Just Another Day

So I haven't had many typical days lately.  In late March, my parents came for a week to see where I am and go someplace new with me.  In the beginning of April, a friend who I met while studying abroad in Uganda (Helen from the UK) came to visit for three lovely days.  Then Annalise Nordtvedt, who also studied in Uganda and at Seattle Pacific, came for about ten days.  And now there is a holiday for Lao New Year.  I will share these stories soon, I hope.  
But for now, I wanted to explain an average weekday in my world.
7:00-- I wake up.  I used to get up early to run or walk or stretch, at least a couple of days a week.  Now I am too lazy or tired or its too hot or a combination of all of those things or something else.  I think we all know how it is to not want to get up to exercise, right?  I sometimes shower, if I've had a hot and restless night (it's always a hot night, although someone advised me that falling asleep with a wet sheet or tshirt or head can help dramatically, so now I can fall asleep a little easier, but only restlessness makes a shower necessary).
I do getting ready-ish things that seem to make time go too quickly.  I drink tea or coffee (I do like it now, although generally weaker and sweeter than a true coffee drinker might do), eat rice or a baguette with shredded papaya, mystery meats, and various sauces (actually quite nice), and head to school a minute or two late, as a general rule.
8:00-- The school bell rings and class begins... or will within the next ten minutes.  Unless it is Monday in which case we'll do flag raising and exercises (touch your toes sorts of things; the vice principal tried to switch it to a cardiovascular dance routine but it didn't work out... yet).  I either go to class or have free time in the teacher's office/library.  If I go to class, a co-teacher (Toy)  and I try to figure out if either person has anything planned.  If so (sometimes I have a game or worksheet or he has a game or song), we try it out.  Often times, the class becomes chaotic if we don't stick to rote teaching, but I still think that it is worth a try.  I think I said a while ago that I switched to smaller groups to teach.  That caused much confusion and I'm back in the classroom with all 30-50ish students, deciding on a day to day basis whether I'm up for playing a game with all 40 kids or whether
it might be wise to just write the lesson on the board today.
10ish-- Recess time.  The kids yell joyously and run into the school yard, which doesn't have much more than a dirt yard, a volleyball court, and some trees.  Many buy snacks to eat.  Others play games, in spite of the heat, although when it is truly hot, they'll play more in the shade.  The boys seem to have many games involving marbles.  The girls have long bands made of connected rubber bands that they do jumping tricks with that I never have nor ever will be able to do.  Sometimes what seems to be tag also appears, in various forms (on one leg or what have you).  Some eat then play or vice versa.
10:15-- Another class session begins (the sessions are 1 hour and 45 minutes, give or take).  I teach or rest.  If I do have office hours, it means that I'm hanging out with whatever other teachers also have a break.  If the teacher speaks English, we chat in English.  If they don't, we
exchange a few words in Lao or many words, depending on how patient and eager they are to communicate.  With some people, I feel like we could converse about anything, even though
my vocabulary is admittedly small.  With others, I feel the smallness of my language skills.  I'm not sure what makes the difference.  If we don't chat together, teachers flip through old magazines or the library books (mostly in English, which is nice for me but not for most people who use the library unless they just like pictures).  Sometimes I'll write a letter or in my journal.
12:00-- Time for lunch.  I do like the other teachers do and eat with the students, as in all the students put their food out to share together
and we share too.  I've gotten to try an enormous variety of Lao foods this way, some I'd rather not have but didn't know any better.  Most lunches I'll just have sticky rice and various grilled meats, maybe a bite of noodle soup.  Sounds strange, maybe, but it is lovely and communal and I haven't yet gotten sick from it or of it.  It would be perfect if I could not just eat with the students but chat with them while I'm doing it.  Still, I enjoy this time.  Then, I go home (a very short walk away) to rest for an hour or so.
  I've got to go.  I'll give you the afternoon routine later.  Peace, Renee