Weeks 19 & 20: Holiday Party, Winter, End of Semester 1 (Dec 4-17, 2023)

 

Snow on the Quad! Dec 16, 2023
Bare trees beneath tall buildings

 

  
The staff Holiday Party was held on Dec 8th, a Friday. I was invited by the Head of School to serve on a committee of 4 people to plan the party and make sure there were fun activities for all. After polling a few people who had been around for awhile I realized that the party had some things for kids (traditionally a visit from Santa) but not enough child-centered activities. So I set up a craft room in a small cafeteria off the main one (where the party was held) and kids came in and out all evening to make ornaments, play with playdough, watch Charlie Brown Christmas, and solve puzzles. And play with glow sticks. A good time was had by all! But I was sure tired by the end of that week. 

Right around the last week of school the weather got really cold, below freezing every night, and quite a bit of rain during the last week. I was in a grading frenzy so I barely noticed the cold, but Saturday morning I woke up (after having turned in the grades on Friday) to a winter wonderland. Snow was falling, and sticking! It has since melted, but the freezing temperatures are here to stay. 

   
Our break is 3 weeks long. Many of my colleagues are already off to warmer climates. I am in Korea until Wednesday, and then I am headed to Bali! My first solo trip since 1998. I will be back in time to celebrate New Year's in Korea, and work for the first week of January, before the rest of the faculty returns. But I am looking forward to spending a few days in summer weather. Backpack is packed (I can only bring 7 kg on the plane!) and passport is ready. 

I will post again once I get back from Indonesia. I hope your holidays are magical!

Link to a short video (snow falling on the Quad, Christmas lights): https://youtu.be/ubogn7cSmVg

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