Dear Reader,
Up until this point I haven't directly said much about my religion. I did this out of respect as I know we live in a society that allows differences of religion to cause tension. However, my faith is something I'd like to share with the whole world. It has also come to my attention, with the trial of 7 Baha'i leaders in Iran underway, that now is the time to addresses this question: What is the Baha'i Faith?
Of all the independent world religions, the Baha'i Faith is the youngest and second-most widespread. Originating in Iran in 1844, it has brought together people from diverse backgrounds. As Christians follow Christ, Baha'is are followers of Baha'u'llah, a Persian nobleman who lived in the 19th century. We believe His teachings will bring about the promised age of peace on earth, but we all must work towards that. We recognize the fundamental unity of all the great religions and the prophets as reflecting the same light of one God.
That's my little introductory blurb for now! The international website is www.bahai.org, viewable in many languages. The Baha'i Writings are available for anyone to read there as well. And, if you have not seen photos of the Baha'i World Center in Haifa, Israel, I encourage you to google some! I'm looking forward to the day I can make my pilgrimage there and see the gardens on Mount Carmel myself.
Thank you for joining my effort to promote knowledge and peace,
Sigourney
Monday, February 22, 2010
Friday, February 5, 2010
Education and Learning
One morning recently, a marvelous thing happened. I woke up with a profound sense of belonging. I felt like I was adjusting well to my new home and work. A welcoming peace was about me as I arose out of bed. Not a few minutes later, I go to put on my shoes and discover a dead cockroach in one of them. Yuck. So that's how my existence here is, always something new!
At the school, the kids really like playing ¨duck duck goose¨. We play games sometimes, I like to think of them as a fun orientation to practical applications of English! However, my first grade is on probation, as I like to think of it. They have been misbehaving, throwing paper on the floor, bickering with each other, etc. I've had to shout at them, which puts me really out of my element. In that class this week, I had them take notes a lot, but we still got to sing songs.
For all of their antics, they are so endearing. Once, a group of about 15 greeted me as I entered the school, all swarming around me in a big group hug! I have a small desk in the library/computer room. The computers are old and without internet. The school itself is colorful and lively, made of modest materials and a simple metal roof. There are 5 classrooms. Between kinder and first grade is a level called prepa. In the mornings the other two rooms host 2nd and 3rd, and in the afternoon 4th and 5th grades.
Oh, and I've been meaning to say that Oscar is a common boys name here. At first, with my Sesame Street up-bringing I couldn't get the image of a garbage can out of my mind. And those with that name have all been very charming and nice :) Rene is also a boys name, took me a few weeks to get used to that.
All for now! Ciao!
At the school, the kids really like playing ¨duck duck goose¨. We play games sometimes, I like to think of them as a fun orientation to practical applications of English! However, my first grade is on probation, as I like to think of it. They have been misbehaving, throwing paper on the floor, bickering with each other, etc. I've had to shout at them, which puts me really out of my element. In that class this week, I had them take notes a lot, but we still got to sing songs.
For all of their antics, they are so endearing. Once, a group of about 15 greeted me as I entered the school, all swarming around me in a big group hug! I have a small desk in the library/computer room. The computers are old and without internet. The school itself is colorful and lively, made of modest materials and a simple metal roof. There are 5 classrooms. Between kinder and first grade is a level called prepa. In the mornings the other two rooms host 2nd and 3rd, and in the afternoon 4th and 5th grades.
Oh, and I've been meaning to say that Oscar is a common boys name here. At first, with my Sesame Street up-bringing I couldn't get the image of a garbage can out of my mind. And those with that name have all been very charming and nice :) Rene is also a boys name, took me a few weeks to get used to that.
All for now! Ciao!
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