A Vida Boa

I have gained a new appreciation for mornings on São Nicolau. And really there is very little that I can’t appreciate at this point, so a NEW appreciation is like…well, magical. The sun comes up in the east and reflects onto our gorgeous beach and you can just see the landscape come to life. It’s definitely the most colorful part of the day on this dry dry mountainside. Lately we’ve actually been getting some rain, which just makes the city that much more vibrant.

A lot has happened since my last blog, but it’s mostly pretty mundane stuff. So, in light of my cheerful spirits this morning, I’ve decided to make a list of all the things I love about my life and my site right now:

1. I love that I don’t need a P.O. box. Our community is so small that someone will tell me I have a package. And if all else fails, one of our best friends works at the post office so she’ll just give us a call. (I also love love love all the letters, cards, and care packages I’ve gotten – Thank you!!!)
   
   
2. I love that my students constantly ask me if I have a boyfriend and look at me with incredulous looks when I say “No, and I don’t need one.” It’s a great opportunity to explain that a career is important and plant a little seed in the minds of my young female students that maybe they don’t need a man (or a child at age 16) to be happy in life!
   
   
3. I love that the first words out of my mouth each day are in Kriolu, but that I can come back to my apartment and speak English to my wonderful roommate when my head wants to explode.
   
   
4. I love that I’m more up on world news now than I’ve ever been before, thanks to the internet and 6am workout classes that force me out of bed early enough to have some morning free time.
   
   
5. I love that going to those 6am workout classes has been a breakthrough in my integration with teachers at the school. It’s a good chance to talk to them and we can commiserate together about how sore we are when we meet up later in the teacher’s lounge...
   
   
6. I love that going to the beach or a festa can turn into a chance to get to know my students better. And I love that they’re so excited to introduce me to their parents – although they might regret it when I find out they didn’t study for their test!
   
   
7. I love that I can be at the beach or the market in about 5 minutes, but that it takes me more like 25 when I see people I know.
   
   
8. I love piling into the back of a hilux (pickup truck) with 12 people (and sometimes a goat or a washing machine) and feeling the wind whip through my hair as we round the mountains into the fresco part of our island.
   
   
9. I love that the breeze comes into our house so nicely that we don’t need air conditioning, even in 90 degree weather. And I love that it’s 90 degrees when I take a shower because the lack of hot water actually feels like a good thing!
   
   
10. I love that my nightstand is an upside-down cardboard box with a sarong draped over it. I also love that we now have a couch made out of wooden pallets from the tuna factory (and that we’re friends with someone skilled enough to help us make it).
    
    
11. I love that I can go to the market in the morning and buy only what I need for that day or the next 2 or 3. And I love that the selection of items is always a surprise! It’s forcing us to improve our cooking skills and creativity.
    
    
12. I love that my students from one class try to sit in on all my other English classes when their teachers don’t show up. Whether it’s to see me or to get some extra English classes or just to mess around, I’m glad they’re excited about English!

There are things I don’t love as well, and lots of challenges to face each day. Today just feels too happy to talk about them, so I thought I’d leave you all with a bit of sunshine from São Nic. Enjoy those chilly fall days a little extra just for me. I’ll be here, burning my pumpkin scented candles and pretending it’s cold enough to wear socks and a sweater…