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!

Mexico!

 After the New Year, the whole family headed south of the border for some sun and to celebrate Josh and Tara's wedding!

My sister spent the whole week before the trip packing, which I teased her about. When we arrived at the airport I couldn't help but laugh that I, the one packing for three weeks and two climates, had the smallest suitcase/least amount of luggage. They all had reasons for the luggage and what not, but it was still a funny sight. 

We boarded the plane and I was happily sitting a few rows behind everyone else with the all three seats to myself! I was asleep before take-off only to wake up and find some seat buddies. Amanda and a very sleepy Charlotte had come to join. Charlotte snoozed while Amanda and I watched a video. I fell asleep again and woke up to find Amanda was gone and my dad was there instead! How come I never wake up in Riga to find my family here.... 

Did he say Octopus? 

I think the food was one of the most enjoyed parts of the trip. I know Amanda mentioned several times how excited she was to not cook or do lots of dishes for a week. Our first night at the resort featured a large buffet and fun show with lively music and dancing. We tried one of the restaurants the next morning and the food was delicious, but the two little ones the buffet was far easier!

I stayed in a room with Charlotte and Amanda. Charlotte woke up a few times each night, I think she just really wanted to party, and while it meant my poor sister was dealing with all of that, I slept through a lot of it. Auntie ears and mom ears are very different!

The next few days involved a lot of relaxing by the pool or beach or chasing Charlotte and Dylan around. I joked that the reason I was brought along was really just to play nanny/sherpa for Amanda and Bryan. But since I only see them a few weeks out of the year, it's a role I will gladly take.

We did venture into Cancun to go on a submarine excursion. (Technically, it was a partly submerged boat, but submarine sounds cooler). We were able to see lots of corals, fish, a sea turtle or two, and some sting rays! Dylan got a little sick of rocking, and I think we were all feeling a bit of it. Thankfully, it was a short trip 'under' the sea.

Then, of course, the main event! Josh and Tara's wedding!! The week began with beautiful weather, and true to the Feldpausch family luck got worse the longer we were there. By Saturday the blue sky was gone and some dark gray clouds rolled in. It was a heavy rain. But that's good luck, right!?

Photo Credit:
Blue Anchor Photography

There were pockets when the rain stopped which allowed for some cute pictures on the beach and around the resort. Of course, also true to Feldpausch family luck, I am not sure if we have a picture of the whole family in our fancy dress. We had done family photos the day before so we do have evidence of all of us in the same place at one time. And we aren't fancy people anyway ;p

Dylan and Charlotte acted as ring bearer and flower girl. He fell asleep five minutes before the wedding and Charlotte only made it about 10 steps before stopping, but they were super adorable!! Of course, the bride was beautiful, and I think the groom may have been more excited than everyone else combined! It was so great to be there to celebrate with them and wish them the happiest of wishes!

Sadly, I had to catch a plane the very next day to get back to Riga. I missed the first day back at school, but that's a small price to pay for attending your big brother's wedding! Congrats again, Big Brother!

Take Me Back! 

...Now a month later, sitting under two blankets in freezing cold and dark, dark Riga, I can't believe Mexico even happened. I don't even have the tan lines to prove it anymore....

Home for the Holidays

There really is no place like home for the holidays!! I was fortunate once again to have three weeks off of school, which gives me lots of time to soak up my sweet Michigan. I've enjoyed every moment thus far and the sweet memories just keep rolling in! Here's a quick recap of my last few days...

A trip to see Santa! Charlotte's first encounter with the big guy. Dylan asked Santa for a train, and according to Dylan, Charlotte asked Santa for a remote controlled tractor, because that is so  Charlotte....  The train was under the tree, but the tractor... maybe next year, Char.

A trip to the zoo for night lights!.. complete with an amazing photo booth.

A trip to the mall! Dylan even got to ride in the red caboose of the mini train. And Amanda got to chase the train all around the mall.

Dylan and I went on an early morning movie date to see The Polar Express on the big screen... He got to watch one of his favorite movies and pig out on popcorn while I got my nephew snuggles! It was a win-win!

Packing preparation for a week in Cancun to celebrate family and celebrate Josh and Tara's wedding!

