Ok, it has been an exciting and busy week. I am sure y'all are busy, too. We got 4-5 inches of snow on Monday. It was so beautiful and I forgot to bring my camera to town. Oh, well, next time. It was not so pretty the next day when I had to walk through slush. But I bought a good pair of boots last week, just in the nick of time. They have proved to work well and I am very proud of my purchase.

Sunday, Lena and I went to Loket. I wrote about the castle there in October. There was a medieval Christmas market complete with minstrels, fencing, a live nativity scene and mulled wine. It took place at the castle and I bought a few pretties for some special folks. We had a great time but it was COLD! It started to snow while we were there.

I will spend Christmas Eve with the Headmistress' family. There will be 5 Brazilians celebrating with us, as well. Christmas day I will travel to Prague to celebrate with other ESI teachers. Then, Beth and I will go the City of Lights, Paris, for a few days. I am so excited to spend my first Christmas away from home in my favorite city. I will let you know all about it.

Thanks to everyone who sent me goodies for Christmas. I haven't opened them yet, Mom! I did get some great things like Cheddar cheese and tortillas and salsa to make me feel more at home. This will be a special Christmas. I hope it is a nice one for y'all as well.

I won't be checking my mail very often over the Christmas Holidays, but will check in when I can. I miss you all very much and I pray the Holiday Season will be filled with Joy, Peace and Blessings.
Merry Christmas! Jessica

Well, I am sure you are curious about the doctor's visit. It was fine and not degrading or demoralizing like I thought it would be. He put me on different meds and I go back in two weeks. If it works we will try it for six months. I am already feeling a bit better and will let you know how it is going.

Tomas, my student with the concussion is back at school and is fine. Thanks for all of the prayers. My students now know how dangerous it is to lean back in their chairs!!

Friday was St. Nicholas' Day. St. Nick, a devil and an angel come around to visit the children. If you are good you can sing a song to St. Nick and he will give you sweets. If you are bad the devil will give you a potato and /or a lump of coal. The angel gives blessings. It was quite funny to see all these characters running around Friday afternoon and into the evening. It is neat to experience the traditions of another culture. It makes your own traditions more special in a way.

Today I received a package from my sister and my church with presents. I was told to open one immediately and it was a small Christmas tree! Yea!

Well I must go plan a lesson for my 13 and 14 year olds. Hope y'all have a good week.
Jessica

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! I am so excited! Yesterday morning I saw a HUGE Christmas tree being driven to the town square. When I was walking home from school, they had it up and lights on it. There are lights and greenery everywhere, even mistletoe. I will take some pictures one night this week. It is so pretty. Now I just gotta get some decorations for my flat. Can't wait.

Yesterday, one of my students was rocking in his chair and fell back, hitting his head on the wall. This happened between classes when the students have no supervision. I get to class and all the boys are talking to him and he keeps saying, "Ne viem," (I don't Know) while he is trying hard not to cry. I asked what was going on and the boys told me what happened and that he couldn't remember hitting his head. He wanted to go home. One of the boys took him to the secretary and she called an ambulance because he was seeing double. He has a concussion. It was really hard because he is a beginner student and I couldn't ask him the questions I needed to ask him to assess his condition. I was thankful that they were concerned and did everything they could to help. This a group of 13 year-old boys. They showed a great amount of maturity and compassion. Please pray for Tomas to get better.

I am going to see the doctor tomorrow afternoon. I have been in quite a bit of pain lately and need to see if he can change my medication. I hope this won't be too horrible. One of the English teachers, Lucie, is going with me. I am a little nervous because I have heard they don't give you robes, or any covering at all for that matter, when you are examined. My co-worker will be in the room with me serving as a translator. It will be a bit awkward. They have different attitudes regarding nudity and modesty than Americans. I will just have to get over it, I suppose.
Have a great week.....Jessica

Well, I hope all of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I had a great time at our retreat. I got to spend time with my friends from training and just relax. We had turkey and stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, and cranberries. Then we had pie. I was so excited because I had pecan pie!! I never expected it. I think it was one of the best pecan pies I ever had!!

Living over here is improving my cooking skills. I made homemade tortillas and salsa the other day. I would never have attempted it at home. But when you gotta have tacos, you gotta have tacos. The torillas are actually quite easy to make, they just take a little time. I am going to make a bunch up and freeze them so I can have them when I want them.

That's all for today....more to come.