Thanksgiving Feast

Pilgrims. Indians. Plymouth Rock.

Common language in American schools this time of year. Well, let me clarify that statement. American schools located within American borders.

When some your students have never even been to America or all, except one or two, have never lived in America on a permanent basis, not so much. As one of my young students, who happens to be of American nationality asked, "What were those people in all the books about Thanksgiving called?"

Some knowledge. Very little experience. Or as we like to call it schema (background knowledge).

This past Monday, we gave them and their parents a little taste of the culinary side of Thanksgiving: turkey, green beans, mashed potatoes with gravy, fresh homemade rolls, and miniature pumpkin pies. Yummy!

Mr. Myburgh, our principal giving thanks! 

My wonderful parents who helped serve the Thanksgiving Feast!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Junior Carnival

Junior Carnival

One of the biggest highlights of the year at Morrison Academy Taichung....  now just a memory. 

Photographic images captured those memories...

Each year the junior class picks a theme. Ben's class chose to do an old
fashion  Italian carnival.

After months of planning, Saturday work days, and lots of physical labor, the junior class put on a terrific event, not just for Morrison students, but the community in which Morrison exists. 

The junior class!

 

Along with a zip line, bouncy slide, strolling mimes, and fireworks, attendees had multiple entertainment options from which to choose. Ben's booth was a shooting game. He, along with two friends, designed and manned a booth where the participants shot realistic looking air soft guns at a colorful display of balloons.

Parents' responsibilities were serving food. Carl and I were lucky. We sold caramel apples!

 

For five hours we lived caramel apples. What a better way to spend a chilly November evening? 

But my earlier statement is incorrect. More than just pictures and memories of the 2013 Junior Carnival do remain...

For at least a couple weeks, this remnant of La Carnaval will remain with Abbi!

Breaking

Well, she did it again!

I can't even begin to count the number of glasses, plates, and bowls my precious daughter has broken since coming to Taiwan. An entire set of bowls obliterated, forever gone. We no longer have enough matching dinner plates to serve just the six of us. Of course, Abbi isn't completely  responsible for our current status, but she has definitely been a major contributor. 

There are, however, a couple things that she has broken that don't bother me at all. In fact, I am proud of her breaking these. I hope she keeps breaking them.

100 meter freestyle in a 50 meter pool. Abbi holds the lead in
the closest lane!

Early in the swimming season Abbi broke the Morrison school record in both the 50 and 100 meter free style. Later, she broke her own record in both events!

 At their last meet, her coach asked where Abbi got her swimming talent, from myself or Carl. I just laughed. Obviously, neither of us can make that claim! 

Super Sophomores!

2013 Morrison Academy Swim Team + parents