I babysat the littles for a couple days. They went easy on me and we had lots of fun building block towers, dumping the ball pit everywhere, playing with tractors, and exploring the awesome house Santa brought on Christmas.

Snow fun at Ama and Papa's house! Dylan and I built a snowdeer while Charlotte cheered us on from the kitchen window. That girl is fearless and not much slows her down...

Christmas dinner at Grandma Ree's house. If only photos captured sound... All of us are singing a different Christmas carol. I believe that was an attempt to get Charlotte and Dylan to smile, but the logic behind that could certainly be debated.

Christmas eve dinner with Grandma Ree and the parents followed by church. I then rushed home to play Santa's elf. Christmas morning brunch and gifts and family facetime with Pookie and Tara. Then Christmas day at grandma and grandpa Feldpausch's.

A trip to the Impression 5 Museum to check out the hot wheels exhibit. Also the bubble room, and blocks, and mega blocks, and marble table... Impression 5 is pretty great!


Lunch with Beth and some other ladies I worked with during my student teaching in DeWitt.

Brunch with Dana, Kelsy, Casey, and some delicious homemade cinnamon rolls. Followed by shopping shenanigans with Dana!

NYE dinner and fireworks!

A down-on-the-farm, John Deere style birthday party for one very excited (now) three year old!

Before, during, and after there were countless other small moments I treasure, tons of giggles and even some tears. My trips home may not be glamorous, but this little guy's giggle is totally worth long flights and jet lag.

Speaking of flights... the next part of the holiday is a week in Cancun to enjoy the sun and celebrate Josh and Tara's wedding. That is IF we survive a four hour flight with the unstoppable (doesn't even liked to be slowed down) Miss Charlotte...

Pre-holiday

4:30 pm .. at least it's pretty

Holiday anticipation is sometimes the only thing that helps make it through the dark dark days of December. Each day I get a little closer to my flight and those adorable kiddos back home! In the meantime, I've had lots to keep me busy.

A few weekends back was the Chrismas Bizarre. The ISL students made coasters to sell and all the profits go charity. I picked up these penguins! It was a beautiful day so I strolled through some of the other markets and parks. The park near my apartment has a giant bunny wonderland. The bunnies are equally large in size! But I've enjoyed walking past it the last few weeks. 

The next weekend was the staff Christmas party. This year, it was a place called Moonshine. It's a fun Rockabilly themed place in Old Town. Yummy snacks, plenty of drinks, and even a small pool table! 

That Sunday was the Santa Run! Another charity event where tons of people dress up as Santa and run through old town! It was cold, but thankfully not snowing or raining-- wet and slippery cobblestones make the short distance feel much longer. I was going to do the race with Bekah, but her family was in town and they had a stroller... the only thing more dangerous than the cobblestones would be the crazy number of strollers. So I ran ahead while they walked the course. 

Finally, it was the last week of school. It felt like the days dragged on, but there was plenty of fun! We had the Snow Show- my students composed their own songs to play on Boomwhackers. 

Then we had a PJ-and-slippers day on Thursday! With some peanut butter bars and a compliment exchange. At first, the students were a little unsure about the compliment thing. Then some of them were really against it once they found out it was random and not just their friends. But once everyone got their compliments, they were loving it!! And I think the fact that the compliments came from different people was more meaningful to them. That is what I am telling myself. :) 

Friday finally came! The room moms brought in pizza and ice cream treats. They also a planned a super cute craft with holiday pictures of each kid. And glitter. So. Much. Glitter. But the students were happy!! And sparkly. 

I just submitted the final assignment for a second grad class. Tomorrow I have a list of Christmas, birthday, and wedding gifts to get. Then a suitcase to pack and squish it all into just in time to head to the airport!!! 

Michigan here I come!! 

 

Fall 2016

I think 2016 may be the fastest year I've yet to experience! Before the last few days slip away I'll try to recap my last few months!

🍎✏️ SEPTEMBER ✏️🍎

There was a hockey game! Go Dinamo.... they actually played well and were in the lead. Until they weren't and of course that's how it ended. But we got this awesome selfie with the mascot! 

