The Christmas party was a success. Having a house-full of guests turned out as joy and not headache. The number and mix of people seemed perfect: a few foreigners and many Vietnamese friends, enough space to move and few enough chairs to promote movement, and plenty of food to go around. We enjoyed good conversations. In a new way, I think, the roles reversed between us and our Vietnamese friends: we were now the welcomers and extenders of our culture, and they the learners and guests.
As our friends arrived we passed them small cards with characters from the Christmas story written on them. Halfway through the party we corralled everyone into the living room for a simple role-play, reading the story while our friends listened for their parts to appear. Then still in the living room we got out the guitar and sang Christmas carols.
We're thanking God these days for a lot. For one, the team seems to be getting along well. Not the easy politeness as at first, but a familiar feeling. Considering the process it has taken until now, I realize that I far underestimated how central the team relations would be to this experience. We spend most of every day together--waking, eating, working, relaxing. It is really a unique, and probably (I can only guess) the closest thing to marriage I've ever experienced. So yes, being on good terms with each other is a real blessing.
The temp has dipped down to 68 during the days, and we laugh as we walk around the house in socks and long sleeves, shivering. At night I've been bundling up and honestly needing my blanket. It's marvelous.
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Monday, December 18, 2006
It's the most wonderful time of the year
As the East Coast is waking up to it's Saturday morning, I'm here in the staff room at Fisher's on Saturday night after teaching a class and unclogging the bathroom sink. It's as good a time as ever to write.
My class tonight (only one on Saturdays--a sweet break!) was the last class before its exam next Tuesday. Today we cram-reviewed shapes and colors, we learned the new words Yak, Yo-yo, and Yarn, and we practiced singing the Alphabet Jingle Bells for the school Christmas show next weekend. Maybe I'll video the finished product and put the link here. Of all the classes, this is probably my favorite, and nights like these do make me think hard about staying at Fisher's for another year. Other days are just plain draining, when motivation won't be had, and I'm quite sure one year will be enough.
This year is already spinning away, just like it does in any other part of the world. Lately I have begun to recognize how long relationships take to develop, how long it takes to feel at home in a place, and how little can humanly be done in this short time.
The days have been busy, in the same way days at college were busy, and in the same way any day goes by with a little space between breakfast and lunch, a breath, and a few hours of work before bed (or so it feels).
Tomorrow is something new for Bryan, Dawn, Nicky, and I: we're hosting a Christmas party for most of the people we know here in DaNang, including the school staff, neighbors, and folks from DIF. As many as 40 could show up. We're hoping the Rice-Krispy treat wreaths and no-bake cookies will be a hit. Today we put lights on our fake tree and started to de-clutter the house. The season has provided much fodder for team chats about our own family traditions and quirks. My Dad, I explained, has a certain way of putting the lights on in vertical loops instead of a spiral. We've decided to make stockings for each other and have our Christmas morning with them.
We have Christmas day off--and so far have no plans--but the days won't get any calmer till after the new year. Courses are finishing and starting, there are people to meet and parties to attend. Each of us is getting more and more invitations from Vietnamese friends and our students' parents.
The weather report: Rain and surprisingly cooler temps. Heavenly! Four typhoons since Xangsane have geared up come through the Philipines toward us, but none has made it this far.
Okay- my other teammates are done teaching and it's time to stroll home. If Dawn was successfull at ordering a pizza, it looks like we won't have instant noodles for the third night in a row.
Thanks for reading!
My class tonight (only one on Saturdays--a sweet break!) was the last class before its exam next Tuesday. Today we cram-reviewed shapes and colors, we learned the new words Yak, Yo-yo, and Yarn, and we practiced singing the Alphabet Jingle Bells for the school Christmas show next weekend. Maybe I'll video the finished product and put the link here. Of all the classes, this is probably my favorite, and nights like these do make me think hard about staying at Fisher's for another year. Other days are just plain draining, when motivation won't be had, and I'm quite sure one year will be enough.
This year is already spinning away, just like it does in any other part of the world. Lately I have begun to recognize how long relationships take to develop, how long it takes to feel at home in a place, and how little can humanly be done in this short time.
The days have been busy, in the same way days at college were busy, and in the same way any day goes by with a little space between breakfast and lunch, a breath, and a few hours of work before bed (or so it feels).
Tomorrow is something new for Bryan, Dawn, Nicky, and I: we're hosting a Christmas party for most of the people we know here in DaNang, including the school staff, neighbors, and folks from DIF. As many as 40 could show up. We're hoping the Rice-Krispy treat wreaths and no-bake cookies will be a hit. Today we put lights on our fake tree and started to de-clutter the house. The season has provided much fodder for team chats about our own family traditions and quirks. My Dad, I explained, has a certain way of putting the lights on in vertical loops instead of a spiral. We've decided to make stockings for each other and have our Christmas morning with them.
We have Christmas day off--and so far have no plans--but the days won't get any calmer till after the new year. Courses are finishing and starting, there are people to meet and parties to attend. Each of us is getting more and more invitations from Vietnamese friends and our students' parents.
The weather report: Rain and surprisingly cooler temps. Heavenly! Four typhoons since Xangsane have geared up come through the Philipines toward us, but none has made it this far.
Okay- my other teammates are done teaching and it's time to stroll home. If Dawn was successfull at ordering a pizza, it looks like we won't have instant noodles for the third night in a row.
Thanks for reading!
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