Hong Kong | Hong Kong

On the way home for summer holiday, I had a seven hour layover in Hong Kong. I emerged from the train in the city center to find a drizzly day, which put a twist on my exploration. Clouds hung low in the sky, buildings lost in the haze.

School | The Last Day

The 2012-2013 school year has finally come to a close! We spent the day enjoying each other's company. We started off the day with a game called cat and mouse, in which the "cat" had to swat away the mice who were after the "food" attached to them.

We continued the morning with some refreshments before continuing with a rousing game of "heads up thumbs up"!

The room moms provided lunch for everyone and while the kids were eating, I walked into my room to find this little bundle of joy sitting on one of the desks:

He's only one month old and has the cutest, chubbiest cheeks I've ever seen! The moms also presented each of us teachers with a thank-you gift for educating their children this year. The package of cooking utensils came complete with a class photo apron.

We concluded our time together with a rousing game of "pawball" while the kids shared their favorite moments from the year.

We finished things off with a prayer and lots of hugs all around. I can't believe how this year has flown, and how much these guys have changed since the first day of school!

Gunung Bromo | Jawa Timur | Indonesia

Located in East Java, Bromo one of a range of volcanoes. In what has been my quickest trip yet, I arrived and met up with the girls late Friday night. We awoke at 2 am in order to be on the mountaintop for sunrise. With two volcanoes still puffing smoke within view, it was quite an extraordinary sight! All it was missing was a few dinosaurs wandering in the valley. Also, I learned that Toms are not equipped for hiking, even short distances.