Frisbee, friends and the chocolate thieves strike again!

Yesterday ended up being quite busy. Besides the art therapist, only two other girls came for art therapy but it was a good session. We drew self care trees and wrote on things we should do for mental health. Got a few more ideas for the article I am writing for Ndeipi and we talked about organising to do podcasts on depression and maybe making a group blog for people to write on anonymously. The lady running the art therapy is a lovely lady called Sandy Ndoro. She offers therapy at the First Step.

I was online for my Chinese student but somehow we didn't immediately connect. As a result it was a little late for my poor five year old and he had a bit of melt down over his least favourite part of the lesson, reading. It turned into quite a temper rage and eventually his mum pulled him away from the screen and reappeared still trying to hold him, to say the lesson was over. He hasn't had a tantrum like that, at least when I was there, for quite some time. I think he was just tired though. Apparently he was going to have school today to make up for the three days of public holiday for the Qingming Festival (it seems a public holiday has to be made up for in China).

After my lesson I went to go watch a local ultimate frisbee tournament that a friend of mine had organised. It was a lot more energetic than I had imagined - I had sort of pictured it as a leisurely jog throwing a disc, but it involved some dramatic leaps and sprints. Not sure I would be up for it but it was fun to watch and photograph. I wasn't going to stay for the braai after as was supposed to be going to dinner with our friends from Aussie but I actually felt ill and spent the evening at home feeling nauseous, think it was something I ate yesterday morning. Felt better today but avoided rich food and milk.

Went to the Reps quiz this morning and we won thanks to the others knowing all the provinces in Zimbabwe and their capitals. I did know the composer for the ballet Romeo and Juliet, although my sister has just told me on Skype that Tchaikovsky's version is used by the Russians. My sister has also been showing me photos of spring in Swindon - all the beautiful daffodils and tulips. A friend gave me a collection of spices from Zanzibar. Will have to make some curries and have a dinner party.

We were having tea just now with our friends from Australia (it's their last night in Harare, has been wonderful having them here again). I suddenly heard this funny rustling sound coming down the corridor and went to investigate. Well, it was Lexi the dachshund dragging a plastic bag behind her. Little monkey, she had opened our friends' packed suitcase, pulled out the chocolate we had given them and was trying to make a run for it with it down the passage way. I had warned our friends the dachshunds have a nose for chocolate and will eat it. Luckily Lexi hadn't opened it up and it was fine. Did give us all a good chuckle.

Qing Ming or Tomb Sweeping Fest

Today has been busy. I walked to the local Jewish school, Sharon, as I thought a friend was giving a NILD therapy session there. In our plan on whatsapp we had failed to say where and I had just assumed she would be at Sharon but she was actually taking it in the home of her student which is where I used to house sit for Polish friends on the Ridge. So I walked home instead and saw my doggies who were delighted to see me and there was a flurry of tail wagging and licks. Sadly heard that a friend in Cape Town died this morning.

Went back to where I am house sitting and we FaceTimed with our Aussie friend's son in Perth and saw their grand doggie. I then did my Zoom lesson and showed my student some photos from Imire and the video of the elephant that thinks its a buffalo, Nzou. He was intrigued by this, as well he may be. He told me that today was a special day in China and his mum explained it is when families go and clean relatives' graves and enjoy the cherry blossom and prepare for spring. Since I had shown him photos from Imire, I told him he should send me a photo of cherry trees near where he lives. Just got an email with a photo and will ask him to tell me more about it tomorrow. He said he had also got a bag full of sand so I told him about Japanese zen gardens - well we googled (I can share my screen with him) and we saw some amazing mini ones and he is completely captivated with this idea and has grand plans on what he is going to do with his. I await to see what he has done tomorrow.

From zen gardens and Chinese festivals I went to do a revision lesson on the eye for IGCSE biology. I never quite know what my form four is going to want to go over when I have a lesson with him (it can be any of his nine O Level subjects). It is rather potluck and I have to just go with the flow. Then went to my Chinese ten year old for French and we worked hard at an A2 DELF past paper. He was not in a very cooperative mood, so I was very surprised when he asked me if I was coming tomorrow. I had forgotten I had suggested cookery and that he was keen for a Saturday lesson. Spoke to his mum, who was also under the impression I was coming tomorrow, and we agreed to focus on his DELF for the next week and then maybe do a cookery session in French as a reward after his exam in one of his regular lesson times. He really wants to learn how to cook chilli con carne of all things (not that French).

Stopped in Pick'N'Pay on the way home to get coffee for people coming to do art therapy here tomorrow morning for the depression support group. I was preoccupied and this seemingly young guy sidled up to me and I thought seemed to be trying to chat me up. I didn't recognise him and was taken aback when he suddenly said did I teach at the school I will be starting at next term. Just in time I realised he was one of the parents - ooops!! I am going to have to get used to this. I know the parents of my individual students that I tutor but am going to need to remember who the parents are of all of my 15 new students.

