Loving the holidays

 Once again it's been a while since you've heard from me. This time it's a combination of sickness and being too busy. Two weeks ago I was sick from Saturday until Thursday with a fever which then led to a viral infection in my throat, or so the doctor says. I missed two days of school, which was rough on my students. However, I am feeling better and only have the cough left.

This past Friday was Fall Festival at school. It's a fundraiser for the school where each grade sets up a booth with games and collects tickets. The parents get really involved and bring in tons of cultural food, as well as prizes for games and a raffle. I was in charge of the 10^th graders, who set up a tennis ball toss through holes in cardboard that we decorated to look like various teachers in the school. They even made a hillbilly version of me...so thoughtful. I got to have an incredible lunch made by my students' parents. I chose Chinese...good decision! Once the games started, I spent most of the afternoon dodging students who kept pelting me with flour and shaving cream, a part of one of booths. They took a little too much enjoyment in making me look ridiculous.

Sorry it's sideways but it takes too long to upload to turn it and send it to you.  These are the fruits and vegetables that I buy from the market each week. It includes a pepper, carrots, zucchini, mixed nuts, bananas, mandarins, potatoes, and green beans. I can get all of this for less than $10 and it tastes a million times better than the States!

Roommate outing to 360; the best restaurant I've been to in Caracas. Amazing pizza and tequenos. I had a fever here and wasn't feeling too great.

Fall festival. My students did a great job covering me in water/flour/shaving cream, didn't they?

Christmas at Mare Mare: stringing popcorn for our Christmas tree...and of course, eating some too. 

Our beautiful and homemade tree, minus the popcorn string.  Homemade items include a paper chain, dough ornaments which later went soft and fell off due to the humidity, a popcorn string, earrings as ornaments, a ribbon as a topper, and a random mop doll we found. Love it!

English club has been going well. We are still hoping for more students as well as opportunities to share about our faith. We don't want to force a conversation or put in Scripture that doesn't flow from our topic. Last week we had a short but good conversation about where music came from and idea of music being a way to worship. Continue praying for the people we have been getting to know.

Christmas has arrived at Mare Mare in full force. Since Venezuelans don't celebrate Thanksgiving, people have begun putting lights up and the stores are full of Christmas decorations. We have also embraced this attitude of Christmas cheer. Our house is continually playing Christmas music, our tree is up and looking lovely with all its homemade trimmings, and we have been spending evenings watching Christmas movies and drinking apple cider. I have chosen this year to enjoy it rather than playing the Grinch card. Be prepared Ohio...this kid likes Christmas now.  

Prayer Requests:

1) Finishing the semester strong. I have found myself slacking off lately in the classroom, both with lesson plans and during actual class. Pray for creativity in planning and energy to teach.

2) Learning the language. I wish I would wake up one day and magically speak Spanish fluently, but unfortunately, this only seems to happen in my dreams. I have good days and bad days, often followed by each other, but seem to lack consistency which is so frustrating.

3) I will be back in Ohio in less than 4 weeks. I am nervous about traveling on my own and navigating through the Caracas airport during its busiest time. I am excited to see friends and family!

Spanish word of the day: rumba: means a variety of things all having to do with a party or celebration, can also mean the club. Marisol, the sweet woman who cleans my room each day, used this word yesterday in reference to our Thanksgiving celebration tomorrow. She continues to teach me new words each day and I am thankful to be able to talk to her.