The Mama Llama in Ireland

What are you gonna do?

2008-01-06T07:26:00.000-08:00

I think we're going to try going tv free for awhile. It seems that the older BL gets, the more media hooked he gets. If given his way, all he'd do is play computer, watch tv, listen to his iPod. Now, don't get me wrong, there is a time and a place for all of these things. Still, I think we're going to try going cold turkey with the tv. I need to do a bit of research first. Come visit and see how the family is doing sans tv!
ML!

Happy New Years Eve!

2007-12-31T17:11:00.000-08:00

One of my goals is to update the site more!
We are trying something new (thanks, FIAR girls!) this year. Each hour Ethan is opening a bag with the time written on it. Each bag has an activity for us to do together leading up to midnight and 2008. This is the first year that I'm letting Mr. E stay up for the party!
Much love and peace!
Michele

Merry Christmas-Or, My Son The Elf!

2007-12-22T17:53:00.000-08:00

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1706350863
Love,
ML and BL!

Almost a year

2007-12-15T16:25:00.001-08:00

Well, it's been almost a year from the time we got home. Lots has happened-mostly good. Ethan is now in K, we have a great new home, Tink has entered our lives. Tonight I got not one, but two Christmas cards from NI friends. Lovely. It's funny, but most days I think about NI, Belfast or friends from there at least once. When we got home I figured that it was just reverse culture shock-and it was. Still, a year on, I feel that I've left part of my heart in NI and long to go back. I'd live ther eagin, given the chance. I feel blessed by God to have had the chance, to have met the friends, etc.
ML

Veg., It's whats for lunch!

2007-11-04T11:59:00.000-08:00

Well, dear ML fans, I decided to be a bit sneaky on cooking this week. The Baby Llama doesn't like any fruit but pineapple or peaches, and only likes corn. I decided that a change was in order and bought the "Sneaky Chef" cookbook. The french toast is Yum-o. DS didn't notice a thing! Tomorrow for lunch he's having:
Mac and cheese with hot dogs (add some bean puree and some sweet potato)
a clementine (I still want him to SEE fruit and veg and maybe just maybe try some!)
cheese dip (more sweet potatoes and some squash tossed in!) with chips (corn chips)
a brownie (blueberries and spinich-and NOPE you can't tell- I've had two already!)
ML

The Brit is Coming!

2007-10-27T11:50:00.001-07:00

Ah, yes, this time last year, I did a post called "The American IS Comming", when my friend Melissa came to visit for a week. This time, my friend Joan is comming to visit! Joan and I taught together at SGS back in Belfast! We've talked a couple of times this year and have e-mail lots. It will be really nice to see her. Any ideas for fun So. Indiana stuff to do?
ML

Meme (Thanks Lori!)

2007-10-06T15:02:00.000-07:00

First off, Woo hoo and Praise Be to God! Lori's little sis is out of ISBN! Now we just can't wait to get her home! Donate to the cause at: www.fromourbunchtoyours.blogspot.com

And now, on to the meme:
Where were you 10 years ago:
I had just finished my BA in St. Louis and was starting my first teaching job!
Where were you 5 years ago?:
Living in Madison with my folks: just adopted a sweet little mr. E.
Where were you 1 year ago?
Got to love this: Belfast , Northern I reland. I wanna go back!
Where were you one month ago?:
Teaching, getting in to the school "thing", getting E started with K.
Where were you yesterday:
At a TPRS (Blane Rocks!) conference with Mary, L a ura and Jeanne!
5 Snacks That I LOVE:
MM's dark
Peppa Pig's from Markies
Crunch bars from NI
Chocolate Digestives-also from NI
COKE-never diet! Gee, I'm a junk food junkie-oh, well!
With 1 Million I would:
1. help the poor
2. Give back to my folks who have given us so much
3. Travel
4. Stay home for awhile with my kiddo
5. Go back to NI!
5 places I'd like to go:
1. Belfast again
2. Italy
3. London
4. Belfast
5. Costa Rica
Five Bad Habits:
1. I eat WAY too much
2. I eat WAY too much junk
3. I spend way too much on books
4. I spend way too much time on the puter
5. I yell

Five Things I like to do:
1. Read books
2. buy books
3. travel
4. eat
5. hang with friends!

Five things I hate to do:
1. Go shopping for me
2. Fight with my Mom
3. mess up
4. eat slimy things like bananas
5. wake up really early!

Best Things In My Life
1. That God sticks by me even when I screw up!
2. My kiddo-I am so blessed!
3. My kids at school!
4. Books!

My Yellow Belt

2007-09-20T16:38:00.000-07:00

Look who got his yellow belt last Thursday at the test! It took six months of hard work in the kids class! Ethan was the only one ready to test in his class. As such, he had to test first and by himself in front of the Grand Master! Did I tell you what a great job he did? When he first started he had such a hard time with almost all the moves. Now he does great! His gross motor skills have come such a long way! Tonight his teacher told me that she hopes that he will stick with it as he has a natural ability! Looks like Mama needs to head back to class!

Ethan with his Teacher.
Ethan with Master Frank.
I have a picture of E with the Grand Master but I'll post it another day.
Take care for now!
xoxo,
ML and the kick bum Baby Llama!

Greenisland Primary School

2007-09-09T10:37:00.001-07:00

When we moved to NI last year we were lucky enough to have Ethan start K at a wonderful school there. Greenisland Primary School is a wonderful neighbourhood school, which was located at the top of our road. With caring teachers, a great principal and about 400 kids, Ethan was set to go. The first photo (sorry about the position!) is of E on his first day of school. Note the uniform. The older kids had white shirt and a striped green and grey tie with a green jumper. I love little ones in short pants!

Here we have Mr. Ethan with his best friends Adam and Lewis the morning that school started for Ethan. Lewis started P1 the day before and Adam was in P5.
Our school in all it's glory. The part in the picture is the lunchroom/gym room/met. room all in all useful space!
While we had talked about uniforms with the boys all summer, I guess it didn't click as Ethan and Lewis took one look at each other and said: "We Match"!
Ethan on his first day, in his classroom with Mrs. Furlonger on of the two techers who job shared the P! room.
xoxo,
ML

Flickr

2007-09-07T18:36:00.001-07:00

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

Look it's me again (2 days in a row!)

2007-09-07T18:30:00.000-07:00

You know, I've never posted NI pix and thought that I'd do a couple of random ones tonight.

The view from about half way up my road in Greenisland. I had to make it to the top to get to the train station. Most days I had about 9 minutes to make the train.

Next we have a last week trip to the beach with our friends and neighbours Lewis and Adam. The beach was just about a 5 minute walk from our house. Pretty, no? Have I said that I wanna go back?

xoxo,

MamaLlama

So, this morning.....

2007-09-06T03:25:00.000-07:00

I got up, let the dog out, did my usual morning thing...........than........ I hear my neighbour saying something about how lucky I am. Yes, I am lucky, but why this morning, during our AM "dog talk"? See, there is no school for SWHS and SWMS today because of a water leak and no power! I would have totally missed it! She heard it on the news. I still can't find it online or on tv, but I did have a phone call from the phone tree, so it must be true! Hmmmmmm, do I go shopping by myself? What do I do with a whole day? Oh, yes, working on my grad school will be in there! That is for sure! Well, enjoy your day!
Michele

School days.......

2007-08-12T04:46:00.000-07:00

We are almost there! Tomorrow is our first day of school! E will be at Amy's for a half day and I will spend that time out in my room planning for the kids. My classroom is clean (mostly!) and I just need to finish up work on my 1-2-3 Magic stuff. Oh, yes, and lesson plans. Did I say that I'll be going back to grad school as well? I'm taking 2 classes. Oh, and HSing mr. E. The Baby Llama is very excited about s tarting homeschool! We are looking forward to fall with its cool temps. It has been very, very hot in Llamaland the past few weeks! 100 plus almost every day. I even have the sunburn to prove it! Odd to think that this time last year we were getting used to life in NI! Hi to all the NI and Fulbright people out there!
Michele

hey, it's august!

2007-08-01T12:07:00.000-07:00

Well, folks, it's about that time. Time when students and teachers alike enjoy the last lazy days of Summer and then move on to a new school year. This will be the first year that E and I are both engaged in school. I made the decision that E will be schooled at home/Amy's house. It was a hard process as I love the school that he would have attended. I just think after much prayer, thought, talks etc that this is best for this year. That said, I have NO idea what we'll do next year. E's ped, OT, a speech path friend (2 really) all agree that this is the way to go. Still, I'm sad that he will not have the usual K treats. Anyone have some really special ideas for making the start of K wonderful and special?
Michele

Welcome to Eire Classical School!

2007-07-31T10:58:00.000-07:00

Hey, it's me, and I'm still alive! It has been a very full, busy and fun summner. It's good to be back blogging, and yes we still miss NI every single day!
As the summer continued it started to become a reality that schooling choices would be an issue. What do you do with a five year old child who is both gifted and has learning issues? I looked at the public school in our neighbourhood (it's a great school by the way!) and decided that it just was not a good fit. Moved on to looking at other schools and finally decided on PJXXIII. Enjolled DS there, and thought "ahhhhhhhh", one less thing to think about. Summer continued and DS's meltdowns and other issues continued. The more that I thought about it, the more that I realized that traditional school was not goign to be an option for us. All along, in the back of my brain, I was thinking about homeschooling. Thinking. Praying for a way or an answer. My friend Bev (hi Bev!) found me a wonderful HSing Mama who lives all of 3 minutes from my house. The past two weeks I've been stuck between HS and PJ. Both are wonderful options. I think HSing is best for Mr. E and it is what I've always wanted to do. Still, I am morning the loss of traditional K and all the cool s tuff that comes with it. I hope he doesn't grow up and hate me because he didn't "go" to school this year. I hope I'm doing the right thing. Oh, and in answer to the social issue, we'll be with plenty of kids this year between, Upward Soccer, Awana, Sunday School, field trips, karate and violin. Thanks for listening to this mama's heart!
Michele

Monday

2007-06-04T11:09:00.001-07:00

Well we've had a busy day and it's o nly 2PM. This morning we got up did our LA and Math and then went to the library, a playdate and then on to mcD's for lunch where we saw lots of friends. This afternoon we just finished up Konos Africa day 2. We did not have the fab time I thought we would. In fact, given all the books we've read about Egypt I thought E would have retained something. Maybe he has and it is just not obvious today.
Tomorrow: Tuesday:
Math: Math U See Primer Lesson 17 C
LA: LLATLBlue: Section 2 Week 4 Days 1 and 2:
Phonics: Read week four reader and do matching and activity sheet.
Blend new words: on, hot, mom, tom, fan, tot, hat, rot, not, mat, hat
Using R, F, T we will use blended word carts to identify starting and ending sounds.
Handwriting: air writing and unlined writing of m, h, and o. (I am amazed how well E's handwriting is coming along!) Lined practice with m, h and o.
Lunch: Hmmmmmmmmmm
Konos: Week 1, Day 3
Continue reading about Egypt

1. Read about the Great Sphinx and make a model out of clay.
2. Read about pyrmids and add a pyrmid to our map.
3. Read Exodus 5:1-23 and make mud bricks with and without straw (grass)
4. Build a sugar cube pyramid and talk about the step pryamids.
5. Read about hieroglyphics and make our own on a mural.
6. Watch The Prince of Egypt and look for hieroglyphics and pyrmids.
7. Read about King Tut
8. Bedtime reading (listen to the Mummy story on our CDs of the Magic Treehouse).
Looks like another busy day!
Michele

Konos Day Two

2007-06-03T14:37:00.000-07:00

Wow! We had a fantastic day one with Konos! There is just so much to pick from that I want to do it all. Not a good idea! We've been reading our Africa, Egypt and snake books the last couple of days. Tomorrow (Monday) we'll do day 2:
1. Colour zones to show weather areas on our map of Africa.
2. Continue to read about Egypt
3. Bible: Talk about areas of stewardship and what we can do to help.
4. Look at pictures of the Sahara desert on the net and talk about what animals live there.
5. Take an internet tour of Egypt today.
6. Bedtime reading tonight: An encyclopedia article of deserts
7. Talk about mirages, where they happen, what they are and make one of our own.
8. Place the three African deserts on our map: Sahara, Namib and Kalahari
9. Read about the Sahara desert scorpion and find out how to treat it's bite. Place scorpion cutout on our map.
10. Talk about the caracal cat and watch it run via the internet.
11. Talk about the mongoose and read a story about it.
All in all a very busy day! Still we'll have fun with it.
In the morning we are doing our LLATL and math (math u see primer). I'm really loving LLATL-I think it's just a really good fit for us!
Oh, and Ethan is listening to the Magic Tree House books about Africa. This week is one about Mummies, which seems cool given that we are studying Egypt.
Today we went to our local state park to see a presentation on snakes of Indiana. The guide got out four snakes including a copperhead. Wow! Ethan LOVED it! We've also been to the Nature Center to see their exhibits and snakes as well! We also hope to visit the Children's Museum's Egypt exhibit and the L ousiville Zoo's African animal exhibit. God is so good to put lots of this stuff in our path as we are st udying Africa!
Til later!
Michele and Ethan

It's Summer.....and our plans!

