Cancelled classes

Wednesday was an all campus event that I still don't get what it was about. First student I asked told me a boat was departing from the library, then I had 5 students all bowing ('it was' bow bow bow)??, then another student showed me pictures of an alter with candles and food and fire twirlers, and the last student I asked said it was 'to drink makali' (fermented rice drink with about the strength of beer). My best guess is the last is probably the closest- after all he is in my 'advanced' section. All of my afternoon classes were canceled.

I teach 7 sections of freshman conversational English that meet 3 x a week each. Except for the (1) advanced class they all have the same structure, plans, and lectures for each week of the semester. But, most of my sections are science and technology majors and they have MT (major training) this week. I have also asked what MT involves and am gathering it too involves makali. And probably soju. What it means to me is that yesterday and today most of classes are canceling again. Basically- if less than 50% of the students show- no class. Thank god I have a couch in my office.

What's sorta frustrating is that now my classes are all out of whack. Some have met once, some twice, and some all 3 times. The 2 sections that did show for the third class played games and won US pennies. And listened to 'Everybody is a Star' by Sly & the Family Stone and discussed the lyrics. I think we'll play games next week too until they are back on the same schedule. Besides- I can get even the lowest level students talking in English when it's games.....