tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-281441212024-03-13T12:20:39.443-04:00Phantzi Little YarnsOnce upon a time this was a knitting blog.
Then I had kids. E. Phantzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05812948199658356521noreply@blogger.comBlogger959125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28144121.post-57979926503104809012021-01-29T06:14:00.000-05:002021-01-29T06:14:20.464-05:00Without Measure<p>Today is my parents' 50th wedding anniversary, a golden day of worth and value without measure. In Spanish, the word for "fifty" is "<i>cincuenta</i>," which can be a pun for "<i>sin cuenta</i>," without measure. Infinite. Uncountable. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0rkKQSfJfH8/YBPrxx6Y5zI/AAAAAAAANK4/vvRWkX68YScaVwnyazaLz2n0eEOpIGOHwCPcBGAsYHg/s4128/20190627_105530.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2322" data-original-width="4128" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0rkKQSfJfH8/YBPrxx6Y5zI/AAAAAAAANK4/vvRWkX68YScaVwnyazaLz2n0eEOpIGOHwCPcBGAsYHg/w400-h225/20190627_105530.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Two years ago I had the honor of sorting through decades' worth of letters that my grandmother Beth Phelps had saved, letters from my dad in college and later from Viet Nam, then piles of letters from Peru. Beginning in 1971, there were letters from my mother as well, and eventually letters from me and Anita. </span></div><p><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VP0XVTJ6_dM/YBPrx847tqI/AAAAAAAANK4/hV4mJW-XHJsxXjmBQsd5Q3mUgBnVmaFpACPcBGAsYHg/s4128/20190626_205514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="2322" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VP0XVTJ6_dM/YBPrx847tqI/AAAAAAAANK4/hV4mJW-XHJsxXjmBQsd5Q3mUgBnVmaFpACPcBGAsYHg/w225-h400/20190626_205514.jpg" width="225" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FY_NzXjt1Ho/YBPrxz9udOI/AAAAAAAANK4/WfOWVvD-zSEqh21L4hgCofpAIIKKQ8_ywCPcBGAsYHg/s4128/20190626_205355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="2322" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FY_NzXjt1Ho/YBPrxz9udOI/AAAAAAAANK4/WfOWVvD-zSEqh21L4hgCofpAIIKKQ8_ywCPcBGAsYHg/w225-h400/20190626_205355.jpg" width="225" /></a></p><p>This treasure of family history took my breath away.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Sw99n9fq_i4/YBPtCLvRaOI/AAAAAAAANLQ/6kd8e1KXrvsY0oPco3JWNWkAPEThr8A_QCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20190630_192517.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Sw99n9fq_i4/YBPtCLvRaOI/AAAAAAAANLQ/6kd8e1KXrvsY0oPco3JWNWkAPEThr8A_QCNcBGAsYHQ/w400-h225/20190630_192517.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>There was one word that emerged as a theme from these carefully folded missives: </p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><b>Thankfulness</b></i>.</p><p>Over and over again, these words emerged: Thank you. </p><p>And these are the words that I have for today: Thank you. </p><p>Thank you for giving me and Anita an upbringing of immeasurable worth, experiences across continents and countries, a life among the Quechuas - these beautiful and marginalized and beloved people - our own heritage. </p><p>Thank you for your steadfastness, with each other, in your faith, towards us.</p><p>Thank you for your generosity and selflessness towards others.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--rdOkvX9emQ/YBPtcQmHC0I/AAAAAAAANLY/wNzzX0FUEwQJMtOVnjH2W0TS5ow8HF1VQCNcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1528" data-original-width="1146" height="400" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--rdOkvX9emQ/YBPtcQmHC0I/AAAAAAAANLY/wNzzX0FUEwQJMtOVnjH2W0TS5ow8HF1VQCNcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/image.png" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">I love you, <i>sin cuenta</i>.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28144121.post-7690644641585719412020-12-24T04:19:00.004-05:002020-12-24T04:19:24.723-05:00Do you see what I see? <p> Here is the story of our viewings of the great conjunction of 2020. </p><p>On Dec. 21, we hauled ourselves and two of Val's friends down to the artificial lake of Tirana, figuring the dam would be the best viewing point for that part of the sky. Terry has been taking evening walks around the lake for exercise and has been tracking Jupiter and Saturn in their twilight arcs.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RvwxIrbZ4Q4/X-RafOByuwI/AAAAAAAAM8w/FLWNoma85HYoc-pHYw6cn7uYCrkpk6riwCPcBGAsYHg/s4128/20201221_165453.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="4128" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RvwxIrbZ4Q4/X-RafOByuwI/AAAAAAAAM8w/FLWNoma85HYoc-pHYw6cn7uYCrkpk6riwCPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/20201221_165453.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>Alas, a screen of clouds obscured our view of the celestial marvel that night. We hung out there by the dam for a good hour, but didn't get a break. We saw one twinkling light near the horizon that we thought *could* have been the conjunction, or not, but it was too dim to tell where the hilltops were across the lake there. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XVIOxjRV958/X-RafPWm1sI/AAAAAAAAM8w/jFFkZ5XZIcYeXoWyhM5ovEz1xDnt7UZTwCPcBGAsYHg/s4128/20201222_161156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="4128" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XVIOxjRV958/X-RafPWm1sI/AAAAAAAAM8w/jFFkZ5XZIcYeXoWyhM5ovEz1xDnt7UZTwCPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/20201222_161156.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>Tuesday was a pretty evening, but also still cloudy. Made for a nice sunset, though!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4Wb8SKSrFUE/X-RafN-kX9I/AAAAAAAAM8w/fjt4ZIY4ZP4zg53jfhJ5snlRYono9VBlACPcBGAsYHg/s4128/20201222_160634.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="4128" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4Wb8SKSrFUE/X-RafN-kX9I/AAAAAAAAM8w/fjt4ZIY4ZP4zg53jfhJ5snlRYono9VBlACPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/20201222_160634.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Last night we finally had our chance! As the sun was doing down, I saw how clear the sky was and called the kids to get their shoes on - we didn't have time to get all the way to the lake, but we could walk down to the central plaza (Sheshi Skenderbeg), the most open area nearby, to see what we could see. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H28e3hrA5sA/X-RafHdKwtI/AAAAAAAAM8w/27H7G9nhQ1UkwmzONAsHchT7mppzeP-GACPcBGAsYHg/s4128/20201223_171601.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="4128" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H28e3hrA5sA/X-RafHdKwtI/AAAAAAAAM8w/27H7G9nhQ1UkwmzONAsHchT7mppzeP-GACPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/20201223_171601.jpg" width="400" /></a><p></p><p>And there it was! We could spot it without difficulty and unbelievably it even shows up in my phone's camera, just over the big Orthodox church near the center. </p><p>Welp, that was it. So we went into the big bookstore there to pick up a World War II history book that Val was interested in, and then headed to home. </p><p>But, as we were leaving the plaza, I saw two men hauling in a big old telescope! I was sure they were going to set it up to see the conjunction, so we turned around and followed them. Quicker than you could say "Bethlehem," they had it set up and pointed at the planetary marvel. We were the first in line to see it (and toss a few coins into their collection box). We could see both planets and a few of the moons, not very clearly, but distinctly enough. I think there was some cloud haze at that point. Then they turned it around to look at the moon, which was incredibly clear and beautiful. </p><p>So we got to see the great conjunction of 2020.</p><p>Here's hoping for some 2020 vision going into the new year. </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28144121.post-90747358290731580062020-12-24T04:07:00.005-05:002020-12-24T04:07:34.057-05:00Ancient Apollonia<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Last Saturday we had the pleasure of visiting the site of an ancient Greek settlement some way down the coast, near the city of Fier. <a href="http://albania.al/destinations/apollonia/" target="_blank">Apollonia</a> was established over 2,000 years ago and within a few generations had developed its own distinct identity as a small city-state, neither Greek nor Illyrian. At its height, the population was around 40,000 people. