What Are You Reading?

“It’s Monday! What are you Reading?” is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey. It is a chance for book lovers to share their reading accomplishments as well as what is on the proverbial nightstand. She even does a giveaway. Subsequently Jen and Kellee at Teach Mentor Texts added an opportunity for those reading kidlit to join the fun. Since I read both I will post to both. Check them out, join the conversations, and discover more great books.

Books marked with an '*' I would put in my classroom library.
Books marked with a ^'#' would be in an middle or high school library.
Books marked with a ‘@’ would be good for adult book clubs.

* Ways To Live Forever by Sally Nichols

@ The Price of Privilege by Madeline Levine

# Saving June by Hannah Harrington

 The Perks Of Being A Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

# Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult (audio)

# Unwind by Neal Shusterman

# Boy Proof by Cecil Castelhucci

 Why We Broke Up by Daniel Handler

Thankful Thursday

 

I totally feel like we are getting away with something this year. It is nearly May and we are still in 60s and 70s with rain every week or so. “Usually” the weather has turned weeks ago. I would have been in sandals for weeks and the air conditioner would be used on a regular basis. Instead I am checking the forecast to see if I need to wear my rain boots and put my daughter’s rain coat in her bag.

The perfect climate would be in the 70s year round and it doesn’t exist - anywhere. Right now, I will gladly take this feeling of ‘getting away’ with something. This is not how it is ‘supposed’ to be in lovely Lebanon and I have NO complaints!

Wordless Wednesday–Out with the old

 

Tomorrow’s Friday, (as of last night)

No, I haven’t gone off the deep end. (Though with my husband at rehearsals until late every night – for two different productions – anything is possible!) Having had 100 years to plan for this, the ministry just declared Friday to be a day of remembering the Armenian Genocide by closing schools across the country in commemoration.

I am thrilled for the atrocities of one hundred years ago to be acknowledged and some hope of healing and reconciliation for some communities. On top of that, the last minuteness doesn’t surprise me. What it does do is put my classroom into a tailspin.

Friday was already a day off for the elementary school as conferences are scheduled for that day. The conferences have now been moved to Thursday and the students have a four day weekend quickly approaching. They are more wound up than they were before Spring Break!

To be honest, I am having a hard time being geared up to teach today and tomorrow, though we are in the middle of units that I thoroughly enjoy. Unfortunately I am the ‘responsible adult’ in the room and have to keep us both focused and productive.

Wish me luck! (Especially tomorrow, “Friday”.)

Three Degrees of Separation

I head to bed with a happy heart tonight. This past Sunday was Eastern Orthodox Easter so many international schools around the region are on Spring Break. As a result there are several folks we know vacationing here in Beirut.

With our crazy schedule and having a short week after returning from our own Spring Break I wasn’t sure how it was going to work to get to see everyone. The short version is that everyone ended up at our home!

They say there are seven degrees of separation amongst everyone in the world. Within international schools that is much smaller. One couple we had worked with in Amman. They are from Minnesota and now that their kids are in college they are back overseas (in Amman, but at a different school). The other three ladies we worked with in Jeddah. None of them are still there. In fact none of them live in the same place. One is Lebanese and has moved home. One is American and is now in Doha. One is Indian and is now in Dubai. These two groupings met for the first time tonight and the world just got smaller.

It was a wonderful evening of catching up on families, talking about schools, discussing the current state and future of education, chatting about vacation spots, and generally enjoying one another’s company.

Adventure 61

Spring Break in Paris is grand. There are many wonderful moments that are creating memories for a lifetime; playing bells Easter Sunday at the American Church, my daughter's thrill with seeing the Eiffel Tower from the first time through til the top, grand art, time with family, and more, but I have to say that tomorrow is much anticipated.

I am not seeing anything in Paris. I am taking a day trip, all by myself, to Brussels!

The all by myself part is the most exciting bit, though it may sound horrid. I have been looking forward to this day for months. I can not think of the last time I had an entire day without interacting with anyone I know and it to sounds divine.

So why Brussels? My husband nailed this one. I want to add another country to my list, my 61st - thus "Adventure 61".