Monday and Tuesday, December 7 & 8

These last few days have been relatively easy in the fact that part of the days is taken up with dancing. I also feel prepared for everything I need this next week, and because of how my lessons are I haven’t had as much consistency with homework, test and quizzes so I’ve had more time at night at home. My girls have been practicing pretty well; it’s just 2 hours to practice is a long time. I give them breaks for water and to see some other dances, but after a while they lose focus and don’t try as hard. So it’s hard to find the balance between making sure we’re using our time for what we’re supposed to and being understanding of 5th grade girls. One of the Spanish teachers is teaching my boys their dance and it looks good; the dance really fits my class of boys and their energy! Class has been pretty well too; the kids seem to be paying attention better than they were last week. I’ve been trying to wrap things up in some classes with either a test or lots of review so we can end at a good spot before Christmas. Tutorias today was a little frustrating again; mainly for the reason that the kids who really need help in subjects need one on one attention, not even small group attention. So even in tutorias they may not get the help they need to better their grades. I just pray they remember something from what we talked about during those times and it will help them on the test. Since I’ve had more time after school, I’ve been indulging in my guilty pleasure of ALIAS; almost finished with Season 1! As time gets closer and closer to go home, I get more and more excited to be at home with my friends and family and eat and drink American (and holiday) food. I won’t lie, I’m not too excited about coming home to snow and cold, but for the 2 weeks I think I’ll be able to handle it, maybe even enjoy it. It’s hard for me here to really think it’s Christmas and sing carols with winter references when it’s sunny, blue skies and 70 degrees out. There are some good things about cold for a while, like cuddling under a blanket, not to mention hot drinks like coffee taste so much better. I also have to keep reminding myself that even though the time is getting closer and closer to come home, I need to enjoy the last week or so I have here: with my kids, with my job, with my housemates and my neighbors. I feel like if I look forward so much to coming home, I’ll miss things here and regret it later; gotta carpe diem!