Sunday, September 23, 2007
Summing it all up...
Our fellowship took us many places we never dreamed of. Kim is now an avid blogger, Brian has grown to love Irish literature in new ways, and I have learned how to do a great deal with the media tools at my disposal. But even more than these small things, our fellowship showed us that people are people. We all have the same hopes, fears, wants and desires. The wonderful people we met in Ireland, Dana, Stephanie, Katrina, Lynn, and Megan (those infamus Dublin Girls); Jayo and his mates (yes, they did make it to the rave to which they were headed); Ian Steppe, the former headmaster-head coach of the Irish football team-all around Irish man; Justin Colvin, the bartender with an interesting story and interesting tattoos; Gerard Donavan, who was once the Artist-in-residence at Arkansas State U and stated that he'd been to Tulsa multiple times(mostly to experience the nightlife); Our Arctic Monkey comrades who did us a favor of talking for what seemed like hours about the differences between America and Ireland and the state of education, healthcare, and roadtrips (Fioan, that invite still holds true if you decide to tour route 66!): These are all of the things that made our fellowship worth the many days of 4 adults living in 1 small room, multiple travel delays, countless fish and chips (some good, some very bad--it was Beshoff's), and sometimes not being the best of companions. Through it all, we understand that the places we go, the people we meet, the things we do, all teach us what is it to be human. We are enriched as people because we know where we've been, and despite all of the stress of travel, we are still companions and we look for a brighter future.
now the work begins...[Bea posting for Brian]
The most exciting part of our entire Ireland adventure starts now. Now that we are back in session, we are able to share our travel experience with our students.
We have worked hard on designing lesson plans that bring the Irish experience to our landlocked kiddos. Our vertical team of English I, II, III and IV allows us to create a strand of projects, assessments, literary selections and videos that help a student build a well rounded awareness of cultural differences and similarities
Although our motivation for seeking this grant began as a literary pilgrimage, it became much more a method of forging connections between our teenagers and the young people we met abroad. The cards we passed out in Ireland have prompted so many emails and blogs that many of our students are now considering a pen pal program. What a fantastic way to open cross cultural connections.
In English I, Mrs. Piper will facilitate virtual field trips based on our experience. Her students will scrutinize our trip and learn how they may replicate our amazing experience. They will plan a budget, use travel guides and websites to figure out what attractions would most interest them, learn how to speak with travel agents and officials, work their way through a (mock) passport system, design an itinerary, figure out how to blog and photograph, scrapbook and film their trip so that they may record it for posterity.
In addition to a cool virtual field trip, Mrs. Piper’s student will also be introduced to Irish fiction via the novel, Dracula. She is planning on using our footage and souvenirs from both the Brahm Stoker museum and the Dracula museum to make the novel come to life (pun intended).
The Dracula novels will then be revisited as students travel from freshman year all the way through senior year. Each year they will use the novel to a different end. Dracula will fall victim to rhetorical analysis and countless papers on symbolism and author’s purpose. By the end of their senior year, students will truly understand that it takes a lot to kill Dracula
In sophomore and Junior English, I plan on walking students through a unit on how place and setting impact plot and character development... We will investigate the impact of Irish tradition on American authors of Irish heritage. We will seek to understand how living on The Emerald Isle would create a culture of sarcasm, wit and rugged individualism and why Irish culture in America has been the sustained with such fierce intensity. We will work on drawing parallels between Irish and American writers and how the struggles of humanity and the human condition are dramatically similar. It is my belief that the students will reach a greater understanding of the idea of how literature, or any other art form for that matter, helps us cope with human life under any conditions and teaches us the lessons of humanity.
This literary saga will culminate with the senior year. Mrs. Hoxie’s senior curriculum focuses on the British literary tradition. She will now be able to add an amazing new dimension to her course. Her students will trace the development of the English language and the linguistic impact of the Gaels on that development. Oscar Wilde and James Joyce will be regular visitors in her classroom as students turn their focus from simply the ingredients of Irish literature to the techniques of Irish writers. The complicated syntax of Joyce will serve as a fantastic vehicle for rhetorical analysis. Oscar Wilde’s wit and sarcasm will be evaluated for both its relevance and contribution to author’s purpose.
We will keep our cyberspace folks posted on our success and failures, and we would love to have any ideas and suggestions to extend our lessons!
We have worked hard on designing lesson plans that bring the Irish experience to our landlocked kiddos. Our vertical team of English I, II, III and IV allows us to create a strand of projects, assessments, literary selections and videos that help a student build a well rounded awareness of cultural differences and similarities
Although our motivation for seeking this grant began as a literary pilgrimage, it became much more a method of forging connections between our teenagers and the young people we met abroad. The cards we passed out in Ireland have prompted so many emails and blogs that many of our students are now considering a pen pal program. What a fantastic way to open cross cultural connections.
In English I, Mrs. Piper will facilitate virtual field trips based on our experience. Her students will scrutinize our trip and learn how they may replicate our amazing experience. They will plan a budget, use travel guides and websites to figure out what attractions would most interest them, learn how to speak with travel agents and officials, work their way through a (mock) passport system, design an itinerary, figure out how to blog and photograph, scrapbook and film their trip so that they may record it for posterity.
In addition to a cool virtual field trip, Mrs. Piper’s student will also be introduced to Irish fiction via the novel, Dracula. She is planning on using our footage and souvenirs from both the Brahm Stoker museum and the Dracula museum to make the novel come to life (pun intended).
The Dracula novels will then be revisited as students travel from freshman year all the way through senior year. Each year they will use the novel to a different end. Dracula will fall victim to rhetorical analysis and countless papers on symbolism and author’s purpose. By the end of their senior year, students will truly understand that it takes a lot to kill Dracula
In sophomore and Junior English, I plan on walking students through a unit on how place and setting impact plot and character development... We will investigate the impact of Irish tradition on American authors of Irish heritage. We will seek to understand how living on The Emerald Isle would create a culture of sarcasm, wit and rugged individualism and why Irish culture in America has been the sustained with such fierce intensity. We will work on drawing parallels between Irish and American writers and how the struggles of humanity and the human condition are dramatically similar. It is my belief that the students will reach a greater understanding of the idea of how literature, or any other art form for that matter, helps us cope with human life under any conditions and teaches us the lessons of humanity.
This literary saga will culminate with the senior year. Mrs. Hoxie’s senior curriculum focuses on the British literary tradition. She will now be able to add an amazing new dimension to her course. Her students will trace the development of the English language and the linguistic impact of the Gaels on that development. Oscar Wilde and James Joyce will be regular visitors in her classroom as students turn their focus from simply the ingredients of Irish literature to the techniques of Irish writers. The complicated syntax of Joyce will serve as a fantastic vehicle for rhetorical analysis. Oscar Wilde’s wit and sarcasm will be evaluated for both its relevance and contribution to author’s purpose.
We will keep our cyberspace folks posted on our success and failures, and we would love to have any ideas and suggestions to extend our lessons!
