Rain!

It rained today! First time in months, just a slight shower. Sounded so nice on the roof, dampened the dusty roads and left the air feeling a bit cooler. Not something to get used to just yet but a very nice treat! Today is Max and my 2 year anniversary. We celebrated by sleeping in and doing some errands. We enjoyed a very nice dinner at 4 Sisters, our favorite restaurant on the edge of town. Then we fell asleep watching the Departed on my laptop.

Israel was a really great time. The mid year seminar totally exceeded my expectations, I am happy to admit. People were open and shared their experiences, hardships and successes. It was nice to learn that I wasn’t the only one who struggled in my placement at first, and very nice to learn that most people have turned their experience into a success. We presented our English club as something we wanted to improve and heard some great ideas on ways we could do so. It was nice to catch up with everyone. During our orientation we felt as though we were a little bit older than the group and not on the same page as everyone else. After 6 months in our placements it totally leveled the playing field and there was no obvious age discrepancy. We offered some suggestions for ways to improve the placement in Gondar next year which we hope will be considered.

Tel Aviv was a blast with Dylan. Her new puppy, Izzy, is adorable. She lives across the street from a delicious coffee shop and a few more steps to an awesome nail salon. Genna and Dylan took me immediately to get my eyebrows done and shape up a bit. It was truly a wonderful break and so nice to stay with the girls in their apartment. Thanks to them for taking us to delicious meals, walking around markets, wining and dining us in fancy neighborhoods and entertaining us on their comfy couch.

Returned to Gondar with a heightened sense of “this isn’t forever” and plan on enjoying the time we do have left here. It’s nice that there is a light at the end of the tunnel in terms of our work in Gondar. We are super excited that the ENTIRE Sandler family is joining us in only one week from now! We have planned a jam packed schedule for them while in Gondar and then we are all traveling to Kenya – Masia Mara and Lamu. Very excited!!!! As much as I tell everyone about all the travel I’m looking forward to, I have to share that I am looking forward to returning to school and our work with Manlio as well. We hope to be present for our students and leave a good impression on our fellow teachers. I have said this to Max, but if we left tomorrow I would feel very satisfied with the work we have accomplished here. I see a difference in our students and Habesha friends and I know with a few more months left we’ll continue to touch the lives of the Ethiopian community we teach, learn and live in.