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!