Lessons from Ireland: [Bea posting for Brian]
Theory: When Irish eyes are smiling, it is usually because they are seeing double!
Lessons from Ireland:
I have learned that the Irish are a fun loving people. By fun loving, I mean that these folks worship fun like a golden calf. They are willing to sacrifice innocent tourist on the alter of celebration whenever possible. The Irish take their fun seriously!!!
This prompted several hypotheses on why the Irish win the World Cup in fun.
Hypothesis #1 The Claustrophobia of living on an island drives them to drink.
Compared to the wide open plains of my beloved Texas and my adopted Oklahoma, the Emerald Isle is tiny. The hills and quaint rock walls are bound to begin to close in on you. The ensuing irritation at constant confinement would force any teetotaler into a nearby pub for a black and tan.
Hypothesis #2 Anger Issues
I must confess, they don’t call them The Fighting Irish for nothin’! Dubliners will argue about anything. At first I thought their intensity and exaggeration were simply the result of a case of large island envy and a cranky disposition, but then I realized that these folks have a general need to take all human emotions to an elevated level. I mean this with the most sincere respect, reverence and awe, but anger and irritation are true art forms here. The Irish work in sarcasm and biting wit the way Michelangelo worked in marble. It is truly a joy to behold.
This intense tournament of emotion and snap judgments would force anyone off the wagon and into a pub for a pint of Guinness
Hypothesis # 3 The Savage Beauty of Psychosis
Before traveling abroad to Ireland, I honestly thought that no group in the world embraced eccentricity the way that Texans do. I was wrong. The Irish don’t hide their crazy. They have state funded parades to honor crazy. They bring out their crazy, show it off and walk it around. They share their crazy with their friends and relatives and invite it over for dinner as often as possible. We see crazy at 3 O’clock in the afternoon on a Tuesday. We see crazy in the streets. We see crazy in shopping centers and we certainly see crazy in the pubs. I feel so at home here.
Insanity has always produced artists. I should have realized with such a rich literary tradition the Irish would be off the charts.
This festival of the fantastic is enough to force Betty Ford into a pub for a swig of Irish whiskey
Just an observation!
Lessons from Ireland:
I have learned that the Irish are a fun loving people. By fun loving, I mean that these folks worship fun like a golden calf. They are willing to sacrifice innocent tourist on the alter of celebration whenever possible. The Irish take their fun seriously!!!
This prompted several hypotheses on why the Irish win the World Cup in fun.
Hypothesis #1 The Claustrophobia of living on an island drives them to drink.
Compared to the wide open plains of my beloved Texas and my adopted Oklahoma, the Emerald Isle is tiny. The hills and quaint rock walls are bound to begin to close in on you. The ensuing irritation at constant confinement would force any teetotaler into a nearby pub for a black and tan.
Hypothesis #2 Anger Issues
I must confess, they don’t call them The Fighting Irish for nothin’! Dubliners will argue about anything. At first I thought their intensity and exaggeration were simply the result of a case of large island envy and a cranky disposition, but then I realized that these folks have a general need to take all human emotions to an elevated level. I mean this with the most sincere respect, reverence and awe, but anger and irritation are true art forms here. The Irish work in sarcasm and biting wit the way Michelangelo worked in marble. It is truly a joy to behold.
This intense tournament of emotion and snap judgments would force anyone off the wagon and into a pub for a pint of Guinness
Hypothesis # 3 The Savage Beauty of Psychosis
Before traveling abroad to Ireland, I honestly thought that no group in the world embraced eccentricity the way that Texans do. I was wrong. The Irish don’t hide their crazy. They have state funded parades to honor crazy. They bring out their crazy, show it off and walk it around. They share their crazy with their friends and relatives and invite it over for dinner as often as possible. We see crazy at 3 O’clock in the afternoon on a Tuesday. We see crazy in the streets. We see crazy in shopping centers and we certainly see crazy in the pubs. I feel so at home here.
Insanity has always produced artists. I should have realized with such a rich literary tradition the Irish would be off the charts.
This festival of the fantastic is enough to force Betty Ford into a pub for a swig of Irish whiskey
Just an observation!
Monday, September 17, 2007
Friday, August 3, 2007
Taking the Journey a Little Farther
(Note: This blog is an example of a researched virtual field trip in the form of narrative writing. Once school begins and you (our students) begin to hopefully interact with all the wonderful people Mr. Grimm, Mrs. Hoxie, Mr. Hoxie and I have met while traveling in Ireland, New Orleans, Mississippi, and Belize (as well as other fabulous places!), you will set up your personal blogs the same way by discussing a topic in your blog (it doesn't have to be travel--it could be a current event or personal interest), and embedding quality informative sites in your text. It is my goal that each of you complete at least two virtual field trip blogs this semester. I will give you further instructions once the project begins. I can't wait for us to get started. It is going to be so much fun! Mrs. P)
Hello Everyone!
It is the 3rd of August, and (believe it or not!) our school is just about to start. This summer has gone by so fast. I have had so many amazing travel experiences this summer that I can't help but feel blessed. As you know, I (along with Brian, Bea, and Craig) started this summer by going to Ireland in June on a Fund for Teachers Grant. Since then, I have been many places in between. This past Sunday, I returned from my latest adventure--Ambergris Caye in San Pedro, Belize.
Ambergris Caye is such a quaint place with the most enchanting blue water I've ever seen! My husband and I went with my brother-in-law, Jim, and his wife, Carrie. We had a great time enjoying all the water activities, zipping about town in our golf cart, and eating delicious fresh seafood each night, and (of course!) we met many wonderful people (more about these folks a little later).
We stayed at the beautiful Xanadu Resort which gets its name from Samuel Taylor Coleridge's poem, Kubla Khan--a poem that extols the virtues of a mythical paradise. However, many believe that Coleridge was simply retelling a vivid opium hallucination. Xanadu's beach front property, no matter how unbelievably beautiful, was most definitely a real paradise! The two-bedroom starfish suite #12 that we stayed in was artfully decorated and surrounded by a wall of curved windows that looked toward the ocean. Additionally, the staff at Xanadu was amazing! Stacey, the property manager, was so friendly and helpful. She met our every need before and during our stay. She was extremely knowledgeable about all aspects of the island and arranged every snorkeling adventure for us. Likewise, Martin, Robert, John, and the rest of the staff almost became like family during our week-long stay.
Each day we did something adventuresome. The first day we set sail on the No Rush sailing, snorkeling, and fishing excursion with another family (The Coopers--Joe, Jill, Grant, and Russell) hosted by Captain Stephen and his two shipmates, Travis and Ernest. This particular day stands out as a spot of time for me. This was truly one of the most fun days of my life! Even though it rained hard off and on during the day, Stephen, Travis, and Ernest along with Stephen's sister, Jose (pronounced "Josie"), and nephew, Cade, showed us a great time! Stephen took us on a guided snorkeling adventure where he found two inhabited conch shells. When we got back to the boat, Stephen demonstrated how to clean them and Travis whipped us up some fresh conch ceviche' that was absolutely delicious!
