Not much to report, but reporting nonethelessc

I wish there was some grand adventure that I could share as I am settling in for the last few hours of my weekend, but all in all life has been pretty smooth sailing in the last week.  Work this past week was a little too reminiscent of time in Kuwait - we had a mild dust storm on Sunday, as I mentioned in my previous blog, but it was well into Thursday before I had my voice back.  I must say that I don't enjoy teaching without a voice.  I was delighted to get my voice back and it's been strong since Thursday.

No voice meant that I had to miss choir practice on Monday.  That was rather disappointing. I will head back this week though and try to do my very best to sing for the entire practice.  No voice also meant I needed students who cooperated, and for the most part, they surely did!  While I was reminded on Thursday that they are indeed children (they were particularly naughty) I do enjoy my class (most days)

I stayed pretty close to home this week - in part due to the voicelessness, but also because there are many things to do in preparation for Thanksgiving Dinner this coming weekend.  I did the preliminary shopping - got all the non-perishable goods.  I had planned to bake bread and buns this week, but was unable to get to that task (slept to late in the mornings and had plans both Friday and Saturday evening).  We have Wednesday off, so that can be my bread and bun baking day.  I did, however, bake 12 dozen cookies - a little crazy, but my kidlets had their coupon draw and as such I needed to bake for them too!

This coming week I will get my perishable goods as well as get started on the decorating preparations.  Friday and Saturday will be busy, but I am really excited for the adventure.  32 people for dinner, including myself means that I will be busy, busy, busy.

I am also starting to feel like I actually live here.  I went to Syriatel this morning to pay my internet bill - quite an accomplishment for a couple reasons.  First, I found my way there and secondly, I was able to pay my bill and find out when my billing date is.  Then, later this afternoon, I took another new teacher to the shopping area known as Shalon.  As I become more confident in my surroundings I feel more and more settled.

All in all, things continue to be really great here.  This week we have Wednesday off for Tishreen Liberation Day.  Has to do with Syria getting control over something that had been occupied by the country that shall not be named.

Well, until next time I best be going.  I wish each of you a wonderful week and look forward to letting you in on all the fun I'm having in Damascus.

Until next time...

Tylene