tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82199228229721034382024-03-08T07:03:24.196-05:00A Bronx Girl's Tale...in Malta!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02449612457870708196noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8219922822972103438.post-47629753333922521652013-05-07T16:03:00.002-04:002013-05-07T16:03:26.886-04:00Let the Good-BYES (start to) Roll...<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some shots from my 5 hour trek (hike) through Marsaxlokk and Marsascala</td></tr>
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Well, friends I am officially down to just under a month left in paradise. To say my time here flew by is a complete understatement. Am I excited to head home to see family and friends (and can't forget my dogs)? Well, yes I am although I can honestly say I am not so eager to be back in New York. 9 months in true paradise does that to you. This experience has helped put so much in perspective and has really opened my eyes to so many ideas and opportunities...but I will leave that for a later post.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My view along a cliffside walk...NBD...I know it is insanely beautiful:-)</td></tr>
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This entry is more about me finding ways to properly say goodbye to all that is important to me here and believe me it is taking some work. After ending university (I'm happy I was able to get a picture of my students), I have now (semi) closed another chapter, my time volunteering with the North Malta Girl Guides. I say semi because of my goodbyes needing work. The one thing I did not do in saying goodbye was get a photo of my girls. Really Kelly?!?! It had more to do with the chaos of the day but never the less I now need to find a moment to make my way to them to get a picture with them. Yes, this is a must. The NMGG is a group of women and students that I will truly miss. They welcomed me with open arms, shared laughs, hugs and many stories. I learned a lot and truly enjoyed my time with them. My girls shed many tears and gave many hugs and asked the 2 questions I get asked virtually on a daily basis:</div>
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<li> Can you take me with you to New York? PLLLEEEAAASSSEEE</li>
<li> Miss Kelly, you are coming back next year, right? You have to!!!</li>
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Two questions that break my heart because of the reality of the “real" answers. I will say though, I do believe no one should never say never so I'm just going to go with that idea for now.</div>
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I don't think I have fully accepted that my time is almost up with my secondary school girls but I am just letting that idea take it's course. Deny, Deny, Deny! Over the last week, I have been able to really enjoy this beautiful island and I plan on continuing this for the rest of my time here. Hey we only live once right?</div>
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So as much as I know I will be sad to leave, knowing this would eventually come to an end (for now anyway) all I can do is enjoy the rest of my time as best as possible. I have to say, I think I'm off to a pretty good start...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the many animals I got to meet along my trek;-)</td></tr>
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I kicked off my one month mark enjoying a cliffside harbor view in Valletta of the the Malta International Fireworks Festival, which was one of the most amazing fireworks displays I've ever seen. I followed that up by enjoying an amazing day out in the country for a hog roast lunch with a group of some really cool people and this past Saturday, I went on a non-stop 5 hour trek through the south of Malta enjoying the rugged countryside, seeing many animals, visiting a permaculture center and walking along an unbelievably beautiful cliffside, taking in some amazing ocean views. No better way to end a day like that but with a nice dinner out!<br />
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Check out the Fireworks Grand Finale for yourselves...ENJOY!</div>
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I have more planned and am not sure how I will manage it all but I promise to share my remaining adventures as they happen. I also have some friends visiting at the end of the month and I have to say I can't think of a better way to close out my time here than to share this beautiful island with some pretty important people in my life. It's going to be pretty epic:-).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some beautiful fireworks shots taken at the Malta International Fireworks Festival in Valletta</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hog Roast Lunch on a random Wednesday in the Maltese Countryside.<br />
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Jill Scott said it best “I'm Living My Life Like It's Golden" because when you are blessed with such an amazing opportunity as this whole experience has been, regardless of what happens next, I will treasure this moment in time and all whom I've met along the way, forever!</div>
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Forever Grateful!</div>
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~K</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02449612457870708196noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8219922822972103438.post-65593526515663941822013-04-18T08:13:00.001-04:002013-04-18T15:57:21.609-04:00A Chapter Written, A Chapter ClosedYesterday marked the ending of a chapter in the book that is my life in Malta....teaching at university. In texting with my fellow ETA and friend, Salwa, about university ending, I realized I was a lot sadder about it than I thought I would be. She replied by saying “yeah you don't realize how attached you get to them" when she spoke of losing her form 5's (Form 5 secondary students leave in March to study for their O levels) and then proceeded to say something that really, truly hit home. It was such a profound statement that I found it to be almost poetic. She said “Life can be funny like that, all these fleeting friendships/relationships". It was as if everything fell into perspective with that comment because for the first time I had been hit with the reality of what saying my final goodbyes will mean which is I will never see my students or the teachers I work with...again.<br />
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Well to be completely honest, I am not sure exactly how true not seeing the teachers again will be as I do believe that this will not be the last time I visit Malta or that I have not done my part in convincing them to visit New York, but the reality is that, especially for my university students, this was the last time I would see them. It put fear in me when it made me think of when I have to say goodbye to my secondary students. I would never want to diminsh this experience to being simply a time where I lived in another country, met some people and taught some students because the reality is that it has been so much more than that. The teachers I work with have become friends and the students have grown to trust me and rely on me and I have grown to love and appreciate them. However, seeing that I only have a little over 6 weeks left, I can't help but feel as if this has, in some ways, been one big fleeting moment because of how fast time went by and that makes me just as sad.<br />
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Yes, I miss my family, friends and dogs but I can honestly say I am happy here and love living here and will miss it dearly. In trying to be more accepting of this swift moment in time, I'm running with the notion of when they say your life can change in a matter of a second or in a fleeting moment and am putting a positive spin on it. To Salwa, I must say thank you for what such a comment brought me to realize...Malta has been and forever will be that fleeting moment filled with experiences, realizations, frustrations, friendships, laughs and love that have helped change who I am and my life...forever!<br />
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I have a little over 6 weeks before I complete the final chapter of my life in Malta but even when it comes time to go home I know one thing for sure...this journey is not over for me, in fact, it's just beginning and I will forever have Malta to thank for that!<br />
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Until next time...<br />
~KAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02449612457870708196noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8219922822972103438.post-23264169119411568122013-04-06T18:33:00.000-04:002013-04-06T18:33:02.993-04:00The Last Hurrah Before Heading Home (Maybe)...<br />
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This past Easter weekend marked my (more than possibly) final trip while in Malta and I have to say it was a great one. I got to visit a country I have been dying to visit and am eager to one day (hopefully soon) return to, to see more of it. I got to spend my Easter weekend in Edinburgh, Scotland! </div>
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Edinburgh welcomed me with blue skies and sunshine, a rarity in those parts. The weekend was completely dry, say for a few minor flurries but the air was crisp, the sun was out and the skies were clear. I had the privilege of staying in a flat with Melissa and her childhood friend. His parents own a flat in Edinburgh and were kind enough to share their beautiful home with us. It is in the heart of the New town, within walking distance to all there is to see and was, simply put...lovely. Melissa's friend proved to be a great host and really just an overall down-to-earth, sweet and funny guy so basically we spent Easter in an amazing city with great company. I'd call that a win. </div>
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Edinburgh is very much a walking city and it was nice to take in the sites on foot...and to have our own personal tour guide to boot. We got to see the New and Old Town, Edinburgh Castle, Hollyrood House, the Royal Mile...and just to see beautiful snow-capped hills among this very metropolitan city was breathtaking. The people are the friendliest I've ever encountered in my travels from the older couple (especially the wife) I met while on the plane ride to Edinburgh who couldn't stop talking about Malta and calling my attention to the window to see snow-capped mountains and telling me what I needed to see/do in Edinburgh, to the sweet lady who stopped her bike to help us with directions, to the friendly, and very talented, artist who wouldn't stop chatting us up at a local market...all warm, welcoming and friendly people helping to make Edinburgh feel like home.</div>
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It was a great way to cap off this final run before I head back to the states. We enjoyed some much missed Starbucks, Thai food and even tried Haggis for the first time...I can actually say I like it...go figure! Not necessarily fond of the idea of what I was eating but it sure was tasty;-)! I got to spend my time doing some critical shopping, walking around Edinburgh Castle feeling as if I was in an episode of Game of Thrones, walking the Royal Mile seeing the tourist sites and chatting with Braveheart himself (no not Mel Gibson just someone who is a very entertaining version of Braveheart) and at St. Andrew's, walking around what is a lovely little town, taking in the beautiful scenery while visiting the sites that included the coffee shop that had a banner that read, and I quote “Where William and Kate first met...(for coffee)" needless to say, while passing by I saw that the place was crowded and I, for some reason found this hilarious. Having booked this trip so far in advance, it reminded me just how fast time has flown by and how important it is to savor every moment. With the little time I have left in Malta I know what I should do or rather what I need to do to complete this experience. So, should this be my last hurrah before home, I will say my time in Edinburgh was spent just how I like it, seeing some sites, taking in the city and the bonus...staying in a home were I had the privilege to cook home cooked meals, baked goods and Easter dinner!</div>
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There is lots to look forward to that I know will make this time go by even faster such as my friends visiting at the end of May, beach days, Gozo/Comino trips, more hilarious student moments and the ever-loving job hunt. So all I will say to that is Carpe Diem (no YOLO here, I choose to keep it old school).</div>
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Until next time,</div>
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~K</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02449612457870708196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8219922822972103438.post-32151038344937321122013-03-24T21:51:00.000-04:002013-03-24T21:51:09.669-04:00“Why Malta, Miss?"I wasn't sure if I was going to do a 6 month recap/blog entry but after doing my lesson on New York a couple of weeks ago, my students have continued questioning me about why I came to Malta. Honestly, it has really made me reflect on the last 6 months.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-22vp4R6W5ww/UU-swOD2KmI/AAAAAAAAATk/t7JyCZ8DKcs/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-22vp4R6W5ww/UU-swOD2KmI/AAAAAAAAATk/t7JyCZ8DKcs/s320/image.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I can't help but think about where and who I was when I first arrived and the person I am now. <span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">Gone is the unsure girl that arrived in Malta in September, who second guessed her decision to move 5700 miles away. Here now is a girl not yet ready to end the adventure that has been her life in Malta for the last 6 months: breaking cultural barriers with her students in her secondary school, struggling to create a viable university course syllabus with her roommate and co-lecturer, traveling, developing friendships, volunteering, experiencing, living and breathing in this beautiful, simple and calm life that this tiny 17 mile island has afforded me, all the while blogging to tell about it.</span><br />
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><br /></span>
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">Yet, I can't help but continue to think about my student's question...“why Malta, Miss?"...6 months ago the easy answer would have been that for a Fulbright fellowship, it had no language requirement. Today, it's a much more complicated answer. I am here for the experience of something new, opposite of the norm that has been my life, to test my own limits, and finally “spread my wings", as they say. I can end this blog today and say mission accomplished. Done. We can all go home. But I still have 10 weeks. </span><br />
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><br /></span>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DrH7SA10OZ4/UU-swHrMLqI/AAAAAAAAATs/0pghBD_ZwGw/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DrH7SA10OZ4/UU-swHrMLqI/AAAAAAAAATs/0pghBD_ZwGw/s320/image.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><br /></span>
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><br /></span>
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">10 weeks to take in the beautiful sunshine and warm weather that has been making a slow but steady return. 10 weeks to smell the salty air and stare into the ocean just outside my balcony. 10 weeks to do all I have not yet done and to repeat as many times as I can the things I love doing like lunch on the beach, walks along the promenade, people watching while enjoying a great meal at my favorite restaurant, and photographing it all along the way. 10 weeks to prepare for my return home where family, friends and my dogs, oh my dogs how I miss them, await. 10 weeks to eye roll the Arriva bus drivers just because they remind me of what I wish not to remember about New York. 10 weeks to enjoy loud staff room conversations and teachers constantly apologizing for speaking in Maltese then translating in English, only to then jump back to speaking Maltese-HA! 10 weeks to enjoy Sunday morning runs to the market for fresh, hot “bagel" bread, seeing “Captain Jack" as I call the man who sits outside of the pub on the corner and wears a Captain's hat, Army Wives marathons, making fun of the “Bangkok style" neighborhood that is Paceville, Pumpkin pizza at Piccolo Padres, Chicken and pumpkin Ftira at Gululus, Falafel and Sweet potato pomegranate salad at Mint, hikes along some of the most picturesque land and seascapes, boat rides, wine bars, Gozo, Comino, and of course, gelato! Lastly, 10 weeks to give Malta a proper but heartbreaking goodbye and thank you:-(.</span><br />
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><br /></span>
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">The upside is I get to share this special place, yet again, with some very special people who are visiting in May. I get to play tour guide of a place that has become home to me in it's own way. In talking with my sister today about Malta, she kinda nailed it when she said “Malta touched my heart and that doesn't usually happen to me, but it really did, it really is a special place". I think that's what I've been trying to say all along.</span><br />
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><br /></span>
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">So to my student's who will continue to ask “why Malta, Miss?"...after all I've written in these last 6 months, I think my response to them will be why the heck not!</span><br />
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><br /></span>
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">Until next time,</span><br />
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><br /></span>
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">~K</span><br />
