Hiya,
Winter has re-arrived in Minnesota. Wind chill of 20 below zero and a harrowing drive to work this morning has really driven the point home. My goal this winter is to not get in an accident with my beautiful Olivia (my Subaru). Only problem being, some MN drivers don't seem to have clue how to drive in the snow. The number of accidents I passed on my drive to work seems to speak to the fact that no, you cannot tailgate when there are two inches of snow on the ground. On the bright side, MN is so much prettier when covered in a nice blanket of snow and it lends itself perfectly to snuggling up with a blanket and getting some studying done.
Work is going really well. There has been a staff change and it has made a huge difference in the success of our family engagement events. I have taken on more responsibility for the family engagement material that we send home, both at the pre-k level and for k-3, which has given me more to do and a sense of actually reaching some families. I've also started teaching beginning level small group EFL classes, which has been a bit of a transition. I prefer larger classes, but the program I am working with is much more supportive of the teachers, so it's an even trade. I am also still working in the reading lab, which I really enjoy, because it is one on one interaction with the students.
I am still studying for the FE1s. This has been both interesting and terrifying. It is literally possible to sue anyone for anything...apparently there is not such thing as "stuff happens" in law. Also, beware, if someone is trespassing on your property and they injure themselves, they can sue you! The levels of ridiculousness involved in tort law seems to know no bounds. I think I can fairly confidently cross that off my list of areas of law I would like to be involved in. It is the most fun to read about, but I think I would lose all faith in humanity if I actually had to practice it.
I have been extremely intrigued by the Republican race and it, much like torts law, has been a constant source of entertainment. I won't delve any further since I know I am in mixed company, but I will say the greatest highlight has come in the form of Colbert's super PAC ad. Regardless of political affiliation I think we can all appreciate it. 30 seconds of pure attack ad genius that takes "corporations as people" to it's logical extreme.
I booked my ticket for Ireland and will head over in March to submit my visa application. Fingers crossed!
I started piano lessons, in order to learn how to play my Melodica. They have been going really well, I am now ok with my right hand, and lack any ability to play with my left hand. It has been an extremely humbling experience for me. The 2nd grader who has lessons before me sounds like Chopin in comparison to me.
I hope everything is well with everyone!
Friday, January 20, 2012
Monday, December 12, 2011
Winter!
Hiya everyone,
Winter has arrived! I now have exactly 3 separate episodes of snow driving experience under my belt. Sam arrives Dec. 17th and I am crazy excited. I have big plans for his visit, a number of which involve snow. Sadly, the snow just melted, so fingers crossed we get a moderate amount, so we can go ice fishing and cross country skiing. The job is going well, volunteering is going well. Finally found a project that Minnesota Reading Corps is willing to support involving reaching out to ELL families. I am putting together videos of simple phrases in the Somali, Spanish, Hmong and hopefully Karen. Reading Corps tutors will have access to the videos and will be able to learn how to greet families in these languages. It's not much, but it is a small step towards making ELL families feel more connected to the school community. One of the primary complaints these families have is they feel disconnected and helpless, because English is dominate even at events for family outreach. I went to Christmas Fest at St. Olaf, for the 100th anniversary performance, which was really nice. It is also the final year for one of the conductors and the pastor who narrates, so it was the end of an era performance. I was also able to visit some of my professors and catch up with them! Serious drama happening at Olaf.
I just wanted to wish you all a very happy holiday season! It is wonderful to be somewhere that is actually cold for Christmas, it does add a certain something to the festive spirit! I hope all is well with everyone!
Winter has arrived! I now have exactly 3 separate episodes of snow driving experience under my belt. Sam arrives Dec. 17th and I am crazy excited. I have big plans for his visit, a number of which involve snow. Sadly, the snow just melted, so fingers crossed we get a moderate amount, so we can go ice fishing and cross country skiing. The job is going well, volunteering is going well. Finally found a project that Minnesota Reading Corps is willing to support involving reaching out to ELL families. I am putting together videos of simple phrases in the Somali, Spanish, Hmong and hopefully Karen. Reading Corps tutors will have access to the videos and will be able to learn how to greet families in these languages. It's not much, but it is a small step towards making ELL families feel more connected to the school community. One of the primary complaints these families have is they feel disconnected and helpless, because English is dominate even at events for family outreach. I went to Christmas Fest at St. Olaf, for the 100th anniversary performance, which was really nice. It is also the final year for one of the conductors and the pastor who narrates, so it was the end of an era performance. I was also able to visit some of my professors and catch up with them! Serious drama happening at Olaf.
