaining to my students is herpes. So the pub crawl wasn't really a pub crawl for me, but I had a good time celebrating my friend's birthday.

The New Goods

2009-04-21T11:12:00.000-07:00

Gabbie and I have been making it a priority to buy art work while we are here. We picked out some fabric and had some pillows made, we bought some antiques, we haggled for some cool baskets, and we bargained for a toy bicycle and car made out of cans. Next purchase, painting from the art gallery on N'Gor Island and bags to bring home as gifts.

Our Favorite Dakar Restaurant: Sao Brazil

2009-04-17T11:07:00.000-07:00

Sao Brazil is our favorite place to eat. They have really good wood oven pizza, meat dishes, and sauces. The owners are nice and seem to know that we don't want to wait for three hours to get our dinner. Gabbie and I probably go here about two times a week.

N'Gor Island

2009-04-12T02:25:00.000-07:00

A five minute walk and a three minute boat ride from our bungalow is N'Gor Island. It's a nice little get away but I recommend you get there early. By 3:00 is was starting to get packed. Luckily we arrived early, rented some mats, an umbrella, and then explored. Narrow brick bougainvillea streets led to us a terrific art gallery. We also discovered what seemed to be an old French army training center equipped with a crawling under barbed wire while we shoot in the air to scare you drill. Then we headed back for lunch and I enjoyed chicken and Gabbie fish.

Kites and Monkeys

2009-04-05T11:08:00.000-07:00

Things are stable. It's getting warmer again and the pool is pleasant. It has been a long week and I am pooped. Worth mentioning: Gabbie loves the kite I bought her for her birthday. She flies it at school. It goes so fast and is a blast to handle. Also, our friend Curtis bought a monkey a few days ago and brought her over today. She is so cute. All in all everything is going well. I have been daydreaming about my summer fishing trip in Alaska and camping in the van in Sandy. June 12 is our last day of school, so mark your calendars.

Birthday Party

2009-03-29T04:42:00.000-07:00

Thia decided to throw me a late birthday party and Gabs agreed to help. It was great, thanks you two. Many of my friends from ISD showed up and it was a good party. I even bought a mini Heineken keg and a bottle of scotch. Thia and Cory brought ice cream cake, yummy! Stacey baked cupcakes, and I received some special gifts from the Ducharmes, Kritzingers, and Rutherfords. It took all of Saturday to recover...

Thanks to everyone for coming, bringing treats, and having fun!

Chinese Food

2009-03-14T04:13:00.000-07:00

All year I have been hearing the rumors about a Chinese restaurant in Dakar. I was told that it's impossible to find, that you have to know mandarin to order, and basically to go, Chris (a local Peace Corps CA dude), has to take you. Well, finally Chris took us. Wayne, Shannon, Marissa, Viking, Gabbie, Stacey, Janice, Stacey's friend, and the kids. It was so good! They even sold Pabst that were pull tab topped. I was also excited to meet Wayne's mom Janice who is super cool and lives in Eugene.

Tanji Fishing Village

2009-03-06T06:09:00.000-08:00

p

The Sheraton gardener, Bamba, offered to take us fishing today. We met up at ten o'clock and drove to nearby fishing village/market named Tanji. Bamba and his friend walked us around, we exchanged some CFA for some dalasi, bought some bait, and hit the water. The kids flocked to us. A little girl (pictured), came right up to Gabbie and held her hand for an extended amount of time. The fishing wasn't very good. I wasn't as prepared as I should have been. At least I had my rod and the small necessities. I caught a little guy and let him go. Bamba caught none.

The Last 24 Hours in The Gambia

2009-03-04T13:35:00.000-08:00

The view from our room

We made it to The Gambia in about eleven hours and it should only take about four. With traffic, a few bad turns, rough roads, and a confusing border, it took longer. We finally made it and were pleased to speak in English again. The Gambia is a beautiful country with very friendly people. Okay, let's keep it real, we are staying at the Sheraton, and it's rad! Modern African sheek rooms, an infinity pool, an awesome gym, all nestled in a Baobab grove.