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.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02449612457870708196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8219922822972103438.post-45052892177957295532013-03-16T13:01:00.001-04:002013-03-16T13:01:30.284-04:00Making Strides...and loving every minute of it!As I sit in my living room on this chilly Saturday afternoon, I can't help but reflect on my time here in Malta and the amazing week I've had. A week that proved to me that it will be very difficult to leave Malta come June. I keep thinking about how I was when I first arrived, all of the things that stressed or frustrated me and all of the moments since then that have made those moments seem so minor. I keep thinking about how far I have come with my students and I realize now more than ever, how important it is to me to be doing something with my life that actually has an impact on others and I feel completely blessed to know that is exactly what I am doing.<br />
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This past week was a perfect example of that. As I have mentioned in previous posts, I have a very difficult class and also difficult students scattered throughout other classes. My girls, though I love them dearly, are tough and rough around the edges, but they are my girls, girls I can relate to because I know what it is like to come from the “not so great" part of town. It hasn't been easy trying to bring that message across, but it has finally happened. My girls know that I am from New York and immediately correlate that to being rich and posh. I am neither and it was time to prove it.<br />
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The unit this week in English class was Holidays (vacations). We reviewed vocabulary, different holidays one can take, different situations that can occur on a holiday and various modes of transportation. In other words, I was in my glory. As I have said time and again, I love to travel but more importantly, I think it is imperative that people make it a priority to do so as well. Now I know it takes money to travel and by no means am I saying that one should always make a point to travel luxuriously or even frequently but the reality is that we live in a globally connected world and it is important that our future generations to come are exposed to life outside of their norms. As a teacher, it is my responsibility to expose my students to the world and to help them understand that it is okay to dream big and to have a desire to see and experience the world. That is how they will grow and evolve and find what it is they are truly passionate about.<br />
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In following with the unit, I decided to conduct a lesson on New York. The girls are always asking me what it is like and why I would leave to come to Malta so I figured it was time to show them. Each class is vastly different and each class responded differently with different questions but all were completely enthralled. They were at the edge of their seats, screaming, raising their hands, asking millions of questions...and they were looking at the pictures ...daydreaming, in complete awe of a life they wish they could live and experience for themselves and I was there telling them they can. One student said that she will never understand why I would ever leave such a great city to come to Malta. Teaching point at it's finest. I explained to her that although New York is great and offers endless opportunity, it is important to see the world, experience different cultures and traditions because you may find that the idea you have of one place may not suit you at all. They looked at me inquistively like a lightbulb went on in their heads. I explained how there are plenty of ways for young adults to travel economically and why it is so important to focus on school work and learning English so that they will be able to take advantage of these opportunities and it clicked...just like that...it clicked!<br />
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These girls never imagined life away from this small island was possible or felt confident enough to believe that they could one day experience something other than their norm but now they do. This lesson extended to questions about how expensive it is to travel, ways to budget, scholarships, student travel programs, all things that equate to OPPORTUNITY! The cherry on top of this week was seeing the reaction I got from my most difficult class and students. To have my most difficult student walk up to the board and ask me to go back and forth on different slides so that I could explain things further and to have me explain a map of the 5 boroughs when she asked if one has to take a plane to each borough (true story) became that moment for me that made my being here clear to me. I am a vessel in which to expose my students to a life otherwise unknown to them and I am completely okay with that! She began to laugh and smile and even got comfortable enough to begin to ask me questions about my life (some too personal but she quickly understood I wouldn't answer) but to hear this student who is tough and hard ask “do you miss your mother?" and “will you miss Malta?" and to see her eyes widen when I answered yes to both questions but that I will also miss her and the rest of the class because they are my students and I care about them and want the best for them, almost brought me to tears. To hear her say “Miss, when you get married I want to be a bridesmaid, thank you for this lesson"...gave me my “aha" moment and made me feel as if I'd won the lottery. <br />
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I'm a Bronx girl that has had to work for everything I have and all that I have managed to accomplish, all on my own, and my mission is to share that with my students, to show them that anything is possible because, damn it, it is. As an educator, it is my duty to instill this belief in my students, to help them build the confidence they need to go out and experience and take on the world. I will continue to be their biggest cheerleader, if their only cheerleader, because every student deserves that.<br />
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Until next time all,<br />
~K<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02449612457870708196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8219922822972103438.post-53094206337928125112013-02-27T14:16:00.001-05:002013-02-27T14:16:16.941-05:005 months down, less time to go...WHAT?!?!?!How did this even happen? How is it possible that I have officially reached the point where the time spent here is now more than the time I have left? <Insert Panic Mode>. I feel like there is still so much to do, see and experience and the old adage of so much to do, so little time keeps playing in my head on repeat, annoyingly enough. Only thing left to do is make sure I get to see and do all I want and I am definitely getting there.<br />
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I've made sure to make a list of all of the things that remain for me to see and do like:<br />
-visiting the beaches<br />
-going on a wine tour (hey this is actually a must because the wine here is really good and tours average only about 15€)<br />
-Blue Grotto Boat Ride<br />
-Sail to Comino island<br />
-Gozo staycation<br />
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These are just to name a few. The unfortunate thing is that I have to wait until the weather gets a bit warmer to do most of these things so until then, I decided to do the next best thing to occupy some down time....volunteer. I realized I wanted to be able to find something else to be involved with and when I first arrived here I found a pamphlet on the North Malta Girl Guides. Since I took my time settling in and traveling a bit, I waited until January to start working with them. They are part of the same organization as Girl/Boy Scouts. I volunteer at the Sliema chapter, which is the largest on the island and affiliated with the church school they work from. That school is like night and day from the state school where I work. I call it my secret garden because it truly is such a beautiful school and although it is a church school vs. a state school and in a better neighborhood, it doesn't mean they are not faced with the same struggles with students although you would never know given how well the girls speak English. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tm9kmvuXFiY/US5NR6kUP6I/AAAAAAAAAQ4/5dEikTXvR5U/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tm9kmvuXFiY/US5NR6kUP6I/AAAAAAAAAQ4/5dEikTXvR5U/s400/image.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Secret Garden (the buildings to the right and left are classrooms and halls, all outdoor halls, no interiors)</td></tr>
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I work with the Brownie group, ages 7-10 years old and they are adorable. It is a 2 hour commitment that I truly enjoy because I have gotten to know yet a whole other community of people here that are really great. The head of the troop, Carmen, is wonderful, so good at her job, so nurturing, a true mother and guider. What I enjoy most volunteering with them is that there is always a message and lesson to be learned through their activities. They remind me how important it is to reflect and to be open to the positive things that take place because it is so easy to miss them when there are moments of too much negativity and sadness. The organization has what they call Thinking Day, in honor of the birthdays of the husband and wife that began the guiding organization and it was held last Friday. It was really beautiful and inspiring to see them speak of issues that other countries are faced with and the struggles they endure everyday and how important it is to say a prayer and to keep those less fortunate in our minds and in our hearts. Just a truly beautiful moment that I felt honored to be part of. I have been with them for over a month and I know they will be a group of women and students that I truly will miss.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4ixL1PDnsj0/US5NgsYfZcI/AAAAAAAAARE/5sZfnZna1uU/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4ixL1PDnsj0/US5NgsYfZcI/AAAAAAAAARE/5sZfnZna1uU/s400/image.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thinking Day Ceremony</td></tr>
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I also began another volunteer opportunity that Fulbrighter's were contacted about to apply. I volunteer with an organization that is based out of NYC that works with NYC schools and have branched out to Minnesota and North Carolina. They basically run a geography program because they realized how unaware kids are of the world they live in. I officially became a Travel Correspondent with them in the middle of February and it looks like it will be a really cool adventure. I have been paired up with not only a NYC after school program but one that is in my hometown of the Bronx. I will be corresponding with a 3rd grade class through blogging, video blogging and video conferencing. We have weekly assignments on various topics from food, traditions, nature/environment, etc. that I will share with this class. I am so excited about this for the simple fact that so many Americans know so little about Malta. This class will be experts once the semester is done! My first field assignment was food so I made the Maltese dish Timpana. It is a take on baked ziti but better because the pasta mixture is baked in pastry dough. I also made the meat sauce from scratch and have to say it really was a success...no really it was, I gave some to a teacher I work with and got the compliment of my life from her mom who said I am learning to cook like the locals, which is apparently a lot coming from her, it really was so DELICIOUS!!! That made my day!!! Completing this assignment got me excited for the others to come. It helps me focus more on what is around me and what I am doing here which is pretty sweet; the bonus is that I have an entire class I get to share it with!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vk3F6Cr-g28/US5WsupVtpI/AAAAAAAAATE/3aww69SCq9Y/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vk3F6Cr-g28/US5WsupVtpI/AAAAAAAAATE/3aww69SCq9Y/s400/image.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A collage of my Timpana masterpiece:-)<br />
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So as you can see I have decided to take a bit of a different approach for this 5 month recap. I chose to focus on the things I am doing here and how they are helping me appreciate my time, whatever time I have left on this island, because it is flying by and before I know it , it will be time to head home to the states. You have to be in the moment to make sure you have truly appreciated it and that's exactly what I am doing. <br />
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Until next time...<br />
~K<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02449612457870708196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8219922822972103438.post-3786251589747779942013-02-25T15:26:00.002-05:002013-02-26T02:14:25.543-05:00Sisters Reunited<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-left;">After 5 long months, my sister FINALLY came to visit! The timing before she arrived was so bizarre because it never felt real and as much as I thought I was good and just plain old excited for her to visit, the minute I saw the board at the airport show that her plane landed, the butterflies began to flutter in my stomach and the moment the doors opened and she was physically standing in front of me, we both took a step back for a split second because we both were taken aback by the fact that we were really standing in front of each other and by how much we really missed each other. I face time with my sister regularly but boy did her visit prove just how not enough Face Time or Skype is. Believe me when I say I am extremely grateful for such programs and modern technology, without them I would not have been able to survive here but the simple reality is that I missed my sister.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tdckUPMLdUA/USuDAx41naI/AAAAAAAAAQI/Isgt_nIheBA/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tdckUPMLdUA/USuDAx41naI/AAAAAAAAAQI/Isgt_nIheBA/s400/image.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The many sites on the beautiful island of Gozo, Malta's sister island</td></tr>
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I allowed myself to get so caught up in preparing for her visit that it just never fully sank in and as time does so well...it flew by when she was here that it almost seems like a blur or even as if she never really was here. Don't worry I have pictures to prove that she was:-). <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t0j0mZc2NcI/USuC9jB_OgI/AAAAAAAAAQA/o8zzAEvUPkM/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t0j0mZc2NcI/USuC9jB_OgI/AAAAAAAAAQA/o8zzAEvUPkM/s400/image.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marsaxlokk village, Char Lapsi village, the Blue Grotto, and the Tarxien Temples</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-left;">As I have mentioned in previous posts, I </span><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">am extremely close to both of my sisters as they are my best friends so you can imagine how excited I was to finally have Sam here. I wish both could have come but the reality is that I live 5700 miles away from home so not exactly the most convenient place to visit. Sam was here for a week and I made sure it would be a week she would always remember, and I believe I achieved that. Together we traveled this island top to bottom seeing ancient temples like the Tarxien Temples and the Hypogeum which is the only underground temple in the world and they are all over 5,000 years old; experiencing the Arriva bus system, seeing fortified cities, Carnival, again experiencing the Arriva bus system and drivers, seeing famous movie and t.v. sites, the sister island of Gozo, did I mention the Arriva bus system and we also got up close and personal with some really beautiful animals. Like the adorable sea lion, Dana, who fell asleep on Sam's lap and the adorable dolphins Sam got to do tricks with all because I pushed her forward as a volunteer (mind you there were only 5 of us at the site but still, I know I'm a pretty good host, anyone else would've jumped at the chance to play with dolphins-hahaha). We also met a beautiful horse that peaked it's head out of the stable window. It wasn't the best week weather wise, but the weather held up when it needed to and many great memories were made.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ja6gAkqoguM/USuDBfCa7mI/AAAAAAAAAQM/ijsJVDmtnyY/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ja6gAkqoguM/USuDBfCa7mI/AAAAAAAAAQM/ijsJVDmtnyY/s400/image.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Famous film and T.V. sites in Malta and Gozo</div>
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<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">As the older sister yet the middle sister of 3, Sam is the nurturer, the one always making sure you are ok and looking out for you...yeah you can say she is pretty awesome and actually funny as all heck. I could tell in conversations with her while here that she may have had some concerns about my being so far away from home but after we arrived back at the apartment and she got to experience the neighborhood for herself, I think she was able to relax a bit, so much so that I think she left Malta with a genuine appreciation for the island and some real insight as she got to meet and be shown around by locals, eat Maltese food, see sites tourists would never see and also see that I make a really good host;-). She also got to bond with my roomie Melissa and realized for herself why I consider her family. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sk9zkBoZSrg/USuCvgVH3LI/AAAAAAAAAPo/yk5fG8QU7fU/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sk9zkBoZSrg/USuCvgVH3LI/AAAAAAAAAPo/yk5fG8QU7fU/s400/image.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Us reflecting at Dingli Cliffs</td></tr>
