Wednesday, June 16, 2010
A symphony of spices
Turkey was wonderful. The Spice bazaar was festive and bustling. The smells of the spices danced through the air and made me smile. A seller introduced me to all the spices and scooped them up near my nose so I could better experience them. I bought some red pomegranate tea and he made me a cup to ensure I enjoyed it. It was the best pomegranate tea I had ever tasted. I also bought three jasmine flowers and am looking forward to putting them into the water and seeing them blossom open. Also at the market were vendors selling special rugs and hand-sewn pillow cases. What I love about Turkey is how everyone drinks tea all day. People walk around with glass tea cups balanced on silver trays. Customers drain the tea quickly and leave the cup on the ground for the chai runner to come and pick up later. Also, when you enter into a store they always offer you a cup of tea, either Turkish or Apple. So, while learning about the history of the kilemns I was able to sip and enjoy the experience entirely.
On my way home from Turkey I had a long layover in Chicago. Jokingly my friend Shelly said to let her know if I ever had a layover there. And to our great surprise I did. Very rarely do I stop over here. It's usually Atlanta, as Lagos flies directly there. She had written me a couple days before to tell me it was 90 degrees and to pack a bathingsuit. I landed to rain and dark clouds so instead we went back to her apartment and munched kettlecorn while catching up on things. Then we went for a walk through Wheaton college and ate an appetizer. The time went really quickly, but I was so grateful to see her face to face.
I bought a car the day after I arrived here. It was perfect and I felt that it couldn't have gone any better. My mom works with a teacher who's husband is a manager of the Toyota dealership. They had one Subaru Forester a 2007 on the lot. It had arrived five days earlier. My step dad and I stopped there first and took the car for a drive. I loved it! It drove smoothly and it was higher up cause for great visibility. It has a moonroof that is almost half of the car and lets in great light. My buns will be nice and toasty with the seatwarmers and it has a place for me to plug in my ipod or listen to six different cds as once. The color is a beautiful blue and we bought it without looking at any other cars. Because of my mother's connections we got a nice discount on the already bargain. I drove away a happy camper in my new car; amazed at how well all the details lined up.
I made a big mistake in the planning of the Turkey trip and my National Boards exam. I had scheduled the exam in February and just thought that I had arranged to take it on the 14th. The day before I was looking for confirmation and information about directions and times and all that jazz. I found the old email in my inbox and realized I had actually scheduled the test for the 11th! It was Sunday so none of the offices were open. I woke up at 5:45 the next morning to call the National Boards office to check my options. I was able to reinstate my application and they called me yesterday telling me I was approved to sign up with Pearson to schedule the test again. Surprisingly during this time I was never nervous or concerned. I just had a confidence that it would work out. And everything did but now my pockets are 175 dollars lighter. One great thing is now I will have the full function of my brain as it has recovered completely from jet-lag.
I have gotten to talk with my new principal on the phone. She is incredibly excited to meet me. We will meet this weekend for her to give me a laptop for my Montessori program and for me to pick my classroom. My first impressions of her continue to hold true and I think this year is going to be extraordinary. She once again confirmed that I will not have to pay for the program and that the district is handling all costs. During our meeting she will try to arrange for me to meet the other people taking the Montessori classes so we can arrange carpooling.
I think that is the latest and greatest news. My life seems like a wonderful whirlwind and as I reflect upon my day before sleeping I'm pleased with the progress each day holds and I'm giddy with excitement about the learning I'm getting to do concerning Montessori. I've started to read a biography about her and have already completely fallen in love with her perspective. I've found a new role model.
I bought a car the day after I arrived here. It was perfect and I felt that it couldn't have gone any better. My mom works with a teacher who's husband is a manager of the Toyota dealership. They had one Subaru Forester a 2007 on the lot. It had arrived five days earlier. My step dad and I stopped there first and took the car for a drive. I loved it! It drove smoothly and it was higher up cause for great visibility. It has a moonroof that is almost half of the car and lets in great light. My buns will be nice and toasty with the seatwarmers and it has a place for me to plug in my ipod or listen to six different cds as once. The color is a beautiful blue and we bought it without looking at any other cars. Because of my mother's connections we got a nice discount on the already bargain. I drove away a happy camper in my new car; amazed at how well all the details lined up.
I made a big mistake in the planning of the Turkey trip and my National Boards exam. I had scheduled the exam in February and just thought that I had arranged to take it on the 14th. The day before I was looking for confirmation and information about directions and times and all that jazz. I found the old email in my inbox and realized I had actually scheduled the test for the 11th! It was Sunday so none of the offices were open. I woke up at 5:45 the next morning to call the National Boards office to check my options. I was able to reinstate my application and they called me yesterday telling me I was approved to sign up with Pearson to schedule the test again. Surprisingly during this time I was never nervous or concerned. I just had a confidence that it would work out. And everything did but now my pockets are 175 dollars lighter. One great thing is now I will have the full function of my brain as it has recovered completely from jet-lag.
I have gotten to talk with my new principal on the phone. She is incredibly excited to meet me. We will meet this weekend for her to give me a laptop for my Montessori program and for me to pick my classroom. My first impressions of her continue to hold true and I think this year is going to be extraordinary. She once again confirmed that I will not have to pay for the program and that the district is handling all costs. During our meeting she will try to arrange for me to meet the other people taking the Montessori classes so we can arrange carpooling.
I think that is the latest and greatest news. My life seems like a wonderful whirlwind and as I reflect upon my day before sleeping I'm pleased with the progress each day holds and I'm giddy with excitement about the learning I'm getting to do concerning Montessori. I've started to read a biography about her and have already completely fallen in love with her perspective. I've found a new role model.
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