Remembering One Year Ago

It was just a year ago that we were celebrating the end of one year and start of another in Scotland!

Home for the Holidays

Tim is home and were were able to spend the holidays with friends and family. After having too much fun in Paynesville with some high school friends on Saturday night, Tim and I headed to his parents in St. Cloud on Sunday. We stopped off at Granite City Brewery to see Ann and she treated us to brunch and wine!! Very nice of her.

We enjoyed some nice wine and snacks, and a terrific meal cooked by Cy, of course. After over eating as we all doing, we moved into the basement and opened presents. As Tim's mom recieved (two!) DVD players for xmas, we ran to the video store and retrieved a few movies. We watched "Little Miss Sunshine". What a great movie!!! Tragic, sad, uplifting and emotional. Four Stars!

We had breakfast on Sunday morning and then made our way to Pville to my family. His parents and brothers (and their families) were VERY generous!!! Thanks so much for all kitchen and housewares!!

We arrived at dad's just as the 18 pound turkey was being cut up - along with great stuffing and potatoes and veg - it was the perfect xmas meal. All my siblings eventually arrived, and when the kids couldn't stand it a minute longer, present opening commenced! After all the tearing and excited expressions and thank yous, the kids and adults settled down long enough for some family pictures.

FRONT: Todd, Lori and me; BACK: Dad, Seth, Dion

Grandpa with the Grandkids!
Front: Jaida, Caroline, Laney (on Dad's lap) and Jordon
BACK: Stephen, Dylan, Dad, Gabbi, Devon and Lexy

The kids and spouses are going to get together with dad on one of the upcoming weekends for dinner. Dad is treating all of us to a meal at the Red Lobster - looking forward to it very much!

Green Dot Conversations

It's 5:50am Monday morning, and normally, I've filled my coffee cup and fixed a bowl of cereal and have sat down in front of the computer am already chatting with the little 'green dot' that gmail uses to indicate a friend is online. Our green dot conversations every morning (afternoon for him) have been a constant and a source of comfort for the both of us over the three months Tim and I have been apart. It was something little and only a few minutes a day, but it was a way for us to stay connected. Our life journey together started almost seven years ago and the Scottish leg of the journey started 2 1/2 years ago and has officially come to an end - or rather a transistion. We will resume the rest of our lives and journey - in person and together - today. Alas, our green dot conversations are over; their 'live' replacement will be welcome.

Back in Scotland

Just off the plane, finally showered... that's a lot of hours to sit and sweat and eat crappy food and drink too much coffee and wear the same socks and not brush your teeth... gu.

Here for a week. Probably heading to Sam's this evening to deliver some silly American gifts to our Scottish compatriots and have a pint of Carling or 2!! I missed Carling!!

Looking forward to a good week.

Like I need to mention this - it was dark and RAINING when I got off the plane at 415pm. ha!

Photos Added!

I've added some photos and entries below now that my (old fashioned) film is developed.

Dion's 30th

Friends (Jill in the hat, Josh, the tall one!)

My little brother is 30!! Josh (who also turned 30) and his wife Jill were kind enough to host a double 30th birthday party. Most in attendance were friends from Bemidji.
Darts, Food, Drinks and Games, it was a fun night! I introduced a bunch of people to the 1 to 100 game... that one never gets old ;-)












A friend and Dion

New Apartment

I moved into our new apartment several days ago, took the day off of work for a morning Dr.'s appointment and then spent the day organizing, unpacking and cleaning - still lots to do! And - I hooked up my internet, so I'm back online at home. I really wish my boy boy was here to share in all of this work and fun. It's kind of a lonely ordeal when you are used to doing everything together!!

Soon very soon, we'll be together, sitting in front of the fireplace and cuddling on the couch in front of a scary movie!!

Visiting Friends

Lisa - posing pretty for the camera, as always! Look at that Cabin though!!!











Molly and Ann - relax with a ginger ale and vodka











John and Mary and their grandaughter. Enjoying the spoils of retirement.

One of the first trips when I arrived home was to Ann's cabin in Chetek! On the way, however, we made a little visit to John and Mary's cabin in northern Wisconsin! A beautiful cabin - they built all themselves!

Never gets old

Along the same lines of my previous post... this note is a keeper.