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There were many sites I had not visited yet before she arrived so we even got to explore this island together which made the trip all the more fun. I think my biggest concern of it all was how we would be with each other. I know I have changed in the 5 months of being here, just more aware I guess you could say and although that seems like a short time, with the distance, it has a way of seeming longer. So I did wonder if things would be “different"...yeah that was certainly a far-fetched and ridiculous idea...we picked up right where we left off as if I'd never been away...joking, laughing, enjoying each others company traveling around and watching t.v. together. It was GREAT!</div>
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All in all, I miss my sisters, it is very hard being so far away from them but life is good here and I know that and am truly grateful for this experience and even more grateful to have such an opportunity that allowed me to share something special with one of the most important people in my life. Life.is.good!</div>
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Just a quote I found that I feel really speaks to the relationship I have with my sisters and thought I should share.<br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-left;">Sisters don't need words. They have perfected a language of snarls and smiles and frowns and winks - expressions of shocked surprise and incredulity and disbelief. Sniffs and snorts and gasps and sighs - that can undermine any tale you're telling. ~Pam Brown</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02449612457870708196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8219922822972103438.post-74392185261819161092013-01-28T10:55:00.001-05:002013-01-28T10:55:14.113-05:00The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly...of TeachingSitting in my staff room today, I felt the urge to sit down during my break to write this blog post because today has been a rather interesting day. By 12:55pm so much had happened that Melissa, my roomie, asked “what was in the water today?" when I briefed her on my day.<br />
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The events that took place, to me, showed how much of an emotional roller coaster you can be on, at times, when it comes to teaching. It is never simply about teaching the content but also being able to perfect your acting skills because there are days where you will play the role of teacher, others where you are counselor/psychologist, mediator, friend, mother, adversary and everything else in between. It can be mentally, emotionally and physically exhausting because in most situations, your hands are tied and there is not much you can do so you opt to focus most on the things within your control and simply hope for the best.<br />
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My day in a nutshell...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My School</td></tr>
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THE GOOD:<br />
5th Lesson: 11:45am<br />
5th lesson on Mondays is with my Form 1 class. This class is a teachers dream. They are all extremely bright and well behaved students who still very much have their innocence in tact, as it should be given that they are only 11. Since the Half Yearly exams are two weeks away, practice was on the agenda for today. Today they reviewed Poetry and understanding Personification in Poetry and were amazingly good at it. Some needed explanation while most did not, giving clear examples from the text. Violet, the teacher I work with, used her laptop in class and had a background picture of Hagar Qim, one of the megalithic temples here in Malta. She was giving me some history on the temple and the girls noticed our conversation, raised their hands and asked if they could do presentations on places in Malta and cultural aspects so that they could teach me about Malta. Now, this is a big deal given that I am doing a very similar project with my Form 3's and they are not as pleased with the idea of doing a presentation and yet here are Form 1's who suggested the idea themselves, are excited to share information about their home and to present it to me. Did I say they are a dream class? I think even if I didn't it would go without saying. <br />
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7th Lesson: 1:30pm<br />
During this lesson, I have what is usually my toughest class. Well, remember the “what's in the water" comment? Yeah, believe me I am still trying to figure it out. I walked into this class to find the girls eager to talk to me, asking me to come up with games where they can practice their speech more, telling the teacher that they wanted me to do the lesson and even though they were loud and talkative, they actually worked. There are about 3-4 students in that class that make it difficult for any teacher to handle them and they were so focused on what we were doing that part of the loud talking was them telling one of the difficult students to be quiet and stop disrupting...WHO KNEW?!?!?! More shocking was that one of the other difficult ones actually participated...A LOT! Weird doesn't even begin to describe it. Now for as difficult as they are, you know the underlying reasons...issues at home, lack of parenting and guidance, learning and social issues that are not being properly addressed so you have to keep this in the forefront of your mind to simply help you get through the lesson most days. You have to have a strong will to deal with them and know that you are and will always be physically, mentally and emotionally spent after every class with them...and the lesson is only 40 minutes long. Can't complain today though because they were really good...still exhausted from all of the stimulation but not complaining one bit.<br />
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THE BAD:<br />
1st Lesson: 8:40am<br />
This lesson was with my better Form 2 class and as they were settling down to prepare for Half Yearly test review I noticed one student who was visibly upset. She was crying. I made eye contact with her and mouthed "Is everything ok?", she responded by shaking her head no and sobbing uncontrollably. I motioned for her to follow me outside and she did. Now to give you some background on this student, this is not one of the stronger students so her English is not the most developed and she also tends to have a bit of an air about her, but in this moment she was what we sometimes forget that these girls are...a child...a 12 year old child who was upset over something and needed some reassurance to calm her down. When we got into the hallway, I asked her if all was ok and she began to explain that a fight had broken out last week between some friends of hers and now they were turning on her because of her reaction to the situation and therefore made her feel very uncomfortable...oh how this brought me back to Middle School and why it is my least favorite age group, kids at this age are just SO MEAN! I then had to deal with multiple students coming out into the hall to explain what happened and also simply to be nosey so in trying to support her, I had to play hall monitor to get the other girls back to their classes. The crazy thing is that as much as any other teacher would have shrugged it off as she being dramatic, I understood what she was going through and felt her pain because girls here can be pretty rough so any threat should be taken seriously. Needless to say, I was concerned. I did what I felt she needed, I offered her a sense of support and protection and waited with her until the Head of the Form 2's appeared so that she could further discuss the situation. Before she appeared we talked about what happened a little more in detail and why she thought they were treating her badly. I also asked to see if any direct threats were made that would concern me for her safety but it seemed to be more of a dispute than an actual threat (or at least I was hoping that would be the case). In the end, she thanked me for staying with her and for being there for her. What a way to start a Monday morning!<br />
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THE UGLY:<br />
3rd Lesson: 10:55am Lesson 3<br />
This Form 2 class is not as strong as the original class above but there is one student in this class that has really gotten to me. I feel for her and all she has been through in her short life that for all of her outbursts, acting out, and lack of focus at times, I simply can't ever be mad at her. She is one who has been dealt a heavy hand of cards at a very young age and is simply doing the best she can with what she has to work with. Her good days are REALLY good, she is focused, smart, really bright and she actively participates. However, the strikes against her are great, especially being here in Malta: she is severely ADHD, lives most of her time in an orphanage that does not believe she needs her medication, she only sees her mother on supervised visits and she is half black/half Maltese so she gets teased for that, oh and she's 12 so with all going on in her life, she is also trying to deal with being an adolescent. When Mondays come around, it is usually a rough day for her because she has not been on her medication all weekend to help keep her calm and focused. This is the only form of “therapy" that is being offered to her at the moment so for that to not be consistent is truly just awful for her. Today, she bounced around, walked in/out of class and acted out. She said things to me like "You should go back to New York, why are you here?" and continued to say inappropriate things in Maltese to the teacher and eventually admitted in the end that she was saying these things because "Ms. Rivera is not paying attention to me, she is ignoring me" and looked at me with pained eyes. Again, just can't bring myself to be mad at her. We continued through the lesson but you can't help have that affect you because you know where it is coming from and you can't let it go from your mind as you sit and obsess about why she is the way she is and what is really going on. Apparently, the Head of the Form 2's has said time and again "If I told you everything she has been through and witnessed, it would destroy you". After a day like today, I believe it and that breaks my heart. i wish I could fix her and her situation and I know I can't and that feeling of helplessness is like kryptonite to a teacher.<br />
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So what is my reason for writing this post...well basically it is to help paint a picture of what teachers face in the classroom everyday alone, this doesn't even include what one deals with when it comes to Administration issues. Most people have a very tainted idea of what is involved when it comes to being a teacher...usually all they see (or choose to see) is the vacation time and supposed early hours, when do you think unit and lesson planning and grading papers and exams happens? What most don't care to realize is that we are dealing with the emotional highs/lows that these students face on a daily basis. We are dealing with no less than 24 different personalities, home situations, learning and social levels and are expected to actually teach and educate these students and be able to do so completely composed and unscathed and in the end give them a grade for their progress or lack thereof. Keep that in mind the next time you think a teacher and students today, have it easy. <br />
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Until Next Time,<br />
~K<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02449612457870708196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8219922822972103438.post-46731625423558171392013-01-24T17:21:00.002-05:002013-01-25T16:46:04.133-05:004 Times the Charm...The 4 Month Mark!And so it came and went, in the blink of an eye...the 4 month mark. How quickly time has decided to speed up on me (sneaky little bugger that time is) for now the constant concerns and questions are simply, is there enough time? do I have enough time left here? My how things have changed in just 4 short (yet very long) months. The things I fret about these days are “normal"...lesson ideas and that of preparing for lessons when a teacher decides to throw you for a loop, preparing for the next wave of Erasmus students for my University class, making lists of the things that I still have to see and experience here, and excitingly...preparing for my sister's visit, which just yesterday felt like it was a ways away but is now down to just two weeks from today...can't.wait!<br />
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These norms led me to reflect before sitting down to write this entry because the shocker to me in all of this is the realization that I have truly come to have a genuine life here in Malta, one that is my own, one that I am completely settled in and truly enjoying only to know that in a little over 4 months, it will be over. As much as things have truly settled, the hard(er) work will soon begin...preparing for life AFTER Fulbright, AFTER Malta...le sigh. I can honestly tell you I am not completely sure how I feel about that and allow me to explain why.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not a typical outdoor Maltese lunch unless you are joined by the local cats!</td></tr>
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I live on an island in the Mediterranean that is but 17 miles long yet is really beautiful and quaint and simple. Coming from NYC, this is something I truly craved, more than I originally thought. I am teaching in a Girls' Secondary State School that is certainly not without its' flaws but has some students I have come to truly care and worry about and will miss terribly when I leave. I work with teachers that welcome me as one of their own, that value my opinion and respect my views and look out for me and my best interests. To hear students tell me that they missed me on my days off or to be told that my toughest class asked for me and wondered why I was not in class and if it had to do with me “not liking them anymore" whereas before they couldn't give a darn actually has brought tears to my eyes. To see my students eyes widen during a lesson on New York when I discussed country, state and population size differences and especially when they saw that NYC is a very small part to the rest of the state or that it takes me about 6 hours to fly from NYC to California and share a good laugh with them over it, gives me a sense of connection. It is an amazing feeling to stand before a class and have them ask a million questions about what it is like to be from the U.S. but to push them to explain to me why they are so enthralled with NYC and why they want to go there and see them begin with simple answers as “because it is big" to then watch them freely express their reasons, in English, when they hesitate to speak the language otherwise, and say things like “because it represents opportunity, opportunity we don't have here" and to know they are only 12-13 years old proves to me<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"> that my being here has opened their minds as to just how big the rest of the world is, it shows me that I am making a difference, albeit a small one, but a difference nonetheless...we have to crawl before we can walk right?</span><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"> To see my University students take their assignments seriously when it is a class that does not count towards their GPA, all because they want to improve their English and are grateful for the help, is great motivation to want to always be better and more for your students. As you can see there is a lot one can find themselves getting attached to. How do I just walk away from this and these people come June? Malta is not exactly around the corner from my house so this is certainly a concern for me.</span><br />
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><br /></span>
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">Q: What does one do when they feel they are getting too attached? </span><br />
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">A: Why they find ways to get even further attached, of course.</span><br />
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><br /></span>
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">A couple of weeks ago I began volunteering with the North Malta Girl Guides. I am working with the District 14 St. Joseph's School Chapter in Sliema, the largest on the island. Now, I was never a Girl Scout or Girl Guide at home so of course I thought I would be perfect for this. Turns out, it is working out great. Another extension of my community is growing, another perspective to investigate further, another way to experience this island and its' people from a completely different aspect, another group of people that it will be very hard to say goodbye to come June. All part of the experience right? No? Well, actually, yes. These are the moments that help mold us and our lives, that allow us to live and show us that we are living. Life is never easy, no matter which way you look at it, as the saying goes “all good things come to an end" but the catch with that saying is making sure you remember to enjoy the moment. As I stated earlier, when I first started this blog, this experience will be very much a ride for me...there have been ups and downs, highs and lows; there have been good times and bad, happy times and sad times and that will continue to be the case because for every joy here, there is sadness-missing my family, missing my dogs, and soon it will be that for every joy that will come from being back home, there will be an incredible sadness with Malta and those I will leave in June, hence the importance of moments and memories which are all part of the overall experience. There is that word again:-). So, the way I look at it is this, I can sit and wallow about the fact that my time here is almost up or I can really enjoy the time I have left with these special people-teachers, students and friends, and not take anything for granted so that when June rolls around it will not be goodbye but see you later, Malta, as it will always be a second home to me.</span><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"> </span><br />
