el ganador

So, thanks to un montón de blood tests over the course of two months…we finally have a winner.  The reason I have not been feeling well for the past semester is…mycoplasma pneumoniae—walking pneumonia.  Apparently I caught it and beat it without the recommended antibiotics sometime in the fall, and now I am feeling the residual side effects.

If you have any good walking pneumonia jokes or puns, feel free to post them.  I have already heard a few good ones.  I am happy to joke about my discomfort and general misery now because there is an end in sight.  In less than six months, I should be feeling back to normal. 

That’s my biggest news of late.  Thank you everyone for your thoughts and prayers!

feliz año nuevo

I’m back in PR just in time for Three Kings Day.  In case I could possibly have forgotten this enormous Puerto Rican holiday, I was reminded when we saw the Kings riding to the town plaza this afternoon with a police escort, and then later when they paraded past the school with an enormous speaker system and cheering fans. 

This parade seemed especially loud because of the peace and quiet I have been experiencing in New Jersey for the past three weeks.  I had a relaxing time with my family while I rested and recuperated from an arduous semester.  I am hoping and praying that this new year will be filled with good health and strength for the second half of the school year. 

I wish all of you a happy, healthy, and blessed New Year, too!

por fin

We did it.  We made it through another semester…a semester that I often doubted I could make it through.  My flight home is tomorrow morning, and 6am cannot come soon enough!

We ended the first half on a strong note.  Last week, I was surprised at how much quality classroom time I had—which was a blessing because I had a lot of ground to cover.

On Friday, we played the bells at El Yunque (rainforest) visitor center.  We were a little nervous because people had been telling us that this event was being advertised on Puerto Rico’s most widely listened to radio station and in the newspaper.  We feared there would be masses of people and the kids would be too nervous to play.  Thankfully, there were only about 30 people in the audience (and maybe 20 of them were El Yunque employees).  The kids did well, and I’m pretty sure some people in the audience cried.  Also, the students had a chance to visit the exhibits.  They were fascinated, and we had to tear them away when it was time to play the bells.

After we finished, we rushed back to school for Christmas lunch provided by Palmas Community Church.  Then we opened presents.   

Finally, parents arrived for the Christmas concert.  The kids played the bells and signed some songs.  

 

Kevin and Kristian each prepared a song.  Kristian signed María Sabías Que (Mary Did You Know),

and Kevin performed Venid y Adoremos (O Come All Ye Faithful). 

Carlos Motta also shared a Christmas message for the families.  

It was a day that had potential to be filled with chaos, but thankfully it went smoothly and enjoyably.    

contando los días

Last week, we had our first Christmas bell performance.  To everyone’s delight, it went quickly and smoothly.  We have one more week of school until Christmas break, and in this week, we have three more concerts.  We are hoping that these performances will go at least as well as the first. 

The kids let their imaginations entertain them while they were waiting to perform.  Here, Kioney is leading a lovely quartet.

Here, we have a good photo to embarrass Mizael and Kioney at their graduation.

 

On Saturday, we went to Old San Juan.  This is probably my favorite place in Puerto Rico, and until yesterday, it had been too long since I’d been there.  After some Christmas shopping, we found a new little coffee shop that quickly became my favorite place in my favorite city on the island.  Finally, there is an alternative (which much better beverages) to Starbucks!

When it got dark, we were able to enjoy the city’s Christmas lights, including a nice light show on La Fortaleza (the governor’s mansion).  

La Fortaleza

This outing was just what I needed to energize me for one more week here.  The last few weeks of this long semester have been crawling along, and I have been itching to travel home to family and friends. 

acción de gracias

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!

 Psalm 118:1

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.  I hope you all take time to thank God for the many blessings He has given you.

I thank God for the numerous ways He has blessed me over the past year that I have been in Puerto Rico.  He has given me friends and "family" here with whom I am able to celebrate this holiday.  I wish I wasn't spending this day away from my family in New Jersey, but I thank God for Skype!