A Christmas Story in Palestine

I just realized that it's been a month since my last blog - completely unacceptable! My apologies to anyone who has been anxiously awaiting my next post. So then, there's a lot to cover; I'll try to pass on the highlights as I remember them. After Thanksgiving, we (the elementary teachers) had to decorate our classroom doors for Christmas. I must say that I loved mine. I made a nativity scene that included a stable with opening doors - it was so cute! I wish that I had a picture of it that I could post, but unfortunately my camera died and I've been unable to take pictures for quite a while. A sad affair, but c'est la vie. The last week at at school before the holiday break was tiring, but fun. The kids were so excited and hyper, but I was already on holiday in my head, so the craziness didn't really bother me. We had a Christmas program and my kids did two songs. I was really frustrated with them because they just didn't want to do anything. Last year, my kids were so excited and they really wanted to do well, but this year I felt like I was pulling teeth just to get them to even participate. I chose a song that we did last year, a really fun version of "Joy to the World," in which the whole class sang, and then I chose a very special song that I had envisioned for one kid in particular. It was the Elvis version of "Santa Claus is Back in Town." If you've read my previous posts, then you will have noticed my "little Elvis." He's the one that I had in mind when I thought of this song, and so it had to be. (Both songs were performed along with CD's.) In order to make this fun for the others (only guys did this one), and really, the only way I could get them to even want to do this, I had to make instruments for them to "play" in Elvis' band. I made 7 guitars and a set of drums out of craft foam, and we used the piano upstairs for the pianist. The instruments turned out great; they even had guitar straps and real drum sticks - so, so cute. We practiced for 4 days and I taught them motions to do for "Joy. . ." and barely got them to even sing up until the last day. And then I taught the boys motions for "Santa. . . " and they were mostly cooperative. The day came & I knew that if all went according to my "vision," it would be the best act in the program. But I also knew that if they didn't cooperate, it would be the biggest flop. So the day came and . . .it pretty much flopped. Most of them barely moved or even sang for "Joy" and for "Santa," well, some of them did well, but some of them stood there like a deer frozen in headlights. I danced and sang more than any of them and I think most of the kids and teachers in the audience were watching me instead of them. I must say, though, that "Elvis" did a very good job, even though at the end of the song the guitar fell down around his ankles and he was yelling "Oh my God!" instead of finishing the song. It was an adorable disaster.
The last day of school finally came; we had our party, and the kids were so happy. They loved their gifts and were on top of the world, for that moment in time at least, and they left school on a very high note. All the stress of the last week had finally paid off. It was so wonderful and fulfilling to see the joy on their faces - it was priceless.
The time came to send Wilma back across the pond for the holiday break - she ended up missing her ride to the airport, so I had to drive her at the last minute, but of course I didn't mind. Michael, another teacher from Dalton who happened to graduate with Wilma, was with us and we all had a pleasant drive. We did have to say a little prayer though, because our vehicles aren't registered (for reasons beyond our control), and if we got stopped it would have been really bad. But, thank God, it went smoothly. Wilma is now having a lovely time with her family in the States, but she is very much missed here.
The first few days of the break, Erin and I pretty much just rested, occasionally going out in the evening. Keeping a Christmas tradition that I share with my dad, I watched "A Christmas Story" a few times, which never gets old to me. Erin, Eric, & I spent Christmas Eve in Bethlehem, which was something I really wanted to experience this year because I didn't get to last year. Plus, I'm not sure if I'll be here again next year, so it had to be done. It was nice enough; the music was lovely - the choir was singing Handel's "Messiah," and the weather was nice: cold, crisp, and clear - just the way I like it. It was very crowded with nothing to do but stand around and listen to the music, so it got boring after a while. We chatted with some of our fellow teachers at Manger Square and at length, we left and went to the Tent to eat, with Michael and a couple of our high school students joining us. The food was good, but the restaurant was full of smoke. We stayed there for at least 3 hours & I was tired and miserable when we finally left. Christmas morning arrived and I felt horrible from the smoke exposure of the previous evening, but I had decided to make makloubeh for the teachers and so Erin and I had a Christmas party to host. I got up, got groceries, & started on the meal. I was really excited because I had plenty of time to get everything done, but then sometimes things just don't go as we expect them to. I was preparing to fry some veggies, but apparently the oil was way too hot because when I dropped some carrots in, they instantly turned solid black, smoke started going everywhere, the oil started boiling over (onto the GAS stove), and I was praying that a fire wouldn't start. I stayed in as long as I could; coughing and hacking, tears streaming down my face, nose in a terrible mess. . .it was not a pretty sight. Erin came in and convinced me to come out and take a break and so I did. I sat for a while, unable to open my eyes, and just had to laugh at the situation. Once I recuperated a bit, I made the decision to go buy more oil because what I had used was ruined. And so I did. I got back, started afresh, and apart from running late, the meal was fabulous. Erin took care of the ambiance and hors d'eurves, and played hostess while I stayed in the kitchen. I finished the makloubeh, and then made brownies. Everyone loved it and I was so happy. We ate, chatted, had a white elephant gift exchange, and watched the animated Santa Claus is Comin' to Town classic from 1970. Plus, I got some special phone calls from home & that was lovely as well. It was a very pleasant evening and everyone left with full bellies and a smile on their face - a very merry Christmas in Palestine.