Oh, to be carefree!

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Sidenote: I don't have time now, but I'll post pictures later =)

Today has been one of my favorite days since coming to Scotland. Now, I realize that is a grand statement, and you’re probably expecting me to back it up with some unbelievable event or captivating story, but the reality is, that just isn’t the case. As you may have realized while reading through my various blog posts, it truly is in the simple joys of everyday life that I find great pleasure. I love sharing these small moments of beautiful simplicity with others =)

For starters, this morning was my assigned day to teach a lesson while being observed by my supervisor.  Dr. Wood came ready to watch my every move, video camera and all, and the kids couldn’t have been more excited to meet the surprise visitor I had told them about the day before. While I was only required to teach a small portion of the day, when I arrived to school this morning, I found out that my teacher wasn't there because she had a meeting, so I had the kids alone for a few hours with another P-4 teacher helping out. From the moment I walked into the classroom today, I felt like a teacher. A real, grown up teacher, with a responsible job, and 32 precious minds and hearts to touch.

After morning roll, the kids were supposed to go to ICT (computer lab). Now, for those of you who know the skills (or rather, the lack of skills,) I possess regarding electronics, I’m sure you will get a good laugh out of hearing me say that I helped teach 32 8 and 9 year olds during computer lab this morning! It was interesting to say the least! After ICT, they were supposed to go to P.E. Now, I assumed that the PE teacher would be there, but no, I had to teach PE as well...all while wearing a dress, hahaha! So, I pulled stuff out of my teacher’s hat, and we did a warm up to the even and odd chant I taught them last week, and sung it while doing jumping jacks. We did different rely races, and at the end, I showed them how to do a crab walk race (still while wearing a dress...).

In the afternoon, Dr. Wood came into the class while I was reading to the kids from “Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.” I quickly transitioned into my lesson over maps, specifically, the world map. I love being a teacher! Dr. Wood videotaped me teaching, and I have to go back and watch it to critique myself. It should be very humbling! I tend to be hard on myself, so I'm nervous about watching the video. But, I know it will be a great learning experience, and I have many things to improve in as a teacher! I truly consider the time I’ve had here in Miss Laird’s classroom as such a blessing. I have learned so many things throughout my time spent here!

This evening was simply wonderful! Right after dinner, Rona and her husband John came to pick us all up and drove us to Linlithgow. We walked around a beautiful lake, and threw bread to all these ducks and swans. It was hilarious to see 50 or more swans all swimming at you full force to fight over bread! Our whole team had a good laugh over the silly ducks, and enjoyed every moment! After feeding the birds, we walked around the lake, and headed up a hill to see yet another castle. We then headed on to a BEAUTIFUL church! We were the only people in the building, so we sat down and sang songs to God. It was so beautiful that I literally got chills as we were singing. It was an amazing time to be still and worship God with praises!

After leaving the church, the sun was starting to set, and it was gorgeous outside! We all enjoyed the beautiful view as we walked to get some ice cream…which was SO delicious! While we were walking back to the cars, we all happened to see a super exciting playground. Now, be forewarned, that taking 13 Early Childhood Education majors to a playground is bound to be eventful and exciting..and that it was! Tonight I felt so carefree! Feeding swans, singing in churches, eating ice-cream, and playing on a playground, comprised an incredible day! It’s impossible to share the truest and simplest joys through writing in a blog, but it’s an incredible thing to experience!

I feel......?

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

This afternoon I taught my students two songs about Oceans and Continents. They were to the tunes, Row, Row, Row your boat, and My Bonnie Lies over the ocean. It was a blast teaching them the songs, and making up motions to go along with it! During their art time, Miss Laird and I went over my lesson plan for Thursday, because Dr. Wood will be coming to observe my teaching. I will be teaching a lesson on maps, so we were working out the details of that.

French was cancelled last minute for the class, and because the weather was nice, we were able to take the kids out for the last half hour of the school day. We walked back into their “outside classroom” which consisted of walking underneath some trees by the school, and sitting on logs. We had circle time, “and shared some of our feelings. The two prompts for the students were, “I feel nervous when..?” and “People are the same because…?”

After, we played a silly game where one student would say an emotion, and we would all have to make a face that captured that emotion. Absolutely HILARIOUS! I was able to get a few snapshots of the kids during this game:

I feel.....excited!!!!!

I feel.....SHOCKED!

I feel.....HAPPY =)

I feel........? HAHAHA!

After school, Dr. Wood picked me up because I’m still feeling a little sick. We went to the Pharmacy in town, and the pharmacist prescribed me some medicine. Hopefully I’ll be feeling back to 100% real soon!
While procrastinating homework, some of us girls decided to go outside and have “Tea Time”. Caitlin so kindly picked each of us daisy flowers, while Lauren taught us all proper etiquette. We sipped tea and ate chocolate, while listening to classical music. It was lovely!

