I went to the Dar Chebab on Thursday to speak with my mudir about a Dar Chebab beautification project. With all the vandalism that happened over the summer, I got to thinking that if the kids had the opportunity to fix up the grounds themselves (with help from willing adults) they might feel a little more connected.
I’ve been teaching some art there for the last year, so I brought some watercolors that were donated by Gulf Elementary (thank you!) to start working with the kids their creativity with the medium of paint. I keep telling them to have “big ideas!” for their paper. If they draw things on the ground, I ask what is in the sky, and who lives in the house they drew, etc.
I’m hoping that in the next two or three weeks, I can start with the kids in painting onto large rocks so that we can line a pathway out to the soccer fields. I”ll have to post the sketch that I showed my mudir. My mudir liked the idea and said that he thought it was a good project for the kids and for me. Once we work a little on the outside, and I use the paint that I already have I’ll need to ask around and (hopefully) get some more paint donated for the inside. If things go well, a mural could even be attempted. We already have a world map project that was done by the previous volunteer, but the kids threw rocks at it. So if I do another one, I think on the inside of Dar Chebab or on the outside of the surrounding wall.
In addition to feeling more on track with work lately (SO glad the school year started!), I’ve been trying to expand my Moroccan culinary skills. With the recent addition of my oven, I’ve been trying out some new things.
Pizza! This has about 15dh of red ball cheese, zucchini, onion, garlic, olive oil, jebli cheese (kind of like goat cheese), and bacon bits from a care package. 
First I sauteed some dried, ground parsley(about 3 bunches) with olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper. I added butter to cooked pasta and put red ball cheese on it, with the parsley mix. Parmesan cheese would be better Maureen made this for the first time in Ouarzazate and I totally copied her.
This is sort of like a calzone. I sauteed zucchini, with onion,salt, pepper, basil, red pepper flakes, garlic in olive oil. Then I made biscuit dough, rolled it out and added the veggies into the mix, with more jebli cheese. I folded it up and baked it for about 20 minutes or so. IT WAS SO AWESOME!
Hi Rachel, It was wonderful to see you and the entire family at the wedding. You looked amazing. NEW FROM TRUMAN: Turman wants you to check out his web site (he made) zombieapocalypze.webs.com The second season of The Walking Dead starts tonight! His13th birthday is on the10/24th . NEWS FROM TATUM: Tatum had her 16th on 10/5th and is working on her driver’s license which she will test for in Jan. (just a 3 month delay) She keeps busy with cross country, her first college class and 10th grade. We went to see Granny and Laura last weekend (Uncle Barry kids are there this weekend) and she is doing well and she looks great. I have to run, Walking Dead starts soon and I am incharge of snacks. What pairs well with Zombies? Love Aunt Terese
Thanks for the update! I’m so glad to hear you guys are all doing well
I will definitely check out the website and also send Tatum some safe driving vibes!! God- How time flies!
I’m working on downloading the first episode of the new season… Very exciting! We just had Zombiecon in Fort Myers last weekend. The thought made me pretty homesick! LoL Zombie will do that to ya!
I’m glad you guys still read my blog! Miss you all a ton
Rachel! All of your ideas sound so solid. Mom told me that you have an improved living situation in terms of internet/ phone stuff and a stove. I see you are putting both of these to good use, boom. My lack of commenting is lame, but not too much is going on for me. I am surviving as an RA, baseball is all consuming and classes are manageable. I always read your posts and will try to do better in the future (in terms of comments!)!
Aww Thanks Miles! Sometimes I just forget how busy American life can be! I do love to hear from you- but I remember undergrad!
I’ve been trying to improve my life, cooking better, more work, more happiness. I think it’s going pretty well. I’ve been offering my help to every project I’ve heard about in the country!! I really want my second year here to be productive and I want it to fly by!
I can’t believe it’s the holiday season AGAIN! I’ve decided to host Thanksgiving down here in my village. I”m really excited, it’ll be my first! Cooking in Morocco is a little more challenging than in America because ingredients aren’t exactly what you are used to, you cook with gas and all temperatures are in celsius.
I’ve been practicing though (obviously). Today I’m trying key lime pie!
Miss you Miles! I”ll try to give you a call on skype soon
Your food looks amazing. This just proves that alittle creativity can go a long way. It must be exciting having an oven finally. Oh the things we take for granted here. School is going well here. Pretty much studying 24/7. I got my white coat last month and I got an OMM table to practice my OMT (osteopathic manipulative techniques). My favorite so far is muscle energy. It works wonders on your back. Love you! Keep up all the good work.
LoL Thanks Trish! Cooking keeps my spirits up when things are going slowly or not according to plans
I’m really glad to hear school is going well. It really does sound interesting. I think in my next life I’ll be a doctor! I can’t imagine how exciting it was to get that white coat!!! Is your life like an episode of Scrubs? (please say yes!)