Would you like a (Giants) balloon?

I'm not sure who my fellow football fans are out there, but I am one happy camper today! I've been a Giants fan since I was in utero and have never been so proud of them as I was last night with 36 seconds left and an open Plaxico in the endzone! I hope you all enjoyed the game because it truly was a SUPERbowl!

Merry Christmas!

I think Tiny Tim said it best....

God bless us, everyone!


Have a very Merry Christmas from our house to all of yours.

Kent

My best year ever...

I am having a fabulous year! I'm not about to say that its been without challenges or days where I don't want to get out of bed....BUT, overall it's been awesome! And one of the reasons why is that I love hearing from everyone. Whether it's through this blog, or email, or snail mail, anytime I think of any of you my day automatically gets brighter.

I've recently been visited by a few former students and hearing about their successes has been so empowering. Knowing that we are responsible for sending these kids on their way and knowing that they'll make it and make the best of it is an incredible feeling. Man, do I love my job!

With the holidays upon us it's probably safe to say that your respective schools are as chaotic as mine and that you are all ready for a much deserved break. Please expect a special gift from one of the elves sometime soon....

May your holidays be filled with smiles and laughter to be shared with family and friends.
Megan

try again

I'd love to have a photo of that huge tree that I "found" during our Project Adventure exercise. If any of you has one that you can email, I'd be incredibly grateful. It is the large tree on the edge of the meadow on the way to the river. Many thanks.

P.S. about the tree

Hey all,

This must be my year for retreats and for encounters with great folks from Friends schools in the Carolinas. Back last week from a retreat called "The Mindful Coach," applying life coaching techniques in the educational setting. Lots of "centering" and mindful listening. I may be unconsciously becoming a Quaker, or maybe a Quakapalian.... Either way, I am breathing and solid as "my tree" at Westtown.

The retreat last week brought back memories of Westtown (without the ice cream and sardines..not nearly as wacky fun). I am thankful for each of you, for what you mean in your schools and communities and for the opportunity to have been part of a temporary community with you.

Plans for reunion sound wonderful. I believe much of my extra time in the winter and spring will be spent taking my daughter to look at colleges or just relaxing with her during this hectic junior year. But go forth and party and keep me posted in case I can hop up there in '08.

Best to everyone,

Sydney

Giving thanks

I know this is on all of our minds, but allow me to be the first to say that, in additon to all of the wonderful gifts of life, love, friends and family, I have all of you to be thankful for this year as well.

You have brought a richness and fullness to my life that I will be grateful for, for all time.

Happy Thanksgiving to one and all.

Kent

reunion two cents

Hello all,

I think the reunion idea is fabulous and we do have both MLK and President's Day off. But, I am inclined with Marianne to think that early summer would be a better time - not that midyear wouldn't be a great time to reunite and refill the well. I will do my best to make it whenever it turns out to be.

Belated congrats to Oman - Littlefoot is beautiful. Congrats to Heidi on your engagement. Meg it is so cool to hear that your CFG's are up and running. Derek, if you are reading this, congrats on getting on the blog and I loved the photos of Finn.

If you find yourselves in the mood for an inspiring, quirky, poignant film (sound familliar?) see "Lars and the Real Woman."

signing off from the increasingly chilly windy city,

linda

i'd love to attend...

However, I have so many things going on around those dates that I don't think I can make it.
I'll be taking exams for National Board Certification in January, my portfolio is due in March and my sister is getting married in Mexico in March as well!! Even if I can't make it this time, I hope there are more opportunities. A summer gathering would be fantastic as well...
I love to read your news, by the way.... keep writing.

Love,

Tania

I'm in!

I have both Columbus Day and Presidents' Day off from school and will make every effort to get to wherever you guys are so that I can get some much needed hugs! I'm also up for getting together over the summer....or tomorrow if anyone wants to enjoy the beautiful, sunny, 80 degree weather we're having in South Fla!

Two of my colleagues are meeting David this weekend at another seminar. I am so excited for them and found it difficult not to spew my verbal vomit all over them about what a fantastic experience I had. I want theirs to be unique!

Anywho...the 8's are coming in to prepare for their trimester finals!

