February has been a very unusual month of Craziness. I don't think there was much down time for me this whole month. The month started out with me still recovering from all the doctors visits and trying to regain my health and stabilize my heart rate. An update about my health, I am now on a heart rate medicine to help try to regulate my heart rate as well as anxiety medicine to keep my body calm more than what I can control. I have been on my heart rate medicine for a little over 2 weeks now and have only had 1 episode where my heart rate was really high. I think the medicine is definitely helping. I have only been on my anxiety medicine for about 5 days so it will take a little more time for that to really sink into my system and for me to start seeing it work.
For the 100th day of school, I only made it for the parade and then I had to leave to return to the doctors office. It was such a joy to see all of the elementary students dressed up to represent something of "100." My children represented 101 Dalmatians and very cute Dalmatians might I add. At the end of this week I was able to return back to work and my kids welcomed me with open arms and lots of love and happiness. I have never been made to feel so loved. It is reassuring to know that I must be making a true influence in my students lives for them to miss me that much when I am out. The school had an Elementary Movie Night after school on a Friday. We ordered pizza, sang some silly songs, watched a movie, and enjoyed popcorn together. The kids had a blast and I think the teachers and parents did as well. It is always nice to be able to give to the kids fun things to do outside of the school day but to enjoy it with their friends and family in a safe environment.
The most exciting week in a school year, I think, is Spirit Week! It is a time for silliness, creativity, and imagination to run wild. The first day of Spirit Week was Twin Day. All of my kids dressed like someone or something and I dressed alike with the 2nd grade teacher. Next was Character Day, this was a huge hit with the kids and trying to figure out who everyone was through out the day was a bit of a challenge. I sank into my childhood and was Junie B. Jones (from a book series) Everyone's favorite day including the teachers was on Tuesday and that was Pajama day! As much as I love this day I also despise this day because I get so tired being so comfortable and warm through the entire day, it makes it hard to teach. The last day of Spirit Week was the most absurd. Wacky Tacky Day is always a hit and a lot of students enjoy this day to for they do not have to match anything they are wearing. I got really involved in this day as well. It is so fun to bring out the inner child and craziness in the teachers. It shows the kids we really do know how to have fun and be "cool" in their eyes. Spirit week came to a close when we wished the basketball players off to Budapest for the tournament and we ended the week with Valentine's Day Parties.
I titled this particular entry, "Love is in the Air" because Valentine's weekend I had a chance to be a part of the English Cafe Retreat again. A group of about 40 of us, Russians and Americans, left Moscow for the weekend to become more acquainted and help the Russians with their English It was cold, very icy and snowy, but we had a blast. We played games, sang songs, watched a movie, had discussion groups, and thoroughly enjoyed each others company. We all learned new things about ourselves as we all took the 5 love language test. We discussed relationships (bf and gf, friends, family, etc) and even had a devotion time on Sunday morning for all who wanted to attend. We do not push religion or things on these people for we aren't trying to turn anyone away but to help improve their English, build relationships, and in the end, hopes that they would be willing and initiate the move to learn more about Christ. What a great time of fellowship it was. On a side note from this weekend, I had the opportunity to walk around outside in the snow and ice to take pictures of my bosses daughter who is a senior. On our journey, I stepped through snow and ice and was stuck in a river. It was only about a foot and a half deep but was enough to soak me past my knee and freeze my toes and leg through my pants and boots. Needless to say, I still have all of my toes and Alisha and I just created some very humorous memories that will never forget.
February has slowed down a bit since Kindergarten met their last obligation for the month. Kindergarten and first grade lead chapel this past Friday and did an outstanding job. We sang some old fun songs and performed 2 skits. We talked about how Jesus is the only way to Heaven and also performed a skit about Zaccheaus. The children memorized scripture and even learned a whole praise and worship song in Russian. It was a very beautiful chapel and I am one proud teacher! My children were rewarded also on Friday after chapel by having a, Friday Fun Day. We left the school and went to a park for a little over 2 hours. We played on huge mounds of snow, went sledding, and painted the snow! When we left the park we were all cold and tired so we made our way back to the school and watched a movie while we ate popcorn and drank hot cocoa. The kids absolutely loved such a wonderful fun filled day. I am definitely looking forward to the last few months here with these kids before we all set off for the summer!
