We have been hit with some pretty heavy winter weather. There is no let up. While it is rough driving and not comfortable being out in the snow and cold, there is without a doubt a great deal of beauty to the snow. I hope to take some pictures to load here for those of you that are not in this area.
The meeting was very interesting and it was great seeing the kids again. They all seem to be thriving back here but all seem to miss Ambialet to some extent. There are plans to help Julie Horvath recruit for the fall. I will certainly do what I can because this is an excellent program for students.
Look for the pictures later.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Monday, January 24, 2011
Steelers and SCA
The Steelers hung on to win a very important football game. Sports Club Albi is also holding on to first place in their rugby league. So both my gold and black teams are doing really well.
Sports is an important part of both cultures, and although SCA was on a smaller scale than the NFL, the fervor of the fans was very similar. Both groups of fans love their team. Both wear their teams colors proudly and often. So maybe in sports, there are commonalities between our cultures.
Tomorrow I hope to go to a group event of the people that went to Ambialet, depending on my schedule. I'll write about it if I go.
Sports is an important part of both cultures, and although SCA was on a smaller scale than the NFL, the fervor of the fans was very similar. Both groups of fans love their team. Both wear their teams colors proudly and often. So maybe in sports, there are commonalities between our cultures.
Tomorrow I hope to go to a group event of the people that went to Ambialet, depending on my schedule. I'll write about it if I go.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Getting used to school here
Sorry I've been off for a while, but it has been very busy here. As I prepare to watch my Steelers play the Jets, I thought I'd get on and discuss the change and differences from last semester.
It has been very strange driving the 40 minutes to get to work, after a semester in which I went to the classroom next door for my class. Also, lunch,believe it or not, has been strange. I am not eating with students like in France. I may have to figure out how to get to the students more.
We did get a chance to see some of our Ambialet "alums" at Ed's 21st birthday party, which was nice. And the chance to see a few in the hall way at school was nice.
I have had a carry over from France that I didn't expect, I am now appreciating the scenery around here, like I did in France. It is something I had never appreciated before as much as now.
Well back to the game. Go Steelers!!!!!
(I wonder how Albi Sports Club did in rugby?)
It has been very strange driving the 40 minutes to get to work, after a semester in which I went to the classroom next door for my class. Also, lunch,believe it or not, has been strange. I am not eating with students like in France. I may have to figure out how to get to the students more.
We did get a chance to see some of our Ambialet "alums" at Ed's 21st birthday party, which was nice. And the chance to see a few in the hall way at school was nice.
I have had a carry over from France that I didn't expect, I am now appreciating the scenery around here, like I did in France. It is something I had never appreciated before as much as now.
Well back to the game. Go Steelers!!!!!
(I wonder how Albi Sports Club did in rugby?)
Saturday, January 8, 2011
My accident
This is a really strange occurance, but seems to identify the way my days have been going. Let me present the story effectively.
For Christmas, my daughter Caitlin thought it would be nice to give out turtle, Dale, a bigger tank to live in. So she bought her a 40 gallon tank. Unfortunately we have no room as yet for the tank, so it has been sitting in the dining room on the floor. It is also dangerously close to the path we use to walk to the kitchen, which in turn leads to other tooms in the house, specifically the bathroom. On Friday morning, about 5 a.m., I got up to go to the bathroom, forgot the tank was there, and rammed it with my knee, right on my knee cap. The pain was unbelievable, and after limping to the bathroom, and back to the livingroom, it just got worse. I remember thinking I better walk around so it wouldn't stiffen up too much. I was also feeling very clammy and nauseous by this point, so I got up to walk back to the bathroom. I remember walking toward the doorway into the dining room, and then nothing until my wife was telling me to wake up and to talk to her. The pain had been so severe that I had passed out! My wife said I went in and out of consciousness several times, which, I of course, did not remember. Not knowing what happened, she had my daughter call the ambulance. I knew what had happened and I tried to prevent the ambulance from needing to come out, but they did anyway. After talking to me, looking me over and taking blood pressure and other vitals, they felt I didn't need to be an emergency. While speaking to them, I noticed my jaw was sore and my shoulder a but sore as well. After they left, my wife noticed that several objects on our bookcase had been knocked over. Evidently I had hit it and then the opposite doorway wall when I passed out. My face was bruised on both sides and I have evidence of having a slight concussion. Not a good way to start the year.
