Merry Christmas from Bolivia!

Just a quick word. Today is our last day of school until January 15th (another great perk working at the Learning Center). I won't have internet access over the break, unless I go to an internet cafe, so I won't be a very faithful blogger or emailer until after we get back into school. I will have lots to say then, I'm sure!

I pray that you all have a wonderful Christmas, and that you are able to set aside all the hype and focus on the birth of Christ.

Blessings to you and yours!

Craziness

I survived my crazy week...just barely. All my evening commitments were really fun, but exhausting! Probably the most tiring was Friday night's Christmas program. Even though Kinder only sang two songs, they had been practicing for weeks in music and in the regular classroom. The rehearsals went really well, and all my students seemed to remember the words and when to play their bells. Until they got up on the stage in front of hundreds of parents and students and forgot everything they'd learned. I think a few of them sang, and even less remembered to play their bells at the right time. One of my students rang his bell so enthusiastically the pre-K child in front of him was in danger of a concussion, and I held my breath through the whole song praying he wouldn't bonk her over the head. My class was up on the first riser, out of reach of the microphone, but pre-K was on the floor and two of their "divas" decided to make their own solos, and sang directly into the microphones. It was, in a word, a disaster. But they looked cute, and no one got hurt. I guess that's all that matters.

Sunday was a highlight too, in a good way. I went with Laura to her church, which was celebrating its anniversary. I helped in one of the kids Sunday school classes, and then stayed after for the lunch. The food was delicious (though as usual the portions were too big for me to even hope to finish) and I had a delightful conversation with three young girls in...yes, Spanish! The conversation consisted mostly of them asking me "si" or "no" questions or how to say Spanish words in English. Still, I was able to communicate and understand most everything they said, which is huge progress! I was so excited...maybe Spanish class in paying off after all!

On the downside, I battled homesickness all this weekend. I think it was brought on by the many Christmas activities I participated in. The Bible study's while elephant gift exchange was a hoot, but it made me wonder who got the camel at my small groups' exchange (did you hang on to it for another year Hills?). It was great watching the SCCLC students put on their program about the true meaning of Christmas, but I caught myself longing to hear "Winter Wonderland" and "Frosty the Snowman." Remember teachers when Aaron played Rudolf and danced his heart out at the fourth grade program? Anyway, I'm not really depressed...after all I get to experience Christmas in Bolivia, and how many people can say that? But...yeah. There's no place like home for Christmas.

Happy Birthday to me!

I just wanted to thank everyone for remembering my birthday! I've gotten so many cards and emails...I feel very loved! I've had a wonderful day so far...very special. I opened my presents from my family this morning, and had a party at school (hey, even at 8am chocolate cake is still yummy!) I'm having the singles girls of SAM over tonight for pizza and a chick flick.

I'm so grateful for my life and this time that I get to spend in Bolivia, making new friends and unforgettable memories. Thank you God!

Great summer p.j.s, perfect for Bolivia (notice the cute fish) Thanks Aunt Janet and Uncle Allen!

DVDs of two of my all time favs...You've Got Mail and What About Bob? Thanks Mom and Dad!!

And new music!! Jars of Clay and Mercy Me...also my favs!! Thanks dear bro!

My birthday cake from my class...it tastes just as good as it looks! (Chocolate with fudge and caramel filling...mmmm to die for!)

So we don't have snow days but...

We do have paros! A paro is basically a strike, where the whole country (or at least several districts) refuses to work for a day in protest of government policies. So, Friday when my dear friends in Arkansas and Oklahoma were stuck indoors due to a snow and ice storm, I was home too! Nothing was open, and neither micros nor taxis were running, so we spent the day relaxing, reading, chatting...basically everything all of you did, except that we were in shorts and sweating! =)

We did actually haul out the Christmas decorations in my classroom, and the kids had great fun decorating our little tree and putting garland up in random spots around the room. We're making decorations all this week too. I'm going to get into the holiday spirit if it kills me!

Last week (Wednesday I think) we had a huge rainstorm all morning. Now, apparently when the ground reaches a certain saturation point the amphibians that usually inhabit it must evacuate to keep from drowning. And what better place could be found at SCCLC than the many covered walkways that criss-cross through campus? There were frogs everywhere, of all shapes and sizes. One intrepid creature decided the sidewalk was still a bit too damp, and hopped right into the classroom as soon as we opened the door! Fortunately I kept my head (I didn't scream or anything) and calmly asked for a volunteer to catch it. Jonathon obliged, chasing it around the kitchen center until he finally captured it. The kids were all for making it our new class pet, but I vetoed and we let it go on the playground.

Saturday night I attended one of the social events of the season...the dinner theater production of Uncle Phil's Diner, put on by SCCLC high school students. It was such a blast, complete with burgers and milkshakes! I took tons of pics, but I'll spare you and just post a couple.

Here's my table - Virginia, the Hause family, Pablo, and Laura. Our waiter was the bad-boy-turned-good greasemonkey Tony, who gave great service but forgot to wash his hands (but that was okay since the food was already greasy).

Here's the whole cast singing Happy Birthday to Kelly Langdoc (former kinder teacher, current elementary principal). Too bad it wasn't her birthday. She took off with the cake, but they made her give it back.

I guess the holiday season has officially begun, because this will be the busiest week I've had yet! I have something every night - Monday (tonight) we're having guests for dinner, Tuesday is my Bible study's Christmas party, Wednesday I'm having all the singles over for my birthday party, Thursday is dinner at the Kienzle's with the newest SAM missionary, and Friday is the elementary Christmas program! I'm tired already!