Runaway Train

So nothing huge to report from the last couple of days, but I wanted to get a post up before what will surely be another fantastic weekend.

Yesterday was an exhausting one at placement. Khutala was at training so I was supposed to have our class by myself. I was prepared for it, but it was too windy (a dust-blowing, cold front kind) so we were forced to stay inside.

(Side note: Ashley is currently blowing a vuvuzela in our room right now.)

Anyway, inside is not my favorite, but we made do and split up the worksheets I made between the 3s and the 4s and 5s...In a "What Would You Do?" moment, I caught a teacher eating the snacks out of the kids' backpacks. Bummer. I had decided I would tell the principal on my last day so as not to make anything awkward for me. Truth is, I'm hardly inside so I can't say how common a thing it is. And today I learned she's worked there the longest, (like since Gertie of Gertie's was alive). So we'll see about that...

I'm also not sure if I've mentioned that I have now seen them hit the kids with "the stick." BIG bummer. Mostly bottoms of feet at naptime, but I did see one kid get it pretty bad the other not during naptime. I mentioned something to our organizers (as it obviously makes me very uncomfortable). It's a cultural thing, and we talked about attempting to suggest/incorporate alternative punishments, but we're wondering if they're past the point of standing in the corner working if they basically beat the kids.

Today during naptime one of my boys got hit to the point of crying. My heart broke. Afterward, I didn't want to get him in any more trouble, but I wanted him to know I was on his side. So I just made eye contact and we started blinking back and forth. It's like all the sudden I'm mama bear and I wanted to grab the stick and start hitting her back.

You know what? I just realized this blog is an uber downer. So I'm gonna stop. Guess there's just been some serious days or something. No wonder I went to bed at like 6h30p last night. Today we headed out to Muizenberg Beach after lunch. I finally got to take pictures of my little colored houses! They were just as I imagined. Although I didn't imagine they would be shower houses. I also got to have Amarula gelato. Seriously with this liquer. New favorite.

(Side note: Lindsey is now playing Aldous Snow's "Inside of You." On itunes, not the vuvuzela.)

I'm excited for another scenic weekend. I can't believe how fast time is flying. Katie will be here a week from today and a whole new phase of the journey will begin.