National Nigerian Day

Here are some pictures from the National Nigerian Day celebration at school

In our traditional Nigerian attire

Amber (kindergarten teacher) and I at the after school celebration

Jessica's Homeroom class

some of my boys

The small one in the green and the one in the white are Senator's sons

My girls

Tina, my lovely assistant.

The local teaching staff thought we looked wonderful and were so excited that we dressed up in their traditional clothes. It was fun to dress in the attire, although we did feel a little out of place.

Thank Goodness for 4 day weekends!

We've been waiting for the Eid holiday...any excuse for time off!  We started the weekend off by going over to Chris and Lauren's house for dinner.  Lauren and I watched MILK while the boys played video games on the xbox. (surprise surprise)

Saturday morning we walked over to Wuse market and bought some fabric for our traditional Nigerian outfits.  October 1st is Nigerian Day (another day off from school) and the school has a big celebration on the 2nd where staff and students dress in traditional Nigerian attire. Later that afternoon, we headed over to school. No, not to work.  Jordan and Chris played some basketball, while Lauren, Martina, and I laid by the pool and relaxed.  After lounging by the pool, we all went to dinner at the British Council.  

Sunday we had planned to go to the Zaria Durbar, but due to some recent violence up in Zaria (3 hours NE of Abuja) the US Embassy cancelled our convoy.  A teacher couple decided to go and caught a ride with the British Embassy(They were the only embassy going up to the Durbar).  Since we didn't have to get up at 4:30am to catch the convoy, we slept in and had a LAZY sunday.  We spent most of the day over at Christ and Lauren's.  

On Monday, we went to a spinning class!  One of Jordan's students is a member at the Hilton and her mom asked us and couple other teachers to go to a private spinning class at 8.  After the class, she and another AISA mom treated us to a poolside breakfast.  When you are at the Hilton, you totally forget you are in Abuja.  The pool area looks like a Mexican resort.  We could have stayed there all day!

Tomorrow, we plan on being a little more productive.  We are going to the school for a couple of hours to get some work done and to hang out by the pool.  

The Drive Home

We took some pictures on our way home the other day. We thought you might want to see what our drive looks like. In the next couple week we will be recording our drive so that you can get the FULL picture...crazy driving, traffic, horns honking, and poeple running across the 8 lane interstate. It's hard to believe unless you see it for yourself.Leaving school. This is the entrance onto the interstate with Aso Rock in the background



Aminu Kano Crescent--the main road infront of our house

Our apartment complex from Nairobi Street (the field in front had crops, but they were just recently torn up)
The view as we enter the gate

Jordan standing infront of our living room windows

The carport (the silver car is ours)

Hope that we were able to give you glimpse into our lives here in Abuja.

AISA

This is where we spend most of our time. It's really nice to be working at the same school. We see each other throughout the day and even have some planning periods together.

AISA entrance

Jordan's Room

Jessica's Room

Once in a Lifetime Experience...

We are lucky enough to be in Africa during the most exciting time for football (soccer). The World Cup is next year in South Africa and all the qualifying games are beginning to take place. Abuja has one of the largest stadiums in Africa, so there are quite a few games being held at the stadium. Six of us from the school thought that it would be a "once in a lifetime" experience to attend the football game on Sunday. Tunisia and Nigeria were playing...Tunisia being up one win. The atmosphere was intense. If Nigeria lost, they were out of the running.

As we were driving to school (the meeting place) we bought Jordan a jersey from a road vendor...it ended up fitting me and not Jordan. Since the school is across from the stadium we all parked at the school, which is guarded and locked, and walked. We arrived 2 hours early. At that point there were barely an seats vacant. The game ended with a 2-2 tie. The next game both teams play will determine who continues through the qualifying stages.

Devising the "game" plan

Quiet the congestion. This is the 4 lane highway infront of our school which turned into a parking lot

(so glad we parked at the school)

Jordan and I trying to make our way throgh the crowd

Walking to the stadium. Ended up being about a 2 mile walk from the school.

Almost to the stadium...we were still trying to find a big enough jersey for Jordan

The group minus Brian, the camera man

We all wore green so that there would be no reason to stand out (ha ha)

The ticket ( 300 naira = $2)


The crowded stadium. (This is only half of the stadium) I'm surprised we still had our seats waiting for us


The first goal and all the chaos it brought

Flat 101

I was finally able to charge my camera batteries and take some pictures of our house. Once we get some art work and area rugs the house will feel more comfortable and inviting. The kitchen

The dining room and our second fridge

The bathroom

The second bedroom is waiting for guests =)

Our bedroom

The living room (hope to paint it soon)

Busy, Busy, Busy

From the moment we landed in Abuja we haven't stopped. Once we get adjusted and find more time, I will update our blog. We miss everyone and think of you often!!!