Love, smiles and hugs to all!
Meg :)

a message from the man himself....

David says: "I'd love to be at a reunion whenever, wherever"... This is an invitation to begin the fun. I bet we can talk him in to providing the ice cream treats.
Kent, Jim, Neil... we're staying to your houses. Be prepared. Jim, tell the raccoons to move out of the guest room to make space.
Here are some dates that we all might have off:
MLK is January 21st -- we could meet from Saturday 1/19 to Monday 1/21. That provides just enough time for Oman to eat 31 ice cream sandies.
President's Day is February 18th (also a Monday) -- we could meet from Saturday 2/16 to Monday 2/18. The same could probably be said about the ice cream sandies.

When do people have spring break?
I will ask John Baird if there is a place on Westtown campus that can hold us (maybe we can stay in the cabin and have a big sleepover in the frigid winter cold?).
Southwest flies in to Philly....

As for me....
College application season is fully in swing. I know this must be true when it is Sunday morning and I'm at school photocopying letters of recommendation. But, I can't complain. Life is pretty good, the Sox won the series (and the Pats are on a run), and it did finally rain in NC (for those of you who don't know, our lakes have become fields).

Congratulations on the engagement Heidi. We need to have a Westtown Ultimate Game to celebrate.
love to you all.... elise

Reunion Dates

Okey dokey folks, lets get this thing started. Post some ideas for dates for a reunion. Summer would be easier, but WAAAAAY too long to wait to get some Westtown love. One suggestion is MLK weekend in January. That's not great for me, but if everyone else could work that, I'll make it work. In the words of our amazingly fabulous mentor, let's start a "conversation" about this. Miss you all! love, carrie

A You Tube for Us...

Take a minute and look at "Balloon Bowl". No ice cream, but lotsa balloons.

Reunion - Let's do it!

Hello to all from Upstate New York - the leaves are changing and the wind is blowing... It is hard to believe that it is almost November. Life is good, busy, but good. I started leading 25 minute meditation breaks on Wednesday and Thursday evenings before study hall begins and it is encouraging to see faculty and students take advantage of the opportunity. I am grateful to all of you for helping me feel more comfortable leading such exercises.

Oman - Adorable pictures of Littlefoot! Thanks for the reminder of how precious life is - especially in peanut form!

Carrie and Elise - thanks for the mail - I am on board for a reunion in February... Was Philly the suggestion? That would be fitting... I am afraid I don't have many suggestions but I am all for the planning and can try to help - amidst planning my high school reunion and my WEDDING!! yay :)

I'm freezing...

A few random thoughts:

The room where I'm posted each morning with the 8th grade reminds me of the sub-zero temperatures of The Cabin. Every day at 7:45 am, you are all in my thoughts.

Oman, your family is as beautiful as I expected! Especially in their Giants jerseys - I'm going to be Michael Strahan for Halloween! :)

Every once in awhile our Head gets us ice cream sandies and I grin from ear to ear (I expect it's because he was also touched by the Mallery experience years ago).

We have successfully held TWO CFG meetings and are having the October sessions next week. I'm happy to report that my "army" is very supportive and as excited about the process as I am.

I have finished (FINALLY) my photo project and am in the process of making copies for all of you.

And, finally, I am working closely with my Head to decide the next Gulf Streamer to experience Westtown. It's much harder than I imagined, but a wonderful job nonetheless.

You are all in my thoughts - as always when my fingers are practically frostbitten.
Meg :)

Correction

Oops...Keith Urban's tour is called "Love and Pain and the Whole Crazy World" ---still ---familiar! sydney

Autumnal Greetings

Hey gang,

Our school is in the midst of IOWA testing (while we are not terribly serious about it, we still do it), so I have time to write you! It's hard to believe it's been 4 months since Westtown. Like Carrie, I find myself wondering about the authenticity of my experience there. But, now that David has written and I've read your postings and downloaded our group photo (finally), I am reclaiming the authenticity of our temporary community and all that I experienced with you.

One of my (obviously unmet) goals was to write each of you to thank you for your part in my great experience at Westtown. Generally speaking, I was moved by your utter generosity and openness and affirmation. I think of you (and "my" tree) whenever I remember to truly breathe and that is a great gift.

