What's New

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

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

Our Commute to Work

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

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

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

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

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.