And so it begins...

When I moved to Morocco, I missed a week of orientation so that I could stand in my best friend's wedding. I made up for that by moving to Latvia a week early... because it works that way, right? I got back from Finland on Sunday and orientation doesn't begin for another week so I had a couple days to wander about and explore. 

On Monday, I was escorted by another staff member to the doctor, and then the radiologist for an x-ray, and then back to the doctor for a tick/lyme disease vaccine. A doctor's note is required to work with children here. I avoided the doctor for two years, but on my first full day here, that's exactly where I ended up. She also took me to the home goods store so I could look for some homey-touches to put in the apartment. I will compare that store to a Target... definitely classier than wal-mart and a little pricier... but the things are so pretty ;)

I had the whole afternoon and next day to wander through old town or the city center. Like most European cities, there are several churches, curvy little streets, and a fairy-tale-esque feel! The streets are cobblestone and most of the windows host little flower beds. Flowers are a big thing here, actually. Riga's population is around 700,000 so it's really not a big city, but it is Latvia's capital. The school is in a little town outside the city, so I haven't seen that yet. I like the quaint feel of the city. It makes it cozy.

I also did my first load of laundry here in my teeny tiny washer! I pushed buttons until it started and an hour and half later as my clothes continued to slosh about I tried to google the directions. But my washer is Russian... and so are all the user manuals! So I pushed buttons until it stopped. Good enough ;)

On Tuesday, I wandered about for the morning and then I was going to attempt the bus system.... but I chickened out! ha! Worst case scenario would have been me stubbornly walking home from wherever the bus deposited me. I checked the transport website several times, and each time the route would change! Which on one hand means most buses will get me there. On the other hand, it means its a bit crazy to navigate. As I approached the bus stop a few raindrops fell, but I was more concerned with trying to get over myself and go for it. But in the end I turned and walked to the grocery store to buy things for dinner instead. By the time I had walked the quarter mile distance, it was pouring!!! I got what I needed and walked outside. Only to find it was still raining... hard. I crossed the parking lot and took refuge in a fabric store as the streets outside flooded and lightning flashed. After 20 minutes or so, the rain let up a bit and I ran the 2-blocks back to my apartment. After putting on dry clothes, I realized how thankful I was I didn't get on the bus. There will be plenty of time for that another day. Preferably one with less rain. 

On Wednesday, I was able to meet some of my new colleagues! They had to do the doctor thing first but I was able to tag along and get to know them a bit. I love hearing about where other people have been and what brought them here! We were all scheduled to open bank accounts (another thing I previously avoided). Fun fact: Latvia, like Switzerland, is a good place to stash a lot of money. So now when I make it big as a teacher... oh yea, that doesn't really happen. ;)

My Wednesday night walk resulted with me totally lost in a park! haha!! I actually went in a full circle and am still not sure how. haha. Google maps helped me out of that labyrinth and I ventured home to rest my tired feet. A lot of the women here wear high heels.... on cobblestone roads. I don't see myself conforming to that....it's a sure-fire way for me to end up back at the doctor for more than a check-up!  

Today is stormy again. We are supposed to have a staff BBQ later where I'd be able to meet the other newbies... but it might be indoors now. 

Feeling the Heat in Finland

I needed to attend a training for my new school because everything is different. Well, I suppose some things are the same- I will be a teacher ... there will be students and a school .... there will be learning ... that's about the end of similarities. ;) 

The training was intended to introduce me to the new stuff and get me ready for "making the PYP happen in the classroom" (that was the name of the training). Unfortunately, by the time I was hired, all the US based trainings were full.  So I had to attend the one in Finland... too bad, right! 

I left the US on the 22nd. Barely but finally made it into Latvia on the 23rd. Showered and spent a night in my apartment. And then took the 50 minute flight north to Helsinki on the 24th. The good news is since the sun hardly sets here/there (right now), jet lag wasn't bad! 

 Many joked before I left that I would be freezing cold, forget what warm feels like, become a polar bear, etc. And yes, I fully anticipate a whole new level of cold in the coming months. But Finland was far from an introduction to chilly Baltic weather. It was the mid 80s the entire time there. The workshop was in a school designed to keep heat in.... an it did!

The school and hotel were outside the center of the city, so I can't say I did a lot of exploring in Helsinki... but again, it's only a 50 minute flight :) 

The workshop was fantastic! Exactly what I needed. Explaining the PYP program in a few words is a bit difficult because it is a huge, and awesome, idea. A few basics about it... *as I best understand it at this time...

-The PYP is inquiry-based... so basically instead of standing up front and regurgitating information to my students so they can complete worksheets, they will be challenged with open-ended questions and a bit more free to pursue information that is and feels relevant to them. It's the constructivist model of teaching.