While the Cooper boys attempted to catch our lunch, Ernest took off in a smaller boat to try and catch something big enough to satisfy our growing hunger. In just a short while Ernest (our hero!) returned with a 4 1/2 foot Barracuda he had caught that was ready to be sliced and diced and barbecued once we docked on the other side of the island. Once there, Jose and Cade set about collecting sea grapes, a tart and tangy tropical grape that grows wild all over the island, while Stephen, Travis, and Ernest cooked up a very tasty garifuna style fish barbeque with roasted potatoes and tortillas. For dessert, Stephen collected fresh coconuts and demonstrated how to crack them open for their sweet milk/water and flesh. All in all, it was one of the most unique meals I'd ever experienced.
[Special Note: This Virtual Field Trip Narrative is still a work in progress. ]
http://kimpiper.myphotoalbum.com/
Monday, July 9, 2007
Still Figuring Out Technology
Okay---I'm having trouble figuring out all this technology stuff yet again! I am trying to set up up a group on FACEBOOK where students past, present, and future can blog with other students around the world. Unfortunately, I can't seem to get the link set up. For now, you can search "Kim Piper" and there will be a picture of me that you can click on (I think???!!!) that will take you to my facebook. If not, I'll have my son, Quinn, help me figure it out. However, that will be sometime next week because all of us that support this blog (me, Bri, and the Hoxie's) are all traveling to the High Schools That Work conference in New Orleans, LA tomorrow (plus about 10 other wonderful WRHS teachers and administrators!). I love this national conference! I always get such great teaching ideas!
So, if you are unsuccessful linking to the facebook, check back next week for further instructions plus great pics of the conference!
Talk with you soon~
Kim :0)
So, if you are unsuccessful linking to the facebook, check back next week for further instructions plus great pics of the conference!
Talk with you soon~
Kim :0)
Thursday, July 5, 2007
FUND FOR TEACHERS Fellowship Proposal
Hello Everyone~
Many friends and fellow teachers have asked me how Brian, Bea, and I received this wonderful FUND FOR TEACHERS grant to go to Ireland. Because of this, I have added a link to our grant proposal for those of you who are interested in viewing it.
As an additional note, our proposal was submitted in January, but the grant was not awarded until April. Because of this, some of the trip pricing and and other details changed, and we were unable to keep Galway in our travel schedule. FUND FOR TEACHERS assured us that we had flexibility with our travel itinerary as long as all expenses could be documented and the basic outcomes of the proposal remained the same. Additionally, we were given the freedom to explore and expand our original objectives as learning is always organic and ever evolving.
In reflection, I believe we did get so much more out of this rich experience than we ever dreamed possible. Although we did gain many new insights into the lives of past Irish literary greats, we also met many new, up and coming contemporary Irish writers that I believe have much to offer as well. But, for me, the real enrichment came from immersing myself in the landscape and culture of Ireland. It was her rich landmarks and history that intrigued me and her warm and charming people that delighted me. I believe more than anything, this is what I will bring back to my students--a refreshed and invigorated teacher who has seen beyond her borders and wishes to help her students travel there in their minds!
Kim
http://pages.google.com/edit/qpiper/fundforteachersirelandproposal?authtoken=069c16371e9bab31d5a8c63ce685ccd8007ef20f
Many friends and fellow teachers have asked me how Brian, Bea, and I received this wonderful FUND FOR TEACHERS grant to go to Ireland. Because of this, I have added a link to our grant proposal for those of you who are interested in viewing it.
As an additional note, our proposal was submitted in January, but the grant was not awarded until April. Because of this, some of the trip pricing and and other details changed, and we were unable to keep Galway in our travel schedule. FUND FOR TEACHERS assured us that we had flexibility with our travel itinerary as long as all expenses could be documented and the basic outcomes of the proposal remained the same. Additionally, we were given the freedom to explore and expand our original objectives as learning is always organic and ever evolving.
In reflection, I believe we did get so much more out of this rich experience than we ever dreamed possible. Although we did gain many new insights into the lives of past Irish literary greats, we also met many new, up and coming contemporary Irish writers that I believe have much to offer as well. But, for me, the real enrichment came from immersing myself in the landscape and culture of Ireland. It was her rich landmarks and history that intrigued me and her warm and charming people that delighted me. I believe more than anything, this is what I will bring back to my students--a refreshed and invigorated teacher who has seen beyond her borders and wishes to help her students travel there in their minds!
Kim
http://pages.google.com/edit/qpiper/fundforteachersirelandproposal?authtoken=069c16371e9bab31d5a8c63ce685ccd8007ef20f
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
FYI - Jayo's comment
U should stick the video of the "young gentlemen coming home from a full night of carousing"up,seeing as that was me & my mates!
July 4, 2007 8:56 AM
(Check out the comment on the "Dublin Girls" Video to visit Jayo's webpage. ~K)
July 4, 2007 8:56 AM
(Check out the comment on the "Dublin Girls" Video to visit Jayo's webpage. ~K)
Jayo VIdeo
Jayo~
It is good to hear from you! (Although you were the one that I thought was irritated that we filmed you guys--I'm glad to know that you weren't after all :0) Be patient with us and keep checking back. We have been so busy with summer meetings and such at school. In fact, we are going to New Orleans next week for a High Schools That Work Conference. I'll talk to the others and see if we can't get your video on before we leave. However, keep checking back because we will eventually.
I checked out your page and it seems pretty cool. It seems you have a lot of the same interests as our students, particularly in music. It would be great if you could blog back and forth with some of them once school starts (that's what we were really hoping for when we were videotaping high school students in Ireland--in teachereze we call that "forging the links" ). Our students start back in late August, so we will probably have them on the blog the first part of September so don't lose our blog address, okay?!
Have a great rest of the summer!
Kim Piper
P.S. Keep us posted on some of the things going on with you and your mates! :0)
It is good to hear from you! (Although you were the one that I thought was irritated that we filmed you guys--I'm glad to know that you weren't after all :0) Be patient with us and keep checking back. We have been so busy with summer meetings and such at school. In fact, we are going to New Orleans next week for a High Schools That Work Conference. I'll talk to the others and see if we can't get your video on before we leave. However, keep checking back because we will eventually.
I checked out your page and it seems pretty cool. It seems you have a lot of the same interests as our students, particularly in music. It would be great if you could blog back and forth with some of them once school starts (that's what we were really hoping for when we were videotaping high school students in Ireland--in teachereze we call that "forging the links" ). Our students start back in late August, so we will probably have them on the blog the first part of September so don't lose our blog address, okay?!
Have a great rest of the summer!