Ryan -
Hello hello! haha ... It's been a really long time! How are you? It was really funny yesterday because my CF (or RA) was in my room and she interviewed my roommate and I about our experience with military recruiters. We talked about how we don't really appreciate, to put it nicely, how they're coming into our schools offering "loads of money and opportunity" and how the No Child Left Behind act allows them to do that ... to have full access to our names and addresses etc.
anyway ... the point I'm trying to make is that we started talking about politics, which lasted like another 2 hours, and how the U.S. is becoming more and more corrupt .... and so on. It was cool tho because I was trying to think when I actually started to pay attention to politics/ what was going on in the world ... and I told them that it started my ninth grade year with this really great teacher that I had for government ... haha. Hmm ... who could that be??? ;)
So, I just wanted to share that cuz a person who has made that great of impact on my life should probably know ....
... and I was going to keep this short ... haha... hope you're off to a good start today and I'll talk to you again sometime I'm sure :)

Have a great day!

---- J.M.

Thanks for the note - It means a lot!!

The work never seems to end... but it is worth it

I just returned home from the Rogers High School National Honor Society's annual induction of new members. I was asked to be the Guest Speaker at the event - an honor for sure.

I was pleased that the students regarded me as someone who has inspired them and might have a message that resonates with their talents and hard work ethic. It was a simple yet poignant evening.

As I drove home, the clock approaching 9:00pm, thinking of the millions of things I have to do yet, I wonder what the heck I am doing wrong. I have tons of correcting to do, I need to preview my lessons for the upcoming week (heck, tomorrow!!) and I am eternally feeling like I am not meeting enough of the students' needs.

Then it hit me - I must be doing something right. The induction speech - and the theme of individual and collective accountablity - and why I was asked to be there made sense. I put in a little extra time here and there, and it must be paying off. I still need to find a balance, but the efforts I'm putting forth to help my kids succeed seem to be striking a chord within some of them. I have to remember that.

A Pink Mohawk For Food

From October 10 until the 18th, students at the high school where I teach were encouraged to bring in food for the foodshelf. There basic incentive, besides doing a good deed, was a pizza party that the winning classroom would win.

To foster a charitable environment, I decided to brainstorm with my students ways to increase the incentive. Well, as any teacher can appreciate, that when your classroom is engaged and actively participating, one doesn't want to do anything to dampen their enthusiasm. Well, as a result of the brainstorming, I somewhat foolishly agreed to match the top donor item for item, wear a costume of their choice for each day for 5 days, and allow them to shave and dye my hair into a pink mohawk. Well, these students had a REAL set of incentives now, and they worked their butts off rounding up LOTS of food. By the second to last day, my students were in the lead with 325 items. I thought "I'm getting a haircut for sure!!" Then rumours started brewing that the class down the hall had conjured a great idea to win, so my homeroom planned and worked together to really ratchet it up a notch on the last day. We estimated we had close to 900 items, surely placing us in the lead!

Well, at the end of the day, the items were counted, and my class lost by 10!!! ONLY 10 items! Weber and her fundraising efforts allowed them to buy 821 items, my class at 811, and Onell (and his unique incentives) garnered 608 items. A very close call.

But - because my class did so well, I decided to get a fauxhawk haircut this weekend and will wear it proudly tomorrow. All for a good cause!

Who Knew?

America's Best Bar?

Is right in our backyard, apparently. "The best bar in America is Nye's Polonaise." according to the magazine Esquire. The 'man's magazine' - one that has been around for almost 80 years and, although was once the place for literary giants (like Ernest Hemingway and Truman Capote) to write presently focuses on fashion and all that is fashionable. It's good to see that they voted a 'townie-bar-meets-kitsch night club' the best bar and not a snobby, $12 martini house or $20 cover club.

Thanks for the tip Randy.

Kampa Fall Festival vs. Apple Fest

The group split up this weekend and attended separate 'Fests'... a text war ensue to decipher just who was at the better fest. They had the city, the sights and a wider variety of people (i.e., better gays) but we had a corn maze, a bonfire, hayrack rides, guns (okay, that's not so great) and the sights as well! It's pretty hard to decided who really 'won', but I think we can agree that we all had a good time.