2007-05-30T16:00:00.000-07:00

Hello all! It's Summer! Woo hoo! Today was my last day of teaching til August! We are getting ready to move full steam ahead with schooling Mr. E as of tomorrow (Thursday) morning! This summer we are going to be using a great language arts program called Learning Language ARts Through Literature (Blue Book) to work on reading, phonics, etc. We are doing LA inthe AM and then in the afternoon we are doing a nine week unit study from Konos called Africa: The Land of Stewardship.
Tomorrow will be as follows:
Get up as we wish/get dressed/devotions for Mom/breakfast
LA: Read our reader, make puppets to retell the story
Work on forming our small letters s, c and f.

Math: Continue working through Math U See Primer
Read aloud: from Konos

Lunch: sarnies, chips (or crisps!) and fruit

After lunch we'll have quiet reading time with books from our library that relate to our topic of study this week:
Egypt and snakes

Konos:
1. Geography: We'll talk about what Africa is/where it is at and look at various types of maps and what info they tell us. Hang our map of Africa/talk about the names of some African countries and talk about people we know from Africa-Haroun's Dad.
2. Vocabulary: we'll touch on some important words from this weeks readings and topics.
3. Vocabualry: We'll define the word steward by the dictionary and the Bible and talk about how to look up a word in the dictionary.
4. Bible: Readings in Genesis and Luke relating to stewards.
I'm looking really forward to a great first day of "school"!
ML

Can you believe it?

2007-05-02T06:32:00.000-07:00

It's been almost three months from the time I last posted! Wonder if I've got any readers left? The last few months have been busy getting used to being back in the US. It's funny, but NI seems to have a hold on me. It seems that I spend most of my dreams there! Thanks to the Skype phone I get to talk to friends there now and then. I could totally see living there. I'd just worry about being so far away from my Mom and DAd who are great support and help!
The big news is that we have a new house! We'll get the keys on the 14th-God is so good! It has a great backyard which is fab as Mr. E loved having one in Greenisland! There are lots of kiddos as well!
I'll try to write soon!
xoxo,
ML

Snow Day!

2007-02-07T04:38:00.000-08:00

Gee, what a week! The Colts won the SuperBowl (great game and I dont even like american football!)., we've had two days with two hour delays, we go to family camp on Friday, oh, a nd we have a snow day today. The roads were so very bad by t he time that I left school on Tues, that I had no idea how I'd get home (Grace of God and prayer!) because you couldn't even see the very hilly road that I drive on. Anyway, we got the news of no school by four pm yesterday. We're enjoying a jammy day today. My Mom is driving me pplenty nuts, but that is her job! On friday, we're joining some friends whose kiddos are from Haiti to go to Family Adoption Camp. We've been to a summer one before, but normally can't go to this one as it means taking a day off of school. This year I decided that we needed to go. I need to connect with other adoptive parents, and I think seeing the diversity in families will be good for Ethan. We leave early Friday morning for a four hour drive and get back on Sunday. The camp is held at a hotel with a playcentre. Should be fun. More later.
xoxo,
Michele

Hey, we made it to 100 posts!

2007-02-03T09:22:00.000-08:00

I don't like this whole new blogger thing. Nothing wrong with it really, it's ju st that I don't like change :). Anyhoo, good news at SW (my US school) the book fair team has won the NATIONAL Scholastic book fair contest. They are flying a VERY cute author in from England to speak to the kids and there are other prizes as well. So, WELL DONE Angy and Rena! Kids as well! Go on, check us out at www.scholastic.com and look under middle school book fair winners!
In other news, it's Saturday, we're vegging at home and I just made a SuperBowl dip for tomorrow. Cream cheese, cheddar (not like the stuff back home :), and hot sauce mixed with cooked diced chicken and baked. Serve with chips. Not as nice a cheeseburger soup, but oh well! We went to the local fish place today, which only serves to remind us how much we miss our chippy back in Greenisland! The place is class! Ace! Today's was so very chain based fast food. ick. Walmart for coloured pencils for Mr. E's math book. We are very much loving our homescooling existance. The lit and reading is great, Math U See is a success, the Bible program is good, but Mr. E is not liking phonics. This from the kid who was in the top reading group at school in Greenisland. Go figure :) Oh, well, off to play with the dog (Fuzzy).
xoxo,
Michele
PS-looked into Irish Dancing class for E for this summer. Not sure if I want to drive an hour e ach way.

Let It Snow.

2007-02-01T03:38:00.000-08:00

Well, for all of you NI fans who have not been blessed by a two hour delay, let me explain. When the schools are not sure if the roads are safe, or when there is snow, but it is expected to get better, the schools call a two hour delay. This AM I looked out the window, turned on the TV and checked the net and sure enough we have a two hour delay. What this means is that we don't have to go to school til 9:45 and not 7:45 like normal (BUT 9 still seems like normal to me thanks to the S girls!). I'm messing on the computer and letting E sleep. Oh, girls, tell mme. abernethy to check her e-mail. Anyway, there is a small chance that they will call off school for the day, but my guess is that we'll go. That is okay by me, cause you don't have to make up a delay at the end of the year, but snow days get added on to the last day of school. I'm guessing that there is at least an inch out there, but maybe more. It's going to snow til about 10 AM here and we may get more tomorrow (Friday). Missing you all loads!
Michele

We're back :)

2007-01-24T16:14:00.000-08:00

I guess that I should write that "we're home", but right now I'm wondering WHERE home is. Madison doesn't really feel like it, but it's nice to be back. We don't live in Belfast anymore, so where is home? It's not that things her ehave changed, but that we have. We are different people in so many ways from the ones who left in early August. I'm missing Jaffa cakes and digestives. I've unpacked the tea pot, got a kettle, and have my fav tea mugs handy. We had a good flight, minus a few drunk people from Italy in the row behind us! E was a star, he is such a good traveler. I'm missing school in the UK, tea breaks and hour long lunches. Most of all I'm missing the wonderful people. Oh, and the sea! I can't believe that the usix girls are heading to FRANCE tomorrow. Have some yummy stuff to eat for me! E is very sad and has cried the last two nights for his friends.
xoxo,
Michele

Thank you!

2007-01-19T11:52:00.000-08:00

To all those amazing people who have helped, made us feel welcome, or just been there. Words alone will never express how lucky we feel to know you. Thank you. (and sorry if we forget anyone)
Muriel: The aging gazelle. For being there, listening, cheering.
Joan: The travel buddy. We'll always have the drive to Dublin and our trips to Ayre and Exploris.
Margaret: Thanks for getting us past the hard first few days.
Heather: For knowing how to fix just about anything.
Jennifer: She who glides :). For E's Santa at Christmas, knitting, making me laugh and think, and Wed. lunches, coke with ice and toasties.
Pat: For keeping me on my toes and on track. Ed visits were amazing. It's great to see a woman in power who loves what she does :).
Viv, Susan and the Mod Squad, for being the most AMAZING dept. a girl could every hope for! I'll miss you loads!
Fiona: AM and PM trips to and from school, Santa train, tea (and TEA!), the kids, future in-laws and too much to even thank about!
Paul and Louise: MANY, many, many cups of tea. smiles and laughter, TEA, TEA, TEA! Shopping trips to MandS and TESCO :0, Mr. Tesco. Chocolate and biscuits and biscuits and chocolate. Fuses, lights and Paul standing on a chair.
Girls: You are the most amazing bunch of people I've ever known. Thank you for letting me spend this year with you. You've taught me tons!
xoxo,
Michele

Saying Goodbye to Belfast.

2007-01-19T05:00:00.000-08:00

Here we are. It's Friday afternoon. I'm packed. The house is clean. We're ready to go. The last few days have been really hard. I don't like to say good-bye. I hope we'll be back soon to visit. I had a wonderful teacher-parent-principal meeting at E's school yesterday. My wonderful neighbours came over for a cuppa yesterday night so that the boys could play. I'll write soon about my last day at school, but for now it's just a bit too new. I made another trip into town today and picked up levels 3,4,5 of Ethan's reading books. I want him to be on par with his P1 classmates at the end of the year. Thanks for everything. Thanks for teaching me, letting me explore. Thanks for letting me play with two languages, not one. That, I think, is the amazing thing about being a linguist (I about freaked otu the first time Muriel called me that. sounds much better than language teacher) is our love of words, language, and playing with the two. Thanks for the memories. BTW, early in the year I read about using your ipod to create a soundtrack of your life. loved the idea. must say that I've got almost all leaving/sad songs on there now.
xoxo,
ML

Two days.

2007-01-18T06:55:00.000-08:00

We leave in two days time.
I am sad.
This place, once strange and different has become "home" for us.
A sea of faces, into friends, unique and special.
"The girls" into "my girls".
From unknown to known
Bumpy places. Tears
Smiles.
Thanksgiving, in more ways than one.
17 people sitting all of the house celebrating an American holiday in the UK.
A four year old who started school, doesn't remember what the US is like because THIS place is home.
Friends.
Trips. Paris weekend. Ayr, Scotland. Mt. Stewart. Causeway. By train, boat, bus and car.
Friends in North Belfast. Friends "across" the sea in Bangor.
School. Amazing. Professional. Care. Smiles.
The house. The neighbours. Crisps. Chocolate Digestives. Jaffa cakes. The Chippy! Fiona and crew. Early morning and late night drives. Rushing to the trainstation for the 7:37 train.
The Mod Squad. Wed. lunches. coke with ice :).
The aging gazelle. The one who glides.
Jacket potatoes with taco chicken.
Indian. Chicken tikka.
TEA! at least a zillion cups a day.
The cranes.
City center; corn market, Marksies and the BBC shop.
Quality TV-thank you BBC!
Waterstones.
The Vicar of Dibley.
knitting.
Where has the time gone. When did Belfast become my second home and the North my adoped country? When did I start to care more about staying then going? When did I get so close to so many?
The packing is all but finished. The house is just about clean.
It's about time to go.

This just in......

2006-12-31T07:41:00.000-08:00

Ethan has his first wobbly tooth. He is very excited and can't wait for it to come out! For those of you in the States, we'd say he has a loose tooth. Funny, his fav book these days is Charlie and Lola's: My Woobly Tooth Must NEVER EVER fall out!
Michele

Christmas morning, Belfast style

2006-12-25T01:54:00.000-08:00

Good morning and Merry Christmas! God has been so good to us this year. He has given us good friends on both sides of the "pond", as well as everything we need and more. He continues to amaze me, knowing what we need before we even know!
In Sept, my school had prize night. The speaker was an older doctor who had spent most of her working life in Africa as a missionary. One story she told really sticks with me. She was working as the only doc in a hospital, seeing a 1000 patients each day. One patient died in childbirth leaving older children as well as the new baby. The doctor went to visit the children who lived at the orphanage adn told them about the new baby and her three year old sister. She told them that the last hot water bottle had burst and it was the only way to keep the baby warm. One little girl, called Ruth, told her that they would pray for a package and God would send what they needed. Ruth added: And God, send it today, not tomrorow because tomorrow will be too late and the baby will die. Oh, and God, send a dolly for the little girl whose Mummy died as she must be missing her". Three years into her time in Africa, this doctor had never gotten a package. Going back to her house, she found a large box, send from a girls school in London. Inside the box was a hot water bottle (as she remarked, who would send one to the tropics!), bandages, jumpers for the children, and a baby doll. The package had been sent three months before. Just like our Father to know what we need, before we do! Have a blessed Christmas.
Michele and Ethan

My little show stealer!

2006-12-24T12:31:00.000-08:00

Hello and Merry (Happy) Christmas from this side of the EArth! We've had a great day. This morning we went to church with our dear friends Fiona and Noel and their children, James and Naomi. The children were in a Christmas show and the Sunday school teacher asked ethan if he'd like to be a part of the show as well. I got to be the Mama of the newest shepperd! He did a great job, as did all the kids. We enjoyed the service and then went for a late lunch at their house. Yummy chicken and veg. I don't know how she does it, but Fiona always makes the most amazing food! Took the kids for a walk and then came home. We ordered pizza, a tradition for us, and then the neighbour kids came to play. We're really going to miss Lewis and Adam, as well as their mum and dad! E is in bed, having left cookies and milk for Santa (or Father Christmas!). I've started the countdown and as of tomorrow we'll be home in 25 days! It's hard being away from my family this Christmas, but God is good always and has given us some great friends here.
Love to all our friends, both real and in cyberland!
Merry Christmas and may God bless you !
Michele and Ethan

It's Christmas time in the city (Belfast city, that is)

2006-12-23T09:32:00.000-08:00

but there's no snow falling on the ground (sorry for the Elvis flashback, but my Mom always plays that during Dec.). We had a good time today in Carrick, got some good pix, but still have no way of uploading them :(. Oh, well. We had lunch in the mall (okay not great) and then headed to the castle. We discovered two new rooms this time-both food related, and I picked up some new books for our history cycle. We'll start the Story of the World books this Summer. We walked back up to the train station and then headed home where we stopped in a few shops as we made our way back down our street. Fish and chips from the chippy (bless her!) tonight and I'm surfing the net and eating vanilla fudge (so not a US thing-but still very tasty!). We're now on the count down as we have less than a month to go! Woo hoo! (Have I been saying that alot the last week or so?). I can't wait to be a HS mama again! DS can't wait to be a HS child again! Still, the school here has been great, we're just not traditional school people (well, other than the fact that my passion is teaching). We are enjoynig (I hope) a quiet day at home tomorrow. We'll read the Christmas story and E will be allowed to open one pressie tomorrow night before bed. We've got our Happy Birthday Jesus/Christmas cake too!
xoxo,
Michele

vacaciones!

