Students line up to see Santa Claus at the on-campus Christmas parade.

Write a letter to Santa Claus

Being a Christian school, Christmas time brought as much excitement and anticipation as if it were celebrated in a Christian country. I led my students in the ritual of writing a letter to Santa. They detailed what good things they had done, what things they wanted in return, and crucially, what they would leave for Santa to imbibe and ingest.

This student writes that she helped teachers organize activities, and that she wants an iPhone. Also, she promises to leave cookies and hot milk for Santa!

Hilariously, this students counts “I go out with my family” as one of the good things she did this past year! Typical teenager! Also, she promised to leave papaya salad and a Coke for Santa. Again, a Thai teenager!

Teachers walked in the Christmas parade.

This student lists “I helped my friend do homework” as one of the good deeds of this past year. He tells Santa Claus that “I want a lot of money.” Lastly, he will leave watermelon as Santa’s snack.

Let’s plan a party!

Our curriculum included a section about the job of a party planner. Now, most teachers would have remained within the textbook and left the lesson at that. However, I pounced on the opportunity to expand this activity by putting the Party Planner hat on my students, and guided them to host a party of their choice. As planners, they selected the theme, invited guests, ordered food, chose the music, and lastly, had to divulge one big problem that happened at their party. The pictures of their parties are so precious, I feel like a proud mom.

Party in a castle!

This student decided to throw a party in a castle! The guests will eat Italian food, including a pizza and purple eggplant. The music is “classic” since this is a classy party! Amazingly, Tom Cruise is a celebrity guest at the party—what a get! Maybe too much of a get because the big problem is that this party runs out of money. Oh well, it was fun while it lasted.

K-pop party!

This student party planner invites you to her K-pop party, hosted at a chic hotel pub. Accordingly, the food is upscale: sushi, cake pops, ice cream, and martinis. Cute anime characters will be there to help you get your vibe on!

Procession of Santa Clauses file through the parade. Students hold out their hands for candy.

Happy Birthday King Charles III

You are cordially invited to celebrate the birthday of King Charles III. Festivities at Buckingham Palace include darts, twister, and a three-legged race. Guests will dine on roast chicken while rocking out to AC/DC. Back in Black anyone?

Monsoon rains

bring flooded roads. I removed my work shoes, hitched up my skirt and sloshed in the water all the way home.