MILESTONES!

Our FIRST 9th grade graduating class

...remember finishing Jr. High?

ALPHA's humble beginning in 2000 started with 10 students - pre-school through 2nd grade. Each year since then, we have added one new grade. This month, we released our first class of 9th graders to go forth and take over the world. We do not offer the three years of Brazilian High School at this time. One day this may change, but for now we are committed to excelling in the 4 pre-school classes and the additional 9 grades.

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Having grown from 10 to 250 students (in 7 years) means that every single year were were multipying. Though this was strategic and needfull, we are now focusing on driving down pilings/roots that will equip ALPHA to be a powerfull light in Mossoró and beyond over the next decades.

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Christmas 2007

Christmas Concert - 2007

Jessica and I participated in a Christmas Concert this December. It was the first of it's kind that I am aware of. Musicians from the Conservatory and University (choir and orchestra) performed 10 sacred pieces for members of the university faculty and friends of the musicians.

Here is just a wee video (forgive the quality!!!) of one of the songs. Jessica is to the left of the yellow folder and I am on the end of the front row.

The Christ Is Life Church held it's Christmas program on the 23rd. Lots of visitors came out and enjoyed the program put on by the Sunday School department and directed by two of the teachers. Cookies, coffee and tea were served afterwards while people stayed around to visit.

Sunday School kids reciting Luke 2

Jessica, Alicia and Lori playing "Away in a Manger"

Party Time

The ALPHA Staff of 2007 (with spouses and significant others)

December 13th is a local holiday here in Mossoró. For that reason, we end ALPHA's classes on the 12th so we don't have to go back to classes after the holiday. It also makes for a really convenient day to have ALPHA's staff party. No classes, no "other jobs", no distractions and a whole day to get ready for the thing!!!

The ALPHA Staff Christmas Party is our team's opportunity to honor this really hard working bunch of people. This year the party was held at our house (the Stucky team members each take turns...this was our year).

The MENU

Appetizer - Cheese and Meat cubes with crackers, Fruit table, Egg Nog

Main Course - Spaghetti with a choice of red sauce with meat, carbonara sauce (see recipe below!!!) or cheese sauce

Salad with Ranch Dressing

Garlic Bread

And of course, we get to feast on the left-overs for a few meals, which is one well-deserved bonus for knocking ourselves out for such a thing as this. :)

CARBONARA SAUCE

Fry till crisp and set aside:

2 packages of bacon cut up into tiny bits

In large sauce pan melt:

4 Tbsp. butter or margarine

Whisk in:

4 Tbsp. flour

Whisk in:

2 cups milk

Cook till thick. Add:

1/2 cup Parmesean Cheese

salt and pepper to taste

Just before serving add:

bacon

Serve over hot pasta tossed with olive oil.

It's one of our favorites!!!

OOOPS! Spoke Too Soon!

Alicia with birthday cake and rose. Happy 11th!!!

Every year I say that I just can't handle the stress any more. Don't know how on earth I can possibly do another one of these programs. The day before each presentation I wake up with stomach cramps and once even had a migraine. Just too much.

Well, we had our 2nd performance of previously said musical and it went off pretty well. We had a jam packed house. More people than you can possibly count. At the end of the program, Ken thanked each of the teachers who had been a key part of getting the show put together.

After that Ken and I had arranged to call Alicia up on stage to give her a rose and a gift in honor of her birthday, after which I hopped down to where I had been directing the musicians. When, lo and behold, he motioned me to go back up...and look what I got! Yes, I counted and there really are 12. :)

My family...the people who put up with me the most when I didn't deserve to be put up with. They are the ones who deserve most of the credit!

So, am I going to do it again? Probably. I have a really bad memory. :)

Alice in Musicland

Alicia played "Alice" in the first performance of "Alice in Musicland" ALPHA's school musical

We are finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel at ALPHA. Only a week of school left, but it is the busiest week of the whole year: school musical, enrollment, testing, report cards, staff Christmas party, goodbyes, etc.

Alicia turns 11 today. She played Alice in our school musical "Alice in Musicland". We had a double cast (that way anyone who didn't make it had someone else who could fill in without any problems). The first cast performed for the student body and the second one performed for the closing night of the pre-school program.

Our two music groups, the recorder ensemble and the band, provided live accompaniment for the songs that were sung by the pre-school department.

It's OFFICIAL

Atenildo

The man behind all the reams of paper work (and that is no exaggeration!!)

There was no sweeter news than to find out today that the Secretary of Education has granted the ALPHA Educational Center it's accredidation. And none too soon. After 8 years we are finally an official school that is recognized by the powers that be.

