Dear Students...

I want to tell you that I really enjoyed teaching you this semester. Usually. Both classes were filled with very special, interesting people and I will miss you very much (no sarcasm). The fact that we build our very own little international community through the course of 12 weeks is very unique indeed. It is not surprising, therefore, that it is sad when our community disbands and we feel a certain sense of loss. However, this is a good thing--you don't feel loss unless you have something good in the first place.

You all should feel very proud of yourselves. You are reading, writing, speaking, living, breathing, maybe even dreaming by now, in English. This is quite an accomplishment and your levels of fluency are impressive. Now is a good moment to reflect upon where you started and how far you've progressed. Even if the progress sometimes seems slow, it is progress nonetheless, I assure you. It doesn't matter how long it takes you to get there--so long as you get there! Some of us creep like turtles and others fly like eagles but we can all make it to the finish line if we set our minds to it. Here's a new idiomatic expression for you: We say "keep your eye on the ball." So stay focused, work hard, and you will achieve your goals. The only one you are racing against is yourself. G-d gave you your potential--its your job to achieve it and do good in this world.

For those of you staying in Houston, please come and visit me at the LCC (but I won't be working this summer) or email me or call (713-721-3460) to say hi. If you throw a party, invite me and I will try my best to come. Also, if you need anything while you are in Houston, and I can be of help, feel free to contact me. Former students often consult with me on their academic decisions as well as their parking tickets and baby questions! Should you have a legal issue, my husband is a good person to consult. If you lose my contact information, you can always call the LCC office and they'll know how to reach me. At the very least, you can remember my last name. That's Cin. C-I-N. Like cinammon. Or cinema.

For those of you continuing in the LCC or entering the university, I wish you loads of success. It won't be easy but with hard work and determination (and perhaps just a little bit of luck, as Stanley's father says) you will achieve your goals. The first course is the hardest...

For those of you returning home, I wish you a safe and pleasant journey and I hope you continue to learn and to practice, and I hope to see you in your country one of these days soon!

Finally, I want to wish all of you lives filled with blessings: health and happiness, love and laughter, success and failure (because we learn from failure), and most of all, the ability to recognize the good in our lives and overlook or overcome the bad.

Please keep in touch with me; I look forward to hearing all of your exciting news.
Love,
Holly