25/2

In 2012, I moved to Morocco. I lived in an apartment on the campus of the school. It had a view of the ocean, two and a half baths, washer and dryer, and a cockroach infestation.

In 2013, I moved from the school's campus to an apartment in Casablanca. It did not have a view of the ocean. It also did not have cockroaches. I think that is a win. 

In 2014, I moved all my things back to the US. Then a month later, I moved to Latvia. I lived in a nicely renovated one-bedroom apartment. It did not have an oven (which to be honest, with my cooking skills...). It was also over-priced, by quite a bit. 

In 2015, I moved my things from that apartment to my friend's apartment for a month. Then out of her apartment and into a different apartment in Riga. This apartment did have an oven and a dryer (not very common). It was close to shops, transit, and my friends. I was sharing this apartment with a roommate. Without her, the rent would have been more than my previously over-priced place. So, when she left, I had to as well.

In 2016, I moved my things out of that apartment and into yet another apartment in Riga. This one was closer to downtown. Had an oven, but no dryer. And was a decent monthly price. After moving for the past five years, I decided I was done. I would be staying in this apartment until I left Riga for good. Little did I know just how much this apartment would test that resolve.... 

When I returned from Michigan in the summer of 2016, my new street was completely ripped up. Instead of living on one of Riga's main roads, I lived on a dirt track. Construction happens, so I wasn't overly concerned. Until I turned the tap and out came brown water. For the next week. I still don't like to drink the water from the tap.

As I began to unpack, I noticed one of the glass shelves in the kitchen was cracked all the way across. The building manager said they would replace it. I returned from school one day to find they had replaced it. They had removed all the glass shelves and replaced it with a medicine cabinet. In the middle of the kitchen. Even better, the door in front of the cabinet only covers 2/3 of the shelves. It's a real classy look... 

When I went to immigration to get my visa, I informed them of my address change. Their response was 'that apartment does not exist.' I assured them it did, as I was living there. But according to their system, apartment 25/2 does not exist. There is a 25. There is a 24 and a 26. But no 25/1 or 25/2.  The building manager only speaks Latvian, so I had the HR director from the school call for me and mention this. The solution was to create a new contract that says apartment 25. Does that sound legal? Not really. Is that the first example of shady business related to housing in Riga? Not at all. Either way, I got a visa.   

When it got cold, so like October, they turned off the hot water for a day in order to turn on the heat. Heating systems in Riga can be great, or not great at all. In some buildings, they (the city?) decide when the heat comes on and when it goes off again in the spring. The heat got switched on and so did the hot water. Except, it wasn't really hot water anymore. It wasn't even warm water. I got about two warm showers and one hot shower a week. The others were Cold. In October, that was tolerable. In November, it was unpleasant. By December, the idea of taking a shower required serious mental preparation as 85% of the time it ended with shivering and blue lips. I looked for the water heater and quickly discovered it is not in my apartment. Maybe it's in 25/1, who knows! Again, someone called the building manager and her suggestion was to let the water run longer. It only got colder. After a few more calls, something was done, the water was hot, and I was able to wash my hair on a more regular basis! 

In January when I returned from Christmas break, I was welcomed home by the popping sound of a light bulb. Of the eight light bulbs in the kitchen/hallway, five were now burnt out. Considering there are only about 7 hours of daylight in January, I figured that needed to be fixed. I also discovered I cannot reach the ceiling. The tallest piece of furniture in my apartment is a kitchen stool. With that fully extended over my head, I am still about 6 inches shy of the ceiling. Thank goodness for tall friends! Since then the remaining bulbs have all popped as well. Including the one in the bathroom which burst all over the floor. And now as I am writing this the living room bulb keeps getting brighter and dimmer....

By my first spring here, I figured the water heater had been tended to, and nearly all the bulbs were replaced so might as well stay. What else could happen, right...

Then, I returned from summer break to find the oven not working. I also saw that there was water on the kitchen floor. When Dennis got here, he messed around with the oven and got that going. He also discovered the washing machine was causing the leak. And getting worse. I had Ita call the building manager who said she was on vacation and would deal with the water leak in a week. I am not a building manager, and I don't really appreciate when non-educators tell me how to my job, but I do feel like a water leak would be an urgent-esque matter. After another phone call or two, the plumber came and Ita got to play translator via the phone for Dennis and the plumber. In the end, I got a new washer. And I also still have the two boards that are completely rotted from the water damage. Who needs to replace that stuff.