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HSpGjifN1HY/X-RXJjgzIgI/AAAAAAAAM8k/nxhSRTTYg0Uc7OJ0dk3IGX22NsBrzKJjACPcBGAsYHg/s4128/20201219_113812.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="4128" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HSpGjifN1HY/X-RXJjgzIgI/AAAAAAAAM8k/nxhSRTTYg0Uc7OJ0dk3IGX22NsBrzKJjACPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/20201219_113812.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>The archaeological ruins have only been 6% excavated and explored. What is visible is this partially restored temple, an amphitheater, and the foundations of several homes where families (counting enslaved people) averaging around 30 members lived. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-itabKdtDz5g/X-RXJovS8EI/AAAAAAAAM8k/-Dsxk1KFfOooT4E1VFrylWJ271J4wxs9QCPcBGAsYHg/s4128/20201219_120307.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="4128" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-itabKdtDz5g/X-RXJovS8EI/AAAAAAAAM8k/-Dsxk1KFfOooT4E1VFrylWJ271J4wxs9QCPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/20201219_120307.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G0YIGEPFnpY/X-RXJok3vII/AAAAAAAAM8k/hDR2Vo7er-MnDUUDhvFM_hYM1MWX7mePACPcBGAsYHg/s4128/20201219_120231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="4128" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G0YIGEPFnpY/X-RXJok3vII/AAAAAAAAM8k/hDR2Vo7er-MnDUUDhvFM_hYM1MWX7mePACPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/20201219_120231.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>The major river that was this city's main access highway and irrigation source for the lush farmlands all around was diverted by a major earthquake (I forget when), after which the city declined. </p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5_wIgEpgKOA/X-RXJn0vFNI/AAAAAAAAM8k/3qH7OEwZKSAjuudkAyfZTQii0qOuw6LLQCPcBGAsYHg/s4128/20201219_121142.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="4128" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5_wIgEpgKOA/X-RXJn0vFNI/AAAAAAAAM8k/3qH7OEwZKSAjuudkAyfZTQii0qOuw6LLQCPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/20201219_121142.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>In the 13th century, an Orthodox <a href="https://www.intoalbania.com/attraction/st-mary-church-and-monastery-in-apollonia/" target="_blank">monastery</a> was built on the ruins of the city, and it still stands today. We briefly saw a priest in his black robe standing under a tree as we came up the hill. </p><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ghrrWNKFpl0/X-RXJhCf8DI/AAAAAAAAM8k/TD2I4t333usOAle_SjrmgkmOxN6oIb60QCPcBGAsYHg/s4128/20201219_122736.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="4128" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ghrrWNKFpl0/X-RXJhCf8DI/AAAAAAAAM8k/TD2I4t333usOAle_SjrmgkmOxN6oIb60QCPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/20201219_122736.jpg" width="400" /></a><div><br /></div><div>It was very dark inside, but we were able to see ancient frescos, stone carvings, and a beautiful floor mosaic that has been partially uncovered.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A5QYt607S2c/X-RXJtb-n8I/AAAAAAAAM8k/YYpZwfbG-Uk4-PyXsM7oLFTAB2Su658wwCPcBGAsYHg/s4128/20201219_122239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="4128" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A5QYt607S2c/X-RXJtb-n8I/AAAAAAAAM8k/YYpZwfbG-Uk4-PyXsM7oLFTAB2Su658wwCPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/20201219_122239.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The layers of history run deep here. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3SAMd2m1bXA/X-RXJoyrAJI/AAAAAAAAM8k/z99QNgF2qHUhvtvD_glU1yBvyKeGV7W3ACPcBGAsYHg/s4128/20201219_122410.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="4128" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3SAMd2m1bXA/X-RXJoyrAJI/AAAAAAAAM8k/z99QNgF2qHUhvtvD_glU1yBvyKeGV7W3ACPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/20201219_122410.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0W-2pLK42Vo/X-RXJjFCGGI/AAAAAAAAM8k/rvhsSiyluMk55Ct4TLkSah9FUmS1r0rXgCPcBGAsYHg/s3264/20201219_122655.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0W-2pLK42Vo/X-RXJjFCGGI/AAAAAAAAM8k/rvhsSiyluMk55Ct4TLkSah9FUmS1r0rXgCPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/20201219_122655.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One of the most fun parts of the excursion was the company of two other families, whose sons are classmates and good friends of Gabriel. The boys were so happy to spend time together on a Saturday! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After the visit to the archaeological site, we all went out for an amazing fish and frog leg dinner at a nearby restaurant. It was a bit of a drive to get there, but so worth it - a place I'd been wanting to see for a long time! </div><br /> <p></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28144121.post-58460849780686524022020-12-06T04:57:00.007-05:002020-12-06T04:57:57.752-05:00Tree is up <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">These are not the clearest photos in the world, but we had fun setting up the tree yesterday and hanging ornaments. This one detail really makes it feel like we've vaulted into the Christmas season. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The kids have been buying and wrapping gifts for an "angel tree" activity at school where donations go to a local organization, <a href="https://www.tekura.org/" target="_blank">Tek Ura</a>, that does really great work here with marginalized communites. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZIEonAOGruY/X8yqLb-kZJI/AAAAAAAAMwI/54bYJSzhU4cae4fLrtVzWRrjLaf3qv52ACPcBGAsYHg/s4128/20201205_093532.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZIEonAOGruY/X8yqLb-kZJI/AAAAAAAAMwI/54bYJSzhU4cae4fLrtVzWRrjLaf3qv52ACPcBGAsYHg/w300-h400/20201205_093532.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p>I set up a bunch of candles in our fireplace, makes a nice little grotto. The light colored stones in the middle are a fossil of some kind of mollusc that I found on one of our hikes.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZfYTE6tzx3M/X8yqLcpuBhI/AAAAAAAAMwI/4yANqm4GHaQ1WlTrCVdMe8QxRHqyLC2rgCPcBGAsYHg/s4128/20201205_212617.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="4128" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZfYTE6tzx3M/X8yqLcpuBhI/AAAAAAAAMwI/4yANqm4GHaQ1WlTrCVdMe8QxRHqyLC2rgCPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/20201205_212617.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>And we made ginger cookies with sprinkles! Terry and Val ground up whole cloves for the spice mix. Yum! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hMCzj_omvkg/X8yqLY19hFI/AAAAAAAAMwI/CNFkQgnHr2w5yIRNbEbUyFm4TM20mXh6gCPcBGAsYHg/s4128/20201203_185341.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hMCzj_omvkg/X8yqLY19hFI/AAAAAAAAMwI/CNFkQgnHr2w5yIRNbEbUyFm4TM20mXh6gCPcBGAsYHg/w300-h400/20201203_185341.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28144121.post-62353021288733096212020-11-10T07:44:00.002-05:002020-11-10T07:44:12.888-05:00The Road Goes Ever On and On<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We went on a great hike on Sunday, up on Dajti Mountain and around to the back. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">When we walked through this tunnel, I told the kids "We're in Narnia!" </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fqN_dQfdO5I/X6qKM-lp78I/AAAAAAAAMdo/zpPj_jwiPMIYAoBGchzlFD11JItTiiQYACPcBGAsYHg/s4128/20201108_125548.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fqN_dQfdO5I/X6qKM-lp78I/AAAAAAAAMdo/zpPj_jwiPMIYAoBGchzlFD11JItTiiQYACPcBGAsYHg/w300-h400/20201108_125548.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p>It's such a relief to have the US election called. It feels like we've all dodged a bullet collectively, and I hope we have. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9r8qbEdXoaw/X6qKM6EVyVI/AAAAAAAAMdo/LFHUiigPQyQgRoWczimBPi8WlsuwYAr9wCPcBGAsYHg/s3264/20201108_123319.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9r8qbEdXoaw/X6qKM6EVyVI/AAAAAAAAMdo/LFHUiigPQyQgRoWczimBPi8WlsuwYAr9wCPcBGAsYHg/w300-h400/20201108_123319.