The Journey Inward

Today I had a training session in Johannesburg at our campus there. I got up and drove down, enjoying the change of scenery and seeing both city and country. The training was on Inquiry and it was outstanding! The speaker was excellent and we moved in and out of groups and partners all morning as we digested the material. I was very inspired and want to redo the unit I just did and dig into the next with this new lens. I love feeling so excited about work! These were some of my favorite quotes for having an inquiry mindset!

We had a half hour break, so I decided to take a walk around campus. The grounds are beautiful, the landscaping gorgeous and the views of the city stunning. I talked to Sara as I walked and also discovered that 4 of our 3rd graders were playing soccer on the fields. After the workshop ended, I went to watch them and talk to the boys and their families.

I took advantage of being in the city by going to the Prison Break Market, right across the street from a prison! It had 11 different sheds with everything from produce to foods from all over to crafts to pottery to gaming. I had lunch right off the bat and sat outside to enjoy the weather. I checked out the sheds, bought a few things in the crafters shed, got ice cream and then some sauces in the produce shed on my way out. There was a Night Shed that was padlocked and construction sounds were coming from within. Very mysterious!

When I got back to Pretoria, I went directly to my zebra park to visit. I hiked almost four miles and saw some really great wildlife, including my beloved striped friends, who were hanging out in a new place today! It was exciting because in addition to the springboks I usually see, I also saw some blesboks and a mom and her son pointed out a bushbok, which is the largest of the boks. He was lying in the forest next to the trail.

It was a long, full, inspiring, fun and beautiful day! I came home and spent some couch/tv time tonight. With everything in bloom, I think my allergies are really kicking in, but judging by how itchy my eyes are, I’m guessing allergies. I was hoping I’d left them behind in the U.S!