Spiralling UP!

I have been so busy on Facebook that I have neglected the blog! My apologies. I could kick myself for not blogging every day. So much happens and then it's hard for me to go back and remember everything, especially in chronological order!

My last blog was about our anniversary last month. At that point, I believe I had 3 weeks left in the semester. So, that is where I will start....finishing the semester. This has been one of the absolute best semesters I have ever had as a teacher. Most semesters are memorable in one way or another. This one has been especially memorable for many reasons, too many to really count. However, one of the most significant events in the semester was a class trip we took to the Japanese School of Doha to read aloud to elementary students. I have been wanting to do this for soooooo long, since I got here, but nothing ever came together quite right, and quite honestly, it was scary for me. I wasn't sure how the students would react, if it would be successful, or simply a huge failure. Some of my students complained that they'd rather stay home and study, but I reminded them it was regular class time and I'd have to mark them absent if they did. They reluctantly agreed, figuring they were at least getting out of the classroom. :) Well, they were sooo fabulous....everything came together as it always does when I plan trips like this. They read their stories aloud, had to switch out some for new ones when they didn't work, used all their strategies I had taught them in the semester, empathized with these kids, acted out the stories with voices and sound effects, laughed and had a great time (much to their surprise!).....it was amazing! Absolutely amazing. Always makes me want to cry when they tell me how it made them feel. I swear I could see their self-confidence soar in front of my eyes. Reading motivation is a huge issue here (as it is in many places in the world) and the strong oral tradition/storytelling tends to de-emphasize its value at times. In any case, in light of the success of the trip, I submitted a proposal to the Student Services Committee in the Foundation Program of Qatar University and am hopeful that this fall, I will be working on a larger scale with more teachers taking students into schools to read aloud, sponsoring a reading/book day, etc. Reading aloud and service-learning are such natural companions. I seem to have a lot of support from my colleagues. So wish me luck! :)

What else? So many things! I have been participating in a life coaching program with a colleague this semester and have just completed 11/12 sessions with a "coach." It's a fabulous experience really....NOT counseling but a wonderful way to set goals, reflect on life and make decisions for yourself....a coach is more of a facilitator, asking questions that are sometimes not so easy to answer, requiring some serious thinking and sometimes, soul searching. But I have seen positive results in my life. VERY positive. I have more peace, I am more able to let things go which turns out to be a form of "compartmentalizing." It's fascinating! She asked me what my compartmentalizing looks like (before we actually gave it that word!) and what I "see" are boxes of various sizes and shapes and colors and decor into which I put concerns or issues that I can't deal with immediately. They get stacked neatly, and sometimes, even fit inside each other. Nelson tells me HIS boxes are like those rows and rows of boxes you see on TV shows like Cold Case where all of the unsolved cases are lined up with the evidence and papers and all stuffed in there. He says this is why he procrastinates so well....it's easy to "lose" track of his boxes. :) He is sooooo funny! I also feel I have been able to achieve "equanimity" in my life....a better balance. At least one daughter has remarked to me that she senses the change in how I react to things like bad news, or stressful issues with our family. I will definitely continue coaching this fall and have been looking at programs to take an online course to become a coach myself. It's the perfect complement to what I already do!

I submitted a couple of good proposals to TESOL for the conference in New Orleans next March and am hopeful that at least one will be accepted. I am also joining and getting involved in more organizations like the International Reading Association, the International Coaching Federation, the International Association for Research on Service Learning and Community Engagement, and looking at some others. So, who knows where I may attend or present next? I attended a wonderful lecture yesterday on Action Research at QU and am going to a one day conference here on the same on Saturday. I am at this junction where so much seems to be coming together and fitting together so nicely.....I am not used to that!

My friend in Afghanistan has asked for my help and advice in getting his school going there. He is now working for the National Solidarity Program and trying to help his country rebuild and improve itself. I am not exactly sure what my involvement will entail, but it is my sincerest wish and hope that someday I will travel there and see the fruits of his labor. As I said in my last post, sometimes it has seemed as if this experience in Qatar will be "it" for us, that we will then go back to Michigan and settle down to our real lives. But more and more, I think this is just the beginning for us....there is so much to see and do in this world. I would say the world is my oyster, but I don't like oysters. :) However, it is ripe for the picking and there is much I have yet to harvest, to learn, to see and do....I wish I had started this journey when I was younger, but I'd rather start late than never!

We also have a lot going on at home this summer.....Jenny is taking Max and Malik so we will be building a barn and putting up fence. Jenny is getting married, so that will be a huge, happy event! I can't wait to get there and get with her and her sister, Carrie, and start "planning" more stuff...the little cool fun stuff! There's also a 3 day family reunion in there somewhere! :) We have riding to do, LOTS of riding....it is our hope and wish that Nelson will finally ride his mare on the trail this summer. Mykayla and I plan our first 25 miles on the Shore to Shore ride and I may even try a 50. My physical fitness leaves a lot to be desired lately....too hot to go walking outside and although I have a stationary bike/elliptical exercise thingie, getting motivated is not the easiest thing. We have so many PEOPLE to visit....we may have to have a party to fit them all in, but we'll give it a try. Gas is so expensive there and Michigan is so huge. We spend so little on gas here, and the country is so small....our gas expenses this summer will be a huge culture shock! :)

One of the big things that has happened to me/us recently is Paolo Coelho. I read his book The Alchemist. It should be required reading for everyone. :) It made a big impact on me. In fact, Nelson even read it. Nelson doesn't read, so you know it's good if he read it. I am currently working on Manual of the Warrior of Light. I read a page or two a day, then reflect and write in a journal, make notes in the book on how his observations of the Warrior fit my life. It's great stuff! :) Try it!!

I know there is more but I can't remember everything unfortunately. Basically, things are simply coming together more smoothly than they have in a long time. We are so excited to come home....we swore we would not bring home gifts, but in having outfits made for me and the girls for the wedding, one thing led to another and well, it's going to be a holly, jolly Christmas in July! :) I have no idea where I am going to pack everything. I am probably going to have to carry a lot with me on the plane! I don't think I'll have room for my clothes! :)

In any case, that's my update for today. We will be leaving for the U.S. in ten days so I don't know when I'll blog again. I am on Facebook often which is really the best way to keep up with me/us. Nelson is also on Facebook and sometimes comes out of lurking mode to make a comment or post a photo! :)

Hope to see you in Michigan!!!