Damascus has it's first strike against it...DUST STORM TODAY. 30 minutes of duty outside and I'm left without a voice. I guess it's a reminder that I'm not quite as well as I think I am AND that 80 % function still means that when my allergies act up and things get inflamed my voice will become hoarse and toad-like. So it is. Might not make it to choir tomorrow night.
Now, to put things into perspective, the "Dust storm" today is sort of like a "mild yellow day" in Kuwait. That is, it's dusty, but not so much that you feel the dust fall on you as you walk. I will be extra diligent and cross my fingers that things (my voice and the skies) are clearer by tomorrow.
On another note, progress reports go out tomorrow. I must say that 14 progress reports take very little time to complete, especially when your students are as loverly as mine. You might remember me griping about the 14 million categories to click when doing report cards in Kuwait. Thus is not the case here. Our progress reports have two categories - academic and overall performance. Pretty straight forward. That is followed by a section for comments - which we were told to try to stick to so the progress reports would only be one page long. Go me! Mission accomplished. As of 1:30 today, my progress reports were all finished. Now, there is the possibility that when my principal takes a look he won't like them. If that is the case, we'll simply redo and be done with it. Am I panicked? Nope. Why not, you ask? Well, tomorrow we have a 1/2 day with kids and a 1/2 day to do our progress reports. Crazy, isn't it. I'm spoiled, I know.
Aside from progress reports, this week also marks the first of two weeks of preparation for Canadian Thanksgiving Dinner. Currently there are 32 people (me included) invited. Thus far, all the R.S.V.Ps have been positive, so I might just have 32 people. I have the turkey ordered from the school cafeteria, and if worse comes to worse (which it won't but it's nice to have the option), they will not only cook my turkey, but also help with potato peeling and such. I have also secured the roaster for my 12 kg turkey. It shall be a grand feast, let me tell you.
I have also started the grocery list. As this is pay day week, I figured I might even start picking up a few things. I will need a couple loaves of bread for the stuffing, but my bread baking expedition this past weekend didn't quite turn out, so I have about 8 loaves of bread there that I can use. This coming weekend's mission - making bread and buns that can be served to large groups of people (read: that are not only eatable but also very tasty.
I sent out the invitations last week and expect to hear replies by this coming Thursday, so it's an exciting time. I am looking forward to having this opportunity to share some of my traditions (and cultural heritage) with the other teachers from the U.S. with whom I am working.
Well, the night is ticking away (as is my internet usage) so I best be off - not the greatest conclusion to a blog posting, but what's a girl to do. Henry's beyond ready for bed, the poor boy. Stay tuned for more adventures from Damascus -especially the preparations leading up to Thanksgiving. Until next time...
Tylene
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