Pictures too come!

Ocotober Fest - LaCrosse

Randy, Steve and I travelled down to LaCrosse on Saturday to meet up with Amy and Jeff at her sister's house and then to the Alpine. As usual, the sights were unbelievable, the beer was beer, and the laughs frequent and hardy. We made it down to the Fest grounds around 4pm, and had several drinks there before we headed Cheap Shots to meet up with some of the WIS students. The streets of LaCrosse were packed and crazy! What an event. Lots of police and people, it is amazing everyone gets from their point A to B that evening.

At Cheap Shots we met up with Andy, Luke, Owen, Melissa, Wes and ... boy there were a lot, I'm not sure I remember them all! We made our way to the gay bar, since it WAS Steve's birthday, for some dancing and good music! We met up with some more WIS students - Matt, Eric, Kacia, Ali, Megan K, Brad, Ann F (and the others joined us as well). It was a fab time until the end of the night - when a late and then no show taxi caused a bit of a tiff between the group, which led to some tears and spilled drinks, which led to some harsh words between strangers, which led to some physical aggressiveness and then a trip home for the whole lot! Nothing like ending a GREAT night with a wee bar fight. I'd say everyone made it out safe and sound and only our dignities took a bruising that evening.



Me, Ali, Eric, Matt and Kacia

Me, Kacia, Ali and Eric (& 2 excited strangers!)

Tim's Visit

Tim is visiting for a few days! I picked him up on Wednesday. It was SOO good to see and give him a big hug. It's been great visiting the friends and frequenting our favorite places while he's here. From the Townhouse with Steve, Amy and Jeff to the Liffey with John and Mary and then up to St. Cloud and Clearwater with his mom and dad and brothers, and then to Amy's bonfire party, it's been a fabulouse few days!

Today we went walking in our old neighborhood and to look houses to rent and/or buy. Very soon, we will be back together in one location and living in a place of our own!

A Community Rebounds

It was a tough day teaching in Rogers today. With the tornado and events of the weekend that turned a bustling, growing community upside down and maker of national news, the students were exhausted, excitable and mellow at the same time.

The students handled the day and dealing with the aftermath of the storm pretty well - I think they were happy to be at school and not at home so they could talk about it. The difficulty of the situation is, however, that there is such a range in the extent that people's lives were affected. Some students are literally 'homeless' and others hardly knew it rained on Saturday evening. It's hard to honor the emotion and sentiment of almost 40 kids each hour, regulate the ups and downs and still teach them.

With adversity comes growth, and we'll all grow from this.

Teaching Again

I got an email from my friend and now retired teacher. It was a response to one that I had sent asking for advice and lamenting over how much work this year has been. Having taught the same things I did before retiring last year, she commented, “From the first day of school to the last I did little else but schoolwork.”

So, that is not terribly encouraging to hear, but a reality nonetheless. It has been a huge struggle (and will continue to be one) to stay ahead in all my classes. I am constantly reviewing, in cases re-learning in others LEARNING three different subjects, planning for the upcoming week, the current week, the next day and on top of that, incorporating all the elements of good instruction: differentiation for the many skill/talent levels in each classroom, classroom management that contributes to a healthy and academic learning environment, listening to the students as much as I speak to them and so on. Of course, I cannot do it all everyday, and that’s okay, but that is also when I feel like I’m not succeeding. As Su said, it is at least “good brain stimulation”. That it is.

I do have good students though – for the most part, willing to listen and give me a shot as I try to teach American History, AP Government and Economics; for that I am grateful.

I am frequently exhausted, but not tired. I am overwhelmed, but not defeated. I am struggling every single day with 100s of decisions and scenarios but not without many successes mixed in with the failures. I am a teacher again.

Continuing the Soundtrack of my Life

I recently listened to the new Dixie Chicks CD and absolutely love it. Powerful messages, well written and good music. The final song is a personal favorite and it got me thinking to about why I teach: to inspire hope. I hope my students can "learn from our history".


