Back to a routine...kind of

It's been a while since my last post-as my lovely mother reminded me over break :). However, there wasn't much happening besides the normal routine, but I did promise her to post more regularly, so here we go. 

The end of the semester was wonderful, filled with holiday celebrations. There is more Christmas celebration here than in the US for sure. We had a great farmers market with a band playing Christmas music to end the year, as well as a good secret Santa. We ended the year with another rooftop gathering at Nabils, reflecting on the year and sharing in some fun memories with people that were off to all parts of the world for iur break, including Thailand, Austria, Germany, South Africa, Switzerland, London and the US. It's amazing to know how the world is so different, yet the same. 

We headed to Chicago and Florida over break. We spent lots of time with family and friends and it was much needed. We did get to see Ryan's brother and sister and their spouses, who came from the east and west coast, as well as his parents and aunt and uncle. We also saw most of my mom's extended family about an hour after we landed in Chicago as well as my sister brother and their significant others. We spent many days hanging with my amazing 5 year old nephew playing light sabers and other games I don't get. Our break was not all happy though, my 32 year old cousin passed away from a heart issue related to his long struggle with juvenile diabetes. It was and is heartbreaking to think about, but I am thankful I was home to go the hospital to see him, and more importantly be there for my aunt and mother. My moms family is so incredibly close and I appreciate them so much for this fact. 

Florida was nice, rainy, but nice. We did get to have our annual trip to see my aunt Doris and uncle bob in lauderdale by the sea and enjoy some delicious Xmas cookies. 

We landed last night around 10 pm after leaving Sunday at 8 pm. Ryan was excited because he was able to still see Liverpool play last night and all of break. After sleeping in today, and visiting with our neighbor who has been in Italy we learned school was canceled for tomorrow due to the rain storm and heavy winds. I miss my students, don't get me wrong, but I am happy for another day off! 

This coming year will see us hopefully traveling to some new places and hanging out with amazing people, on top of working at an incredible school and hopefully getting some visitors. It's always interesting after being home explaining to people how great Lebanon actually us to live in, how much I have come to love this place. We have plans to travel to Egypt, Dubai, Cyprus, Prague, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Abu Dhabi, London and Bali still this year. And I promise mom, I'll try harder to write more.