That crumble...
This week was an interesting one.
We had a public holiday on Monday...I realize that in this nation, there are many public holidays. I thought my country had many holidays before we got a new constitution, but here!!!Its mind boggling! And on top of that,earlier in the year there were also 'weather-imposed' public holidays because of the snow storms!
Anyway, this week, our Tuesday had a Monday program. That meant that the classes we were supposed to be having on Tuesday were cancelled and we had Monday classes instead. This was not bad at all, especially because I like the Monday classes a lot, and this week, the weather has been just wonderful!
I got to see the pavement that I did not know existed, (well, we all know that a pavement exists but, just understand that I did not see it since I came here because of all the snow). The park that is just opposite from where I sleep has something that looks almost like mud-which is a good thing because before this week it was covered in white ice! I was thoroughly enjoying the weather and school until today!
Today from what I hear people say was a 'hard day!' Yes, the weather was excellent! I did not even have to wear my gloves. It was great!!!but I did not feel that great! I was not excited to be in this place. I did not want to go to class. I wanted to stay in my room and sleep, and not go to class because for the first time since I came here, I did not understand the reason as to why I was here! I kept wondering 'Why am I in this place?!What am I doing!?'
Anyway, I went to my first class, did what I was supposed to and left. I thought that I was going to get excited about it but no excitement came to me! I did not want to go to the next class, which was 10 minutes after my first class but I still went either way. My mood got worse! As I walked on the corridors, I kept asking myself 'Why I am in this place! What am I doing here!!!Why cant I be in my country doing something else? Why am I going to all these classes! Why am I here?!!!'
I got to the class and just sat down with the most disillusioned face I have ever had. I did not even give my Hi-5 buddy a Hi-5. (yeah, I have a friend that I give Hi-5's) And he noticed that I was not doing well. Anyway, I went by the class without paying much attention to what the teacher was saying. I did not want to be there. 'I do not want to be here!' I thought. I wanted to be in my country walking in the streets and feeling great to be in my country. But where was I? IN ANOTHER COUNTRY!(pardon my shouting)
I went through the day, thinking about all the assignments that I had to do, my country, the classes I had remaining and more of my country. I just wanted to get out of here, but, I am two oceans away from my home, so I am pretty much stuck here. Unless I get a jet...(that is a good thought but expounding on it would make me digress from the point I am trying to make) That was also something I thought about. 'Why am I so far from my country!?Does what am doing now even make sense?!'
Anyway, I got to take a 45 minute nap at about 4 before my next class and when I woke up I was fine. When I went for my next class, I actually enjoyed myself. (yeah, at the end of the day) but I realized something. Here comes the lesson!!!!!(drum roll)
At times, we will be in a place and we will be so excited to be there and that is a great thing. That in my thoughts is the great time (many people call it the honey moon stage-but i refuse to call it that...just because I can) and this period can last for however long you want it to. But, one time, this stage will fade away, and you will not really like the place you were once excited about. You will see the 'wrong things' that are in the new place you are and start to get irritated by what did not formerly disturb you. I remember learning about these-getting-into-a-new-culture-stages in my communications class when I was in school back in my country.
Many times, people back out of it and they refuse to continue, but we should always press on. when life is crumbling, the thing to do is make an apple crumble. (ha ha, I cannot believe I just said that. )
Yes, I am enjoying school but I have come to see that not all days will be sunny. But if in the gloomy days I remember the days that were sunny, I will be good, and that will give me motisha*. There is always something in store for us when we push on. Am glad that I have realized this as I come to the end of the day. I hope that you will realize much more as your days go by. Ama Kweli....
Mwalimu.
* Motisha-its a kiswahili word for motivation.
We had a public holiday on Monday...I realize that in this nation, there are many public holidays. I thought my country had many holidays before we got a new constitution, but here!!!Its mind boggling! And on top of that,earlier in the year there were also 'weather-imposed' public holidays because of the snow storms!