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-twar4r71GlM/X6qKM2HUFaI/AAAAAAAAMdo/EQUXY7OmaO8t5v8D7tcB6Kb7nj0F62zIQCPcBGAsYHg/s4128/20201108_123200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="4128" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-twar4r71GlM/X6qKM2HUFaI/AAAAAAAAMdo/EQUXY7OmaO8t5v8D7tcB6Kb7nj0F62zIQCPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/20201108_123200.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c65fO1-E_Pk/X6qKMwtdB3I/AAAAAAAAMdo/n2KgCynTfwUaV24xxr1WeurI0LCFvvX_ACPcBGAsYHg/s4128/20201108_113150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c65fO1-E_Pk/X6qKMwtdB3I/AAAAAAAAMdo/n2KgCynTfwUaV24xxr1WeurI0LCFvvX_ACPcBGAsYHg/w300-h400/20201108_113150.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I guess it's what you would call and mountaintop experience! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bG4M_BReyVE/X6qKM41HcLI/AAAAAAAAMdo/EB0ZCb1Le7ozr3LlXMEOodFd98szpjGugCPcBGAsYHg/s4128/20201108_112232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bG4M_BReyVE/X6qKM41HcLI/AAAAAAAAMdo/EB0ZCb1Le7ozr3LlXMEOodFd98szpjGugCPcBGAsYHg/w300-h400/20201108_112232.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7F0lKxcQLFI/X6qKM2ktNfI/AAAAAAAAMdo/WZOgG-Zm76IUa34aDEwQC9Tv69vIUAWCwCPcBGAsYHg/s4128/20201108_105908.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7F0lKxcQLFI/X6qKM2ktNfI/AAAAAAAAMdo/WZOgG-Zm76IUa34aDEwQC9Tv69vIUAWCwCPcBGAsYHg/w300-h400/20201108_105908.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /> I don't think I take enough pictures of Terry :-) I'm thankful for everything he does for and with us. <p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28144121.post-30722461511047878902020-11-05T03:13:00.004-05:002020-11-05T03:13:21.175-05:00Pause<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">I was walking home after a staff meeting on Tuesday, along a busy grimy street and turned my head to see this amazing sunset. Since daylight savings time ended, the sun sets so early. It was good to be reminded that there is beauty everywhere, but sometimes you have to pay attention to see it. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BzAsGDIfGsI/X6Oxk7DcHxI/AAAAAAAAMZM/o2OcUXe3YuEG1jTqSrxoXkIp5fpDdSLbACPcBGAsYHg/s4128/20201103_164955.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BzAsGDIfGsI/X6Oxk7DcHxI/AAAAAAAAMZM/o2OcUXe3YuEG1jTqSrxoXkIp5fpDdSLbACPcBGAsYHg/w300-h400/20201103_164955.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Two weekends ago we went hiking with a big group of people, 7 families from our school went in 6 vehicles to an area not far from Tirana where there are some old castle ruins near a little village. To get to the village, you had to hike up a very precarious path, however, so half the group took the wide road around - but went off track and ended up invading someone's private farm. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lgs1SHYcTkE/X6Oxk_tzqkI/AAAAAAAAMZM/nut_kS9Tj8gDUn04lPvtBIiQZyf3ibJrACPcBGAsYHg/s4128/20201024_132213.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lgs1SHYcTkE/X6Oxk_tzqkI/AAAAAAAAMZM/nut_kS9Tj8gDUn04lPvtBIiQZyf3ibJrACPcBGAsYHg/w300-h400/20201024_132213.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">Nothing bad happened, we just had to turn around and retrace our steps back.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F7zWIrhCQd0/X6Oxk8Pk1rI/AAAAAAAAMZM/V-RviKrXMyYAnSQI6NmAph_BfOr8qXQOwCPcBGAsYHg/s4128/20201024_130206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="4128" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F7zWIrhCQd0/X6Oxk8Pk1rI/AAAAAAAAMZM/V-RviKrXMyYAnSQI6NmAph_BfOr8qXQOwCPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/20201024_130206.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>I was thinking about these steep slopes - how we have to pause to catch our breath, and in doing so we see the big picture. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-120YRy3COds/X6Oxk2lxanI/AAAAAAAAMZM/RgXlGGlpzuoaXNNXBluefFovUDMCBzp-ACPcBGAsYHg/s4128/20201024_123450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-120YRy3COds/X6Oxk2lxanI/AAAAAAAAMZM/RgXlGGlpzuoaXNNXBluefFovUDMCBzp-ACPcBGAsYHg/w300-h400/20201024_123450.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />Weekends are such important pauses for me right now in this high-stress school year. This weekend the same folks who organized this hike are ambitiously organizing another. We're thinking Terry will go while the kids and I stay home, and pause. <p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28144121.post-57558855005355420652020-10-20T04:41:00.003-04:002020-10-20T04:41:17.754-04:00Elbow Grease<p>This morning I got up to a new, happy feeling - a real sense of relief from pain I've had in my right elbow early August. There have been days when I would wake up and my elbow hurt less, or hurt more, but today it was a qualitatively different feeling than just a mathematical decrease in pain. I think it's finally getting better </p><p>We got bikes over the summer, calculating a savings cost and health benefits for getting to and from school in the coming months. Meanwhile, to get the kids (and myself) in biking shape we used them to get to and from playdates. One day coming back from picking Gabe up, I lifted the bike quickly over a curb at an awkward angle and felt a sharp, intense pain in my right elbow. </p><p>That was the first injury. I iced it, took Ibuprofen, and tried not to use that arm too much, but it hurt even to try to open a pickle jar, or to scrub a pot while washing dishes. </p><p>Then, about 10 days later, I was foolishly trying out Gabe's hoverboard and fell hard backwards, hitting my head on the low wall of the balcony and also landing on that same right elbow. </p><p>I was truly frightened about possible head injury, because school was just starting, but I was fine as far as that went. </p><p>The elbow, though, was bruised and swollen. Over the next few days it got better, but I was stuck with chronic pain that was exacerbated by knitting, using the mouse, and using the handbrake on my bike. Anything that involved grasping with the thumb and first two fingers on my right hand. </p><p>Physiotherapy was the next step. Turns out that the radius was very slightly dislocated, but the therapist shoved it back in place and gave me a series of exercises to do. That helped, but the pain continued. Less, but still there. </p><p>I went back again and got instructions to prop up my forearm while using the mouse or typing, and I think this has done the trick. It's the ergonomics of it - plus continued careful stretching. </p><p>We're coming to the end of the first quarter of the school year and I finally am feeling some relief - both in reduced stress overall, and relief from this chronic pain. I am so thankful. </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28144121.post-17898652766166822672020-10-15T05:41:00.002-04:002020-10-15T05:41:11.118-04:00Shpella Pëllumbasit - hike to a cave<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We had this week off from school, a nice long Fall Break, so it seemed like a good opportunity to head out of the city and explore more of Albania. The weather had other plans, however, so we spent Monday and Tuesday hunkered down with books and Minecraft while it rained, and rained, and rained. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thankfully, Wednesday dawned clear and beautiful and we were able to borrow a vehicle for a lovely day trip to <a href="https://www.tirana.al/en/points-of-interest/rrethinat-e-tiranes/kalaja-e-petreles" target="_blank">Petrela Castle</a>: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OKhZgQYwivc/X4f6sD6Ry2I/AAAAAAAAMN0/Xkz-UMov0yEGmfc0sPHP3jpEstmxlfW9gCPcBGAsYHg/s3527/20201014_102548.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3527" data-original-width="2645" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OKhZgQYwivc/X4f6sD6Ry2I/AAAAAAAAMN0/Xkz-UMov0yEGmfc0sPHP3jpEstmxlfW9gCPcBGAsYHg/w300-h400/20201014_102548.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p>We had gone a few years ago when my parents came to visit, but this time the weather was nicer and we're all in better shape so made the short climb to the top to see the amazing view from the top. It was pretty amazing to envision the people who built it, strategically located to look along the valley to Durres.