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><br /></span>
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">So what is my point in all of my rambling...well, basically, being scared is a constant theme throughout this process...I was scared of moving here, of missing my family, friends and dogs, of what to expect, of the unknown and now I'm scared for different reasons and that's ok...it helps remind me that I am human. Sometimes scared is good. For all of the unknown that awaited me before I got here, a new unknown awaits for my return home but no matter what happens next...Joan of Arc said it best...“I am not afraid, I was born to do this". And so I am. Bring on the next 4 months.</span><br />
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><br /></span>
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">*Note: No recap list for this entry as I think it is pretty obvious as to why- bad fashion and crazy bus drivers are clearly part of my “norm", oh and we finally bought a coffee maker and Melissa's parents brought of bags of Dunkin Donuts so all is now right in the world:-). I tell ya, it's the little things, people that can make someone oh so happy!</span><br />
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><br /></span>
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">Until next time</span><br />
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><br /></span>
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">~K</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02449612457870708196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8219922822972103438.post-68645365538988456012013-01-12T17:32:00.001-05:002013-01-16T08:01:43.535-05:00BONNE ANNÉE...J'adore Paris!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption">me at some of my fave spots in Paris...Notre Dame, ChampsÉlysées, Louvre and Sacre Coeur </td></tr>
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Well folks the new year is here. Happy 2013 everyone. I have to say I got to celebrate the New Years holiday in great fashion. After spending a quiet Christmas holiday at home here in Malta, Melissa and I jetted off to Paris for the New Year. I have to say that although this was my third time visiting, it just never gets old. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Paris! Did I mention I LOVE Paris?!?!?!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I mean really, can this city BE any more beautiful?!?!</td></tr>
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Paris is that city that people either love or hate, there really is no in-between. I am on the love end of the spectrum and I proudly admit it. Paris is one of the big cities of Europe that manages to still take your breath away because it is, simply put, amazing. From the architecture to the feeling and vibe you get when there, there really is nothing like it. Old mixed with new, history, beauty...it is just a place that you can't help but be in awe of.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just never gets old!</td></tr>
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The weather was mild in Paris for December/January, albeit a bit on the rainy side, but that did not dampen the trip one bit, even in the rain, Paris is beautiful! We got to check out the key sites...Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Louvre, Sacre Coeur, ChampsÉlysées, and wander about some amazing neighborhoods. It was a particularly fun trip because it was Melissa's first time visiting so I got to play tour guide, I got to meet up with my friend, Kara, as she was visiting the city with her boyfriend and we haven't seen each other since I left for Malta so it was really nice to see someone from home. The hotel we stayed in is run by someone who helped plan my previous trip to Paris in 2011 for my sister's bachelorette weekend so it was like visiting a friend in Paris. She and her staff took great care of us and that is the reason why we chose to stay there in the first place. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some street art i came across on the walls while making my way to Sacre Coeur</td></tr>
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I am totally promoting here but simply because it is worth the recognition. If you plan on visiting Paris any time soon, I HIGHLY recommend Hotel Le Six in the Monteparnasse area, 6th District. Anne, the Hotel Managing Director is the most amazing person. She was at a previous hotel when I was in Paris for my sister's trip and has since moved on to this luxury boutique hotel and I honestly would not stay anywhere else. She goes above and beyond her call of duty and has a staff that does the same. So friendly, so helpful, so pleasant and the hotel is beautiful and in one of the best areas to stay in Paris. We got to enjoy VIP service, complimentary room service, complimentary Champagne and Hors d’Oeuvres on New Years Eve and they managed to arrange an elaborate and amazing New Years Eve dinner at my now favorite restaurant in Paris...C'est Mon Plaisir (yes I am promoting again). My friend Kara is a vegetarian and not only did the hotel make the reservation literally the day before, but also took care of contacting the restaurant to see what could be done about accommodating her food needs....now it was New Years Eve, price fixe menu and she was able to have her own customized menu...who does that...on such a major holiday as well...well C'est Mon Plaisir does. It was not only my best meal in Paris but one of the best meals I have ever had in my life...period! I got to ring in the New Year with friends, enjoying a great 7-course meal, good wine and hilarious music (they played It's the Final Countdown AFTER it hit midnight-HA!). HAPPY NEW YEAR INDEED!!!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IjQxz1BcEM4/UPG4OJi7NMI/AAAAAAAAAMI/TQBSFXFEdTA/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IjQxz1BcEM4/UPG4OJi7NMI/AAAAAAAAAMI/TQBSFXFEdTA/s320/image.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">5 of the 7 courses of our amazing New Years Eve dinner!</td></tr>
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Now for the highlights:</div>
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Along with the amazing 7-course New Years Eve Dinner, there were some pretty special moments during the trip as the one thing I love about Paris is that there has always been something new to do and discover with every visit, like...</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q_R1ppkUXzQ/UPHpYXG2jaI/AAAAAAAAAOU/2YwsHpDna4A/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q_R1ppkUXzQ/UPHpYXG2jaI/AAAAAAAAAOU/2YwsHpDna4A/s1600/image.jpg" /></a></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: MarkerFelt-Thin; font-size: medium;"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 24px;">Watching the sunset atop the Eiffel Tower, I have to admit that I really do like the later afternoon/early evening view of the Eiffel Tower as oppose to going up in the evening, you get a greater appreciation for the city and its' beauty.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: MarkerFelt-Thin; font-size: medium;"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 24px;">Climbing all the way to the top of the Notre Dame tower...because the little, old French woman standing guard yells for you to keep going up...a workout in itself and a test of ones' ability to keep their vertigo at bay but oh.so.worth.it.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: MarkerFelt-Thin; font-size: medium;"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 24px;">Visiting Sacre Coeur and enjoying the Monmarte neighborhood with its' beautiful shops, Christmas Market and THE VIEW! Not to mention that the church itself is pretty fantastic!</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: MarkerFelt-Thin; font-size: medium;"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 24px;">Waiting on line to go up the Eiffel Tower and telling Melissa stories of when I visited with my sisters and how when we went to the Eiffel Tower, the guys selling the 1 euro mini Eiffel Towers ran in a stampede like the running of the bulls because the military came in to patrol and seeing the concern on my sister's face...only to have it happen minutes after telling the story for Melissa to witness herself...it is one of the most bizarre things to witness because they are everywhere so really why run?</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: MarkerFelt-Thin; font-size: medium;"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 24px;">Being in Paris, one of the fashion capitals of the world, and getting beyond excited to shop at...wait for it...THE GAP! They were having a great sale and well frankly, that is what happens to you when you live on an island with bad shopping...it makes you appreciate good, American clothing...I mean really, the irony of being able to say that we shopped in Paris...AT THE GAP...really?!?! Hey, say what you want but I have not been this excited about clothes since leaving for Malta!</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: MarkerFelt-Thin; font-size: medium;"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 24px;">Being in said fashion capital only to witness a major fashion faux pas...yes they happen everywhere...but seriously when you see a man trying his best impression of an urban style wearing a Charlotte Hornets baseball hat (yes you read that right, I know the team no longer exists...HELLOOO New Orleans Hornets/Charlotte Bobcats), and a track jacket and pants to match only to keep the trend going down to the underwear...yes the underwear...shame even Paris is plagued by the “hang your pants off your behind to show the world your underwear like we want to see them" trend...ummm...well, basically...that is just all kinds of wrong and should be an actual offense...I had to look at you, you were in front of me as we were exiting the Metro station for crying out loud! But add the fact that he was also carrying a knock-off Prada crossbody PURSE (yes it was a female bag) and well that just makes for one hell of a good laugh...in fact...still.laughing! </span></span></li>
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<span style="font-family: MarkerFelt-Thin; font-size: medium;"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 24px;">There never seems to be a dull moment when in Paris and that is just the way I like it! It is a magical city and a city I will never stop visiting because I am truly in love with it, possibly the one European city I wish I could live in but since I can't, going back every so often will have to do and I am definitely ok with that!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: MarkerFelt-Thin; font-size: medium;"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: MarkerFelt-Thin; font-size: medium;"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 24px;">Thought it would be nice to bring some Paris twinkle to your lives...HAPPY NEW YEAR/BONNE ANNÉE!</span></span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02449612457870708196noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8219922822972103438.post-58312115761160507542013-01-05T10:38:00.004-05:002013-01-05T10:38:58.647-05:00Blog Spotlight: Meet Melissa! Fellow ETA, Roommate & Sister from other Parents...<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In reading my blog, you know that I have spoken a lot about and referenced my fellow ETA and roomie, Melissa. Although we reference each other quite a bit, we realized that our readers still don't necessarily know that much about the person we speak of so we thought it would be fun if we “swap” blogs for a day so that one person’s friends and family get to know a little bit more about the other. We also thought this might help future Fulbrighters get a better understanding of what a Malta ETA applicant might look like.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>If you would like to read my responses on her blog, click the link below...</b></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>melissainmalta.tumblr.com</b></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Friends meet Melissa :-)...</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JnJP5wPUvpQ/UOhH9GHnvXI/AAAAAAAAAI4/dNeAwKS_CLw/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JnJP5wPUvpQ/UOhH9GHnvXI/AAAAAAAAAI4/dNeAwKS_CLw/s400/image.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Name:</b> Melissa</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Hometown: </b>Madison, NJ (just outside of NYC)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Undergraduate/Graduate Degrees: </b>B.A. Political Science, Tulane University (ROLL WAVE!), New Orleans, Louisiana. In a year I get to add an M.S.Ed or M.Ed – Yay!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>I’m passionate about: </b>Students and what makes them tick. When you can find the very precise little things that motivate a student, you have the keys to the kingdom.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Why Malta? </b>I lived in/backpacked through Italy for a few months in high school and wanted to return to an area of Europe that would be similar enough to Italy so that I would feel comfortable, but that was unique enough to provide me with a challenging experience. I am almost fluent in Italian and I thought that might help me here but, alas, no such luck.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Who I teach: </b>5<sup>th</sup> form boys (ages 15-16) and a few classes of 2<sup>nd</sup> form boys (ages 11-12) as well as some university students</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Favorite spot in Malta: </b>The beach just across the street from our flat. Sometimes I go there on my way home just to stop and think a little bit. I will never take the fresh smell of the sea air for granted.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Favorite Malta memory so far: </b>The day Kelly and I moved into our flat was amazing. We were so miserable and homesick until we heard that we “won” the bid. The second the landlord closed the door and left after giving us our keys, we jumped up and down and cried. That really was the first day of the rest of our lives in Malta. It put everything in perspective. We realized, “Ok, this might actually be fun.”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Favorite weekend trip so far: </b>It’s a close tie between Sweden and France. Sweden was just so different from anything I had ever experienced. And the guys were nice AND good-looking which, let me tell you, gives Sweden serious points since Malta is apparently where chivalry went to die.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Funniest Fulbright memory so far: </b>There are SO many. Kelly and I crack each other up. One time, Kelly and I were at a concert and this man jumped from the highest step on a set of stairs down to the floor where we were standing while waving his arms kind of like he was trying to fly. Kelly and I found this completely hysterical and still imitate his “take off” every now and then. See, it’s the little things.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>I am still looking forward to: </b>I really want to visit Gozo, (Malta’s sister island) because I hear it is gorgeous. I am also looking forward to my parents’ visit in a few weeks and me and Kelly’s Scotland excursion wherein I get to meet up with an old high school friend as well. So much coming up!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Favorite Maltese dessert: </b>HONEY RINGS. ENOUGH SAID. And almond cookies – specifically the one Air Malta served us on Thursday. Thanks y’all, those were delicious.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Fulbright Confession: </b>When I first got here I was so unsure of whether or not I could really do this that I used to contemplate quitting. So, I would sit in bed and think of excuses I would tell my friends if I went home. I got pretty creative with ones like, “I was allergic to the water,” (which is oddly kind of true), and the ever honest, “I just couldn’t do it.”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>If I were a song, I would be: </b>It honestly depends on the day. A student of mine this summer asked me this question and I said New Strings by Miranda Lambert by sometimes I feel like maybe I’ve evolved since then. Now I’m a little more like “Below My Feet” by Mumford and Sons:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">When all I knew was steeped in blackened hopes</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Well I was lost</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Keep the earth below my feet</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">From my sweat, my blood runs weak</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Let me learn from where I have been</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Keep my eyes to serve, my hands to learn</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Keep my eyes to serve, my hands to learn</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>If my experience thus far were a song, it would be: </b>Lost by Coldplay and Jay-Z </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Just because I’m losing </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Doesn’t mean I’m lost</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Doesn’t mean I’ll stop </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Doesn’t mean I'm across </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Just because I’m hurting </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Doesn’t mean I’m hurt </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Doesn’t mean I don’t get what I deserved </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">No better and no worse </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I just got lost </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Every river that I tried to cross </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Every door I ever tried was locked </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Oh and I’m just waiting ‘til the shine wears off </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">You might be a big fish In a little pond </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Doesn’t mean you’ve won </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">‘Cause a long may come </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A bigger one</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">(In case it isn’t blatantly obvious, this experience has been all about finding myself and figuring out my place in the universe).</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>The thing I miss most about home is: </b>My family and friends. I miss being able to see them and hug them and even be annoyed by them…in person.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>The thing I will do first when I am home is: </b>Eat a hamburger and then pack my bags right back up again.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>After I leave, I want to: </b>Go to graduate school and start building a more permanent life for myself.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>This experience has taught me: </b>I am stronger than I think I am but I have so much to learn. I want to be a student of the world forever.</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02449612457870708196noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8219922822972103438.post-57964127017174021152012-12-26T17:07:00.002-05:002013-01-16T08:02:57.829-05:00Christmas Malta Style!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's happened. I spent Christmas without my family...or did I? Well let's take a look...<br />
