Parentals in Paris After spending time with a friend who is a very diligent blogger, I went back through my blog from the last few years and was so happy that I had it to read and reflect upon. Tracing my nose-dive in the English system from my first day where I was so excited to the last day where I typed through my tears and relief and all of the craziness in between. It was nice to be able to see the story unfold again with a little perspective.
Through talking about travels or just teacher stuff, even if nobody else reads this, I want to make sure I don't lose this as a running record. And, thank Ganesh I took the time to blog in India because I can barely even remember all of the information, sites, laughs, and sweating (like I'd forget that) for the 5 weeks of that life-altering experience. That trip made me more brave about risk-taking and I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be where I am today if I hadn't been on that trip with those exact people. And, I think to myself that if I managed to blog in England when my life was in the toilet and full of never-ending lesson planning, I should be able to handle it now. By the way, can we all please remember that I WON A MEAT RAFFLE! in my first month in England. I will never get over the idea of a meat raffle. Just typing those words makes me laugh.
So, I'll try to go a bit through the last few months (really, I should go way back because I've skipped blogging about A LOT of trips over the last six months...Denmark to visit my cousins; Vienna (twice) to visit my friend Jodie; Eastern Europe with my dad & Bret; Marmaris, Turkey for a 4-day beach holiday, Paris & Bretagne with Karolina, Croatia & Slovenia with Lindsay & Heidi, and a week at the Danish Coast with The Brydens...to name a few!). My life does not suck.
Through talking about travels or just teacher stuff, even if nobody else reads this, I want to make sure I don't lose this as a running record. And, thank Ganesh I took the time to blog in India because I can barely even remember all of the information, sites, laughs, and sweating (like I'd forget that) for the 5 weeks of that life-altering experience. That trip made me more brave about risk-taking and I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be where I am today if I hadn't been on that trip with those exact people. And, I think to myself that if I managed to blog in England when my life was in the toilet and full of never-ending lesson planning, I should be able to handle it now. By the way, can we all please remember that I WON A MEAT RAFFLE! in my first month in England. I will never get over the idea of a meat raffle. Just typing those words makes me laugh.
So, I'll try to go a bit through the last few months (really, I should go way back because I've skipped blogging about A LOT of trips over the last six months...Denmark to visit my cousins; Vienna (twice) to visit my friend Jodie; Eastern Europe with my dad & Bret; Marmaris, Turkey for a 4-day beach holiday, Paris & Bretagne with Karolina, Croatia & Slovenia with Lindsay & Heidi, and a week at the Danish Coast with The Brydens...to name a few!). My life does not suck.
Some highlights: September (other than Oktoberfest!)
 Ladies who Lunch in Hamsterdam At the end of Sept- ember, my friend Barbara and I traveled to Amsterdam to meet up with our friend Kris (who lives in Amsterdam after some years in The Düsse) to see David Sedaris live. It was fabulous and he was so funny. I also spent a day visiting the International School of Amsterdam and spent time with a science teacher who really made me think about what I am doing in my classroom. Barbara, Kris, and I went to an Indonesian restaurant and spent time walking around Amsterdam in the sun. Reading/listening David Sedaris has long been one of my very favorite ways to pass any time and this was the first time to see him live. Below is a link to my favorite David Sedaris story ever- I've read it aloud at many a Christmas celebration. |  I also had to take an online class this fall. It was an "upskilling" workshop for the International Baccalaureate Organization so that I can continue to lead workshops for them. Ironically, I've not actually lead a workshop yet for them apart from a one-day session in Stuttgart back in August. This was very time-consuming in the evenings and during many lunch periods at school. However, because I did this workshop, I will now get to "continue" to lead workshops for the IBO about science teaching, inquiry, and the MYP program in general (Middle Years Program). It was worth the time though, next semester I will travel to Brussels, Dubai, Athens, and Madrid to lead workshops. And, WHAT WHAT...THEY PAY ME! I'm kind of blown away by that whole situation. And, I would still like to first and foremost thank my first principal, Diane, who encouraged us to present at conferences. And, when our first presentation went terribly, she encouraged Natalie and me to leave our hotel room, and try again the next year. She even bought our drinks that night. So, thank you Diane! I'm hoping that with my 3-day workshop in Brussels in February, I will not have to just sit in my room after each session because I won't have time- there are 10 sessions in three days. This is about 9X longer than any professional development I've ever done. I'm glad that I have the week off work after my first three-dayer, I'll probably power down like a robot for a few days after my adrenaline runs out. |
October
Look kids! Arc de Triomphe! At the end of October, my parents came to visit again. I was a bit appalled that they had been to France like 10 times in their lives and never been to Paris (first.world.problems) so our side trip this visit was to Paris.
We spent a few days in Düsseldorf, went to the Neaderthal Museum, and ate at some of my favorite restaurants around town. We crowded into my one-bedroom apartment and found lots of nerdy evolution documentaries to watch so that we were fully "upskilled" for our visit to the museum. Yes, I come from a very nerdy family. We love it.