2006-12-23T00:01:00.001-08:00

Woo hoo! It is early Sat. morning, the first real day of holiday for us! I finished at noon on Wed, and Mr. E finished yesterday at 1:30. I'll be off til the 4th of Jan, and E will go back on the 9th (yes, you read that right!). Our time here is coming to an end and it is bittersweet. We will miss all of our friends here as well as many things in regard to the way of life. Still, we can't wait to get home and see family and friends, and dare I say it-Wal-mart. I never thought I'd miss it! I miss my car les than I thought and I mroe or less enjoy all the walking we do. Even E is getting used to it as well! Today we are heading in to Carrick to visit the castle (must remember camera this time!) and to walk round the town. I hope to stop by one of the fab home bakeries that they have there! We took the bus last night and had to wait almost an hour for the next bus, so today we'll take the train. Sure, it makes for a longer walk, but at least we can wait inside at the station! It's nice to be on break, but it still feels a bit unreal. I feel like I need to get up and DO something!
Hugs for now from NI!
Michele and EThan

vacaciones!

2006-12-23T00:01:00.000-08:00

In less than six weeks......

2006-12-12T11:02:00.000-08:00

we'll be back in America. We've had a really good time and met lots of nice people, but it has to be said that there is no place like home. Really, there have not been tons of times that I've been really homesick. I don't really miss places, just people. We've been able to see some amazing sites that God put on this Earth, and to experience many things living here that we would not have as visitors. Still, I think being closer to the time we leave has made me wish for home more than I ever have. We leave on the 20th of January. So, I have about a week more of school before the break, two weeks of Christmas break, and then about two weeks of school time before we leave. Indiana, we miss you!
ML and EE

This week......

2006-12-11T09:32:00.000-08:00

is the last full week before Christmas break. We go 2.5 days next week and Mr. E will be coming to school with me on the half day on Wed. I think it will be nice for him to see where I go everyday. I half think that be thinks that I drop him off at nursery and then go back home to bed (wouldn't that be lovely!). For the next two days I'm on loan to another school in our area. I'm off to observe, do a bit of a TPRS demo etc. I'm looking forward to it! The lights are off in our house AGAIN! This has been happening for a couple of weeks now. We go days without lights (not really, the neighbour will be home at about seven to turn them on again). We keep blowing breakers which worries me more than a little bit. IN other news, we got our Christmas tree up last night and it looks so cute sitting in it's little terre cotta pot. My kids at school are making pinatas this week (and last). They are doing a great job, but I'll be glad when we are finished. I got some gifts wrapped last night-woo hoo! We also did a trip on the Santa Train (old steam engine) with Fiona and crew adn Mr. e had a blast.
More random thoughts and news later!
with love,
ML and eE

Thanksgiving Revisited

2006-12-10T09:04:00.000-08:00

I'm been meaning to write this post for about two weeks now, but have had little energy to blog.
On the Saturday following Thanksgiving, I headed to the butchers in order to pick up our T-day bird. I had opted for a turkey breast as the butcher could stuff it, and we'd have less waste. Having never cooked a turkey, I decided to be brave (or was that stupid) and invite 17 people for tea. People here have been so kind to us, and so I wanted to say thanks (we have tons to be thankful for and more so this year!) by making Turkey day for them. I carried home the turkey like a baby (imagine a 14 lb turkey breast!). In addition to the turkey, we had stuffing, cranberry sauce (made by Ocean Spray, just like at home!), mashed sweet potatoes, green beans, new potatoes, corn, stuffed eggs, broccoli bake etc. Pudding was pumpkin pie (thanks Fiona!), aple crumble (thanks Katherine!) and Key lime cheesecake. Joan (thanks joan!) also came with a winter berry cheesecake. Everyone seemed to enjoy the food, and we had a nice night of craic, food and wine. My wonderful neighbours stayed to help clean up (and finish up the wine!). For those wondering, craic has nothing to do with drugs but is an Irish word meaning a good time!
God has given us a lot to be thankful for!
Michele

Christmas Meme

2006-11-30T12:23:00.000-08:00

1. Hot Chocolate or apple cider?
Do I have to pick one? Okay, Starbucks carmel chocolate! Yum!
2. Turkey or Ham?
Turkey. Is there any doubt?
3. Do you get a fake or real-you-cut-it-yourself Christmas tree?
Real. I love the smell, but don't love hoovering up the needles.
4. Decorations on the outside of your house?
Nope, but we always take a ride on Christmas eve to look at everyone elses!
5. Snowball fights or sleddin'?
Sledding. We went last year on the Canida's hill. Joy!
6. Do you enjoy going downtown shopping?
Belfast is Brillant for downtown shopping. Love the cornmarket anytime of year!.
7. Favorite Christmas song?
Can't pick one!.
8. How do you feel about Christmas movies?
Okay, I guess.
9. When is it too early to start listening to Christmas music?
December.
10. Stockings before or after presents?
After!
11. Carolers, do you or do you not watch and listen to them?
Lvoe listening to them. Have great memories of going with my neighbours in St.Louis during uni!
12. Go to someone else's house or they come to you?
Normally with Mum and Dad, but this year we'll be here!
13. Do you read the Christmas Story? If so when?
At Church!
14. What do you do after presents and dinner?
Veg and let the kiddo play!
15. What is your favorite holiday smell?
Love cranberry but LUSH has a great Christmas pudding sent!
16. Ice skating or walking around the mall?
Mall!
17. Do you open a present or presents on Christmas Eve, or wait until Christmas day?
Ethan gets one gift on Christmas eve. Jammies, etc. We did this growing up, and I have nice memories.
18. Favorite Christmas memory?
My dad pulling Ethan in the wagon that he got for him (had to be just the right one) on his first Christmas morning. I don't know who was more excited!
19. Favorite Part about winter?
snow days!
20. Ever been kissed under mistletoe?
Not telling!

Happy Thanksgiving

2006-11-23T12:21:00.000-08:00

It was the most odd feeling this morning to wake up, know that it was Thanksgiving, and have to go to work. That said, I was greeted by fellow staff members wishing me a Happy Thanksgiving and giving hugs. It was almost enough to make me cry! I got to my desk and found a lovely Thanksgiving card (my second) from my friend Joan! The first two periods I had a lovely Thanksgiving day breakfast with nine of my 6th Form girls. I provided the turkey adn dressing and the girls did the rest. I must say, they did a wonderful job! I talked about Turkey day with all of my classes and then we did a Thanksgiving day activity/writing. Still, it was a long day and a bit emotional. Tonight I am starting to cook for my Saturday Thanksgiving feast for twenty! The broc. bake is in the fridge (just add topping and bake), the sweet potatoes have been baked and will be mashed before I go to bed (I hope :). The baby potatoes have been cooked. Tomorrow night I will make the greenbeans, the corn, and boil the eggs (and make the filling). Sat. will be clean the house, assemble the food and hope that there is enough! People have been so kind that I think making a Thanksgiving meal is the least I can do.
Feeling a bit teary!
ML

Christmas (I mean Thanksgiving) Sandwich

2006-11-21T10:37:00.000-08:00

Ah, yes, the lovely sarnie. I'm sitting at my computer having my tea while Ethan (who has already had his) is in the kitchen drawing with our neighbour Lewis. The two play so well together and are in the same class at school. But, back to the sandwich. My girls at school have been all abuzz about Christmas sandwiches. I asked what this was only to find out that it is what we would call a thansgiving one. Two slices of bread (wholegrain), turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce. Yum. We are getting ready for our first Northern Ireland Turkey day. We have three families joining us and I'm glad that we will be able to share some of our traditions as well as food with this crew who has taken us in and done so much for us! I'll post later about the menu etc. I also got a Thanksgiving day card today from Margaret. Lovely when people remember.
Michele

It's Monday!

2006-11-19T22:30:00.000-08:00

It's Monday and I am SO tired.

Hey....tomorrow is the 20th!

2006-11-19T09:41:00.000-08:00

Yes, I know that Hey.....tomorrow is the 20th! is not a good title-oh, well, it is my blog! Yes, I am feeling a bit snippy today. It is Sunday and tomorrow I have to go back to work. Don't get me wrong. I like my job. I like my students. I am just in mid-term funk. It happens every year. So, as a way of making due, I decided to go shopping today-BY MYSELF! I got DS's Christmas finished-minus a lego kit. I still have to get a Leapster for his DBB (dear birth brother), and get it into the mail. so, I got into town in time to see the big city hall Christmas tree go up. Very cool. Actually it went up when I was in a shop. Oh, well, still pretty cool. I can't wait to go to the international market that is held round city hall at Christmas time. I got into town today, and had an hour with a magazine and a hot chocolate at STarbucks. Oh, and a Christmas sandwhich and a toffee bar. NOt low cal but oh well! I am trying to be good this Christmas as I will have to pack everything up in a month! I'm following a poem: something you want (lego kit), something you need (Muzzy French), something to play with (pirate ship and pirates/bowling) and something to read(easy readers, Mary Poppins, and a Charlie and Lola book). Stocking will feature: Charlie and Lola 4 DVD, Tweenies Christmas DVD, chocolate coins-a NI tradition, an apple and orage (also tradition) and a few yet to be known (even to me) things! The rest of my shopping is also done. The only thing to do is send a box via LandsEnd to my folks in Indiana. Nice to have it finished and be able to focus on the real meaning of Christmas. I have a neat Advent study for E and I to do this year together. I'm looking forward to that.
In other news, it looks like we will be homeschool next term. The plan was to send E back to school in Indiana with the K class. That said, his school here has bypassed that info in the first term, AND I don't like sending him to school with kids 1-2 years older than he is (and having him know all the material). I asked him a couple of weeks ago: Do you want to go back to Edith's or go to K. He told me that: " I liked it better when I went to Edith's and you taught me at night, at home". I love HSing him and we've got a great support group for both parents and kids. So, I'm putting together a K curriculum for my kiddo. At presetnt: We will finish up JOlly Phonics (what they use here) with some easy readers. We may or may not pick up with 100 EZ Lessons or TOPGTTR after we are finished. We will use Singapore K or Horizons K math. For handwring we will use the Jolly Phonics program. A friend on the FIAR (www.fiar.com) boards suggested the BEST Bible program: First Steps (www.unitstudy.com) and we are in our second week and loving it. It is very much on DSs level and very well written. There is also a colouring sheet/activity for almost all the areas. We will also do Muzzy French Level 1. I was thinking about Latin or Greek, but as DS has bio-family in France, we will start out with French and add Latin/Greek in 3rd grade. I know it sounds silly from a PS teacher, but I have always felt called to HS, and I am so glad it is working out for us.
Oh, and back to the title of this post. Tomorrow is the 20th of November which means we are two months away from going home!
xoxo,
ML

Paris

2006-11-14T00:58:00.000-08:00

We had a wonderful two weeks with my Mom and Dad, who are now at home in Indiana safe and sound! More on that soon, but I want to talk about our weekend trip to Paris!
Late on Friday afternoon our neighbour Louise took us to the airport to catch our flight into CDG. We had a short and easy flight and were met at the airport by E's bio brother and his adoptive mom. I was a bit worried about the meeting, but it went very well! (PTL!). E's BB had a classic kids book about a little mouse living in Paris and a little frog for a gift. We took the RER and then the metro to their apt. in the 3rd. They have such a wonderful apt and the area is amazing-very busy and lots to see! That night we had a yummy tea made my H's dad and then we sent the kids off to H's room to play while the grown-ups talked. There was an ease to our talking, which was great. Got the kids ready for bed, read stories and then turned out the lights. They stayed up til 1AM talking! The next morning H said " I liked the part where we hugged". Talk about making a Mom cry :) (Happy tears)!. Sat. morning we got up to fresh bread and many types from the local bakery. Yum. Off we went to Notre Dame while H had his dance class. We had forgotten that it was a holiday (memorial day) so the class was canceled. We met them at the playground near Notre Dame where H's dad had gotten a book for both of them. E's is a kids book of famous sites in Paris! Great gift! We went to lunch at a Pasta/Pizza place where H goes every Wed. with his Mom. It was very special to see the places that are a part of their daily lives! In the afternoon we took the boys on the Paris boat trip, which they enjoyed. They played a game with each bridge, and enjoyed seeing them! I am amazed at how much E remembers! Home again, to have a yummy roast and veg. The boys were up late again, as were the parents! Sunday morning we had hommade crepes (yum!), and then went to see the Eiffel Tower. The line was about 30 minutes long, but the boys were very good! They did decide that the tower was more fun from the ground! To lunch at a yummy seafood place with awesome food! Oh, and more wine! Home to the playground, and then the apt. for more play time. Soon it was time to head to the airport. Our hosts were amazing and lovely. We had a blast!
Michele

I'm Bert-Who Knew?

