So, even though I'm in Europe, and I'm having a really good time, I'm really looking forward to that flight back to the good ol' U.S.A. It's amazing, actually. I've seen some amazing things and met some really cool people, but the thoughts of being at home with my family are crowding around the edges of my mind like the crowds of people crowd around the Mona Lisa. They don't change the fact that Mona Lisa's having a good time just hanging around on the wall there, but it does distract a bit from her view of her fellow paintings (I'll admit, the analogy sort of falls apart at this point, but I'm tired).
But I still have some amazing things to do and see. And Minnesota will be the same in 2 weeks as it is today. (Probably a bit better, actually, because of the 4th!)
I wonder if most travelers feel this way, or if it's just because I'm traveling by myself again. Or if it's just because it's been nearly seven months since I've seen my family. Fellow travelers, what are your experiences? Do you hit a wall where you just want to go back home?
Thoughts of a young ex-pat teacher.
Jun 6, 2010
Sunday Afternoon
The rain fell in torrents -
Loud against the tin roof.
The wind blew in great gusts
Causing the stately bamboo to bend and sway;
Graceful copses bowing to each other in their impromptu ball.
A cup of coffee,
A brilliant book,
That end-of-term feeling.
And then,
The clear calm after a storm.
The leaden sky, the new-growth-green -
Every leaf seen with razor-sharp clarity.
A lovely afternoon.
Loud against the tin roof.
The wind blew in great gusts
Causing the stately bamboo to bend and sway;
Graceful copses bowing to each other in their impromptu ball.
A cup of coffee,
A brilliant book,
That end-of-term feeling.
And then,
The clear calm after a storm.
The leaden sky, the new-growth-green -
Every leaf seen with razor-sharp clarity.
A lovely afternoon.
Jun 5, 2010
In Which the Author Reflects on One Week Left
Well, one week from today I will be departing my new home in Nigeria for a brief stint in Europe and then a slightly longer stint in the good ol' U.S.A. Europe is going to be exciting, but I'm also slightly nervous. For those of you who are curious about my itinerary, see the end of this post.*
But with one week left, and most of my first year of teaching out of the way, I have been thinking about ways that I want to improve next year. And there are a LOT. I had my students fill out an evaluation form of my first year of teaching, and, while they were difficult to read sometimes, they have helped me know how specifically to make some progress.
One thing I will say: I am glad that I have some experience now. Next year will be much different, but (hopefully) much easier.
*Europe Itinerary:
Colmar, France
Paris, France
London, England
Bath, England
Rome, Italy
Siena, Italy
Val d'Orcia, Italy
Florence, Italy
Venice, Italy
Wengen, Switzerland
Gimmelwald, Switzerland
Cologne, Germany
Marburg, Germany
Minneapolis, Minnesota :)
But with one week left, and most of my first year of teaching out of the way, I have been thinking about ways that I want to improve next year. And there are a LOT. I had my students fill out an evaluation form of my first year of teaching, and, while they were difficult to read sometimes, they have helped me know how specifically to make some progress.
One thing I will say: I am glad that I have some experience now. Next year will be much different, but (hopefully) much easier.
*Europe Itinerary:
Colmar, France
Paris, France
London, England
Bath, England
Rome, Italy
Siena, Italy
Val d'Orcia, Italy
Florence, Italy
Venice, Italy
Wengen, Switzerland
Gimmelwald, Switzerland
Cologne, Germany
Marburg, Germany
Minneapolis, Minnesota :)
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