Dennis also discovered the shower leaked. A new caulk line and that was settled.

Now, it's November. This past Wednesday morning I crawled out to the living room around 1 am to log into one of my online classes. It's 6pm in Michigan, where everyone else is. So I 'listen' while also resting my eyes. But, on Wednesday I noticed a weird shadow on the carpet. Then realized it wasn't a shadow. It was water. Then I found the pinhole size stream of water following out of the radiator. I grabbed some towels and face-timed Bryan. Thankfully, it was only 7pm there. He coached me through the process of popping the water-filled paint bubble that had formed on the radiator. I had a pan to catch the water and a plan to have Ita call the building manager in the morning. Two hours later, the pan was already full. I emptied it again before leaving at 7:15 figuring I had until 10 at the latest before the second pan was full and flooding.

Ita called the building manager at 8 who promptly ignored the call and emailed to say she couldn't talk. Ita messaged her and explained the situation. She asked if someone would be here to let the plumber in. She has requested this in the past as well. I work 20 minutes outside of the city. She works two floors below my apartment and has a set of keys. Ita explained that was not possible and she would have to do it, to which the building manager said she couldn't because she was recovering from surgery.

That meant that either Ita does all the teaching and translate via phone when the plumbers arrived, or Ita go to my apartment for me. She agreed to that, and I gave her my keys. I fully understand this is a tremendous misuse of a teaching assistant, but I so greatly appreciate her willingness to do all this. She got to the apartment around 9:30 dumped the overflowing pan. Then she let the plumbers in before returning to the school and trading places with me. I left school around 2 to get home and collect my keys before they left.

So now, with a lovely medicine cabinet in my kitchen, new lightbulbs, a new washer, hot and clean water(?), and a new radiator, I am wondering what will be next.

It was nice not having to pack up and move anywhere.
But, now I think I am looking forward to the chance to get out of 25/2.

The Dutch Guy

Latvia's Independence Day is on November 18th. That means we usually get a three day weekend at that time. It's no Thanksgiving, but it's pretty close.

One year ago, I was spending my long weekend locked away in my apartment doing grad school. Of course, after a few hours of focused work, it is nice to take a break. My breaks often consisted of swiping through Tinder - more of a game at that point than an actual attempt to find a date.

But, one year ago, I matched with a Dutch guy named Dennis. Who then messaged me. Our conversation went on for a bit... he asked why I was in Riga... I asked why he was in Riga... he shared some of his thoughts on the city... then he asked if I wanted to meet.

Honestly, I didn't. It was nothing against him! It's that on a dark, rainy, cold November evening, it's so much easier to stay in. But he seemed pretty funny and smart, so I figured an hour or two would be enough of an escape for me and then I could return home and continue binge-watching Netflix working on assignments.

We met around 9pm and quickly ducked into the closest bar to escape the cold and rain. Four hours later, I found myself not wanting to leave. It could have been the cold and rain or the fact that I knew there were piles of work waiting for me in the apartment. But it wasn't those things.

The next day, he and I met again to walk around Riga's Old Town and I told him about all the ridiculous, and mostly false, stories of Riga's past I had heard. Again, four hours passed in a flash and again, I found myself not wanting to return home.

Dennis was leaving Riga on Monday morning and I figured that would be the end of the Dutch guy. I was pleasantly surprised (read: literally jumping up and down) on Monday evening when I received another message from him asking about my day.

Fast forward to one year later, and the messages continue. As do the letters and postcards and emails and packages and skype calls. So many skype calls. A long-distance relationship is certainly not ideal. I spend my week waiting for Friday evening when that skype window opens and I am greeted once again by his wonderful smile and cheery "yea, there she is." My year has been measured in the months, weeks, and days between visits.  Each visit is better than the last and unfortunately, they seem to go by faster and faster. But we make the best of them.

