Surprises of Abuja

A friend recently asked me what things have been surprising since being here. At first I didnt have an answer but once I thought about it a handful of exciting things came to mind. Im so thankful she asked me that question to help me realize some of the great things about being here.

First, having a common language of English has been super helpful. Im not as afraid to step out because I know I will be able to communicate on some level with most people I would run into.  It means I can order food, get an Uber, call people, talk to custodians and security guards. It helps me feel safe and opens doors that in Thailand or many other places I might not have had.

Another surprise is how many expats there are. I have already done events at one of the US embassies and the British Embassy as well.  There are tons of things happening all the time.  Everyone is super nice and understanding that we all are living abroad and may need some extra grace a time or two. Its also nice that it is diverse and not just Americans but people from all over.

The grocery stores have tons of things! Some things still cost a lot more than I would pay in America, but most of the things I might want to have I can get. And there are even some things that I dont want or miss that I can get :)

Some of the luxuries that I had in Thailand are still available here.  They are a bit more expensive than in Southeast Asia but not nearly the price of America.  I can get my nails done or get a massage for a cheap price.  We have food delivery and all kinds of restaurants.  I can get clothes tailor made just for me (which is my plan this week) with Nigerian fabrics or regular clothes AND I wont have to tell them that I need a big size for my hips!

The weather so far has been wonderful. Its rainy season right now and that means that most afternoons it rains for 30-40 minutes.  Some nights it rains all night, but it hasnt rained much during the days. It has even been sorta chilly at times in the evening (like low 70s)! Also there are pretty sunsets here so that is cool too! I didnt get to see many sunsets in Chiang Mai so its a nice change.

Im sure there are more things but thats all my brain has for now. I have been pleasantly surprised with Abuja so far and have a feeling it will just continue!

Sunset over Jabi Lake. Jabi Lake Mall overlooks the lake!

CrossFit workout at the British Embassy compound

Sand Volleyball at the US Embassy compound that connects to our school

School

I have finished my first week of school and it was wonderful! My students are so kind and sweet. I have a few talkative ones but we are just getting used to each other.  I only had 13 of my 21 students and have been told that is semi-normal. Of my 13 that I had, 3 were born in Africa (2 Nigeria and 1 Uganda) 6 were born in America, 3 were born in Europe (2 England and 1 Italy) and 1 is from Israel. Next week we have now 4 days off because of a religious holiday and many families wont return to school until the week after that holiday. So hopefully by the end of the month I will have met all my students! 

Im still getting used to a new schedule and am struggling to pick my students up on time from specials or recess ans let them go at the right times. But it will come.  Im basically living on grace these first few weeks as I am just trying to get through it.  When I asked my class on Friday what their favorite parts of the week were, I had 2 students say that meeting me was their favorite part, so I guess Im doing okay :)

My Teaching Assistant, Naomi, and I on the first day of school. 

 My classroom is large with desks, a library, 2 teacher desks, a small group table, and more. The teacher before me was VERY organized and left me in great condition to start the year. Its still coming together but I am very excited about my classroom.

Calendar area and Ms. Naomi's desk

Student desks and my desk

Another view of the classroom

students writing and my room!

The elementary has two long buildings in the shape of a U with a courtyard in between with KG-Grade 2 classrooms on one side and Grade 3-5 on the other side with Art, Music, and French at the back.  My classroom is the first room on the 3-5 side so it is the closest to basically everything :)  The school has a lot of outdoor space for everyone.  This is a large outdoor playground that the kids play on twice a day during their 2 recesses. There is also covered walkways that they can sit or play one when they want too.

The playground on a BEAUTIFUL day!

 The outdoor sports facilities are very nice too! But the gym inside isnt that great.  They are talking of building a new building for a gymnasium but it hasnt been confirmed yet.

Outside facilities - tennis, soccer, and basketball

the pool - our new apartments to the right and fields below

the front entrance to school. Everyone goes through security at this building. 

Security is very important, not only at school, but everywhere in Nigeria.  In most places you go through security before entering - banks, malls, restaurants - almost everywhere.  At school we all have to wear ID badges (including students and parents). When we enter campus, we scan our bags and walk through a metal detector. Then we scan ID badge too.  Its usually an efficient process so its not too bad. 

Another awesome thing at school is technology. I was given a new Macbook and a new iPad.  All of my students have iPads to use in the classroom as well.  I still havent experimented much with it but I am so excited to explore ways to use technology in my classroom.  I am supposed to lock my room every time Im not in it and now that I have all this technology in my room I am very aware of how important it is to do that!