"I Hope", Dixie Chics

Sunday morning, I heard the preacher say
Thou shall not kill
I don't wanna, hear nothin' else, about killin'
And that it's God's will
Cuz our children are watching us
They put their trust in us
They're gonna be like us
So let's learn from our history
And do it differently

CHORUS:I hope
For more love, more joy and laughterI hope
We'll have more than we'll ever needI hope
We'll have more happy ever aftersI hope
We can all live more fearlesslyAnd we can lose all the pain and misery
I hope, I hope
Oh Rosie, her man he gets too rough
And all she can say, is he's a good man
He don't mean no harm
He was just brought up that way
But our children are watching us
They put their trust in us
They're gonna be like us
It's okay for us to disagree
We can work it out lovingly
For I hope
For more love, more joy and laughter
I hope
You'll have more than you'll ever need
I hopeYou'll have more happy ever aftersI hope
And you can all live more fearlesslyAnd you can lose all your pain and misery
I hope, I hope

There must be a way to change what's going on
No, I don't have all the answers
I hope
For more love, more joy and laughter
I hopeyou'll have more than you'll ever need
I hopeThere'll be more happy ever afters
I hope
We can all live more fearlessly
And we can lose all the pain and misery
I hope, I hope
I hope
I hope
I hope

It's going to be a good school year.

It's workshop week...

I am enjoying getting back into the swing of things, but I am also full of fear and anxiety! I love teaching - the planning, the preparation, the unknown, its so intense. But, as I forgot, it's SO tiring. I can barely stay awake past 9:30pm these days.

I am also so blessed to be working with some very amazing people. Outside the fact that some of my closest colleagues are remarkable teachers who help me and each other plan fantastic lessons and work to make our school and district better (for kids and all involved) - they are simply generous and thoughtful souls who help a friend in need - one who doesn't always know how to ask for help.

I was pleasantly surprised, as well today, when I attended a workshop on integrating Economics into the Social Studies classroom to have a former WIS student's father as the presenter. And, she apparently called him to alert him that I would be there, because, apparently due to her praise and high regard of me, he gave me the software and materials he was presenting from today - not cheap for one but mostly - an abosolute lifesaver for me considering I've never taught this subject before.

It's going to be a good school year.

1st Official Day at Work

There was a Data Retreat for my school district today. The meeting started at 745am... and despite the fact that I believe I am a morning person, that was a bit early since it was an hour drive from my house.

The retreat went really well. I saw so many familiar faces and had just the warmest reception by so many old friends and co-workers. It was both fun and frustrating to get back into the action of looking at data - test scores, surveys, etc, and facing the ever changing standards and laws (literally, like shooting at a moving target) and working collegially with 9 other teachers and principals from my building.

I possess an extremely high level of anxiety right now over my classroom preparation. I'm trying to tell myself that things will fall into place as I take each task on - but the overwhelming sense of fear stemming from the fact that I have not taught any of these three subjects combined with the (I'm sure irrational) thought that I've completely forgot how to teach or even just related to people is deafening. I must say, however, that some former students ran into me in the hallway and were elated to see me and said so, and expressed how much they either missed me or were glad I was back, and that did help alleviate my fears a bit. It's amazing how much in life we fear is completely non-existent and is just created in our heads.

On the way home, I stopped at Kris Mumm's house for a little BBQ. The Cherry's, including little Juliet, and Maura and Steve were there, as well as Mumm's boyfriend Jason. SO fun to hang with those crazy mouthy kids. NEVER a dull moment in their company. The 'inappropriate car' and summer friends are on again.

Too Much Money?

Some people have too much money...

It's a wonderful problem to have! We should all have such problems. Let's hope they can make it work to benefit more of the neediest people in the world.

I miss Tim

It's been several weeks now and I want see my boy boy. Can't wait until he visits - just 4 weeks now.

Adjusting To Home

I have been back home Minnesota for five days now. Aside from the normal jetlag, the readjustment and culture 'shock' has been challenging. It must be said that I was certainly very excited to move home and return to work and be close to friends and family. However, there is a dual adjustment needed in this process.

Simply entering back into the fray of friends and colleagues and families and small towns and SUPER target stores and freeway rush hour traffic is one thing - the logistics and emotions of resuming normal brings a plethora of emotions, confusion and joy.

But beneath that - there is an underlying resistance to resuming normal. I can't decipher if the resistance is due to the fact that I've lived another lifestyle that I'd either prefer or was just accustomed to, OR if I recognize the differences and I an unwilling to adapt back into (at least some) of the lifestyle I knew to be normal.


