On Satuday morning it was pretty awful. Some people left at 3 a.m., and although we had good intentions, we couldn't get out of bed to wave them off.
At 7.30 a big group departed and many tears were shed and promises made as all the luggage was loaded into one of the vans.
Paola, Snjezana, Stella and I went to the Black Sheep coffee shop for a last and lovely breakfast, walked back along the farmers' market full of flowers and returned at the dorm just in time to kiss the rest goodbye. Our hearts were torn between the thrill of going home and the ache of leaving our friends.
At the airport, we all went our own way and then I disovered - to my entire delight - that José Luis and I were travelling together till Atlanta. This gave us plenty of time to talk and reminisce the last days of our project. We turned the pages of the Anthology of American Literature and my eyes lingered on a poem by Robert Frost; I'd like to share it with you as a final keynote to our joint project:
"The Road Not Taken
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that, the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I -
I took the one less traveled by,
An that has made all the difference."
Our own paths have come to a Y again, and we must and will choose the road we wish to travel.
May your choices lead you to the destination of you dreams; may our paths intersect again one day as they did on the crossroads of Amherst!
All the best.
zondag 2 augustus 2009
vrijdag 31 juli 2009
Saying goodbye
I woke up at 6.30 am and started packing and unpacking again to come to the final conclusion that it will be impossible to go home with two bags. I simply cannot fit it all in. So, I finally decided to take the carrier bag and try to pass it off as handluggage. We'll see.
This morning, we were expected at Fayerweather for a final, written in-depth evaluation of the programme. We took our time to write some comments - as far as I am concerned - very positive ones and to give some minor suggestions as to possible improvements.
Then, we had an hour and a half to go back to the dorm. The clouds had broken in the mean time and it rained like never before. At the dorm, we discovered that Victor had written an ITD-anthem, so we decided to practise and Nguyet, with a voice like a nightingale, set us on the right tune.
This morning, we were expected at Fayerweather for a final, written in-depth evaluation of the programme. We took our time to write some comments - as far as I am concerned - very positive ones and to give some minor suggestions as to possible improvements.
Then, we had an hour and a half to go back to the dorm. The clouds had broken in the mean time and it rained like never before. At the dorm, we discovered that Victor had written an ITD-anthem, so we decided to practise and Nguyet, with a voice like a nightingale, set us on the right tune.
It was time to go to our farewell meal. The round tables were laid beautifully and we were seated with ITD staff. Jennifer Philips, from the State Department, Leslie Laurie, Frank Couvares and Rosetta Cohen were also present. We started with our song and our gifts for all the ITD people who made our stay so unforgettable. Then we had a lovely lunch and talked about the six weeks spent together.
Bruce then took the floor and produced a most moving and funny speech, in which he summed up our characteristics, one by one. We wept, and smiled, laughed and applauded. How well he knows his flock!
Julie continued with the ceremony and one by one we received our certificates, a group picture, a bookmark and a flash stick, which we will certainly treasure.
A very difficult moment followed when Julie from Australia, Kleo from Cyprus and Dai from Japan left. We all started weeping or had at least a heavy feeling in our chest. Saying goodbye is never easy ... it breaks your heart to let go of people you've come to know, to like, to appreciate. We are all making promises of keeping in touch. I do so hope we will...
In the afternoon, we went for a final shopping trip to the mall, a final drink at the Brewery, a final stroll along Amherst "downtown". Then we closed the door behind us for the very last time...
All good things come to an end, I know. If it hadn't been good, we wouldn't be so sorry to go. Therefore I think this sadness has a happy edge. We were the lucky ones. The ones who had the chance to be part of this whole experience. Let's keep that memory alive and kindle it with emails, skype, letters and photos.
My time on this blog is nearly up. Next time I write here it will be from home.
Bruce then took the floor and produced a most moving and funny speech, in which he summed up our characteristics, one by one. We wept, and smiled, laughed and applauded. How well he knows his flock!
Julie continued with the ceremony and one by one we received our certificates, a group picture, a bookmark and a flash stick, which we will certainly treasure.
