It's been a while....

I've been very very busy with school and learning the ropes of chairing the department. Lots of new things to worry about, but all in all, it has been wonderful. I work with 11 other very different and strong people. We are known as the "difficult" department at school, but I also know that we are the most dynamic and efficient. Everyone is really great at what they do (well, mostly everyone). Professionally, this has turned out to be a pretty good year for me-at least thus far. I love the courses I'm teaching...and the kids are really great.

There is still no news on the Ling Ling front. The last we heard is that China has matched people through February 9th-we are end of March so we are almost there. We don't really talk about it-at least not until it becomes a reality.

I will write more soon-I won't be missing in action again

It's Over...

Me on a camel on the day we went into Jerusalem.

Yes,

Tomorrow I go BACK TO SCHOOL. Wasn't it only yesterday that I was looking forward to surgery and my trip to Israel? What happened? Where did time go? Scary! But I find that I am very much looking forward to beginning a new school year. My classroom is ready-I went in to work a couple of days last week so that I could be ready with that aspect of my job-Now I can focus on the department and the new teacher stuff. I have so many plans for my department! I really want us to be the very best in the school! Sounds corny doesn't it? I do know that I have to begin with just getting us organized...

I went on Facebook and found a long "lost" friend. I'll write a whole blog on that later.....

Today I saw that the LID date that was matched in China was 1/27/06. Only 2 days of matching in the whole month! Unbelievable. DH very frustrated by this date too.

It's almost over

Where has summer gone? I remember the days when it was 3 months off for the summer...the lazy days of beach, camp, and play. Or was it that my perceptions as a kid are seen through "rose-colored glasses"? I am already getting ready to get my department up and running for the new school year. I have a sense of anticipation and hope for a new school year. It really is a new beginning and a fresh start. Yet, I do feel that the summer has very quickly gone by. I know that in the north, school still does not start until after Labor day...that's how it used to be when I was a kid. Now, in the state of Florida we begin in mid August-our first day this year will be August 11 for faculty and August 18 for the student body. That is really early! Hopefully this beginning will not be marked by the usual hurricanes that usually get us in a panic. (The kids sure do love those hurricane days) I heard from a very old friend today-apparently she got in touch with one of our old school mates-MJ-we haven't heard from her in over 15 years! I can't wait to see what she's up to...
In the meantime, I am going to enjoy every moment of the final days of freedom I have left!

I'm Baaack!

It's hard to believe that I was counting down the days before my trip and now in the blink of an eye....I'm back. It was simply amazing! I cannot begin to express just how overwhelming an experience it was to visit the Holy Land. I did just fine on the airplane rides...just a little nervous at take-offs and landings. I flew on a prop plane for the very firt time between Baltimore and Newark-that was scary! Jet lag really kicked my butt, but the experience was wonderful. The Anti-defamation league took care of us as if we were dignitaries. I've never seen such respect and admiration shown to teachers. We met many that are trying to make a difference in the lives of children that are in war torn areas. Why don't we hear about that in the news? My visit to Yad VaShem (Holocaust Museum) was one of the most impactful for me. I will absolutely try to return there. Can you imagine hearing Sunday Mass in the church of the Holy Sepulcher? I did-and feel as if such a gift was given me. I know that I haven't yet realized processed all aspects of this experience, but I am truly grateful to have been chosen to participate in this seminar that will make me a better teacher. This picture was taken while we were sailing on the Sea of Galilee-I really have to pinch myself to believe that I really lived this experience!

Two Weeks and Counting....