</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EmQmV19MqUw/X4f6sPxXjwI/AAAAAAAAMN0/4JkLvlrUd_g2G6nLky8waq87cYPpy4N3ACPcBGAsYHg/s4128/20201014_105143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="4128" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EmQmV19MqUw/X4f6sPxXjwI/AAAAAAAAMN0/4JkLvlrUd_g2G6nLky8waq87cYPpy4N3ACPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/20201014_105143.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>After that we made our way to Pëllumbas, a small village where we got a bit of lunch to eat before following a well-maintained trail along the mountains to an amazing cave called <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cave_of_P%C3%ABllumbas" target="_blank">Shpella Pëllumbasit </a>(the cave of Pëllumbas). </p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7DLSJnn0Hk8/X4f6sMIRodI/AAAAAAAAMN0/KoI99SgyZgEMpwzvC2AXo887BOdbpVv1QCPcBGAsYHg/s4128/20201014_135437.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="4128" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7DLSJnn0Hk8/X4f6sMIRodI/AAAAAAAAMN0/KoI99SgyZgEMpwzvC2AXo887BOdbpVv1QCPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/20201014_135437.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>The silence of the mountains was only disturbed by the rushing sound of the river below, and the occasional braying of a donkey from the village. The trail was not too muddy, and there were handrails and steps installed in the trickiest spots, as well as a few benches at lookout spots like the one above. We saw a lot of mushrooms, beetles, and grasshoppers. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ATd33KAzSoE/X4f6sIpXK0I/AAAAAAAAMN0/awoioC_5vWIHot5H8-UOCn5SaPcBkC5bACPcBGAsYHg/s4128/20201014_143707.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ATd33KAzSoE/X4f6sIpXK0I/AAAAAAAAMN0/awoioC_5vWIHot5H8-UOCn5SaPcBkC5bACPcBGAsYHg/w300-h400/20201014_143707.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p>I was about to give up when we finally got to the cave - it was pretty impressive, having been inhabited by humans since the Paleolithic! (well, not continuously - I don't think anyone lives there now)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q2C2l53QBbs/X4f6sB58tnI/AAAAAAAAMN0/bOGncPbSmIMd75u2qj9bvhqW3X30DGXTACPcBGAsYHg/s4128/20201014_143849.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="4128" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q2C2l53QBbs/X4f6sB58tnI/AAAAAAAAMN0/bOGncPbSmIMd75u2qj9bvhqW3X30DGXTACPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/20201014_143849.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>There were steps carved into the cave wall here near the entrance.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ibuMDqpR3VI/X4f6sDP6VnI/AAAAAAAAMN0/uOjdoMeel_4sbw63RB9irxHYs-rMpoPsACPcBGAsYHg/s4128/20201014_144925.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="4128" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ibuMDqpR3VI/X4f6sDP6VnI/AAAAAAAAMN0/uOjdoMeel_4sbw63RB9irxHYs-rMpoPsACPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/20201014_144925.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>Apparently you can rent lanterns and helmets to do a proper spelunking, and hire a guide, but we just moseyed around the entrance and imagined being ancient humans living there. The cave floor was quite dry, so it seemed like a perfect ready-made place to hunker down in bad weather between hunting and foraging trips. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XH9QT4Qf9Ug/X4f6sKQvnHI/AAAAAAAAMN0/2NbterRJSkwpUDLnf8-S45kLooQKjfJowCPcBGAsYHg/s4128/20201014_145008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="4128" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XH9QT4Qf9Ug/X4f6sKQvnHI/AAAAAAAAMN0/2NbterRJSkwpUDLnf8-S45kLooQKjfJowCPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/20201014_145008.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> We don't know much about mushrooms, but there were a number of different kinds visible and I imagine some are edible. <p></p><p>It was a beautiful, amazing day trip and I'm so glad we did it.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x9WYoqjcay0/X4gZEu525kI/AAAAAAAAMOE/Keadb2N563IcjZvQMxnwVxBi0XvzMdQMQCPcBGAsYHg/s3264/20201014_103023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x9WYoqjcay0/X4gZEu525kI/AAAAAAAAMOE/Keadb2N563IcjZvQMxnwVxBi0XvzMdQMQCPcBGAsYHg/w300-h400/20201014_103023.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28144121.post-23967463998460400932020-10-07T07:46:00.007-04:002020-10-07T08:16:33.391-04:00A bit of a melange<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's October already! Life continues to be full and busy. I'm slightly less tired than I was a few weeks ago, and only 30% as scared on the way to and from school. Yesterday Terry used my bike to pick up the kids since I had a staff meeting after classes, and he got a flat tire, so I was spared (ha ha) from having to deal with that. I'm still, overall, really enjoying biking. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So, can anyone identify the tree that is in this picture, with the broader/bigger leaves? There are lemon, tangerine, and olive trees in the garden at school, and the students are telling me that this new tall tree (upper left quadrant) is an avocado. I'm skeptical but willing to be convinced! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5xixfMgs0dY/X32nwvqi9cI/AAAAAAAAMEg/eLBwUh3Ie_o5OuL89Lfn6cmHOvWNTMfDQCPcBGAsYHg/s4128/20201007_100609.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="4128" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5xixfMgs0dY/X32nwvqi9cI/AAAAAAAAMEg/eLBwUh3Ie_o5OuL89Lfn6cmHOvWNTMfDQCPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/20201007_100609.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In yarn-related news, I'm very excited to have all these beautiful new yarns from Indigo Dragonfly! I ordered them a while ago, before I knew whether we would be able to go to the US this summer or not and they'e been living at Rosanne's house. Now a friend of hers has unexpectedly come to Albania and he was able to bring them to me. Yarn heaven! One of these days I will have the energy to decide what to knit next, download the <a href="https://indigodragonfly.ca/collections/impervious-kits">patterns</a>, and get started. The pinkish one is <a href="https://indigodragonfly.ca/collections/kits/products/dr-tam-shawlette-kit">Corona-virus themed</a> (it's named for Dr. Tam, who has headed up the Canadian response to Covid-19; the pattern includes "droplets" in sets of 19 and the colors are based on a photo of the virus).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eB9122Q-qvY/X32n0_X_BvI/AAAAAAAAMEk/-1cs7N3JYG4JTkgN1Css08ChLv0Oqv9gACPcBGAsYHg/s4128/20201004_153347.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="4128" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eB9122Q-qvY/X32n0_X_BvI/AAAAAAAAMEk/-1cs7N3JYG4JTkgN1Css08ChLv0Oqv9gACPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/20201004_153347.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We recently went past this mural, which you can see has been repainted to match our current reality. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wpyoEm3T8Vg/X32n6Cz4t9I/AAAAAAAAMEo/o1lO5x2SLQURmDqy4M5ezboxtcqNapJ0ACPcBGAsYHg/s4128/20200927_123207.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="4128" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wpyoEm3T8Vg/X32n6Cz4t9I/AAAAAAAAMEo/o1lO5x2SLQURmDqy4M5ezboxtcqNapJ0ACPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/20200927_123207.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is what it looked like before:<span style="text-align: left;"> </span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kW5q3hBW3sI/X32qTU4n7bI/AAAAAAAAME4/-3ZSgCj4UdgZRXfbzEb4g1Ga-TXwckqYgCPcBGAsYHg/s4128/20190113_121906.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2322" data-original-width="4128" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kW5q3hBW3sI/X32qTU4n7bI/AAAAAAAAME4/-3ZSgCj4UdgZRXfbzEb4g1Ga-TXwckqYgCPcBGAsYHg/w400-h225/20190113_121906.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>Masks are starting to feel normal, to the point that I showed my students a photo of a crowd of people in Tokyo from several years ago and their reaction was "it's so strange that they're not wearing masks!"