A very difficult moment followed when Julie from Australia, Kleo from Cyprus and Dai from Japan left. We all started weeping or had at least a heavy feeling in our chest. Saying goodbye is never easy ... it breaks your heart to let go of people you've come to know, to like, to appreciate. We are all making promises of keeping in touch. I do so hope we will...
In the afternoon, we went for a final shopping trip to the mall, a final drink at the Brewery, a final stroll along Amherst "downtown". Then we closed the door behind us for the very last time...
All good things come to an end, I know. If it hadn't been good, we wouldn't be so sorry to go. Therefore I think this sadness has a happy edge. We were the lucky ones. The ones who had the chance to be part of this whole experience. Let's keep that memory alive and kindle it with emails, skype, letters and photos.
My time on this blog is nearly up. Next time I write here it will be from home.
donderdag 30 juli 2009
Our last Thursday in Amherst
This morning, we listened to more colleagues. Sandra showed us how she would teach the Cold War to her students, Svitlana spoke about women's leadership, Nguyet chose the Women's Liberation Movement (this does not exist in Vietnam), Julie made a case study on Redefining success for teachers & students in low socioeconomic areas.
Then came Olima with a lesson plan on Etiquette-free America, followed by Abby who presented the Human Rights in a slideshow named "Let Freedom Sing". Jose Luis explained how he would teach Emily Dickinson's poems based on nature. Then it was my turn with my own presentation about the same poet's work in an elementary and an advanced class, comparing the poems to impressionists paintings.
Our friend Alistair surprised us with a very useful introduction on the difference between "fun" and "enjoyment" in the classroom, followed by a presentation on the organisation and powers of government in the USA.
Alphonse would inform his university students about the Democracy in America and through Cooperative Learning make them reflect upon this and compare it with the democratic system in his own country. He was very passionate about this case and I thought it very courageous of him to undertake this mission.
Larissa studied (our own dear) Amherst, a small US community and prepared several lessons about this topic.
Beatrice also chose Emily Dickinson and her poetry and analysed "Wild Nights! Wild Nights!"
Stella assembled information about Sacco &Vanzetti and we listened to Joan Baez sing "Here's to you, Nicola and Bart".
Finally, Victor showed us a presentation about Eskimos whom his own people are related to and a lesson plan to teach his students how to use internet resources. Then, he showed us some information about his home country.
Rosetta Cohen attended the session as did Jennifer Philips from the State Department.
Then it was time for a little slideshow I had prepared as a souvenir for the group and a thank-you for the staff.
In the afternoon, we went to the mall, one of the few places where the temperature is bearable thanks to the airco. Snjezana, Paola and I went to the hairdresser and it made us feel better.
In the evening, we decided to plan a pizza party at the dorm for everyone who wanted to join. We bought some drinks and the boys collected the pizzas (huge and delicious). Kaori dressed up in a summer kimono and later, when Dai arrived, he also put on a traditional costume. We were really impressed.
Stella had the fabulous idea of bringing in the cd-player and the party could start. And did we dance .... till our feet were black and the kitchen floor was shining ! Abba and Michael Jackson were our absolute favourites and the highlight of the evening was certainly the moment Victor joined in and showed us the Jakutsk dance style.
It was after midnight when we went to bed - of course our hair was ruined - but we had so much fun!
Then came Olima with a lesson plan on Etiquette-free America, followed by Abby who presented the Human Rights in a slideshow named "Let Freedom Sing". Jose Luis explained how he would teach Emily Dickinson's poems based on nature. Then it was my turn with my own presentation about the same poet's work in an elementary and an advanced class, comparing the poems to impressionists paintings.
Our friend Alistair surprised us with a very useful introduction on the difference between "fun" and "enjoyment" in the classroom, followed by a presentation on the organisation and powers of government in the USA.
Alphonse would inform his university students about the Democracy in America and through Cooperative Learning make them reflect upon this and compare it with the democratic system in his own country. He was very passionate about this case and I thought it very courageous of him to undertake this mission.