I could go on and on about him, but he would hate that.  hehe. I certainly never imagined any of this as I rushed through the rain last November. But, I am thankful he convinced me to venture out that night. And I am incredibly grateful for all the moments since.

Mr. and Mrs. Pung - 10/28/2017

Several months ago, I got the call I had been waiting for from my oldest friend, Dana. She squealed into the phone that Matt had proposed and she was officially the future Mrs. Pung! 

A few weeks later, she called asking which date in September would be best in my schedule. As a teacher, September is already rough with the beginning of school. But as a teacher who lives 4,000 miles and at least 14 hours of travel away, I looked at my calendar and replied, "October 21st" 

They settled on October 28th, and I booked a ticket. Honestly, she could have planned the wedding for the same date as the first day of school, and I still would have been there!  I miss birthdays and holidays and other weddings and celebrations far more than I like. But this would not have been one of them. 

I did Parent-Teacher Conferences on Monday and Tuesday, then flew into Michigan on Wednesday. I wanted to squeeze in a bit of family time before going full wedding mode. I also had a fair amount of graduate school to knock out before the weekend as well. But by Friday morning, I was ready to play bridesmaid again. 

Friday was the nail appointment, picking up rings, final packing for the honeymoon, checking into the hotel, and repeatedly checking the 'bride bag' to make sure everything was (still) there. To say Dana was excited is putting it mildly! But her excitement, as always, was contagious! 

We headed to the venue for the rehearsal and final preparations. It was an adorably renovated old chapel that had all the country charm and coziness you'd imagine. A perfect venue for Dana and Matt. They had a huge wedding party of 7 bridesmaids, 10 groomsmen, 2 ushers (maybe 3?), and of course the flower girl and ring bearer. We didn't even all fit on the stage!

Matt and Dana both have huge families and Dana was hoping that old rule of '20% of invited guests won't make it' would be true... but I am not so sure it was! That is just further proof though of how fantastic these two are, and how excited people were to see them join together! The next day, as Dana walked down the aisle with a huge smile on her face, and Matt fought back tears in his eyes, I know all of us ladies up there were fighting back the tears too. Maybe even some of the guys as well. As the officiant began the ceremony, we chuckled as Matt repeatedly whispered, "that is the most beautiful wedding dress I've ever seen. You look absolutely beautiful!" We cheered as they shared their first kiss as husband and wife and then partied the night away alongside them. 

I've known Dana since childhood. Babies, really. I can name many of her old crushes and past flames. I can recall conversations with Dana gushing about these boys and me hating on them for one reason, or many. Dana may be older by a few months, but I'd say we have been equally protective of one another. Matt came about after I had left for college, but from Dana's stories and the interactions I had with him, I could tell he was different. 

He challenges Dana in good ways, compliments her silly side, and doesn't take advantage of her overly-caring heart. He supports her independence, protects her when she is insecure, and stands alongside her as he should. He knows Dana is something rare and special in this world. And for a friend like Dana, and an opportunity to celebrate a love like that, flying half-way around the world is nothing.      

  

August - October 2017

It is November. I am currently enrolled in Two graduate courses, teaching grade 4, and I am also in the process of job hunting. I have a list of 13 things to do just this week just for grad classes. So naturally, I am using my Sunday morning to write a blog. hehe.

I feel like yesterday was October 2nd. I can remember standing in my classroom on October 2nd taking a deep breath and saying to Ita, "I just have to make it through October."

I did it! I made it through October!! November seems to be equally daunting, but before I move ahead I will pause and look back at a fantastic, and incredibly busy few months! 

AUGUST. 

Although my time at home was longer than past summers, it still felt too short. The goodbye was tough as always, but returning to the school to start set-up and orientation for year 4 at ISL was a bit better when I found the last of Dennis's letters in my mailbox.  We jumped right into the year on August 9th. Ita and I attempted the 'first-day-of-school' photo booth and Literally Broke The Machine! Nothing like that for a confidence boost :p 

Three days after school started, Dennis arrived! I had done my best during the last weeks of summer to wrap up my grad class so I would have one less thing to worry about for his visit. Having that out of the way meant he only had to compete with the 'first week of a new school year'. But he was patient and understanding! 