Kim Piper
P.S. Keep us posted on some of the things going on with you and your mates! :0)
Sunday, July 1, 2007
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Check out my pics of Ireland
Hello Everyone~
If you want to see some pics of our Ireland trip click on "Kim" on the contributor list and then click on "Irish Eyes." Once there, it should be pretty easy to get to the online photo album. Keep checking back--it is a work in progress. I still have about 100+ photos to upload.
:0) Kim
If you want to see some pics of our Ireland trip click on "Kim" on the contributor list and then click on "Irish Eyes." Once there, it should be pretty easy to get to the online photo album. Keep checking back--it is a work in progress. I still have about 100+ photos to upload.
:0) Kim
Monday, June 25, 2007
Videos are on the way
Just a quick note, I've not forgotten the promised videos, I just need to move the data from the team computer to my home computer where I have the editing software. We want to streamline the footage. Our longest video is 30 minutes long (those infamous Dublin girls!) and the other clips are anywhere from 5- 15 minutes. We will try to post a series of 10 minute videos--tomorrow is my editing day, so we will see how it goes!
Meanwhile, here's another picture--this was pretty typical of the weather we experienced during our trip. I think we actually only saw the sun once--on the last day for about 20 minutes. Don't worry, Brian's umbrella did recover and he did not melt--he's not that sweet!
A thank you
There are so many people to thank for this opportunity. First of all I would like to thank Fund for Teachers--without them this would have never happened. Second, I want to thank our technical advisor, Craig (he paid his own way such was his commitment to our success). He helped us set up the blog, he researched a great deal before the trip and when in Ireland, and he ran the video camera so we could be on film. Also, he was the trailblazer--he was a great navigator. He's also my husband so I really have to thank him--I guess he figured it would be better to come along and assist so I wouldn't have to make international phone calls for technical help! I also want to thank my fellow fellows--Brian and Kim. They possess a great gift that I lack--the ability to engage with anyone. because of them we have great videos and countless contacts. Finally, I want to thank my family--my parents for watching my daughters, and my daughters for encouraging my through the whole process. I can do nothing without their support.
So, to my three traveling companions, Fund for Teachers, my family, and of course everyone who has commented, thank you for a truly memorable experience--I'm glad to have made this effort with such unique and wonderful individuals.
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Justin Colvin, the Musical Bartender
Justin, thanks so much for responding to my "Tulsa, we have landed" blog. It was great to hear from you! Sadly, we are home now, although we weren't near finished seeing all that Ireland had to offer. I've convinced my husband, son, and future daughter-in-law to go back with me sometime, so I'm sure our paths will cross again. I'm also glad to hear the whole Euro thing is working out for you since you are actually getting paid in Euro! Unfortunately, I have absolutely no idea how much I spent on the trip with the awful exchange rate! I've been spoiled by the strong U.S. dollar in all the other places I've traveled.
I've inserted a couple of pictures of you that we took that evening on the Literary Pub Crawl. Unfortunately, I only have pics of your tattoos (although I'm sure I took one of you behind the bar??!) If you have the technology available, please insert a photo of yourself so that everyone can see you. Additionally, why don't you tell everyone about your research program and the funny story of how you acquired your musical tattoos.
Again, it was wonderful to hear from you.
Take Care~ Kim
Justin Colvin said...
Hello guys-I checked out the blog and it's pretty cool. Seems like y'all are having a great time in Ireland. I'm glad to have appeared in your blog...I find Ireland very lush and beautiful. The architecture here fantastic and at every turn you can find a truly palpable sense of history (I found out I live down the street from the hotel Joyce featured in the "Sirens" episode). The culture here is familiar, yet somehow different... as if it's something I've known all my life but never explicitly. Kinda cool.Work is going fine; the strong Euro actually equalizes a bit after you start getting paid. Anyways... I hope you either enjoyed or will keep enjoying Ireland and I suppose I'll see ya around.Take care,-JMC
June 23, 2007 9:38 AM
Okay--Now we're talking!!!
Here we are on the first day in Dublin! We are all smiles and ready to go!I don't know what this is, but it sure isn't Ireland??!!!
I'm trying to post some Ireland pics, but this wacky picture showed up instead??!! I'm a little technologically challenged so please bear with me. There is no telling what crazy stuff I might insert before I finally figure out what I'm doing! :0) Kim
Friday, June 22, 2007
Dublin Writer's Festival
All in all, I attended five writer's forums. All the author's were very interesting and insightful, although not all of their writings were genres that interested me. However, I particularly liked Gerard Donovan and can't wait to read his new novel, Julius Winsome, which has been called a "heartbreaking tale of love, solitude, grief and violence."
Another author that I had the opportunity to see was Paul Howard as his alter-ego, Ross O'Carroll-Kelly. Although I did not get much of his humor (because I'm not a native Dubliner, and therefore do not understand the local references), he is a huge hit with his Irish fans. In fact, the school girls we met on the way to Malahide Castle loved him, and one (Dana, I think) even produced a tattered copy of one of his books from her backpack.
There was another author, Meg Rosoff, that I really wished I had had the opportunity to see but her forum coincided with our check-out time at O'Neill's Victorian Townhouses and Pub (one of the most authentically charming places I have ever had the pleasure of staying!), so I had to skip it. However, when I returned to see Derek Landy, I picked up her two young adult fiction books, How I Live Now and Just in Case. Both books deal with very real issues that can be agonizing for any young person who is coming of age. I have just started reading Just in Case and can barely put it down. I really think that I will order one or both of these novels for my 9th grade Pre-AP English classes next year.
If any of you get the chance to read some of these novels, please let me know what you think. It would be great to dialogue about the characters, plots, and themes.
Kim
Another author that I had the opportunity to see was Paul Howard as his alter-ego, Ross O'Carroll-Kelly. Although I did not get much of his humor (because I'm not a native Dubliner, and therefore do not understand the local references), he is a huge hit with his Irish fans. In fact, the school girls we met on the way to Malahide Castle loved him, and one (Dana, I think) even produced a tattered copy of one of his books from her backpack.
There was another author, Meg Rosoff, that I really wished I had had the opportunity to see but her forum coincided with our check-out time at O'Neill's Victorian Townhouses and Pub (one of the most authentically charming places I have ever had the pleasure of staying!), so I had to skip it. However, when I returned to see Derek Landy, I picked up her two young adult fiction books, How I Live Now and Just in Case. Both books deal with very real issues that can be agonizing for any young person who is coming of age. I have just started reading Just in Case and can barely put it down. I really think that I will order one or both of these novels for my 9th grade Pre-AP English classes next year.
If any of you get the chance to read some of these novels, please let me know what you think. It would be great to dialogue about the characters, plots, and themes.
Kim
Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy
Hey Everyone! I've attached a really cool website from one of the author's I had the pleasure to meet at the Dublin Writer's Festival. He talked a little about his book and the movie deal he received for it. That's right....the book is being made into a movie and scheduled for release next summer. He has already completed a second book that is in the process of being published (which is due for release next April) and is midway through the writing of the third book. Additionally, he signed a contract to publish nine books for the series. Who knows....Skulduggery Pleasant might become the next Harry Potter!