Larissa studied (our own dear) Amherst, a small US community and prepared several lessons about this topic.
Beatrice also chose Emily Dickinson and her poetry and analysed "Wild Nights! Wild Nights!"
Stella assembled information about Sacco &Vanzetti and we listened to Joan Baez sing "Here's to you, Nicola and Bart".
Finally, Victor showed us a presentation about Eskimos whom his own people are related to and a lesson plan to teach his students how to use internet resources. Then, he showed us some information about his home country.
Rosetta Cohen attended the session as did Jennifer Philips from the State Department.
Then it was time for a little slideshow I had prepared as a souvenir for the group and a thank-you for the staff.
In the afternoon, we went to the mall, one of the few places where the temperature is bearable thanks to the airco. Snjezana, Paola and I went to the hairdresser and it made us feel better.
In the evening, we decided to plan a pizza party at the dorm for everyone who wanted to join. We bought some drinks and the boys collected the pizzas (huge and delicious). Kaori dressed up in a summer kimono and later, when Dai arrived, he also put on a traditional costume. We were really impressed.
Stella had the fabulous idea of bringing in the cd-player and the party could start. And did we dance .... till our feet were black and the kitchen floor was shining ! Abba and Michael Jackson were our absolute favourites and the highlight of the evening was certainly the moment Victor joined in and showed us the Jakutsk dance style.
It was after midnight when we went to bed - of course our hair was ruined - but we had so much fun!
woensdag 29 juli 2009
Our last Wednesday in Amherst
At nine o'clock sharp, the presentation of our projects started.
As you know - if you have been reading this blog conscientiously - we have all been working hard on these assignments, finding resources, reading, planning, etc. The last two days, the computer room was extremely crowded. So, this morning, half of the group were expected to present their work.
Room 115 in Fayerweather (the auditorium) was waiting for us. Everyone was a bit nervous.
The two Siljes started the session with a very interesting presentation about immigration from Norway to the U.S.; Paola had chosen the Native Americans as her topic; Snjezana talked about charter schools; Nora showed us how she would inform her students about the 4th of July celebrations; Mori explained how he would teach his students (sometimes as many as 80 in one class) about M.L. King's "I had a dream" without the use of any glamourous multimedia aids; Noemi brought an interesting idea on a crosscurricular series of lessons on the constitutional system; Kaori's theme was environmentalism and Obama's policy concerning this matter; Naeema, Kleo and Seral had worked out some lessons around Pop Idol; Sengly and Afifa's lesson plan was about sports in American high schools and how this differs from their own countries; Dai taught us enthusiastically about Billy Joel and Leningrad and moved many of us with the final words: "We didn't know what friends we had, until we came to .... Amherst".
The topics were as varied as the people. Time went by very quickly. We listened to each other with the greatest interest. Especially Jose Luis and Alphonse asked some pertinent questions.
It is interesting to see why people choose certain topics and how they make them worthwhile for their students.
In the afternoon, I packed and unpacked my suitcases, trying to fit everything in. If I'm careful - and wise - and don't buy anything at the mall tomorrow, I think it should be o.k.
We ended the day with a nice meal at Judie's, with Bruce, Kleo, Silje, Abby, Julie, Dai, Alistair, Noemi and Sandra.
It is past midnight now and the bedroom still feels like a sauna - even though it rained part of the afternoon. The temperature doesn't drop and there is no air. It is even spooky to watch the trees and not to see one leaf tremble. The heat rises from the tarmac roads and sits inside the house, waiting to fall on us. Long live the Belgian summer with a cool breeze, a moderate climate and a mild shower from time to time!
As you know - if you have been reading this blog conscientiously - we have all been working hard on these assignments, finding resources, reading, planning, etc. The last two days, the computer room was extremely crowded. So, this morning, half of the group were expected to present their work.
Room 115 in Fayerweather (the auditorium) was waiting for us. Everyone was a bit nervous.