</div><div><br /></div><div>Next week is Fall Break! We're hoping to go somewhere outside Tirana </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28144121.post-12913850200728599112020-09-25T07:46:00.000-04:002020-09-25T07:46:01.950-04:00Moving into Fall<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fY7OtgA1KQg/X23XEfnyRsI/AAAAAAAAL_I/pC5pLcpsPb85IkJsH2p1Kw4rZgXJ56mawCPcBGAsYHg/s4128/20200923_164558.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fY7OtgA1KQg/X23XEfnyRsI/AAAAAAAAL_I/pC5pLcpsPb85IkJsH2p1Kw4rZgXJ56mawCPcBGAsYHg/s320/20200923_164558.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>It feels like this corner of the world has started shifting into Fall. The shops are still stocked with sandals and swimsuits, but temperatures have dropped slightly and rains have blown in this week. I was very nervous about biking to school in the rain, but we have managed so far. Got new raincoats and sturdier shoes. </p><p>The first rainy day, I wore these nylon pants that I've had simply forever. They are not waterproof but they do dry very quickly so they are suitable for wet days; I just take a skirt or something to change into once I get to school. Not very stylish but they'll do the job. </p><p>I actually did the math then, because I remember wearing these in Bolivia, back when I would drive a motorcycle in the mud and hike into pastures in our work with MCC. I remember that my uncle Dave gave them to me. They are Champion brand and I'm pretty sure he got them at Wal-Mart. They have to be at least 25 years old, then. I don't remember having them in college so I can peg the date at or around summer 1995 when I graduated. </p><p>Not that my memory is that reliable. </p><p>But I do have vivid memories of mosquitos clustered thickly on these pants during community meetings in Yapacaní. </p><p>It feels good to have clothes that old, still useful. Older than some of my colleagues at school! </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28144121.post-54122729801415876152020-09-18T09:15:00.004-04:002020-09-18T09:15:48.564-04:00School in the time of Covid-19<p> Week one of in-person instruction for the 2020-2021 school year is in the books!</p><p>On Monday I was ready to collapse from exhaustion, but it turned out to be mostly dehydration. The weather continues to be very hot in Albania, and we are required to keep our classroom windows open and wear masks at all times indoors. We can turn on the A/C in the classroom, but it isn't very effective with the windows open (although it helps). </p><p>I forgot to drink water, and since we biked to school and back, I got home with a massive headache and just kind of fell into bed.</p><p>The rest of the week went better, although by Wednesday I actually thought we'd been in in-person school for two weeks already!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NltdA_xycwc/X2Sw3B34TtI/AAAAAAAAL6E/1J49TS2_h9g0yNtFIIJ7Mo4CbbMkJ_rewCPcBGAsYHg/s4128/20200818_101223.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NltdA_xycwc/X2Sw3B34TtI/AAAAAAAAL6E/1J49TS2_h9g0yNtFIIJ7Mo4CbbMkJ_rewCPcBGAsYHg/s320/20200818_101223.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p>About a month ago, when staff meetings began, I discovered this card on the whiteboard in my classroom, under the date: March 9, 2020. That was the last day we were in the building until this fall. It was a poignant moment. I left the date un-erased, as a kind of marker of the massive transition that happened that day. </p><p>As far as school itself goes, there have been no major disasters, no huge problems, no massive snafus. It has been a surprisingly uneventful first week back in the classroom. I absolutely love being face-to-face, despite the masks, despite the heat. I love getting overly dramatic while reading out loud or explaining concepts. I've always had a bit of a diva in me (I loved acting in plays or performing music, even though I'm at best mediocre in those areas) and it's really fun being in front of a classroom again. </p><p>The students have been mostly cooperative, and also glad to be together again. Everything depends on their cooperation, so that's encouraging. </p><p>At the same time, I am deeply tired. I have very little down time for planning since we have to cover more study halls (keeping class cohorts separate) and more stringently supervise lunch time and down time in general. As an introvert, it's wearying to be always "on stage." I like being on stage, but I need the backstage time to recharge and rest. </p><p>Hurray for weekends! </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28144121.post-40826608331957893732020-09-09T07:16:00.006-04:002020-09-09T07:16:51.889-04:00Feel the breeze in my face<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Last year we bought a second-hand bike for Gabe, and a new one for Val. During lockdown there were not many opportunities to use them, and then this summer with all the unpredictable travel restrictions we opted not to do our usual grand world tour of places we have lived before and instead invested that money in wheels for the whole family. We upgraded the kids bikes, and bought two more adult sized bikes as well. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mOfbqliZFLs/X1i0lsvjS5I/AAAAAAAAL10/2s3E4x8Anx0GOUSBdl9MC_WHUhYVG_EUgCPcBGAsYHg/s4128/20200521_151632.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="4128" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mOfbqliZFLs/X1i0lsvjS5I/AAAAAAAAL10/2s3E4x8Anx0GOUSBdl9MC_WHUhYVG_EUgCPcBGAsYHg/s320/20200521_151632.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I absolutely LOVE biking. I think the last time I used a bicycle was around 1997 or so, when I rode one around the Yapacaní area in Bolivia. But a combination of factors gave me a lot of lower back pain, which was exacerbated by biking, so I quit and hadn't mounted one since then. So it has been over 20 years. I had forgotten how much fun it is! </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VPrAUVnYkq4/X1i0tm9ZjFI/AAAAAAAAL14/rNriv1J3OKk5lXmULemThBpXkl68iZNIwCPcBGAsYHg/s3264/20200726_170219.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VPrAUVnYkq4/X1i0tm9ZjFI/AAAAAAAAL14/rNriv1J3OKk5lXmULemThBpXkl68iZNIwCPcBGAsYHg/w300-h400/20200726_170219.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p>It reminds of how Harry Potter felt the first time he rode a broom:</p><p>“He mounted the broom and kicked hard against the ground and up, up he soared; air rushed through his hair, and his robes whipped out behind him- and in a rush of fierce joy he realized he'd found something he could do without being taught- this was easy, this was <i>wonderful</i>." (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone)</p><p>There is another description of how the broom seemed to know what he wanted it to do, how it responded to the lightest touch of his hand. That's how I felt on my bike today, gliding down this bike path (below) to school. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tIrwAH578fE/X1i0tvFrkqI/AAAAAAAAL14/gRr61MHan00o3ZKAMIHV7Ctn9qC6kM23gCPcBGAsYHg/s4128/20200726_170215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tIrwAH578fE/X1i0tvFrkqI/AAAAAAAAL14/gRr61MHan00o3ZKAMIHV7Ctn9qC6kM23gCPcBGAsYHg/w300-h400/20200726_170215.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /> The current mayor of Tirana has expanded the bike lanes all over the city, and during lockdown continued to do so. Drivers of vehicles are not very happy about it, as on-street parking has diminished considerably. Public use of the bike lanes is also not ideal - a lot of pedestrians walk in them, and people often stop their vehicles in them to pick up and drop off things or passengers. The traffic lights at major intersections are not terribly well organized. However, it sure beats walking (to me - Terry still prefers to hoof it). <p></p><p>We are planning to have the kids bike to school, at least we'll try it out. If we manage to bike for 60 days out of the 180 school days in the year, the cost of the bikes will balance out the cost of a taxi. The exercise and renewable energy benefits are superlative. </p><p>But most of all, gliding down the street on my bike is just pure joy. </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28144121.post-16361433405482657902020-09-04T04:35:00.005-04:002020-09-04T04:35:41.790-04:00The Tirana Pyramid<p> The Tirana Pyramid is a well-known landmark in the city, on the main boulevard between Sheshi Skenderbeg and the university. When I think of pyramids, I think of Egypt, of course, and of the Mayan and Aztec pyramids in the new world. Something in the way that the shape evokes mountains obviously invites climbing.