For the 100th day of school, I only made it for the parade and then I had to leave to return to the doctors office. It was such a joy to see all of the elementary students dressed up to represent something of "100." My children represented 101 Dalmatians and very cute Dalmatians might I add. At the end of this week I was able to return back to work and my kids welcomed me with open arms and lots of love and happiness. I have never been made to feel so loved. It is reassuring to know that I must be making a true influence in my students lives for them to miss me that much when I am out. The school had an Elementary Movie Night after school on a Friday. We ordered pizza, sang some silly songs, watched a movie, and enjoyed popcorn together. The kids had a blast and I think the teachers and parents did as well. It is always nice to be able to give to the kids fun things to do outside of the school day but to enjoy it with their friends and family in a safe environment.
The most exciting week in a school year, I think, is Spirit Week! It is a time for silliness, creativity, and imagination to run wild. The first day of Spirit Week was Twin Day. All of my kids dressed like someone or something and I dressed alike with the 2nd grade teacher. Next was Character Day, this was a huge hit with the kids and trying to figure out who everyone was through out the day was a bit of a challenge. I sank into my childhood and was Junie B. Jones (from a book series) Everyone's favorite day including the teachers was on Tuesday and that was Pajama day! As much as I love this day I also despise this day because I get so tired being so comfortable and warm through the entire day, it makes it hard to teach. The last day of Spirit Week was the most absurd. Wacky Tacky Day is always a hit and a lot of students enjoy this day to for they do not have to match anything they are wearing. I got really involved in this day as well. It is so fun to bring out the inner child and craziness in the teachers. It shows the kids we really do know how to have fun and be "cool" in their eyes. Spirit week came to a close when we wished the basketball players off to Budapest for the tournament and we ended the week with Valentine's Day Parties.
I titled this particular entry, "Love is in the Air" because Valentine's weekend I had a chance to be a part of the English Cafe Retreat again. A group of about 40 of us, Russians and Americans, left Moscow for the weekend to become more acquainted and help the Russians with their English It was cold, very icy and snowy, but we had a blast. We played games, sang songs, watched a movie, had discussion groups, and thoroughly enjoyed each others company. We all learned new things about ourselves as we all took the 5 love language test. We discussed relationships (bf and gf, friends, family, etc) and even had a devotion time on Sunday morning for all who wanted to attend. We do not push religion or things on these people for we aren't trying to turn anyone away but to help improve their English, build relationships, and in the end, hopes that they would be willing and initiate the move to learn more about Christ. What a great time of fellowship it was. On a side note from this weekend, I had the opportunity to walk around outside in the snow and ice to take pictures of my bosses daughter who is a senior. On our journey, I stepped through snow and ice and was stuck in a river. It was only about a foot and a half deep but was enough to soak me past my knee and freeze my toes and leg through my pants and boots. Needless to say, I still have all of my toes and Alisha and I just created some very humorous memories that will never forget.
February has slowed down a bit since Kindergarten met their last obligation for the month. Kindergarten and first grade lead chapel this past Friday and did an outstanding job. We sang some old fun songs and performed 2 skits. We talked about how Jesus is the only way to Heaven and also performed a skit about Zaccheaus. The children memorized scripture and even learned a whole praise and worship song in Russian. It was a very beautiful chapel and I am one proud teacher! My children were rewarded also on Friday after chapel by having a, Friday Fun Day. We left the school and went to a park for a little over 2 hours. We played on huge mounds of snow, went sledding, and painted the snow! When we left the park we were all cold and tired so we made our way back to the school and watched a movie while we ate popcorn and drank hot cocoa. The kids absolutely loved such a wonderful fun filled day. I am definitely looking forward to the last few months here with these kids before we all set off for the summer!