2006-10-28T03:55:00.000-07:00

You Are Bert

Extremely serious and a little eccentric, people find you loveable - even if you don't love them!
You are usually feeling: Logical - you rarely let your emotions rule you
You are famous for: Being smart, a total neat freak, and maybe just a little evil
How you life your life: With passion, even if your odd passions (like bottle caps and pigeons) are baffling to others

The Sesame Street Personality Quiz

Cafes at the shops

2006-10-28T02:12:00.000-07:00

Did you know that almost every grocery here in Belfast has a cafe as part of it? It's great to think that you can go in, have a bite to eat and then do your shop. OR go in, do your shop, stop for a pot of tea and a scone (or the like) and then head home again. Yesterday, Fiona and I did our weekly shop at the Tesco near school. I think I've got nearly enough for the next week/week and a half. I love trying new products. I found a Tesco's Finest shrimp salad sauce (just add the shrimp) that looks really nice. I've gotten used to open face toasted prawn sandwiches and hope to make my own! The other foodie item that has been big the past couple of weeks at our Wed. Mod. Lang. lunches are jacket potatoes. Think a baked potato turned on end, cut with an X shape and then filled with some unusual for the American fillings: coleslaw, baked beans and cheese, chili (okay not so odd), curried chicken and fruit and the famous chicken tiki (my current fav). On Wed, Joan and I decided to try something new: tuna mayo and sweetcorn. Sounds awful, don't you think? Just to show how much we know, it was lovely! Imagine tuna salad (no pickles or eggs) and some fresh or frozen corn. Very nice indeed! Today we're waiting for my parents to come, I'm trying to keep the house neat (good luck!) and I've got a Shephard's Pie in the fridge for lunch. Did I really make it myself? Yep! Well, I diced the veg (carrots and onions), opened the can of peas, cooked the mince witht he veg. The only parts that are not homemade are the mash which I had to add milk and butter to (it was preped mash in the dairy case) and the sauce which came from a packet-but other than that, I think it counts! Mr. E will also have the choice of apple/pork sausage balls and chips.
tata
ML and EE

Travel buddy!

2006-10-27T07:32:00.000-07:00

When I first met Joan it was as part of the Mod Squad (the modern language teachers), and so it was very m uch an issue of remembering whose face when with which name. That said, Joan was easy to remember because she looks like my friend Pam from home! While their personalities are very different, Joan has become a good friend. About six weeks ago she invited me to go to Exploris and Mt. Stewart. We had such a good time I invited her to come along on our daytrip to Ayr Scotland. We had a blast. So, Joan, thanks for travel memories, laughs, taking over staffroom three (the office!), lunch at Cafe Culture and the works. I'm going to miss you come January!
In other news, my Mom and DAd are on their way as of tonight. Today I'm waiting for friends and neighbors who are on their way from Indiana to spend the night with us, before heading out to tour the island, both North and Republic. Today we finished at Noon, as it is the start of half term holiday. Had lunch with my friend Fiona (and future in-law!) at the Tesco cafe, and then we were off to do our grocery shop. Got everything on my list and then more (go figure!). Fav's these days are the multi flavoured crisps (got Brie and Cranberry, Pepercorn and cream cheese, and another kind which I don't remember!), sauce for making open face prawn (shrimp) sandwiches, the always present chocolate digestive biscuits!, and a do it yourself Christmas cake kit (maybe next year I'll do a "real" one). I'm off to get Mr. E from nursery in a bit!)
xoxo til next time!
Michele

My Neighbours!

2006-10-22T02:19:00.000-07:00

Wow-we've got really wonderful neighbours here. I've never lived someplace where kids play freely from house to house and garden to garden. At first I was not at all sure about this as I like to keep taps on Mr. E. That said, I've really been blessed by wonderful neighbours here. Paul and Louise and their boys Adam and Louis (who is in E's class at school) have been so good to us. From visiting in kitchens and drinking tea, to having us to tea (food this time), feeding E-he always eats better there!, to taking him for a few hours so I can have Mama time. We've also done some traveling together: up to the coast and to Carrickfun park (the most amazing playground with stone castle and pirate ship) to Tesco, McD's, the chippy's, etc. E has made awesome friends and so have I . It was Paul who walked E to school with me on the first day, and Louise who sits and chats. I also love the fact that Louise works for-wait for it-Scholastic books here in NI. She's promised to get me into the Christmas sale! So very cool. And guys, who can forget the 3:30 AM visit. Thanks so much. We're going to miss have you guys as neighbours ehre. Whose yard will e play in?
xoxo,
Michele

Thanksgiving

2006-10-21T06:13:00.000-07:00

It's almost November, and I've been thinking about how very much I have to be thankful for this year. Bear with me as I spend the new few posts saying thanks to people here in NI.
For Fiona, who drives me to school every morning and takes me home at night. For talks about our kids-both the good and bad. You are going to make a great Mother-In-Law. Can we set the date for Naomi and E's wedding yet? Thank you for putting yourself in charge of my cultural education. I can't wait to learn how to make Christmas cake (five weeks early) or Christmas Pudding either. Christmas crackers were just a mystery til you got here to answer my questions. I love that you love Pumpkin pie and know how to make it from a real pumpkin. For trips into town-and crazy stories. Thank you! For having me over to tea-making amazing food, letting me get dressed and ready at your house before prize night, mothering me, and letting me fuss. Thanks so much. I know that the words are not enough, but I have no doubt that I've made life long friends.
love,
Michele

Quiet Day

2006-10-21T04:18:00.000-07:00

Ahhhhhh, the joy of waking this AM only to remember that it is a weekend and I didn't have to get up. An extra hour of sleep is wonderful! That said, the time we got up was 7:30 AM! Oh, dear! We are enjoying a quiet day at home. We've been playing on the computer and watching TV. After breakfast we walked to the library (love the library ladies!) got new books, and a new video for E, then went to the post office to buy stamps and mail postcards. Oh, yes, and used their ATM. Off, then, to the MACE shop across the street to pick up something for lunch and a packet of crisps for Ethan. I made Chicken Tika for lunch and E is having ravoli. I've figured out how to make okay iced tea (which was very much missed!), so I'm having some of that as well. We're going to some costal town (could be one of many) with our neighbour Louise and her boys Louis and Adam this afternoon to drop Adam with a friend.
Yesterday was great! I got to chat with a friend that I haven't had a chance to see in awhile. You know there are just some people that you can catch up with in a nanosecond-it was somewhat like that-and very n ice to talk again. Oh, and to make things really good, yesterday at the shop I found OREOS! They come in a multi-pack box. Each packet only has four cookies, and there are four packets in a box-still, complete and total joy! Funny thing is that they have instructions on the side of the box! Got to love NI!
xoxo til soon!
ML and EE

Parent's Morning

2006-10-17T09:32:00.000-07:00

This morning was parent's morning at E's school. I had the first few periods off so that I could take him to school and then attend the meeting for P1 paretns. It was so nice to see him playing on the Infant school playground with his friends. The children line up-greet the teacher (Good Morning Mrs. McComb) and then march into the classroom.Something about this little ritual really touched me. I think it was seeing him in his little uniform with his class, all lined up. Anyway, parents were then invited into the school hall for the P1 meeting. The school nurse did the usual talk about health etc, and then we had a practice Jolly Phonics lesson by Mrs. Breen (the other p1 teacher). The program looks really good and I know that E is doing well in it. He had his second sound test today and is batting a 100 percent average. Smart kid! Tonight he brought home his first reading book, and so we did that along with his phonics and sight word list. I'm glad that school is a good place for him. I hope it continues to be! Open day is in a month and I think I'll go to that as well. I love finding out what he did at school.
Michele

Ayr Scotland

2006-10-15T00:36:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, E, our friend Joan and I went to Scotland for the day. Being able to go to Scotland for the day is totally odd to me. We had a wonderful day-I've wanted to go to Scotland from the time I was about 11, so it was very exciting to say the least! Joan picked us up at the house at about 5:45 AM (very, very, very early for a Sat. morning!) and we drove to the StenaLine ferry dock. I am so amazed at how child friendly everything is here-the dock had a play area with various toys and a really amazing mural of famous children's stories. We got onboard the ship at 7:30 and then set sail for a small town on the coast of Scotland. The ship had a food court including Burger King, a cinema, a kids play area and a kids cinema. Watching the water via the large windows was great. The trip takes about 105 minutes. From the port town we got on a tour bus for the 1.5-2 hour ride to Ayr. E decided that a nap was in order there and on the way back! Woo hoo! It is an amazing time as you see so many beautiful things: wide open land with farm animals-sheep and cows, though a few horses, cottages, and bits of old stone castles, etc. The hills are beautiful, as is the water. In Ayr (birthplace of Robert Burns 1759-1796 and author of Auld land syne)., we got to see tons of amazing buildings as well as lots of great shopping. We also walked part of the river walk, saw part of the new university as well as the most amazing building, which a local thought used to be a hospital/nursing home. I did do some shopping and found a wonderful Stewart scarf, a few Christmas pressies, and a couple of things for my Dad who used to live in Scotland in the 60's. We also ate in my first and second pubs of the trip. The first was an old church turned pub (a bit odd maybe). The food was good and the room still had the feel of it's first use. The second one had a great outdoor play area with playgrounds for each age group (yes, at a pub!). E played with the local kids and I had a really nice pot of tea! Back then to the coach, the boat and home. We got home at about 10 PM-and we were totally tired! Today we are cleaning house, watching Dora, and making "tea" for our wonderful friends Fiona (maths teacher at school), her husband NOel, and kids James and Naomi (both about E's age!). I'm doing an American meal of meatloaf, mac and cheese, corn, and then stewed apples and icecream for pud! Have a great day and there is another round of postcards on the way!
love,
DM and EE
PS-E has his first full day of school tomorrow-during the first half term the kids only go til 12:15, and now he'll stay til 2PM.

Then my classroom started to shake......

2006-10-11T10:11:00.000-07:00

It was the middle of 8th period and the floor and windows in my room started to shake. The girls looked worried, but thank Heavens I had been told ahead of time. I knew what to expect, so I told the girls to look out our windows-just in time to see a RAF helicopter land on our school's front lawn! How cool is that! The first form (11 year olds) got an hour to talk with the pilots, see the inside, take pictures etc. They also got freebies of pencils, pens, posters and stickers. The next period (also the last of the day) was my free period, so I went out with my friend Joan to help do crown control. Joan and the other girls, decided that I needed to take pictures with the crew, and introduced my as their American teacher. I got some good shots upclose (I knew there was a reason I took my camera today!). which was great! I'll share them as soon as we figure out the camera conection issue. Anyway, Mr. E is very pleased with his poster-I thought I'd stick the stickers away for scrapbooking-is that awful? Tomorrow night is prize night-so it will be a late one. Gemma from the daycare is coming to stay with E, while I'm at school.
Take care and love from NI,
ML and EE

Mama Said There Would Be Days Like This...

2006-10-10T22:34:00.000-07:00

Oh, wait, it was the Fulbright people! Things are fine, but I find myself wanting to go home-to be with people who know me and my teaching. People here have been wonderful for the most part, but sometimes it is just easier to be where you can just be yourself. Yesterday we starting talking about food that we missed. A twinkie does sound really nice, though I normally don't care about them. It feels like endless winter because we've been wearing jeans and the like from the time we got here at the start of August. I miss my car and the easy of going somewhere. That said, I am thankful for all the people who make my life do-able here. Tomorrow night is Prize night which means that I don't get to see EThan til about 10PM. I have to get up an hour earlier at home, but at least I get more Mommy and E time. I miss that.
Mama cansada

A Much Better Day!