So far I have been doing a good job in taking things slowly and not worrying about doing everything at once - unpacking, buying stuff for home or work, worrying about work and all that entails, although there have been little 'freak outs' but they pass quickly. It will take time, patience and a reflection to keep the balance I am earnestly seeking.

An Experience to Treasure For Life

It's my last day (living) in Scotland and I'm going to miss it so much!


Took a trip to Edinburgh today just to meander and had lunch with Tim at our favorite cafe, a glass of wine at our favorite bar and then visited Kitty and Donny on the way home. We then visited Marian and she gave me a wonderful going away present that she got in Belarus! The palace tonight is quiet. Gloria had Tim and I and Sarah, our intern, Brent and Mary, the WIS Consortium Director and his wife, Ben and Emily, Brent and Mary's son and girlfriend, Jim, the Caretaker, and Harlen, a guest from Whitewater, over to her flat for a little reception to sort of say goodbye, or at least cheerio.

I'm almost done packing. Not sure what to think. I've had butterflies in my stomach ALL day - I'm sure I won't sleep tonight.

Fish and Chips as my 'last' meal is on the way - and then it is to Sam's to say 'cheerio' to them and a few more folks who are head up!

The Dalkeith House, now under repair, has been my home for 2 years. I love that.

The park has been my escape - my time. I'll cherish all those walks.

Thanks Scotland! I miss it and Tim already.

7 Deadly Sins, minus Envy

Over the past two years of adjusting to and living a 'normal' life in Scotland, it is natural to develop some routines or patterns. Finding a local watering hole is certainly no exception to that. Despite the fact that the Coach and Horses was most like a Paynesville bar and the kids found the small 'old man's pub' of Masons to be the best hang out, we took to the equally as frequented by students (just on non-party nights!) Sam's as our most visited Dalkeith Pub. Over the months and pints, we've become quite fond of and close to the owner and manager, Cath and Sharon, and many of the other locals, Paul and Kim to name 2. It was these four along with Tim and I that made our way to 'Town' for a night out together.

We met at Sam's around 7pm - Sharon had to work all day and needed a chance to change and eat. We caught up with Paul and Kim and after some drinks, the 6 of us left by taxi around 830pm. We didn't really have a game plan and decided to start at Lloyds in the Omni Centre because there was so many different pubs, bars and entertainment in the area to choose from. It was overcast, but warm so we were able to sit outside. It was kind of nice to get dressed up (just a wee bit, nothing formal!) and laugh and party in Edinburgh with the four 'characters' we did. Sharp tongued and quick witted Cath serves as the matriarch; Sharon, fiesty and sarcastic are two words to describe her - a heart of gold is probably the best way though. Paul, native of Dalkeith, could be a stand up comedian. He is so outgoing and absolutely energetic that you can't help but be amused and enthralled when he speaks. His fiance Kim is from New Zealand and really keeps Paul grounded (not! ;-). She has such a friendly soul and a bottomless appetite (for food and she's still skinny as a rail - we hate this about her) and we look forward to attending their wedding - whenever that may be... 2007, or 2008... Don't worry Kim, I won't buy my hat too soon.

We moved on to Mood next door because I hadn't been. Cheesy music and dance floor was just what they said it would be and it was. One drink, a quit dance by Paul and Sharon (not before Paul insulted the entire row of girls who had been dancing by yelling 'get off' RIGHT when the music got low) and we moved on to the Taxi queue. We were headed for the Jam House.

We arrived to a nearly completely Jam House! Despite that fact that the Festival starts the very next weekend, the bar had no entertainment and was actually closing early. Such a shame. But, as we were in a new area, there were new bars to check out. Jeckyl and Hyde was the closest. I hadn't been there either so it was perfect for me. Adorned with the furniture and secret passage-way bathrooms and the like to match the novel itself, the 6 of us ordered the 7 Deadly Sins drinks, minus Envy. We thought they were shots, and so when the said they were closing in 10 minutes, we thought we had plenty of time to finish our regular drinks and the 'shots' before bar close. Six large sized uniquely named Sin-drinks arrived... so, we set out with our own straws and tried them out. If I'm not mistaken.... many of us were quite fond of sloth and lust or maybe I'm just editorializing now.