</p><p>The Tirana Pyramid was built as a monument to Albania's cruel dictator, Enver Hoxha, and was a center for communications for many years. Now, it is a decrepit, graffiti-covered trash pit, more or less, although the current municipal government has ambitious plans to turn it into a center for digital technology innovation and training. </p><p>It's also a kid magnet. It's something of a rite of passage for kids in Tirana to climb to the top, and yesterday my kids and their friend S. did just that! It was such a beautiful day out, that I suggested we all ride our bikes to the lake after school. Well, a simple bike ride turned into extended playtime in the park by the lake, and "can we stop and climb the pyramid?" on the way back!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s68n37kbil8/X1H7gp9k4qI/AAAAAAAALz4/sIl1bX7YTEoHewsqYyxZzoj-dLlZz4GPwCPcBGAsYHg/s4128/20200903_182827.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="4128" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s68n37kbil8/X1H7gp9k4qI/AAAAAAAALz4/sIl1bX7YTEoHewsqYyxZzoj-dLlZz4GPwCPcBGAsYHg/s320/20200903_182827.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>My heart was in my throat watching them become little ants before my eyes, ascending on a slant, raising their arms in triumph at the top, then inching their ways back down again. </p><p>Last year we enjoyed reading the Secret Series by Pseudonymous Bosch. In the first book, <i>The Name of This Book Is Secret</i>, our hearts were in our throats reading the thrilling story of Cass and Max-Ernest who sneak into a pyramid-turned-spa to rescue their friend Benjamin from the nefarious designs of Ms. Mauvais and Dr. L, who want to live forever. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-saqJ7ye9PGM/X1H7nvvcKGI/AAAAAAAALz8/eaQ-nS3ab_0_a6axERpIp0hT40XUYV2ygCPcBGAsYHg/s4128/20200903_183457.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-saqJ7ye9PGM/X1H7nvvcKGI/AAAAAAAALz8/eaQ-nS3ab_0_a6axERpIp0hT40XUYV2ygCPcBGAsYHg/w300-h400/20200903_183457.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p>Whatever the context - communist Albania, Egypt, the Americas, a book of fiction - pyramids seem to confer a sense of magical power. I love that my kids met this challenge, this Albanian rite of passage, scaling to the top of this new height. I love that they came back down to earth, grounded with me again. </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28144121.post-24998748077251417262020-09-02T06:43:00.000-04:002020-09-02T06:43:11.094-04:00A hot minute<p>Hello! </p><p>It's been a hot minute since I've posted here, actually more like 1 million thirty thousand minutes (give or take...). Basically I spent a year after that last post processing a lot of "life stuff" internally that I wasn't really comfortable making public, and then this past year I've been super busy teaching. Plus, the kids are at an age where they're a little more aware of what gets posted about them on social media, so I haven't felt as free to talk about them as much here. </p><p>But here we are, and I thought it might be a good time to rev up the ol' blog again. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fxu4lKxWGVQ/X09zbDDaHmI/AAAAAAAALyU/gQMEgbmO1ogwdUbY2FORYw0pQ2nOPQU0ACPcBGAsYHg/s4128/20200327_095840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2322" data-original-width="4128" height="230" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fxu4lKxWGVQ/X09zbDDaHmI/AAAAAAAALyU/gQMEgbmO1ogwdUbY2FORYw0pQ2nOPQU0ACPcBGAsYHg/w410-h230/20200327_095840.jpg" width="410" /></a></div><br /><p>We have started school online this year!</p><p>We had hoped to begin in person on the 20th, then on the 24th, and then got word that permission to open face-to-face was denied by the Albanian Ministry of Education. But, we could start online, and then transition to face-to-face once all the Albanian schools open on September 14. </p><p>It seems like everyone connected in any way, shape, or form to formal education is struggling with the pandemic and all that implies for the ways that we do school, at all levels. It has been a learning curve, for sure, but I've felt a lot of confidence in our administration - the thoughtful planning, consultation, and decision-making that has gone into preparing for this year gives me a great sense of optimism.</p><p>And, so far so good! There have been tech issues and glitches, to be sure - on Tuesday, four of my 9th-graders living near each other lost power! But students, teachers, and families have shown themselves to be adaptable and resilient. The four 9th graders got together at one home and used 4G to connect on one laptop to their class. It looked to me like they were actually really enjoying doing school together. </p><p>We have had our own little family "pod" as well. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-31uokEpsi8w/X090zxImJ5I/AAAAAAAALyg/oqknGamwJzwBLxXIXYPSJ3kmFW-hvXmvwCPcBGAsYHg/s4128/20200708_110857.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="4128" height="197" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-31uokEpsi8w/X090zxImJ5I/AAAAAAAALyg/oqknGamwJzwBLxXIXYPSJ3kmFW-hvXmvwCPcBGAsYHg/w262-h197/20200708_110857.jpg" width="262" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XAoWP1l9_GM/X090z5crFSI/AAAAAAAALyg/N3uDKIgoucUt7SLlyzPKH3yH7-oN5AwPACPcBGAsYHg/s4128/20200627_145043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="4128" height="197" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XAoWP1l9_GM/X090z5crFSI/AAAAAAAALyg/N3uDKIgoucUt7SLlyzPKH3yH7-oN5AwPACPcBGAsYHg/w262-h197/20200627_145043.jpg" width="262" /></a></div>Over the summer, our kids have had regular playdates with a couple friends from their respective classes, and so when school started we decided to keep the friend-pods going and invited the other kids to join us at our house. We hired a recent high school graduate to look after them while Terry and I work, and so far it's been going really well. <p></p><p><a href="https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/country/albania/" target="_blank">COVID-19 stats in Albania </a>have not been great this summer. We are up to 101 deaths per million, which is lower than the global average, but not by much. After lockdown lifted on June 1 (after a whole month of *no deaths*), people seemed to feel quite free to do whatever and also seemed to be trusting in the summer weather to knock out the virus. Daily cases soared - and are only now just starting to come down again as people seem to have realized the consequences of their actions. </p><p>So, we will see how things go. That's all we can do, really - prepare and plan, but be ready to flex at a moment's notice. </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28144121.post-59042094647960842262018-09-11T13:10:00.000-04:002018-09-11T13:10:17.505-04:00Summertime Val<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28144121.post-58817238030573301412018-08-29T07:24:00.001-04:002018-08-29T07:41:15.866-04:00First Day of School<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Summer has drawn to a close for us although it is still pretty hot; we're back in Albania and the kids have started school again. Yesterday was their first day back - it's a new school for them, although there are some kids there they know from church. <div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fR82E0IGZS4/W4aDNumvLeI/AAAAAAAAEfs/N86xUrvU-pgLVyCbAyO6eu5IgE2GM_SiwCLcBGAs/s1600/20180828_085442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="993" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fR82E0IGZS4/W4aDNumvLeI/AAAAAAAAEfs/N86xUrvU-pgLVyCbAyO6eu5IgE2GM_SiwCLcBGAs/s400/20180828_085442.jpg" width="247" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">En route to school</td></tr>
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<br />Some changes - uniform days are MWF, otherwise they wear regular clothes; start and end times are almost the same, but they get <i>two</i> recesses (one midmorning with a snack, one after lunch); all the kids pack their own lunches; they have Bible class three times a week and chapel once a week; we take taxi or bus partway there and back instead of walking the whole way. Class sizes are similar but the ratio of girls to boys is much higher.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the end of the day</td></tr>
