Reliving and Reviling 2011

Thanks, Jimmy Fallon, for helping us remember the high and low lights of 2011 and putting it all in perspective in the way only good comedy can. You put the pundits to shame.

Shame.

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This Little Light of Mine

I was reminded lately that  This Little Light of Mine is not only a children's song, but a song adopted by the Civl Right's Movement. It reminds us all that we have the power and the responsibility to make a difference in the world. Enjoy this rendition.

Color Me Home

The last two years of teaching were incredibly stressful and fall-into-bed-exhausted time intensive for me. I'm not sure if there were fewer hours in the day and more to do, or the fact that I'm not as young as I used to be just made it seem that way, but there you have it. I sacrificed writing on this blog for writing with students on a class blog and getting our house ready to sell.

Transitioning from Germany to the USA was tough for the first couple of months. We were also just as busy trying to set up our house here as we had been closing out our house in Germany. I think I should have gone on vacation first.

I also went through the whole grieving process: denial, anger, regret, and finally acceptance. I'm sure I missed a few of the steps, but it was one whole itchy-angsty period.  I think there was guilt in there, too. I'm not feeling it so much now. It seems the more mornings I sleep in, rise late, drink coffee while I read the news and check out my Facebook and Twitter feeds without worrying about a daily lesson plan, the less guilt I feel.

I miss the close friendships. The first couple of months in Tennessee was like being in the Witness Protection program. We only knew a couple of people when we moved here, if you don't count the lady who managed our property. But, it's getting better. Tennessee natives are naturally friendly. It's easy to start a conversation with a neighbor or the waitress serving our lunch.

We love the weather here, and the beautiful mountain views. Sure, it was hot during July and August, but we still enjoyed many pleasant hours out on our deck, and since September, the weather has been cool enough to be refreshing, while still warm enough to enjoy. We live close to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and yesterday we drove Rich Mountain Road, a gravel road which climbs and winds from Cades Cove over the hill to Townsend. We were back home by noon-thirty. The autumn colors are perfect, and I'm so glad I am here to see them.

Hello, Tennessee. Color me home.

No Quick Fixes

While most of us are making jokes on Twitter and laughing at their expense, there is a small core of true believers who actually believe today, May 21, 2011 is Rapture Day. There's another larger group, who, while laughing smugly at the ones who think they know they have figured out the actual date and time, still believe in The Rapture and look forward misty-eyed to the day they will be taken away from the miseries of this world as a reward for their unflagging faith.


Here's what I believe about this rapture thing and a lot of other things as well: There are NO quick fixes, not in this world or the next. Nobody's going to come down and pull any of us out of the mess we've made here and carry us off to heavenly bliss. Our grandparents and great-great-great-great-great... grandparents had to tough it here on the corporeal plane out until death did them part, and so do we.


So, stick around, learn patience, breathe, enroll in a Tai Chi class, hug the ones you love. Do something meaningful today. Then do it again tomorrow.


Happy Rapture Day, everyone. 

Image from Adventure Post Office.com