An Emotional Day

Yes, today I felt it. Happy, sad,etc.

The day started out great-
As Sam & I waited in the study room before class, I hear, "Teecha! Teecha!". It's Jovina, the quiet boy who doesn't speak much English. He passes me a paper. It's a letter from him!!! He had written on the envelope, "may friend Jessica" & the school's address. OH MY WORD. I just stopped what I was doing & stared out the window trying to fight back the tears. I'm planning on going to town tomorrow to get envelopes & stamps so I can get them ready for the kids who want to write to me. I didn't even know he wanted to & he did it all by himself! I'm not going to open it until I get home. Ü

Class was great- we did the articles a, an & the. They were on the ball! I made fill-in-the-blank sentences on the board & they were shouting out the articles. Granted, some were wrong but they really started catching on plus identifying the nouns. We got so loud w/ rejoicing over correct answers! Too funny.
I can't believe I only have 2 days left. :(

We got out a little early today to go to Arusha (hour+ away) to go to the International Criminal Tribunal for Rhawanda. Let me start off by saying I have the book on tape "Left to Tell" which is a true auto-biography by Immaculae Ilibiganza, who survived through the whole thing. PLEASE go get this book!!!! It's phenominal!!!! So, I know all about what happened there.
Well, listening in on the trial today- UGH! I'd rather go to the dentist! It was so incredibly boring & they got NOWHERE in an hour & a half. I thought it was rather pointless for us to go there. But I guess it's a big deal that they brought it here in Tanzania.

Anyway, a few of us girls wanted to scope out the Tanzanite market. Our staff member, Sara & driver, Richard took 5 of us to The Arusha Hotel where they had the best quality for the best price. 3 of us got pieces. When I got mine, I said that part of it was courtesy of my Gram who passed away last year. Heather said, "Awww, we should have a moment of silence!" It was so sweet- she was serious! Sara said we should all stand up. Oh my word! I just said Gram's name, may she rest in peace & that she did so much for others, I hope to follow in her footsteps. Then I start tearing up, good grief.

So on the way home, I was listening to my Ipod to some sappy love songs thinking about FINALLY reconnecting w/ Joe ( we go back 10 years you know!), Gram & my student giving me the letter this morning & leaving so soon. WAH! WAH! WAH! All emotions rolled up together. Sigh....

So, for the most part, I'm feeling so sad knowing that I'm leaving & only have 2 days w/ my kids, then I'll never see them again. My roomie asked if I was ready to go home. Of course there's people I want to see & my girls, but -NO! I'm not ready yet! I feel so comfortable here now. It took 2 weeks to get in the groove & now I'm leaving. :(

Well, let's make the most of it!
love,
Jes