Speaking of breathing, our elementary faculty is spending some time with Daniel Siegel's The Mindful Brain. Siegel explores meditation from a neuroscientist's viewpoint and wants educators to do so as well. If any of you are doing this work with your students, I'd love to know how you are incorporating it (Quakers, you have a head start...any suggestions?).

Has anyone noticed the title of Keith Urban's recent concert tour? "Love and pain and all the rest of it..." Sound familiar????

Best to everyone.

Sydney

LITTLEFOOT COMMETH!

ceremony




Princess Littlefoot has arrived. She came to us on Friday September 26th at 8:26 pm, weighing in at a cool 6.6 lbs, and  measuring in a 21 inches long. thats right long and lean and the most prescious and loveable little girl on the planet. I cannot tell yall how awesome and exausted i am, at the moment, but it is totally worth it.  We have not named her as of yet, because we really want to get to know her personality, and will be having a traditional west african naming cerimony in November.

This year is going quite well, school is good( sorry GREAT) and i miss you more and more, in fact i have a little ritual that i like to do...... 

1. i rock my gold like a french prostitute,

2. eat waaaay to many ice cream sandies

3. have a digital photoframe of westtown on my desk/computer,

4. try to find a twin bed once in a while to nap on

5. read the list of all the participants at least once a week. seriouslly i do this, to think of yall.

6. smile, when i think of how awesome you all are.

thanks a ton for effecting change in my life and giving me hope that my new daughter will have some people in her world that are making a difference.

peace love and soul

Oman

and yes she is a giants fan...... mom is too. big time.

The 20 second sound bite

All goes well here at school. This year's bunch are a lot of fun and have made for a really great start to the year. We have a few of the 5% wacko parents, but according to Michael Thompson that's to be expected.

The school started an anti-bullying campaign with a big kick off the first teacher day. The admin. showed an ABC Special hosted by John Stossel. Lo and behold, one of the experts they turned to for the 20 second sound bites was none other than Dr. Michael Thompson.

I had to chuckle. The faculty and administrators had no idea what it's like to spend and entire day with him in the cabin, sharing stories and solutions, not to mention having an ice cream sandwich with him. How fortunate we are to be under David's guiding hand, leading us to some of the best minds in the business.

I copied some of the handouts Michael gave us and handed them to the principal, thankng him for sending me to Westtown and letting him know where his $2,500 went. I even suggested that maybe the district contact Michael for some sound advice.

David's letter about jumping into the rushing water with the kids is a perfect metaphor for us at the 44th. Let's all get together in January and catch up. I know I can arrange for a guided tour of Longwood Gardens, a former DuPont estate, and one of the premier horticultural sights in the country. Plus...it will be warm inside the conservatories! Only a few minutes drive from Kildares and Iron Hill for a hot toddy afterwards.

Your fellow 44th and local tour guide,

Kent

Was It All A Dream?

I sit here and I'm supposed to be working. But I just had to stop and talk to you all. Sometimes I wonder if the week at Westtown was just this fabulous dream. But I know it was real, because I have talked to or emailed with many of you. And I have this wonderful blog to remind me. But as I spend my days constantly rushing from one fire to another, and in a state of constant tardiness (which I HATE), it does seem like a dream. A dream where it's ok to take 15 minutes to walk up a hill; a dream where it's encouraged to just go sit under a tree and think; a dream where everybody wants to give and nobody needs to take. Don't get me wrong, I'm having a good year. I like what I'm doing and most days I'm having fun. Just sometimes when I get home at night, I wonder if I took the time to breathe at all that day. So I go to the blog, or I look at my group picture and I am reminded of my fabulous dream. Then I breathe and I get ready to do it all again the next day.

Elise and I were talking the other day and we want to think about a reunion. We were thinking January or February in Philly sometime. Not the best weather time, but a good time in the cycle of a school year to get some rejuventation. Any brilliant ideas or thoughts on this matter would be great.

