Catching up....

Ok... I don't even know where to begin... so this is just going to be a random compilation of the past few weeks...
Christmas---
Christmas eve I went shopping at Walmart. Ok, not really... but it felt like it. An anonymous supporter of Cal and Joyce gave them a gift to use for the single teachers... and they went shopping at the Embassy for all sorts of American food that we can't purchase here...Starbucks Frappuccinos, peanut butter, Triscuits, cheddar cheese,chocolate chips, brownie mixes... It was WONDERFUL.
Christmas day was spent holding a newborn babe wrapped in swaddling fleece thanks to Nick and Krista, who lovingly opened their home to Laura and me. Let me just tell you, Krista not only opened her home to us after just having a baby join their family, but she also made a "Thanksgiving" dinner for us.
New Year's Eve---
I have seriously never realized how dull life on John Patterson was on New Year's eve until I experienced it here. About five minutes before midnight we ran into Laura's room to see the fireworks from her bedroom. As soon as it turned 2011 we heard people screaming, blowing trumpets, and (my personal favorite) banging pots and pans. It was hysterical. I ran from Laura's room to see the fireworks to my bedroom to watch the people on their verandas banging their pots and pans. It lasted about 15 minutes. Maybe my life on John Patterson was just unusually dull... but I don't think they do that in the States, right? It was pretty fun... and yes, I used a plate and spatula to join in the celebration. Hey, when in Portugal, do as the Portuguese, right? ;) I tried to take a picture... but it's pretty hard to see the people...

Christmas Break--
The rest of Christmas break was pretty uneventful... and concluded with being sick. Fortunately, I finally started feeling better the day before school started. I'm thankful to be back. I really love my students (even when they accidentally break a gel pen that shoots black gel ink all over the white floor and white walls and narrowly misses my face). There's nothing like seeing five faces staring back at me reminding me of five of the million other reasons why God has me here. :)