I just wanted to wish you all a very happy holiday season! It is wonderful to be somewhere that is actually cold for Christmas, it does add a certain something to the festive spirit! I hope all is well with everyone!
Friday, November 4, 2011
The season of ice begins!
Hiya everyone,
I had ice on my car this morning! Eeeps! Soon I'll be take my chances with driving in the snow. Nothing much is happening here. Still teaching ESL, still enjoying my job. Finally taught a lesson that really went over well with my students; mortgages and buying a house. I was really dreading teaching it, since I am not exactly an expert on making large purchases. It went over really well! The job is still a bit nebulous in it's expectations, but I really like my co-workers and my boss at the community education office. I am so fortunate to have such a wonderful group of women to work with!
Looking forward to the up coming month and a half. Sam comes December 17th! So excited! I've had a busy few weeks, it's so nice getting to see friends from college. I've been really fortunate that they are all far better at organizing social events than I, so I have gotten to see a lot of them with minimal effort on my part...haha. Went on a Zombie Pub Crawl a couple of weeks ago, which was great fun. Supposedly there were over 20,000 zombies involved. It was great fun! I am going home with friend for Thanksgiving, which I am really looking forward to. Turkey, stuffing and pie that I don't have to make! I love Thanksgiving, and celebrating last year in Ireland just wasn't the same.
I took the GRE on Sat. and it went surprisingly well. I signed up for it ages ago, before I decided I wanted to pursue law. Probably won't need it, but it's good for five years. So I have it if plans change. Right now I am pretty comfortable with my decision not to go back to school for my PhD.
Hope everything is going well with everyone!
I had ice on my car this morning! Eeeps! Soon I'll be take my chances with driving in the snow. Nothing much is happening here. Still teaching ESL, still enjoying my job. Finally taught a lesson that really went over well with my students; mortgages and buying a house. I was really dreading teaching it, since I am not exactly an expert on making large purchases. It went over really well! The job is still a bit nebulous in it's expectations, but I really like my co-workers and my boss at the community education office. I am so fortunate to have such a wonderful group of women to work with!
Looking forward to the up coming month and a half. Sam comes December 17th! So excited! I've had a busy few weeks, it's so nice getting to see friends from college. I've been really fortunate that they are all far better at organizing social events than I, so I have gotten to see a lot of them with minimal effort on my part...haha. Went on a Zombie Pub Crawl a couple of weeks ago, which was great fun. Supposedly there were over 20,000 zombies involved. It was great fun! I am going home with friend for Thanksgiving, which I am really looking forward to. Turkey, stuffing and pie that I don't have to make! I love Thanksgiving, and celebrating last year in Ireland just wasn't the same.
I took the GRE on Sat. and it went surprisingly well. I signed up for it ages ago, before I decided I wanted to pursue law. Probably won't need it, but it's good for five years. So I have it if plans change. Right now I am pretty comfortable with my decision not to go back to school for my PhD.
Hope everything is going well with everyone!
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
LL.M.!
YAYAY! Finally, I have received my grade on my thesis. This means I have a Master's degree in International Human Rights Law. Please feel free to contact me with any human rights related questions, as I can now work as a freelance consultant...haha. I am so excited and happy to be done. I got a high second class honours, so I am very pleased with my results. It was a great experience and it is so nice to be done with a Master's in only a year. Thanks so much to my family for supporting the somewhat out of left field idea of moving abroad and getting a Master's in something I knew basically nothing about. It worked out!
I am studying now for the Fe1s, which are the exams I have to take to practice as a solicitor in Ireland. So, still got my nose in school books for a while yet. I'll take those exams in Sept...and hopefully pass (the pass rate for first time takers isn't great, so I am prepared to have to give them a second go). The hopefully, once I pass, I'll be placed with a solicitor in a kind of apprenticeship program. Two years of the that and I am good to go! First hurdle completed. Several more to go...
I am studying now for the Fe1s, which are the exams I have to take to practice as a solicitor in Ireland. So, still got my nose in school books for a while yet. I'll take those exams in Sept...and hopefully pass (the pass rate for first time takers isn't great, so I am prepared to have to give them a second go). The hopefully, once I pass, I'll be placed with a solicitor in a kind of apprenticeship program. Two years of the that and I am good to go! First hurdle completed. Several more to go...
Thursday, September 22, 2011
An update long overdue
Hiya Everyone,
So I have not in fact fallen off the face of the earth. I am all settled into an apartment in St. Paul. My job is going well with Minnesota Reading Corps. I am lucky enough to work with one of my best friends, which makes a huge difference in the work day. In addition I am volunteering with a local non-profit teaching ESL classes. This has been an interesting experience and has been trial by fire for the first couple of classes. I am teaching one multi-level, multi-nationality, two hour civics class and one intermediate class. The most I have ever taught before this was a one hour, single level class. It is such great experience!