What we did today:

Slept in to about 8 AM
Went to the buffet and had an omelet. Buffet in French means to eat, but in a bad way.
Worked out
Went to the pool
Swam in the ocean
Played scrabble with gab while drinking a gin 'n tonic
Had a sixty minute massage, outside
Swam in the ocean again and played more scrabble
Took a shower then a bath
Read my book
Took a nap
Had dinner, it was Senegalese night, go figure
Watched traditional Gambian Dancers
Danced with the Gambian dancers
Blog entry

Thanks to Dave and Carol who suggested going to the Sheraton. Spoil yourself they said or something like that.

Check out my dancing video

Dakar Wrestling

2009-03-02T08:07:00.000-08:00

Last night I went to a Senegalese wrestling match with Cory, Thia (who is apparently called Cindy by her mom and aunts), and some of Thia's family members (mom and aunt). It was interesting to say the least. Traditionally single Senegalese men would wrestle as a form of courtship, but today I read that all you need is a manager, a loin cloth, skills, and strength. The matches weren't long and the first man to have both knees and hands on the ground lost. The stadium energy was high and consisted mostly of men. Cory and I bought some peanuts and t-shirts, which I wore today and got a lot of attention from, the t-shirt, not the peanuts.

This video is of a wrestler warming up.

Buying some nuts

WAIST

2009-02-20T03:03:00.000-08:00

The West African Invitational Softball Tournament was AWESOME! Gabbie and I had a blast. The teams were made up local embassy workers and ISD teacher & students, West African Peace Corps (PC) members, and a team of Senegalese. I had no idea that it was going to be as much fun a it was. Drinking, dancing, laughing and playing some softball. The event was kicked off on Friday at the Club Atlantique. It's the picture with the pool. Our school is connected to it. The PC folks had great energy and outfits. I guess when you are out in the field and get a few days poolside in the city, things go wild. Then, the games started. We won our first two and lost the last two. We were out by the end of Sunday. The real excitement came at the finals. The Senegalese champions from last year against the Mauritanian PC team(MPC). Rumor has it that the MPC has it the roughest out of all PC volunteers. I really wanted the MPC team to win because we play the Senegalese team all the time and they cheat. Before the game started a PC had a trumpet and played the national anthem, which was super cool. The game was a hoot to watch, the energy from the Americans was high, and the MPC team won. I loved every minute of it!

I was too busy playing, socializing, and drinking beer to take photos. The ones featured are from Tod Spedding. Thanks Tod!

Falling Actions

2009-02-14T12:05:00.000-08:00

I guess I must have hit some weird peek because suddenly being here isn't so bad. The weather is nice, I have accepted that it will never be like home, and we are finding some places that are peaceful. Like a beach that isn't filthy with garbage and almost completely free of vendors. Last week I strung up the hammock in our top balcony area. When I come home from work I lay there for about thirty minutes and listen to the ocean and birds. Gabbie and I joke about the men that pee and wash themselves on the side of the road or the peds that dart in front of our car. We found the Vietnamese restaurant we went to earlier in the year and couldn't find. Last week a parent emailed me to just to say what an excellent job I was doing. So, in all, I am doing better!

This weekend is known as WAIST, a three day softball tournament and longest running sport conference in West Africa. Today was a blast and we didn't lose any games. I will update the blog soon. For now, check out the Vietnamese joint we enjoy.

Sine Saloum Scenic

2009-02-08T13:29:00.000-08:00

Just some randoms pics we took.

The Mangroves

2009-02-08T13:04:00.000-08:00

Our first day in Sine Saloum we took a pirogue guided mangrove/bird watching tour. The students observed bird behavior, ate some oysters, and walked on an island where they found sild dog foot prints and crabs.

A Village School

2009-02-08T12:17:00.000-08:00

About a twenty five minute walk behind the resort were a few villages and local school. We had arranged for our students to meet students their age and interview them in french. It was great to see our kids working with other, less fortunate peers. I had an opportunity to observe a middle school class in session. There about sixty students to room, a chalk board, and teacher sitting at his desk. Our students seemed to have enjoyed the opportunity. Look at the a the attached video. Jad, student of mine, decided he did not want to walk anymore and negotiated a ride with a horse cart.

