Nickel Creek and coco

I am writing this post with no other intention than to delay writing my report cards for as long as possible. Yes, I have reached another first: The First Report Cards, probably the most dreaded of all the other firsts, as they take the most time to prepare and are the most "permanent."
So to alleviate the complete burden that are report cards, I have cozied up with piles of papers and grading books with my laptop playing the ever-soothing Nickel Creek and cup of steaming hot coco. I figure if I'm going to be doing something this intense, I would want to be doing it in comfort (For the record, I have been at these on and off for six hours now).
With only two weeks until I fly back to the states I am having a hard time focusing on anything other than the excitement of being back at my home again. It's a rather interesting dynamic at school right now when both teachers and students are already getting themselves in gear for a two week break and where school is the last place either wants to be right now. I am surrounded by reminders that Christmas is near. It's in the lights on the streets, the large evergreen tree lit up with lights outside our town hall, in the markets set up all across Europe, and drifting through the speakers of my computer from streaming in a radio station from back home that plays nothing but Christmas music all day long. And all I can think about is being back home for the holidays, for as the song says,"Oh, there's no place like home for the holidays!" Which I think is especially appreciated when coming home after what will be almost 5 months.
Better get back to reports. Stay tuned for my next blog on how to keep 21 pre-pubescent and hormonal children interested in improper fractions the week before winter break.

Almost there...