2006-10-05T10:28:00.000-07:00

What can I say? God is so good! It has been a really nice week. We got my friend from college off to Dublin and then Indiana on Tuesday morning. It was great to have company, and we welcome more! I made my Mom's mac and cheese this week and it was a wonderful taste of home! We were also blessed with a meal from my friend Fiona and her family on Monday night! Yummy food, and great friends to share it with! On Wednesday a friend at school got some good news and so we went to Belfast Castle to celebrate. The castle is amazing-beautiful gardens and amazing house. I want to go back to the shop there! We had a creme tea (think scone with fruit topped with homemade cream and jam!) Yum-what were we thinking dumping all that yummy tea into the harbour? (just kidding-I do know!). The idea of tea is so very calming. I hope it is a habit I can continue once we are back home! I made a roast chicken and left over mac and cheese for tea last night and our friend Joan came over to eat with us. It is always nice to share a meal with friends! I am so glad that it is soon to be the weekend. We're off to Marks and Spencer's for more uniform pants for Mr. E. Speaking of Mr. E, he brought home his first phonics test today-perfect score. He was quite chuffed (pleased) with the sticker on his sounds book. He also has two more words to learn-and already knows them. His class starts full days on the 16th. Up until this point they have been going from 9 til 12:15. The days will extend to 2 PM and they will have lunch there. For now he will be having a school lunch. I've run out of ideas for packed lunches and will be glad to give that a rest! It's hard to believe that just two months ago this was all so new. I still really enjoy being here, but for the most part things seem more "normal". I'm looking forward to half term break at the end of Oct. as my folks come over then! OH, and I got a note from the teacher today, because I'd sent E an apple turnover for snack. Only plain cookies and fruit are allowed. OH, well!
Michele

3AM

2006-10-02T18:33:00.000-07:00

It's three AM and I can't sleep. In fact, I just watched ABC's World News Tonight which is on every few nights here. I am having a really tough time of it this week-I'm pretty homesick. I'm also pretty sick, which I am sure does not make things easier. Then, tonight my DS comes home to tell me (for the second time) that someone has made a comment about not liking him because he is "brown". The first time this happened it was about a week into school and we had a little chat about how people can say not nice things, but that God made him a beautiful brown and loved him very much. Last night it was about kids telling him that he was naughty because he was brown. I knew that we would have to deal with this at some point, but age four seems so young. In some ways it makes me want to pack up my bags and get on an airplane. I know this type of stuff might happen at home, but there he has a family and not just his mom who has come with him halfway round the world. All of the other culture shock stuff, the other issues, seem so little next to this. I don't want him growing up thinking that his skin color makes him bad.
Mama triste,
ML

Sick-again!

2006-10-02T00:07:00.000-07:00

I'm sitting at my computer at 8:02 AM local time. I'm not at school because I'm sick yet again. Remind me that I'm almost NEVER sick at home. I keep telling myself that I am in a new space with lots of new germs. Still, I hate missing school. That said, I have an awful ear ache, etc. I really can't hear out of my left ear and the right one is starting to hurt. Oh, and I'm losing my voice again. Damp weather-ick! I've been very down in the dumps abotu being here the last couple of days. Then, this AM, while reading two of my Fellow Fulbrighter's blogs I've noticed the same about them. Maybe it's normal? Que piensas?
On a positive note my friend Melissa from college has been here this week. It has been wonderful. We've been into the city a couple of times, taken the open top bus tour, shopped a bit, and checked out a new area of town. Mel has also been hit on by an older guy (like late 40's!), who told her that she had amazing eyes. Oh, boy! She is set to leave very early tomorrow morning, and the house will seem very empty without her. I'm sure that I will be feeling a bit teary then. I've gotten used to having someone adult to talk to. Oh, and the fact that she has cooked one night, hoovered, and done tons of laundry add to the fact that she is an amazing visitor. Only four weeks til my folks and our neighbors get here. In addition, my friends, the Browns, may be coming for Turkey day! That would be awesome!
Til next time!
adios from Belfast!
Michele and Ethan

The American Is Coming!

2006-09-26T10:23:00.000-07:00

Nope, that is not a misspost of the Americans are coming! My dear friend Melissa gets here tomorrow! Mel is the first of my visitors coming from stateside! As a busy psychologist and Mom to a two year old, we don't get to see one another as often as we'd like. That said, we do talk on the phone tons, but still it will be so very nice to see her IRL (in real life!). When I got the okay from Fulbright, I knew that Melissa would be one of the people who would come visit us here. Why? Because we have a history of crazy travel together. When I was living in St. Louis she came to visit me. When we were at uni together we drove to Florida in her Dad's massive towncar. No way can one look "cool" while driving in a towncar at the beach. We have even hit a deer together. It was an accident, really. We're also been "rescued" by firefighters together. That is a story for another post! I am so very chuffed that she is coming, and I've been acting like a 5 year old for the past two days-just as the teachers at work! So, Mel, thanks for coming cross the pond for a visit! We love you!
ML and EE

My Little Northern Irish Boy

2006-09-21T11:40:00.000-07:00

Despite being born in Chicago and spending his first four years in the States, it would seem that my son is an all Belfast boy! Within 24 hours of coming here he started calling me Mummy unless he was very tired. At those times I regressed backing into being Mama. Given two weeks of living in the area, my friends, who are locals, started making comments about his changing accent. Add in a couple of more weeks and he started correcting my "English". One night while having a snack I asked him to put his trash into the trash can. Over a huffy breath he remarked that "Mummy, here we call it the bin". Right, my love, then put it into the bin! While he wants McD's, he now has beans and toast for "tea", attends assembly at school, asks for crisps (chips) for snack. He takes teatime break with his classmates, and enjoys the afternoon teatime break with his daycare friends. On Sunday night at our friends house he ran in for a "biscuit", said something to our host and then went out to play with his friends. Fred looked at me and said, " I hope you know that you are not taking an American child back to the States with you!" He's my all Belfast boy! Just think, we've only been here for about seven weeks now. What will it be like in six months?
Take care and love from Nore Iron!
ML and EE

British Council, Walking and AMericana

2006-09-20T11:11:00.000-07:00

It seems that I do much more walking here in NI then I would at home. I walk each morning to the train station at the top of my road. I also walk to the shops, etc. Today I left school after 5th period so that I could attend Fulbright meetings at the British council. To get to my train from school I walked about 2.5 miles to the train station, then took the train to Great Victoria station. From there I walked to the British Council building in the city centre. The meetings were fab-it was great to talk to Reggie and cerene again. Turns out that Cerene is not far away, so we've made plans to get together soon! Tonight I was feeling a bit sad on the way home so I went by the shop to pick something up for tea. Our tea tonight was very American: pancakes, sausage and fruit. I've found something like american pancakes here. The only issue we had was that most people here have jam on them, not maple syrup. BUT, I found maple flavoured ice cream topping at Tesco that seems to be much like Mrs. Buttersworth! Woo hoo. I also found a Snickers bar-pure heaven! Is it awful that the taste of it made me want to cry? It just tasted like home, I can't explain why. :) Oh, the big news of the day is that we met the cultural affairs office from the American consulate today. She was amazing and very relaxed. We may have an invite to a Halloween party at here house. How cool would that be? As much as I like it here, and I really do, it was very nice to be with a group of Americans as well!
hugs to home!
ML and EE

Argg.

2006-09-19T12:32:00.000-07:00

Sorry for no posting but my computer has been down. In other icky news, the ATM ATE my debit card cause it was a bit bent, and the train had issues yesterday so I had to WALK 2.5 miles UPhill in heels to school. I'm praying for good news soon.
ML

A Very Nice Day!

2006-09-16T12:40:00.000-07:00

Today we went to Portadown (sp?) with Joan, one of the teachers in my dept. We decided to go to the bookstore at Queens University on the way through Belfast as we both needed to look for some books in Spanish. All I can say is WOW! The uni bookstore is amazing and I want to go back someday with the wee one is at nursery. Ditto for the general area. It so had that uni feel to it that I love! On then we went to the Exploritorium to see the exhibits. We had a wonderful time and Mr. E did pet a shark this time. The rays in the petting tank were so very friendly that they would pop out of the water and look at you waiting to be touched. It was very cool. One the trip down and back we must have enjoyed some of the most beautiful views in all Ireland. This is such a pretty place. Finally we went to Mt. Stewart to see the manor house and gardens. It was amazing. Yet again, the BL amazed me with his four year old self by saying: this is just so very pretty=the flowers are so colorful. So, thanks, Joan for a wonderful day-one that I'm sure we'll remember for a long time!
Michele

Who Are The People In Your Neighborhood?

2006-09-16T01:09:00.000-07:00

As a fan of Mr. Rogers, I thought we'd focus this week on the people who are part of our everyday life and thus make us feel at home. (Right, that was a teaching objective if every there was one!). Readers will be able to identify and name people in the ML's world in NI. Um, okay, maybe it's time for a break from school? Oh, yes, it just started. Oh, well.
Today's victum: Paul, the stationmaster.
When I go to work in the morning on the train I almost always see Paul who sells tickets and is, I guess, in charge of the Greenisland Station. He has been so very n ice from the start, and was one of the first people that I came to know here (other then the friends and fam list). He is amazing with kids, and oh so very patient when the lower school boys (aged 13 or so) are pushing and play fighting near the tracks every morning. He also gives the little ones, like E, suckers and little treats. I thought it was just Paul til Margaret told me that their train guy gives balloons. Go figure! So, here's to Paul for making this american girl in ireland feel like a local!
We're off for the day with Joan, the Spanish, French, German, Italian teacher from school. Nifty, eh?
Michele

Feeling a bit wobbly

2006-09-14T14:05:00.000-07:00

I got up this AM thinking about how 1/4 of my time here is already gone. I'm not sure how I feel about that. The first two weeks here were all about how wonderful things were and yet I missed home. Then about a month in I had an awful week. It ended and I stayed (so glad I didn't get on the plane to head home, which was what I was thinking). Then, the thought came to me this week-this feels like home. I like it here. I like teaching here. I have made some amazing friends. Yes, all in six weeks. I have started to be a regular in places. The butcher called me "luv" for the first time this week. I must be moving up in the world. I know the guy at the train station, the library ladies, the lunch ladies at school. I now know the names of many of the staff. I'm feeling much more okay with being here. Then, this AM as I was thinking about all of this, I realized that I'm not sure that I'd want to go home. I can't imagine not seeing some of these people who have made my stay so lovely, and who I'm so glad to call friends. This culture shock is tough work :)
night night.
ML

Why I'm Having Ice Cream for Lunch...

2006-09-13T04:13:00.000-07:00

During the last three days my cold (given to me by the dear baby llama) has gone from bad to worse. By yesterday my voice was just a tiny bit of what it normally is. After a phone call to Mags we decided that I'd ring the VP in charge of staff and take the day. After all if you can't talk you can't teach. By bedtime my voice was totally gone. It is hit or miss today and I've been enjoying lots of milky tea and ice cream. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it will be better by tomorrow. In reality this happens every year at the start of school. I think it is the stress on my voice times the stress of starting school again. I'm taking a short break from my spot on the sofa watching daytime BBC programmes to update the blog and then back to the sofa I go. I hope to post about our weekend trip to the Giant's Causeway soon-it was beyond words. (and this coming from me!). Even E got into it stopping as we were half way back up, looking out over the sea and saying " it's really amazing mummy, right".
Yes, my love it is amazing and so are you!
Michele

Right then, Mrs!

2006-09-12T11:35:00.000-07:00

Gee, I would not be a language teacher if I didn't LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the differences in language between here and home. As the title suggests, this post will list a few of the words in Brit speak and what we say back home. I'm listing as I'm sick, without much of a voice, and soon I'll be off to get some sleep!
Right then-EVERYONE uses right much in the say way we'd say okay.This is one I find myself using!
okay then, mrs. -mrs is any woman. what is amazing to me is that women will use it with other women.
-cheerio (sp?). nope, not the cereal. I thought it a myth, but people really do say this and not good-bye or see ya. E does this one well!
-luv: dear and used by just about anyone.
-knackered: really tired.
-chuffed: really pleased about something
-dear: expensive or important
-snog: make out. don't ask how I know about this one, okay?
-lad and lass really are used as well!
-well done: good job
-good man: good boy
-pur: poor-it took me awhile to figure out this one!
-sorted: like the hat in HP-figured out.
-drawing pin: thumb tack/push pin
-more to come soon.
Right then, I'm knackered from work today and my throat is feeling pur so well done for reading, i'm really chuffed, i am , mrs! Cheerio!
ML

Back from shopping!

2006-09-09T07:19:00.000-07:00

Well we headed off this AM to the city centre on the bus with our list as follows:
1. E's uniform for a club that is somewhat like Boy Scouts.
2. A lunch box
3. The DVD that goes with his school's phonics program.
4. A small treat for E.
5. American fast food.
Yes, I know that fast food is awful and that we should be enjoying the local food. Truth be told, I really would rather have the local foods, but when we are near a McD or KFC I feel bad telling E no. We're not near them all that often and other then that we are enjoying local cuisine. Heading from the bus we went up and down the main street looking for what we needed. Regular readers will be amazed to know that I did not even go into Lush today! Nor did I go to the BBC store. That must be a first (in fact I know that it is!). We did go to Eason's (like BandN) and I had planned to go to Waterstones, but we went into WH Smith for the first time. There I found a reward chart for E heading into nursery without tears or a fuss. We took the lift downstairs only to be in what I have to describe as like an American mega bookstore. AMAZING! I want to go back one day while E is at nursery and hit all three of the big bookstores downtown! We went to Mark's and Spencer, but for once I could not find a thing I wanted or needed. I had planned to go to Mothercare (great store!) for a baby gift and a new jumper for E, but by the end of the day we were both too tired! We headed off to Castle Court the mall and had lunch at KFC. We both had the kids meal. Next we were off to ELC (early learning centre)-we need this store in the States. They have the most amazing toys and books. We got E the phonics DVD that we were after and then we looked at things that "Father Christmas" might bring. Off then to the Disney store for E's lunch box. He got one from the movie Cars. His PE bag is also the same theme. Imagine his look when on the first day of school he discovered that the classroom theme is the same thing! I'm off to do more laundry. I've already got the uniforms done for the week. I'm finished hoovering and clearning bathrooms, floors, and kitchens, now all I've got to do is make my TESCO list for the week!
Hugs from NI!
DM and EE

It's Friday! Woo hoo!

