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...

Winter Pt.2

Again, time has gone far too fast! I think it safe to say though that spring is the busiest time here in Riga. I don't know what it is or why, but it seems like as soon school starts again after the holiday break in January, I blink twice and it's already nearly summer!

This year has proven no different! In fact, I think this year may just be even busier! Here's what kept me busy a few months back:

JANUARY 

Like I said, we hit the ground running in January! I do believe I left for break with a nice tidy desk. However, I won't say I had lesson plans ready for when I returned. Which means in no time at all my desk looked like this again
<----

It was still plenty cold and dark. We also got a few good snowfalls! This year, the school started to pile the snow in the field area. This picture is showing the fourth tallest hill in Latvia (flatvia). It reminded me of when dad used to push all the snow together in the yard and we would play on it for days!

4:15pm

The students absolutely loved it! Temperatures dipped at one point and we had a solid week of negative 10 or lower temps! I spoiled my little punks by letting them stay inside those days, and then it took nearly two weeks of debates to get them outside again. They STILL ask if they can stay inside....


Our unit was about global issues and collaborating to solve problems. It was one of my favorite units last year, but this group of kids is SO different. They aren't very big on thinking of other people much less wanting to help them.
Of course, despite our many attempts to find some kind of service activity for the students, we found nothing. But this year, the Amazing Ita (my fantastic assistant) was all over it! She found a church that hosted a Thursday afternoon soup kitchen and we were able to take the students. Thankfully, they only wanted half of the kids at a time- 12 is still plenty! So Ita and I got to visit the soup kitchen twice. The trip definitely received mixed reviews from the students, but I am proud of them for getting out of their comfort zones and trying something different. (Except for the one student who didn't go because his parents allowed him to stay home that day. #raisinggoodhumans)

The lovely Ita

In the midst of our 'take action' 'make a difference' 'help others' 'share the planet' unit, there was a women's march here in Riga! It was a sister march connected to the other hundred or so that took place around the world in late January. I dusted off my crochet needle and bought the fluffiest pink yarn I could find (in an attempt to hide any mistakes).

ISL at the march

It took a few hours, but I created my own hat to sport for the march! It was so interesting to see all the media buzz around these marches. It was also wonderful to see the diverse community that came out for the march here in Latvia. People came in from Tallinn, there were Americans, Latvians, Russians... I marched along with Ita and we chatted about women's rights here.


A good portion of the rest of January was spent catching up on Grad school. I don't talk it about much on here, but I am still jumping those hoops, shelling out the money, and being challenged along the way. Even if that challenge is just managing my time.

There was also a hockey game! Dinamo came out strong and for a bit, I thought they might win. Then the third period came about and their 3-1 lead quickly became 3-3. And in the last minute, the other team scored. Sad, yet somehow unsurprising. Poor, Dinamo...


That same weekend, I visited this dear girl again.
<---
Lulu and I snuggled to hide from the terrible cold. And she also sat at my toes begging for yet another round of apartment fetch as I tried to complete more grad school stuff. It was hard to stay focused on work with that little face though!




FEBRUARY

Finally, to the relief of all of us, the global issues unit wrapped up and we moved into Media. The punks (the most PG appropriate name I can 'grace' this bunch with) were far more into the media stuff. In this photo, they are trying to write a news article about the crazy cold temps we had. I say trying because they had one pen and about 17 of them (there was a nasty sick bug that bounced around for a while. Full disclosure, I wasn't sad about the absences).


We had a spirit week that led us up to Ski Break in mid-February. Although, I really don't think anyone needed help getting excited for that! We were all ready to escape the dark and cold!