Shake, rattle and roll

I didn't even sit up, just lifted my head for a few seconds to try and focus. Was my bed moving or was I just dizzy. But it continued for a lot longer than I expected. I wondered at first if it was a lorry on a nearby road. I looked at my clock, just after 5, a little bit longer before I have to get up. I just rolled over. I would be no good in emergencies.

I asked in the staffroom; Did anyone else feel the tremor this morning? Yes. Turns out it was a little shake after all, 4.9 is 'moderate' apparently, following on from the quake in the Indian Ocean. Not quite as 'exciting' as Mud's experience - but, I think a bit of shake on the first day of term is a sign. Hopefully a good one.

Switiching off the white noise-the story behind the retreat

It is lovely to put up photos of the beautiful scenery that I get to enjoy in Kenya, the big sky of Africa and the animals that live here. It is lovely to hear comments about how lucky I am. But it is not always the life I get to enjoy; real life gets in the way sometimes. 

Last week I could have been in Barry or Beillericay (thanks Tania for the box set!!) as it is that time of year again...report writing.

I was feeling rather low, but that was not the only reason for it: I have lost my running legs and fear they will be hard to find again. I haven’t had time to enjoy the white shiny cafes and bars that I was looking forward to so much when I was in Uganda and I miss my friends that know me. My mind was busy with pretty negative thoughts and it was hard to swtich off the white noise.

Something I haven't admitted to you is how hard it was arriving at Jomo Kenyatta airport knowing that the African Adventurer was not meeting me. It. was. tough. I am not as tough as I think I am, sometimes. 

It has been hard to meet friends outside of school...as I seem to spend most of my time there this should not be surprising! I was a bit over excited when I drove someone I met at yoga home the other night...!Saddooo!

So...as a little pick-me-up; to help my body and soul get back into shape, I went off on a yoga retreat on the weekend. 

It was  held in a little lodge a few hours north of the city. I spent the weekend in the bush, beding my legs into Lotus, sweating in downward dog and attempting to lift my entire body on my little pinky. (Well not quite!!-but I do suddenly have muscles where I never had them before!) We talked in hushed whispers, preserving the peace and quite.  Spent hours gazing into the yellow moon and burning it into our memories - thinking only about our breathing.  But when my mind did drift, I thought about my friends and family around the world and thought about how lucky I am.

Oh dear-those photos of skies again!

PS- I met some lovely new friends! And I am off to yoga tonight to see them! Hooray!

Just thinking about Japan

I've returned home to my bathroom in a bit of disarray; my tolietries have all been knocked off the shelf. The only evidence in my flat of the small earthquake that I didn't feel this morning.

The Earth may have moved for many people this morning in Kampala, but not for me! The quake was measured at 5.0 in magnitude in the Lake Albert region, West of Kampala.

It didn't effect my day, but it did give us all a reminder of how awful it has been for those in North East Japan; experiencing a 8.9 earhtquake, resulting in a tsunami, then after shocks of up to 6.0 on the Richter magnitude scale. 

Many of my pupils also felt this morning's tremor and this led onto a great discussion about Japan and what we could do to help.

My friend and I lead the Community Development Club, and are always thinking about new ways to raise awareness and funds; the last being a Survivor event. Fun!

But I am now scratching my head; my buy a wish (setting off balloons) idea wasn't received well. Bake sales are tired and not BIG enough. We need an easy to plan event so that we can get the ball rolling straight away. Make calligraphy cards in art and sell them? The Crane project? A mufti day- dress in Japanese national dress (eek-is that P.C?) A kareokee battle?

I would love your ideas?

Update  -30.03.11
Just to let you know what we went with in the end. We decided to 'send our love to Japan'. We are mapping a route of hearts from Uganda to Japan. Pupils/parents buy a heart as a donation and stick it on the map. We have pink, red and gold hearts that vary in value. Cute idea or what!? I love it. We are doing well, but are still hoping more people will purchase them. I'll add some photos soon!