As usual, I have to take off early to get to school. My knees are feeling gimpy, and I decide to taxi over today. When I get into the cab, the driver’s gestures indicate he’s driven me to school once before. This is great, because I can sit back, relax, and let him worry about the route. I don’t have to sweat whether or not the driver really knows where I need to go. He drops me right at the door with a big smile.

Almost everyone is in class today. It’s been several weeks since that’s been the case. We spend some time talking about holiday music in the states and we even sang some Christmas carols, using some of Judy’s powerpoints. I followed that up with youtube videos of extreme home Christmas lights set to music.

At lunch today, we meet the guitar club for the first time. They’ve been meeting some on their own, getting ready for the school talent show, and have some good ideas in place. I just give them some ways to maximize the musical impacts.

Orchestra club meets after school, and the rehearsal goes ok. About half the group is attending, and they’re talking about also playing at the talent show? They actually could make it work, but they’re going to have to rehearse. To make matters worse, today is my last chance to meet with them before the talent show on Jan. 31. Like last year, my trip to the US means I’ll be gone when the talent show takes place. I hate they have to perform without me around for three weeks to push them, and fix a few things. Oh well!

When I’m not rehearsing the clubs, I spend the rest of the time putting together my sub plans for my absences. I’m going to miss only 3 classes, but it’s never easy to write plans that will keep the students busy and out of the teacher’s hair, especially when there’s a language barrier between the sub and myself. I’m also going to have a different person for each day, so that triples the problem.