Maskal

Today is a special occasion for the people of Ethiopia. Today is Maskal (Celebration of the finding of the true cross). When I attempted to learn about the history of Meskel I was a little 'taken back'. It's great that I have an open mind and enjoy learning about people and cultures. Well, this is why-


It is said that 500-600 years ago Queen Helena attempted to find the true cross of Jesus Christ. She bundled up some sticks and set them on fire on top of a hill while buring insence. As she prayed to find the true cross, the smoke from the fire blew in the northeast direction (towards Jerusalem). This spiritual smoke lead her to the true cross and it is said that she found a piece of it and is currently in a secured location approximately 700 kilometers northeast of Addis Ababa.


In honor of this holy day a large area was built in commemoration of this holy day in Addis Ababa. On the eve of this day many people gather in the appropriately named Meskel Square. From what I hear the traffic circle becomes a vast sea of people. The place is packed. When everyone finally gets together the take these bunbles of sticks that are wrapped together with yellow (maskal) flowers and ends up being approximately 6.5 ft. long.


The takes these bundles and stack them up to create a large bonfire. When all of these bundles are put together it creates a bonfire pit about 40ft. high. At the top of the bundles lies a cross made with these sticks also wrapped in meskel flowers. Then they light in on fire.


When the budles and cross burn for long enough the cross falls down. The direction in which the cross falls is said to predict aspects of life for that year (prosperity, famine, sickness, health, etc.)


The school is closed on this day, but we had a meskel celebration at the end of school yesterday to commemorate the day. We had an assembly in the gym that consited of my african drumming class kids playing, cultural history of meskel presented by MS students, and of coarse, the maintenance staff performing a ceremonial story and dance with singing. It was an amazing experience. After the assembly is done we went to the baseball field to watch the bundles of sticks being burned with the cross on top.


Many neighborhoods have their own cross buring ceremony. I went to the one near Kathy and Rob's place with Jeorgan, Jennifer and the kids. Rob and Kathy invited us over for some food first and then went to the ceremony. The people who organized it set up a tent on the residence propertiy with tables elegently set up. They provided us with food and drinks and even an Ethiopian delicacy, raw meat. I chose to pass on the meat! But there were many other food items there to eat. I thought this was a great way to not only celebrate but to meet our neighbors as well.


Now my thoughts on this ceremony was, "So you burn crosses, huh?!?!" Now as most of you know back in the states, buring crosses has never been a religious celebratory thing. As a matter of fact burning crosses are a little more negative. As in a sign of hate towards a group of people (from my experience, black folks). So this is why I was a little taken back when I first heard of this Maskal Celebration.

I'm glad I keep an open mind to many things!

My Addis Family

I would like to introduce you to some very special people in my life here in Addis. The people that you see are some of the new teachers that arrived with me on the very same flight. Over the past 5 weeks, these people have been the main reason why I have not lost my sanity. We have stuck together and helped one another through our transition to Ethiopia. I consider these folks my family. I have been so blessed to have all of them in my life.

In the bottom left corner of the above picture is Dr. Rob. Originally from England, spent his last international posting in Beijing with his wife Kathy (lady on the right)and son Michael (guy on the far right). Rob is a very unique individual. He has this illustrious talent for making every situation he encounters a valuable and fun experience. In other words, he just makes you feel good no matter what kind of mood you or he are in. I guess that is why he is a perfect fit for his job as the school counselor.


Kathy, Rob's wife, is the elementary music educator. For the first time in my professional career, I have this amazing women who demonstrates extreme enthusiasm not only in the classroom but also in her daily life....and I have the opportunity to work with this wonderful lady!!! How sweet is that! Now, many of you know the circumstances from which I came were not ideal in regards to the people I was working with. I feel as if I am in heaven working with Kathy. I believe that, between the 2 of us, we are going to take this music program to new heights which these folks have never seen! I am truly excited to work with and know this wonderful lady.


The other 4 people in the picture are Jennifer (upper left), her daughter Katrina (top), her son Lars (being held by dad), and her husband Joergen. They lived in Argentina for the past 9 years and another international school. Jennifer teaches IB English. For those of you who do not know, IB stands for International Baccalaureate. It is kind of like an AP course program, but more intense from what I have learned. Jennifer is such a great lady. So sweet and so kind and creative. She is one of those people makes things work. I love being around her.

Joergen is the IB cordinator and and history teacher. It is challenging to find words to describe this guy. Joergen was the first teacher that I met. I saw him and his family at the airport in Frankfort, but did not have an opportunity to say hello. I recognized them from the picture they sent my principal. This is the strange part though...on the flight here to Addis Joergen was stopped by my seat as he was walking back to his due to the flight attendant serving drinks in the aisle. I thought that he might be the guy in the photo and introduced myself. Man, I'm glad I was right. I hate feeling like a complete tool. Ever since we have been cool.

Joergen has a unique personality. He is riduculously intelligent, yet he doesn't boast. I mentioned earlier that he is challenging to describe becuase he is a very professional, take care of business type of individual and at the same time he is this laid back, cool cat to be around. Not only is he a good husband and father, but he he has a great heart. Except when he is taking my money in poker...just playin'!!!


