Again way too much time has passed since I last wrote and all things considered I think that my life is not that boring. Sure I am not overseas seeking adventure after adventure, but life is as exciting as you make it. Right? With that being said, here is a recap of the life of Anna since I last wrote. I continued keeping busy with day to day subbing and then two opportunities came my way literally at the same time. Last week I wrapped up a three week long term sub gig and then right away this week started a five week job. Granted neither of them mean full time work, but I will take long term for now, since it means I do not have to look for a job day after day. Besides one always hopes that new doors are opened through these experiences and maybe (who knows) there may be an eventual full time job.
The first job was at LEAP High School in St. Paul. I taught US History, US Government and Human Geography. The students are new arrivals to the country or have limited English skills. It was a great environment and I loved the students. They were all so eager to learn and I hated to leave them. I am in the middle of my first week at Cedar/Burnsville Alternative Learning Center. This is the alternative high school I did a two month long term sub job at a few years ago. I enjoy the school, staff and students. It is a trek every day (35-40 minutes) each way, but the things we do for a long term job :) I am teaching World History ad Economics, so these two jobs are in my area of Social Studies. The two long-term sub jobs I did a few years ago were in English, so at least I continue gaining experience in both of my licensed areas. I have also applied to teach summer school, so fingers crossed. I could certainly use the income.
I am not one to talk about the weather, but....oh who I am kidding I always talk about the weather :) Usually it is about me complaining about how cold it is or as was the case in Bahrain last year, how warm it was and how much I loved it. We had a very mild winter in Minnesota this year, so I did not actually have a lot of opportunity to complain. After a very warm March the temperatures have gotten cold again. I was wearing shorts on St. Patrick's Day and my birthday. To think last year I gloated because I went swimming on my birthday (a rarity), while this year it would have been possible in Minnesota. Very unusual to say the least. Of course we are now paying for the nice March weather as April as been quite chilly and cold.
Not a day goes by when I do not think about what I was doing a year ago. So many great memories certainly. My five photo albums of my time in Bahrain get looked at a lot. I am also grateful for Facebook, as it allows me to keep in touch with everyone. I just think it is crazy how quickly time passes. My niece Skyler will be wrapping up kindergarten soon and I refuse to imagine her being a first grader. It just seems wrong. Of course for the first time since turning 30, I finally acknowledged my age. Previously it was thirty again, thirty again again etc. This year I straight out said I was 34.....which I think was a big step for me. You are only as old as you feel right? Age is merely a number.
I know that the next five weeks will fly by and while I may not write before then, I will afterwards. I guarantee many exciting things will happen during that time...or not. Still I know it makes you feel better knowing that at some point I will write again. Nothing quite like the exciting life of Anna in a blog to complete your day. :) With that being said have a great day everyone!
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
One Year Ago....Bahrain!
One year ago I was settling into life in Bahrain. I was meeting new people and teaching 7th grade. I had my own classroom, which I remember being funny because I only had to travel across the world to get it. Of course I could write about what you have already heard...the experience was amazing, it changed my life etc... I could also dwell on the fact that we know I have regretted not going back for another year since life continues to be sub, sub, sub.
While I miss everyone there and remember them all the time, I have been particularly nostalgic lately since it was a year ago that the adventure began. I simply looked at it as an amazing opportunity to get abroad again and to teach. Who knew that I would end up in the middle of history being made and what is now being referred to as the Arab Spring. As the anniversary of political unrest approaches, I simply try and remain positive and hope and pray that there is some sort of compromise and peace reached. Of course as someone who lived in Jerusalem for nine years, I tend to understand (sadly) that concept is very far fetched and out of reach. Although I keep hoping.
Anyway, I am pretty much writing this entry to remind myself what an amazing time I had starting a year ago. I apologize if what I am writing is a bit repetitive, but get over it :) Seriously, I do thank everyone who reads my blog. This entry is brief, but important to me because I want to let everyone in Bahrain know how much I miss them and still to this day remember the impact that they had in/on my life. Thank you to my friends and students in Bahrain. I have no idea what the future holds, but as I continue looking for a teaching job, I can only hope that I am blessed with such amazing co-workers and students. Thank you.
While I miss everyone there and remember them all the time, I have been particularly nostalgic lately since it was a year ago that the adventure began. I simply looked at it as an amazing opportunity to get abroad again and to teach. Who knew that I would end up in the middle of history being made and what is now being referred to as the Arab Spring. As the anniversary of political unrest approaches, I simply try and remain positive and hope and pray that there is some sort of compromise and peace reached. Of course as someone who lived in Jerusalem for nine years, I tend to understand (sadly) that concept is very far fetched and out of reach. Although I keep hoping.
Anyway, I am pretty much writing this entry to remind myself what an amazing time I had starting a year ago. I apologize if what I am writing is a bit repetitive, but get over it :) Seriously, I do thank everyone who reads my blog. This entry is brief, but important to me because I want to let everyone in Bahrain know how much I miss them and still to this day remember the impact that they had in/on my life. Thank you to my friends and students in Bahrain. I have no idea what the future holds, but as I continue looking for a teaching job, I can only hope that I am blessed with such amazing co-workers and students. Thank you.