Our first 9th grade class will be "graduating" (in just 3 1/2 weeks!!!) and they will walk away from ALPHA with "the real thing". This is a HUGE step in the school's history for which we are extremely grateful (and relieved!).

Happy Blog Day!

One Year Old

In keeping with my bad sense of timing, I just realized that this blog was a year old last Sunday (November 7th). I am one of those who remembers when everyone's birthday is any other day of the year but on the actual day. How lame!


It usually goes something like this. The following day I wake up with this terrible sense of dread that something is wrong...like I left the oven on all night or I didn't do the laundry for a whole week so no one has any clean underware to go to school in. That's when it hits me like a dirty sock being slapped across my face...I forgot someone's birthday. How can I make ammends? Do I write? Do I call? Do I send a present? Do I plead insanity?


So here I am...one whole week late. But you'll forgive me won't you? Cause I will probably celebrate by making a bunch of cinnamon rolls and giving them all away. Don't you wish you lived closer?!?! :)

On the Road...Again

The Theatro Alberto Maranhão in Natal, Rio Grande do Norte was built in the late 1800's.

Just over a week after our accident Jessica and I were scheduled to travel with our string ensemble to play at a university graduation in Natal. A day or two before the trip I suddenly had a thought: what if I would have an anxiety attack when riding in the van to Natal? What if I just couldn't get in another vehicle like that? Gotta pray about that one...

I guess I was more worried about Jessica holding up the rest of the group (adolescent hair thing) than I was about my potential anxiety. We were about a mile away from home when I remembered. We made it there and back and I even slept 1/2 the way home.

Inside the theater two balconies surround the outer walls. The building was refurbished 3 times since it was built and finally named after a very popular governor (Alberto Maranhão).

Who was awake at 2am when we walked into the yard? Ken wasn't about to sleep with the two of us out on those roads with a strange driver...we weren't the only ones who were tired the next morning!

We didn't drive 4 hours just to play a few songs did we?!?! Supper at 10pm just before hitting the road.

We Made It!

Galinhos, Rio Grande do Norte
Sunset on the Peninsula
Google Earth Coordinates:
Latitude 5° 5'41.33"S
Longitude 36°16'32.31"W


We did actually make it to our destination after that nasty upset. Ended up staying an extra day since it was so hard to get there. I can honestly say we relaxed. It was great to get away. Here are just a few photos to offset the nasty ones in the previous post.

Yep, it is official...I have joined the "40 something" ranks.


The little horse cart (charrete) that took us around on the peninsula. Polkadot, the horse, made up his mind several times that we weren't worth the effort. I threatened to call him a donkey if he didn't get his act together.



Our driver, a funny guy who tried to make us feel better by telling us how he had flipped his little horse cart a few nights before.


A "modern" light house, equipped with solar panels and large batteries for storage. It is locked up good and tight to keep out vandals.

Eating breakfast before heading home. Yeah, I know...don't take a picture looking into the light. You're not really supposed to look at us, anyway, but the view behind us. Fabulous.

One last time...a gorgeous sunset on the Atlantic.

Bad Curves

The "curve". A local had yanked out a sign from another place and planted it in the ground to warn on coming motorists. Unfortunately, it wasn't quite enough.

About six months ago I started hyperventilating at the thought of turning 40. My first thought was to "get in shape". You, know, lose a little weight (the jeans that fit me last year are a little tighter now) and start walking every morning at 4:45 am. That lasted about three days. If you hold a gun to my head I am sure I could manage to get up and walk, but otherwise, forget it. Diet? Never have been able to do such a thing. God made food to eat, right?

So, this past week, the "day" finally arrived. I suppose I should be embarassed to admit it, but I could actually manage to forget my own birthday. Problem is, no one else will let me (especially three giddy, whispering girls).

After I called my "birthday twin" in South Dakota, Ken advised me that we would be leaving on an overnighter and to pack my bag. No arguing here! Off we went to unknown territory (to us at least!). Some friends had given us a great tip on a place on the coast, so we decided to check it out.

We were having a really good trip (which means that we hadn't seen one hole in the road the WHOLE way - nothing short of a miracle) when suddenly an unmarked curve in the road jumped out at us and bit our car. Ok, so not quite like that, but just about. A 90 degree turn in the road is quite a surprise on a dark stretch of road that you have never been on. No signs included. Here is the skinny....

We stopped to check out the "sight" on the way home. Mike Wilson, British missionary friend, who drove out to pick us up and take us back to Mossoró, is checking out some of the glass that we left behind.

The driver's side of the car...the part that ended up laying on the road...Ken looked out his window and saw the white line that marks the edge of the road. The rest of the car was hanging up in the air above the ditch. No actual flip, just tipped right over onto the side.