A loggalo and stripes

We had a super day out at Imire today. I had suggested we leave home at 7 am to get there for the arrival time of 9.30 but my mum as per norm was half an hour behind and we only got there at 10. Luckily there were other late comers too to join the safari vehicle. The alternative backend route through Wedza District was convoluted but I think it was a better road (well most of it) and the landmarks of bottle store names were spot on. Along the way we saw fields of cosmos amid the msasa woodlands and saw lots of mombes.

We had a much welcomed mug of filter Vumba coffee and then climbed aboard the trusty Imire safari truck. What a lot of things we saw and it was a stunning day weatherwise - we were lucky. Seeing nyala up close was a big highlight and then obviously seeing the two young rhino - one white and one black. Having worked at Imire for a year in 2014 it was nice to be back and I got to chat to the lodge owner at lunch. A lady from England came and joined us sitting on the rocks overlooking the dam and chatted as we viewed mother and daughter black rhino. Turned out the lady was from the same part of Norfolk as my mum and her friend Ros who is visiting. Even more specifically the lady knew Lord and Lady Roberts whom my gran used to work for in Cockley Cley. Small world and funny she hailed from the same spot in England. She also happened to have been an Olympic horse rider. Interesting.

The elephant that thinks it's a buffalo, not the loggalo (that was a log we thought was a buffalo) but an eleffalo.

Besides the big animals, the other things I enjoyed was the light on the different grasses, the clouds of all sorts of butterflies and we happened to see some amazing caterpillars (sorry Nina, I know you hate caterpillars) on the msasa trees. At the time I didn't get a photo but on our drive back out the game park on the way home we found them again and I got a photo. Never seen such big, fluorescent critters (they were more than finger length). Need to find out what butterfly they are for.

Have taken on teaching two form one girls French once a week during the holidays (just for the holidays). I don't get paid these holidays so I do actually need the extra income but as soon as our friends from Aussie go I must really knuckle down and plan for next term. I do at least have a better idea what I have to do though so it is a matter of putting it altogether (which I hope won't take me too long, but thank heavens the holidays are 6 weeks long). Tomorrow morning I am going to observe a friend doing NILD therapy. Still weighing up what I might do to qualify further and be better equipped for teaching learning difficulties.

I am still very stiff from Tuesday's pistol squats - climbing in and out of the game viewing vehicle was interesting and sitting down is painful. Man those were a killer!

Of turkeys and modern impressionists

Piece by Erin Hanson

Had my cathartic fix again this morning going to art at Sarah Fynn's. We had such fun! One of the art teachers from Chisi was there and she showed us a really cool technique where you use acrylic inks and cling wrap. You can play with leaves and possibly alcohol and soap bubbles but didn't do that today. Sarah also had copper dust you could dust on and it spread to a beautiful sheen. Was introduced to a book of paintings by a new American artist called Erin Hanson who is like a modern day Van Gough. She uses deep reds as a foundation to her oil paintings and her trees and clouds have such life. I worked on creating backdrops with cling film to work into and then Sarah presented us with random pictures to draw in.  I was given turkeys! Never drawn turkeys before.

Spot the turkeys - still in progress 

Another backdrop.  Might do insects, possibly a preying mantis.

Rushed home to teach online and discovered was also teaching my other Chinese student today too. My ten year old is keen for me to teach him cookery on Saturdays which surprised me as I didn't think he was always thrilled to see me,  but he said in all earnestness that he enjoys his lessons which was rather heartwarming and rewarding I must say. I don't know that after the holidays I am going to have time for Saturday cooking lessons sadly though. 

A friend has asked me to write an article for a local publication about my own experience of having depression and what it has been like having it in Zimbabwe and what has helped. I will have to give this some thought. There are now over a hundred people in my online support group and another person is keen to make podcasts for people suffering with things that help. Organising an art therapy session on Saturday. 

Went out to dinner to the Spice Lounge with our friends from Australia this evening. The food was delicious but ever so slightly hot - guess the restaurant lives up to its name. We had an interesting breath freshener called meetha afterwards. Tomorrow we're up early to head to Imire. Using a different route through Wedza as the normal road is not good apparently. The directions involve a lot of stores as landmarks. Here's hoping we find it. I am so stiff today from gym yesterday - it's the pistol squats. 

Good friends from a land down under

I started looking at term plans and curriculum this morning - I think I can do this, but it will require some time, thought and research. I also will need to go back into school to go back through the folders for the content subject (a bit of science, history and general knowledge). Could go in on Thursday but will be out at Imire.