The Resort

2009-02-08T11:02:00.000-08:00

These pictures are from the resort we stayed at during the field trip. It was nice because it is right on the water, there are hammocks everywhere, they provide breakfast, lunch, and dinner for about 45.00 per person, there are showers, a commons area, and good swimming and fishing. When someone visits us, I am going to take you there.

The Resort

2009-02-08T10:04:00.000-08:00

R&R at Work?

2009-02-06T13:55:00.000-08:00

For the last few days I have been on a field trip with my seventh graders in Sine Saloum. I had such a wonderful time. It was awesome spending time with our kids out in nature. We toured the mangroves, they ate oysters, observed birds, I taught some kids how to fish during free time, the list goes on and on. What was really cool was that I got to spend time with students that are a little distant in the classroom. One in particular said that I made her laugh so much that her stomach hurt. It reminded me that I love working with tweens. They are so funny and down to earth. I want to do a trip like this every year that I am at ISD, but next time focus more on team building. I am thinking next December would be perfect. Our kids need time out of the city, being kids, and getting to know their teachers.

I have a bunch of photos to share. The first segment is of us getting there which took a four hour car ride and forty minutes in a pirogue. On the road we hit a chicken and when I got to the scene, it was still alive. A man pulled the chicken from the grill and it flapped it's wing. I couldn't stand it so I picked it up and twirled it by the neck until it unlocked. The children were shrieking.

Sine Saloum

2009-02-01T23:22:00.000-08:00

This week Gabbie and I are heading back to Sine Saloum for a three day field trip with the seventh grade. I am packing the rods and bug spray. It will be nice to get out of Dakar for a few days and spend some time with our students outside of the classroom. What's on the agenda: mangrove tour, fishing, folk tales, shell beach, and four hour car ride.

I will update the blog when I get back. The pictures are from our previous trip.

Oregon Melancholy

2009-01-24T04:17:00.000-08:00

I have been looking at my photos from home and feeling melancholy. I know that since I moved here I complain about missing home. The truth is, I really do miss it. Everyday. Right now there is a sand storm here and it's hard to breathe. The landscape is yellow and dry. Work is also taking a toll. Sometimes I feel that I have taken on way too much. I do more because it's hard for me to see that something that can be improved and not do something about it. I miss Whitford (the school I worked at last year); it was organized, there were clear guidelines, and I felt support from my peers and administration. It was so much easier! I feel like this place is not a good fit for me and it makes me sad. I know Gabbie is not happy as well. At the end of it all I am optimistic that we will take away something great from all of this. Just right now it kinda feels like Hades.

The pictures are of the things I miss most: doing yard work around my house, river rafting and fishing with my friends, going camping in our van, the cabin, and going to the river with my wife.

Call to Prayer

2009-01-11T01:02:00.000-08:00

Five times a day a man goes on the local mosque loudspeaker and reminds people to pray. It was cool at first, but now it's annoying. Last weekend some Saudis were in town, it got really loud, and wouldn't stop. Watch the video and see how invasive it got.

The video without Gabbie in it is shot from our guest bedroom. We have a room for you with a small ocean view. Come and visit.

Spain Random

2009-01-08T02:49:00.000-08:00

Here are some more pictures of mostly Barcelona. Check out the video Gabbie got on her walk about.

Spain: Ramblas Market

2009-01-06T09:34:00.000-08:00

Right off the Ramblas in Barcelona is a wonderful market where you can find all the good food one can only dream about (especially when they are in Senegal). As you can see, I was attracted to the ham section. Yes, we bought a ham leg. Yes, it wasn't cooked and yes, I liked it. Cutting it as thin as they do is a skill I found difficult to acquire. The olives were so good we named our new cat Olive. They were also reasonibly priced. Check out that those tuna chunks and that tuna's head, it was huge! I had a great time checking browsing and helping Stacey and Gabbie figure out what we wanted for Christmas dinner. We settled on a salad, ham, soft tacos (for me), and artichoke hearts.