Even though we tipped over onto the driver's side, the top still ended up looking like this.

One more picture for emphasis...we discovered later that we are only one of many who haven't managed to navigate this one. FYI: We were driving along salt flats. The white stuff isn't snow...it is foam from the salt water. Once the water evaporates, the sea salt is harvested.

The BIG Day

Here is what Anabel has been working really hard on for the last two weeks. Brings back memories, huh! :)

I know the video is a little dark...the sun sets at 5:30 pm every day. She had been trying off and on all afternoon to make the "turn" and finally got it. You didn't think I was going to wait for "dawn's first daylight" to record this landmark moment, did you?!?!

THIRD IN REGIONALS!!!

ALPHA BOYS SOCCER TEAM

THIRD PLACE IN REGIONALS!!!

Our boy's soccer team wowed us by beating out the "best team in the city" (the winners of the city-wide tournament in June) and placed third in our region. This was the first time our team had played in a statewide tournament.

The students weren't able to watch the game, because it took place during regular classes. When news got back that the boys had won 3rd, the entire student body packed out the sports court to surprise the boys as they arrived back at school.

Daddy is a What?

Fresno Zoo - Furlough 2003

This is the conversation I overheard while getting ready for our Thursday evening church activities...

Alicia: Hmmm…I think I should take all my worksheets for Kid’s Club and put them in a folder or something instead of all loose in my Sunday School bag.
Anabel: Why don’t you just put them in your “piggy hole”? (say what?!)
Alicia: It’s not called a “piggy hole”, Anabel…it’s called a “cubby hole”. (well, at least someone understands Anabel...)
Anabel: How do you know?
Alicia: It’s just what Daddy says.
Anabel: What is a cubby, anyway?
Alicia: (This is priceless...) Well, I think it might be because baby bears are called cubs and cubs are very playful and maybe they like to put the little things they play with in their cages. (Hmmm. So that's why those things are called "cubby holes".)
Anabel: Well, I don’t tink dat is right. I just know he wouldn't call it dat... 'cause Daddy is a bear.

The girls petting a llama at the Fresno Zoo - Furlough 2003. 'Course, now they are much older and tons wiser than they were back then. :)

Ta-Da!

These are some pictures of Dad (Joe Stucky) and his new baby. Ok, so it isn't NEW as in "brand spankin' new", but it is new to him. I had told Mom (Jeanie Stucky) to let me know if they got matching helmets and when they weren't in their work clothes, cause I wanted to come and get some pictures. So, here they are and here it is!



For years Dad has had a motorcycle of some sort. Out in the interior it was a dirt bike because of the wretched roads and mudholes. Here in town it has been a little Honda "run around" bike to zip him off to all sorts of jobs he takes care of for church, school, home, etc. The motorcycle has always been his workhorse.

Now it is time for a little change. :)

Ken: What's got into Dad? I don't ever remember him spending money on himself.

We all think that they should get away to the beach or do a little "touring" once in a while.

Anabel: I got to ride on Grandpa's new motorcycle!



Jessica and Alicia: (thinking) Sure hope we get a turn soon!!!




















Dad: Not bad for an 11 year old bike, huh. (the previous owner was pretty meticulous)

Cool Bike Dad!

Happy Birthday, Brazil!

"Hangin' out"

It has been 185 years since Dom Pedro the First cried out "Independence or Death!" (Independência ou Morte!). Brazil won it's freedom from Portugal in a battle on the shores of the Ipiranga River, present day São Paulo, and a new country was born on September 7, 1822.

Least you think Brazil holds to traditions of other cultures, guess again. There are no fireworks here for this particular celebration...one of the American girls visiting asked me, "Why?" Well, I guess there just weren't any bombs bursting in mid air. So there you have it.

The "Christ is Life" Church spent the weekend of the 7th at a retreat. Lots of relaxing, swimming, food, laughter, good preaching and singing.

The trailer with the chairs, stove, and "swimming pool" for the little people (AKA water box)

IBCV (Christ is Life Church) 7th of September Retreat

Look, Mom, I'm on TV!

The "Band" all ready for the program (some are even smiling despite the nerves!)

Tuesday morning I got a phone call shortly after arriving home from school. "Would the school be interested in having one of it's music groups on a live show on Saturday night? The show caters to education and we hear you are doing something really different in the area of music education in Mossoró. "

WOW!!! It is true. ALFA is the only school in town that offers anything like this. What is so commonplace in some cultures, is practically non-existent in the Brazilian school setting. What a fantastic opportunity for our kids to represent ALFA in a really unique way.

Super nervous before the show, the kids played great.

I made it through the trombone solo, Mom!!!

Just a few more measures....