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CHRISTMAS EVE:<br />
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<ul>
<li>I got to Skype with my mom and sister early in the day so that I would be able to see my mom open her gifts that my sister and I got her. I got to talk with her and spend some quality time with her, albeit on a computer. I really miss her!</li>
<li>Later that evening I made dinner at home with Melissa. We had cavatelli in a pumpkin sauce with pancetta and peas and arugula salad. To drink? Delicious local Maltese red wine. </li>
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(Being Puerto Rican, you get accustomed to a very specific menu for the holidays that includes Arroz con gandules, perníl or ham, potato salad and pasteles. For drink, you can usually find a bottle of coquito along with plenty of other spirits, so not having any of that was definitely difficult but you make the best of it and my best was simple, delicious, and quite local).</div>
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<li>After dinner Melissa and I exchanged gifts...she got me a beautiful satchel with cross body strap in a blush color (we are serious accessories girls and you can find some good stuff in Malta). </li>
<li>We then went to Midnight mass at one of the very few churches here that give mass in English. All I can say is that it was beautiful and inspiring. The message? “To listen"....listen to God, listen to yourself and chances are you will always find the right answers. So profound.</li>
<li>After the service, we enjoyed coffee and hot chocolate as well as pastizzi's at the church. A truly beautiful and authentic way to enjoy the night.</li>
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CHRISTMAS DAY:</div>
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<li>Woke up to a beautiful sunny and warm Christmas day. Sun was shining, waters were calm and the air was warm but dry...simply perfect.</li>
<li>Had brunch with my roomie at a local restaurant that was truly amazing and SO CHEAP!!! We are still confused as to how the food could be so good and so cheap, but it was. </li>
<li>After, I quickly came home to shower and change to make my way to Marsaxlokk for a traditional Maltese dinner with my “mom away from mom", Violet and her parents. “Marsa" means harbor and “xlokk" means south in Maltese and I can see where the village got it's name. It is a small but beautiful village south of the island and your welcome into the village are two vineyards on either side of you while the main square is right on the water where all the colorful fishing boats are lined up and a beautiful gothic church is looking down on you...BREATHTAKING! Violet met me in the square and we walked to her home. It was such a lovely home with a beautiful conservatory and her parents are two of the most genuine and kind people I have ever met.</li>
<li>On the menu for dinner was: Broccoli and Cauliflower soup with potatoes and bacon(anyone who knows me, knows how much of a soup girl I am), main course was roasted rabbit (or as my sister said, I ate Thumper, listen when in Rome...just sayin') and roasted vegetables. For dessert we had homemade mince pies that another teacher baked for us to share as well as homemade Baci made by Violet's mom. We also had fruit salad in peach liqueur as well as local cookies.</li>
<li>After dinner, we sat in Violet's sitting room, she insisted I call my mom so I did (you never go against the insistence of the Maltese people, they are relentless, but in a way that really makes you feel cared for) and afterward we all just talked---about everything---school, students, how life in Malta has changed over the years, hobbies that her father used to partake in, how he is 78 years old and walks 7 miles a day, and what he did for a living as he worked as an Electrical Engineer for Commercial and Military ships, as well as travel, just normal but very interesting conversation. I was told by Violet's mom that she officially has an adopted daughter which for some crazy reason got me very emotional and I know it is because that when it comes time to leave, it can and will be so permanent:-(.</li>
<li>When I got home, I was able to Face Time with my sisters to wish them a Merry Christmas and to see my dad, who was in NY from Las Vegas. We joked, we laughed, we talked about my sister Sam's upcoming trip to Malta. I got to see all the food I was missing out on as it was cooking away in the kitchen and I got to see and speak to my nephew and ask him about all the things that Santa brought him (yes he is 11 and yes I still ask what Santa brought him as that is how it will always be!). I even got to see and speak to my sweetart Megan, my pharaoh hound mix, she was resting but I called her name and she woke right up:-)...miss her terribly, my pretty girl! It was truly the perfect way to end the night.</li>
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So there you have it, my Christmas holiday in a nutshell. As much as I refer to Violet as my “mom away from mom", Melissa, as well as Violet and her parents, are very much all family to me and during my time here are my “family away from family". As I have stated previously, God knew what he was doing when Fulbright gave me and Melissa the grants for Malta; Melissa and I will forever be family, sisters from other moms, because we already are and we will always be able to see each other as we live in the Tri-state area, but to be able to develop this friendship with such a truly genuine and lovely family as the Rizzo's, a local family of Malta, really makes Malta hold a very special place in my heart. These are people that I will miss terribly when I leave as I miss my family back home. So as you can see, although this was not my traditional way of spending the Christmas holiday, that was really not important. The “how" is not the important part, it's the “who" that is the important part. I spent Christmas with my family, near and far, and enjoyed the holiday in a way that I will cherish for the rest of my life. </div>
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MERRY (HAPPY) CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY! Now to ring in the New Year in good 'ole PARIS;-).</div>
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Until next time!</div>
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~K </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02449612457870708196noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8219922822972103438.post-61786031094558648512012-12-21T09:56:00.002-05:002012-12-21T09:56:18.407-05:00Not your average school Christmas production...My girls made me so proud!Yesterday was the school Christmas show at the Girls' Secondary School where I work. Now, you may be thinking that it was your average show with band and choral performances, well you are wrong. Actually very wrong. In fact, it was quite the opposite. All week I heard how teachers were frustrated by the fact that students were being pulled from lessons in order to rehearse and I can certainly sympathize with such frustrations because it is the last week before break and the students have their exams in February, unlike us Americans who don't have them until much later in the year. So as seems to be the growing educational trend, it's all about making sure that they are prepared for the exams.<br />
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Well, I have to say I am pleasantly surprised to know that such efforts were made for rehearsals because the production I saw yesterday was one purely imagined and executed by the students themselves. They do not have art, music, dance or any sort of other creative-outlet classes. They take on the sole responsibility of putting this performance together, they come up with choreography on their own, they choose the songs they want to sing and choose the theatrical performance pieces. All forms take part and all I can say is that I am so proud and even floored by the talent I witnessed yesterday. There were sets, costumes, makeup, you name it and again, all of this was solely done by them. So, what does that tell us? It tells us that creative outlets are just as important as academics. They provide for confidence building, freedom of expression and help ignite a passion and love for something. All pivotal components to developing into a well-rounded individual.<br />
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The girls supported each other, cheered and sang along to songs and were just so pumped to have the opportunity to show what they could do. I was able to take pictures and video but am unable to share for obvious reasons but I really wish I could. I saw future So You Think You Can Dance talent and X Factor/Idol talent. These gifts are not always encouraged and performances such as these are not so common here so it made me feel really great to be part of a school, that may not have the resources to offer such programs, but still allows the students to release their creative energy and have their moment to shine. It was a beautiful moment to witness and it made me so proud to see lots of my students up there dancing and singing (solo) and just looking genuinely happy.<br />
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On Tuesday, I ran into one of my favorite students, 'C', and she came up to me and said “MS. RIVERA, MS. RIVERA, may I have a hug?" To which I replied “of course you can", I began to ask her about her day and if she was performing in Christmas show and she said “YES, I'm singing Jar of Hearts". She along with a couple of other students of mine asked me quite seriously about whether I would be attending the show and I told them “Yes, I wouldn't miss it for the world, I know how talented you all are so I'm very excited to see you perform". They giggled and jumped up and down like your normal teen girls do and said “Ms. Rivera, I love you, you are a wonderful teacher, our favorite teacher, you support us" and as I walked away, they blew kisses at me...great way to end the day right? Well just imagine how I feel now knowing what I know about the performance I saw yesterday. As Mastercard says...PRICELESS. This will forever be one of my most precious moments here in Malta.<br />
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Until next time...<br />
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~KAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02449612457870708196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8219922822972103438.post-43014346389030979032012-12-21T09:18:00.001-05:002012-12-21T09:18:53.230-05:00IT'S OFFICIAL...I'M A MALTESE RESIDENT!After a lengthy and time consuming process, I finally got my residency permit for Malta. When you come to Malta you are automatically given a three month permit that allows you to travel back and forth. When you apply for the permit, you are then given a temporary permit that is good for six months, however, once you apply and your three month permit is up, you are not allowed to leave Malta as you will, naturally, not be allowed back in. So given that I leave for Paris in 9 nine days and my three month permit expired on Wednesday, you could imagine my concern. As with most processes here, it's all about follow up. I applied back in October and had to get the International office at the University involved to get status on the permit because as with most gov't agencies anywhere, god forbid they answer a phone. No stress though because I have it, I'm officially a resident of Malta so life is good:-). Merry Christmas to me and bring on Paris!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02449612457870708196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8219922822972103438.post-68058673103828915372012-12-19T15:24:00.003-05:002012-12-19T15:24:53.210-05:00Where I was, Where I am and Where I'm Going....The 3 month MarkToday marks three months in Malta and all I can say is time truly does fly. I have come to that crossroad where I see my time left here as no real time at all because if three months can go by so quickly, a little over five months is nothing. In organizing paperwork, I came across papers of things from when I first got here and it seems like so long ago. I was able to see for the first time how much I have changed and things have changed. Simply put....I've grown. I've been able to prove something to myself that I'd always wondered about....I did the unthinkable, or what seemed like the unthinkable just three short months ago. I moved to another country, away from family and friends and everything comforting and familiar, had many a “what the hell did I do?" moments and now I look back at that time as what it was always meant to be ...a stepping stone...a growth process.<br />
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So where am I now? Well to be completely honest I still find myself, from time to time, in a place where I ask that ever-loving question “What have I done?", or better yet, “where the heck did I move to?", just not as often because the truth is I have grown to love being here and am truly enjoying my time here. It is home, albeit temporary, but home nonetheless. I have settled into my teaching assignments, enjoy them greatly and enjoy the company of whom I work with. The Maltese remind me a little of my fellow New Yorkers in that we are not the easiest people to deal with or get to know and neither are the Maltese, it takes a while for them to warm up to you, sometimes I like to think the reasons are obvious as to why. However, when they do, their warmth and graciousness is really comforting and even overwhelming. One teacher I work with, Violet, is a godsend of a colleague but she is also very much what I like to call “a mom away from mom", she brings me home cooked meals on Mondays that either she or her mother have made. Her mother actually puts food aside for me, she's looked out for me when I have been sick and invited me to her home for Christmas dinner because she wants me to meet her family...more surprisingly...they want to meet me. That means the world to me. To be welcomed and looked after is something that feels so wonderful and is something that is much needed, whether one wants to admit it or not. <br />
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These last three months have given me quality time to reflect, to be in the moment but to also see where this time, this moment, can take me and little by little I see the endless possibilities before me and that is both exciting and scary. I am acutely aware of the bubble I live in here and that I will never live in such a peaceful, laid back yet fulfilling bubble again, even with everything that has stressed me here. For that I am grateful because before now, I never thought such a moment in time would ever be possible and it is. This is my moment in time and I am savoring every minute. <br />
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It would not be a “month mark" blog post without a recap, so here we go:<br />
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<ul>
<li>Arriva bus system and drivers are still crazy, but what's even crazier, is for every short stop or sharp turn or lack of concern for schedule, it just rolls off of me. I watch tourists freak out on the buses and fall forward and I...laugh...if I even notice anything at all. HA!</li>
<li>Coffee...what's that?!?!?! Nuff said:-(</li>
<li>Fashion...yeah still hasn't reached here unfortunately, makes Christmas shopping virtually impossible...no real options on the island <i>and</i> no easy way to ship any real clothing here so really smart move on my part to choose Malta or in the wise words of my nephew...<i>"or was it"</i>...because let's be honest, it saves me money:-).</li>
<li>Making it here was definitely God's handy work because I have experienced some of the most precious moments in my life here from being blessed with a roommate and fellow ETA that has become family to me, to developing a working relationship and friendship with a teacher where I am able to express my ideas and feedback and having them become like family (none an easy fete here), to sharing an unexplainable bond with the ETA's that I know no one will ever understand or get but us, to having students show love and appreciation for what I am trying to do here, to being able to look out on my balcony and see the sun shine and the ocean sway...certainly not something I would have ever expected.</li>
