What's Today? It's a Holi-Day!

The Liberian Academic Calendar is made up of 6 marking periods (3 per semester).  Typically, a marking period consists of 5 weeks of instruction followed by 1 week of testing.  Our 3rd marking period was unusually short - 3 weeks of instruction followed by 1 week of testing; but our 5th and 6th marking periods are unusually long - 6 weeks of instruction followed by 1 week of testing.  When AE and I first noticed these extended periods, we thought for sure they would go by much slower than the first semester.  However, what we have quickly realized is that we need the extra week in the next two marking periods in order to get in the same amount of instruction we would have in a typical period!

When we were beginning the 2nd semester, we heard lots of people talk about the number of holidays we would have.  We figured there would be a few, but didn't think there would be too many - after all, who doesn't love a day off school to sleep late and relax?  Now, I have to admit, I am amazed by the number of holidays we have, especially this period!  Out of 6 weeks of instruction, we only have one 5-day week.  Let me give you the rundown:

Week 1: Full week - phew!
Week 2: No school Wednesday - Liberian Decoration Day
Week 3: No school Monday - JJ Roberts' (the first president of Liberia) birthday
Week 4: No school Friday - Ricks Olympics (more details on that soon to come!)
Week 5: No school Friday - Good Friday
Week 6: No school Monday - Easter Break; No school Friday - Liberian Fasting and Prayer Day

That's a lot of holidays!  In 4th period we got a day of for Liberian Armed Forces Day, and in May we'll get a day off for National Unification Day.  (For a complete list of Liberia's National Holidays, check out this website: http://www.qppstudio.net/publicholidays2010/liberia.htm)  The amazing thing is, I've been told that the current number of holidays is greatly reduced compared to the amount of holidays in Liberia at different points during the war.  Apparently government officials would want a day off, so they would declare a national holiday - great idea for people with money and the luxury of taking a day off, terrible idea for those who need to earn what they can each day to support their family.  Once the country stabilized, so did the number of holidays.  I'm trying to learn what I can about each holiday as it happens, but I find that many are like holidays in the US: celebrated for their intended meaning by a few, enjoyed as a day off by all (how many of us really do something special and intentional on Memorial Day?).

The blitz of holidays during 5th period can be a little tricky, especially for my classes that only meet Monday, Wednesday and Friday!  Despite the complications that the days off can cause, I'm trying to enjoy the down time and make good use of it - you know, doing things like updating my blog :)

Hope you all are doing well.  Are there things I still haven't talked about that you want to know?  If so, tell me!