There was a fall festival. The fall festival actually. It's one of the bigger markets that happens and it's complete with crazy furry hats and adorable little booties for tiny toes! It doesn't sound like Charlotte would slow down long enough for these anymore!! 

There was a girls night. And another. Okay, there were probably a few. I also remember several brunches at various locations around Riga, my favorite being the Bagel place that is literally right behind my building! I've had a lot of bagels in recent weeks. I regret none of them. 

🍃🍂🍁 OCTOBER 🍃🍂🍁🎃

There was a break! From school at least. Grad school continued and so did the rest of life. I didn't plan to travel and instead offered to help a friend and take care of her dog while she toured Italy. Lulu and I had a fantastic week of walks in the park, rounds of fetch, and cuddling- my toes have never been so warm! 

Of course, Lulu likes a little adventure too. In the form of slipping her collar. As she had done this to Elizabeth a time or two, I picked up a harness for her hoping that would prevent any mishaps. But oh no! Lulu and I joined Bekah and her dog Bella on a mini road trip around Latvia. Our very first stop, Lulu managed to slip the harness and took off, first to the river, and then through the town, while I frantically chased behind cursing shouting for her to stop.  Once we caught her again, I made sure to check the harness Frequently. 

We ventured through Kuldiga, to see the waterfall. Then to Liepaja to check out the fort ruins and seaside. From there we followed the coast up to Ventspils and Kolka where the Baltic Sea and Gulf of Riga waters meet! It was fun to see the beaches around here and they reminded me a lot of some areas in Michigan.

And of course, Halloween rounded out the month. It's slowly catching here in Riga, but very slowly. A couple from the school did host a house party though, so I joined some friends and we all dressed as clowns. Sadly, we did not pull up in a tiny car. Maybe next time.

🍁☁️🌧🌨⛄️ NOVEMBER ☃️🦃💡

While my family celebrated their unusually warm temps, November rolled into Riga with a snowstorm! It wasn't too upsetting, the city is beautiful with a layer of white snow and somehow it feels like the snow makes it less cold. 

Months ago it was announced that Elton John would be performing in Riga. Yea, stranger things have happened, but this one seemed up there so we grabbed some cheap tickets. Plus, the arena here is quite small, so all the seats are pretty good. However, we did not consider the date very carefully. He performed on Tuesday night and Parent conferences were after school the next day! But again, how often do you have the chance to see Elton John perform in Riga. It was actually a really great concert.  Followed by two days of awesome conferences. 

Grad school was, of course happening during all of this, but I spend enough time on that (despite the vision presented in this blog) I didn't feel it required any more attention. It is going well though. Challenging me in ways and helping me to become a better teacher. I see connections frequently between what happened at school and our discussions or vice versa. Okay, enough about that :p 

After conferences ended we had a lovely friends-giving celebration!! It was a week early but coincided with Latvia's Independence Day, so it still felt like a holiday weekend! Most of which was spent grad-schooling, but there was also Staroriga going on!! There are several different light displays put up all throughout the city. Cool stuff to look at, but consistent with the trend since July, the weather was terrible! Cold, cold rain made the exhibits a little less enjoyable. Only a little though. 

Celebrating their hard work with
a disco-ball dance party

In grade 4, we wrapped up a unit about technology and innovation by sharing some of their knowledge at the elementary school assembly. The students worked in groups to produce little trivia games for everyone to play, they wrote scripts for themselves, and they totally ran the show! My job was to move the PowerPoint along, which was fine by me!

The next day they continued their awesome streak with the Invention Convention! Each student came up with an invention of some kind to present. We even had grade 5s and some parents fill in an investment form to see whose idea attracted the most attention. In the end, the "zero effort skates" (self-propelled roller skates) and the "bag n flag" (an automated kitty litter box) were the investor favorites. 

And now it's December! We've started learning about human rights, my second grad class is a few weeks away from being complete, we have more snow on the ground, I have Christmas music playing, and in 16 days I'll be back home again!! Just in time for Charlotte's first Christmas, Dylan's third birthday, and Pookie and Tara's wedding! 

..I'm pretty sure 2016 doesn't plan on slowing down now. Let's see how 2017 goes!