Some pictures

Sunset spearfishing shot on our way back to Ejit.
The boys after we went swimming a few weeks ago.

Paradise

I try not to paint too wonderful a picture of my time here, but this time I'm just going to go on about how much I love it here. Kiersten and I have gone out spearfishing out in the lagoon. There is a marker pole about 100 yards from the dock in Ejit where there is a large reef. We swim out there for the exercise and then spearfish there. The coral formations there are as big as houses and the fish are plentiful. The last two times I've gone out I stopped and no joke for the first time stated in my mind "This is paridise". The kids come out to see us on home made rafts (styrofoam blocks and refrigerator doors) when we go. It's endearing, annoying and alarming all at once. They're interested in seeing us, but they scare the fish away. Finally they always ask us "Did you see any sharks?" Kiersten is a bit worried that they know more than we do, but I'm optimistic. We haven't seen any yet.

As far as school is going, I'm doing relatively well the second time around. We're finally settling into routines and although there have been bumps along the way (I need to reinstate progress reports for 7th grade) I'm doing much better than last year. Kiersten is undergoing the craziness everyone goes through during their first year of teaching, but the new policy helps her a lot. Anna forces all of the new volunteers to send in lesson plans a week ahead for her to review. This lets Kiersten focus on grading and prep rather than planning for most of the week.

To close, here are some high and low points since the last update:

1. Seeing a fish about as big as my torso when we went swimming back from the pole yesterday. It was the biggest wild marine animal I have ever seen close up.
2. Half of my classes still don't have air conditioning. We go through at least 2 gallons of boiled water a day to keep hydrated.
3. Cooking. I really like it, and Kiersten does the dishes.
4. We have "high speed" internet installed at the school now (14 kbs). I can now do frivilous things on the internet without wasting anyone's money. The line is leased so the MOE pays the same amount each month no matter how many hours we log on to it.
5. I've gotten so annoyed at losing instruction time after breaks that I've instituted a 30 second rule. Any student 4th grade and higher who takes more than 30 seconds getting in line after recess is over gets detention with me. We practice lining up outside after school rain or shine. My instruction time has since increased by an average of 10 minutes a day.