busy week

Ok, so I seriously wrote this post four days ago, but didn't have time to add any pics.  So there it sat as a draft in my list of posts, waiting to be published.  I've been a horrible blogger and that is just because I've been occupied with things.  We're slowly but surely making our way from ending another school year into a fresh new summer.  I hope to have more blogging time in the near future.  This post will be very fitting as it further explains my busy-ness.  ;)

What a week we've had.  It started out all cheerful as little guy completed Lower KG.  (He's officially promoted to Upper KG which will begin this fall.  Where did my little baby boy go?)  And it ended with little guy being admitted into the hospital for two days of observation and testing.  In addition to tonsilitus, little guy was also diagnosed with rotavirus.  Poor little guy.  But I'm happy to report that he's back to normal.

My students have finished the school year.  I missed their party due to little guy being sick.  But I went to work today to find a couple of sweet teacher gifts on my desk from some of my students.  Even just a little thank you card means the world to a teacher.  I finished my report cards too.  I made each student a file with her report card, certificates and a special name tag with a message from me to them.  When we think of school, we think of teachers teaching and students learning.  But a teacher who teaches from his/her heart, knows that the students are not the only ones learning.  Teachers learn as well.  My students have taught me so much over the years, and for that I am truly grateful.  The end of the year is always bittersweet.  Summer vacation is a great time to relax, regroup, and give our families our full attention.  But I always miss my students. 

This week, final exams have begun in Saudi.  Exams last for two weeks.  Grades 7-12 are required to take them.  These exams determine students' final grades.  It's a bit different than the American system.  With exams comes the lovely job of invigilating.  Inviga-what?  Hahaha.  This was a new term for me when I started teaching here.  Let me quickly explain how testing works here.  Basically students are listed in alphabetical order per grade.  Around 20-25 students are assigned to one classroom.  Each student has her own desk that bears a label with her name and student number on it.  So she will sit at the same desk, in the same classroom for each and every final exam she takes.  Next, teachers from every section of the school are assigned to help inviligate.  This means that each classroom will have two teachers that will watch the students during the exam.  Our main task is to ensure that students are not cheating.  I absolutely hate this task.  I think it is extremely boring.  However, they were nice and assigned us to just the first week of exams.  So three more days of boredom to go.  ;)  Note:  Because I was absent on Saturday (I was with little guy in the hospital), the lovely High School section of my school is making me "make-up" my missed day.  So those three days I mentioned are in fact over now, but now I have one more day to invigilate.  They're sooo mean.  Oh well...

And last but not least, I've been busy preparing for our upcoming vacation.  It's a month away, but early preparation is key to a stress free trip.  I'm very ready to take a trip with hubby and little guy and also see my family.  Ahhh....can't wait.

So, how was your week?  :)

all images via yahoo image search