Two Graduations

The final week of Term #3 involved two graduations:  1) 6th grade Graduation and 2) 12th grade Graduation.  The first, 6th, took place on Tuesday, the 15th.  This was Megan's class.  She is pictured above in the first row wearing the pink top and dark scarf, right in the middle.  By achieving this mile-stone she now prepares to enter Junior High next year.  Hard to believe that in 6 more years she will be a Senior in High School.

Megan receiving her graduation "papers" from her sixth grade teacher, Mr. Hansen.  The Titchie Swot principal, Peter Wilson, stands at left with the microphone.  He is from Scotland and to listen him speak is a delight.  His Scottish accent is fun to hear.  All that is missing is the bagpipes.

The Graduation cake which was enjoyed by the class of graduates.  Everyone had a piece even tho a bit small.

The 2nd graduation involved the RVA Class of 2014 which was held on Thursday, the 17th of July in Centennial Chapel.  Pictured above is a portion of that class.  Caps and gowns are black.  Tassels are the school colors, red and white.  Some of the graduates wear a second tassel of blue and white indicating National Honor Society membership.  Graduation stoles are the traditional Masai blanket pattern.

 At the back of Centennial Chapel is a board hung above the door congratulating the graduating class.  This wooden sign is hung there for a traditional purpose which is pictured below.

As each graduate, clutching his/her diploma, passes under the sign which was shown in the previous picture, he/she jumps up and slaps the board as pictured above.  The louder the slap, the better.  Some of the grads gave that sign a thunderous rap which I'm sure they felt for some time.  A fond memory.

Two members of the Class of 2026 celebrate the graduation of the Class of 2014.  Levi Wilson, whose dad is the Titchie principal, is on the left.  Our grandson, Ian is on the right.  These guys are "Best Buds".

Third term "VAC" has begun.  I'll blog a few of the events we have planned.  In the meantime,  continue to enjoy your summer weather.  We're getting a bit more sunshine now, but the temps are still comfortably cool.  The only thing missing this "winter season" has been the rain.  We could use more.  The shambas and fields and yards are beginning to show patches of brown as the lack of water begins to manifest itself.  Will write again ...

 

Final Days of Term Three

The final Flag raising ceremony of the term was last Friday.  This marks the formal end of classes for the third term at RVA.  Friday also marked the last Staff/Student Chai break of the term.   Every school day at 10:15 is chapel followed by a chai (tea) break at 10:30.  The students mingle outside the Cafo. with their chai while the staff goes to the Staff Chai room for prayer/praise requests and announcements.   Classes resume at 10:45.

We are now in the midst of Alumni weekend with a host of activities including several athletic contests pitting the alumi against the RVA varsities in basketball, field hockey, volleyball, rugby, and soccer.  The largest class contingent represented the class of 2012, but there are alum from as far back as the 1960's.  Last nite was the Alumni Banquet and today there are several "Tea's scheduled for the various classes.

Tuesday there is a half day of classes with the afternoon devoted to Dorm clean-up.  Wednesday is the official leaving day for students.  Jeff is driving a bus load of students with me as escort that morning to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.  We leave at 5:00 AM.  Thursday is Graduation for the Seniors and Friday is the official start of VAC. (vacation).   Third term is quickly coming to an end.  The time has gone by fast, but has been a lot of fun.  The students were great and the staff is a joy with whom to work.

Construction continues on the Arts building directly across from my classroom door.  Pictured here are the forms for the supports of the building's roof.  The workers are standing on what will be the floor of the third story.  Plans are for the building to be functional by the end of the 1st term or the beginning of the 2nd term of next school year.  But remember...TIA...so who knows?

Ian has lost a front tooth.  So "construction" continues in his mouth as well.  The one big tooth on the top in the center was really loose also, but he didn't want that pulled at the time.  Too tender.  However, shortly after this picture was taken, Megan pulled out the other top tooth at Ian's request.

During Third Term, Lyndsey was taking basketball lessons along with other Titchie students.  She and her team mates met twice a week for drills, practice, and games.  Last week,  they demonstrated their skills in the gymnasium and played a full court game for their parents and grand parents (us).  The kids normally practiced outside at Titchie Court behind our house and usually played half court games.  Pictured here is Lyndsey ready to toss in the ball to her team mates during the game.  At left is her coach, Ryan Murphy whose wife, Heather, is the head of the Social Studies Department.

