My 2010 4th Grade Classroom

Here are some pictures of my classroom:

Going, Going, Gone!

Here is a lovely picture of a sunset that I watched at Otter Crest last week. It is important not only for it's beauty, but for the signal that the day is done and Fode can now break his fast. Fode is fasting for Ramadan. This means he does not consume anything during daylight(food or drink). I am impressed and amazed at his self-control and devotion. This is the month of Ramadan according to the Islamic Calendar. Ramadan is the holiest month for Muslims. Here is an explanation for one of the main purposes of Ramada according to www.islamicity.com:

The month of Ramadhan is divinely made for self-reflection and self-examination. Along with the soul-taming experience of self-restraint and delay of gratification found in fasting, we are given the opportunity to probe our own minds and hearts in a deeper way. This soul searching can include looking at "my" relationship with Allah, my relationship with my own self, and my relationship with other people, particularly my family members.

The moon is also so much more important to me during Ramadan. It is the time table showing me the progress of the month (since it does not follow our dates). I have watched it get bigger and bigger and now I am watching and waiting for it to get smaller and smaller. When it disappears then the month is over and the fasting is over. Then it is time to celebrate and exchange gifts. Clothes are the traditional gift on the Eid-Ul-Fitr (the ending night of Ramadan) for Fode's family. We have been shopping for shoes for our nieces and nephew in France. The good thing is that there are not crazy shopping crowds for Ramadan unlike Christmas time shopping. So think of Fode as the sunsets and the moon rises for the next couple of weeks.

Let's Get This Over Quick...

Let's Get This Over Quick...

Monday, July 19th, 2010 is our 7 year anniversary!!! Fode and I decided to go out to dinner today(Sunday) to celebrate. As we were making our plans he said "let's go now and get this over quick." So romantic, I know! I said What! He clarified that he wanted to go earlier so we did not have to stress about time. A much better way to say it. Truth is neither one of us is very romantic in the traditional flowers, date, etc. We decide to celebrate by going to Joe's Crab Shack. This is heaven for Fode, a restaurant dedicated to crab. We drove over to Vancouver. It is located by the interstate bridge on the Columbia. It was a beautiful afternoon. We got great seats right by the window. We could practically touch the boats as they floated by. We both ordered crab buckets which come with bibs(as pictured above). Normally I stick to boring food like hamburgers, but I decided to live it up for our anniversary. Joe's Crab Shack has a bucket built in to the table for the shells and such. They brought out out bucket of crab, shrimp, potatoes and corn with a bucket full of tools. After I got a quick lesson from the waitress on how to get the meat out we were off. I started out timidly at first, but then decided 'Hey why not' and I dug in eating with my hands. We both finished everything that we got. Fode actually gave me some of his crab. He was shocked and impressed at how I ate the crab.

Looking back over these seven years I am amazed and proud of our marriage. Fode and I have done a lot in these seven years. I became an elementary teacher, a life long dream. Fode became a US citizen. We were lucky enough to have Sidibe, Fode's mom, visit for 9 months. During her visit we were able to restore her health and eyesight. Fode has immersed himself in college(becoming a big time nerd!) which has allowed him to find a career he loves. We bought our first home. We visited Fode's sister, our nieces and nephew in Nantes, France. We have accomplished all of this and more the Sannoh way(often hard and complicated) and we have had many challenges and disappointments, but we have always had each other and our family and friends around to support us. Thanks to all of you for supporting Fode and I in our marriage. On paper we are opposites in so many ways, but God has given us the gift of each other and I am grateful everyday. I love you Fode more than I ever thought I could. Happy Anniversary.

We met Salif Keita!

Here are some pictures...the story of how we managed to get back stage is coming soon!

Yeri Ju (tree in Mandingo)

On Saturday we decided to get a tree for our deck. We went to Farmington Gardens, a great garden center on the edge of Beaverton. Fode and I are both clueless about plants and stuff, so we spent a while just wandering around. Then we found someone to help us and after explaining that we really didn't have a yard, but that we wanted a tree, he suggested a japanese maple. We saw several and Fode found one that he really liked. I wanted to go to another store to check their inventory before buying. Fode was worried someone would take our tree so we took a picture and turned it so the bad side was out. Then we left and went to 7 Dees in downtown Beaverton. The store was nice, but the prices were way higher so we drove back to Farmington Gardens. Fode was scared that the tree was gone. We went back, and as I figured, the tree was safe and unpurchased. We bought it and carefully brought it home. We were so excited! We set it on the deck and welcomed her to our house. Today we went and got a big pot, and soil for the tree. Now Yeri Ju(Mandigo for tree) is all settled in.