I'm looking for pictures of Littlefoot to come up soon hopefully (r u there Oman?). Go Cubs-will they make it through the first round? I love you all and miss you muchly!
carrie :)

holy cow i need a balloon

The Cubs may actually do it this year but I am having trouble keeping my center and focusing on the good stuff. We are moving into a new middle school building and it is stressful! We have been given marching orders to make sure it all looks good for the big donor party there tomorrow night but yesterday, when I went to finish unpacking, they wouldn't let my husband help me because he isn't on the authorized list - argh! So, being the good sport he is, he surfed the web in the old building while I did as much as I could stand in the new.

OK, I am done griping. I hope you are all well and having glorious early fall/late summer weather and that you are finding ways to enjoy it.

my best to all and go Cubs go,

linda

Last day, last moments of summer

I'm lingering over a cup of tea and a bowl of dry honey nut cheerios that I'm sharing with my cat. (No, he's not eating out of the bowl) Lingering is the important word, it's my last day for it. Though I spent all day yesterday working in my classroom and will do the same today and for that matter, have worked all summer with my new fourth grade colleague, TOMORROW is the official first day of school for faculty. Start time: 8:00, quitting time: June. The days of lingering over anything will have passed.

Like bookends, summer ended in the same way it began, a week in the company of a wonderful, supportive community of people. I worked as I have for the past 5 years at a dance camp in West Virgina. I keep the books, run the fund raising auction, assist the camp director-a old friend-in any way I can. And dance and sing everyday. Thanks to email I can keep in touch with some of the people through the years, but life gets busy, frantic, crazy and so we count on this week to see and catch up with each other. It's a booster shot of love, affection and goodwill that lasts me a long time. So I second Oman's suggestion of a Westtown get together, somewhere, sometime this year. I'll do my best to be there.

In between the summer was quiet, leisurely with lots of time for lingering. I had a couple of opportunities to share my Westtown experience with colleagues"who knew". I read, (Eat, Pray, Love, by Elizabeth Gilbert-a must read) knit, slept late. Right before leaving for Westtown I had met a nice man at a contra dance and that relationship progressed happily over the summer. I feel relaxed and thanks to Westtown and you guys, renewed and ready to teach . My well has been refilled.

My love to you all. And my best wishes for a productive, successful, satisfying school year. May all our students be engaged and eager, may all our parents be happy and love us.

Stay in touch,
Love, Ellen

the first week..

 greetings all, 

I hope that things are great in your neck of the campus. yeah its hot. real hot down here in hotlanta, and the school year is in full swing,  i have been getting things ready and apologize for the tardiness of my bloggin.  but it begins.....

 so i totally miss the companionship and honesty we shared, i miss the food and ice cream sandy's as well as late late late nights and soul nourishing conversations. the first week was a good one, but one where i found myself longing to hear the silence of a meeting, to have the insanely cold ac. and to be in the presence of all 44 of us.  so i say that to say.... LOL. i miss you. all of you, and its not cliche, i think of you all on my rides in to school, like kind of a " what would Westtown do?" or wishing lunch was in that cafe, with so much joy and some pain. and gosh i want to lay on that floor and watch movies, but what i want most is for all of you to understand how incredible and wonderful you are. and that we are still connected.  i hope that you are all enjoying your year, and if possible or when one of us wins the lottery, lets meet in Philly and do this mid year refresh our well.   that would be SWEET! 

littlefoot is coming, and the house is good, I'm finally getting my feet on the ground.  and i want to show my gold like a french prostitute..... LOL

hope you all are experiencing the beauty of who you are.

peaceloveandsoul

Oman

Picture project is a "go"

I'm very happy to tell you that I've been occupying some of my spare time working on our Westtown "picture project." I've compiled a bunch so far into a sort of slideshow-DVD using Shutterfly (I totally recommend it!). But I'm STILL looking for more pics if you have them. I know that I wasn't the only one running around with a camera those last few days! My plan is to try to get this done before my school year starts (9/4) and send everyone a copy. Think of it as an early holiday present! :)

My last few weeks have been spent taking care of my husband. I told some of you about his motorcycle accident and the loss of our beloved Triumph (may it RIP). The good news is that neither of us will be getting on a motorcycle anytime soon! He had ACL surgery almost 3 weeks ago and it recovering well. 3 weeks of being cooped up in our house was a good test of our adult relationship. We've been very congenial! :)

Anywho...hope this finds everyone well.
MEG :)

PS - My screensaver says "Would you like a balloon?" No one here gets it!