Spain: Night Life

2009-01-04T02:19:00.000-08:00

The night life in Barcelona was strong! It seemed as if everyone went out and walked around. The lights made it feel festive and the energy was positive. You could find anything at night, almost everything was open. We didn't hit up the club scene or stay up super late piss drunk, but we did go out. We had chocolate and churros with whipped cream, we went to midnight mass on Christmas eve, we ate tapas one night (which is more of a Basque thing but went to an authentic place), and hit up this little pub. I had a great time and enjoyed the vibrant night life. The siesta thing really pays off and I am ready to incorporate this into our culture.

Spain: Around Town

2009-01-03T05:10:00.000-08:00

Gabbie, Stacey, and I spent our winter break in Spain. We stayed in both Barcelona and Madrid. I love Spain! Barcelona is the bees knees. My favorite area was Gracia. It's been a long time since we could enjoy shopping, a variety of food, movies in English, cathedrals, and fine architecture. We tried to do it all, couldn't, and are now planning on going back. These pictures are us around town in Madrid and Barcelona. The water fountain I am drinking from is on the Ramblas and legend has it that if you drink from it, you will come back to Barcelona. I guzzled it! Watch the video of the Spanish guitar, it really sets the mood to our trip.

Fabric World AKA H.L.M.

2008-12-20T12:14:00.000-08:00

In Dakar there is a market where fabric and textile related goods are sold. I haven't been brave enough to go, language barriers and haggling gives me the fear. Rebecca, our house guest and spider biologist from Portland, speaks both Wolof and French. She has lived in Senegal before and travels here for work. Recently she was in Guinea finding a certain poisonous spider related to the Brown Recluse.

Rebecca guided us to the town of fabric. First, we took a car rapid (another new experience for me) which is the local way to commute. When we arrived we speed walked through venders, looking for a specific wax fabric. They aren't waxy and but wax is used in the process.

I love these designs. I could buy them all. Rebecca negotiated us a very good price. $5.00 (2500 CFA) for 6 meters (almost 6 yards). We bought two different patterns. Jackie, a colleague, sews skirts, pillow cases, etc. I don't know what we'll do with ours yet. I am thinking duvet cover or table cloth.

It was a taxing day; negotiating, speed walking, fumes, and buses can take it out of you. It was a good experience though.

Thanks Rebecca!

2008-12-20T11:03:00.000-08:00

Check out Rebecca negotiate a price for our fabric. Actually he is describing the quality of certain fabrics and that's why they cost more. Oddly enough the items he was charging more for were duplicated in a cheaper section. I went for the cheaper ones and so did she.

The Winter Holiday Party

2008-12-18T00:28:00.000-08:00

ISD employee winter party was held at Wayne's house last Friday. Catered Indian food, free drinks (the good ones!), dancing, and a white elephant exchange. It was the best work holiday party I have ever been to. People danced, said inappropriate things, drank, and seemed to have had a nice time.

A Trachea From The Sky

2008-12-14T01:55:00.000-08:00

Tuesday was a religious holiday here in Senegal and it is called Tabaski (yeah kinda like the sauce). People here buy a ram, sacrifice it in front of their home, and then have a family feast. It's a tribute to Abraham, the guy that was going to kill his son, then God took a valum and said, never mind, kill a ram instead. It's cool that Islam recognizes Bible figures like Abraham and Jesus. Anyways, so our friend Stacy was on her way to our house, saw a bird above her, the bird was spooked, and dropped this beautiful ram trachea in front of her. Imagine if it hit her on the head, gross!

Things We Have Picked Up

2008-12-13T06:46:00.000-08:00

We have picked these things up since we moved here. The tapestry was in the bungalow when we got here, the stuffed animals were purchased at a bazaar a few weeks ago, I bought the mask from a walking vendor at the beach, the little guy with the blue shirt I got at pink lake, and the other statue I got from last nights white elephant (sorry Tod). I love the statue of the guy with the blue shirt. You can buy statues like that of doctors, business men, military, etc. and they come as big as six feet tall. I really want a tall one, but don't know how I would get it home. I would also like to be cliche and start a mask collection. I have this idea of collecting statues, rugs, tapestries, masks, and what not and when I return home I can make our office into some kind of archeological/Indiana Jones themed study. Dark walls, amber lighting, tall books shelves, and decorated with the bits and pieces from Africa. Gabbie could call me "shorty" and I would call her "Indy" or "Dockta Jones".

