Swimming, Grading, Service, More Grading...

Last weekend was busy, but enjoyable. On Friday after classes I helped out in the middle school dorm until about 10:30. I always like going to the dorm because it's great to see the kids in a different light. I can just hangout with them watching movies, eating, sharing music. We even had a pillow fight. haha. Middle schoolers can be crazy sometimes, but they sure are a lot of fun!

After working in dorm I unsuccessfully tried to do some grading. I had so much work to do because 3 of my classes had just turned in final reports. Writing always takes a long time to grade, and on top of that I one student hand in his paper in English, one student type paragraphs into an online translator, and two others who did not complete the report at all! [That is, until I forced them to write it on the way back from the swim meet. Luckily they were on the team! hehe] We were supposed to have everything done by Monday morning (including comments for each student). I was fairly certain I wasn't going to make that deadline so at midnight I gave up and went to bed. I awoke at 5:45 to be at the school for a 6:40 departure for the last swim meet. The swim meet was great! Not only was it exciting because we were on the base (meaning more Taco Bell and Subway!), but also because our swimmers did great! We actually won some events for the first time ever. I think everyone cut time in at least one event, and several placed in the top ten. It's so much fun to see the kids accomplish their goals. I think it's the #1 reason I enjoy coaching so much.

When I returned from the swim meet it was back to grading. Same on Sunday until 6:00 PM when I hit a wall and just had to leave my apartment. I walked to my friend Anna's and wrote more comments while we watched a movie. The social interaction and food intake gave me a burst of motivation. I finished the rest of the Spanish comments that night.

Today began Christmas Service Week at the middle school. Today, the entire school took a trip to Nuri, a disabled children's rehabilitation center. Parents send their kids to this place because they aren't able to provide the care they need at home or because they are ashamed of their children. I know it sounds awful, but it was only about 10 or so years ago that people would admit to having a disabled child. There were over 100 kids at the center with physical and mental disabilities. Most of them were autistic. Our students split into grade groups and attended information sessions about the services of the center, performing the Himelech Manuever, and the difficulty of using a wheelchair. After lunch, the kids had time to play with some of the kids at the Nuri center. I was so impressed with the TCIS students. I think it was a great experience for them. They played basketball, soccer, 조꾸 (like kick volleyball), and dodgeball with the kids, as well as danced the macarena. haha. Everyone had a great time, but the day went so fast, we all wanted to stay longer! Tomorrow service week continues by making and delivering soup to homeless people at the train station, making thank you cards for the people at Nuri, giving the high schoolers--who have a break in their finals--hot chocolate, and delivering coal to people who live in the country so they can warm their homes this winter. I hope these service activities have a great impact on our students, all of which are so privileged and don't even realize it.

Well, you probably won't be hearing from me for awhile now. I leave on Saturday morning for my Christmas holiday in South America. The two other Spanish teachers and I will be going to Buenos Aires, Bariloche, El Chalten (in Patagonia), and Santiago over the three-week trip. I'm sure I will have many stories when I return! It will be strange to be away from my family for yet another Christmas, but I have many packages from them. Plus, I have my house all decked out for the season so I'm still celebrating here. I hope you all have a Merry Christmas!