<li>On a not so mushy topic, there are things about Malta's school system that I wish I could fix with a magic wand, boys and girls do not know how to properly interact with each other because they are kept separated and the evidence can be down right disturbing at times because it is clearly due to a lack of exposure. And there is not enough room in this blog to discuss the unfortunate similarites that I see between the Maltese school system and the NYC school system that lead me to question what is happening in the world of Education as a whole, where are we going wrong?</li>
<li>I love that I find it humorous everytime now when I hear some of my most difficult students address me, for “<i>Ms.ReeeveerAAA" </i>will NEVER get old.</li>
<li>Nothing is more challenging than 12-14 year old girls questioning your every move and your reason for being on their turf. A challenge I gladly accept.</li>
<li>I openly admit that I did not give some of my students enough credit on their views of the world, however, it saddens me a bit to know that because Malta is limited when it comes to certain resources and opportunities, they could miss out on a lot because this is all they know.</li>
<li>For most things said above, I know I still have a little over 5 months here to really try to push the envelope, make a difference and most importantly to make my students aware that the word opportunity is not just a word but something they should aim for. I have students that are really bright and some that are genuinely talented and they should know it and should always be made aware that anything is possible. They should know that for every time they beg me to bring them home with me, it's a moment they are putting it out into the universe that they want more for themselves and they should!</li>
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On my way home from University today, I stopped to get lunch at one of my favorite local eateries, Mint, and I was asked by the owner how long I had been here and I realized that it was three months ago today that I arrived in Malta. It was a bit of a whoa moment because with each month that passes they become more and more of a blur, which is not cool, hahaha. I decided to walk home along the promenade from the restaurant and on my walk home, I just took the time to take it all in. This is real, this is now, this is a moment that has and will continue to change me and my view on things and what I decide to do with my life, for the rest of my life, forever. </div>
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I look forward to those changes especially with the holidays around the corner and the new year about to begin. I can say with much joy and excitement that I look forward to the next 5 or so months because I am excited for visits from family and friends, to share my life here with them, it is no more just a place they will visit, but my home they will visit and that is very exciting. I look forward to more travel adventures and most importantly, more “teacher" moments because that is what this experience is all about. For every smile I get from students when I tell them I will be here until June and for every time a teacher tells me how much they appreciate having me around, I know I am exactly where I am meant to be, helping, growing, learning and educating. Making an attempt to make my mark. This is the Fulbright life, but most importantly, it's my life and I only see it getting better as time goes on. Pretty exciting stuff if you ask me:-).</div>
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Happy Holidays Friends and here's to a New Year filled with lots of opportunity, prosperity and happiness for all.</div>
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~K</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02449612457870708196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8219922822972103438.post-7908205358553138062012-12-16T09:54:00.000-05:002012-12-16T15:10:07.205-05:00MUNICH CHRISTMAS MARKETS!My friend Lauren, who teaches in Germany, told me that “the Christmas markets are one of my favorite things about Germany, I love the way the Germans do Christmas". This comment helped get me excited for my weekend in Munich because I must be honest, Germany was not originally on my list of places to visit while in Malta. The idea of visiting the markets came about on a bus ride home from the Notte Bianca Festival in Valletta back in September when Melissa and I realized that we would really need to do things to keep us in the holiday spirit given that we would not be with our family or friends. We thought what better way to celebrate Christmas than to head to one of Germany's markets. And so, thanks to good old modern technology and smart phones, Melissa was able to begin researching on her phone, while on the bus. This not only got us excited about the holidays but also provided a much needed buffer to Paceville's finest traveling on the bus with us. <br />
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Deciding on Munich was fairly easy and so we began searching for flights and a hotel. I will say I am IN LOVE with LUFTHANSA and Hotels.com. Lufthansa is an amazing airline unlike any other I have flown and Hotels.com has come through for us with amazing hotels and rates. Flights were great, transport to our hotel wonderful and efficient and so began our weekend. We were welcomed to Munich with snow which I felt was just so fitting since we had not seen snow in a really long time and it just made for a great kick off to the weekend. I have to say, immediately I understood what Lauren was talking about. The Christmas Markets, simply put, are like walking around a live Hallmark movie or Winter Wonderland. We were able to visit the Marienplatz Market, the Chinesischer Turm (Chinese Tower) Market and the Tollwood Winter Festival. All were very different, very cool and an experience all their own. The one constant at all three was the <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Glühwein. This is a mulled, hot red wine that is a necessity to survive the cold all the while being absolutely delicious. A win/win if you ask me.</span></div>
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We saw many a booth with handmade ornaments, mangers, foods, and desserts; <span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">enjoyed many a mug of </span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Glühwein, a great meal and beer at a local Bierhall and Starbucks coffee! All major scores for us. I have to say, although not a fan of Starbucks coffee (more of a latte/hot chocolate girl there), I love their Christmas blend, a must try! </span></span>To get you in the spirit of Christmas at the Markets, there were Carolers, Carousels, Horse and Carriages and your fill of fake Santas. </div>
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Munich, as a whole, is a beautiful city, with an efficient transportation system that offered all one would want from visiting such a place-beauty, history, great shopping and convenience, all with the added bonus of the magic of Christmas.</div>
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What more could a girl ask for:-).</div>
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~K</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02449612457870708196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8219922822972103438.post-60801307857067401452012-11-19T12:32:00.001-05:002012-11-20T14:23:04.162-05:00Round 2: The 2 month mark!Yes friends the 2 month mark has hit! And I have to say even faster than the 1 month mark (or at least that is what my sister said). I have officially been in Malta 2 months today. It feels weird. Everything that happened before leaving seems so long ago or as if it never happened. When I think about when I first got here until now, it doesn't even seem like it's part of the same time frame or event. Again...Weird. But it all is and all it shows is how much this is all a growth process and an adjustment. Funny what you can get used to in such a short amount of time.<br />
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So here's my recap of things I've learned and what has happened:<br />
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<ul>
<li>Still thankful for my roomie Melissa, we definitely go through some pretty frustrating days here and it makes it all the better to have someone you can vent it out with (or do the occasional Christian Bale ‘Good for you' impression with:-)...that moment is just so relevant in so many situations).</li>
<li>I am definitely (and finally) feeling a sense of adjustment and community at home and in my school placements. I am really enjoying my time in both the Secondary School and the University because I work with some pretty amazing teachers and have some pretty awesome students. Being able to sit back and watch a student give a presentation and allow myself to take in the surroundings is a really intense moment when you have that realization of where you are and what you are doing. I have come to realize how big this is for me and have learned to be proud of myself for being where I am and for having been able to accomplish this. GO ME! (and US to my fellow ETA's).</li>
<li>The Arriva bus system is still the most annoying thing in existence, however, you know you have moved on when you can laugh at the insanity of the bus drivers (wonder if that makes me a little insane too...hmmm?). Either way, they are so insane they deserve their own reality show (personally I think insanity is a requirement for reality t.v.). Cursing customers out, driving off on people, playing cat and mouse with pedestrians...yep that would make for some entertaining t.v. time!</li>
<li>Still struggling in the coffee department. I face timed with a friend yesterday and she asked “what is the one food you miss, is there anything you are missing right now"? Coffee immediately came out my mouth. A nice large Dunkin Donuts cup would be a dream come true right now. Funny thing is that I was not a major coffee drinker back home but because it is such a comfort drink for me, I am having a very hard time with not having good coffee here...boo!</li>
<li>I still miss my dogs terribly, so hard without them! I miss them so much that I really do foresee me volunteering my time at the SPCA in Floriana to be able to get my doggie fix.</li>
<li>Men and fashion still don't go hand in hand here, for the most part unfortunately, but it is what it is ...again you just learn to let go and move on:-).</li>
<li>Still never tire of being able to walk the promenade on a random night for that pivotal Coca-Cola run to McDonald's or for bubble tea or gelato. It just never gets old and is really the most relaxing perk of where I live. So grateful for that.</li>
<li>The Maltese are very loud and passionate speakers (and for all I know they could just be saying 'hi' to someone) and this makes me happy because I think of home and makes Malta feel a little like home because us Puerto Rican folk are about as loud and passionate as it gets...but you know, it's not yelling:-).</li>
<li>Now for the big moment: I have officially been able to prove to myself that I can live away from my family and friends (and dogs) and the world didn't end because of it (dramatic I know, but I needed to drive the point home). I wasn't sure if I would ever get over that hump of feeling homesick. I still miss home terribly, don't get me wrong, but life seems surreal here most of the time and believe me when I tell you I am not living a particularly glamorous life. School and home with an occasional visit to a restaurant, festival or day out shopping is the norm, but it is surreal and I know I will never have it this good again so while I am here I must make the most of it! Nothing can be taken for granted because this will all be over in 7 months (whether good, bad or indifferent) so just trying to take in every moment of everyday. Carpe Diem, Y.O.L.O. and whatever other fitting mantra that suits my point you can fill in here______!</li>
<li>Now having said that, the other key point proven? A 6 hour time difference is too long and Malta is too far but it'll do for now:-).</li>
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As Thanksgiving approaches, my reflection on the last month has been one of learning acceptance and acknowledging the blessings I do have in my life. I know some things for sure, I will continue to grow, personally and professionally (BLESSING as we should never stop growing), there will be good days and bad days or as one prior ETA put it “the highs will be really high and the lows will be really low" (BLESSING because that is life, you take the good with the bad and it's what you do with it that matters). I have a loving and supportive family, amazing friends and have had and will continue to have once in a lifetime experiences whether good, bad or indifferent (BLESSING because it shows me I am living life, simply living life)! So I end this post with a part of a song I think is very fitting to my 2 month mark and how I am feeling about things right now in general. The song is called On Top of the World by Imagine Dragons:</div>
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“<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: center;">I coulda gave up then but</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: center;">Then again I couldn’t have ’cause</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: center;">I’ve traveled all this way for something</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: center;">Now take it in but don’t look down</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: center;">‘Cause I’m on top of the world, ‘ay</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: center;">I’m on top of the world, ‘ay</span></span></div>
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Waiting on this for a while now</div>
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Paying my dues to the dirt</div>
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I’ve been waiting to smile, ‘ay</div>
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Been holding it in for a while, ‘ay</div>
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Take it with me if I can</div>
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Been dreaming of this since a child</div>
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I’m on top of the world".</div>
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I'm on top of the world friends because LIFE.IS.GOOD! Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!</div>
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Until next time!</div>
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~K</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02449612457870708196noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8219922822972103438.post-46444867095430824472012-11-13T15:03:00.001-05:002012-11-17T04:13:02.046-05:00“Today was a GOOD day"...Yes I'm quoting Ice Cube because today was a good day! Why you ask, well here's why:<br />
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Highlight #1: Taught a lesson with one of my Form 3 classes (13-14 year olds). This class is a “lively" class that was a little hard to get through to but seem to really be coming around. So much so that they begged for me to take over the lessons every week. I personally think they just really enjoy having someone new who happens to be a native English speaker but when I began the lesson they were quiet, attentive and participated actively. Seeing the smiles on their faces and how their demeanor changed whenever I would compliment their work spoke eons. It was a really good teaching moment!<br />
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Highlight #2: There is a class that is known as the difficult class due to a few students who make it very difficult to teach period. They are so difficult that they give even the worst of them a run for their money. The sad part is that these girls are Form 2's so they are between 12-13 years old. I can't even begin to imagine what they will be like as they get older, it is seriously that scary of a thought. Well, one teacher, whom I adore working with, had them today for the 3rd lesson and was a little sad that I was not joining her for the lesson (I have to admit I was as well because I worry for her as it really works on her when the girls are completely out of control). So with great anticipation I made my way back to the staff room, to wait for said teacher to ask her about the lesson. To my WONDERFUL surprise, she had a huge smile on her face and said “I was able to do the entire lesson, 'C' did not say a word and 'K' actually participated, no issues, we got through the entire lesson". Well what happened next was a moment of all moments. The entire staff room erupted in cheers, applause, fist pumps, you name it. All the teachers began asking her what she did, what was her secret? It was as if she was a celebrity of sorts. She looked like she was ready to cry, sooo happy and soooo relieved. A moment she greatly deserved and I was so happy to witness and be part of!<br />
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Highlight # 3: As a group we all got together and ordered lunch and ate as a group. Most of us had Chinese and it was wonderful just to sit there, enjoy a good meal and good conversation. For the first time, I really felt like I was part of the staff. Also thought it quite hilarious that they were completely intrigued by the fact that I know how to use chopsticks. It became staff room conversation as to how well I use them and why it is I know how to use them so well. I'm thinking Asian cuisine is not a norm in Malta. <br />
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Highlight # 4: 2 teachers began singing Christmas Carols in Maltese and as much as other teachers asked them to stop, they kept doing it and I loved it! I love all things Christmas, especially the spirit of the season but I just loved the silliness of it all. They knew they were driving people crazy but did it for fun, for a good laugh, to bring some lightheartedness to the group and in the end, people had smiles on their faces and were laughing. That's camaraderie at it's best!<br />
