TGIF

I just got home from a TGIF social for school. It was held at the middle / high school, and yes, there was alcohol. Such a foreign concept, drinking at your place of work. It was like a little reception. They had appetizers and a bar set up in their amphitheater and it seemed that almost all the teachers and admins, nursery through grade 12 were there. It was nice to meet new people, chat with the ones we've already met, and get to unwind after the hectic week we've had preparing for our first couple of days.

Marty and I rode our new e-bike there. He drives that thing like he drives in Chicago - zipping between cars and bikes and honking the little horn at anyone nearby. I guess it's fair to say that that's the appropriate way to drive here. The bikes here don't follow the same rules as cars. You seem to be able to just go right on through red lights and drive any which way you need to to get where you're going. That may include, although is not limited to, the following things that we've done in the past 24 hours since purchasing our bike: driving through a park, driving through a ped mall, and driving toward oncoming traffic to get across the street. Also a word of advice - get a good running start to get up ramps (i.e. out of the parking garage in our apartment complex or out of the scooter parking area at school). If you don't generate enough speed, the person on the back (me), may have to bail and nearly face plant.

I thought I'd post a few new pictures of my classroom. I thought I had it looking good until about 3 hours before meet and greet on Wednesday. Then I had an arrangement crisis and rearranged the whole thing. Here's what it's looking like so far.

classroom library / reading area

carpet area, of course

my messy desk : )

my cherubs hard at work (coloring ; ) 

guided reading area

And as requested, here is a picture of Aling, our Ayi. She has been fabulous! Today she volunteered to cook even more for us, which will work out great because Marty just couldn't take any more time off from soccer - he starts coaching middle school boys twice a week pretty soon. So she'll cook for us on those nights, and our late working night (we have meetings after school til 5 every Wednesday).

This weekend we have a little more shopping to do for some cooking items. Someone from school has also organized a trip to look at dishes. Sounds funny, but they're Pottery Barn, Crate & Barrel, etc. that weren't perfect enough to be exported and sold, so they sell them for a discount here. Don't think we need any, but might go along to just see what it's about. Also in store for this weekend - a much needed pedicure and foot massage! Don't think I'll post pics of that ; ) but from what I hear, I may have a good story to tell about the massages here. Stay tuned...