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What Val said: "It was like a day at camp!" (Not sure how she would know that, but I think she meant she had fun)... got a book from the library, and said that the girls in her class were really nice to her (a welcome change). </div>
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Gabe learned all about dolphins, visited the library, noted that I did not put enough salt on the rice I packed for his lunch, and when I asked him what he calls his teacher (she is Albanian, so I thought her name might be tricky for him), he said "I call her Excuse Me!" </div>
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Such a joker.</div>
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Anyway, they both said they like their teachers and classmates and had a really positive first day.</div>
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The day before, the three of us sat down together to organize their backpacks with the list of utensils we'd been asked to purchase; as I handed them their items I said a little impromptu blessing with each one.</div>
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Eraser: May you learn from your mistakes. </div>
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Pencil sharpener: May your mind be sharp and clear</div>
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Pencils: May you write good words</div>
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Markers: May your days be filled with color and friendship</div>
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Crayons: May you enjoy the smell of a new box of crayons!</div>
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Later that evening there was a back-to-school meeting for the whole family; each child received a packet of seeds and a personalized card, going with the theme for the year which is "Growing Together." The kids were SO excited to plant their seeds in empty yoghurt cups; we asked our landlady for a little dirt from her compost pile and she helped us plant and water the seeds. It will be excited to see what comes up! In more ways than one. </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28144121.post-4452073898242313962018-05-20T13:57:00.002-04:002018-05-20T13:57:16.362-04:00housekeeping<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
So I just added myself as a contributor to this blog, hopefully that won't make anything too confusing. It's a gmail/google accounts thing that I hope will make it easier for me to post photos and therefore to blog more often...<br />
Ok! That's all! </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28144121.post-75796076105551769302018-05-19T09:49:00.001-04:002018-05-19T09:49:28.663-04:00Japan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7F4EmypZAWo/WwAprgPWW3I/AAAAAAAAE6U/x3vnNaTAhTc30Dw1EOGDBtj6RhnIini5QCLcBGAs/s1600/20180508_143116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7F4EmypZAWo/WwAprgPWW3I/AAAAAAAAE6U/x3vnNaTAhTc30Dw1EOGDBtj6RhnIini5QCLcBGAs/s400/20180508_143116.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Last week I visited Japan for the first time - it has always been on my bucket list but somehow way off in the misty future. But then my nearly-youngest cousin was getting married in Tokyo, to a man from Peru, so suddenly it made sense to go - and my parents helped make it happen ;-). It is rare for so many of my maternal relatives to get together, scattered as the family is across the world (Peru, US, Canada, Japan, and other random places like Albania).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bride cooks lunch</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">downtown Tokyo</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two aunts and an uncle</td></tr>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oCyFIic__hM/WwApyPxipqI/AAAAAAAAE6g/Ry-OydK1UOwFO4kMqv7l5XpQkJnZJc4WgCLcBGAs/s1600/20180509_210130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oCyFIic__hM/WwApyPxipqI/AAAAAAAAE6g/Ry-OydK1UOwFO4kMqv7l5XpQkJnZJc4WgCLcBGAs/s400/20180509_210130.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big in Japan</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YKEJ6_SE6A4/WwApz0pEerI/AAAAAAAAE6k/MRxu0QK_CecGyTwTy4fBUJTOhhI8RNcZgCLcBGAs/s1600/20180511_151531.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YKEJ6_SE6A4/WwApz0pEerI/AAAAAAAAE6k/MRxu0QK_CecGyTwTy4fBUJTOhhI8RNcZgCLcBGAs/s400/20180511_151531.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apparently tourists can rent a geisha costume for the day</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mother of the Bride adjusts the bouquet </td></tr>
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After the wedding and reception, the family gathered on the 41st floor of the building another cousin lives in; the views were spectacular and it was a good time just to talk and reconnect.<br />
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These are my cousins Sachiko and Tani; it had been 18 years since we had last been together! In fact 18 years since I had even seen either of them (it was at Sachiko's wedding in Vancouver that time). It was so much fun to catch up, at a very different stage in our lives, reminisce about our childhoods, learn about our each other's lives now. So grateful. </div>
<br />E. Phantzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05812948199658356521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28144121.post-52890121076247069302018-05-19T09:37:00.000-04:002018-05-19T09:37:07.846-04:00Ten - Dhjet - Diez<div style="text-align: center;">
Valerie is TEN years old!<br />
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She had gifts in the morning and cake at school (not pictured), then we sang to her in the evening as well. (My parents are here!)<br />
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Then on Friday, we invited some friends over for a cat-themed party with games and more food.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the first actual birthday cake I have ever made for either of my kids - carrot cake with cream cheese frosting. It came out perfect! </td></tr>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VleCgaZx99k/WwAnvtJ4CQI/AAAAAAAAE50/16CaEDHcL1070VMbIJrIPiJVQL4qd6_6gCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG-20180518-WA0003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VleCgaZx99k/WwAnvtJ4CQI/AAAAAAAAE50/16CaEDHcL1070VMbIJrIPiJVQL4qd6_6gCLcBGAs/s400/IMG-20180518-WA0003.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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I think she liked it! </div>
<br />E. Phantzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05812948199658356521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28144121.post-40350616924593644772018-05-08T03:04:00.000-04:002018-05-08T03:04:15.315-04:00Jantzi Christmas <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
When this post goes up, I'll be on my way to Japan for my cousin's wedding! Meanwhile, I realised I have very few photos of the Jantzi grandparents during their visit to us for Christmas and New Year's. The kids were extremely excited. </div>
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I think there is a grandparent hiding in the photo below: </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xxXZUREe8ig/WtNXrHwfCFI/AAAAAAAAExw/D0cqvPUKPe4Q9ZzKTZjvREdkZ_WglsogwCLcBGAs/s1600/20180101_172351.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xxXZUREe8ig/WtNXrHwfCFI/AAAAAAAAExw/D0cqvPUKPe4Q9ZzKTZjvREdkZ_WglsogwCLcBGAs/s400/20180101_172351.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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I think Terry has some more photos - I'll have to bug him for them...E. Phantzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05812948199658356521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28144121.post-64503298178210547692018-05-07T03:01:00.000-04:002018-05-07T03:01:00.548-04:00Southern AfricaContinuing to fill in the blanks... in January I got to visit southern Africa for 2.5 weeks, where I added two new countries to my life list and nearly filled the last blank page in my passport. When I got back there was literally one blank side left. <div>
