April Vacation

Also, I had a really AMAZING trip with my family in April. And Spring camp. And hanging out with Liz Chon. More on this later. :D :D :D For now, goodnight!

@Mom, see? I'm fixing it. 

Feeeeeeeeeeeelings.

Hey all,

So I saw that it's been quite a while since my last post. Sometimes I think that if you don't have anything really worth saying, then it's probably better not to write it down at all. This statement, at least to me, sort of sums up the last few months.

I am now entering into the last 5 months of service. Thinking about this makes my head sort of reel. Didn't I just get here? I've now started having thoughts about future plans. It's so crazy. I felt for the longest time, all I needed to think about was the next project, the next event, or the next class that I needed to prepare for.  I'm also thinking about the near future in Morocco and how I've still not seen a lot of places here. I think it's time for me to start using those vacation days. I mean, there's the blue city of Chefchaouen that I've never been to, and I'm dying to go. I'd also like to go up north, and check out Tanger, Tetouan, and maybe even try and go to the Spanish holdings up on the Mediterranean coast. I'm really looking forward to this summer. I'm going to try my hardest to get out of T-town and leave the heat behind me. As I was walking by the bank today, the thermometer said it was 41 degrees Celsius already (which is about 105.8 degrees Fahrenheit). Yikes, it's time for me to take a hike out of the south. 

Speaking of T-town as a hot place, I think it's making everybody tired and slightly cranky. As much as I get lots of positive reinforcement from community members about me being active and teaching, etc. I get the occasional negative comment such as: oh yeah, well, of course, you're a spy or why aren't you wearing a jelaba (Moroccan formal wear-think Jedi robe with hood). I think perhaps, the purpose of this blog today, is for me to vent but also to show that this whole total experience can be mystifying. Sometimes, I'll be having a conversation and I'll feel pretty happy and that things are going swimmingly, and then out of nowhere, someone will point out that I have this huge pimple on my face, and then frankly ask me what is wrong with my face. 

Sometimes Morocco tests my patience.

Sometimes Morocco can be exhilarating. 

I was thinking the other day that if I didn't have commitments at home (aka, a boyfriend, family, etc), I think I might be tempted to stay here for another year. I mean, the life here is pretty great. I can sleep a ton, have my own house, spends copious amounts of time on exercise, making interesting meals, reading books, etc. I also have these amazing days like yesterday, when the association I work with had a good old picnic day at the local lake. We played games, spent lots of time in the sun, went for a walk, played in the water. I think this day will probably one of my favorite memories. I especially like thinking about walking to the water with a bunch of  little girls who wanted to hold my hands. I mean, it's really crazy to think that I can walk through the town, and I hear a ton of little kids all yelling my name so that they can wave at me or come kiss my cheek. That makes me feel pretty special. 

Nevertheless, I seem to always be having some reflection going on in the back of my head. I love hanging out with these kids, and I occasionally enjoy teaching English, but I do miss my own culture. I don't think about home as much as I used to. I would say that I'm used to things as they are here. I don't think about grocery stores like I used to but I did manage to have my first dream about ice-cream sundaes the other day. I'm surprised I haven't had the dream before, honestly. Well anywho, thanks for listening to all my crazy thoughts. Until next time, keep it real kiddos.