“That we leave our homes, that we step through our doors to the world, that we travel our whole lives not because we want to collect exotic T-shirts, not because we want to consume foreign adventure the same Western way we consume plastic and Styrofoam and LCD TVs and iPads, but because it has the power to renew us—not the guarantee, not the promise, just the possibility. Because there are places our imaginations can never construct for us, and there are people who we will never meet but we could and we might. It reminds us that there is always reason to begin again.” - Stephen Markley, Tales of Iceland or "Running with the Huldufólk in the Permanent Daylight"
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Now when I have been in Marlborough School and with Aubrey and her family for two weeks my exchange trip is almost coming to an end and I am getting a little bit sentimental about it. From the first day I have felt at home both at Aubrey´s home and at school. The staff and students at Marlborough School are doing a great work every day. The staff members are so dedicated in their work that it amazed me. The school is very multi cultural and it is amazing to see how the teachers include all students in work. Every student can build on his or her strength and that is not always easy when teachers are making schedule´s. The teachers have welcomed me in their classrooms and made me a part of the lesson. The kids have been super nice, they greet me every time with my name, Mrs. Dadda and they don’t mind having me in their classrooms. Then I come to Aubrey´s family, the Fletchers. I have been a family member from the minute I walked in to the house. Whether it is preparing dinner, sitting together, laying in the sofa and watch TV, playing ping pong and laughing with the boys or making jokes with Dave they have taken up a big part of my heart and I won´t let them out of there. When I left Iceland I was going to a two weeks exchange program and do a job shadow with a colleague in Canada. After the first day I realized that it would never be simply an exchange program, you get a friend for lifetime. Aubrey is a friend and a very good one. We have laughed together from day one and we have so similar opinions and vision for our work. We can talk about everything all day long so I will miss her and I am already planning her trip to Iceland and can´t wait! The Fletchers are definitely a big part of my life from now on. Bestu kveðjur, Arnbjörg Sooooo you know the old story A Tale of Two Cities? Well this is the story of a tale of two settings...the inside and outside of my house a this very moment. It has been pounding snow here since late last night and we woke up to a foot of snow, a crazy commute, and a city bus sitting sideways across the street in front of the school. What, is it Monday?? Dadda was all set to spend the day at City Hall School with the always amazing Sheila Bean. It took her and Dave almost 2 hours to get downtown and then the students exploring City Hall School this week were late to arrive. Thank goodness they have a Good Earth Café and wifi! They didn't get to visit Inn From the Cold as was originally planned but they did get some time together and Dadda learned all about our weeklong off-site opportunities for CBE students. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, we were battling with unsafe drivers, late buses, and staff stuck in traffic for upwards of two hours. The highlight of the day was spending the lunch play time outside with our kids as they romped and tromped in the snow. The snow angels! The squeals down the ultra-fast slide! The caked-with-snow toques, gloves and smiles! It really was a wonderful way to spend some time this afternoon. Although I am sure there were a few errant snowballs, for the most part it was a problem-free recess. Go team Marlborough! Every few hours I find myself a little bit emotional as I realize our time together for this first part of the exchange has started to wind down. I cannot believe that in less than two weeks this amazing woman has become so much more than a colleague. She is my friend, my partner in exchange shenanigans, and a member of my family. She even knows where we put all the weird kitchen utensils! We are sitting here watching Daddy's Home 2 and giggling away as the blended family before us try to figure each other out. Exchange is not unlike that...how do they take their coffee? Are they an early bird or a night owl? Do they think your family is bizarre or do they fit right in like a crazy cousin from far away? I am so happy to report Crazy Cousin Dadda is alive and well and fitting right in with the Fletcher clan! Signing off for tonight so I can enjoy the rest of the movie, and time with my friend, before she goes back home. |
AuthorAubrey: "Leader of the Elves"....that's me. Mom of two amazing guys, wife to one bigger (yet no less amazing) guy and teacher of little ones. Blogging about the adventures (usually with my rubber chicken in tow) is one of my favourite things. Archives
April 2019
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