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Highlight #5: Closing the day reminding one of your teachers that you are not in on Wednesdays because you teach at the University and having her tell you, and I quote: “I actually don't like Wednesdays because I have gotten so used to having you in class with me in such a short amount of time, that I have grown to enjoy having you there to work with you and bounce ideas back and forth that I miss it when I don't have a lesson with you, thank you so much for all you do, it really has been such a pleasure working with you, I enjoy it and the students enjoy it, you really have come a very long way in a very short amount of time which is not usually how it goes here" is PRICELESS.<br />
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These are the moments that really matter, the little things that just put a smile on your face or allow you to walk away feeling really good about yourself and what it is you are doing. So yes friends today was a good day, a really good one, so good in fact, I am thinking there will only be better days to come.<br />
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Until next time!<br />
~KAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02449612457870708196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8219922822972103438.post-15254374463069482792012-11-07T15:39:00.001-05:002013-02-02T14:07:25.609-05:00“To Travel is to Live" ~Hans Christian Andersen<div>
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If there is anything you should know about me (aside from the fact that I consider myself the luckiest girl in the world to have 2 of the most amazing women in “my" world for my sisters, and the fact that I absolutely love dogs) is that I LOVE TO TRAVEL! There is no greater thing in the world to do than to board a plane to a new country, wander aimlessly in a city, allowing yourself to be in the moment, all the while taking a few (hundred) pictures for remembrance sake.<br />
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See, I grew up in the Bronx, in a working class family where family vacations were not an option simply because there was no money to do so. As I got older, I realized it was something I wanted to make sure I got to "experience", yeah well that “experience" has become a priority. Traveling renews me, it fulfills me but it also reminds me that I do have a home, a base and for me, there is no greater reason to make a point to do it. It allows you to see what you are missing out on, to experience something so different from your norm, an escape if you will, while at the same time, reminding you that you have a home, a place where you completely belong.</div>
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This past weekend I got to take my first trip (hopefully of many during my time in Malta) to Stockholm, Sweden. It was a celebratory weekend trip for Melissa and I as a way to mark the one month mark in Malta. Yes, we decided to celebrate by voting ourselves off the island. Allow me to explain...Malta is small, like really small, so small that even the locals will tell you more often than not that they feel stifled here, almost trapped because the only way off the island is via plane or boat. Well, I can honestly tell you that this NY'er right here, knew exactly what they meant immediately. Don't get me wrong, Malta is beautiful, and more importantly, it's a genuine place where you can<br />
have a truly authentic European experience, unlike most European countries that are now so watered<br />
down for tourisms sake that it ruins the entire experience, but it is small and really hot/humid, even in November. So what better way to celebrate the month milestone on my Fulbright adventure than to go somewhere completely opposite of Malta.</div>
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When we landed in Stockholm, I walked out of the plane and the first thing I did was inhale the cold air. People were running for the doors to get inside the airport but Melissa and I just stood there and let the cool air wash over us. It was GREAT!!! SOOOO REFRESHING!!! It is not freezing there this time of year so it was just the right temperature. Now, the only "downside" to the trip (not that it really was) was that we flew Ryan Air so of course it's airport is one of the furtherest ones from Stockholm. So aside from the fact that we lived out our very own version of Planes, Trains and Automobiles, I can honestly say that there is nothing bad to say about Stockholm. It was the perfect place to go as a first trip. Different from my norm, a place I have never been and another positive<br />
was that it had GREAT COFFEE!!! Like REAL COFFEE!!!! AND Hot Chocolate served in bowls,<br />
yes bowls! It was heaven!<br />
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Stockholm is, by far, the cleanest city I have ever visited, has one of the most efficient and cleanest transportation systems, offers amazing shopping and site seeing, has some of the friendliest people I have ever come in contact with and is easy to navigate. It is a walking city, a family and dog friendly city (you can travel with your dogs on public transport-AWESOMENESS AT IT'S BEST) and it manages to balance urban and country setting like no other city. But the key thing about Stockholm, that even trumps the fact that you can travel with your dogs and that they have amazing coffee, is that it is a really safe city, probably one that I have felt safest in aside from Sliema here in Malta (or most places in Malta actually as Malta is a very safe place as well). It also has amazing hotels and glorified hostels near the airport to save you from having to travel to the airport at 2am for a 6:30am flight!</div>
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The architecture, winding streets, canals and bridges just really make it such a beautiful city. We got to spend the day in Gamla Stan (Old Town), see the Royal Palace, go on a boat ride on the Royal Canal, visit the Vasa Museum (AMAZING!!!!) as well as Skansen Park. It was certainly too short of a trip but worth it nonetheless. For all of the walking we did, it was relaxing because that is the vibe there, laid back and relaxed, what more could you ask for from a weekend trip. It is an expensive city but if you do your research, it is definitely a manageable place to visit and well worth it!</div>
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I have done my fair share of traveling (and now I can add Stockholm to that list), moved to a foreign country a little over a month ago and took my first trip away from Malta that allowed me to solidify Malta a little more as home as it is my base for the next 7 months where I will continue to return to from any other trip I take. Munich Christmas Markets are up next in 3 weeks followed by Paris for New Years. We only have one life to live, one shot to make it our own, to live it our way...to travel is MY way to live.</div>
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~K</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02449612457870708196noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8219922822972103438.post-56103932430158083852012-11-04T11:43:00.001-05:002012-11-17T04:15:20.601-05:00I LOVE NEW YORK!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This week, the unthinkable happened to my hometown of New York City. It was devastated by Hurricane Sandy, as were most surrounding areas in New Jersey, Long Island and Upstate New York. <span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"> I have to admit, this hit hard for me and was that one eye-waking moment that made me not enjoy being so far away from my family. I was scared, I was concerned, I was worried, but more importantly, I was helpless. Ugh, how I hate that word and feeling. </span> This was a full on storm that destroyed homes, took lives and left “the city that never sleeps" drowning and burning. Never in my life did I ever think I would see the day that the subway system would have to be shut down for days on end or that NYC schools had to be closed for a week because of a “natural disaster". As I read articles, facebook statuses and looked at pictures of the devastation left behind in it's wake, I could not and still cannot believe it is real. But it is and the unfortunate thing is that I whole-heartedly believe that this storm has brought on a new dawn for us East Coasters. I have been saying it for years that eventually we too would endure hurricanes and massive storms and the scary part is that we are not built for them, nor do we have the same mindset as those that are used to such extreme weather conditions. <br />
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When I heard that the Red Cross was holding a telethon to help raise money to aid the victims of Hurricane Sandy, all I could think about were the recent telethons held for the Tsunami of 2004, Hurricane Katrina, and the Haiti earthquake and how much more surreal this made it for me. Yet another “never thought I'd see" moment. Well, one thing is for sure, I may be thousands of miles away but I will do my part. I have made my donation and will continue to take part in any efforts that I can while here in Malta until I return home, because NYC is my home and the home of my family so we have to come together to help repair our home.<br />
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<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);">Mother Nature beat on us badly this week but if there is one thing I know for sure and am truly proud of, is knowing that we are a city made up of fighters, people who understand what it is to struggle and what it takes to survive a struggle. We are a tough city, a strong city and we will be an even better city because of this. I ask that you stand together and work together to make NYC the greatest city in the world. Get involved, use your voice and help rebuild your community. In many ways, we were due for an overhaul and I think that Mother Nature gave us that push. So move with it in a positive direction! Change is never easy and never pretty but I have faith NYC, do me proud. I want to be able to brag about how well my city is recovering from this to those here, but more importantly to show them that we are a people to be reckoned with. </span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);"><br /></span>
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">Frank sang it best “If I can make it there, I'll make it anywhere, it's up to you New York, New York"</span><br />
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><br /></span>
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">Now show the world whatcha got!</span><br />
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><br /></span>
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">I Love You, New York City! Keep your head up, your faith strong and your heart pure and nothing will be able to stop us!</span><br />
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><br /></span>
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">God Bless!</span><br />
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">~K</span><br />
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><br /></span>
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">My technorati short code is</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b style="text-align: left;"> D2MEYBBZAZ48 </b></span><br />
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><br /></span>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02449612457870708196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8219922822972103438.post-92009625379295825952012-11-04T10:50:00.002-05:002012-11-17T12:59:20.927-05:00Trip to the Department of Immigration + My Travel Coffee Thermos = A Cultural Exchange of Sorts...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Above is a picture of my travel coffee thermos. I make coffee (or again a very sad example of coffee as it is instant) in the morning to take with me to school. Now, the thermos looks normal, right? Nothing out of the ordinary or extravagant. It is probably a 10oz. or 12oz. thermos, nothing crazy, just...standard. Well, what if I told you that this thermos or any thermos of this size is apparently an American detection device? That carrying this thermos, alerts the public in Malta that an American is in their midst. No, I'm actually not even kidding. Sounds ridiculous, right? Of course it does when you come from the land of the Grande's, Venti's, Super-sized and Big Gulp's (well, maybe not the last two thanks to Mayor Bloomberg thinking it is more important to focus on the size of drink a child is </div>
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consuming, instead of focusing on real issues like the failing NYC Public School System or the </div>
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homeless situation or the MTA issues NY'ers face everyday, or more recently, focusing on how to help NY'ers after Hurricane Sandy, sorry I digressed, but clearly, there are more important issues to tackle here than placing sanctions on the size of beverage one wishes to consume).</div>
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I am sure you are scratching your head and wondering what this has to do with my trip to the Department of Immigration or how this trip turned into a cultural exchange of sorts. Well, here goes: </div>
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About a week ago, Melissa and I got up at the crack of dawn to make our way to the DOI in Valletta to process our paperwork for our residency permits. Given our experiences with government offices back home and the several warnings to “get there early", we took no chances. Well, for me that meant rolling out of bed and taking my coffee to go. We get to the office and boy did it feel like home. Ticket dispenser on the ready for you to take your numbered ticket, ticket number counter up on the wall and even a group of Americans to really make it feel like any other day at the DMV (I kid you not, I said to Melissa "I feel like I'm at the DMV" and minutes later an American walks in and says "this is the DMV on steroids"...no seriously, I'm not even kidding and actually neither was he). </div>
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We sat and waited, went through our paperwork to make sure all was in order and continued to wait some more, but surprisingly, not much more. They started calling numbers...and FAST! I was number 90 and it started at 71...only 19 ahead of me but I was thinking it would be some time before they got to my number. Boy was I wrong. The DOI gives you about a 2 second window to claim your number before they move on to the next number; that would <i>never</i> happen in the States (mainly because people are always ready with their numbers only to, most of the time, be left in a state of confusion or frustration which in turn takes lots of time, no matter what office you are visiting). It was so fast that when my number got closer, I actually got nervous because I was afraid I would miss my mark, no seriously, it was going that fast. The number 89 came up on the counter and Melissa looked at me and said “get ready, you're next". Sure enough, in the blink of an eye, 90 was called and I jumped up and went into the office.</div>
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Now, I want you all to think for a second about anytime you have ever had to go to a government office (DMV, Passport, SS Office, etc.). Think about how you have been greeted (that actually makes me chuckle) and how you have been treated. Okay, I am sorry if I made you angry, annoyed or frustrated in any way for having to think up such an unpleasant thought, but I was ready for that exact sort of moment, mainly because of unpleasant past experiences. Much to my surprise, I was greeted with a smile AND a "Good Morning". Wait, what??? Hold up! Where am I? Now that, I was not expecting. I even looked around to make sure the man was speaking to me. I have to say, the person that helped me process my paperwork was pleasant and helpful to the point that I feel New York could take few lessons...for the most part, at least. </div>
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Remember the coffee thermos? Yeah well for all of the pleasantries exchanged between said guy and myself, the minute I whipped out my passport, he thinks it funny (with a bit of a sly smirk on his face) to say " I should have known you were American because of the size of your coffee cup, you Americans and your large coffee cups" (uses hands to show large size cup). Now it was early in the morning, frankly, too early for me to deal with any nonsense, so you know I had something to say. My response was, and I quote, " Given that all you offer here in Malta is instant coffee which, in fact, is not even real coffee, kinda need the bigger cup to help try to give me some sort of caffeine kick" (all said with great sarcasm in my voice, don't worry my Bronx and NYC people, this girl right here knows exactly where she comes from). Said man's reaction...complete deer in headlights, like "oh heck, pushed the wrong buttons there" sort of look. Needless to say, after that he was very pleasant and efficient as I was done processing my paperwork within minutes and he even felt it necessary to comment on how impressed he was with all of my traveling (as he literally went page by page in my passport-awkward much?). He proceeded to tell me that he has only traveled through Europe (hey at least he has actually stepped off the island, you'd be surprised to know that there are many that haven't) never to the States (UH CLEARLY!) but that he really wants to visit the States, especially New York ( of course, who doesn't). I smiled, gave him the "may I have my passport back now , please" sort of look, paid my fee and was on my way.</div>
