Spring is here! We are all thawed out. The rivers and canals are running and the huge piles of snow have vanished. Nevsky Prospect is starting to fill up with European tourists and the canal boats are getting ready to begin their tours. I have my first Russian winter under my belt.
Our winter was full of snow, and I mean a lot of snow! The cold was rough at times, measuring a brisk -22F. This did lead to a miserable walk to school, especially across the wide Neva River. It was an interesting and new experience arriving to work with icicles on my eyelashes. I still think I prefer it to crosswalk duty in Arizona when it was 118F.
The school year has been a great one. I have really enjoyed fifth grade and have worked with a great group of kids. I am very grateful for this whole experience and am still amazed that this is my life. Friends and family back home often ask what I will do when my two years are up. I have until November to make my decision but am definitely leaning toward signing on for at least one additional year.
I have enjoyed some neat travel experiences this winter. I was able to spend some time in London and Krakow, Poland for conferences and in Italy for a break from the cold in February. My Rome trip was simply amazing. I spent much of the trip thinking about what I could do to live there. I am sure this will not be a surprise to many of you. One of the highlights of the trip was a visit to Anzio, south of Rome. This is the location where my Grandpa Jack came ashore in WWII. It was a pretty neat experience to stand on the same beach.
I am also looking forward to the travel plans that I have made for the summer. I have booked trips to both Prague and Amsterdam. Yes, I am going alone. It's my favorite way to travel! I will also be spending a week in London for a conference in June and two weeks back home in Indiana/Ohio in early August. My dad will also be making the trip to St. Petersburg so I am going to enjoy showing him all this great city has to offer. A busy summer ahead, but this is a good thing!
Our winter was full of snow, and I mean a lot of snow! The cold was rough at times, measuring a brisk -22F. This did lead to a miserable walk to school, especially across the wide Neva River. It was an interesting and new experience arriving to work with icicles on my eyelashes. I still think I prefer it to crosswalk duty in Arizona when it was 118F.
The school year has been a great one. I have really enjoyed fifth grade and have worked with a great group of kids. I am very grateful for this whole experience and am still amazed that this is my life. Friends and family back home often ask what I will do when my two years are up. I have until November to make my decision but am definitely leaning toward signing on for at least one additional year.
I have enjoyed some neat travel experiences this winter. I was able to spend some time in London and Krakow, Poland for conferences and in Italy for a break from the cold in February. My Rome trip was simply amazing. I spent much of the trip thinking about what I could do to live there. I am sure this will not be a surprise to many of you. One of the highlights of the trip was a visit to Anzio, south of Rome. This is the location where my Grandpa Jack came ashore in WWII. It was a pretty neat experience to stand on the same beach.
I am also looking forward to the travel plans that I have made for the summer. I have booked trips to both Prague and Amsterdam. Yes, I am going alone. It's my favorite way to travel! I will also be spending a week in London for a conference in June and two weeks back home in Indiana/Ohio in early August. My dad will also be making the trip to St. Petersburg so I am going to enjoy showing him all this great city has to offer. A busy summer ahead, but this is a good thing!
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