Tutored my form four - we looked at themes in Macbeth such as kingship, the supernatural and blood. Then had a Chinese Zoom session. Was trying to get my five year old to read the word "all". He kept saying a-eleven! Fair enough, hadn't ever thought of it that way.

From there I went for personal training. We did things to strengthen my ankle which was good, although doing pistol squats to sitting and getting back up was jolly hard,  I won't lie.

Headed from there to the airport to pick up friends arriving from Aussie. They were originally from here but haven't been back in twenty years. They got very excited about familiar landmarks and having a cup of Tanganda tea. It is very special to see them again and have them here. Received news this afternoon too that one of my best varsity friends in Australia has just had a baby boy. Definitely want to try visit Oz at some point.

It will be done tomorrow

Tomorrow I will have to really start working. Took a bit of a break yesterday and today which I felt was justified. Did a bit on the last wetland report but otherwise have been quite social. Went to a braai at a friend's and we had such delicious food. My friend's German brother-in-law had whipped up what are called flammkuchen (flame cake) which was basically flat bread topped with cream cheese, bits of bacon, caramelised onion and parsley - so good. We sat out in the garden in the sunshine and chatted about all sorts of interesting things. They had a gorgeous Alsatian cross Australian sheepdog puppy - have forgotten how delightful puppies are and it was soul warming to play with him.

Winsome puppy at lunch today. I want a puppy!

Flammkuchen from the Alsace Region, also known as tarte flambée, in Alsatian it’s flammekueche. Pre-rolled butter puff pastry makes it lighter than the thin crust pizza it is supposed to be made with. Basically, it’s a VERY thin crust pizza topped with lardons (bacon strips), white onions and a cream-based sauce made with fromage blanc and crème fraîche.

May try go to evening art with Vanessa Goodson-Hounsell next term as I won't be able to go to art with Sarah Fynn on a Wednesday morning. Am just going to have to see how hectic teaching full time is. I am getting the feeling I am saying goodbye to life as I've known it - a bit sad as I rather like my part time work lifestyle but a proper income and routine is a good thing. Just will have to keep telling myself that at 5 in the morning on a cold winter's day before sunrise - bleurgh. Talking at lunch I really do wonder if I myself am not slightly dyslexic as it takes me a long time to read things and I am not a big fan of reading things out aloud to people. I don't think I could have it too severely as I have made do until now, but it is in the realm of possibility. I need to read up on teaching strategies for kids with slow processing skills as it seems a lot of my students have this.

Piece by Vanessa

One friend arrived from England today and our other friends arrive from Australia tomorrow. Going to have to set time aside to work around activities with them. My form four has just sent a message now asking for a lesson in the morning and I have my Chinese Zoom session at 1pm. Need to get up earlier to get going with making a dent on the piles of files I have been given from school to start lesson plans for next term - must make a crack at it so it is less daunting. Have at least started reading the educational psychologist reports on each child and it's giving me an idea of what I've got to consider when planning.

Easter unicorns and April Fools

Happy Easter to those who celebrate and chag kasher v'same'ach" (חַג כָּשֵׁר וְשָׂמֵחַ) for those who had Passover. I still believe in a God but I feel reluctant to be tied to religion and having to commit to church and going every Sunday. I may not be as spiritual as I once was. I don't know if it's from being on lithium or if I have just changed. Therefore didn't go to church this morning but did still reflect on things a bit. Instead I went to a three year old birthday party for a friend's little girl. It was a gloriously sunny morning and we sat out under the trees. I dashed out the house and sadly left my proper camera behind but made do with my phone (but it seems to corrupt my photos soon after I take them so I have to back them up with screen shots - irritating. I think I need a new memory card, I don't think it's the phone). It was a unicorn themed party and the little girl turning three had a shiny horn and ears replete with rainbow hair on an alice band which was very cute. I think she had a ball and despite the large amounts of sugar on hand none of the littlies had a melt down.

Dashed back just in time for my Easter Sunday Zoom lesson with my Chinese five year old. I did another bit on Easter and it's meaning and told him about hot cross buns - pity couldn't offer him some over the internet to try. He did draw me some. I have been drawing him stars when he does well on his reading but today he took it upon himself to award himself some before he had finished reading. Cheeky monkey. When I said goodbye I gave him the rhymes See you later alligator, in a while crocodile and some others. He thought this was really funny but as a reply simply said bye bye. I will have another session online with him on Tuesday after he finishes nursery school. Apparently the thing that made him the most apprehensive at his new school was the enforced afternoon nap time.

Off just now for drinks with friends. There was a beautiful sunset and moonrise last night. Wishing you all a restful rest of your Easter Sunday.