2006-09-08T13:45:00.000-07:00

The end of the first full week is here! In some ways, it feels like I've been at my new school for a very long time, and in others I still feel a bit thick. The girls and staff have been wonderful. I really like this area and we've made friends with the neighbors and at least one of the teachers and her family. I'm also starting to see friendly faces at the shops, the library (LOVE the library ladies!), etc. All of those things help it to feel more like home. I like that when the phone rings now it is for us more than it is someone who did not know that Carol is away this term! E's second day in school was a success. I'm glad that I decided to send him and not keep him at nursery for another year! I'm also getting fond of uniforms-why are we so anti-uniform in the states? In other news, I'm not going to London next weekend. I just can't see going for the day or one overnight when I could wait and go with family. I may never get another invite to the embassy, but my family comes first. Both Louise and Paul and my friend Margaret have invited E to spend the night if I wanted to go, and he would be in awesome hands at both places, but I just feel like he has had so many changes that I don't want to be away any more than I need to. We're looking forward to the weekend and lunchbox shopping. Now, if only I could find a wonderful and yet kid friendly list of things to put into said lunchbox!
xoxo,
ML and EE

The First Day of School!

2006-09-07T05:53:00.000-07:00

I'm no longer the Mum of a baby as today was the first day of school for Ethan. Here P1 is much like K at home, but children start at 4 not 5 years. I was a bit worried, as E has not done well with me leaving him at nursery the past few days. He is happy as a lark when I pick him up, but the mornings are hard! We rode to school with our neighbour Paul and his boys Adam and Lewis. Lewis is in E's class and he started yesterday. Walking the boys to the playground through the school gates was like something out of an English novel. Suddenly there were tons of little boys and girls with the school uniform on. There are two versions of this uniform. The informal one is a green polo with the school crest, a light gray jumper (sweatshirt) with the crest and dark gray trousers or short pants. (Yes, I went with the shorts-there is nothing cuter then a little boy with short pants and knee socks). Black school shoes, a school jacket and matching backpack complete the outfit. The formal uniform is much the same but changes the polo and sweatshirt for a white shirt, green and black tie and a grey v-neck jumper (sweater this time!). It looks very "smart" but given E's issues with buttons I didn't think it would go! He went right in and sat down at his desk. His name strip has a little black and white cow on it! The teacher had an activity for each child to do right away. E's was a magnetic board with colorful shapes. He did a wonderful job of getting right to work! He also has a peg with a red star and his name in the cloak room. His PE bag with uniform goes there as well as his coat. His backpack goes on the back of his chair! He was very happy coming out of school. We walked home with the Nursery group so that he will know the lady tomorrow. I had promised him a "sweet" from the shop across the road, so he picked two pieces of candy at five pence (say P) each. I can deal with that! I haven't heard the whole story, but it seems that there was outside play time, station playtime inside, a story, etc. They also counted stairs. He didn't want to take his uniform off! He has a bit of his lunch on his jumper so that has to go inot the wash tonight, but that's okay. It seems that he was able to put on his PE uniform and shoes by himself and then to dress again. Such a big change and such a big boy! I did get some good pictures and I'll try to post them soon!
Hugs,
ML and EE

Bisquick and Iced tea!

2006-09-07T03:46:00.000-07:00

We are having a wonderful week. The new bedding is here and the new fridge as well! Mr. TEsco came last night at about 9:30. We're now, short of a trip for milk and butter, stocked up on things again! It's funnny the things you miss when you are away, that you don't think about at home. Mr. E has been wanting a real biscuit (bread not cookie) and so I've been looking for recipes. Biscquick would be easy, but it's not so easy to find here. BUT last night Mr. Tesco came with Bisquick in hand! We're going to make biscuits tonight to celebrate E's first day of school (more on that in tonight's post!). Also, I've really been missing sweet iced tea. The thought came today that all I'd have to do was make some and find a container larger enough to store it in. So, as of this writing I am enjoying a glass of iced tea, a digestive biscuit and some Pringles. Odd, but true, Pringles are everywhere here!
hugs til tonight!
ML and EE

Waiting til five.........

2006-09-03T08:35:00.000-07:00

so that I can order from-get this-Pizza Hut! It has been a really long week for many reasons, but I thought we both needed a "taste" of home, thus the pizza. Our fridge died this week and the new one will not be here til Wed, so we're ordering out and eating out of the freezer. Not the end of the world. So, on with the update.
Church: The second Sunday we were here (much too tired the first!) we went to the local Baptist church. People were very nice, but it just didn't "fit". This week, Margaret thought we should try the local Pres. church. Also, they just finished having an American MDiv student as their intern, so we thought it might be a good fit. The service was very nice, E enjoyed their kids club called KFC (no chicken that I can tell!) and I think we'll go back next week. I met the Mom of one of E's friends from Nursery, as well as a couple of other people. One very nice couple was amazed to find out that we're from IN as their DS is working in Indy for six months! I guess he really likes it there! It made me feel happy and yet a little sad to meet someone who has a local tie to home!

People from the UK in Madison (other than Carol!)

2006-09-02T00:09:00.000-07:00

One of the first things I do every morning is to go to the online site of my hometown paper-The Madison Courier. It's nice to read the headlines about people and things that I know. I think it keeps me a little less homesick! This AM I was thrilled to see a story about two guys from the UK (England) who are walking across the USA and are in Madison! You can read the story at www.madisoncourier.com and I really enjoyed going to their site to read their update from home. One called Madison his fav town so far! We had a feeling it was special! I've bookmarked their site so that I can follow their travels. Fun! OH, off to get ready to go downtown so that I can buy a new alarm clock. Have a great day!
ML and EE

School, food, and the girls

2006-09-01T11:12:00.000-07:00

Today was my second full day of school with the girls there. I have now met all of my students minus one who is still on holliday. The girls have been lovely, and there are many please, thank you, and excuse me's issued to one another as well as teachers. It's funny to just be called "miss". Here they wait outside the classroom until you ask them in. "may we come in, miss?". Um, wow! I think we've had two good days. I'm still a bit in awe. I'm glad it's the weekend as the first three weeks of school always make me very tired. E has been such a good boy about going to his new nursery that we're going to the city centre tomorrow to buy a new DVD. I think Mummy needs something new as well! Oh, and I dropped my alarm clock, which went to pieces today, so I need to get a new one. I also need a new umbrella. This has been quite a week! OH well! Did I tell you that the fridge died this AM? I should have known when my breakfast was room temp! The oven is not working either and tonight I smashed a bug! So, tomorrow will be better, right?
love from Belfast,
ML and EE

Bit by bit.....

2006-08-30T11:29:00.000-07:00

Somehow the title of this post seems to work for many areas in my life right now. What made me think of this is that at E's nursery they are taking in a bit of uniform each day this week. The thinking is that by learning to put on each part of the uniform little by little, the kids will not feel worried about uniform dressing, and they will be used to it by the time that school starts next week. On Tuesday the kids took their jumpers or sweatshirts, today was plimsoles (small indoor pe shoes), and tomorrow will be backpacs and pencil cases. E's backpack came with a pencil case that attaches to an inside pocket. Gosh, I hope I wasn't to buy another one (guess I could pick one up this weekend!). E seems to like this and it is easier then my telling him to practice! We had another easy day of drop off and pick up. He really seems to like being there and the staff really seem to like the kids. It is bright and cheerful and the staff wear bright pink polo shirts.
In terms of other bits....today was a half day for the girls and staff alike. Margaret, Joan (French, Spanish, Italian AND german-how amazing is that!) and I went for tapas today for lunch. There is an amazing tapas bar in the Complex in Belfast. We each ordered two tapas and then picked from each others plates. I think we had: tortilla espanola, pollo con limon, chorizo con vino, una ensalada de tomate con goat cheese, serano ham and cheese on toast points, and smoked salmon on toast. Very tasty. Not being ones to pass up chocolate-we had orange and chocolate cheesecake and tea (or cafe!) and orange tart. So very good.
The final bits of daily life are coming together and I am starting to feel like I know a bit about living here. (Not tons mind you, but a bit!). I know how to get the bus and train into town, how to get the train to where I meet my ride for school and home again. How to get to Carrick to see the castle and shopping, etc. I am, as I have posted very found of grocery with Mr. Tesco, but have found a like soul in Margaret as we both love to grocery shop IRL (in real life). The girls come tomorrow for class and I'm a bit worried, which I know is normal.
Hugs and Love from the Belfast duo!
ML and EE

School and Daycare

2006-08-28T12:20:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow marks my second week of school here in Belfast. Nevermimd that I don't see kids until this Thursday (which is okay with me). Ethan starts his new daycare tomorrow. Daycare here is known as nursery, and E's is fantastic. Not only is it two houses away from us-they have an amazing set up. The primary nursery building is painted in soft pastels and E's room is set up as a pre-school with lots of stations and activities. The kids have breakfast and lunch there. After lunch they move across the street to the "afterschool club" where the p1 and p2 kids go after school. In the afterschool house there is a homework room, a book room, arts and craftsroom, a big back garden etc. The staff seems very friendly and they also do walking trips to the beach, library and the like. On Sept 7th, he starts primary school in P1 (much like K at home). Can I tell you how much I love school uniforms here! E's uniform is a green polo with the school crest, a grey pants, grey sweatshirt, socks, black school shoes. The uniform even has a school coat and bookbag. Once again everythign has the school crest. It just looks so "smart" as the people here would say. We've got shorts with knee socks to start out the year. Doesnt' that just sound so very, very British?! Anyway, it's off to bed with me as I don't think I've had a solid night sleep in the three weeks we've been here and it is so causing me to be moody.
xoxo
DM and EE

Changes and a little bit homesick.

2006-08-26T09:23:00.000-07:00

Day two of the inservice days went well. More meetings, more dept meetings, and time to work in classrooms. Very much the same format as school at home. We had lunch at the health club in Hollywood near school. I had a very good lime chili chicken sandwhich. It seems that lime chili is very big here at the moment. I've got a day of lesson plans finished. I'd like to have one more finished so that the first two days can be as non-stressed as they can. My time table here is different everyday, and with nine periods a day, it may be six months before I know what is going on! For example, on Thursday's I start with a double period of lower sixth, then move on to see two groups of second year, a group of third year, and a group of fourth year. And Thursday's my easy day. Oh, my! I think once I get going it will be okay.
Today E and I got a chance to sleep in a bit. We had toaster pancakes for breakfast. Pancakes here are a bit different, but Sainsbury's (grocery) sells packets of "American Pancakes". If only I could find Mrs. Butterworths. It seems that you just toast them and then add butter or jam. French toast is a bit different as well. Kids eat it with-ketchup! Go figure! After our somewhat American breakfast we went to the post office, the library to exchange books, and then to the butcher for chicken and sausage rolls. I love the library ladies. They are so interested in the fact that we are American and are always so friendly to Mr. E. The one always remembers his name and knows that he likes Balamorey books. In fact, now that he has checked out all the ones that they have, she has ordered three more! We've been here three weeks and the "newness" has worn off a bit. I am homesick and find that little things are starting to get to me. I know that this is normal per the Fulbright orientation. I just wish that I had some more American interaction. Thank Heavens for skype-I think it keeps me sane!
love from Nore Iron!
ML and EE

Day One

2006-08-24T10:04:00.000-07:00

Happy Thursday everyone! Today was our first of three teacher days. This AM I took the train to the next station, walked about a block and then went to Margaret's house. We took her boys to daycare adn then went on to school. This AM started with coffee in the workroom and then an opening meeting where the teachers were given congrats about test scores. The scores were so good that we were given an extra half day off. That means that fall break will start at noon and not the end of the day! Woo hoo! Student's here take three different tests in what would be our high school. AT the end of the fifth year, there is a test called GCSE. Student's only take the test in subjects that they choose to study. Students can leave school after this. Those who want to go to university take a two year programme called A Levels. Most students would only take three A level classes. These classes would have something to do with what they hope to study in university. At the end of the first year there are exams called AS levels. Students continue on to take their A Level exams at the end of their second "sixth form" year. Grades from these exams are what helps them to get into college. I am teaching students from form 1 (age 11) to second sixth form (age 18).
This afternoon we had lunch in an old primary school turned cafe. Very yummy! The school also breaks daily for 15 minutes for snack or tea. STudents and teachers both have this time. This afternoon there was a meeting about assembly which students attend at least twice a week. During this time there is a topic, as well as a hymm etc. Tomorrow we're in for more meetings and then time to work in our rooms.
hugs,
dm and ee

Woohoo! A working computer!