We made our way to the Opal Lounge - surely not closing anytime soon by the looks of it! Quite posh and therefore dear to drink in, we seemed to forget that none of us are millionaires and ordered round after round as we danced on the dance floor. Insert a few tearful comments while standing out having a cigarette and some ogling of the all male bar staff (all minus Paul) and lots of laughter and dancing, and out night on the town was complete.

It is JUST what I wanted in a night - a little bit of everything with some wonderful friends.

Some goodbyes, some 'see ya laters'

Cocktails and dinner with Henry and Ann were superb. These two people are absolutely delightful, and am going to miss them dearly. Tim and I met the two at the Opal Lounge. We enjoyed some nibbles and some white wine - discussing the usual topics of work and 'what's next' but then also what I will be doing back in the states. Henry and Ann are expecting their first grandbaby this fall and, will be over to visit us (along with a few others) in September of 2007 for their 30th Anniversary and Henry's 50th birthday.

After dinner, Tim and I walked up Princes Street to the Mound - it was a typical misty night which was a treat in this dryest of summers - and made our way to Cera's house for her birthday party. Lots of familiar faces - many from the IEP and the Nationalism MSc programmes were in attendance. I was able to say some 'Hellos' (because we've all been so busy and anti-social working on our dissertations) and 'Goodbyes', since I won't be seeing many of them for a long while, if at all. Nino, Iason, Catherine, Fionnuala, Mike, Isabel, James, Ceri and Cera - Wow - it's been a fantastic year. They will do fantastic things with their knowledge... Nino moving on to Budapest, Iason to Geneva for another masters, many staying in Edinburgh to look for work with the EU or refugee organizations or the UN, such motivation and greatness from a group of truly talented people. What a pleasure knowing, working and partying with them!

Final Week In Scotland

Our last week is pretty full with fun (and I'm sure emotional) stuff.

We just returned from Alnwick this morning. Yesteray we had a BBQ at Wade's and then went over to Christine and Allen Mitchell's for nibbles and drinks.

Today - I begin packing. Ouch - lots of stuff going in the bin!

Tomorrow night we are dining with Henry and Ann and then have a B-day party with some of my IEP mates

Wednesday we are dining with Kitty and Donny (host family)

Thursday we are having a proper 'piss up' with Cath & Sharon (Owner/Mgr of Sams) and Paul and Kim somewhere in Edinburgh

Friday day/night it is one last time to hangout with Neil and Stuart - maybe in Edi or maybe in Fife where they live.

Saturday night I'm going out with my IEP folks to say goodbye

Sunday - a Fringe Festival show perhaps and then cocktails with Vic and Sandy

Monday - Playing it by ear for now. I fly out at 11am on Tuesday - bags overweight and tears ready to fall!

Picnic with Marion

We had a picnic with Marion and her daughters, JoAnn and Kay. They qualify as the mouthiest women in Scotland - to use their words, it was fucking brilliant!

Tim bbq'd some burgers and brats on the grill, I made some some cocktails, we invited Gloria and her in-laws to join us and Marion and the girls entertained us with their crazy stories about their kids, their dogs and being a host family. The backdrop for our dinner was the Dalkeith House - half under scaffolding; the 300 year old roof is being replaced in what will amount to a 3 year project.

St. Andrews

Part II of the weekend...

Stuart and Neil took us to St. Andrews, which is just a 15 minute drive to the coast.



It was a beautiful little town. We walked down the main streets, saw the Cathedral (ruins now) and walked by the 'first' golf course.











St. Andrew's is home to one of the oldest universities in Scotland as well. It is a lovely little city that is not overly touristy - apparently the city council is pretty diligent about keeping up 'traditional' facade.


Stuart, Neil, Tim and I had another picnic in their garden and that was it for a lovely weekend.

Sunning in Fife!

Last weekend Tim and I were invited up to visit Stuart and Neil at their new place. Stuart is the House manager for a couple who live in Fife.









The day was perfect - we sat in their garden and drank wine and had a picinic.