The two Siljes started the session with a very interesting presentation about immigration from Norway to the U.S.; Paola had chosen the Native Americans as her topic; Snjezana talked about charter schools; Nora showed us how she would inform her students about the 4th of July celebrations; Mori explained how he would teach his students (sometimes as many as 80 in one class) about M.L. King's "I had a dream" without the use of any glamourous multimedia aids; Noemi brought an interesting idea on a crosscurricular series of lessons on the constitutional system; Kaori's theme was environmentalism and Obama's policy concerning this matter; Naeema, Kleo and Seral had worked out some lessons around Pop Idol; Sengly and Afifa's lesson plan was about sports in American high schools and how this differs from their own countries; Dai taught us enthusiastically about Billy Joel and Leningrad and moved many of us with the final words: "We didn't know what friends we had, until we came to .... Amherst".
The topics were as varied as the people. Time went by very quickly. We listened to each other with the greatest interest. Especially Jose Luis and Alphonse asked some pertinent questions.
It is interesting to see why people choose certain topics and how they make them worthwhile for their students.
In the afternoon, I packed and unpacked my suitcases, trying to fit everything in. If I'm careful - and wise - and don't buy anything at the mall tomorrow, I think it should be o.k.
We ended the day with a nice meal at Judie's, with Bruce, Kleo, Silje, Abby, Julie, Dai, Alistair, Noemi and Sandra.
It is past midnight now and the bedroom still feels like a sauna - even though it rained part of the afternoon. The temperature doesn't drop and there is no air. It is even spooky to watch the trees and not to see one leaf tremble. The heat rises from the tarmac roads and sits inside the house, waiting to fall on us. Long live the Belgian summer with a cool breeze, a moderate climate and a mild shower from time to time!
dinsdag 28 juli 2009
Our last Tuesday in Amherst
I didn't sleep at all last night. The air was hot and the room wasstuffy. I tossed and turned and woke up every so often.
After a cold shower, I went for breakfast and then for a "test run" of the computer equipment in the classroom where we'll hold our presentations.
By 10:30 it was boiling hot again and very humid. The only cool place in the building is the computer room with an airco. That's where I spent most of the day, as did most of the others.
In the evening, we went to an Indian restaurant, where the food was good, but the service not really. Back at the dorm, I stayed up and chatted first with Victor and then with Olima and José Luis. I like these late night discussions. It's cosy in the kitchen, the house is quiet and it's a great - and maybe our last - opportunity of getting to know a little more about each other & our countries.
When I entered my room, I wished I could thank Noemi who had given me the good advice to close the windows and blinds during the day and only to open them at night, with the fan in front. It really makes a huge difference and I hope I'll catch some sleep.
After a cold shower, I went for breakfast and then for a "test run" of the computer equipment in the classroom where we'll hold our presentations.
By 10:30 it was boiling hot again and very humid. The only cool place in the building is the computer room with an airco. That's where I spent most of the day, as did most of the others.
In the evening, we went to an Indian restaurant, where the food was good, but the service not really. Back at the dorm, I stayed up and chatted first with Victor and then with Olima and José Luis. I like these late night discussions. It's cosy in the kitchen, the house is quiet and it's a great - and maybe our last - opportunity of getting to know a little more about each other & our countries.
When I entered my room, I wished I could thank Noemi who had given me the good advice to close the windows and blinds during the day and only to open them at night, with the fan in front. It really makes a huge difference and I hope I'll catch some sleep.
maandag 27 juli 2009
Our last Monday in Amherst
Back to the routine today: breakfast at 7.30 and class at 8.30.
Bruce had made a list of the important "isms" covered during our programme: constitutional federalism, localism, individualism, civil society, regionalism, New Deal liberalism, anti-communism, environmentalism, feminism, civil rights, political fundamentalism, Reaganism, pluralism, racism, diversity, consumerism, patriotism, and tourism.
In about two hours, we commented on these topics and explained how we experienced them during our stay in the U.S.A. Many of these were rather vague before I came on this programme, and I would have had trouble giving offhand examples as to what they might mean or how we find all of these reflected in daily life. I realise that the courses we had and the field trips we made really added up to a deeper knowledge and broader understanding of American society - so thank you Fulbright and ITD!
