Things I will miss...

The semester is over. Most of the students left earlier this week. My family and I left on Saturday for adventures in Europe before returning to Wisconsin. (I am finishing this blog up in Bordeaux, France.) Although I have much to look forward to, such as seeing family and friends, digging in the garden, and cooking in my own kitchen, there is much that I will miss. In no particular order, here are things that I will miss:

Public transportation!!!! Buses, trains, and ferries can get you to many, many places on this island and beyond. 

Indian food! Oh, how I will miss delicious Indian food in every town. Seriously, even in tiny towns in the Hebrides Islands had at least one Indian restaurant. Rony and Bombay Lounge in Dalkeith, you will be missed immensely.

Having my students as a captive audience. I can plan field trips much easier when students are here most of the time. Also, I did not hear very many excuses about how there was no time to meet together for team projects. 

Dutch Shultz made a neuron

Chris and Tyler make snowflakes for presentations on activities for young children

Students made monsters as demos for activities that promoted development in young children

Students lead a hula hoop game for the class and local children

The backyard of the Dalkeith House! Although I am excited to get to my yard and my garden at home, it’s hard to beat this one, especially when I don’t have to mow the lawn. The trails on the 840 acres, the old oaks, the llamas and pigs, the North and South Rivers Esk, Montagu Bridge -- the gigantic wedding present from the Montagus to the Queensberries. 

Bluebells blooming

The accent. I love the lyrical Scottish accent and many of the terms, such as “wee bairns” (small children) and "knackered" (tired) and "mind the gap" along with various versions of that saying.

Bagpipes. Yes, I will miss bagpipes and fellows in kilts.      

 

Does a scene get much more Scottish?

Bagpipers & drummers -- not in the traditional dress. I had a video, but it will not

Okay, these are not bagpipes, but how can I resist the Portobello Street Band?

Portobello Street Band for a May Day Parade

                                

The cheese. Yes, that may sound blasphemous from a Wisconsinite. However, the cheese here is fabulous! 

The money -- not the exchange rate, just the physical money itself. The pound coin has some nice weight to it. The twenty pence and fifty pence coins are heptagons (7 sided). The bills are colorful with pictures of famous buildings and people, not just the queen. Also, each major bank mints their own notes, so the designs on the same denomination are different depending on whether it’s a Clydesdale, Bank of Scotland, or the Bank of England. The banknotes may be blue, pink, or a combination of colors. Each denomination is a different size, so the notes are easier to identify for visually impaired individuals. 

Museums, gardens, and galleries. Most museums and galleries are free. That within itself is awesome. The museums and galleries that we have visited have been top-notch. There are tons of hands-on learning activities at the museums, and the displays are thoughtful and at times mind-boggling. Not only have students visited them for field trips, but my family has visited them for school and fun. Of course, at this point Seryahna and Djanko are “museum-ed out,” but I keep reminding them that we do not have museums or galleries in Rice Lake. Nor will we have the opportunities to see original paintings by da Vinci, Dali, Monet, Degas, van Gogh, Botticelli, Seurat, Gaugin, or countless others. To see paintings from the 14^th century as well as current masterpieces – what a gift. 

Botticelli

Unsure of the artist for this beautiful portrait

Gaugin

Art in the making

Rodin

Lantern versions of Terracotta Warriors, although I do not think that they have found children or pregnant women in the tombs yet.

Lantern versions of the Terracotta Warriors

Djanko at the Mining Museum

Seryahna participating in a hands-on project

Djanko and an Andy Goldsworthy sculpture

The blooms in the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh

An Andy Goldsworthy sculpture

The independence debate. Aye or no? Whether Scotland will become an independent nation is a question that has been debated for hundreds of years. This year on September 18, people in Scotland will vote in the referendum for independence. The arguments for and against are passionate. Questions about huge topics remain. Would Scotland be able to or want to keep the pound sterling as its currency? What would independence mean for child care and education? What about jobs and job security? If the vote is no, how will the relationship with Westminster continue to evolve? No matter the outcome of the vote, it seems that Scotland will not be the same. As a world citizen, I find this debate fascinating. After all, international boundaries and relationships are dynamic.  

Global awareness is present even in the halls of the bathrooms in a St. Andrews restaurant.

What from this experience will I take home? Wonderful memories. New ideas in the classroom. A more global perspective. An appreciation for my home, work, students, and colleagues. And much, much more. After all, it will take some time to fully comprehend my experiences here. However, I do look forward to sharing them with all of you.

Moving forward, my family and I will finally go to the continent before stepping back onto New World soil. We will visit France, Spain, Switzerland, and Italy before returning. These new adventures will also provide food for thought when I return to the routine of home. We are extremely excited for our setting out and returning home.