One of the best things was that my parents came to my classes for the afternoon the day they arrived (mostly so they couldn't nap all day!). I told my seventh graders two days before that my parents were coming and they were science people and that I wanted my parents to see how smart and amazing this class was. So, the kids feverishly worked for two days (and by choice- outside of class) to put together presentations for my parents about what we'd been learning. Our big question was, "How do humans manipulate reproduction in order to survive?" and the kids did presentations about one ingredient from their favorite food, how it reproduces in nature, and how humans are able to manipulate its reproduction. The presentations were excellent- ranging from eggs, to elk steak, to peppercorns, to cheese, etc. The kids were so excited and they did such a great job- spoke really well and used lots of scientific vocabulary. I got a little veklempt. I think my parents were impressed- and I have some total characters in that class. Each kid also said their nationality, the languages they spoke, and all of the places they've lived. Quite a day!
Our trip to Paris was extremely fun. We figured out the bus system and were able to hop on the bus all over the city. The food highlight was definitely a falafel place recommend to me by my friend Patti. We actually ate there twice it was so good. If you are ever in Paris- L'As du Falafel is where it's at!
We spent a few days in Düsseldorf, went to the Neaderthal Museum, and ate at some of my favorite restaurants around town. We crowded into my one-bedroom apartment and found lots of nerdy evolution documentaries to watch so that we were fully "upskilled" for our visit to the museum. Yes, I come from a very nerdy family. We love it.
One of the best things was that my parents came to my classes for the afternoon the day they arrived (mostly so they couldn't nap all day!). I told my seventh graders two days before that my parents were coming and they were science people and that I wanted my parents to see how smart and amazing this class was. So, the kids feverishly worked for two days (and by choice- outside of class) to put together presentations for my parents about what we'd been learning. Our big question was, "How do humans manipulate reproduction in order to survive?" and the kids did presentations about one ingredient from their favorite food, how it reproduces in nature, and how humans are able to manipulate its reproduction. The presentations were excellent- ranging from eggs, to elk steak, to peppercorns, to cheese, etc. The kids were so excited and they did such a great job- spoke really well and used lots of scientific vocabulary. I got a little veklempt. I think my parents were impressed- and I have some total characters in that class. Each kid also said their nationality, the languages they spoke, and all of the places they've lived. Quite a day!
Our trip to Paris was extremely fun. We figured out the bus system and were able to hop on the bus all over the city. The food highlight was definitely a falafel place recommend to me by my friend Patti. We actually ate there twice it was so good. If you are ever in Paris- L'As du Falafel is where it's at!
We found a Coca Cola bottle with my dad's name on it! How freaking random and AWESOME!
November
 When you make a good friend who moves away, it sure is nice when that friend decides to move to Vienna instead of Vancouver! My friend Jodie, who used to teach at ISD, now teaches in Vienna. So, in the last year, I have actually been to visit her three times! It is a cheap, fast flight and we always have a good time. This time, I went with the express purpose of attending a wine convention with her. It was great. We purchased the entry, got a glass, and then could walk around tasting wine in the Vienna Opera House from about 200 different wineries world-wide. Don't worry, we didn't taste all 200! Jodie is just so much fun and I love to visit her. Being in Vienna is like walking around a storybook because all of the buildings are so classical and royal looking- especially when compared to Düsseldorf which is super modern because it was destroyed in the war. Great weekend with a great friend! |  It has become a tradition with my friends in Düsseldorf for me to be the host for Thanksgiving. It started in 2011 with 14 people and we scrounged enough chairs and patio furniture to actually sit down. Click here to read the story of my first German Thanksgiving. But, over the last two years, as I've gotten to know more people, we've really had to expand the guest list and it has now gotten to the point where we have "Stand Up Thanksgiving," so called because there are just not enough chairs and tables to accommodate everyone anymore. Friends bring friends (can't leave out any random Americans out there- or any nationalities at this point)! We had a great night full of laughs, A LOT of wine (the recycling situation was a bit out of hand), and a great deal of yummy food as well. I made Thanksgiving Wellington again because it is just easier for me to make all of the ingredients ahead of time each day that week and then stuff them into the pastry shell at the last minute. |
BIG LOVE WITH THE BRYDENS The Bryden Fam (with the two "Half Moms.") Hugh and Rita both say that Amy and I are 50% their 'other mom.' They really have become my family over the last two years!
So, those are the highlights of my last few months. The rest of the days that aren't highlights are mostly just "rinse and repeat" kind of days where I go to work, go to the gym, and come home. The Christmas Markets are on now so I've gone to those a few times, this weekend is our fancy-schmancy school Christmas party, and then I'm back in COLORADO (WAHOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!) for two whole weeks!
I plan to eat chips and salsa + a margarita for every meal (I might skip the marg at breakfast, we'll see) and I am so excited for some Colorado sunshine, some family/friend time, and (FINGERS CROSSED) a powder day!
I plan to eat chips and salsa + a margarita for every meal (I might skip the marg at breakfast, we'll see) and I am so excited for some Colorado sunshine, some family/friend time, and (FINGERS CROSSED) a powder day!
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