As usual, we evaluated week 5 and received the schedule for week 6.
In the afternoon, I finished my presentation, which I have scheduled for Thursday morning. I am pleased that's settled. Now, I can work on the suitcase problem: how to redistribute all the stuff so that my luggage does not exceed the weight limit. It promises to be a hard nut to crack.
I bought some more presents to take home and in the evening Sandra, Stella and I found a snackbar with outdoor tables where I had a nice quiche and they had a drink until it started raining cats and dogs and we hurried inside. We then moved on to Amherst Café, a nice and cosy pub for another drink - a cup of tea for me - and a long chat about life, love, human relationships, and other fascinating issues.
Back at the dorm, we met José Luis and Alistair around the kitchen table with a few bottles in the middle. José Luis suggested we should try a typical Mexican drink: Tequila Sunrise, which we accepted - of course.
... and we continued our chat about work, school, airports, luggage, and other fascinating issues!
This last week honestly gives me a double feeling: sad that the end is nearing and happy to go home. I feel like a horse that smells its stable - I would like time to go swiftly now - and yet I can feel the draw on the reins, because I know there will be the final goodbyes... just now that you get to know people and feel comfortable around each other. We'll have to make the best of every day of the week, I guess, and celebrate whenever we can, whether it's with a beer in a bar, a glass of milk in the kitchen, or simply breakfast at Valentine's.
Bruce had made a list of the important "isms" covered during our programme: constitutional federalism, localism, individualism, civil society, regionalism, New Deal liberalism, anti-communism, environmentalism, feminism, civil rights, political fundamentalism, Reaganism, pluralism, racism, diversity, consumerism, patriotism, and tourism.
In about two hours, we commented on these topics and explained how we experienced them during our stay in the U.S.A. Many of these were rather vague before I came on this programme, and I would have had trouble giving offhand examples as to what they might mean or how we find all of these reflected in daily life. I realise that the courses we had and the field trips we made really added up to a deeper knowledge and broader understanding of American society - so thank you Fulbright and ITD!
As usual, we evaluated week 5 and received the schedule for week 6.
In the afternoon, I finished my presentation, which I have scheduled for Thursday morning. I am pleased that's settled. Now, I can work on the suitcase problem: how to redistribute all the stuff so that my luggage does not exceed the weight limit. It promises to be a hard nut to crack.
I bought some more presents to take home and in the evening Sandra, Stella and I found a snackbar with outdoor tables where I had a nice quiche and they had a drink until it started raining cats and dogs and we hurried inside. We then moved on to Amherst Café, a nice and cosy pub for another drink - a cup of tea for me - and a long chat about life, love, human relationships, and other fascinating issues.
Back at the dorm, we met José Luis and Alistair around the kitchen table with a few bottles in the middle. José Luis suggested we should try a typical Mexican drink: Tequila Sunrise, which we accepted - of course.
... and we continued our chat about work, school, airports, luggage, and other fascinating issues!
This last week honestly gives me a double feeling: sad that the end is nearing and happy to go home. I feel like a horse that smells its stable - I would like time to go swiftly now - and yet I can feel the draw on the reins, because I know there will be the final goodbyes... just now that you get to know people and feel comfortable around each other. We'll have to make the best of every day of the week, I guess, and celebrate whenever we can, whether it's with a beer in a bar, a glass of milk in the kitchen, or simply breakfast at Valentine's.
zondag 26 juli 2009
Tanglewood
Up at 7 a.m. and breakfast till 8.30. An hour later I had a little Skype-session with my husband. I am not convinced this Skype hype is my thing. Often my husband's face breaks up into little squares and mine gets stuck on a crooked smile. There are nicer things to talk to. I find it distracting and half of the conversation is about how to fix this or that problem. No such trouble with a normal, old-fashioned phone! Of course, I must admit that it's nice to "see" your partner, although I still remembered his face after 5 weeks... What is really cool, is that he could see my (messy) room, with suitcases half undone, and the view from the window, onto the parking lot!