I hope you enjoy the website! Be sure to turn the volume up on your computer and explore every section. It really is quite fun! Additionally, please let me know what you think.
Kim
http://www.skulduggerypleasant.com/us/author/
I hope you enjoy the website! Be sure to turn the volume up on your computer and explore every section. It really is quite fun! Additionally, please let me know what you think.
Kim
http://www.skulduggerypleasant.com/us/author/
Brian's observations on Limerick
Special Note: Although this appears as my blog, it is all Brian Grimm (this should be obvious, as he is so much wittier than I am.) It was attached to a word document that I am working on for my Ireland webpage. It is much too charming not to post. Enjoy! :o)
Castle, Cathedral, Quaint, Castle, Cathedral, Quaint….repeat
Limerick was, for me, the best part of our trip. While in Dublin we were often greeted with looks of confusion and dismay when we told folks we were headed to Limerick. “Why on earth are you going there?” was a common refrain.
Apparently good ol’ Limerick has a nastier reputation than my high school classmate, Sarah Lingenfalter. The Irish refer to it as “Stab-Town”. This title (much like Sarah’s) was not entirely accurate.
Limerick is a town on the upswing. They are shaking off many years of a manufacturing and industrial economy and are slowly but surely teaching their fellow countrymen a valuable lesson------What we have been in the past is not what we will be in the future. In a country steeped in tradition, it is good to see a group of people (an entire town) claim their future by declaring that their past does not define them. What a powerful choice these folks are making. It seems we can all learn a lesson from Limerick.
The Irish are full of ……Wit and wisdom. Even the sugar packets in several of the restaurants contained aphorisms about life. It is amazing what may be learned from condiments these days.
Now, I know what you’re thinking. Limerick, what about the bawdy poetry? Well, with all due respect to the man from Nantucket, we opted to compose a few Limericks (of a more respectable content) while in town. We will be posting those soon.
We did meet several little “rock-stars” on the bus in Limerick. While pleasantly cruising along on the city bus, we heard several loud thuds. A quick glance out the window, revealed a group of miniature hooligans (if you will let me steal from the Irish vernacular). These red-headed little angels had taken it upon themselves to throw stones at the passing buses (and I thought I needed a hobby!). Thank goodness there are no glass houses in Limerick.
The motivation for the attack on the bus was unclear, but even more interesting was the explanation from other bus enthusiasts. “They’re just kids.” Explained one young lady. They seemed amused that we were even phased.
Overall, the people were extraordinarily friendly (again, they even offered us free rocks on the bus----can’t beat that!). When we asked directions as we exited our bus, a wonderful elderly woman refused to just tell us. She insisted on showing us. She was charming and sweet and overly kind. The folks at our hotel were extraordinarily helpful. Jessica, our receptionist, was polite, cheerful, and told us a great deal about the family gang issues that plague Limerick. She put our minds at ease and explained that the gang style family feuds are contained to a small group of individuals. It is sad that all of Limerick must work extra hard to overcome the reputation earned by a few misguided individuals who find a twisted, unrealistic and socially retarded honor in inflicting violence on each other in the name of a family or a turf.
As for the sights in Limerick and surrounding areas, we did it all (or at least as much as we could possible do). My favorite adventure was a trip to a folk park. The park allowed us to walk through a traditional Irish village with thatched roof cottages, mills, manor houses, pubs, offices, gardens, livestock (don’t tell the customs officials) and all. We were up close and personal with tradition Irish life from a bygone era.
Castle, Cathedral, Quaint, Castle, Cathedral, Quaint….repeat
Limerick was, for me, the best part of our trip. While in Dublin we were often greeted with looks of confusion and dismay when we told folks we were headed to Limerick. “Why on earth are you going there?” was a common refrain.
Apparently good ol’ Limerick has a nastier reputation than my high school classmate, Sarah Lingenfalter. The Irish refer to it as “Stab-Town”. This title (much like Sarah’s) was not entirely accurate.
Limerick is a town on the upswing. They are shaking off many years of a manufacturing and industrial economy and are slowly but surely teaching their fellow countrymen a valuable lesson------What we have been in the past is not what we will be in the future. In a country steeped in tradition, it is good to see a group of people (an entire town) claim their future by declaring that their past does not define them. What a powerful choice these folks are making. It seems we can all learn a lesson from Limerick.
The Irish are full of ……Wit and wisdom. Even the sugar packets in several of the restaurants contained aphorisms about life. It is amazing what may be learned from condiments these days.
Now, I know what you’re thinking. Limerick, what about the bawdy poetry? Well, with all due respect to the man from Nantucket, we opted to compose a few Limericks (of a more respectable content) while in town. We will be posting those soon.
We did meet several little “rock-stars” on the bus in Limerick. While pleasantly cruising along on the city bus, we heard several loud thuds. A quick glance out the window, revealed a group of miniature hooligans (if you will let me steal from the Irish vernacular). These red-headed little angels had taken it upon themselves to throw stones at the passing buses (and I thought I needed a hobby!). Thank goodness there are no glass houses in Limerick.
The motivation for the attack on the bus was unclear, but even more interesting was the explanation from other bus enthusiasts. “They’re just kids.” Explained one young lady. They seemed amused that we were even phased.
Overall, the people were extraordinarily friendly (again, they even offered us free rocks on the bus----can’t beat that!). When we asked directions as we exited our bus, a wonderful elderly woman refused to just tell us. She insisted on showing us. She was charming and sweet and overly kind. The folks at our hotel were extraordinarily helpful. Jessica, our receptionist, was polite, cheerful, and told us a great deal about the family gang issues that plague Limerick. She put our minds at ease and explained that the gang style family feuds are contained to a small group of individuals. It is sad that all of Limerick must work extra hard to overcome the reputation earned by a few misguided individuals who find a twisted, unrealistic and socially retarded honor in inflicting violence on each other in the name of a family or a turf.
As for the sights in Limerick and surrounding areas, we did it all (or at least as much as we could possible do). My favorite adventure was a trip to a folk park. The park allowed us to walk through a traditional Irish village with thatched roof cottages, mills, manor houses, pubs, offices, gardens, livestock (don’t tell the customs officials) and all. We were up close and personal with tradition Irish life from a bygone era.
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Tulsa, we have landed!
It is 9:45 a.m. Oklahoma time and I am just now at home after leaving Shannon airport in Ireland at 5:30 a.m. their time. If I'm not mistaken (due to sleep deprivation and general mathematical impairment), I have been up for more than 32 hours! Our travels home, due to weather, have been quite an "odyssey." As soon as I have had enough sleep, I will share our frustrating and exhausting (but most humorous!) journey with you, complete with pictures.