The boys walked across the front of the state to the back garden, where we were able to pick fresh vegetables and fruit for dinner. This garden was unbelievable! Fresh potatoes, turnips and leafy greens and then the raspberries, the strawberrie and the red currants - it was practically falling off it was so ripe!








Stuart gave us a tour of the 'big house', he prepared a lovely dinner (or did the sprites?) and then we crashed in front of Series 5 of "Absolutely Fabulous".










Before the night was over though - Stuart persuaded us to sneak into the indoor pool and take a dip. We didn't argue too much with that!







Poor Neil conked out though and missed out on the fun.

"From Paris to Berlin"

Okay - it was London, Paris and back to London, but there is no song with those lyrics.

We arrived in London in the midst of 30-35 degree (Celsius) weather. (85-95 F).

Our first night we got to attend Les Miserables. Tim and I joined Wade and his group of students. From those who had seen it and my own (first time) opinion, the set was great and songs were good, but perhaps fell a little flat, especially the girl playing Corset (sp?). In addition, it was a touch on the long side, but the story was powerful and it was worth seeing.

The next night were were able to hook up with some friends that Tim and Wade had made when there were at a trade conference in London last May.

Michael (Wade's Asst), Tim, Ashley (Wade's intern), Tim (friend), me and David.
Barry, Tim's b-friend, is taking the photo.

On our way to Paris - we travelled through the Chunnel.

I've never drank wine in the chunnel before!

Our first meal in Paris at a restaurant called Chez Antoinette - Tim and I ordered the Artichoke salad. Yeah, tell me how your supposed to eat that! Okay - so some French friends gave me instructions and it all worked out just fine - but is was a lot of darn work!

The next day - the louvre! Wow - HUGE place. Tim, as always, was a great tour guide. That Art History major in college has served him (and I!) well.

July 14 is Bastille Day. Marking the end of the French Revolution, it was the site of the first major battle. We joined the entire city of Paris in celebrating, watching fireworks that were shot off from the base of the Eiffel tower.

The Musee d'Orsey is a train station remodelled into a museum. It holds primarily pre-immpressionist, immpressionist, and post-immpressionist art along with some sculture. Tim's knowledge led the way again - I got to see originals of his favorite artist (post-immpressionist) Paul Cezane.

Tim and I on the balcony of Musee d'Orsey (overlooking the River Seine)

The queue for Norte Dame was TOO long and heat was unbearable, but this picture respects the commanding presence the structure holds.

This trip will probably be our last 'hurrah' before I move home. We do plan on going to Alnwick one more time to visit some friends, and we've been invited to Join Tim and Barry at their place in Brighton for Gay Pride, but that is the August 5-7 weekend, and that may be cutting it close.

Returning Today

We've been in on London and then Paris for the past week.

Home today to Edinburgh by train around 6pm- Lots of pictures and anecdotes to share!

Summer WIS Party

Our Wisconsin in Scotland - Summer 2006 end of term party.

We did make good use of the tent as it rained most of the night!



A feel good song got everyone out for a sing along.






Jim, the caretaker, Henry, the Chef and Gloria, the Director, look on at the fun







The students (and some of the staff!) danced into the dark; there was also the usually attempts at singing karaoke, but not of us will win an X-factor competitions!


All the Best to the students - They were a champion group!

For our last class, the students had to complete a 'Cultural Observation Sheet' in Edinburgh. Afterwards, I had them meet Tim and I at the Standing Order for dinner and drinks. Afterwards, we went to The Stand for a comedy show. "Dance Monkey Boy, Dance". We couldn't actually take any pictures during the show, which was okay. But I must say, we were in for a surprise! It was a VERY Scottish show - lots of humour based on one's knowledge of some history, celebrities and local icons. But, the kicker was all of the profanity!! OMG, between the F-bombs and C-nts being throw out I could barely concentrate on the deragatory comments being directed at Americans. Let's just say the students got a good dose of culture - it ain't pretty sometimes but its real.



At the Standing Order - Cheap Food and Drinks but a very nice environment! The pub is an old bank and is a popular 'happy hour' hang out for Edinburgh.

Amber, Shannon, Ashley, Erin and Leah

Jennifer, Chris and Brianne

Sarah, Kari (hiding), Erin and 'LaCrosse' friend


Luke, Karlee, Jess, Marcella, Becca and Ashley


Leslie, Alex, Amber and Lauren



Tim (sort of!) and Erin in front

Ashley, Amber, Leah, Jennifer and Sara ready to go dancing!