2006-08-22T12:59:00.000-07:00

While working on the computer on Sat. Night, I noticed an odd smell. Then the computer went blank! Oh, no-could it be that my major way of communicating with the world was gone? 3.5 days later, thank to Alan, Carol's machine has a new power source and I have a working computer again! I can't tell you how happy this makes me, as not only do I depend upon the computer for news, AIM, e-mail and the like, I use Skype for my round the world phone calls! So, you can see why I am thrilled to be online and in touch again!
In other news, tomorrow (not today) is the first new teacher day. As I did not have school today, I took E to the childminders and then went off to do a few "day before school" things. I went into the city centre (center for my Indiana readers :), and went to Lush for some "Honey I washed the Kids" soap (amazing stuff) as well as a mobar bath melt. I then went to Eason's for a school diary for the year. I got a bright red one. I was only sad that they didn't have them in Charlie and Lola! On, then to Waterstones where I bought books that I really don't need. I can't help it having a stockpile of books makes me feel better. On to Boots, the chemist for some MORE bath products. They have a line of products from the Sanctuary Spa in Covent Gardens. Really lovely scrubs and lotions. You can never have too many bath products or books when starting something new and kind of stressful! I went to Mothercare (somewhat of BabyGap meets Babies R Us) to get Mr. E a pair of Postman Pat jammies (E is wearing said jammies at this very moment!). Finally, I went to Marks and Spencer's food hall (imagine Dillards having a grocery with very yummy things) to get E some low fat, no artificial colors, kiddy lunches and a lunch box. I also got myself some dark chocolate-orange biscuits. Ace! I'll write tomorrow night about day one:)
hugs and kisses to all at home!
dm

School Starts on Tuesday

2006-08-19T09:17:00.000-07:00

Where has the summer gone? In someways it has been very long as I was waiting to get here! In other ways, it seems like it just started. Carol started school last Monday and the kids came on Wed. She is doing well. I start on Tues. with an afternoon meeting for new teachers. All staff meetings are the rest of the week. I'm excited and nervous at the same time. E will not start til the 7th of Sept. which feels like a very long way away right now. We went downtown today to do a bit of shopping. I still need to get a planner and an alarm clock. I went back to Lush-gosh i LOVE that place! Today was a freebe day and I walked out with two new (and free) products in addition to my usual stuff. I was very good and did not buy a thing at all in the BBC store. We had a snack at Marks and Spencer (one of my fav places) and then walked to the Disney store so that E could get his costume. He picked PowerRangers. He's so happy to have something to dress up in again. Such a drama king! Walked past my usual bookstore and tried out a new one. I think I'll be visiting them both (oh no!) as they are so very different. I'm off to read E his new Alfie book!
xoxo,
dm and e

Thanks Mr. Tesco

2006-08-17T13:58:00.000-07:00

I've fallen in love with a man that I've only met three times! He is wonderful, always on time (or a ltitle early) and comes with wonderful things to eat! It's too bad he works for the local market, or he might just be the perfect man! Tesco here is much like Kroger at home, with the added bonus of a delivery service. To do my shopping I just go to the website, type in what I need, pay and pick a time for the goodies to come. Not only can you pick the day but also the time (a two hour block). When Mr. Tesco comes you simply sign the bill and then bring the bags inside. I'm thinking that someone in Madison really needs to provide this!
In other news, we go to meet E's headmaster tomorrow. We're taking a wooden puzzle of the US as a gift to the school. After the meeting E will have a trial day at the new childminders. I'll leave him for an hour or so and then pick him up. I'm thinking of going to the library for the hour that he is there. His uniform is so cute, and I hope to have my camera dock working by the first day so that I can post a picture!
Looking forard to seeing Mr. Tesco tomorrow!
Michele

Old McDonald had a farm.........

2006-08-16T09:29:00.000-07:00

We have had such a wonderful day today! Katherine (of Fred and Katherine fame) picked us up this AM to go visit a working farm near Belfast. It was amazing. E got to feed a baby goat from a bottle, see and pet cows, pigs, sheep, deer, rabbits and the like. The most amazing thing to me was watching him very sweetly hold a baby chick. He was so amazing and tender with it. The boys also enjoyed playing in a hay loft and using the slides there. Thanks to K and her amazing boys for taking us along. K also packed an amazing picnic and we were met by their family friends for lunch. In other news, Carol started school today and I've been a bit on pins and needles about that. I also find that I am feeling a bit like an overworried mother thinking about my students today. Without a doubt they are in excellent hands, but it is hard to let go a bit. After Mr. E asking for almost a week we are ordering Pizza Hut for tea tonight. PH here is FAR more expensive then at home so I don't think it'll be a weekly treat by any means. Still, it will be nice to have something that reminds us of home. The woman who did our culture shock class in DC talked about the "honeymoon" period ending after one or two weeks and I think we're there. It's not that things areanything but great here, but I'm really starting to miss home.
Mr E is getting along well and is playing playstation with the little boys from next door. He seems to blend in well where ever we go and another mother commented today about how social he is. He really is a great kid. Last night he had tea with the family next door and then played there for about two hours. I'm glad that he is making friends.
hugs to everyone at home,
ml and bl

Children's TV

2006-08-15T00:41:00.000-07:00

When we lived in the States E's babysitter and I often had talks about the quality of the children's shows in the UK. Pam's sister has lived in the uk for 20 years and so her children have grown up there. Being here only over a week, I have to agree with Pam's thoughts-the kids programmes here are great! E really enjoys watching BBC children's TV. Our fav's at the moment are Charlie and Lola, which we can get back home on Disney channel, Big Cook Little Cook, and yesterday at a friend's suggestion, we picked up a PC Plum video. We'll watch it tonight. E also likes Postman Pat and got his first video yesterday as well at the BBC store. In other news, I've discovered the most amazing place called Lush. It's somewhat Bath and Body store, but everything is all natural and the products are amazing. Last night I used the MMM marshmellow float (Which has cocoa butter in it). It makes amazing pink bubbles and turns the water a very girly pink. I also have a "happy pill" in waiting. It is a large bath tablet in orange and lemon that does citrus sented bubbles. Such fun! They have a website www.lush.com but it looks like the closest us store to us is chicago. oh, well. i can alway sinternet shop!
tl,
ml

And yet more food.........

2006-08-14T01:44:00.000-07:00

When we were getting ready to move the the UK, I had this crazy idea that I would be able to diet here. I was so very wrong. In the last two days we've been invited to tea at two different houses. On Sat. night we went to tea at the neighbors house and had a wonderful time. Louise and Paul have two little boys, 4, and 8. E had a wonderful time playing with them, and then after a tea of chicken, veg, and apple pie with heavy cream we went for a walk on the beach. After the beach we let the children play at the playground. Even playground words are different: merry go rounds are round-a bouts, and jungle gyms are climbing frames. Swings are just that, swings! Yesterday we went to lunch at Carol's sister, Rosemary's house. Her family is wonderful as well. We got to met her DH, two children, SIL Janice who is training to be a midwife (how cool is that?!), her children, and family friends Healther, JAmes, and Matthew. We had a lovely roast chicken, veg, pie, yummy lemon roll, tea and sarnies and fruit. We didn't get home from "lunch" til almost eight pm! People have been so kind about welcoming us here. It really has made being so far away from home a very positive thing. Last night very late I had a nice talk with ANgy our media person at school and our dear friend Pam. I can't decide if talking to people at home makes me feel better or a bit homesick. I start school next Tuesday and we're going to meet the childminder tomorrow. I need to go downtown to do some shopping and I'd also like to take E to the children's museum in Belfast before we get back to school. In some ways I'm looking forward to going back to work and in others I'm getting very comfy with my daily life here at "home".
Til later,
ML

Swimming and cake

2006-08-12T01:41:00.000-07:00

Yesterday the Llama family headed out with Margaret and her fam to go swimming in a town about 25 minutes away. The pool was amazing with a baby/child pool that had a fountain, slide etc, and was on two levels, one for babes and one for older kids. Can you guess which one the baby llama had to be in? We had tea at the pool center (kind of like the new gym at Hanover College) and while the kids had cookies, the adults had 15s. These cookies (think something like rice crispie treats) get their names from the fact that you need 15 of each item: 15 marshmallows, 15 digestive and 15 cherries. Add a tin on sweetened condensed milk, roll into a log, pop in the fridge and then slice. VERY yummy. After our snack we went to eat past at their house and then a friend called to see if we'd like to go for pudding at their house (pudding is dessert). We had the most wonderful time sitting in their garden while the boys played with their four boys and friends. E had a blast. We also had the most wonderful cheesecake and homemade icecream. Amazing! (Katherine does catering and has her own business) We got home about 11 PM and the BL and I just went right to sleep. See, I do have a good reason for not posting last night! We've been invited to go to a working farm for a picnic with this family next Wednesday.

On having a backyard (garden)

2006-08-11T04:25:00.000-07:00

At home we have a large front yard but because it faces a very busy street, it is not the ideal place for Mr. E to play without an adult. Here we have a small back garden (same idea) that is totally enclosed. E is out there playing right now. He feels so very proud that he can be outside by himself and I love the fact that he can't get out! I have a feeling he'll be back there quite a bit! We're going swimming today with Margaret and her boys. It feels like late Oct./early Nov. weather here now, so the idea of going swimming seems really odd to me. The pool, which is indoors, has a great kids pool and play area. We're off in a little bit to go to the libary and the chemist (drug store) and latter to do some more shopping. I've been doing laundry all day (from 4 am) and have just put the last load into the washer. Doing laundry here takes much longer than at home. It's fine, it just means that I'll have to do it more often. I'll try to write again tonight.
ml

Castles, Sticky Toffee Pudding and the TRain

2006-08-10T09:08:00.000-07:00

This morning we got up and decided to head into Carrickfergus to take back a pair of E's uniform pants that will soon be too smalll. I was amazed at how easy this was-didn't even need the paperwork! We now have another pair in the correct size. I'm thinking of going to Marks and Spencers to get another pair next week but I'm not sure. Anyway, after getting the uniform pants, we walked down to Carrickfergus castle which dates, I believe, to the 10th century. We toured the castle and then walked down to (i know, i know) McDonalds for a couple of Happy Meals. Having finished lunch I promised that we'd stop at a bakery for a treat. We'd passed two yummy looking ones on the way to the castle. Somehow we managed to get to the train station by another street, so no goodies today.
The Tesco man, called Mr. Tesco, came EARLY today with my weekly order of groceries. I can't tell you how nice it is to place the order online and then have it show up within a two hour period of your choice. Not too much is different from my list back home, but I am amazed with the fresh pasta/fresh take out (they'd say take away here)meals that you can get. We also love chocolate covered digestive biscuits (cookies). On my friend Margaret's advice, I ordered two mini sticky toffee puddings. They come in a tub (pot here) and you put one in the microwave and then turn upside down on a plate. Very yummy. Imagine something like upsidedown cake with a very thick toffee sauce. I'm pretty sure that it's not low cal!
Tonight we're just hanging out at the house, and watching a movie. (Magic School Bus Inside the Human Body-hi Jill!). Funny thing that I learned this week-Oprah is on TV here :) In other notes, E has started calling me Mum about 20 percent of the time.
xoxo,
ml and bl

A very quiet day here.

2006-08-09T14:15:00.000-07:00

We spent the day at home watching too many DVD's and hanging out on the computer. We did walk to the school so that E could see it up close, however it's not open right now. We went to the local "chippy" and had fish and chips for tea tonight. i just got off the phone with mom and dad and now i really miss home. i miss home.
ml

Learning to use the bus......

2006-08-09T02:56:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we decided to be brave and take the bus into town. Margaret had shown me where to get the bus-right in front of the house more or less-and where we wanted to go. There is a great open air group of shops right on Royal Ave in the city center. Imagine all the shops from the mall, but right there on the street. We had a wonderful time. Mr. E is very pleased to have is very first Big Cook , Little Cook dvd from the bbc kids show. We also went to Marks and Spencer, both the store and the food hall. Got the rest of e's uniform at MS and then took a look through the food hall in the basement. Very cool. There is an amazing bookstore and a more amazing three story Boots that i'll have to save for a day when i'm alone. While there is a ToysRUs here, the local store is called ELc-Early Learning Centre-which is amazing. Last night we went for tea at MArgaret and Al's house. Very yummy. Well, the baby llama is awake so i shall go til tonight.
hugs,
ml

School Uniforms and such......

