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Published: September 18th 2011
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Morning Bike Ride.
Quite often when I ride my bike to school, I am greeted by morning fog. This is not as bad as it can get. I can't believe that I have been with my new students for 3 weeks. Time seems to be flying by, yet at other times, it seems to be going slowly as well. Hence, Einstein's theory of relativity. Anyways, I/we have been busy the last few days.
I was able to get a fair bit of planning done on my Wednesday off. However, a lot of that planning was as a result of getting ready for a sub that was coming into my class yesterday. I planned/prepared the same way that I would have in St. Albert, so I hope that all went well for my sub and for my students. I guess that I will find out Monday how things went.
Friday was an early morning. I had to wake up at 5:25 am, eat breakfast, get ready and then drive to Solothurn. This city is approximately 210 km north of Geneva and I had an Exchange Teachers' Orientation in that city starting at 9:30 am. I had an enjoyable drive and found the suggested parking with ease. However, I then needed to find Altes Spital, the place where the orientation was taking place. This was a little more
difficult. I arrived in Solothurn at 8:20 am. I was walking around like a madman trying to find the Altes Spital. I knew that it was within a 10 minute walk from the train station, however, I didn't know exactly what direction. I knew that it was by the river, but I first needed to find the river. I walked around for a while, and then I decided to swallow my pride and ask for directions. I asked a lady at a kiosk in the train station. Actually, I didn't ask, I just pointed to the name Altes Spital. I didn't know whether to ask in French or English, as my German is almost non-existant. So I just pointed to the name and then she spouted off a series of directions in German. Entschuldigen Sie. I didn't know what she was saying. However, through her frequent hand gestures, I realized that I had to go back the way I came. Anyways, I was able to find the hotel. I arrived 10 minutes before the session started. I got a little bit of a taste of how Avery must feel some days as she goes about her daily routines.
Anyways,
My Little Swiss Girl.
I got this hat from the orientation. I'm glad that I was able to go to this orientation. I was able to meet the other teachers in Switzerland that are doing exchanges. There were 2 teachers from Australia, one from Colorado and 7 of us from Canada. Of the 7, there was one from B.C., me from Alberta, one from Saskatchewan, one from Toronto and the other three were from different cities in Québec.
Out of this orientation, and after talking with other teachers, I realized a few things that I will share. One, I am so glad that I have my whole family with me. There were at least 3 teachers here without their spouses and they came with their children. So their spouse is back in Canada, and won't see them or their children on a frequent basis. Two, I am blessed to have Denis as my exchange partner. I think and hope that we have set things up well for each other. Three, I am blessed to be working in the school that I am, with great colleagues that have been so willing to help. So far, this exchange has been great.
I am starting to wonder if I am in Geneva/Switzerland
illegally. As I wrote awhile back, I went down to the canton office and asked what I needed to do to teach/work here. I was greeted kindly enough and I didn't really have to do anything - according to them. However, there is another teacher working in the canton of Geneva and when she went to the canton office, she was treated quite badly and she was told that she shouldn't be here - in the Geneva area. So, I'm hoping that I don't get deported 😊
Today we spent an enjoyable day in Lausanne. We drove the 45 minutes to see the Olympic Museum. It was a neat museum and the grounds were absolutely beautiful. The funny thing that always seems to happen to us is that when we go to tourist spots, there always seems to be some asian people that want to take pictures of Myles and Isabelle. This has happened to us at least 5-7 times on this trip. We don't even know these people and they don't know us, however, they still want to take pictures of the kids. We have found that they are friendly about it and we don't have a problem
Totem Pole.
This was to signify the Vancouver Olympics. with all of the pictures taken of Myles and Isabelle. I just wonder what happens with all of these pictures.
On my drive home from Solothurn, I was listening to an artist called Phanatik. One of his songs struck me and I think that I will kind of adopt it as another theme song for this year. The title of the song is "Press On," and the chorus goes like this, "We must press on, press on, Yes, we must press on, Press on." This song goes along with a verse that I read the other day. It is from 2 Corinthians 4:1, "Dieu, dans sa bonté, nous a confié cette tâche, et c'est pourquoi nous ne perdons pas courage."
Anyways, I think that I have been getting my first cold in Switzerland. Thursday my throat started feeling scratchy and I have had a few headaches. I hope that I am recovered for school Monday. Hence, I need to press on.
Jarod
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Carole Parker
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Olympic Museum
Great picture of the children. I'm following all your blogs with interest and almost feeling as though I am experiencing your travels with you and the family. Thanks - keep them coming!