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Bear with me, this post has a LOT of photos!<br /><div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lesotho - man in the background is my colleague Vuriyayi Pugeni</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Again Lesotho, Growing Nations Trust</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Debating details of conservation agriculture</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some food</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A bit of material culture - I am fascinated by missionary subcultures; these books in a mission guesthouse really index a time period</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A farm in Mozambique</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Zambezi, view from the hotel we stayed at</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Future garden site for a school in Zambia</td></tr>
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This was a work trip, but we had some fun too, managing to squeeze in a half-day at Victoria Falls.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bulawayo </td></tr>
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I didn't get many photos of Zimbabwe - I think I was just really tired by then. This is part of the Cape to Cairo thing. The African continent is really, really big. </div>
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It was a good trip; it felt like way too long to be away from the kids and Terry, but it was a good trip. </div>
E. Phantzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05812948199658356521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28144121.post-57931070737821847092018-05-05T02:43:00.002-04:002018-05-05T02:43:53.305-04:00The Return to Sotira<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Six year ago, almost to the day, we attempted to join some friends in a hike to a waterfall called Sotira. It... <a href="http://ep-knits.blogspot.al/2012/04/phantzi-adventure.html" target="_blank">didn't quite work out as planned.</a>.. but the event took on the warm sheen of nostalgia over the years thanks to the lovely photos and the intercultural adventure of it. I had literally forgotten that we didn't eat a real meal for 7 hours (with a 4 year old and a toddler), and that the kids and I all threw up on the bus trip back to Tirana. But the friend who organized the original trip always felt bad about the "disaster" in her mind, so this year she organized our triumphant return on the May 1 holiday, only to have things.... not quite go as planned. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Same group as last time, minus 100 random hikers and plus two more kids</td></tr>
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The kind man who carried Gabe for part of the hike last time (husband to our friend Ledi) now has 2 kids of his own and threw out his back the evening before our hike while playing tennis. You can see hi looking pained above. So instead of driving 2.5 hours past Gramsh to get to Sotira, we instead drove about 1 hour up Dajti. </div>
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Apparently everybody else in Tirana had the same idea as we had to drive around a bit to find a picnic spot, but eventually we found one.<br />
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The kids really had a great time wandering around in the woods and finding flowers. Val got upset about all the trash she saw littering the ground. It was really nice being out of the city, in a higher and cooler spot. So even though we didn't see Sotira (again) a good time was had by all.</div>
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<br />E. Phantzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05812948199658356521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28144121.post-89574339404045660322018-04-26T07:54:00.000-04:002018-04-26T07:54:29.853-04:00More Spring<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I have to take a pause in the belated revelry to post some more recent photos - last Saturday we borrowed a car and took a wonderful day trip to a dramatic little peninsula just north of Durrës,<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Nearing Cape Rodon</td></tr>
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The weather was just perfect. Well, the kids said it was too hot to hike but we made them anyway. There were a lot of young people out playing volleyball and barbecuing meat.<br />
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There were also some strange, gigantic bunkers - the small single-serving size bunkers are everywhere, especially along the coastline, but I had never seen any this big, and with weird spikes on the back that made them look like gigantic fossilized battle-tortoises or something sic-fi like that.<br />
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There was just something so Albania about the bunkers by the church by the sea (we could see Montenegran mountains from the peninsula), with the scrubby wild brush and young people playing volleyball in the middle of it all.<br />
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This is a medieval church there that was apparently built (or made to be built) by Skenderbeg's sister.<br />
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We weren't planning to get in the water, so didn't pack bathing suits or anything but on the way back we stopped at a more developed beach and the kids couldn't help it, they just had to jump in. (The resulting mess of wet, sandy clothes stressed me out but we got it sorted.)<br />
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And a good day was had by all. </div>
E. Phantzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05812948199658356521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28144121.post-26158919340212226872018-04-24T10:15:00.000-04:002018-04-24T10:15:25.398-04:00Christmas Fair<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It's kind of strange to remember the dark and cold season, just as the days are lengthening and warming so dramatically. In fact looking at the photos reminds me I need to wash their winter coats for storage.</div>
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Over the holidays, there was an amusement park fair set up in Skenderbeg Square, the central plaza of the city. Thus this strange tableau of a lady waving and Skenderbeg in the evening light. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the Ferris wheel</td></tr>
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The kids LOVED this ride! They did it at least twice every time we went. It just goes around and around. I don't get it, but it was great to be able to get them out of the house in the dark of winter and enjoy the lights, hot drinks, and festive atmosphere. One night we saw carollers but only just as they were finishing singing, bummer!<br />
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<br />E. Phantzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05812948199658356521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28144121.post-20001347258864358182018-04-19T10:04:00.000-04:002018-04-26T04:41:20.602-04:00Gingerbread!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Continuing the Springtime Catch-up blog marathon... </div>
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When I was in the States for a conference in December, I bought a couple of gingerbread kits - one to make "Ninjabread men" and one to make little houses. We had so much fun with these. I looked EVERYWHERE for molasses, so we could make more, but none was to be found - luckily my Jantzi grands were able to bring some in January. But the kits actually came with everything needed. </div>
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We invited some friends to help us with the little houses - Abby, Daniel, and Elsa - they all had so much fun. Their mom Lizzy and I imagined that they'd keep the houses to look at but actually the kids just couldn't wait to eat them right away.<br />
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We made them wait until we could take a picture of all five!</div>
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And then I made my own with leftover pieces. That one hung around a few days before Hansel and Gretel ate it all up. Nobody except Ninjabread men ended up in the oven though. Yay!<br />
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E. Phantzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05812948199658356521noreply@blogger.com0