Mil gracias!!!

As I return home from my 3 week trip to Mexico to see my family, I find a pile of the most amazingly uplifting cards.... all filled with balloons!!! My eyes got teary, but I swear it was pure joy. It was hard to explain to my boyfriend what it all meant, but I conveyed the message the best I could and I think he got it.


I cannot thank you enough. Thanks for your warm words, your prayers, your good vibe.. I carry it all in my heart and I promise I'll pay it forward (now I have a little box full of balloons that will lift anybody's spirit!).


Cheers to my Westtown friends:

Love,

Tania

Sunset Paradise

Hey guys! I'm just returning from our annual two week trip to Sunset Beach, NC-the most amazing place on Earth. Jim, I know you think Kansas wins, but... Anyway, we had a wonderful vacation. The first part was a little rocky for me personally because I was waiting to hear from my mom about some test results. Everything came back fine for her-yeah:). But more importantly, thanks to the love and support that I know I always have from you guys (and my akido breathing-not really) I was able to handle the waiting much better. I miss you guys so much. I want to talk to each of you, and maybe now that I'm home for a while, maybe I'll be able to send out individual emails. Until then, know that each of you are in my heart. I'm printing the group picture too. love to you all!

deja vu all over again

Greetings,

Had the opportunity to run an errand for a fellow Westtownian to The Belfry last week.

How often we rertun to the site of something speical only to feel strange and out of place. It was quite the contrary when I got back on campus, I felt quite at home and was almost expecting to see one of you pop around the corner.

I just wish I could have stopped in to have lunch with Ernie or at the least, find an ice cream sandwich.....

Hope you are all well and enjoying the summer. I plan to print the group picture and have it framed next to my computer at school. Look to "y'all" for inspiration every time my guardian angels come calling.

Kent

PICKIES!!!!!!

pickies...and the lilfoot

Greetings from Racoonland

Hi all,

Great to hear from so many of you. I am just back from (now don't get jealous) a great trip with the family to Kansas and Iowa (and Illinois and Indiana but we go there frequently). Had a great time and my three girls were incredible travelers. Here's proof: Mira, my 7 year old, asks yesterday morning, "Dad, how long to Philadelphia?" I tell her 5 hours. She turns to her sisters and says, "Grace, Ruby, it's only 5 hours today!"

I had one night at home after our lovely time together before a 7 AM cab picked me up to catch a flight to the airport. Obviously, living in Philly meant I had perhaps the shortest ride home and, indeed, that was uneventful. I made up for it by coming home, going out with a friend for dinner and a movie, coming back to my house, going up to my bedroom, turning on the light and seeing a racoon climbing up our clothes hamper. It stopped, I stopped, I mumbled several expletives and promptly lost any breathing techniques or akido knowledge I had gleaned, backed out and got some have-a-heart traps from the roof. Set them up in my bedroom and went to another room to try to sleep. 4 AM, snap, I go down and there's the little bugger in the trap, scared and quiet. I actually felt some pity, started to speak softly and gently to it now that I was in a superior position, breathed well, did some akido transferrence of racoon energy, and then saw a movement out of the corner of my eye. There was another little bugger looking at me, slowly climbing up the molding around my window. Bye, bye, breathing and akido.

Anyway, they were both caught and there appear to be no more. I'm sure that's more than most of you wanted to know. . . .

I grabbed my most recent New Yorker before I left for Kansas (I love saying that as it makes me sound so cultured. . . the New Yorker part, not necessarily the Kansas part). It has a great one-pager piece by Jack Handey called "My Nature Documentary" in which he describes a nature documentary he is planning that involves a monkey and a giraffe. It's funny, but had me laughing out loud on my porch swing at 5 AM after I encountered the racoons because it reminded me so much of Whiplash, the Rodeo Monkey. If any of you would like a copy, let me know. I plan to sent one to Scott, for sure, who shared the story of Whiplash and had our dinner table feeling some pity for poor Whiplash while we laughed our heads off.

