I've
been thinking about human nature; particularly that when a group of people are
put into certain situations, they act in specific ways that aren't necessarily
their usual behaviors. I guess it's group dynamics.
Take,
for instance, the student teachers in TTC. Some of them have teaching
experience, but when you put them in a classroom you can't tell the difference
between the ones right out of high school and the ones who have been working
for years... they fall into "student" behaviors. But when these same
student teachers are out on teaching practice, then they start acting like
"teachers". In fact, it's often the ones who are themselves the most
troublesome in school who are in turn the most strict disciplinarians to their
own students. But when they return from teaching practice, the whole class is
often more difficult to manage than before.
Then
there are the teachers in TTC. About a month ago we went to a seminar with
other TTCs in the area about the changes in the curriculum and the final exams
for all TTCs. While in the seminar, you could see the teachers acting like
students (I'll even admit I did it too); there were those sitting in the back
whispering to each other or doing their own things, those sitting in the front
furiously taking notes, and everything in between. But when this same group of
teachers got together a few weeks later to draw up questions for a joint exam,
then they put on their "teacher"-hats and applied themselves much
more seriously.
Maybe
those who have studied psychology can explain it -- I never got beyond Psych
101 and that was almost 20 years ago.
On
to other matters... we're just finishing the second term and we have two weeks
of vacation. However, I'll be working during part of it. I have to re-shelve
books in the library (should take a day or two) and get the computer lab ready
for the GCE exams (should also take about a day). I also have to set questions
for the promotional exams (should only take a few hours). Then for the weekend
of Palm Sunday (Thursday to Sunday), I'm going with the Diocesan Youth team to
Ako Parish for the Diocesan World Youth Day celebrations. Ako is located in the
northern part of the diocese, fairly close to the Nigerian border. This will be
my first trip to that parish. A friend of mine who works at the Pastoral Centre
in Kumbo is from Ako and has invited me to visit in the past, but I didn't have
a chance before.
A
few weeks ago, I went to Jakiri with the Diocesan Youth team. They were supposed
to be going to give some leadership workshops to the parish youth team, but it
turned out that there was in fact no parish youth team in place. So instead
they spent the weekend raising awareness in the parish and forming the parish
youth team. Although it wasn't what was planned, it ended up working out well.
At mass on Sunday, the new youth team was introduced to the parish and greeted
with much applause.
This
past Friday was the annual pilgrimage to Boyong Hill in Ndu parish, which is
the next big town after Tatum. The roads are pretty good right now, so it's
about a 30 minute drive or 2-3 hour walk from Tatum to Ndu. Many people walk
from all parts of the diocese to Ndu, while others drive. They all meet at the
grandstand in Ndu for a blessing before the official pilgrimage, which is from
the grandstand to a hill outside of town. I think this is the third or fourth
year they have been doing it. Stations of the Cross are said on the way to the
hill. It took about 2 hours to walk including stopping for prayers at each
Station. After everyone reaches the summit of the hill, there is a
reconciliation service and Confessions, followed Holy Mass.
Last
year, the bishop wasn't able to be there and the auxiliary bishop of Bamenda
was there in his place, but this year Bishop George was there himself and
walked the pilgrimage route with everyone else.
After
mass, everyone heads back home. Some people bring their cars up to the hill and
so drive back, but others (including us) walk the route back to Ndu. We were
blessed that the rain held off until after the pilgrimage. We were still in Ndu
when it started to rain, but most people had already left. I went with Fr. Paul
and members of the Diocesan Laity Council, one of whom provided food for us to
eat when we got back to the car. It was a good day, but I got a bit too much
sun but luckily not so much as to get an actual sunburn. (I didn't put on sun block
since the previous few days had been cloudy.)
So
that's the latest news from me. I can't believe I only have 3 more months until
my term officially ends at the end of June. I've promised Fr. Paul I would
stick around until at least the third week of July for the annual youth camp
and I may stay for a few weeks after that as well.
Wow!
Time flies!
