CVCA has “Connections Groups,” which are groups of eight to twelve students who are assigned faculty or staff to meet with the groups once per week, opposite chapel service. The idea is to connect with the students and to give them an adult to whom they can go for advice or help. I have a Connections group that I have been with since last school year, and I like to offer social get-togethers once in awhile. So, last Monday we got together at Cici’s Pizza.
Cici’s is a pizza buffet, which is always a good thing with teenaged guys. Two of the guys faced off in an eating contest, and the final count (with proper conversions of pasta-to-pizza) was something like twenty-four pieces to twenty-two. I did not try to eat competitively, but I still enjoyed three or four plates of pizza and one plate of dessert. Not all the guys could make it, but it was still a fun group of five of the eight guys. We played or watched people play a few video games and called it a successful night.
On Tuesday, CVCA gave its annual administration Christmas party. While no one (including myself) ever really knows what category I fall under, I have been invited to the admin party every year, and Mer and I have gone every year except when we have been sick. The evening is very casual now. We mill around and chat and eat finger foods and desserts. Mer and I are not the best at the stand-and-eat skill set, so we sat at a table. People came over and said hello, and a couple of people joined us for much of the evening. We ate and chatted for a little over an hour, and then we went to the band Christmas concert in the chapel.
The band concert was short, featuring the junior high band playing four songs and the high school band playing four songs. Mer and I sat in the front row, and had a very good time. Our high school band is especially good, and they did a couple of difficult pieces. We like knowing the students, and we enjoy being part of a community in the audience, since there are always multiple people whom we know and to whom we can say hello.
On Wednesday, Mer and I had both scheduled haircuts, but separately. Normally this is not a blog-worthy event, but the place at which I get my hair cut is next to the Cheesecake Factory. Since Mer and I are trying hard to be good this holiday season, I actually skipped getting dessert to bring home. I was both proud and sad.