2006-08-07T11:51:00.000-07:00

We had another crazy night last night-so tonight we're trying a bit of benedryl to help us sleep at the right times. that said, things continue to go well. i was VERY tired today, mayble because of lack of sleep the last couple of days. oh well. on to the big news: We went today to get E's school uniform. He's not fond of the idea that he'll have to wear one, but i thought it was something right out of a Harry Potter/Noel Strattfield book. We went to the uniform shop which was on the second floor of the building and they had EVERYTHING with the school logo on it. I had planned to get 5 of everything so that i'd only have to do wash on weekends, but margaret and the shop assistand talked me out of it. that would never happen in the states-they'd try to tell me i needed more than i would. so, we now have two greenisland primary sweatshirts, three green polos, two pair of trousers, four pair of socks, and the cutest backpack with the school crest as well as the school coat. pjxxiii are you all listening to the cool stuff they have here? next we were on to clarks for shoes where we got some school shoes with footballs on them (soccer balls) and a pair of plimsoles (slip on gym sneakers). the only things we need now are a pe kit bag and a pe kit (UNIFORM). See, everything here has a uniform :). we had lunch at th emall at KFC and then on home. i'm exhausted by all of this. we're going to try to take the bus into town to do some shopping tomorrow: pe bag, kit, and word tin. i still cant' post pix, but allen, margaret's dh is coming by soon to help with that.#
hugs from here!
ml and bl

Day 2

2006-08-06T11:56:00.000-07:00

Well, it's day two here in Belfast. We had a hard time sleeping last night. We crashed at about five and then everything was good til about 10. E got up at 12 and we watched tv til 2. After that we both went back to sleep til -ready for this?-12:15 . oh, dear, there was a note under the door from margaret and family asking us to brunch at 1 pm. ran and got ready feeling very much unsure how to do normal things-plugging in the hair dryer etc. got e dressed and ready. we had a wonderful time at margarets house having brunch with her family (her two boys are so very cute) and her friend andi. then maggie and family took us to the park and on to the beach. ethan got to wear his "wellies" for the first time today -they are so cute, they have frog faces on them. for those back home, wellies are rain boots. i feel like i've had a personal victory, as i've used the oven with some success! we had pizza for tea tonight and then chocolate chip cookies. e is now upstairs watching scooby-doo and i'm having a bit of a computer bread while doing some laundry for tomorrow. i'll try to download some photos tonight or tomorrow. we feel so lucky to have margaret and family here to help us. they are just wonderful. tomorrow we're off to get e's school uniform!
love from here,
michele and ethan

Here we are

2006-08-05T14:58:00.000-07:00

Well the day has finally come-we're made it to the belfast area. forgive the lack of caps or correct grammar, but i can't find tons of stuff on this keyboard, despite the fact that it looks just like mine at home. the week in dc was grand, but i'm so glad to be here and somewhat at home. carol's house is really lovely-the colors are very warm, and the kitchen is great.
We flew in from boston last night into the early morning, and mr. e did a wonderful job of sleeping all the way there. once in dublin we had a lovely lady help us find the correct bus, as she was waiting on the same one. margaret, who must be an angel, picked us up at the bus, showed us round, took us to breakfast and the market and then a quick tour of the house. she is awesome. thanks, margaret for everything. i had a tesco grocery drop planned for tonight, and it came right on time. very good news. i am sad to say that any plans i had of dropping weight here will be most hard to do, as the food is fab. i don't know how i've lived 32 years withotu chocolate covered digestives -those whould be cookies to you and me ;) the little one is upstairs watching charlie and lola. as his dvds will not work here, we got a charlie and lola here as well as scoobie-doo. i'll write more tomorrow-and i hope our bodies finally figure out that it's night time here-even if it is the middle of the day back home1

Another fun day.

2006-07-28T18:49:00.000-07:00

This week has gone so very fast! Wed night we met up with my friend Jill and her trio of boys who are all friends of Ethan for a night at the Newport Aquarium. It was VERY cool. At the end of the ex hibits there is a shark petting tank (yes, you read that right!). The boys were out of their minds with the chance to PET a real, live shark-or many real live sharks. The ML did NOT take part in such activities as it is just not her thing. Oh, ick! I am glad to report however that the baby llama thought it very cool and enjoyed it oh so very much. Well, other than the leaping shark, but that's a story for another post! We are down to three days and I'm having such a mix of emotions that it's like alien PMS. I'm told that this is normal-gee, got to love normal. I'm still not all the way packed but at least I'm about half way there. Today we went to the Children's museum in Indy. Way fun. More later as the BL needs his Mama.
Mama Triste.

Do you fondue?

2006-07-25T05:52:00.000-07:00

Ahhhhhhhh, I am way too full. Last night Jill and I had a "girls night out". We had planned on other friends coming but various things changed that. (We missed you girls!). My Mom watched the baby llama and Jill's DH watched her three boys. We did some shopping (got to love bookstores) and the Baby Llama scored another Magic School Bus video and a Raffi in Concert video. Somehow Raffi doesn't bother me the way that some kids groups do. He's very mellow. I kind of think of him as being th e Peter, Paul, and Mary of kiddy bands. I got a fluffy novel and also a travelog of the UK. I am such a dork, who reads travel stuff? (Um, me). Anyway, we also went to see "The Devil Wears Prada". It is such a must see. Chick flick for sure, but so vey funny and good. More shopping and then we finished up the night by going to The Melting Pot. Oh my goodness, soooooooo very good. I think we were both about to roll out of there. It was a really good night out with someone who has become such a good friend. It's great that our kids are good friends too! We're in a Fulbright holding pattern with less than a week to go. I should be ironing and packing not blogging.
Ta,
ML

No!

2006-07-20T18:57:00.000-07:00

No, no, no, no, no! You can't make me go. Okay, so I'm feeling a bit like a two year old here. Sitting at my computer, with the baby llama in bed, I think I'm starting to feel the reality of going somewhere far, far, away for six months. Will we have fun-I'm sure. Will we both learn tons-I'm sure. It's just that I'm going to miss my family and friends here so much. How hard will it be to fight with my Mom from six thousand miles away (just kidding Mom!). I have such a great family and I love them so much, it's going to be really hard to be away from them. Then there are my friends. They keep me sane. We have late night phone chats. We talk about hard things, and funny things and everything in between. I'll miss them too. I think posting this has reminded me how very lucky I am in so many ways.
Que Dios Te Bendiga,
Mama Llama, la triste.

11 days......

2006-07-20T05:39:00.000-07:00

Well folks, the time is near! We leave in 11 days for DC. Then from DC we leave on Aug. 5 for Belfast. I had a great conversation with a former student/friend of Carol's yesterday. Zara is heading to Mexico for her gap year and working with a local group in the Cuernavaca area. I love the idea of a "gap" year between HS and college where one can go see part of the world and do some good works along the way. It's much harder to do that sort of thing after you have a job and family. I'm really excited to be this close. The to-do list continues to grow-must start packing soon! I had a great talk last night with Reggie from Alabama. We met at the Fulbright Chicago pre-orientation and he's also going to Belfast. He seems like such a nice guy and we talked like we've known each other for years. He's going to be working with special ed in the Belfast area. We know of one other teacher coming to the area and he is another Spanish teacher from Arizona. Have not met him, but I have a feeling that the "Belfast crew" will have a blast in DC together.
xoxo,
ML

The random update ( with very little to update)

2006-07-13T10:18:00.000-07:00

Well, here we are about 2.5 weeks away from departure day. There is very little news on the Fulbright front. Just life as normal (or as normal as our life is :): What we've been up to:
-The Baby Llama wants to grow his hair out. It's about 2 in. right now. I did it in little twists all over his head yesterday and I think it turned out pretty cute.
-We're doing another two weeks of swim lessons because he had such fun the first time.
-There are suitcases all over the room and very little in them.
-I've got to go dress shopping on Friday and then off to look for some extra things we need.
-I've ordered Saxon Phonics K as that is what they will use at DS's school here in the states. I thought we could work along with his class first semester so that he's at the same point as they are when we get back in Jan. The school in NI uses whole language the first year so I don't think it will be too much. Hope not.
-Just talked to Carol's son's new teacher here in town. She is fab!
Hasta la pasta (which Mama llama misses on her low carb diet!)
ML

Money....

2006-07-08T14:16:00.000-07:00

Well, I picked up some Euros and Pounds yesterday at the bank. I wanted to get enough to last a couple of days as we will get to the UK on a Sat. and I guess almost everything is closed on Sunday there. I'm still trying to figure out packing for six months. Go figure!
I'm getting really excited-we've only got threee weeks to go. I figure that the next three weeks will go very fast or very slowly. I'm hoping for fast. After almost 18 months of this process, I just ready to go! We're heading off for the Baby Llama's swim lesson. Tonight is the final night of the two weeks. His teacher has been so amazing. None of the four kids started out swimming and now all four are floating on the tummy's and swimming in some way or the other. I down loaded the 45 sight words that P1 kids need to know this year and we've been working on them a little bit. Go figure, I spent all spring teaching phonics and they do whole language!
Til later
ML

The parade (and things that I'll miss)

2006-06-30T19:51:00.000-07:00

Tonight was the Regatta/4th of July parade here in town. We had such a wonderful time seeing old friends, and being part of the adoption float. I've been working on the Fulbright in someway or another for over a year now. During that time, I've been "full steam ahead" and really excited. Tonight, I think the reality of leaving for six months has kicked in a bit. I had such fun seeing all of these people who are really important to me, and I realized that for a bit it will not be as easy. It also made me think about all of those wonderful people in my life and and lucky I am. So Mom and Dad, Ang and crew, Shirley and Jake, Rob and Susan and everyone else-thanks for a great night-and thanks for being there!
love,
The Mama Llama

The VERY cute Fed Ex guy........

2006-06-29T18:02:00.000-07:00

came today with our Visas for our Fulbright trip. What, you thought I'd have cool news about a cute Fed Ex guy and not tell you on the phone? The poor guy came when I was at E's swim lesson and our cleaning lady V would not answer the door. Because I REALLY needed the passports etc in the packet I called Fed Ex and the found the driver who then came back to my house (how cool is that) right away. I feel so very much better having them in hand. Oh, and if by some strange reason, Mr. FedEx, you are reading this (and how crazy would that be), Thanks tons for helping out and being a good sport! Anyway, other than buying tickets to DC, I think this is the last bit of paperwork that I have to do. Tomorrow the Baby Llama and I will be in our local 4th of July parade for our adoption group. I'll try (and we all know what an iffy thing this is) to post pix tomorrow of the float. I did, get my suitcases down from upstairs tonight, so I'm starting to think about packing. I just about go crazy thinking about how to pack everything we're going to need. Only one month to go............oh my!
Xoxo,
ML

The Last Bit of Paperwork (I hope)

2006-06-23T09:09:00.000-07:00

Well, as of Wednesday the last bit of paperwork is done. I think that there was less paperwork in adoption my DS, then there has been this past year! My visa application and 1.24 billion needed info (passports, birth certs, etc) are on their way to the British Consulate in Chicago. We should have our entry visas in about a week or two. In other related news, I am reading the BEST book. (Okay, so I know that I think every book I read is the best) It's called Rules, Britania and is written by a UK expat who lives with her family in Chicago. Yummy and funny info about life in the UK. Got to say that I love the lists of words that cause giggles! I'm also reading 1-2-3- Magic about parenting. When three people that you trust talk about the same book in a short period of time, it may be a hint to read it :) Also looking to read Susan Wise Bauer's History of the World Vol. 1 as I may think about using it for E's school next year. For those of you in the know, Wise-Bauer is the co-author of "The Well TRained Mind" which I think should be required reading for anyone teaching-homeschool or classroom. I'll blog more when I have news!
TTFN,
The Mama Llama

Chicago-so very much my kind of town

2006-06-12T12:40:00.000-07:00

Well, Laura (my admin) from school and I are back from the one day Chicago Fulbright pre-orientation orientation (make sense?). Anyway, tons of good news, info., chats with former Fulbrighters etc. The only sad thing was that P. Suave, of Cuke Co, MI was not there. I was so very excited to see his name tag and then, the poor pickled one was elsewhere. Oh, well. Next time, maybe?! After the meetings Laura and I headed out to see the sites and really enjoyed the King Tut exhibit at the Field. It's there til Jan. 07, so go check it out. King Tut, himself was not there, but there were rooms and rooms of stuff from his tumb and his family. We did a bit of shopping in the Loop, rode the train, ate FAR too much (including awesome brownie cheesecake and pasta). If you are reading Laura thanks tons-I had a ball! Can't wait til it's time to go!
ML

We've got news!

2006-06-02T05:33:00.000-07:00

That's right, we here at MamaLlama Inc have news from the Fulbright people! My orientation pack came in the mail yesterday and I also talked to the Fulbright person in charge of my program. It seems that my exchange partner has not turned in something that they needed. Sooooooo, I talked with Carol last night and she is posting the doccument this AM. The orientation looks really cool. They have theme activities for the kids while we are in meetings. One day is "A Very Happy Unbirthday" Party for the kids. They are also going to go on some field trips to local museums but as the little Llama does not turn five in time, he will not be able to go to the off site trips. That's okay. Somehow I feel a little bit better having him onsite! It looks like we are going to fly into Dublin and not Belfast as it is TONS less costly and I'd rather have the money to do some trips while we are inEurope. Other than that we are just enjoying the Summer and some down time til VBS starts on Monday. Somehow, I have a feeling that this summer is going to fly by. We've already made trips to the local zoo and the Children's muesum.
Til next time,
ML

STill waiting........

2006-05-21T13:42:00.000-07:00

(Or as I like to call it-God trying once again to teach me to be a patient person). Tomorrow is Monday-over three weeks from the time that the my paperwork has been in the same hands. Or maybe not. Maybe, just maybe it's on its way to my house? I'm trying to be a calm, patient person, but the more I wait, the more airline fairs go up. So, think happy thoughts okay? As soon as I have news, I'll post. Til then it's only about two months til we go!
Michele