Seniors' Last Day

We've had some warm weather again lately, and it's been nice to have sunshine sometimes for our walks and bike rides to get places all week!

This is the next step in the reconstruction process for the future primary school.  They seem to be putting a thin layer of cement over the styrofoam insulation.  

Patka with Rivi, who is all decked out in her Slovakia attire for the ice hockey game!  She made the earring, shirt, and bracelet herself!         :-)       GO SLOVAKIA!!  

Thursday was a normal day at school, but our evening plans were a bit altered.  Tim and I both normally teach English to our adult students, but since it was a big hockey game for Slovakia, Tim and Marian went to a sports bar to watch on the big-screen instead.  Then they went out for supper with Marian's wife Susan, so they had a fun time.  

Meanwhile, instead of our normal English lesson, Eva, Tana and I met at the town center for pizza and wine to celebrate Tana's birthday!!  It was a beautiful evening to be outside, and so much fun to be with these beautiful ladies!!  The funny thing was, we knew what the score of the hockey game was too, because of the huge roars of excitement or disapproval we could hear bursting from other venues and echoing on the square.   

Friday was the last day at school for our seniors.  All next week they'll be home studying for the Maturita examinations which will take place the following week.  

The seniors didn't go to any classes of their own, but they marched through the entire school, going into every classroom singing songs.  When they came into the room where I was teaching, they all wrote their first names on the chalkboard and threw candy to the students, parade-style, as they were singing.  I didn't have my camera, but Tim got this picture of our wonderful V.AP class in the hallway.

One thing we've noticed is that here in Slovakia, the students always dress up REALLY nicely for big events, which is so impressive!!  During the long break, there was a formal ceremony where the seniors thanked all the teachers and administrators.  There were tears from those who understood Slovak!  Then each teacher was presented with a beautiful ribbon-wrapped flower by one of the students who expressed personal gratitude and sentiments on behalf of the class.  It was really lovely!  

Group photo of the seniors with the staff.  We'll really miss this group!!  Classy kids!!  

The next tradition is for the seniors to carry their class photo board, (which will later be framed and hung in the school with previous class photos), around town, again singing, and collecting money in a hat.  For what??  Not sure, but probably a party!  When we were walking to lunch, we saw this class, which is from the state gymnasium (H.S.), but we didn't run across our students.  (Notice the green stuškova ribbons from the party back last fall, symbolizing their status as seniors.)

Friday night = volleyball (T & M), basketball (T), and grocery shopping (M).  Saturday has been a day of laundry - sheets, towels, & clothes, cooking (goulash and banana bread), and skyping.  The weather forecast was for rain today, and it got cloudy off and on but never did rain, so I was able to put clothes outside on the line.  

The beautiful flowering trees and bushes viewed from our balcony today as I was putting laundry out on the line.  

And more flowers on this tree the other direction.  

Sunday is supposed to be sunny and 80 degrees, so we're planning a longer bike ride after church tomorrow, up into a mountain valley.   :-)