I am also in the midst of studying for the FE1. This is the entrance exam for Blackhall in Ireland. I am taking the exam in Sept. so I have a year to learn Equity, Torts, Company and Contract law. It is a bit of a daunting task...
Blackhall is where I have to go to be trained as a solicitor and I am planning on specializing in employment law. It's going to be a ridiculous amount of work and most people don't pass the FE1 the first go around, so we'll see.
Working for Minnesota Reading Corp has really made me realize how much I enjoyed law and being out of school has made me realize I do not have the personality to spend years of my life researching the same super specialized topic in the hopes of turning it into a book. I love teaching, I love research, but I also have an extremely short attention span. Thus law seems like the best fit. Practical application and a bit more variety.
Sam is coming over in December so I am looking forward to that and my parents are coming to visit in November. I get to share the MN snow...haha.
Everything is going really well. I am super busy between studying, teaching and work, but it is a nice change from last year. It is amazing how quickly time passes when you work 9 hour days and then go home and study. I have a whole new appreciation for people who go to school while working full time. I don't know how they do it!
Hope all is well with everyone!
So I have not in fact fallen off the face of the earth. I am all settled into an apartment in St. Paul. My job is going well with Minnesota Reading Corps. I am lucky enough to work with one of my best friends, which makes a huge difference in the work day. In addition I am volunteering with a local non-profit teaching ESL classes. This has been an interesting experience and has been trial by fire for the first couple of classes. I am teaching one multi-level, multi-nationality, two hour civics class and one intermediate class. The most I have ever taught before this was a one hour, single level class. It is such great experience!
I am also in the midst of studying for the FE1. This is the entrance exam for Blackhall in Ireland. I am taking the exam in Sept. so I have a year to learn Equity, Torts, Company and Contract law. It is a bit of a daunting task...
Blackhall is where I have to go to be trained as a solicitor and I am planning on specializing in employment law. It's going to be a ridiculous amount of work and most people don't pass the FE1 the first go around, so we'll see.
Working for Minnesota Reading Corp has really made me realize how much I enjoyed law and being out of school has made me realize I do not have the personality to spend years of my life researching the same super specialized topic in the hopes of turning it into a book. I love teaching, I love research, but I also have an extremely short attention span. Thus law seems like the best fit. Practical application and a bit more variety.
Sam is coming over in December so I am looking forward to that and my parents are coming to visit in November. I get to share the MN snow...haha.
Everything is going really well. I am super busy between studying, teaching and work, but it is a nice change from last year. It is amazing how quickly time passes when you work 9 hour days and then go home and study. I have a whole new appreciation for people who go to school while working full time. I don't know how they do it!
Hope all is well with everyone!
Monday, August 22, 2011
Settling In
Hiya!
I am all settled in. Finally unpacked everything and I have internet up a running in my apartment. I am in great location and many thanks to my housemate for finding such a great place. Work is going well for the most part. It has been interesting to see how a program like this is run and I am learning so much. There have been a few stumbling blocks in terms of organization from the head office, but nothing too serious. Right now since school hasn't started yet I am keeping busy with my own projects, before my real responsibilities start. Went to the Como Zoo this weekend, which was good fun. Also, met up with a few friends from college. So far, so good with getting to see people.
In other news, Sam is starting college in about week!!! So excited and happy for him. He was itching to get back into education, but couldn't do it until he was considered a mature student.
Nothing much else going on here. The weather is wonderful and such a nice change from Ireland. I hope all is well with everyone!
I am all settled in. Finally unpacked everything and I have internet up a running in my apartment. I am in great location and many thanks to my housemate for finding such a great place. Work is going well for the most part. It has been interesting to see how a program like this is run and I am learning so much. There have been a few stumbling blocks in terms of organization from the head office, but nothing too serious. Right now since school hasn't started yet I am keeping busy with my own projects, before my real responsibilities start. Went to the Como Zoo this weekend, which was good fun. Also, met up with a few friends from college. So far, so good with getting to see people.
In other news, Sam is starting college in about week!!! So excited and happy for him. He was itching to get back into education, but couldn't do it until he was considered a mature student.
Nothing much else going on here. The weather is wonderful and such a nice change from Ireland. I hope all is well with everyone!
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Pet Farm
I have no idea what kind of pigs they are...but they were the highlight of my last week in Ireland. I have had an amazing year here and a sad to be leaving. But, I am looking forward to being back in MN and starting my year of service with MN Reading Corps!
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