Additionally, we will be adding a PERSONAL NARRATIVE section with pictures, quotes, and anecdotes from the wonderful places we stayed and visited and the charming folks we met along the way. We encourage those of you whom we gave a card to to share your personal stories with all of us here in America. (In case you are wondering if I am talking to you--I want to send a big American greeting to Justin the musical bartender who is in Ireland on a research grant, Dana, Jan, Meagan, Kate, and all of the other young men and young women we met on the bus to Malahide , Karen who is studying law at Trinity, Mr. O'Neill who owns the most charming McNeill's Victorian townhouses and pub, Michelle--a kindred teaching soul, Aaron from the star, Andy and friends from the Dublin indie music scene, all of our friends [from Germany, New Zealand, Australia, Norway and other parts of Ireland] who shared an evening of traditional Irish folk music and camaraderie with us at The Quay's restaurant [best food in all of Dublin, by the way], the wonderful young Irishmen we met on our last night in Dublin who gave us some wonderful insight into the mindset of the Irish youth, our Australian flat mates, Barry and Fiona--our fellow Artic Monkey fans we met at the bus stop, our new friends from the Dublin Writer's festival, the gentleman from St. Mary's Cathedral whose son teaches in Korea, Jessica and Margaret from Patrick Punches hotel in Limerick, the young Irish "Socialists" who are on a mission to save our planet from global warming, and our flight attendant who taught English in China before becoming a flight attendant, and anyone else who blessed us by crossing our path along the way!)
Cheers~
Kim :o)
"Bionn slulach scealach"
The traveller has tales to tell
Additionally, we will be adding a PERSONAL NARRATIVE section with pictures, quotes, and anecdotes from the wonderful places we stayed and visited and the charming folks we met along the way. We encourage those of you whom we gave a card to to share your personal stories with all of us here in America. (In case you are wondering if I am talking to you--I want to send a big American greeting to Justin the musical bartender who is in Ireland on a research grant, Dana, Jan, Meagan, Kate, and all of the other young men and young women we met on the bus to Malahide , Karen who is studying law at Trinity, Mr. O'Neill who owns the most charming McNeill's Victorian townhouses and pub, Michelle--a kindred teaching soul, Aaron from the star, Andy and friends from the Dublin indie music scene, all of our friends [from Germany, New Zealand, Australia, Norway and other parts of Ireland] who shared an evening of traditional Irish folk music and camaraderie with us at The Quay's restaurant [best food in all of Dublin, by the way], the wonderful young Irishmen we met on our last night in Dublin who gave us some wonderful insight into the mindset of the Irish youth, our Australian flat mates, Barry and Fiona--our fellow Artic Monkey fans we met at the bus stop, our new friends from the Dublin Writer's festival, the gentleman from St. Mary's Cathedral whose son teaches in Korea, Jessica and Margaret from Patrick Punches hotel in Limerick, the young Irish "Socialists" who are on a mission to save our planet from global warming, and our flight attendant who taught English in China before becoming a flight attendant, and anyone else who blessed us by crossing our path along the way!)
Cheers~
Kim :o)
"Bionn slulach scealach"
The traveller has tales to tell
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
back in the USA
We have arrived at JFK and are awaiting our plane to Dallas and then home. Overall, the trip with all of it's ups and downs has been a success. We learned a lot about Ireland, her people, her literature, and ourselves. All that remains for us to do is to edit video, post pictures, and start making those connections. The battery is almost out-signing off--an exhausted but generally satisfied traveler.
Monday, June 18, 2007
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Limerick Town
Here we are! A fairly quiet, very pleasant train from Dublin and we're in Limerick City. A quick cab from the station and we're already checked into a very nice hotel - Patrick Punchs. It's nice to have our own room with a nice big bed and a solid broadband connection! No decision on how we're spending this evening or tomorrow, but I guess we'll get to that in a bit.
Last day in Dublin town----
Well...well...well. We head out to Limerick on the train this evening after several days in Dublin town. It has been an extraordinary experience. We've managed to soak up the local life and it has been (as they say here...) grand.
In a purely academic pursuit (we are always an altruistic group...."givers" if you will), we headed to the Temple Bar area last night. Our efforts to immerse ourselves in the local culture, (thereby allowing us to share with our blog readers and students) "required" that we enjoy the local food...and drink. We sacrificed ourselves on the alter of Guinness, and after about an hour or so, we were able to "facilitate" a rather festive sing (and dance) along with the other tavern goers. We met folks from Germany, Norway, England and Sweden. The mixture of traditional Irish folk music and the occasional Abba song transcended our language barrier. We roamed the room and gave lessons to the more subdued groups on how to boogie. We fulfilled our amateur American ambassador roles and have now dubbed ourselves the "International Party Patrol"----Take that Paris Hilton!!!
We have also been attending amazing lectures at the Project Arts Center. 'Ireland of the Welcomes", our last panel discussion/lecture, was fantastic. It was interesting to see Irish society begin to tackle some of the same immigration issue the US has been struggling with for some time now. The expert panel was diverse. The attendees were international. The topic was controversial. The discussion and question period ran 30+ minutes over as people aired their prejudice, worked through long held resentments, and fueled a great dialogue. The recent wave of immigration in Ireland has left the population nervous about cohesion.
In this blogger's opinion, I must submit that both the Irish and American people are slowly realizing that questions of assimilation and integration are answered through a process. We are learning that these answers do not involve a technical solution or legislation. These answers involve personal growth and a revolution of self. When it comes down to it, recognizing the humanity of any individual does not diminish the cohesion, the identity or the tradition of any society. As I said in the lecture, "Suck it up! Stop acting like adolescents and wake -up to the fact that the resentment that springs from perceived offenses is simply an opportunity to enlighten others. Get over yourselves!"
I miss everyone at home--- terribly! I can't wait to see all of you! I am signing off now, with my friends and loved ones deeply in my thoughts. I am desperate to talk to everyone and I apologize for my calling card issues. I really, really miss you! Thank you Fund for Teachers for this opportunity to share our experiences with the most amazing students in the world. We are the luckiest teachers in the world.
In a purely academic pursuit (we are always an altruistic group...."givers" if you will), we headed to the Temple Bar area last night. Our efforts to immerse ourselves in the local culture, (thereby allowing us to share with our blog readers and students) "required" that we enjoy the local food...and drink. We sacrificed ourselves on the alter of Guinness, and after about an hour or so, we were able to "facilitate" a rather festive sing (and dance) along with the other tavern goers. We met folks from Germany, Norway, England and Sweden. The mixture of traditional Irish folk music and the occasional Abba song transcended our language barrier. We roamed the room and gave lessons to the more subdued groups on how to boogie. We fulfilled our amateur American ambassador roles and have now dubbed ourselves the "International Party Patrol"----Take that Paris Hilton!!!
We have also been attending amazing lectures at the Project Arts Center. 'Ireland of the Welcomes", our last panel discussion/lecture, was fantastic. It was interesting to see Irish society begin to tackle some of the same immigration issue the US has been struggling with for some time now. The expert panel was diverse. The attendees were international. The topic was controversial. The discussion and question period ran 30+ minutes over as people aired their prejudice, worked through long held resentments, and fueled a great dialogue. The recent wave of immigration in Ireland has left the population nervous about cohesion.