Dakar Train Station

2008-12-09T10:59:00.000-08:00

The Dakar-Niger Railway connects Dakar to Mali. I don't think it has seen a lot of changes since its completion in the early 1900s. Built and owned by the French, when Senegal gained its independence in 1960 they got the the station and haven't done a lot to it since. I have been warned not to ride as it often derails. A friend of mine is going to Mali for Christmas and is taking the train, staying in the nicest section for 60 bucks! Not bad. It would be cool if the government restored it to its original beauty.

Fishing Trip #3 Charter Videos

2008-11-29T12:14:00.000-08:00

Fishing Trip #3 Charter

2008-11-29T10:46:00.000-08:00

Gabbie and I joined Wayne, his kids, and his dad on a fishing trip today. We brought in two small tunas and one big dolphin fish. Finally, some action!

Maison des Esclaves

2008-11-28T12:24:00.000-08:00

Built in 1786, this housed both slaves and slave owners. The top section for the owners and the bottom dungeon for slaves. There was a section for adult males, adult females, teens, and children. When I walked in to where the children were kept (pictured) I got the chills.

Goree Island

2008-11-28T12:02:00.000-08:00

Today Gabbie, Stacey and I took the SS Beer (no joke) to Goree Island today. It was about a thirty minute ferry boat ride from Dakar. The colonial architecture was cool to see and the island had somewhat of a peaceful vibe. The island was a trading post where slaves along with other things were shipped across the Atlantic.

Diving in Senegal

2008-11-27T05:26:00.000-08:00

This is more of Gabbie's thing, diving in Senegal. I have participated once, before Halloween, we carved pumpkins underwater. Gabs went on a ship wreck dive and that's where the pic.s of the eel and Butterfly fish come from.

Here Fishy Fishy

2008-11-23T06:36:00.000-08:00

Attempt #2 with the fly rod and no success. A guy near me was pulling 'em in. He had a spinner ans was using shrimp. I had a shrimp pattern on? Maybe it was the wind, maybe it was where I was standing? Next week I am taking a charter and hopefully will catch some fish. For now, It's the market. I haven't given up and next time I am going out early.

Fishing

2008-11-21T08:13:00.000-08:00

My fly fishing gear has arrived and I went out last weekend with my boss Wayne. We didn't catch anything, but it was nice being out near the water anyway. I guess December is a good Month for sea bass. I have recently discovered a good spot right behind my house. Check out this video sent by Wayne:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bV6XUPGzls&feature=related

The drive is the the house next door to mine and the fishing spot is where I walk Buddy. The fish will one day be mine!

Give a Hoot

2008-11-09T23:06:00.000-08:00

Senegal is very beautiful in some places, but no matter where you go, there is always garbage. I don't get how people can just put their trash on the ground like that. There is no system for garbage, there are no cans or recycling centers. To get rid of it, people burn it. It's really sad for me to see. I guess it's real in the way that I see now how much garbage people really go through. In the states there is a system and we don't see it. We can ignore it. Here it's in your face, it's everywhere. The pictures are of a hike we went on and a potential fishing spot as well. It's beautiful, but trashed. This is Senegal! So much potential but no structure and little education. Plastic is a huge problem. When I go swimming in the ocean, bags get caught on my arms and legs. Where ever I walk, there is trash. The weird thing is, I am getting used to it. I don't register it anymore, it's just part of the scenery. SAD!

It's Just One of Those Days

2008-11-08T07:12:00.000-08:00

It's just one of those days when you feel like laying around the pool, drinking a beer, taking a nap, and relaxing a little bit. I know it's not exciting but it's whats going on right now and I thought I'd share.

Thai Food

2008-11-05T22:52:00.000-08:00

Once a month, the social committee at ISD shows us newbees a good local restaurant. So far I have been to a Vietnamese and Thai place. The food is good! You have to wait a long time at most places, which gets annoying if it's a school night. I mean, imagine all the things you have to think of to say when you are at a table for two to three hours.