We headed out to a few gay bars to go dancing afterwards. It was a Wednesday, so we ultimately had the whole floor to ourselves and boy did we use it!! Good night out.

4th of July - WIS style

The Summer WIS Fourth of July Party went off without a bang! Except for the bangs we wanted.

The students started the evening with some games - the mellowist but still fun was the first: Musical Chairs. (Kudos to Kim in the maroon for winning!)

Tug of war proved to be a challenge on the wet grass. The distance clan (full of athletes and bigger (men) people) is who the Faculty ultimately lost to in the final. We were tricked! Someone yelled Go! as we were posing for a picture. Perhaps it was our vanity that killed us.



We didn't get any pictures of volleyball or Capture the Flag, but that's okay, because we were pretty sweaty by that point. And, we did have several injuries, some pretty bad and A LOT of burning neddle wounds, so I doubt they would have been pretty.

But of course, no 4th of July is whole without some fireworks! Paid for by the fundraising of students - we enjoyed some grand sounds and sights!




Happy 4th to All.

Summer Hits

It's the last week of the summer term. Today's class will of course involve a lot of closure and reflection activities. I've invited Sara, the grad intern to conduct one of the three activities. It should go pretty well and get the students to start planning and thinking about their time here and the transition they'll experience very soon. As I move home in just over a month, I suspect the 3 activities will also have a great impact on me. No tears, not today.

Our weekend in Alnwick was wonderful. We had a nice walk in Hulne Park, a fun night out with Wade, Michael (Asst) and his friend Erin. We saw lots of old friends and familiar faces who were in town and around the castle for the 25th Anniversary. The events and emotion of the weekend really got me thinking about moving home. I am, for the first time really, very excited to move home. It's strange - it is not that I didn't want to return, but I hadn't been longing for it so much as just knowing it was going to happen. I am, now, really looking forward to returning to Minnesota. The weather, the neighborhood, friends, family, my job! All of it.

This week should full emotion and activity. Tomorrow, the house is having a 4th of July Party with fireworks and all. The students had a fundraiser to pay for the fireworks and a dinner and bonfire is sure to ensue. Wednesday, for my last class, they will head to Edinburgh to complete an 'observation sheet' on culture. I hope they enjoy really seeing the city one last time before they have to head home. That night, Tim and I will meet them at the Standing Order for dinner and drinks, and then it is off to the The Stand, for a Scottish comedy show called "Dance Monkey Boy, Dance!".

Saturday is house cleaning and the end of term party - always a good night of food, fun and Karoke!

June Comes to and End

And I haven't achieved my goal of have a 'rough draft' of my dissertation done, but I'm still sitting pretty well. I have about 11,000 words and need to do some serious pairing down and clarifying my message! I found out this week that footnotes ARE included in the total word count... damn. That hurts.

I met my friend Leslie for lunch and coffee yesterday. She's in my IEP course and we discussed how our work is progressing and a life in general. She's quick to point out that the point I'm trying to make in my dissertation is not so clear, and I need to work on that. I've spent about 50 hours over the past week working on it - and I think I'm too close to the material. I need to take a step back!


Tim leaves for Alnwick today. It is the SCSU/Alnwick Programme's 25th Anniversary. I plan on working all day today and tonight and tomorrow morning, and I'll take the 2 o'clock train down tomorrow and join him. It's going to be great weather - Sunny and HOT!

The Emerald Isle

Tim and I spent 5 days/nights in Ireland and it was Fantastic! My friend Catherine invited us to stay with her family and she and her boyfriend James drove us down to the southwest corner, Kerry, where we stayed for several nights.

Glendoughloch, outside of Dublin, Ireland.

I'm standing in a hole if you're thinking Tim looks taller than normal.

Randy and Cam's May Visit - continued

Randy and Cam - resting comfortably within the palace walls, probably watching "This Life" or some other addictive series!!






Don't these boys look like they belong in Europe? Randy and Cam - enjoying some sight seeing and shopping on Leidestraat, Amsterdam.







Miss you guys and see you soon!