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There are 3 lessons to be learned here friends: 1. is the old adage "Don't judge a book by it's cover" (I did by the look of the office and was pleasantly surprised to find that it ran much more efficiently than I had anticipated), 2. "Know your audience" (said man thought it cute to call me out on being American simply because of the size of my coffee cup, and in turn, got a true lesson on knowing when you are in the midst of an American as I gladly gave him a piece of my mind to let him know I did not appreciate him trying to criticize us with the coffee cup comment) and 3. "Don't throw stones at glass houses" (because you never know when someone may have a rock ready to be thrown instead). There is plenty I could have said, but I chose to be the bigger person by saying my part and nothing more and in the end he understood where I was coming from and what I was there for, which was for him to do his job and process my application. Mission Accomplished!</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02449612457870708196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8219922822972103438.post-20992371292658380172012-10-26T10:48:00.002-04:002012-11-18T14:19:56.299-05:00First day of University...Not as a Student, but as Lecturer...and “Good Cop"?I think it's wise to give you some background on what my Fulbright assignment is here in Malta so that the title makes sense to you. As a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant in Malta, your responsibilities, in a nutshell, are to work as an English teaching assistant in Secondary Schools (the equilvalent of Middle School to early High School in the States), teach an English related course at the University of Malta (U o M) as well as collaborate on research projects through the university and/or on our own in the Secondary schools, along with making time for volunteer work. We started our Secondary school assignments a couple of weeks ago but it wasn't until this past Wednesday that we started the U o M course. <br />
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Now if you recall from my "month mark" blog, I originally thought that the U o M assignment would be one of the lesser favorable aspects of my Fulbright responsibilities because, well to be quite honest, I have never taught university students. My teaching experience extends mainly to Elementary school students (or Primary as they say in Europe) and minor experience working with the H.S. level. So as you can imagine this was a bit daunting for me. Given that the entire framework for the course was being redesigned somewhat added to the anxiety, but it is a core requirement of the fellowship, so basically it's do or die.<br />
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Well, let's just say what came of the two hours was something I would've never expected, not after the first class anyway. I LOVED IT! Like REALLY LOVED IT! Like EXCITED, LOOKING FORWARD TO WEDNESDAYS LOVED IT! What took place in the first hour was mainly a filtering process on making sure the students signed up for the correct course (a lot of bureaucratic stuff that I won't go into). Let's just say they had the fear of God put in them and Melissa and I were left to try to diffuse the tension. LOTS of smiles, LOTS of head nods in understanding, LOTS of reassurence given that our sole purpose was to help the students any way we can and in the process have fun with it...because you know teaching should actually BE fun and engaging...not that many seem to be aware of that these days. So as the fear of God was placed upon this class of 27 students and our smiles seemed to ease the shock on their faces, they eventually were able to relax a bit. We were then able to actually talk to the students, not address them as "Lecturer" to student but actually talk to them and explain to them what we would be doing in the class. <br />
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Here is where the “GOOD COP" part of my title comes in. After the students settled down, one student said to me...“You were playing Good Cop/Bad Cop (with finger pointed at me, a wink in his eye and a smile on his face)...YOU were Good Cop! Thank you for that". That comment made my month...for the first time I felt as if I can really, truly make a difference here and go figure that it will be with the U o M International students. After that, it was pie. Melissa and I stood up on a platform, worked in tandem to explain the outline of the course, spoke about ourselves, learned about our students and laughed with them...A LOT! It felt <i>really </i>good up there, almost too good for me because I am not always the most comfortable speaking in front of people. It goes to show that if you set the right tone, and put out good vibes, you get good vibes back. The students were so comfortable with us by the end of the hour that they stayed after class to talk to us, to get to know us more and learn about where we are from in the U.S. and what it is like. I don't know about any of you, but I know that is a rarity in college in the U.S.<br />
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I don't know, but if this positive feeling continues through the entire course, and it turns out to be a more favorable part of my assignment (as I really believe it will be), the possibility of more studies could very well be in my future. It's funny how things play out sometimes because I had a professor tell me that once I was done with my Master's, I will eventually need to go for my PhD because it is a fluid “next step", that it is something I should want for myself. I thought my professor was crazy for suggesting it (and she wasn't the only one who did) but now I see where she was coming from. This experience is going to challenge and push me in ways that will force me outside of my comfort zone and after Wednesday, I am actually becoming more and more okay with that because life is about opportunity and learning and growing, so who knows what the future has in store for me. For now, I am happy to be "Good Cop" for a group of International students because that is what every teacher should be for their students no matter what level you teach:-).<br />
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Until next time all:-)<br />
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~K<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02449612457870708196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8219922822972103438.post-48403141947854163012012-10-25T10:31:00.001-04:002012-10-28T07:54:40.447-04:00Birgu Festival 2012: Where an entire city was a glow by candlelight, my heart was captured and my soul filled.Birgu (pronounced beer-gu) is one of the ancient cities of Malta and one of the three cities of the Knights of St. John, it is also known as Vittoriosa. The other two cities that make up the three cities is Senglea and Bormla, a.k.a. Cospicua. Birgu is a beautiful, fortified city that is similar to Mdina where it literally makes you feel as if you have been transported back in time. The cobblestone streets and alleyways, twists and turns, make it a truly magical place. This magic was brought to light last weekend when Melissa and I went to the Birgu Festival. Not knowing exactly what to expect, we went knowing we would see one of our favorite things here...another beautiful, fortified city and in the process, get some good food and nouget. As the night hit, it was as if someone waved a magic wand or sprinkled some pixie dust because right before our eyes, the city came a glow in candlelight. Never have I seen anything more beautiful. Not the twinkling lights of the Eiffel Tower, nor the fireworks on July 4th in NYC, or the lights of the Rockefellar Christmas tree could compete with what we witnessed. Alleyways and side streets that fell dark with the night became alive in the candlelight. We wandered through random streets in anticipation of the surprises we would find. We turned down a very steep road that was dimly lit and came to a cul-de-sac of sorts that literally came alive right before our eyes and draped us in it's warm light. It was such a powerful moment that completely overwhelmed us both with emotion. An entire city comes together once a year to celebrate it's history and to show it's beauty in it's truest form. The candlelight was so magical that it could be seen from Senglea, which is across the Grand Harbour and a ways away. I was moved, I was speechless, I was in love. Birgu captured my heart by revealing it's beauty in this purest form of light and filled my soul because it was the first place I have visited here that gave me a glimpse of what Malta was like then...talk about being transported back in time! <br />
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If you are thinking of visiting Malta, Birgu is a MUST SEE and if you can, I would hold off on a visit until October to visit when the Birgu Festival is on. It is a two day event of re-enactments, museum visits, music and food but on the second day is when...as the saying goes...the magic happens:-).<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02449612457870708196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8219922822972103438.post-61868839500728137462012-10-25T05:50:00.001-04:002012-10-25T11:46:16.077-04:00In the presence of a Pharaoh...Hound that is!<br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">FOR ALL MY DOG LOVERS:</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">For those of you that don't know me well...I am a HUGE animal lover, especially dogs! I am blessed to have two amazing, sweet, loving and loyal dogs in my life...Spanky, my mom's Maltipoo and Megan, my Pharaoh Hound/Border Collie mix. Now for some irony with my being in Malta. The Maltipoo and the Pharaoh Hound are both dogs of Malta (side note: that played absolutely no part in my decision to apply for a Fulbright to Malta, I swear!). As the title hints, this entry is mainly about Megan. Since adopting Megan from the ASPCA over 13 years ago, I have done a lot of research on her breed as it is in no way a common breed in the States. When I say she is part Pharaoh Hound, part Border Collie, what I mean is that she is 99.999% Pharaoh Hound and the rest Border collie and by "the rest" I mean...long hair and floppy ears, that's about as Border Collie as she gets. Her temperament, her stubborn but loyal heart, her personality and demeanor along with physical body features are all Pharaoh Hound. The Pharaoh Hound's history is rooted in Egypt as they were apparently the guard dogs of royalty. They were then brought to Malta some 2000 years ago and it is here that their breed is kept alive and true. So you can only imagine my excitement in knowing that I would have short haired Megan's running around right? <i>Well, </i>not so fast. It took over a month for me to finally see one and it happened just this week while waiting for the bus to go to work.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I was standing at the bus stop (sucking on a lollipop---LL anyone?? anyone??) ...ok we move on, FOCUS KELLY...when a woman walked by with a Pharaoh Hound. Well you can imagine my excitement and how quickly I woke up since it was so early in the morning. To the other people waiting for the bus I really believe they thought I must've spotted a celebrity because I literally began to follow and stare at...the dog. It was an older dog, like Megan, white in the face and pranced as it walked just like she does. Well what happened next was I guess to be expected but surely not at a bus stop with a bunch of strangers on a weekday morning. For all the excitement I had in seeing my first pure bred Pharaoh Hound, an incredible sadness hit. I'm talking a gut wrenching-ready-to-bawl-my-eyes-out sort of sadness, so I had to think quick and act fast. Sunglasses out, placed on face and papertowel folded and ready to collect tears. Oh yes friends there were tears.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">See, Megan is our princess, she has a presence and grace unlike any other dog, yet a purity and innocence about her that eats away at your heart. We adopted her because when I saw her at the ASPCA and saw how beautiful she was and knew the hell she had been through, I just wanted to save her, show her love and a good life. We had just put down our Rottie/German Shepherd/Husky mix a month after her 4th birthday because she had Lymphosarcoma. It was devastating for us but we knew it was too huge a void to let be so we adopted Megan. Well I can tell you the tables have certainly turned over the years...she has shown us more love, more devotion, more loyalty and concern than we could have ever expected. This is the same dog that used to sleep with me and come to me because she wanted to spoon...yes spoon! She loves being cuddled and nuzzled and always knew I was the one happy to always oblige (sorry Sam you know it's true).</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">So here I am, at a bus stop, looking at this dog and feeling nothing but a longing to be with my Meggie, my little sweetart, my bubbie and I can't be. WHOA, what.a.void! Not as happy or exciting a moment I had expected but it is the reality of my current situation, all part of the "adjustment". Fine, I get it...I don't like it...but I get it. A few years ago, my sister and I went to San Francisco and in this shop on Fisherman's Wharf , I found a tiny picture that reads "Home is Where the Dog is"...I remembered that picture while enduring my moment and realized Malta may never really feel completely like home to me (because you know, it is more an "experience" and journey and all) and I am 100% ok with that because Megan is home for me, yes all, Megan trumps Malta. I told you I was an animal lover, I clearly wasn't lying:-).</span><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02449612457870708196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8219922822972103438.post-86286493911382602512012-10-25T04:14:00.003-04:002012-11-08T14:58:08.616-05:00I've hit the mark...the one month mark!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So I have officially hit the one month mark here in Malta. It was a weird play on time as there were days that I felt I had been here longer than I actually had been but then when the month mark hit, I felt like OH HECK, IT'S ALREADY BEEN A MONTH! Well having hit the mark, I thought it best to recap. This is what I have learned thus far in my time in Malta:<br />
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<ul>
<li>God knew what he was doing when Fulbright decided to award me and my roomie Melissa, a grant here. Would in no way have made it without her here!</li>
<li>For all the advancements made in Malta, they still have a ways to go in certain areas.</li>
<li>They have AMAZING food...traditional Maltese pastizzi's are a new favorite food!</li>
<li>The Arriva bus system is the most frustrating form of transportation in existence, it makes NYC look like they have the greatest transportation system in the world (and we know how far from the truth that is).</li>
<li>The Arriva bus drivers are equally frustrating, rude and annoying in a tv character sort of way (think Soup Nazi from Seinfeld and that pretty much sums up the idea of them).</li>
<li>Malta struggles in the fashion department, especially men's fashion...The fact that most men rock a stretchy, skinny denim look is both unattractive and down-right disturbing! NO stretchy, skinny denim is not a good look for a man, and I mean NO MAN...EVER! </li>
<li>The University is this weird place where you feel you have entered a time-warp of sorts, almost like a Twilight Zone episode, however, what I thought would be a less favorable part of my Fulbright assignment looks like it will be the more favorable part as I have some pretty awesome students---go figure! YAY ME!</li>
<li>The lack of good coffee (and in turn, a proper caffeine kick as mostly all is instant) or truly carbonated soda make runs to Mc Donald's for a medium or large coke an actual event of the night (no lie).</li>
<li>The Maltese are for the most part very friendly people, however, they are sometimes not as nice as they make themselves out to be but then again what NYers really are right so who am I to judge, again just an observation.</li>
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Now for all "negatives" noted above and for all of the frustrations Melissa and I have had to endure this past month (oh and believe me when I tell you that they continue) there have been some incredible bright spots... what might they be you ask?</div>
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Well here are some:</div>
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<ol>
<li>Being invited to an Embassy sponsored concert of Daniel Martin Moore (I highly recommend a listen, he was great!) and having an opportunity to hang out with the Ambassador, made for a pretty amazing night.</li>
<li>Being invited to the Press Attache's house for drinks made for yet another pretty amazing night.</li>
<li><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Random leisure walks around Mdina on a late Sunday morning and witnessing a wedding in progress was, simply put, very special.</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Random night walks during the week along the Promenade on a balmy night as we go for bubble tea or gelato just because is something you can never beat.</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">And of course the festivals...OH THE FESTIVALS...Notte Bianca in Valletta was fantastic but Birgu festival simply stole my heart (there will be a separate blog on this festival later). It was simple, but absolutely mind-blowing and beautiful and of course having the night capped with us having to take 3 dghasjas (die-sa) (water taxi gondola-ish boat) just to get to Valletta made the night even more special:-).</span></li>
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These are the moments that we will look back on (remember the good, bad and indifferent?) that will help to remind us that this is a journey on finding ways to adjust to a completely new way of life but at the same time, to remind us not to forget to enjoy what this new life has to offer and I think Malta and I are finding a pretty good common ground. Can't wait to see what the next month will bring!</div>
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Until next time:-)</div>
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K</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02449612457870708196noreply@blogger.com3