Wonderful to have this blog and thanks to Oman for setting it up. I look forward to keeping in touch.

Jim

Summer afternoon - Summer afternoon...the two most beautiful words in the English language.



It seems that Henry James knew that almost 100 years ago! I am very much enjoying my summer. Yesterday was spent sitting by the pool with a good book and lots of liquids (it's been in the 90's with a zillion percent humidity). I was in the Adirondacks for about 10 days - it's my favorite place on the planet that I've visited so far. Time with friends and family, good food, not wearing a watch, and generally doing the best relaxing I could do.



On my trip back to Fla, I opened my wallet to pay for yet another book and saw the gold balloons that Matt so lovingly made for us. My giggles were received by odd looks from other travelers. :)



I'm so glad to hear that everyone is reentering the real world well - it makes me smile to know that each of you are loving life a bit more now that you're Malleried, I sure am.

Always, Meg :)

life is best lived on the sunny side of the street.

i hope that you are all having a good day!  I ate an ice cream sandy yesterday and was flooded with good memories and began talking to complete strangers about the wonderful times and people i now know because of the conference. 

when your having a rainy day, step on over to the sunny side of the street!

love you all!!!!!

PEACE!

O.

by the way, i apologize for my dyslexia. i misspelled balloon. for the blog its ballon.  hee hee sorry.

Dwyer on board!

Hey folks! Great to hear from so many of you. Life goes on and it is nice to know that we all feel better equipped to take on the world and make it a better place.

While at camp in the mountains I returned to the Billy Collins poem Bobby shared - the girls were so thoroughly devoted to their lanyards... great memories.

I found Matt Baird on myspace - is he on our email list?
My phone numbers got switched at school - so my cell is --- deleted --- use the number on the list - it is my office number.
Miss you all, I can't thank you enough.
Sending hugs and peace in all directions,
HD

Dearest friends,
I have been avoiding the blog because of my intermittent technological dysfunction and fear, but I can stay away no longer. We all had our Odysseys and David was our Athena--spiritually appearing to us and giving us strength in our endeavors. Odysseus did not stay home when he returned but had to travel inland to teach others about the sea...thus we must continue on and teach others what we know!

My headmaster flagged me down in a parking lot the Friday we got back and asked how it was. I said FABULOUS and he said, "I know what you mean." It was good to know someone understood. My scientific husband has tried to understand--alas, I cannot explain it to him. David's letter was touching and John seemed to get a handle on the intangible nature of the experience after he read it.

Megan, thanks for the pictures. Could everyone delete the ones of me while I was possessed by the lotus eaters? John just shook his head and wiped his face when he saw them. It did not surprise him at all but he worries that I will never be "invited back"! HA!!

My children are both gone and I am alone in my house for the first time in 6 years. I am still savoring the core calmness that I acquired in Malleryland and enjoying my quiet days and visits with my mom.

Life is good--I miss the dinner conversations, the laughter, the music, and the quiet moments with my dear friends but am so grateful for the tools everyone gave to me as I go on with life.

Tania, I am so sorry about your loss--I can only tell you that time does heal and that we share your loss and send our love.

Thanks and love to everyone--now that I know how to do this blog, you won't be able to shut me up!

Love,
M

hey yall, here is the link to the littlefoot!

LittleFoot!

happy 7.7.7 

peaceloveandsoul

Oman

Reunion

Hello everyone! Elise and I wanted to let you know that we have had the first WT44 reunion. We got together today to watch West Side Story. While we thought the movie was good, we both agreed that our lyrics and voices were far superior. Thinking of all of you with love!
:)carrie

Trust me...

Trust me, if my only "adversity" this year is dealing with whiteboards I will consider myself blessed! Maybe Neil can give me some pointers.

Heard from my mentor (now retired) who recommended me for Malleryization. He wants to get together to talk about the experience. Finally! Someone who will understand.

Thanks again Oman, for this place where we can stay in touch

Kent

Hello yall,

i hope that your still lingering around mallary land.  I just got out of an impromptu meeting/debriefing with my head, and it brought back the flood of memories and excellent times.

i am trying to figure out how to put the pictures in the blog, and as soon as i do, i will.  much love to you all.

peace!

