Bowling with GEOS

On Friday I took a group of our GEOS Students to Yerba Buena Bowling Center. The bowling center is across from the Ice Skating rink in Yerba Buena gardens. I love the walk there because of the gurgling Martin Luther King Jr. fountain and people are sun tanning on blankets in the green grass. Yerba Buena gardens is a beautiful, peaceful place. It's a great vantage point to enjoy the architecture of the MOMA museum, Saint Patrick's Cathedral and the surrounding sky scrapers. Students who would like to have a picnic should definitely visit the park! When we reached the bowling center, pop music was blasting, and we had a great time trying to beat each other's scores. Our student Aaron from Korea said it was his first time bowling! It took him a while to get the hang of the game, but once he did, the competition was fierce. It was a very fun Friday!

GEOS Holiday Party

On Friday December 23rd, we celebrated a GEOS tradition: our annual holiday party! This time of year is so much fun. We had plenty of cookies, chocolates, chips, dips, soda and hot chocolate. After snacking on all the good food, we gathered around the Christmas tree. Each student brought a wrapped gift for our White Elephant party. White Elephant is a silly holiday gift exchange game, commonly played during Christmastime. Each student draws a number from a bowl, to determine when it's their turn to pick a present. The student who goes first gets to unwrap a present. Then the student who goes second can choose to steal student 1's present, or unwrap a new present. The pattern continues, giving each student the chance to steal from someone else. The competition gets fierce! This year our most popular (most stolen) presents were: 1. A Mickey Mouse Doll 2. An electric coin counting change jar 3. A snuggie Our most creative present was a homemade picture frame which said, "GEOS Certificate." The Thai student who made it surprised his Korean friend (who received it) by taking his picture with a Polaroid camera, to put inside. What a cool idea! It was another great day at GEOS filled with laughter, friends and food. Here's to a wonderful 2011! We hope to see you again in 2012

Gingerbread House making with GEOS

Christmastime is full of fun traditions and a wonderful season to enjoy at GEOS! This year, we got into the holiday spirit by decorating the school together. We started with our Christmas Tree, covering it with lights and ornaments. Some of our level four students goofed around and decorated Quentin, a student from France. Perhaps ornaments as earrings will become a new fashion? :)

After we finished decorating, we set the table to build gingerbread houses! This activity was so much fun and required a team effort. We had house making kits from Trader Joe's, but the icing was not prepared. Together we mixed powdered sugar with egg whites and lemon juice, and stirred until the substance became sticky. Then it was time to build! With the frosting as "snow" we attached the walls of the house and the roof. We added a tree and people to the front lawn, and decorated with M&M's, gummy candy and sprinkles.

The next day, we put our houses on display in the GEOS lunch room. But our creations were too tempting and we ate them!! Mmmmmm gingerbread.

World Tree of Hope Lighting Ceremony and Party

Yesterday a group of our GEOS students went to San Francisco City Hall for a special tree lighting ceremony. Inside the rotunda, the World Tree of Hope is decorated with thousands of white origami cranes. Each crane is written with a note of hope and peace from children around the world. The Tree is meant to inspire, hope, peace and humanitarianism.

The San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee began the ceremony with a speech, which was followed by performances from the Grammy winning San Francisco boy's choir and singers Veronica Klaus and Josh Clipp. The ceremony lasted from 5:30-8:00 pm and afterwards there was free sushi, hors d'oeuvres, cocktails and sweets.

Our students enjoyed participating in a special San Francisco event! Happy Holidays :)

Ice Skating with Meredith

On Friday last week, I took a group of our GEOS students ice skating at Yerba Buena center. For some, it was their very first time! Our students from Thailand and Brazil had never tried ice skating before. Our French, Turkish and Swiss students felt more confident out on the rink, and they extended their help to the newbies. But after some practice, everyone got the hang of it. We had so much fun, listening to music and trying not to fall. Also, ice skating is a great form of exercise.!It was the perfect way to spend a rainy Friday afternoon, indoors.

GEOS Halloween Party 2011!

On Friday October 28th, I took a group of our GEOS students shopping for Halloween costumes. Because Halloween is a popular American holiday, it was great to share the spirit of fun with our international students. First we visited the Spirit Halloween superstore on Van Ness, and joked around with some creepy props, like demon babies! Then we continued down Polk Street, visiting a few thrift stores for inspiration. Our final stop was the party store on Post Street where our students bought wigs for our party on Monday.

On Halloween day October 31st, we had a GEOS pizza party and costume contest! Our student Hall won the contest for his pirate costume. Stuffed with pizza, we laughed, danced and ate too much candy- overall an amazing day in San Francisco.

Halloween in San Francisco

In the United States, Halloween is a popular holiday, not just for children but for adults too. While children dress up in costume and visit the neighbors 'trick or treating' for candy, there are several activities adults can take part in. For those aged 21 and over, San Francisco's nightclubs have many costume themed parties, with prizes for the best dressed.

Check out all San Francisco's 21 and up parties here

But anyone looking for a quieter night can take part in either of these creepy activities! They are both free!

1. Grand Guignol Haunted House

At Appel and Dietrich market on 6001 California Street, the building will be transformed into a haunted house. The haunted house will begin at sundown and have eerie visions of bloody courtrooms, dungeons, guillotines and ghosts!

2. Halloween Ghost Walk at City Hall

Explore more than the architecture at San Francisco's City Hall on this special ghost walk that happens only once a year. Meet at South Light Court through the Polk Street entrance. City Hall guide Rob Spoor spent many years hosting regular city hall tours. But after hearing ghost stories from scared maintenance staff, he decided to tell these spooky tales of regular people experiencing supernatural things. Arrive at 6:30PM for the tour!