I leave for Baltimore on July 6th! Cannot wait...although I HATE (AM TERRIFIED OF) flying. It seems ridiculous for me to be so phobic about getting on an airplane in light of how many miles I've logged during the last 4 years, but I really wish there was a better way of getting from point A to point B. I'm always so sure it's going to be the one that does me in, but alas I will not allow that fear to stop me from going to spectacular places. It has been two weeks since school ended yet I feel that my summer vacation just started. Before I know it I'll be back in school....yuck! Although I've been doing much to prepare the department for a smooth start in August. I want to get much accomplished this week-but I'm still very sore from surgery. I hope to feel better by the time I have to leave! I can't imagine carting the luggage through the airport and hotel rooms and feeling so sore! But everything will work out-I'm sure of it. I have a doctor's follow up appointment tomorrow, so I'll see what he says about the soreness. I also want to ask him if it's ok for me to swim in the Dead Sea-I would think it's theraputic? Hopefully he will say all is well. I found a mom of two of my students that is adopting from China. She got her referral for her baby and will be leaving for China at the end of this week! I'm so excited for her...what is ironic is that she has two older kids - as I do- her youngest and my youngest graduated from high school together, and now we are both embarking on "starting over" as so many people tell me. I don't see it as starting over at all!!! I see it as a continuation of my life's goals. Ever since I can remember, my mom used to talk about this little Chinese girl that she had "sponsored/adopted" when she was young in Cuba. From what I understand, the process was that you took on this baby girl that was in an orphanage in China and you paid for her welfare throughout her life. My mom would receive pictures and updates of her little girl throughout the time that she was in the program. Then came Fidel Castro and the rest is history. Her story really began my awareness and later my yen (no pun intented) to adopt a little girl from China. It seems like our wait is getting shorter-this week they announced the referrals of all LIDs through Jan 22. Our's is March 23. Soon soon......

Life and Death

Today has been a day in which I have been very much confronted with the subject of Life and Death. Tim Russert has unexpectedly died of heart failure, a 12 year old girl named Haley succumed to her CF and Tricia had a biopsy in order to confirm a cancerous tumour in her newly transplanted lung. What is the meaning in all this? I like to think that everything that happens has a purpose, and yes, I've grown up hearing "only God knows the real meaning of why this is happening." But at times it's really hard to buy that platitude. How do Haley's parents go on? How do Mr. Russert's (who was in the height of his career) family cope with this unexpected tragedy? How do Nate and Tricia deal with this next "curve ball"? Prayer? seems lame. Yet, even when I am most distant from God-I find myself praying! Why? Is it ridiculously naive of me? is this conditioned behavior? I don't know, what I do know is that I feel a sense of peace and well being in being able to pray at my most desperate moments. Life is such a gift! I treasure it so-have so many hopes, dreams and plans....yet the reality of life is that death can come at any given time! Preparation? My Catholic upbringing tells me that we should be confessed and "free from sin" I think I have learned what true preparation is~Living the life we are given in the best possible way! Life it fully, kindly, productively, and lovingly. Be grateful for others and tell them! Help our fellow man always....and let God do the rest!

Not very deep, but certainly heartfelt. Tonight I will be praying for Tricia and Nate-that they stay strong and continue to be such an example to people like me who falter. I pray for the Palmer family, that they may rest in the knowledge that Haley is breathing easy in the arms of our father and for Tim Russert's son and wife-may the peace of our Lord envelope them in this time of unspeakable grief.

Last Day of School!!!

Today was the last day of school! Yipee!!! I always laugh when the kids tell me how happy they are that school is out for the summer...little do they know that I am happy too. I see the end of the school year as a time to relfect on how this year has been, what things worked and what didn't. When you teach high schoolers--you find out quickly what did not work. I really enjoyed my students this year. They were respectful and very smart. I was able to try out new curricula as they were so open to "new ideas" and projects.
This summer I plan on travelling. I am lucky to have been chosen to participate in a "study program for teachers" I will be going to Baltimore, and then from there to Israel! I cannot believe I'm actually going. I will be visiting the Holy Land, while learning how to teach about the Holocaust to my students. I cannot contain myself I'm so excited.
Lots of stuff going on over here...also remodelling our bathrooms-what a mess! But that soon will be finished and we'll be able to enjoy uptdated facilities.
Last Tuesday was my daughter's 23rd birthday....WHERE DID TIME GO? I remember now that people would tell me "enjoy this time now, because it goes so fast" Where they ever right! I can't believe that she's a young woman, independent and fiesty! Love you Liz!

More soon...