Oman

Gratitude

So, I thought I posted a comment last night, but apparently I was missing something. Anyway, I wanted to say hello. My overwhelming sense of gratitude that I left Westtown with has continued. I am so glad to have this place to stay with all of you in spirit. While I'm glad to be home, I miss the constant feeling of being uplifted that we all shared last week. By the way, the Buffett concert was great, but I will be very happy to stay out of a car for any long distances for the near future. love to you all! carrie

hello everybody!

I couldn't wait to be able to come to the nearest cyber cafe (since my computer is not working) and read what I was sure to find.. news about my fellow Westtowners. But of course, I left in a rush and left the camera so I will try to send you my pics later on this week.
David's gifts come to us in many different ways.. while some of us will use Aikido to face the new challenges (ie. whiteboards), I have been practicing breath awareness to deal with personal difficults. The fact that I can sit here and write about it is the best proof that it works. I came home and the next day I had to endure one of the hardest losses of my life. I am quickly recovering though. I have had a great support system and I truly believe that this all happened at a time in my life when I felt the love and protection of all of you, and for that, I'm thankful.
Now I am off to one restful weekend to mentally prepare for an AP workshop, a 2 week trip back to the motherland, new and unexpected technology in the classroom and what I can already forsee as a wonderful school year.
I hope everybody is doing well and I promise to send those pictures soon. Take care and remember to breathe.

Besitos,

Tania

Where's Ernie?

Hello friends,
First, thanks and more thanks to Oman for getting this blog operational so quickly. Like elise, this is my first time at a blog, so I hope this posting actually makes it to the site.
I received several postcards at my school address and was unable to open them; we do have a pretty strong firewall. I have also heard that there is a virus attached to a postcard message, so now I am not sure if I should pursue trying to open them. I guess my home address might be better for attachments: mssanfordms@yahoo.com
Than, your email about your trip home made me laugh outloud. I am so sorry it was so long and such a pain, but bravo for using your newly honed Mallery skills to stay centered and in the moment. It is nice to know that we will have this resource to draw upon in such situations, but sad that you were put to test so quickly. You have inspired us all!
Unlike some who want to play finding Bobby Fisher (a great game, for sure), I have been searching for Ernie and Christine and their delicious home cooked meals. It has been tough reacquainting myself with the kitchen.
Kent, you can get a large box of fabulous colored markers for the white boards. Do not settle for the standard four color pack. You will love the white board...an invention long overdue.
I have been to Stone Harbor, enjoyed the shore and now must prepare for my summer school class. Be well, and keep in touch. I wish I were in the cabin with you right now.
Christine

this new techonology world is intimidating to me...

hello my friends...
I'm quite intimidated by the whole concept of blogging.

I miss you all very much and think of you as I look for the appropriate words to explain our Westtown experience to friends and family. It sounds like many of you had quite the journey homeward. My drive (in comparison) was not terribly difficult... my only complaint was that what was "supposed" to be a 7.5 hour drive turned into 11.5 due to DC 4th of July traffic. But... it gave me more time to adjust into leaving the Westtown world.

I loved your list Than.

I'm trying to get my friends here to play Searching for Bobby Fischer with me but they refuse to admit that it might just be the most fun game ever.

Megan, thanks for the photos.

Kent... buy packs and packs of colored markers (they even make pastels) and you will learn to love the white board. At least for me, the transition meant no more chalk handprints on the butt of my pants.

My love to you all. I look forward to seeing this board thing in action.
~elise

I would love a balloon...and an ice cream sandwich

Oman,

Thanks for the new "home" for us of the 44th. I like the sayings at the end of your email and thought I would share one that recently helped me and a student of mine get through the death of his beloved grandfather...


"Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass.
It is about learning to dance in the rain."



Let us all dance together....

wow.

it seems like yesterday that we were in Mallaryland. a joyous place to be.  well here is the blog, the home base , the place to check in and refresh our spirit and find our center.  please feel free to post your thoughts, Mallaryisms, words of wisdom, poems, ideas, and of course funny stories.  much love to you all,

i wish i was in the cabin now.

peace and blessings 

Oman