-It is concept-based.... All of the themes or units are structured around a big idea. There are six main themes. The goal is to integrate all the material- reading, maths, science, together under the theme. The concepts are big picture-- so instead of WWII, we would examine conflicts... what causes them, how are they settled, what repercussions, etc... big picture concepts vs facts and figures. 

-The ultimate goal is internationally-minded students.... makes sense for an international school. Makes sense for anyone in today's world, if you ask me! Getting students to be well-rounded people who can think and solve problems. Students who recognize the responsibility they have for caring for our planet and know how to cooperate with other people regardless of background and differing perspectives. (This may seem like something all school's should strive for, and it should be, but sadly there is not always emphasis placed on this. Not the case with PYP- it's the central focus.) 

-There are a bizef amount of specific terms and abbreviations related to the program... I'm still sorting through all of those :) That was actually something we did at the workshop... we spent about a half hour just breaking things down and putting them back together. It was so very helpful! 

I spent three days there externally sweating from the high temps and stuffy room. And internally sweating the fact that I still didn't really know what was going on. I met some wonderful teachers there who were able to give me advice and talk me through some questions I had. I do admire the teaching community and wonderful mentors I've met because of it! They weren't afraid to admit that this style takes a bit of adjusting and time to figure out, but that it is worth it in the end. The workshop leader even admitted that after several years of working with the program there are still new things she discovers and figures out. One told me it's like the first year of teaching all over again... and that's exactly how it feels. 

Two years ago, I had no idea what to expect. I had little idea what I was doing. Trial and error was my everyday and I frequently worked harder than ever just to feel that I was surviving the day. 

It was a great year though. 

I learned. I grew. I changed. I survived and (like to think I eventually) thrived.  

Looking at the next few weeks, I am filled with those familiar doubts and fears. I am anticipating a year of confusion, frustration, hard lessons, and that sense of failure that makes eventual success feel so good.

The temperatures will cool down here eventually. But I have the feeling things are just heating up in my career..... bring on the second first year of teaching. 

the essentials

I hate packing.

And I am Positive I've said that before, but I will say it again. I hate packing.
I can't really figure out what it is or why exactly I hate it so much.

Maybe its the pressure.... fit everything you want and need for the next (amount of time) into one or two bags. AND make sure they are only so big or small. AND make sure they don't weigh too much. AND make sure the liquids are small enough. AND of course don't forget anything. AND AND AND

Maybe its because I am forced to make choices.... black shoes or brown? .... but if I take the black pants, these shoes look better.... I like this top, but then will I need a sweater?... this shirt is light weight..... but I like that one more.... does this look better or this one .... is that too much? (yes. the answer  to this one for me is always yes.).... but what if..... ugh!

Maybe its because I am realize how much stuff I have .... (that I may not be making the most use of). That's not an excessive number of pants.... thats not too many shirts.... but, what if, someday, just by chance, I want to wear this.... no one should have as many t shirts as I did. I don't even think some of those were mine! Where do these things come from!! .... Knock yourself out, Goodwill. Sell it all at once, I dare you!

But I think the real reason I hate packing is that I can't pack what I really want....I can't pack my family. I can't pack my friends. I can't pack that happy, adorable, 20-pounds-of-drool nephew of mine (technically he fits in the suitcase, but they have laws about that)! I can't pack my parent's house. Or my sister's. Or my favorite places. Or the smell of fall. Or the beautiful sun setting over the fields.

I can't pack those things.

The sermons at church this past month have discussed consumerism and our never-ending desire for more. I live simply and yet still feel I own a surprising amount of stuff. In one sermon, the pastor asked "what would you grab if you only had a few minutes to get out?" I have of course asked myself variations of this question hundreds of times! But it reminded me again, I can't take the things I really want.

Of course, this also reminded me of how richly blessed I am!!! To have a life so full no suitcase could ever contain it. To know that I could fill suitcases with all the amazing memories and laughs I have shared with loved ones. To know that if I had nothing but the people in my life, I would still be happy....Those are priceless things.

And, no, I can't pack them. But I do take them with me. I have a 'suitcase' overflowing with wonderful moments from the summer and past. As I sat rocking my nephew to sleep the other night, I unpacked a few of the precious 'things' in that suitcase. They make saying goodbye so hard, and yet at the same time, those things are what give me the strength to follow my heart and God to wherever he may send me. No matter how far or near.

So thank you, family and friends, who helped fill my memory suitcase over the last month. I have loved our times together. I look forward to many more.
And I am so grateful airlines can't charge excess fees on these!! ;)