He cooked dinner while I did some work... also he fully understands the level of my cooking ability and has decided that for his own survival he is happy to make the food. hehe. Dennis brought me a Dutch and German language learning game, and we played some of the other games I have as well. I won them all.   

He met all my friends here and came to the school bbq. We even ventured out to Jurmala for a visit to the beach. 

On his last day in Latvia, we went to Skrunda-1, an abandoned Soviet base in the middle of Latvia. It was inhabited up until the late 90's but now it's a weird, apocalyptic, ghost-town.  The national guard was doing exercises as we explored. The sound of gunshots and the people running about in full gear really added to the eeriness of it all. 

After Skrunda, we stopped in Kuldiga. This little town proudly boasts the widest waterfall in all of Europe. It is about 1 meter in height, but it is wide. And pretty! 

After ten days of being spoiled by his company (and cooking) he had to return to the Netherlands and I had another grad class waiting... 

I told myself over the summer I would not let grad school consume as much of my time this year. In an effort to stand by that I joined a few colleagues at the Latvia vs. Czech Basketball game! Latvia won in an exciting game... I think I still prefer hockey more though. 

SEPTEMBER. 

Work and grad school consumed a lot of my September...so much for that goal of mine. We had a PD conference and student council kicked off. I was really enjoying my grad class at the time, so I was happy to dedicate my time to it. I did find time to venture out for dinner or drinks with friends every so often. One night we even went to Cirque du Soleil!! 

I caught the seasonal cold as the fall began to settle in and lost my voice for about a week. Thankfully, our first field trip was to a see the movie, "Swallows and Amazons" and having no voice was okay for that!

The next week we went on a field trip to Zinoo Science Center in Cesis- about 2 hours from the school. The kids were able to play around with a ton of different gadgets and machines and it was a great way to kick off our unit about technology!  On the way back to school one of the students got sick on the bus. That was disgusting. But it happens. And thankfully, the kids remembered the not so smelly moments from the trip! 

The big fall festival rounded out September, and then it was 

OCTOBER. 

This year, Ita, Zenta, and I are the advisers for Elementary Student Council. Because, why not! October 2nd was the first day of auditions for the ES Talent Show! A joint operation between Student Council and the music teacher. So each day at lunch some of the brave little risk-takers sang, danced, and twisted balloons in hopes of making it into the show. 

That same week was Grandma Ree's birthday! But also World Teachers Day. Ita came to my apartment on Wednesday evening to make 40 muffins, while I did grad school, so the next day SC kids could spread appreciation and cheer! Ita was leaving the next day for Paris.... 

On the 6th and 7th all the ES teachers attended the IB Inquiry workshop. We haven't had any ES specific PD in what feels like forever! It was really nice to finally chat and learn alongside some of my colleagues. I honestly have not seen some of them since the workshop. And our school is not that big.... 

Also on the 7th, Dennis came back to Riga!!! His ship had a light fall schedule and he had the vacation time, I had a week off in October, so he returned for a two week visit!! The first week was again him exploring alone while I worked. Then, in the evening, it was him cooking me more fabulous dinners, while I worked. And then me destroying him in more games. hehe. He also came to the Talent Show on Friday the 13th! 

Right after school, we took off toward Cesis. We spent the weekend exploring the castle ruins in Cesis and Sigulda as well as a scenic rock view. The weather was rainy and cold on Saturday but we had a good time still! Sunday was better as we explored Turaida and Sigulda. To avoid some traffic we took the scenic route back to Riga and stopped to catch the sunset over the sea. 

We went back to Riga on Sunday evening, and on Monday Dennis was banished from the apartment so I could get some grad school work out of way. First thing Tuesday morning we hopped the bus to Tallinn! Again, it was rainy and although it was only 2pm it felt like dusk. But we still toured the old town. Cobblestone streets look more enchanting in the rain anyway! 

We found plenty of museums to explore, stay dry in, and learn more about the tumultuous past of Estonia. We stopped for some cake and Dennis had his first try at Russian food for dinner. 

Wednesday and Thursday the weather slowly began to improve so we slowly began to spend more time exploring outside instead of hiding away in museums. The rain and cold also gave us an excuse to stop for more hot chocolate and cakes!