In this blogger's opinion, I must submit that both the Irish and American people are slowly realizing that questions of assimilation and integration are answered through a process. We are learning that these answers do not involve a technical solution or legislation. These answers involve personal growth and a revolution of self. When it comes down to it, recognizing the humanity of any individual does not diminish the cohesion, the identity or the tradition of any society. As I said in the lecture, "Suck it up! Stop acting like adolescents and wake -up to the fact that the resentment that springs from perceived offenses is simply an opportunity to enlighten others. Get over yourselves!"
I miss everyone at home--- terribly! I can't wait to see all of you! I am signing off now, with my friends and loved ones deeply in my thoughts. I am desperate to talk to everyone and I apologize for my calling card issues. I really, really miss you! Thank you Fund for Teachers for this opportunity to share our experiences with the most amazing students in the world. We are the luckiest teachers in the world.
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Another Amazing Day!
Hello again,
Okay, I'm at an Internet cyberchat cafe paying for this blog time, so I'll be brief for now. For all of those who continue to check us out, give us until next week to get all the bells and whistles (video, pictures, and links) set up. We will also be asking some reflective questions from our experiences and conversations while here. Please leave us your views and ask us questions in return. Additionally, when you post anonymously, please leave us your first name or give yourself a nickname that we can relate to. For example, the wonderful young man I met at Starbucks today (Aaron, I sure had a great time visiting with you--don't forget to tell us all about your exchange student adventures) could sign his blog Aaron at Star. This helps us personalize our response back to you. We have enjoy visiting with all of you so much that we want to continue, so please keep your blogs coming.
Activities Update:
Here is what I've done the last two days.
Bram Stoker's Dracula experience - a museum that finishes like a haunted house (pics coming).
(sidebar info: Brian hates being scared as much as I do, but he is a good sport).
Trinity College - The beautiful college where many of Ireland's great writers attended (pics coming).
Book of Kells - I didn't actually get to see this because Trinity was having a graduation and it was too crowded. I hope to go back tomorrow morning and see the actual exhibit. However, if I'm not able to, I have purchased an interactive cd-rom that I will share with my students. If it won't infringe on any copyrights, I'll post part of it for the rest of you to enjoy.
Debate on Ireland of the Welcomes - This was a very interesting debate at the Writer's Festival that featured noted Irish writer's and journalist (including Roddy Doyle who wrote The Commitments)
Bloomsday Festivities - A reenactment of Leopold Blooms journey from James Joyce's Ulysses. However, we did not stay for the entire thing because we didn't want to invest the time necessary.
Writer's Museum - I really enjoyed this! It was a audio tour showcasing Ireland's most notable writer's.
Reading by Ross O'Carroll-Kelly - This was a very funny and entertaining reading by the an author who is extremely satirical and enjoyed by the Irish people. In fact, Dana (one of our bus mates to Malahide Castle) had one of his books in her backpack and was reading him for pleasure!
Traditional Irish Folk Music - Brian and I did this last night at The Quay restaurant and pub. It was a great time and we (again) made many new friends!
That is all for now! I'll post again soon.
Cheers,
Kim
Okay, I'm at an Internet cyberchat cafe paying for this blog time, so I'll be brief for now. For all of those who continue to check us out, give us until next week to get all the bells and whistles (video, pictures, and links) set up. We will also be asking some reflective questions from our experiences and conversations while here. Please leave us your views and ask us questions in return. Additionally, when you post anonymously, please leave us your first name or give yourself a nickname that we can relate to. For example, the wonderful young man I met at Starbucks today (Aaron, I sure had a great time visiting with you--don't forget to tell us all about your exchange student adventures) could sign his blog Aaron at Star. This helps us personalize our response back to you. We have enjoy visiting with all of you so much that we want to continue, so please keep your blogs coming.
Activities Update:
Here is what I've done the last two days.
Bram Stoker's Dracula experience - a museum that finishes like a haunted house (pics coming).
(sidebar info: Brian hates being scared as much as I do, but he is a good sport).
Trinity College - The beautiful college where many of Ireland's great writers attended (pics coming).
Book of Kells - I didn't actually get to see this because Trinity was having a graduation and it was too crowded. I hope to go back tomorrow morning and see the actual exhibit. However, if I'm not able to, I have purchased an interactive cd-rom that I will share with my students. If it won't infringe on any copyrights, I'll post part of it for the rest of you to enjoy.
Debate on Ireland of the Welcomes - This was a very interesting debate at the Writer's Festival that featured noted Irish writer's and journalist (including Roddy Doyle who wrote The Commitments)
Bloomsday Festivities - A reenactment of Leopold Blooms journey from James Joyce's Ulysses. However, we did not stay for the entire thing because we didn't want to invest the time necessary.
Writer's Museum - I really enjoyed this! It was a audio tour showcasing Ireland's most notable writer's.
Reading by Ross O'Carroll-Kelly - This was a very funny and entertaining reading by the an author who is extremely satirical and enjoyed by the Irish people. In fact, Dana (one of our bus mates to Malahide Castle) had one of his books in her backpack and was reading him for pleasure!
Traditional Irish Folk Music - Brian and I did this last night at The Quay restaurant and pub. It was a great time and we (again) made many new friends!
That is all for now! I'll post again soon.
Cheers,
Kim
What day is it?
I think we leave tomorrow for Limerick, but I'm not entirely sure. My shins feel hyper-extended from the cobblestones! It's just been non-stop since we arrived! Had an interesting moment this morning in counter-point to the girls on the bus - meet some young gentlemen coming in from a full night of carousing. Their take on the school experience seems in many ways to be closer to what some of our students feel about the process. Again, posting of that video moment will happen later. And, for those of you offended by "colorful" language - you are forewarned!
Another interesting thing we have noted is the amount of graffiti around the city (at least in certain parts). We're very curious about the meaning of some of it and the culture that creates it. We intend to post some photos or video later and ask for some commentary, both from the Irish and American crowds.
Well, just a quick post - I'll put up a more detailed one later, I promise!
Another interesting thing we have noted is the amount of graffiti around the city (at least in certain parts). We're very curious about the meaning of some of it and the culture that creates it. We intend to post some photos or video later and ask for some commentary, both from the Irish and American crowds.
Well, just a quick post - I'll put up a more detailed one later, I promise!
Bloomsday 2007
So we started the day at the James Joyce Centre--we opted out of the open air Bloomsday breakfast because, well, to be frank, it rains a lot here. Plus, it was quite pricey--€26.00 which translates to about $ 32.00. We opted for the free meal at the bed and breakfast. It was very interesitng to see the re-enactors--they were bedecked in their early 20th century finery. We made the observation that Americans in the South re-enact Civil War Battle, here they re-enact what many consider to be the greatest work of literature (I'm still reading the unabridged version!)