Ken, the program's announcer - Clauder, and Milton - music teacher at ALFA

Ken, Milton and I answered questions from the announcer about the school and music education.

Hey, guys, it's over. Now we can really smile!

The Second Round

Here is one more video that was taken at the same event as the last post.

Debut

Camerata de Cordas 2007 - String Ensemble

Last night was a first (what, you mean another one?!?!)...I got to play the cello that before I had previously "posed" with. Our string ensemble was called on to play for a group of men and women who are the "secretaries of culture" in their communities. It was held at a local hotel/resort in town. You put a violin in my hand I can't stop shaking, but this time I was actually having FUN...maybe it is because I finally found something I can hide behind. :)

And for the first time EVER we can load up VIDEOS!!! I know that it isn't the same as being there, but almost!

It might take a wee bit for the video to load (especially if your connection is a little slower), but hang in there, I think you will enjoy it. :)

Presentation at Hotel Termas August 2007

Mother Boards and Baby Carrots Part III

The "flower" pot sitting next to "Mr. Stainless"

Time for a little closure.

Some of you were traumatized a couple of months ago by the gaudy decorating job that I did on my newly remodeled crockpot. There were some who were so overcome by emotion that they decided to do something about it. (They were really sneaky about it, too, may I add!!) As you can see, the "flower" pot has been outclassed by Mr. Stainless Steel.

Not only is Mr. Stainless extremely good looking, but he has a much larger capacity for feeding the extra people that are served at our table every Monday. (usually 6-10 people hang out at Monday lunch. Unless it is scalloped potatoes and ham...then a few more show up with sad puppy-dog eyes like they haven't eaten in weeks.) And then there are the "features"...a count-down timer, a "warm" setting, and it starts up automatically if I forget to tell it to "cook". Yes, I have been swept off my feet by an appliance...

Here is a recipe that I got just the other day. Read through the list of ingredients and just couldn't quite imagine what it would taste like. Decided to give it a go and found out it was fabulous. Thanks to Jill, my sister in Lincoln, NE, this has been added to my collection of "can't do without" crock pot recipies!

Sesame Pork Ribs or Sesame Chicken

Combine:
3/4 c. packed brown sugar
1/2 c. soy sauce
1/2 c. ketchup
1/4 c. honey
2 T. cider or white wine vinegar
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp. ground ginger
1 tsp. salt (or less)

Coat with the sauce:
5 lbs country-style pork ribs or 2-3 lbs of chicken pieces (I used chicken)

Layer meat in crock-pot with:
1-2 med. onion cut into rings

1-2 green peppers cut into rings (optional)

Pour the remaining "coating" over the rest of the meat. Cover and cook low 5-6 hours. (I cooked on high for 4 1/2 hours)

Sprinkle on just before serving:

2 T. sesame seeds, toasted
2 T. chopped green onions

Serve with hot cooked rice.

Now, next time I do this, I am going to take out all the meat at the end and add just a bit of corn starch mixed in a little cold water to thicken the "gravy" so it doesn't run all over my plate when I pour it over the rice, cause that's the best part!

Better Than I Could Have Imagined!

Anabel thinks "climbing" is great (as long as there is a ladder close by!)

And now for a little story. Sometimes our plans go the way we want them to. Others not.

Once upon a time we bought 2 little trees. They were acacias that are known for their long "boquets" of fragrant yellow flowers. The little trees sat in sacks in the yard for sometime while we decided just exactly where we were going to plant them. Finally the day came, and Ken planted them just outside our yard, in the sidewalk, where he though everyone passing by could enjoy them.
The little trees grew, but also attracted the attention of little boys, who decided to carve their names on them or break of their branches. They just couldn't handle the abuse and died.

The girls were estremely impressed with Daddy's prowness in tree climbing as he trimmed some of the top branches.

But, that wasn't the end. All the time they were sitting in our yard waiting to be planted, one of them put down roots. What do you know...the root actually grew a shoot, which eventually grew into the tree that shades one side of our house. Not only that, but it grew in just the right spot. Ken had plans of putting on a wide porch on that side of the house. When the time came, the tree still had plenty of room to grow.

Alicia and Jessica (below) were wondering how on earth Ken (in the white box) was going to be able to get down!

Not all our plans turn out the way had thought they would. In fact, sometimes they crash and burn before our very eyes. His plans are far more fantastic than we could ever dream. Every detail is orquestrated and timed to perfection. He is always in control, always was, and always will be. I am often reminded of that when I look out the door and see all the shade, hear all the birds and even smell the stink bugs that seem to like that particular tree. What we originally thought was a "good idea" ended up in firewood, but He surprised us, by giving us something much better than we had imagined. He always does know what is best.

The Acacia in full bloom