Two Weeks Holidays

With ten weeks under our belts, it's time to have time off! I'm curious how this schedule will feel when the year is over. I really like the idea of 10 weeks school/ 2 weeks off for four terms, then 6 weeks off at Christmas. But my body clock is realizing that American summer is only 8 weeks away, and I won't have any of it! Yes, I had an entire month in January that my colleagues back home didn't have. But that was then! My head says, "It's April - that 2 1/2 month break is around the corner. Woo Hoo!" But no! I'll let you know in 8 weeks how I'm feeling!

Another part to consider of the 10 week term here is that there are no days off inbetween. No early release days, no conference days, no in-service days, no prep days. They are solid 5-day weeks all term long. That's very nice for curriculum planning and the consistent rhythm of the lessons. But there's no variation! There are pros and cons to each way, I think.

So with two weeks off, my family headed to the Gold Coast in Queensland and then New Zealand. We began with a tour of the Australian Zoo, home of the Crocodile Hunter. Our nine days in New Zealand included white-water river rafting, a boat through the fiords, hiking at the glaciers, trekking to find the penguins and sea lions, and driving across beautiful landscape and past vast oceans. Staying in youth hostels was a budget-friendly option, and we were able to meet people from all over the world as we cooked dinners side by side and learned new card games.

I decided my next teaching exchange needs to be in New Zealand!