Happy New Year! Now, back to work.

Happy New Year, Friends.

Today was a tough day: back to school and back to work. It has been difficult for me to get back into the groove.We have a great opportunity for an extension to our break: there is a winter weather advisory for our area beginning later today through tomorrow. This reminds me to remind you our cancellation policy:

We cancel our meetings and classes when Carmel Clay Schools delays or cancels classes. 

• Watch the news for the most recent announcements.
• Check the online news stations.
• Check your mail and this page; I will send an e-mail and post on this page as soon as I know something.

Most important: use your discretion when coming to our classes, and please be careful!

This brings me to some important weather vocabulary:

• Watch: there is a chance the stated weather will occur. Conditions are good, but here in Indiana weather changes rapidly, so they may not...
• Weather Advisory: We are confident the weather will occur as predicted.
• Warning: Take immediate action. The severe weather is occurring. Please follow directions to be safe.

This time of year we are concerned with snow, ice and cold weather. Be prepared put a shovel, blankets and a bag of cheap Kitty Litter (for weight in your car and sprinkle for traction on the snow and ice if you get stuck) in your car.

Tuesday, January 6:
International Bible Study, 9:00-10:30, room 100: 
Let's review and then read John 5 beginning with verse 31.

International Friends, 10:30-12:00, room 100: Let's Make Mochi.
Join us as we make fresh mochi and enjoy this delicious New Year Japanese tradition. We will talk about what we did over break and catch up with each other.

I am looking forward to seeing everyone again!
Carolyn

tough day: not easy, hard
get back into the groove: get back to schedules, events and activities
cancellation: when scheduled events are not held
policy: stated action due to particular circumstances; the rule of thumb for when a situation occurs
delays: when a schedule is pushed back (starts at a later time than scheduled)
delays or cancels: the "s" is added to delay and cancel in this case because Carmel Clay Schools is singular even though it is made up of schools
use your discretion: use your judgement, participate or not based on conditions or your abilities
are you coming or are you going?: this is a tough one! Since you are coming to me, and your movement is toward me in this sentence, you are coming. I could ask you if you are going (moving toward another place with or without me). You can be invited to "come" with a group someplace to "go" somewhere. In this case, come means to join the group. Easy answer? Just join the fun and say, "yes!".
Do you know if you are coming or going?: This is a a slang that means you don't know what you are doing--you are confused.
This brings me to...: an expression that introduces the main point of a discussion
criteria: the conditions that need to be met for something to happen
Kitty Litter: the stuff you put in a box for an indoor cat to go to the bathroom. The clay is great for traction on ice and snow.