Sophomore Year and Thailand, by Hannah

When I walked into school on the first day, I was not expecting the crazy year I have been given so far.  I sure would like to get out of school but I am having so much fun with all the stuff that I get to do with my friends and all the extra-curriculars I get to do.  School sure isn't fun but there is other stuff that is occupying my time.

First, one of the things that I am enjoying the most is my job.  This summer I got a summer job teaching piano.  This summer job has now continued into the school year.  I absolutely love teaching piano.  I have to admit I am not very fond of working with kids (my second job of babysitting while the Dalat staff have meetings has kind of instilled that in me) but I think giving anyone the gift of music is a huge privilege. So as a result, being able to teach kids piano is the highlight of my weekend.

Another thing I am really enjoying right now is playing varsity soccer.  It is so much fun and I do not actually mind going to practice and doing lots of athletic things because I have to. I am especially going to enjoy travelling for international tournaments. During fall break, we got to go to Chang Mai, Thailand for a tournament. It was really enjoyable and I loved playing soccer and meeting new people.  One of the most interesting experiences I had was travelling in a song theaw [song tea-ow] everywhere I went.  We managed to squish 20 people into one wherever we went.

This is a song theaw

Along with all this fun stuff, I also have friends (wow, surprise!) and that certainly can get a little exciting.  Gotta love being part of a whole bunch of hormonal teenagers in close quarters. Anyways, I am really trying to enjoy high school and not take it for granted because it is special in its own ways.

There's a Fight Outside My Classroom, No It's A.........., by Garth

A few weeks ago, I heard some shouting by male voices right outside my classroom.  I could also hear some scuffling noises. I thought to myself,  'I have not heard that noise since I was in a classroom in Canada; it sounds like a fight!'. But right away I thought "there's a fight going on outside my classroom door? We never have fights at Dalat!'  However with all those noises I was ready to get into action and break up the fight. I opened my classroom door. Right away I heard the same male voices yelling at me "Close the door!". I looked down and there was a huge 6 to 7 foot Monitor Lizard just outside my classroom door. Some of the staff were trying to capture the Monitor Lizard so it could be released somewhere away from the campus. Monitor Lizards are not too dangerous unless they feel threatened or are cornered although they do have very sharp claws and teeth. There was also some concern with children from the Preschool encountering the Monitor Lizard. It did not take long before they were able to capture and haul away the Monitor Lizard.

Trying to tie down the Monitor Lizard

All tied up ready to be carried away

Taking the Monitor Lizard off campus