Author Archives: lornaofarabia

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About lornaofarabia

I am a teacher from Medford, Oregon. I currently live and work in Bangkok, Thailand.

School lunch

Posted on 29 Nov 2012 by lornaofarabia

The “fasting plate,” my favorite option from the teacher canteen. Best 70 cent lunch I know of.  And it’s vegan, too: potatoes, beets, carrots and cabbage, shiro (bean sauce), greens, and lentils on injera.

Posted in Ethiopia, Food, International Community School | Tagged | 1 Comment

A faranji Thanksgiving

Posted on 26 Nov 2012 by lornaofarabia

We had to go to work on Thursday – it’s an international school, not an American one – but we had the day off Friday for mid-quarter.  It was a fine day for cooking, visiting with friends, and generally being … Continue reading →

Posted in Addis Ababa, Food, Home life, Shopping | Tagged | 8 Comments

Model UN

Posted on 21 Nov 2012 by lornaofarabia

Model United Nations is a big deal at a lot of international schools.  Participants role-play as UN delegates. They debate and vote on resolutions concerning human rights, security, economics, health, and other matters of global importance. My daughter Alekka is … Continue reading →

Posted in Addis Ababa, International Community School, Teaching | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Top ten

Posted on 19 Nov 2012 by lornaofarabia

Well now, this is exciting news.  The registrar at ICS just shared this link on the school “staff lounge” email channel. http://www.lonelyplanet.com/themes/best-in-travel-2013/top-10-cities/ ICS is looking for twelve new teachers. The guest room is ready, friends!  Come see for yourselves.

Posted in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | 7 Comments

Stuck in Djibouti again

Posted on 18 Nov 2012 by lornaofarabia

This is our car. Nice, eh?  It’s a brand new 2013 Toyota Hilux, Africa’s most popular car. Ours is the extended cab model, loaded with plenty of features including a bed liner and canopy. If you’ve met me in person … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethiopia, Expat experience, Shopping | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Seasons in the sun

Posted on 15 Nov 2012 by lornaofarabia

I have vivid memories of the seasonal bulletin board in Mrs. Collins’ kindergarten classroom at Merriewood Elementary School. Fall leaves, winter snowmen, spring flowers, summer suns – that’s some of the important stuff you learn about when you’re five. My … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethiopia, Teaching | Leave a comment

Lost

Posted on 12 Nov 2012 by lornaofarabia

It can be a bit tricky finding your way around Addis. In this city of four million people, only major roads have official names – Bole, Churchill, Ring Road, Victory.   Smaller roads are known by landmarks, and are not signposted.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | Tagged | 4 Comments

Doing the happy dance in Ethiopia today

Posted on 6 Nov 2012 by lornaofarabia
Posted in Ethiopia, Expat experience | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Election day

Posted on 6 Nov 2012 by lornaofarabia

We had an “external threat drill” at school the other day.  As the director explained to the students and staff gathered in the designated building, “this gives us all a safe haven where we can be in situations like we … Continue reading →

Posted in Expat experience | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Ladybug, ladybug

Posted on 4 Nov 2012 by lornaofarabia

While we were away, the school conducted a full-day kitchen fire training for the faculty’s housemaids. Memo in my inbox: From: “Safety & Security Officer” To: “ICS staff” Sent: Tuesday, October 23, 2012 7:42:18 AM Subject: Fire demonstration Dear All, … Continue reading →

Posted in Addis Ababa, Home life | Leave a comment