Anyway, this week, our Tuesday had a Monday program. That meant that the classes we were supposed to be having on Tuesday were cancelled and we had Monday classes instead. This was not bad at all, especially because I like the Monday classes a lot, and this week, the weather has been just wonderful!
I got to see the pavement that I did not know existed, (well, we all know that a pavement exists but, just understand that I did not see it since I came here because of all the snow). The park that is just opposite from where I sleep has something that looks almost like mud-which is a good thing because before this week it was covered in white ice! I was thoroughly enjoying the weather and school until today!
Today from what I hear people say was a 'hard day!' Yes, the weather was excellent! I did not even have to wear my gloves. It was great!!!but I did not feel that great! I was not excited to be in this place. I did not want to go to class. I wanted to stay in my room and sleep, and not go to class because for the first time since I came here, I did not understand the reason as to why I was here! I kept wondering 'Why am I in this place?!What am I doing!?'
Anyway, I went to my first class, did what I was supposed to and left. I thought that I was going to get excited about it but no excitement came to me! I did not want to go to the next class, which was 10 minutes after my first class but I still went either way. My mood got worse! As I walked on the corridors, I kept asking myself 'Why I am in this place! What am I doing here!!!Why cant I be in my country doing something else? Why am I going to all these classes! Why am I here?!!!'
I got to the class and just sat down with the most disillusioned face I have ever had. I did not even give my Hi-5 buddy a Hi-5. (yeah, I have a friend that I give Hi-5's) And he noticed that I was not doing well. Anyway, I went by the class without paying much attention to what the teacher was saying. I did not want to be there. 'I do not want to be here!' I thought. I wanted to be in my country walking in the streets and feeling great to be in my country. But where was I? IN ANOTHER COUNTRY!(pardon my shouting)
I went through the day, thinking about all the assignments that I had to do, my country, the classes I had remaining and more of my country. I just wanted to get out of here, but, I am two oceans away from my home, so I am pretty much stuck here. Unless I get a jet...(that is a good thought but expounding on it would make me digress from the point I am trying to make) That was also something I thought about. 'Why am I so far from my country!?Does what am doing now even make sense?!'
Anyway, I got to take a 45 minute nap at about 4 before my next class and when I woke up I was fine. When I went for my next class, I actually enjoyed myself. (yeah, at the end of the day) but I realized something. Here comes the lesson!!!!!(drum roll)
At times, we will be in a place and we will be so excited to be there and that is a great thing. That in my thoughts is the great time (many people call it the honey moon stage-but i refuse to call it that...just because I can) and this period can last for however long you want it to. But, one time, this stage will fade away, and you will not really like the place you were once excited about. You will see the 'wrong things' that are in the new place you are and start to get irritated by what did not formerly disturb you. I remember learning about these-getting-into-a-new-culture-stages in my communications class when I was in school back in my country.
Many times, people back out of it and they refuse to continue, but we should always press on. when life is crumbling, the thing to do is make an apple crumble. (ha ha, I cannot believe I just said that. )
Yes, I am enjoying school but I have come to see that not all days will be sunny. But if in the gloomy days I remember the days that were sunny, I will be good, and that will give me motisha*. There is always something in store for us when we push on. Am glad that I have realized this as I come to the end of the day. I hope that you will realize much more as your days go by. Ama Kweli....
Mwalimu.
* Motisha-its a kiswahili word for motivation.
Well the reality of being in another culture definitely has its good days and bad days. It is through these experiences that we can learn so much not only of another culture but our own and we can learn A LOT about ourselves. I will keep you in my prayers. And by the way if you add up the actual holidays in America you will find they are less than most other nations and same with our vacation time. But that is another topic. Love you.
ReplyDeleteWhat a reflection! I believe you now remember all that you learnt in INS - at least Daystar prepared you for what you're experiencing at the moment.
ReplyDeleteI am glad you're applying your COM 467 skills as well. Keep exercising all that you learnt back at home. I love your blog. Quite proud of you!