For dinner, we had chicken fajitas, which were DELICIOUS! Definitely the best meal we’ve had so far! After dinner, some of the team went to play games with a local church group, but since I haven’t been feeling well, I stayed back at the house to rest and work on my lesson plan.
One everyone got back, we decided to walk to ASDA (a local grocery store) and buy ice cream. It was a fun time, and wonderful to get out of the house and enjoy the nice weather. It’s crazy to think we did this at 9:00 tonight, all in broad daylight. It doesn’t get dark here until around 11:00 at night! It’s dark outside now, so I know that can only mean one thing; I’ve been up far too long, and it’s time to call it a night!

Good gifts from above

Monday, June 13^th

Though it's been a long and tiring day, it's been a day nonetheless, so I will count it as a gift. Today was sports day for my students, so we were outside in the cold, (which didn't help in my recovery of a sinus infection,lol). But, I had a great time with my students, and am trying to soak up each moment I have with them. I had been given permission to stay the whole school day since it was sports day, but because of being sick, I thought it would be best for me to come home after lunch. I definitely feel it was the right decision to make! Here are some pictures of my darling students during sports day: 

On my way back from school, there was a new bus driver and she went the wrong way somewhere enroot. I ended up getting back 35-40 min. later than I should have because she missed our stop, and we had to go all the way back towards Carronshore, and then back again to Larbert. Well, on the bright side, it was good extra time to spend in prayer =)

When we finally arrived at the Carronvale, I was beyond excited to see that I had mail from Elijah and his sweet mom! It truly was God's gift to me today!  Their kind words and thoughtfulness continue to touch my heart and encourage me! I just might have read Elijah’s letters more than once ;)
I continue to be amazed by the ways that God works. He knows just what we need, and he gives GOOD GIFTS to His children!

Highlights from the Highlands

Thursday, June 9th-Sunday, June 12th: Weekend trip to the Highlands and Isle of Skye

We have been gone traveling so much that I am WAY behind on blogging! I haven’t had a computer for 4 days while we were traveling around. I’ll try to just pinpoint some of the trip highlights, and add pictures for enjoyment =) Over this past weekend alone we traveled over 1000 miles! We sure have been blessed to see so many different areas of Scotland, and had absolutely beautiful weather the whole weekend!
Thursday, June 9^th, 2011Unfortunately I woke up this morning really sick. It ended up being so bad that I wasn’t able to go to school to teach, which was really disappointing. It was an awful time to be sick, as we were leaving that afternoon for the Highlands/Isle of Skye. I went back to bed for 3 hours, and slept until we left on our bus! Here are some of the main stops we made along the way:

*Our first stop was Loch Lomond, then a cute town called Luss, and after that, we visited Saint Conans Church

Unfortunately, I was feeling so sick that I only went in Conans Church for a few min, and then went to sleep in the bus until we were ready to leave. It was about a 6 hour drive to the hotel, but we made many stops along the way. Despite being sick, I immensely enjoyed the beautiful scenery!
I really enjoyed our stop in Luss. It was an adorable little town! We also made a great stop at a beautiful waterfall in the Highlands:

Once we got to the hotel (which was adorable, and looked like a castle), we had dinner, and then spent the night in Fort William. I took some medicine and went to bed early, hoping I would feel better in the morning

Friday, June 10^thI still wasn’t feeling too well when I woke up this morning, but my body aches were gone, so that was something to be thankful for! We had an exciting day! Here are some of the highlights:

Riding the Harry Potter steam train

*Arrived at Mallaig

*Lunch at the Garden Resteraunt, amazing baked potato and peppermint tea! Sat on couches overlooking the city:

*After a delicious lunch and walk around town, we took the Ferry to Armadele, Skye

*After the Ferry, we took a bus to my favorite place we stayed this weekend (MacKinnon Country House Hotel). It was just the cutest little place! While we were there, us girls went exploring, and danced in the field...a true Scotland experience!

And  this, was my absolute AMAZING dinner we had at our beautiful hotel

After dinner, we really dipped our feet in the Scotland culture and went to a bagpipe competition. I won't say it was the most exciting thing I've ever experienced, but I was thankful to have the opportunity to  go. Definitely a once in a lifetime event!

On our way back from the bagpipe competition, we stopped to take some pictures by the water. It was such a pretty night, and we were fortunate enough to catch a BEAUTIFUL sunset!

Saturday:*I Woke up on Saturday to and discover I was covered in 18 ticks! It probably had something to do with mine, Laruel, Katie, and Mellisa's wood exploration the day before. Just a crazy start to a crazy busy day in touring around Protree, the Eileen Donnan Castle, and Northern Skye!

Sunday:*Today we drove to Inverness, stopped and had lunch, and then went on a tour to see Nessie, the infamous Lochness Monster! We even got lucky and spotted some Highland Coo's! After a day full of adventure and sights, we drove the long 6 hours back to our home away from home, the Carronvale.

As you can see, it's been quite an eventful weekend! These pictures and posts are just a tip of the iceburg. I am finding more and more just how little justice the pictures I take can really do to show the beauty of Scotland and the surrounding areas. It truly is something everyone needs to go and experience for themselves!