We left Tallinn on Thursday and got back to Riga late that night. On Friday, Dennis was sent away again so I could catch up on grad school and plan out the next week of fourth grade. He made more amazing meals (even some to put in the freezer because he doesn't consider chips and salsa to be an adequate dinner for me). On his final day in Riga we ventured out to Mezaparks to enjoy the Latvian nature. And then it was time for him to leave. I don't understand how the time seems to go so quickly when he visits. Next time, it's my turn to visit him again!

Sunday evening, after Dennis had left, I prepared for the crazy week ahead. All parent teacher conferences were scheduled for Friday, but I was heading to America on Wednesday. So, after a week away from school, I returned on Monday to teach all morning and then do half of my conferences. The same schedule on Tuesday with the other half of the parents. Thankfully, I have an amazing bunch of kiddos and parents and they were all very understanding! Conferences went well and because I work with the amazing Ita, I really didn't try that hard with my sub plans. She and I had talked through the next days and I knew she would be fine. 

Wednesday morning, I took off to America for one night of family dinner and niece&nephew cuddles, one day of two grad school classes and errands, two days of celebrating my bestie's wedding, followed by one last hug from the family and then the long flight back to Latvia. Of course, that meant I returned to school on Halloween.
What kind of teacher would I be if I didn't bring the best Halloween candies America has to offer to my little monsters in Latvia! My suitcase was packed with close to 8 pounds of candy! :p  Some for Ita, some for grade 4, and enough to share with everyone from student council. Celebrations at school can be exhausting, but when you're already jet-lagging and missing your family, why not mix a bunch of sugar-buzzed kids in as well! 

October is over.... Now, I just have to make it through November. 

Summer?

Before I start another school year and packed fall, I figured I should re-cap the summer. It went so quickly though, I am not really sure if it counts! Whatever it was, it was a wonderful time full of so many of my favorite people.

My time at home began as always with a family dinner of pizza and lots of catching up! Amanda picked me up at the airport and for the first time in possibly 3 years, we had some baby-free sister time. Don't get me wrong, I love her babies! But it was nice to have complete conversations again for a change.

I also quickly found myself venturing to my absolute favorite place... Grandma's porch swing. We chatted for hours-- I got all the family and town gossip and she gets stories and pictures from my life abroad. It was a beautiful summer in Michigan, so I was able to enjoy that swing and the time with Grandma Ree a few times!

My first weekend was girls weekend! I ventured to the lake house to enjoy the sunshine, a boat ride, a bonfire, and general relaxation. Also, lots of wedding chatter as we prepare to celebrate Dana and Matt's wedding in October! Although 30 some hours of transit in a long weekend may not be ideal, it certainly won't keep from being there to support my Din-din!

Then began days with my family that went far too fast and full of love and laughter! We went to the local township celebration, fireworks for the fourth, an airshow with carnival rides, a parade and patio party with Grandpa Bob-- and that was just one weekend! There was also zoo trips, magnet tower building, glamping, a farm day, Cars 3 in the theater, a food cleanse, buggy rides, and lots and lots of swimming!

In addition to lots and lots of family time, I caught up with some friends too. I went down to Somerset for a day to catch up with Christina and Sara. Went to lunch with Beth. And got a fabulous haircut and all the news with Sierra.

Mom and I drove out to New York to catch up with Kim, Sabrina, and Ange! Not to mention their expanding families! We cheered on Kim at a half marathon, saw her inner city ministry, and helped prepare for a church baby shower... basically, she's still busy as ever. I was also able to see Ange again in Michigan for some bubble tea with Nicole!!


I've been back in Riga for a little over a week. But I still very much miss all my people back home. Especially these two...

Spring Thaw

As we head into the last few weeks of school, I find myself almost sad that I once again have to let go of my students for a new group in the fall. I feel this way each spring, but after more pull-my-hair-out, did-that-seriously-just-happen, we-are-having-this-conversation-again, if-he/she-was-asked-to-stop-why-would-you-be-able-to-do-that? moments in the last few months than the first four years combined, I have to admit I am a little surprised. Maybe as the snow has finally melted, the sun stays up later, and the temperatures slowly climb back up, I too am thawing out a little.