Megan also participated in basketball for her grade level during the Third Term.  Her group also performed in the gym after Lyndsey's group.  Here, Megan is just preparing to shoot at the basket during her game.  She made the shot scoring 2 points.  A short time later she made another 2 point shot as well.  Her game as well as Lyndsey's was played on a full size court with regulation height baskets.

Tomorrow there are two soccer games - Girls and Boys - vs. the Alumni.  Plus, my final term grades are due by 8:00 AM.  In the afternoon is the Awards Assembly at which I have to present 3 Awards:
Academic Excellence-one each for ModHistory and Current World Issues (CWI); Social Studies Awards:  1 each for ModHistory and CWI; and the biggie - The History Buff Award given to a Senior who has completed and excelled in the most social studies courses during his/her four years of high school at RVA.  Since I'm the third and final teacher for these two courses, I'm the lucky one to present the honors.

When next I write, I'll be on summer...I mean winter...vacation.  Hey, I understand the Midwest is supposed to be hit with a Polar Vortex next week driving temps down into the 40's at nite and the 60's during the day.  Welcome to our world here at RVA!

The Countdown Begins

Fog advances up the road by our house on a recent June day at RVA.  Just as this fog moved relentlessly upward from the athletic field below, time has marched tenaciously onward this term.  This week is the fourth week of classes.  I have only 7 more contact class periods with my students.  Final exams are one week from this coming Wednesday.  Wow, time has really rushed along since we first arrived at RVA in May.

Sunday lunch today at the Cafo was one of Megan's favorites.  Mashed potatoes were on the menu.  She loves mashed potatoes and always takes a LARGE helping on her tray.  I must admit that those potatoes do taste pretty good.  Before the clean-up crew removed all the food from the line, I asked Megan to get me a small amount of mashed potatoes in a bowl.  She brought back a bowlful.  I couldn't leave any behind, not after the admonishment all of us received during the sermon not to waste food.  My Christian duty was to make sure I was a good steward regarding food portions at all my meals.  Amen!  I say again, Amen!  Bless those mashed potatoes!!

Well, the flu has struck RVA.  At least eight students or more are in the infirmary with this contagious disease.  The infirmary medical staff has asked all dorm parents to disinfect common areas with bleach and students are encouraged to wash their hands frequently.  Station parents are asked to keep any of their kids, who develop the symptoms, home.  Louise has gotten her cold back again, but I don't think it is the flu.  She does quite well during the day, but as night approaches, her nose begins to stuff up and she has a somewhat restless nite.  I keep telling her to "fist-bump" the grandkids.  Don't kiss them on the lips.  Does she listen?  "Sniff, sniff! Snort! Ahchoo!"  NO!

Last week, Monday thru Thursday, the 6th grade class went on their Safo.  Megan is a part of that class.  Joyellen went along as cook and chaperone.  They all had a great time and the weather was wonderful.  Good thing, too.  Because all the kids slept in tents.  The adults slept in small cabins which were quite spartan.  The only incident that marred the trip occurred near the beginning of the safari.  As the bus approached Naivasha, the police stopped it and cited the driver, a school staff person, with speeding.  He allegedly was traveling 87 kph in an 80 kph zone.  As the bus has a governor on it which prohibits the bus from going faster than 80 kph, and the bus was just recently inspected during which time the governor was checked, and the bus passed inspection, speeding was an impossibility.  In addition, the governor prints out the bus' speed every 5 seconds.  However, TIA (this is Africa) AND the Naivasha police have the reputation of being among the most corrupt in Kenya.  Therefore, our driver had to appear in court in Naivasha this past Friday.  They apparently liked him so much, he has to return two more times!  This whole thing could drag on into August!!  All over a speeding ticket which never should have been issued.  The school, obviously, is fighting this gross miscarriage of justice.

As I write this posting for the blog, the weather here at RVA is just beautiful.  The sky is blue with a few, fluffy clouds and the sun is shining brightly.  The temp. is around the mid-sixties.  A wonderful day for being in the "winter/rainy" season.  From what this time of year could really be giving us, we can't complain.  Yes, the days have been in the sixties and the nights have been usually in the mid-forties, but the rains have not been frequent and when they have come, they have come at nite.  We just recently received a load of wood for our shed.  We had Jeff and Joyellen's yard worker, Steven, come over and cut some kindling for us and split some of the large pieces.  We paid Steven's day wage for Jeff.  Louise has gotten really good at building a fire so we are now comfy at nite when the temp in the house goes down.  I must admit saying we're "snuggling by the fire" and the time of the year is June/July does sound a bit crazy.  But, hey,  TIA!

