Well, I'll TRY to provide a brief update. Brevity is painful when you love details.
Ok, since September ---
- We celebrated my birthday in October. Melvin threw a party for me at a lounge here called The Rio. It was a fun night and we closed the place down.
- We moved! Ok, it was only 1 block down from our old apartment, but it was a big step because we moved into a house. It's a perfect size, 3 bedroom, 2 and a half bathroom, 2 story house with a patio and yard space. One of the first things we did was buy a barbecue and patio table set because we were so excited to have the patio area!
- I hosted my first Thanksgiving! It was fun to bring the Thanksgiving tradition to Honduras and sharing it with Melvin's family (and some friends) for the first time. Melvin and I were up until midnight the night before preparing the turkey and side dishes. I love having a husband who not only cooks, but is amazingly good at it and actually enjoys it!
- It was our turn to spend Christmas in California, so that's what we did! We had a great time visiting my family and connecting with friends. We spent New Year's in Vegas (thanks to my Mom) and got to see Cirque de Soleil's "O" thanks to my Dad. I miss everyone, but I'll be back in June!
- Getting back into the groove the first week back to school wasn't easy for me or for the students. Apart from leaving some of our brains behind at break, the new schedule change (7:30 start time) was an adjustment! While getting out at 2:30 rocks, waking up before the sun comes up doesn't! I am SO not a morning person and I am bitter that I have to wake up first.
- Earlier this month I went to Baxter Institute/James Moody Clinic to check out some of the newly arrived audiology equipment! We have a brand new sound booth, audiometer, and impedance equipment! The area where the audiology section of the clinic will be is being repainted and there is still some more equipment on the way! This is an answer to prayer for me. I prayed that God would use my skills here, and he answered.
- Another piece of exciting news is that I will be working as the speech and hearing specialist at The American School next year! I am organizing a speech/language therapy evaluation and therapy pull-out program, as well as a hearing screening program! I am extremely excited and blessed to have the opportunity to work in these areas, where my passion truly lies. I spent this week researching resources I will be needing next year and checking out my office/therapy space! Now let's pray that everything on the list can be covered by the budget!
- Oh no, folks! It's not over yet! Call me crazy, but I've signed up for another Master's program. The American School sponsors a Master of Science in Multidisciplinary Studies/International Education from the State University of New York, Buffalo for faculty members. Professors fly in to give intensive courses every few months and our tuition is covered by the school with the stipulation that you agree to work for the school for a period of 3 years. It is my philosophy that one should never cease to learn, and since the school is footing the bill, I jumped on the bandwagon! I'm not worried about the 3 years because as long as we're here I plan on maintaining a relationship with the school. After all, our future kids will be going there!
My cup overfloweth. Peace and blessings,
Michelle