Also, the school arranges transportation for the staff to and from school.  So everyday we all ride the bus together to get to school.  In the evenings they have 2 options for buses, one right when work ends and one an hour or so later for people who want to work more or do other things on campus.   Its weird that I ride a bus now, but its nice that I dont have to find my own way of getting there.  Once Im actually living on campus, it will be much nicer to be able to go in to work whenever I want.

The staff is fairly active and they are good at promoting social activities so there is lots going on. There is staff basketball once a week. They are starting volleyball once a week. We did a Luau party this Saturday which was a lot of fun. Last week we all went to 'Bush Bar' which is basically just a local outdoor space with food and drinks. Its nice to know that the school wants us to know each other and supports us socially as well as professionally. 

Staff Luau at the pool of my apartment complex

thats a bit about my new school.  It has lots of good things, and obviously some not so good things too but I am liking what I see so far!

First week

Overall, I would say my first week was good.  In a different head space, I would probably even say it was great.  But tonight, I have definitely reached my limit.  As an introvert, this first week has been intense.  I am hopeful that this next week of introductions will not be as intense.

Everyday a school bus comes to our apartment complex and picks us up. It takes about 10-15 minutes to get to school. We all went to the same meetings for most of the days. We all had lunch together. We sometimes had time in our classrooms to get it organized. At 3:45 we piled back on the bus to go home. At 530 the bus picked us back up to take us out to dinner with the same group of people or to the grocery store. And then by 8 or 9 or sometimes 10 we got back home to rest.

That happened for 6 days.

It was exhausting!

Today I got to go to the grocery store whenever I wanted, via Uber. With whoever I wanted. For however long I wanted. 

It was GLORIOUS!

But then we had a whole staff barbeque where I was supposed to meet the returning staff. But I couldnt. I was exhausted.  I met maybe 2 people and then sat with my other newbies and yawned... a lot! When we were finally dismissed I came home and crashed.

But I made it through my first week. I cant believe it has been a week. But it also seems like I have been here much longer than a week. 

The school has been great hosts though and Abuja has been so welcoming and warm. I am loving some of the luxuries of being in a proper American school - we have Crayola markers and BIC pens and proper construction paper!! My students will have iPads and I got a Macbook on the first day of work.  My classroom is stocked with supplies and storage and items I could only dream about in Thailand. (my next post will be more about the school)

The city is full of food and culture. We have been to Mexican, Lebanese, Indian, Italian, and seafood restaurants.  Not to mention our lunches have had some traditional Nigerian grub as well! I will definitely eat well in this city!! I cant wait to explore more as I get settled in and figure out ways to be social and yet not over do it!

Here are some pics of my apartment.

One of the 3 apartment buildings. Mine is the second floor.

My kitchen.

the dining room

the living room (I am standing at the front door)

my bedroom

opposite my bed is my built in wardrobe and bathroom

Brave?

People kept telling me that I am brave.  I dont feel that way though.  I dont feel like I am doing anything special or out of the ordinary.  I am following the desires that have been laid on my heart.

But Im scared. Im alone. And sometimes its hard.

But that doesnt make me brave.  

Continuing my old life wasnt an option anymore.  Everything I once knew was being pulled out from under me, sure most things were my choice, but that doesnt make it easier.  Returning 'home', while may seem easier to most, would have been the hardest option for me.  It would have been sacrificing so much of me. It might have even broken me.  So here I am in Nigeria instead living the life I want. 

Starting your life completely over is a little bit terrifying and a lot a bit freeing. Having some constants definitely helps though, especially when its the important ones. 

Teaching is part of me. I could do it anywhere. When I talk about it, I get excited. When I walk into a classroom, I know what to do. So that is part of why I know I will be successful here. I know I can teach. I know I can be happy as long as I am doing that. And so far that is basically all I’m doing so I’m good. 

Living abroad is a constant. It is so nice to be with people who understand this lifestyle, who desire it, who have similar life experiences.  Just being around them helps makes this easier.  Already we have bonded in ways that some people dont get after years of working together.  

I told a few people this while 'home' this summer - for me, teaching is the easy part. Its living in Africa and finding new community that will be the challenge for me.  Africa will definitely take some getting use to but I have a feeling I am going to Love it.  Im also pretty sure I am going to find community here as I have already met some great people and cant wait to keep meeting people.  Even though I completely agree my initial thoughts, starting my life over right now gives me so much freedom.  I can be the person I want to be. I can do the things I want to do. There are no expectations. There are no previous understandings.  I can be me. AND its okay that I dont know exactly who that is or what that looks like.  Its freeing to know that no one else does either.  I can share what I want to share and leave out parts I dont. 

So even though I dont feel brave. Even though I am back at square one. Even though this is not how I pictured my life last year.  I am content.  I am certain this is where I am supposed to be for this time. I am certain that I will survive.