Well, after sitting around all day yesterday and most of today, I will need to go out and take decorations down. I always wait until Orthodox Christmas is over until taking them down, but may be sorry due to my lack of mobility and soreness at this point.
For Christmas, my daughter Caitlin thought it would be nice to give out turtle, Dale, a bigger tank to live in. So she bought her a 40 gallon tank. Unfortunately we have no room as yet for the tank, so it has been sitting in the dining room on the floor. It is also dangerously close to the path we use to walk to the kitchen, which in turn leads to other tooms in the house, specifically the bathroom. On Friday morning, about 5 a.m., I got up to go to the bathroom, forgot the tank was there, and rammed it with my knee, right on my knee cap. The pain was unbelievable, and after limping to the bathroom, and back to the livingroom, it just got worse. I remember thinking I better walk around so it wouldn't stiffen up too much. I was also feeling very clammy and nauseous by this point, so I got up to walk back to the bathroom. I remember walking toward the doorway into the dining room, and then nothing until my wife was telling me to wake up and to talk to her. The pain had been so severe that I had passed out! My wife said I went in and out of consciousness several times, which, I of course, did not remember. Not knowing what happened, she had my daughter call the ambulance. I knew what had happened and I tried to prevent the ambulance from needing to come out, but they did anyway. After talking to me, looking me over and taking blood pressure and other vitals, they felt I didn't need to be an emergency. While speaking to them, I noticed my jaw was sore and my shoulder a but sore as well. After they left, my wife noticed that several objects on our bookcase had been knocked over. Evidently I had hit it and then the opposite doorway wall when I passed out. My face was bruised on both sides and I have evidence of having a slight concussion. Not a good way to start the year.
Well, after sitting around all day yesterday and most of today, I will need to go out and take decorations down. I always wait until Orthodox Christmas is over until taking them down, but may be sorry due to my lack of mobility and soreness at this point.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Football in the States
After all the months with no American football, I find that I have been almost overdosing on bowl games and Steeler football. Although I really enjoyed our opportunity to watch European Rugby, I understand American football much better. I still have my Albi Sports Club rugby shirt and flag, but have been more often wearing my WVU and Steeler stuff.
I have been asking people if they thought Rugby could make it as a sport here and they all seem to believe that it is a bit too hard to understand and not as exciting as American football. I'm not sure that's necessarily true, but there must be a reason that it has never made in-roads into American culture.
I am excited for the Steelers making the playoffs, which means my interest will continue to be at its peak level for at least 2 more weeks.
I have been asking people if they thought Rugby could make it as a sport here and they all seem to believe that it is a bit too hard to understand and not as exciting as American football. I'm not sure that's necessarily true, but there must be a reason that it has never made in-roads into American culture.
I am excited for the Steelers making the playoffs, which means my interest will continue to be at its peak level for at least 2 more weeks.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Some pictures from Lourdes
I had wanted to post some more pictures from Lourdes, but was unable to load them. I am going to use my wife's pictures here to give you an idea of what ot was like. It really was something special.
Lourdes
Statue of Saint Bernadette at Lourdes
Near the Grotto
One of the many beautiful mosaics at the Notre Dame Basillica at Lourdes
Actual Picture of Saint Bernadette and a Relic to Her
The Front of the Grotto
Many miracles (67 acknowledged by the Catholic church) and many cures (7000 and counting) have been attributed to water from the grotto. The bathes are famous for the curative principles they seemingly posess.
Sorry these are so late, but better late than never!
Lourdes
Statue of Saint Bernadette at Lourdes
Near the Grotto
One of the many beautiful mosaics at the Notre Dame Basillica at Lourdes
Actual Picture of Saint Bernadette and a Relic to Her
The Front of the Grotto
Many miracles (67 acknowledged by the Catholic church) and many cures (7000 and counting) have been attributed to water from the grotto. The bathes are famous for the curative principles they seemingly posess.
Sorry these are so late, but better late than never!
Happy New Year!
Last evening we enjoyed a meal out with friends and then came home to enjoy a quiet evening at home waiting for the New Year's ball to drop. It was a nice evening.
Today I plan to go to SNAP to exercise, watch some football, eat some saurerkraut and pork and then go to the Harry Potter movie. Not exactly an exciting day, but it will be nice. Hope all of you have a nice day and a great new year!
Today I plan to go to SNAP to exercise, watch some football, eat some saurerkraut and pork and then go to the Harry Potter movie. Not exactly an exciting day, but it will be nice. Hope all of you have a nice day and a great new year!
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