Spring 2013

 For her 13th birthday, Claire asked to go cave exploring with the Reimers.  We were honored!  Here we are at the entrance of a 'tunnel' cave which we explored until about 500 yards/meters.  We found stalactites, cool formations, a lake, a mini-waterfall, and that we need better flashlights!

 Katrina and Ahd got second place at the badminton tournament - doubles, 10-12

 The beginning of the sled run!

 The gorgeous and dramatic Dolomite mountains

 Grades 5 - 12 at the Rabat zoo.  Most of my class is at the top.

 Katrina at Easter 

Kendra

Cache Cache is apprehended by Yuda Man

After 5 months of gentle off-and-on-rain-and-snow, the sun has come out and the Moroccan countryside is delighted!  Rolling green hills and blankets of wildflowers line the road to Rabat.  Here in Ifrane the leaves are still trying to decide if it's safe to come out since snow is in the forecast for next week - but it won't be long!

And now, to catch up!

Spring Break

Following careful deliberation on where to go for spring break (i.e. wherever the cheapest Ryan Air flight could take us), we happily ended up in northern Italy.  We stayed in a cute little farm house with the owners Georg, Christa, Katrine, Julia, and Stephan who told us right away that although we were in Italy, they (and all the people in the city) were German in their hearts. We spent the time hanging around their farm with the horses, eating pork products, enjoying fresh milk and eggs, discovering we are not sauna material, and saying, "Oh, how cute!" about everything.  But the highlight was definitely the dramatic Dolomite Mountains (part of the Italian Alps).  Coming to the top of the cable car, it took our breath away to see the views in every direction!  We hiked for over an hour to a sledding starting point and then began the 12 km+/8 mi down the mountain on our sleds! It was truly amazing to be flying for mile after mile through forests with spectacular mountain views beyond!  Of course, some of the time was spent trying to figure out how on earth to steer the sleds and not end up in an Alpine joke book about stupid lowlanders who can't stay on the path.  After a not-very-subtle hint from Kendra about how Mommy didn't go as fast as Daddy, the "Crazy German Woman" persona took over, and although my bravado was mostly in word only, the girls were suitably scared.  We got to do this fab experience multiple times (thanks to free cable car lifts), stopping only to drink cappuccino and warm up little toes.  Gerald spent one afternoon skiing while the girls and I went to another town to see Otzi - an amazing 5000-year-old naturally mummified man found under ice near there.  He looked rather cold and old, but that is to be expected. 

Saying Goodbye

Upon arrival back in Morocco, we were met with a call from Karen saying our director, Kim, was dying.  We went to go say our last goodbyes, shocked at how she had deteriorated since we had last seen her.  She was not able to talk to me, but when I prayed with her, she mouthed the word, Amen.  A few days later, she slipped from this world to her eternal home.  Karen did the funeral and it was an incredible experience.  To hear all the words of scripture, sing all the songs including Abana (the Lord's Prayer in Arabic), and hear the message - all while being surrounded by our Muslim friends - was beautiful - and something nothing but a funeral could do.  Resurrection hope was running out and spilling over all. Praise.  Later we had a memorial for Kim at the school so more could attend.  The kids were so sweet and a lot of them shared memories, poems, and songs. 

And again - a time of crisis and transition

During the last months of Kim's life, our assistant director (Joanne) did a wonderful job of holding everything together.  And yet rumors, lies, and emails about Joanne and school problems began to circulate.  Culturally, parents here do not go to the source (the teacher or director) if they have an issue - they go straight to the university officials.  In the confusion and 'power vacuum' of the last few months, some parents have been wielding a surprising amount of power and negativity against the school - largely over minor problems or misinformation.  After things came to a head last week, productive discussions have actually started and we are feeling much more hopeful now, although the road still seems long and hard.  I somehow ended up on the search committee for a new director so we have been having a lot of meetings and interviews for that too.

Family

Gerald - A happy result of not ever having a regular pianist is that Gerald has begun playing piano for church!  He goes by chords and does a fabulous job, adding a lot to the worship time.  The same group of parents that is causing upheaval at school is doing similar things at the university which has been frustrating for him.  He enjoys playing basketball with colleagues and Moroccan students Friday night with whom, he is pleased to report, 'he can hang'.

Katrina - has her first job!  She has been asked to tutor a little Korean girl on Mondays.  It is cute to watch them together.  Katrina wanted a mystery birthday party which was a stretch for her mother whose idea of a challenging mystery is finding her favorite green pen.  As it turned out, the (poorly made) pinata contained clothespins and not candy!  Horrors!  After we were all told we were suspects by 'Youda Man' (Gerald) - even the birthday girl ('Ima Theef') - and getting our mug shots taken, we all followed clues which led us to the culprit who was trying to stop the party because he doesn't like lots of noise - Cache Cache (the cat). 

Kendra - seems to think it's hilarious to yell "Torture me!" to Katrina who picks her up and slings her onto the couch and tickles her while Kendra laughs hysterically.  I fail to see the attraction in this, but

it does keep them entertained.  Kendra and her best bud, Laila, have had lots of fun working on a little gymnastics routine for PE outside in the fresh spring grass the last few days.  The other day she managed to get her shoulder caught in an umbrella.  I had no idea this was even possible. 
moi - My class has finally stopped trying to be the most infamous one in the school and we now regularly go for days without anyone getting whacked, knocking over furniture, or spilling oil onto my lap during science experiments.  We have survived the making of paper mache planets, a 'planetarium' tent (which didn't work), and various other pursuits which have put me on the maids' black list.