"Life's truest happiness is found in friendships we make along the way" -Anonymous
Monday, January 30, 2012
2012...what happened to 2011?
It is crazy to think that 2011 became 2012. Where does the time go? I am writing this three months or so after my last entry (which yes, was in 2011). One would think people do not care, but there are a few out there who have told me to keep blogging. To those nameless people, thank you for the interest. My life is certainly not as exciting as it was when I started this blog, yet I will try and make it worth reading. I suppose I should start with a brief update on life since I last wrote. When I last wrote in October, the weather was still nice and the leaves were falling. While summer is by far my favorite season, I will take Autumn over Winter any day. Do not worry, I will not make this entry all about how much I hate Winter. I know everyone knows that already :)
In November I ventured to Florida for eight days. The main reason was to attend a wedding in Tallahassee. I have known the bride since she was born and used to babysit her. That in itself seemed a little weird, but then again we all grow up and older. It was great seeing people from my Jerusalem days and who doesn't love a good wedding? Of course in true Bergman fashion, I was able to spend four of those days at Disney. What I love about going in the Fall is getting to enjoy the International Food and Wine Festival at EPCOT. Love it!
The Christmas season arrived and in the Bergman house we pretty much just wrapped it up a week ago. We have continued traditions from our time in Jerusalem and celebrate Christmas on December 25th, as well as Ethiopian, Orthodox and Armenian through the month of January. We are just starting to undeck the halls so to speak. I love watching Skyler, Hunter and Tristan open their presents, but I also have to admit I miss the days when it was just adults taking turns opening presents one by one. Although this year, we finally got smart....we let the kids open all their presents and then turned on a movie for them while the adults opened theirs :)
I continue subbing and for the most part am keeping busy. Some days there are just no jobs and I try to be productive doing other things, rather than get depressed about the lack of income that day. On an exciting more positive note, I was accepted to benefit from MN Care!!! Finally after a year without health insurance, I qualified for state health insurance. I won't give you exact numbers, but let me just say I am paying $300 less a month, then I was before going to Bahrain. Needless to say I am very happy! I still miss Bahrain and the people I met there, some days more than others. I will write more about those thoughts and memories in the next entry as it is almost a year since I started that adventure.
What else? I was recently re-elected onto the church council and elected secretary. I got my nose pierced in November. As 2011 became 2012 I did not put a lot of stress on myself regarding resolutions this year. In the past it has always been along the lines of get a job and a boyfriend. I chose the more realistic and comedic route this year. Besides aiming to blog more, it is my goal to write on the wall of all my Facebook friends and get in touch again. I also said I would be less sarcastic...well if you know me, I failed at that one right away :) So, thanks for reading (and caring...or at least pretend to)...will write more sooner than you think.
In November I ventured to Florida for eight days. The main reason was to attend a wedding in Tallahassee. I have known the bride since she was born and used to babysit her. That in itself seemed a little weird, but then again we all grow up and older. It was great seeing people from my Jerusalem days and who doesn't love a good wedding? Of course in true Bergman fashion, I was able to spend four of those days at Disney. What I love about going in the Fall is getting to enjoy the International Food and Wine Festival at EPCOT. Love it!
The Christmas season arrived and in the Bergman house we pretty much just wrapped it up a week ago. We have continued traditions from our time in Jerusalem and celebrate Christmas on December 25th, as well as Ethiopian, Orthodox and Armenian through the month of January. We are just starting to undeck the halls so to speak. I love watching Skyler, Hunter and Tristan open their presents, but I also have to admit I miss the days when it was just adults taking turns opening presents one by one. Although this year, we finally got smart....we let the kids open all their presents and then turned on a movie for them while the adults opened theirs :)
I continue subbing and for the most part am keeping busy. Some days there are just no jobs and I try to be productive doing other things, rather than get depressed about the lack of income that day. On an exciting more positive note, I was accepted to benefit from MN Care!!! Finally after a year without health insurance, I qualified for state health insurance. I won't give you exact numbers, but let me just say I am paying $300 less a month, then I was before going to Bahrain. Needless to say I am very happy! I still miss Bahrain and the people I met there, some days more than others. I will write more about those thoughts and memories in the next entry as it is almost a year since I started that adventure.
What else? I was recently re-elected onto the church council and elected secretary. I got my nose pierced in November. As 2011 became 2012 I did not put a lot of stress on myself regarding resolutions this year. In the past it has always been along the lines of get a job and a boyfriend. I chose the more realistic and comedic route this year. Besides aiming to blog more, it is my goal to write on the wall of all my Facebook friends and get in touch again. I also said I would be less sarcastic...well if you know me, I failed at that one right away :) So, thanks for reading (and caring...or at least pretend to)...will write more sooner than you think.
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