Bday, carpel tunnel, holiday (oh yes, you read that right)

Hey all! I’ve decided that updating once a month is the best way to go around this. That’s about how often I get to the computer and enough has happened that I don’t have to worry about boring you.
We just finished the second term of school. I’ve spent the last couple of weeks giving end of term exams, grading and filling out progress reports for the students. Very, very tiresome. You all know how many students I have in each class, so imagine filling out a report for every single one of them. I know! I was convinced I had given myself carpel tunnel syndrome after the first day of writing; I could barely move my hand. The grading system here is a bit different then it is in America. As previously mentioned, there are three exams every term and these are the only things used to give a grade to the student. The exams are weighed unevenly when calculating the final grade. It’s a little different from school to school, but at ours, the end of term exam from last term was 15%, the beginning of term 5% and mid term 70%. I had to adjust mine a little, so it ended up being beginning of term 30% and the mid-term, 70%. I was, and am still, not very happy about this distribution. The students did the best on the end of term exams, which makes sense since they’ve had the entire term to adjust. Also, the end of term tests them on the subjects of the entire term. Therefore, I think it’s important that it be included in the grade for the term in which it was given. I also don’t understand why the mid-term is so heavily weighed. I think it would be more appropriate if they all had the same importance. However, there was nothing I could do except grumble to myself and make the necessary calculations. I was happy to see that my science class is doing pretty ok. The average has gone up since the beginning of term and the writing has made a slight improvement. I haven’t graded that end of term for math, so I have no diagnostic yet for them. All in all, though, I think the term went well, considering it was my first time teaching. I am excited for next term and have some ideas for extra classes I could teach. I’m not sure yet on the details, but when I know, I’ll post. Now that classes are over, I have three weeks of holiday, two of which will be spent in training… joy.
Thank you to everyone who remembered my birthday!!! It was really nice to get the messages/texts. I have to admit, I was a little worried about spending it here, since I didn’t know what to expect and I am living in the village (aka- the middle of nowhere). I went to Tororo and spent the day with Kendra, another volunteer, who recently COSed! (*sob, tear*). Since she was leaving to return to America, people were throwing her parties every which where and I went to them with her. There were Ugandans and bazungu (that would be the plural of muzungu), so it was an interesting mix. She had them sing happy birthday to me and I felt very loved. Later, we spent the night at Erin’s, who made me birthday crepes, which were superb and excellent. On Saturday, we all had lunch together and I went hope happy. All in all, it was wonderful ( :
I went to Kampala last week for a few days, to say goodbye to Kendra. While I was there, I saw my movie, which was HP 6. All I have to say is oh, wow. More different from the book than the other movies. I haven’t decided yet how I feel about it and need to see it a second time before judgment can be rendered. I do, however, love the girl they chose for Ginny. While in Kampala, I did the usual: at my way through the visit. I had my ice cream and oh-so-delicious pizza, so I was satisfied in that area. I also talked to the PCMO about allergies and sleeping problems I’ve been having lately. The allergies aren’t really surprising. Ever since landing in Uganda, my allergies have increased ten fold and I have to take something everyday for it. *sigh* Just another thing to remember. The bad side of it, though, is that my body seems to become immune whatever anti-histamine I’m using, so I have to keep switching. I’m on lucky pill type #3, so hopefully this will be the last. Hopefully… As far as sleeping goes, I’ve just been waking up at hours in which no sane, or sober, person should be awake. That, I hope, goes away soon. We all know how happy and sociable Rachael is without her sleep.
Last Friday, I had Suzuki over for lunch. She knows about my cooking history and I think she was a bit wary of the meal we made. We used the recipe she brought for rice, so I am claiming innocence over that part. It may or may not have had a taaaad too much vinegar, but one you dowsed it in soy sauce, all was well. The biscuits, which I was in charge of, came out very well, especially the first batch. The second might have been a teensey bit burned on the bottom, but once you cut that off, it was a-ok. Aunt Diane, I want you to know that I still had the marshmallow bunny you sent in the care package. That was used to make rice crispy treats, which came out fabulous, if a little pink in color. Hey, you gotta use what you have, right? In total, I think it was a successful first luncheon and I’m confident Suzuki will eat my cooking again because she likes it, not because she just that nice.
Well, that’s all for now ladies and gents. I hope all of you are doing marvelous in the states and enjoy the fall weather. We don’t have any seasons here, so I’m a little jealous of you all and the changing leaves. TTFN!
~Rachael