Now those insecure folks at home, don't start freakin' out. I am not replacing anyone. Those who I consider my family have a very special place in my heart and always will through hell and highwater. Those who are truly a part of my family understand this concept.

So, this is my family here in Addis. It's great. It's like having 2 pairs of older brothers and sister and a couple of nephews and a niece. Life is easier because of these people that I have grown to love.

Hillsdale Wind Symphony

I have been having an amazing time in Addis. I never thought that I would be deserving or would have the opportunity that I have right now. However, don't think that I have not forgotten about where I come from. So I thought I might pay a special tribute to a group of people who have made quite an impact on my life. The Hillsdale Community Wind Symphony is under the direction of the infamous Robert Livingston. Since its inception 4-5 years ago, the symphony has taken many amazing musical journeys. The ensemble consists of a variety of age and experience, yet the musicality demonstrated by the group is exceptional. I may be on the biased side because I was a member for just under 3 years. It has been my honor to work with such a great group of individuals.


Unlike many professional and community ensembles like this one, the Hillsdale Wind Symphony creates this family-oriented performance and rehearsal setting. If you speak with some of the members they would mention that they go to the weekly rehearsals not just to prepare for a concert, but to therapeutically release their stresses from the week by sharing music with others in a musically fun way.

I do need to mention the picture below. This picture is of me conducting the Wind Symphony at our spring concert in May of 2006. That moment is something I will take with me for the rest of my days. I have had the opportunity to conduct the wind symphony on a number of occasions, but this is the one that is very near to my heart. Once I made my decision to leave my previous position as the director of bands at Reading high school, I did not want to leave without my students knowing how much I cared for them and how proud I was of them to overcome so much adversity to make great musical experiences. So I wrote an arrangement of a vocal piece entitled "Go 'Way from my Window" for wind band. That picture is me conducting the premiere of the piece I dedicated to the Reading High School Concert Band. One of my students was performing in the alto sax section that night. It was a pretty emotional experience for me. Now most of you know I handle my emotions fairly well. After I put down the baton I had to leave to go ball my eyes out.

The Hillsdale Community Wind Symphony made quite an impact on my life and many others. I feel blessed to be part of such a great organization with phenominal people in it. Not to mention the joy we bring to the community.

I think I can speak for everyone in the symphony and the community when I say, "Thanks for making a difference in our lives Bob!!!!"

Food Dude!!!

So many of you have been so curious about the amazing, exotic, tastey food we have here is Ethiopia. You know, the rumors were correct. Ethiopia has the best food. My Mamita, Wobitu, (bless her heart) is amazing! I know I have said this many times in emails and on this blogspot. However, I don't think some of you understand what this lady does for me on a daily basis. She prepares these huge meals for and sets everything thing up as if I am in a resturant. Everything is so elegant and she will not allow me to help set up or clean up. When my shoes are dirty from the mud outside, she cleans them for me. My clothes are washed everyday including my sheets, (I believe my mother will be happy about that, hi mom!!!). She does all the shopping, pays my bills for me (i give her the money and she takes care of it). Wobitu makes my life so much easier. I can actually focus on being the best music educator I can be. That is her and I in the upper left hand corner. She's like a mom to me. I give her a hug everyday and she always gives me a big smile and a kiss on the cheek. She rocks!!!


Continuing on, one of the best foods I have tasted here is injeria (I believe that is how you spell it). It is a flat, spongy bread that you put wot on. Wot is any kind of mixture of meats, sauces, vegetables, etc. Generally the wot is on the creamy side. You then ripe off a piece of the injeria bread with one hand and pick up some wot. Mmmmmmmmmmmm.......man that's good! There is this place on campus that sells is for 6 birr ($.80) everyday. I think my mamita's injeria is better but I am also kind of bias too. Now there are many kinds of food that I haven't had yet, but I would have to say the injeria is the best so far!


You might be suprised about the type of food here. It is pretty musch the same as the states. We still have burgers, fries, lasagne (this is huge here), mashed potatoes, salads, tons of the best coffee (bunna) in the world, condiments, etc. Now the sugar is very big grains due to the lack of processing (you can see in the pic). There are bars that of coarse serve beer. Ethiopia has some great beer here like Bati, Castel (by the way on the label of Castel Beer reads "The Queen of Beers",,...go figure that!) and many other beers.


It is important that i have a water filter in the house. We should not drink the water here. Especially with all the cholera going around. I have been reading that there are thousands dying in Ethiopia from diarhea. So I brush my teeth, make my coffee, drink, and cook with bottled water.

Hey everybody. Just so you know this is what I look like after 4 weeks of being in Addis. Nothing has changed...I am still the same person; I haven't become the king of Ethiopia or anything like that for the curious minds back in the States. I am sorry I have not been able to update in a while. Re-formatting a poorly organized music program is always challenging. Things are going well over here. I have lots of stuff to tell all of you. Many of you have been asking about the food and my mamite and many other things. I will try to update within the next few days.

"It takes courage to grow up the be the person you really are."
-e.e. cummings