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.