Merry Christmas

We have many nationalities attending the school, most are Japanese, Brazilian and Saudi's. From Europe most Swiss. I'm the only Dutch, which makes that I'm not tempted to speak my own language, it's all English, English and English.. I even dream in English. I'm sure I learn every day, though at the moment I'm tired and I've no room in my head to process any more.. But that's okay, because Peter is coming over for Christmas and we will spend 10 days together! I have 2 days off and I'm gonna ditch for three days;) Oh!

International Christmas lunch at the school

All classes were invited to the Potluck Christmas Lunch at school, that means all students bring a small dish to share. This was my chance to promote the Dutch kitchen (that I rarely eat actually;)  I found potatoes and kale in the grocery and a (turkey) sausage. I had no acces to a masher or blender in our primitive student kitchen, I had to mash it all with a fork...pff but 2 hours later there it was: boerenkool stamppot! And a cramped hand. I brought de dish to school and it was popular! And I loved the Korean and the Mexican dishes!

When our kids were still small I loved to bake and decorate cookies with them. Here I'm not in the role of mother or teacher, but just the student and I was invited to my classmates homestay to decorate Christmas cookies. They live in Chula Vista, a suburn of San Diego, 10 miles away from downtown and I went by bike. And back! Pretty far, but mostly flat. I'm still so happy with my bicycle!  Sometimes people pass me and call: "I love your bike!" I tended to say "me too" but could just hold my tongue;) in order to prevent starting a conversation..#me2...

I was together with 11 other students, everything was perfectly arranged by the sweet home mom and my only job was to frost my own cookies and chat a bit with the other "children" at the party... It's really a new experience not to be in charge..

Football

After some evenings by myself, I needed to go out but I couldn't find someone who wanted to join me, so I did something I've never done before...I went to a bar, alone, to watch football..It was happy hour, I found a seat next to a stranger, I ordered a cocktail and some food and started a conversation about football, haha I had no clue how the game works or who was playing:) Anyways, the game was boring and I started a chat with the bartender. He had time and talked my ears off about politics and guess what, he hates Trump. He has even a doormat with Trumps face and "give me dirt, I deserve dirt". The next elections are in 2020, I'm curious how this all will turn out. Interesting.

For more experiences see my photos on the USS Midway. To see all fotos that goes with this story, use the button "fotos".

I wish you all a time of rest and joy this Christmas and a lot of blessings in the very new year!