The bottom two photos
sum up the year
pretty well...

Ita and I have had quite the adventure this year with those grade 4 kiddos. Honestly, there were more tough days than good. More days we 'survived' than would wish to repeat. I am sad to admit that, and in many ways that admission makes me feel like a (really) bad teacher. But, it is still true.

Also true is the fact that Ita and I did not give up on them.
We said we had. Many times.
We felt like we had. Often.
Maybe, in some ways, for a few things, we did. (Like the way all the PE bags never seemed to find their way back out of the classroom on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Or the fact that some of them still have terrible handwriting. And the talking...oh, the incessant chatting.)

We wanted to give up.
We wanted to not care (it would have been easier).
But we couldn't and we didn't.
And now, we kind of like them....They are our kiddos.
Even when we didn't really want to claim them.

Ita and I talk about her first year in the classroom like a terrible war she survived. In many ways it was. But there were good times and moments as well. We have seen each student learn and grow in some way. We have shared a few laughs and plenty of celebrations.

I was on recess duty last Thursday. I wandered out to the far corner of the playground field where a good portion of my kiddos use the tires, sticks, and bricks to create some pretty cool forts. This particular day though, they just stacked a few tires each and lounged about in them. As they chatted about the latest fourth-grade gossip, I watched. I admired the teamwork, sharing, and sense of comfort they had with one another.

I like trying to think of a word or short phrase to explain each group of students I have. I think I will remember this group as a bunch of sour-patch kids, like the movie theater candy. They certainly all bring a different flavor to the class. And the initial impression is pretty intense and can shock the system. Too many and too much of them can leave a bad taste. But, they are also sweet, tangy, and fun. When I eat sour patch kids, my tongue and taste buds suffer for a few days. And yet, I continue to eat and enjoy them! These kids are quite similar. In spite of the many times this class has driven me mad, I'd still take them all back again. Well... maybe not all of them. I don't eat the grape sour-patch kids either though ;)

We have three weeks left in the year. Although I am very much looking forward to summer and the upcoming bunch of students, a small part of me will absolutely travel with these current kiddos. I will still see them (and undoubtedly *hear* them) in the hallways each day- and I will be happy with those moments. I am sure I will continue to get a daily hug from a few of the girls and joke with the boys.

They really have grown a lot since the fall. It's easy to forget about those things, but each one in their way has changed a bit. And next year that will of course continue. But I am sure, their sweet-and-(OhSoVery)-sourness will remain. 

Professional Development

This year, I got to attend the CEESA conference in Sofia, Bulgaria. It's a big professional development conference, mostly for schools in Central and Eastern Europe, but not exclusive.

Bulgaria is a fascinating place, that I would like to spend more time in. Maybe even venture out of Sofia, as most of the postcards and images boast about the natural beauty the country has to offer.

We were given time in the evening, and as it was a bit warmer and much lighter than Riga, we took advantage and ventured out to the city center. I was in Sofia two years ago for the volleyball tournament and was excited to see some of the same sights, without the construction now.

The conference was really nice! The sessions covered a range of topics from behavior to inquiry, and collaboration and innovation! We all walked away with some cool ideas to share with coworkers and a bit of much-needed rejuvenation as we head into the final stretch of the school year!

Escape to Porto

February offered Ski Break! Our week off aligned perfectly with Rorey's break, so she and I rendezvous in the beautiful Portugal. We spent one night in Lisbon and then trained up to Porto. We didn't know much about it other than every time we mentioned Portugal, people said to go to Porto! And we soon saw why! We had planned on heading back to Lisbon at the end of the week for a bit, but Porto hooked us too, and we ended up leaving on the late train.

Coming from Riga and Moscow where we were both dealing with cold, snow, and lack of sunshine, we spent most of the week simply soaking in the sunshine and catching up! I so miss having Rorey next door at the school and around the corner in the city.... it's just not the same without her here. It was so nice to see my sister/friend again. We decided the ski break reunion is a new Must-Do tradition!

Here are a few shots from our tour around Porto...