Goodbye 2010, Hello 2011

With the end of the fall semester, we all scattered.  Gahee went home to South Korea with a planned trip to China with her monk.  Ali returned home to Saudi Arabia after nearly a year's absence.  He was looking forward to the welcoming feast with all the traditional foods.  Finally, George and I spent some time in Florida and the Bahamas to celebrate our 25 years of marriage.  By January 23, everyone will be back "home" in Columbia, ready to start a new semester.

Toward the end of the semester, Gahee hosted some friends for dinner. She made her lasagna while I made a veggie version for George.  The dinner was great!

Then in early December, we had an early holiday dinner which included family, homestay guests, and some new friends from China.  Thought I had a photo or two of that dinner, but I can't find it.

Ali finished the semester with a much higher TOEFL score and he was very happy.  He's hopeful that he will be able to meet MU's TOEFL requirement and move on to enroll in regular classes...maybe by summer 2011?

So the new year will bring new classes and maybe something about cars.  Both Gahee and Ali would like to have their own transportation to get around.  However, they need a U.S. driver's license.  Ali knows how to drive and has driven at home.  Gahee has only had a couple of lessons.  Both will need to take a written test to get a permit...then practice....then take the driving test.  It's something they would like to do, but they'll be busy with classes, so who knows?

I've had some inquiries from potential guests, but I have had to respond that both our rooms are reserved for the spring semester.

As I write, I am in bed with a bad cold and cough.  My energy is low and I sleep a lot, which is good.  Hope to get over this in a few more days so I have some sense of enthusiasm when welcoming Gahee and Ali when they return.  I know they are both having a wonderful time with their families.