Will write again next week.  All, Y'All keep cool while we keep warm!!

Week Three Begins

Construction continues on the third floor of the new Classroom Building at RVA.  This building will house the Arts Dept., Graphic Arts, and several classrooms and offices.  Most importantly the building will have a bathroom which will be much closer than the existing one in Kiambogo.

This is a picture of the support structure for the third floor which is under construction.  Notice the wooden scaffolding.  Not exactly OSHA approved.  But this is the type of construction work used throughout Kenya whether the building is large or small.

This week begins my third here on campus.  Classes are going well and the students are great.  Currently, the Current World Issues classes are giving oral reports about 7 Middle Eastern Terror Groups.  The presentations are proving to be very interesting.  The ModHistory students are busy with their chapter on Developing Countries which also is quite current.

Last week Friday, the Friday nite Titchie Skating Party was held.  This occurs once a quarter and is located on Titchie Court which is right up behind our back door.  Oh, and did I mention that there is LOUD skating music being played also?   We didn't mind a bit.  The music always had a good beat and the Titchie kids (kindergarten thru 6th grade) had a blast.  The fun fest began at 5:00 pm. and lasted until the final skate at 8:00 pm.  Supper of hot dogs and all the fixins' was offered and for those who got too pooped to continue skating, there was a movie available to watch.  The picture shows the Titchie principal, Peter Wilson (from Scotland), participating much to the enjoyment of a number of Titchie boys.

  

RVA is a close school community.  Consequently, everyone pretty much knows everyone else.  And because of that closeness there is a feeling of family.  Therefore, when there is a party such as the Titchie Skating Party a lot of staff are involved and that even includes the school Superintendent.  Here Tim Hall, the Superintendent of RVA, engages with some Titchie boys on the skating court.  There are no administrators in Ivory Towers at RVA.  And that's what helps make RVA the great school it is.  One organization ranks RVA the second best boarding school in Africa right behind a college level boarding school.

Hard to believe that in 2 and 1/2 weeks final exams will start.  Wednesday of this week starts my 10 day countdown.  There will be only 10 more contact days with my students, not counting the exam day and the 1/2 day of classes on July 15 during which I will see my students for the last time.  Leaving day is July 16 and Graduation is July 17.  Third term VAC. begins July 18.  Time sure flies when one is having fun!!

The weather here is somewhat cold.  Louise and I have been wearing our fleeces pretty much everyday all day.  Rain has not really been a problem.  Most of the time the rain has come at nite and the few times during the day have been of short duration and we were inside at the time.  Nites are cold, but there is an electric blanket on our bed which we have been using.  When we see our first electric bill we may stop using it, but until then ...

RVA Varsity boys played their 1/4 final Rugby game yesterday.  But, unfortunately, even home field advantage was not enough and they lost 20-10 to a tough team from Strathmore.  This means that RVA is done for this season.  However, for the sports lovers at the school there is still the World Cup of soccer going on.  Jeff is in charge of recording the games for later viewing by staff and students at decent hours, so he is kept quite busy keeping the game and recording times all straight.  The US plays Portugal tonite.  If the US wins, they move into the knockout round.  GO USA!!!

Will write more again later as time permits.  Enjoy the summer weather while we snuggle by the fire.

Mid-Term

The Mid-term of Term 3 here at RVA is underway.  Friday at around noon students started leaving campus for a four day holiday.  All students except station kids leave RVA and return late Monday afternoon for the resumption of classes on Tuesday morning.

Pictured above is a scrum during the annual JV vs. Staff Rugby game.  This year the JV gave the Staff a good run for their money before being beaten by the 16 member staff team.  Even tho the staff won, they paid a price in bruises and sore muscles.  But the injuries were worth the bragging rights.

Thursday, we moved into our home below Titchie Court.  We had lived in this same house 4 years ago when we taught during 1st term, so we are familiar with the layout.  However, we are not staying there yet.  We are living in yet another house.  The home of the Dubber family.  Todd and Kilely Dubber are chaperoning the Senior Safari.  This is a 5 day annual safari the Senior Class takes before graduation in July.  They usually go to a resort in Mombasa and have a really great time.  While the Dubbers are helping the Seniors enjoy their "last hurrah", we are taking care of their three kids, Cassidy, Titus, and Ella.

