Three down (almost), one to go

I can't believe the third quarter is almost over! I've almost survived 3/4 of a year of teaching...or doing what I assume is some semblance of teaching. The first two quarters were pretty rough, but I managed to make it through somehow. Now there's only one week left in the third and I can't believe it's gone by so fast. The fourth quarter is, for some reason, 12 weeks instead of nine-ish. It's OK, though, as I have something to look forward to. Two somethings, in fact. The first is another three week trip back to the States to indulge in family, friends, food and (so much for alliteration) my dog. The second, which I am infinitely excited about, is a two-week visit from some of my favorite people in the whole world! Kim (Kappel) and Mark Brandt and Miss Kristin J. Bork have purchased plane tickets and are flying all the way to this other hemisphere just to see Travis and I right when school gets out. (OK, promise of an inexpensive week at five-star resorts in Bali is probably incentive, too.) I can't believe I get to share Indonesia with three friends from home. I've already said as much in emails to the three of them, but I cried my own river when I got the email that said they had actually, truly purchased tickets. I get teary-eyed every time I think about it for long enough, actually, because I'm just so incredibly happy about it! Coming to Indonesia, even if it's only for a week or two, is a huge decision and few people have the ability to do it. I certainly couldn't have been able to on my own-I had to move here and have the school pay my way!:)

I'm also beyond excited because, less than one week from now, my parents will be here! I pick them up at the airport Wednesday afternoon. I can't believe they'll be here so soon! We're, of course, taking them to Bali for several days. I'm excited about Bali but I'm more excited about just being able to be here with people from home who mean so much to me. OK, I'm starting to get gushy and most likely quite annoying, so I'll stop. Let's just say I'm an extremely happy girl right now and leave it at that. Yay!

In other news...there's not a whole lot of other news. I continue to love my seventh graders (though I nearly tied a few of them to their chairs and taped their mouths shut the other day) and attempt to love my 11th graders. All I can say is, thank goodness for the upcoming one week quarter break! I've been reading Animal Farm with them, which they seem to like. Next I'm starting Of Mice and Men, which reading-wise should be OK for them but themes and ideas may be a bit much. Animal Farm was that way. Symbolism was lost, I'm pretty sure most of them figured it was a nice story about piggies and other barnyard animals gone awry. Oh well, it's kept them busy. The normal course for that book is about five weeks, but it's taken them close to 10. That's OK, I don't mind going slow if it means they're actually learning something. Of Mice and Men should take two to three weeks, I think, but I'm guessing with this class it'll take more like seven or eight. Throw in watching the movie and a few other activities and I should somehow be able to make this last until the end of the year. (Pause as I breathe a tremendous sigh of relief.)

Indonesia itself is good, for the most part. We've really adjusted to being here since we got back from our December trip home. Having a car and cable TV help make it easier, too. Now I can get to a nice grocery store in Jakarta without having to rely on someone else AND I can watch American Idol! Speaking of which...anyone else think Constantine totally needs to get voted off? What a tool. Ack. Katie and I maintain that the only reason he's still on is because our two votes can't be counted from over here. I filled out an absentee ballot for the president (fat lot of good that did), so can't I get an absentee ballot for American Idol? I'd ask the U.S. Embassy here, but I have a feeling that I'd be stripped of my American citizenship for asking such a dumb question, and I'd have to move to Canada and take up yak farming. Take off, eh? Hosers. See, I can talk Canadian! Enough babbling for now. Seacrest out!