Happy New Year

Part of what I like about being a teacher is the fresh start we are afforded each year. June comes and goes, and with it a bittersweet end to a year's work. Then, a break from it all, and a new start in September.

As a teacher I've always felt that the new year began in September, not January. I operate according to this calendar. This means that today is New Year's Eve. I finished school for the year today; packed up my things, said goodbye to my class, had a delicious lunch with my colleagues, drank a few too many glasses of wine and enjoyed the company of my fellow teachers as friends.

I've been reflecting on this new year for a few weeks. It all seems even more significant to me this year, because of all I've been through. I am not the same person that started this year last September. My whole understanding of the world has changed, in ways I can hardly explain. And, again, the letting go of the past, though welcome, is still bittersweet. And I am grateful for another fresh start.

So, Happy New Year to you, and to me.

Doing Stuff

The great weather we've been having over the past week or two has allowed us to get out and enjoy some of the things Dublin has to offer. Last weekend we spent Sunday at Africa Day in Dublin Castle. This was a day of entertainment, food and games celebrating Africa, and it drew over 8,000 people to the grounds of Dublin Castle. It was a great time, and the kids really enjoyed it.

Yesterday we walked five minutes from home to the Docklands Maritime Festival, where we saw boats of all descriptions, got the kids' faces painted for free, and perused the stalls. All while getting a sunburn.

And today, we headed out into the sunshine again (I love global warming) to Dun Laoighaire. We were just looking to get out of the city, but we found that free movies were being shown in the People's Park, so we sat ourselves down, got a falafel sandwich and stuffed vine leaves and watched Ice Age. It's great to live in a place with so much to offer...we left inspired, and even more sunburnt. I haven't felt the sunburn chills in many years, and I'm actually enjoying it.All that fun just makes ya wanna put your hair in a side pony and dance.