We kept it rather short and said our goodbyes till next week, when we'll meet for real.
We were lucky to have two bikes available this weekend. So, Snjezana and I cycled to the supermarket. It was an easy and very quick trip all the way down. We filled up my backpack with groceries, and steered back to the dorm ... uphill this time, and a lot more slowly.
It was really nice though and we wished we could have the bikes for the rest of the week.
I prepared myself a tasty picnic with lettuce, tuna salad, cherry tomatoes, sushi and a raspberry doughnut for dessert. At half past twelve, Rachel picked us up to bring us to Tanglewood, at Lenox, MA. It was about 1 1/2 hour away. The Tanglewood Festival was first created by a group of music-loving summer residents of the Berkshires, in August 1934. Today, it annually draws more than 300.000 visitors. The setting of this classical music festival is the gorgeous setting of the Tappan family estate with open air concert hall, "The Serge Koussevitzky Music Shed" and over 210 acres of lawns and meadows.
We were meant to sit on the lawn, and enjoy our picnic while listening to the concert. But there was the rain ... again ... to spoil the plans. Luckily, we had seats under the Shed. Today's concert featured The Boston Symphony Orchestra, conducted by David Robertson, playing Harris, Thomson, Barber and Bernstein, as well as Thomas Hampson, American baritone, who is among the world's most celebrated sought-after singers performing on the stage today.
I am sorry to say that all this talent could not seduce me as much as the intimate music we listened to at the Blue Note. This is, of course, a matter of personal taste.
When the music stopped, the sun returned and we could admire the park in all its beauty.
Back at the dorm by 7, I went up to the computer room, as did most of us, to work on my project. I'd like to finish it completely by tomorrow afternoon.
We've just had another thunderstorm, short and heavy, but the heat of the day seems to stay inside the building. The bedrooms are saunas and the fan doesn't help. All it does is make the dust whirl around before it settles back into the corners and between the floorboards... It will be hard to fall asleep.
We kept it rather short and said our goodbyes till next week, when we'll meet for real.
We were lucky to have two bikes available this weekend. So, Snjezana and I cycled to the supermarket. It was an easy and very quick trip all the way down. We filled up my backpack with groceries, and steered back to the dorm ... uphill this time, and a lot more slowly.
It was really nice though and we wished we could have the bikes for the rest of the week.
I prepared myself a tasty picnic with lettuce, tuna salad, cherry tomatoes, sushi and a raspberry doughnut for dessert. At half past twelve, Rachel picked us up to bring us to Tanglewood, at Lenox, MA. It was about 1 1/2 hour away. The Tanglewood Festival was first created by a group of music-loving summer residents of the Berkshires, in August 1934. Today, it annually draws more than 300.000 visitors. The setting of this classical music festival is the gorgeous setting of the Tappan family estate with open air concert hall, "The Serge Koussevitzky Music Shed" and over 210 acres of lawns and meadows.
We were meant to sit on the lawn, and enjoy our picnic while listening to the concert. But there was the rain ... again ... to spoil the plans. Luckily, we had seats under the Shed. Today's concert featured The Boston Symphony Orchestra, conducted by David Robertson, playing Harris, Thomson, Barber and Bernstein, as well as Thomas Hampson, American baritone, who is among the world's most celebrated sought-after singers performing on the stage today.
I am sorry to say that all this talent could not seduce me as much as the intimate music we listened to at the Blue Note. This is, of course, a matter of personal taste.
When the music stopped, the sun returned and we could admire the park in all its beauty.
Back at the dorm by 7, I went up to the computer room, as did most of us, to work on my project. I'd like to finish it completely by tomorrow afternoon.
We've just had another thunderstorm, short and heavy, but the heat of the day seems to stay inside the building. The bedrooms are saunas and the fan doesn't help. All it does is make the dust whirl around before it settles back into the corners and between the floorboards... It will be hard to fall asleep.
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