Yesterday, we joined three other RVA staff families,  the Hazard's, the Unruh's, and the Wilson's and went on Safari to Hell's Gate National Park.  While there, many of the adults and kids rock climbed on Fischer's Tower.  Pictured are Jeff, Megan, whose climb set the bar as far as fastest time, and Ian climbing.

                                                          Fischer's Tower

Jeff climbing the tower in order to install the climbing rope.  This is dangerous as there is not yet a rope to secure him from falling.

                                        Megan making her "bar setting" climb.

   Parents, Jeff and Joyellen, as Ian begins his climb of Fischer's Tower in Hell's Gate National Park.


Tuesday, I begin teaching full time for the next 6 weeks.  Next weekend I'll post another entry to the blog and let you know how things went.

"Deja Vu all over again!"

We're back in Kenya and the wildlife appear to have been waiting.  Our flights here were pretty much uneventful save for the 1 hour delay on the tarmac at O'Hare in Chicago caused by inclement weather.  Thunderstorms in the area forced the air traffic controllers to attempt to get as many aircraft in the air onto the relative safety of the ground.  This caused the que for take off to grow quite large.  Fortunately for us, the British Airways captain kept us informed concerning the delay.  In addition, the cabin crew kept us hydrated with orange juice and water.  Most importantly, we were told the toilets were open and we could avail ourselves of them as necessary.  Take the hint airlines of America!

We landed safely in Nairobi; got through customs easily; and then had to wait a while for all our luggage to be off loaded from the aircraft.  Eventually, we were able to assemble our 6 pieces of baggage and proceed to the "meet and greet" area of "arrivals".  We were met by Jeff and Bruce Walpole, a home town friend of ours, who had preceded us to Nairobi by a couple of days.   Bruce had been asked to come to RVA to do preliminary work on a project at RVA:  re-decking the 115 year old administration building, Kiambogo.  The ride from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to Kijabe was an adventure as usual.  Not only were the normally aggressive drivers on the road, but the headlamps of the opposing vehicles were either misaimed or set on high beams.  How Jeff drives at nite without being blinded I don't know.  We arrived at RVA safely; unloaded all our luggage; and promptly went to bed. We slept in our normal accommodations, the guest room.  Bruce slept in Ian's bedroom;  and Ian slept in his parents' bedroom.  Plenty of room for all!

Pictured here is Bruce inspecting a portion of the deck of Kiambogo.  Bruce was asked to prepare detailed drawings for replacing the front and rear decks of the administration building and recommending what type of decking to use - composite or real wood.  Also, he had to determine the condition of the supporting structure and decide how much of it should be replaced due to termite damage.  He arrived on Saturday (we arrived on Tuesday) and left on Friday.  He managed to accomplish his responsibilities in those few days and also worked in a short safari to Lake Naivasha during which he was able to see notable African animals such as Baboon, Cape Buffalo, Impala, Gazelle, Giraffe, Wart Hog, and Zebra.  Bruce had a wonderful time.  Africa spoke to him as it does many other visitors.  We wouldn't be surprised to see Bruce return, with his wife Mary, for another visit in the near future.

Louise's leg is improving.  But, sometimes she over does it and has to take it easy for awhile.  Surprise! Surprise!  I officially start teaching this Friday.  However, today when I arrived at the classroom first hour to shadow Nate, the teacher I am replacing, I was greeted at the door by Tim Reber, the RVA principal.  Seems Nate was under the weather and would I be able to take over his five classes for the day?  I met five classes of great kids and the day went well.  Looking forward to the next several weeks of teaching here at RVA.

Due to my responsibilities, I will not be able to blog everyday.  However, I will do my best to post to the blog on a weekly basis.  Until next week,  Kwaheri.  (Good-bye)

Leaving Day at RVA

Leaving Day at RVA is at the end of every term when the students leave campus to be with parents/relative until the commencement of the next term.  Today we are experiencing our "Leaving Day".  Our trip has reached its scheduled conclusion.  Emotions are mixed.  We look forward to being with family and friends at home, but we are sad to say farewell to family and friends here at RVA.  However, this is what happens with a planned trip.  The journey eventually comes to an end.  We have had a fun time and have enjoyed wonderful weather.  We look forward to returning in the future, the Lord willing.  Because there is, indeed, more to come.

Sunset in Kenya.  The beauty of God's creation on display.

And "The Glory of God settled over {Mount Longonot}."