I should be tallying grades for the kids' report cards, but I thought I'd take a little break.    It's just that I'm about to go cross-eyed.  Really!!  But it's nearing the end of the quarter and I don't want to have to worry about the deadline. 

If you haven't already heard about our first day back (to school), here's a good laugh for you ... The children and I were welcomed to our classroom by a swarm of mosquitoes!!!  I'm scratching a patch of bites on my leg as I type - eeewww!!!  LOL!  I tell you, I was cracking up all day to the sounds of the little ones smacking at themselves or the some object.  My poor babies!  I tried so hard to kill as much of them as I can - there were so many!!  It's been three days since we've gotten back and mosquitoes are still flying about our classroom!  Speaking for myself, I couldn't have chosen better day to wear a skirt!!!  Reg is mad at me because I keep scratching them.  Babe, if you had as much bites on your body, you'd be scratching too!!    LOL!  Kidding, babes.

Anyway - good news:  One of my reading groups passed their check outs and is now in the THIRD GRADE READING PROGRAM!!!!      OH YESSSS!!  I'm so proud of them - they worked so very hard!  Now, I have to work on my remedial group.  They entered into the first grade still reading at the kindergarten level, so I'm trying my best to get them up to at least first grade level, if not second.  They get tested tomorrow, so I'm really nervous.  I hope they make it!!  It's just so hard especially when there is NO support at home for most of these kids.  I know if their parents would just take the time and interest in their child's learning and fostered their reading skills, our story would be different.  Wish them luck, guys!!

So how was everyone's Christmas and New Year's?  Ours was GREAT!!  I loved spending it Christmas with the Obispos.  It helps ease the emptiness of not being with my family during the holidays.  Christmas Eve, Reg and I dozed off a bit before midnight and we had promised one another that we'd open our gifts once the clock struck twelve.  Luckily, we both managed to rouse ourselves around 1 a.m.  Our gifts to each other this year were far better than the ones we gave last year.  I only hope Reggie loves mine as much as I LOVE his!!!  I had surprised him with a nice shirt and pants, a Gamecube (yes, he still plays videogames ... it's okay because I do too!!) and couple of games.  The funny part is the console was pretty much set up in the living room a week before Christmas and Reg didn't notice it at all!  So cute!  Anyway - so much for completing my report cards.  I just decided that after this entry, I'll be trying my luck at Mario Kart: Double Dash after I post it!

New Year's was just as fun.  We spent a quiet dinner at my favorite restaurant, Toh Ka Lin.  Mmmmmm ... just remembering the food makes my mouth water!    If you can, I recommend dining there (it is a bit pricey, but worth it!!).  After dinner, we went to Reggie's house to visit with his family - most especially the patso-pats, Jules.  He was there, but was whisked away a  little before midnite by his father, Rob.    Mr. Obispo was disappointed (we all were).  Jules would've loved the sparklers he planned on lighting.  Anyway, Reg and I ended up staying at the house and lighting all the sparklers.  I helped Uncle cook so that there would be food at midnight.  At the stroke of twelve, we went outside to see the fireworks, which were clear from where we were standing - cool, huh?  I'll admit, I was really nervous standing outdoors because of all the gunfire.  When I realized that Reggie's neighbors were toying with real firearms, I made sure I blocked Reggie's side just incase it went off in his direction.  I don't know why people play with guns - I don't care if it's New Year's!!     Am I being a killjoy?  I don't care - it's foolish.  Anyway, aside from that, New Year's was a pleasant experience.  Again, I wish I wasn't so far from my folks.  Mom and Dad each spent New Year's with flu.    Sorry for Mom and Dad!!  I hope they're better.

I hope very hard that everyone's New Year will be prosperous and full of good fortune.  As for me, I hope to be more energetic and more motivated and more idealistic.  I don't know what it is, but for some reason, I have been feeling revived.  I think it has a lot to do with the 1 - 1/2 week break that I had.  Whatever I'm running on, I hope it doesn't run out!  Yesterday and again today, I was able to do some grocery shopping and as soon as I got home,  threw a load in the laundry machine, took our dry clothes down and went to work on dinner.  ANNNNND I'm halfway done with my report cards, which aren't due until the 14th of this month!!  Wait a minute, it might have something to do with those sodas I had earlier, huh? 

Well, talk to you all later.  Gonna' go try out that game - Reggie likes it more than the other two I got him!  So cute!!   Take care everyone!