Unlike here, my MIS PE Blog has actually been kept up to date. I've been so busy with work and after a week off to catch my breath, I'm ready to jump back in and push through until Christmas; I'm actually looking forward to it and this is such a great feeling! Within the blog, I've also decided to have a "Learner Profile Athlete of the Week" - it recognizes one or two students each week who are outstanding in PE class by either demonstrating the learner profiles and/or demonstrating awesome athleticism. After having taught several students the past couple of years who have excelled in PE but struggled in the classroom, I thought this would be something really motivational for them. It's been very well received so far!
This year has also added a new responsibility to my role at MIS - I am now the Tanzania Project Coordinator at the school which has been a big undertaking. I've also set up a blog for this but it's not been so well maintained with the other things I have on my plate. I'm passionate about the Tanzania Project at our school but it seems that we're having an 'off' year with not a lot of interest in the trip and the incredible projects that the school has set up to benefit these amazing people in different areas around the country. I am having a hard time getting the non-believers to understand how awesome it is to be a part of this 25+ year tradition that the school has set up but it's hard. One big issue is with the Masaai culture - a number of people can't find it in themselves to support a culture that doesn't accept the LGBT community and that still believes in female circumcision. Do I think these things are good? No, certainly not. But I respect that the Masaai are a culture that I will never quite understand...much like they will never understand Western culture and our need to get boob jobs, have anal bleaching or the need to have an automatic weapon in a gated suburban home. The bottom line is that these people still need our help - we have so much more than they do so why not share? We need to develop these intercultural relationships better so maybe they can begin to understand our way of thinking and vice versa. We can't just expect things to change overnight and because someone tells us/them that what we're/they're doing is wrong. Imagine a world like that...! When it comes right down to it, my passion lies with the children. We need to help the children. Would you discriminate against a child in need because of the beliefs of his/her mother and father? Grandmother and grandfather? These things are embedded within a child's upbringing and we can hope that changes will be made over time...but in the meantime, take a hard look at these faces.
It's hard to believe people out there who have so much can deny supporting a cause that supports children like these. I understand that there is poverty and financial struggle for children in a lot of different places in the world but it was here that I was touched the most - because I met people who are making a difference! I admire MIS for having these projects at the school but most especially I admire (and thank) the people who have set up the Tanzania Project and who have made a difference! I'm so proud to be a part of it! :)
This year I've also moved from Starnberg to Munich and it's been awesome. I love my new apartment, its location and everything about it. I regret that I didn't make the move sooner but it was pretty convenient to have a 10 minute bike ride to school and my own schedule to work with. I carpool now which is also a new experience and I enjoy the morning company but it involves more organization on my part in the mornings...and less snooze button hitting! No complaints! :)
Well, that's it for now! Keep on smiling people - life's good! :)
