3) The dining hall seems quite empty at times, even with most all of the students back on campus. It is the practice of some students to bring a plastic container with them to the dining hall, and then take their food back to their dorm room. It seems that more and more of them are doing that this semester! The problem is that what they don't eat they dump in the garbage (without a lid!), and it is an open invitation to the many feral cats to come and dine. At one point last semester I looked out my door and saw about 18 cats on the ground, on my porch, and in the nearby tree!! Most recently I've seen many little grey and black kittens, so the population is growing.
4) Fortunately, students now seem more settled, and there is much less chasing around among the boys and girls, who first semester were squealing and shouting, and getting to know each other!! Some have now paired up, and others are still "exploring," but in a more disciplined way!!! They all enjoy "happy hour," from 5:30 - 10:00 pm, when they can be in each other's dorms and rooms. But like everything else, this tends to get abused!!
5) I've greeted and made peace with the numerous huge spiders that inhabit my walls and ceilings! I was told early on that none of them bite, so I just let them enjoy their quiet life from their perch on my yellow walls!! Just a part of the intriguing environment here!! Fortunately, I haven't seen any pythons or cobras, but they DO hang out near the chicken houses on the farm!!
6) Dr. Machinga and I spent most of last week meeting with students in all the dorms, and presenting power point information on alcoholism and drugs, and interpersonal communication. During the Christmas break when mostly only the international students were on campus, apparently there was much discussion and name calling among the groups from different parts of the continent. In addition, because of those students who left and those returning, they experienced "fruit basket upset," so that almost everyone got at least one new roommate. Remember that most of the dorm rooms now house three students, not just two!!
7) There are also new faces among the faculty: Dr. Ed Dodge, son of the late Bishop Dodge, comes each second semester from TX. He is teaching two classes on ways to control non-communicable diseases ~~ often a difficult feat in this part of the world. He is very gentle and soft spoken, and his presence is very much appreciated.
Dr. Marion and Robert Bell have come from Las Vegas. She is teaching in the Faculty of Education; and he is working hard to get some things fixed and working at the Guest House. Dr. Marion also has had experience as a public school administrator and counselor, so will be helping us some in the area of career planning, resume writing, interview skills, etc.
Dr. Mike Reed from the Uni. of KY is here for six weeks on a Fulbright Scholarship, consulting with the Faculty of Ag. and helping to evaluate curriculum. It is so good to get acquainted with such wonderful folks who value highly keeping the dream of Africa University students alive!!
8) Some of the students who did not do well academically first semester are now coming for more help with study skills, time management, etc. It's hard for some of them to learn the disciple of studying, and to make it a priority!
9) I sympathize with all of you who continue to experience the snow and extremely cold weather that Mother Nature has brought you recently. It is the rainy season here, so temps range from the mid-80's to the mid-60's at night, with a shower or thunderstorm almost every afternoon. Humidity is always very high, so it is hard to get clothes to dry, even with the sun shining! The frogs are plentiful, and I noticed just today a wasps' nest on the ceiling outside the door of my flat!! Have not seen any wasp spray in the stores, so may just try to knock it down with a broom tonight. They DO sting!
Enough details for now! Thanks for checking in!!
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