After the jaunt at the Joyce centre, we walked over a couple of blocks to the Dublin Writer's Museum. It was very interesting to learn so much of Irish literature. It was a lot to take in.
We have since split in different directions to pursue different interests in this international city. Craig and I went to the Chester Beaty Library to see 18 pages of Da Vinci's codex--it was so very cool to see the actual handwriting of the original Renaissance man. The backwards handwriting was eailly discernable--too cool for words. The History, the History.
Tonight's agenda includes the Writer's Festival Commission0n--Ocean of the Reveries. \it ought to be good.
Lastnights dabate was amazing. It was interesting to see the Irish conscousness of immigration. It is an ongoing and old issue for the US, but for Ireland, it is a new and difficult issue.
More later.
After the jaunt at the Joyce centre, we walked over a couple of blocks to the Dublin Writer's Museum. It was very interesting to learn so much of Irish literature. It was a lot to take in.
We have since split in different directions to pursue different interests in this international city. Craig and I went to the Chester Beaty Library to see 18 pages of Da Vinci's codex--it was so very cool to see the actual handwriting of the original Renaissance man. The backwards handwriting was eailly discernable--too cool for words. The History, the History.
Tonight's agenda includes the Writer's Festival Commission0n--Ocean of the Reveries. \it ought to be good.
Lastnights dabate was amazing. It was interesting to see the Irish conscousness of immigration. It is an ongoing and old issue for the US, but for Ireland, it is a new and difficult issue.
More later.
Friday, June 15, 2007
Good Morning (afternoon for me) Everyone!
It is hard to believe that we have only officially been in Dublin for two days. Because I haven't wanted to miss anything, and my body's inability to figure out the time difference (dusk doesn't begin here until around 10:30 p.m.!), I have had quite a bit of time to immerse myself in this wonderful culture! I don't think I have even tried to close my eyes until 3 a.m. Ireland time.
However, don't think I've spent all my time in the pubs chugging away because I haven't (ask my husband--he'll tell you that is a sure way to get me to doze off). Although we did spend a fair amount of time in the pubs and around historical literary sites last night as we enjoyed the Literary Pub Crawl with a couple of wonderful actors who entertained us and informed up with many scenes and anecdotes from the plays and lives of many famous Irish writers (Beckett, Shaw, Wilde, Joyce, and a few others). I promise to give you more information on this wonderful experience later.
In fact, my entire fellowship experience is morphing in a new direction. I am collecting and journaling all of my experiences here so that in the next few weeks following my return home, I am going to create a series of virtual field trips for my students at WRHS. For each experience I will post pictures, personal narrative, expository information, personal interviews, and links to informative sites regarding the location and activity. I can't wait to get started, but there is just so much to do and see here that I don't want to spend all my time on the computer (I can do that at home on my back deck). Some of the experiences will include: Malahide Castle and other castles, Irish history, Literary Pub Crawl with emphasis on Ireland's rich literary contributions, Irish music scene--both traditional and underground (this one is for you, Quinn), Bram Stoker and the Dracula experience, Contemporary Irish writers, and the Book of Kells with a view of Trinity College. Of course, much more will emerge, but this is it for now.
On another note--I really want to send a special "thank you" to our new friends from the bus to Malahide Castle ride. Even though everything I see and do here in Ireland will no doubt be amazing, visiting with you and hearing your views will probably count as one of my "spot of time memories" that will last me a lifetime. Like Wordsworth and his pantheistic companions who collected special memories to carry them through their times of melancholy, I too collect memories. However, unlike them, I bring mine out frequently simply to delight me. Each of you were most delightful in your unique an effervescent way! Thank you for sharing your youthful joy with us--it was truly a treasure!
Slaa (thanks Mary for this new word!) -
Kim Piper :0)
It is hard to believe that we have only officially been in Dublin for two days. Because I haven't wanted to miss anything, and my body's inability to figure out the time difference (dusk doesn't begin here until around 10:30 p.m.!), I have had quite a bit of time to immerse myself in this wonderful culture! I don't think I have even tried to close my eyes until 3 a.m. Ireland time.
However, don't think I've spent all my time in the pubs chugging away because I haven't (ask my husband--he'll tell you that is a sure way to get me to doze off). Although we did spend a fair amount of time in the pubs and around historical literary sites last night as we enjoyed the Literary Pub Crawl with a couple of wonderful actors who entertained us and informed up with many scenes and anecdotes from the plays and lives of many famous Irish writers (Beckett, Shaw, Wilde, Joyce, and a few others). I promise to give you more information on this wonderful experience later.
In fact, my entire fellowship experience is morphing in a new direction. I am collecting and journaling all of my experiences here so that in the next few weeks following my return home, I am going to create a series of virtual field trips for my students at WRHS. For each experience I will post pictures, personal narrative, expository information, personal interviews, and links to informative sites regarding the location and activity. I can't wait to get started, but there is just so much to do and see here that I don't want to spend all my time on the computer (I can do that at home on my back deck). Some of the experiences will include: Malahide Castle and other castles, Irish history, Literary Pub Crawl with emphasis on Ireland's rich literary contributions, Irish music scene--both traditional and underground (this one is for you, Quinn), Bram Stoker and the Dracula experience, Contemporary Irish writers, and the Book of Kells with a view of Trinity College. Of course, much more will emerge, but this is it for now.
On another note--I really want to send a special "thank you" to our new friends from the bus to Malahide Castle ride. Even though everything I see and do here in Ireland will no doubt be amazing, visiting with you and hearing your views will probably count as one of my "spot of time memories" that will last me a lifetime. Like Wordsworth and his pantheistic companions who collected special memories to carry them through their times of melancholy, I too collect memories. However, unlike them, I bring mine out frequently simply to delight me. Each of you were most delightful in your unique an effervescent way! Thank you for sharing your youthful joy with us--it was truly a treasure!
Slaa (thanks Mary for this new word!) -
Kim Piper :0)
Dublin, Friday June 15th 2007. 9:15
Rain again today. Like yesterday and the day before. When you come to Ireland, bring a raincoat! Yesterday we went to Howth and then decided that we didn’t want to hike to 1.5 k to the lighthouse in the rain. However, being from a landlocked state in the U.S., I wanted to see the ocean, so we saw it and then got on a bus to Malahide Castle. We met several young ladies who attended a local parochial school and talked to them – it shows that teenagers are teenagers everywhere. The girls were very friendly and shared their opinions on education, politics, American movies, music, and being Irish today. It was a good time. We will post the uneditided video in googlevideo and edit clips for this site later.
When we arrived on the estate of Malahide Castle (about 250 acres of public park around the castle) we walked through the park and all of us were struck by the lush greenery of, well, everything! We passed the pitches for Gaa, an Irish game that is a cross between Rugby and Lacrosse. We walked through a wood and when we arrived at the castle, we were amazed by it’s history.
The History here is amazing. At home, we think of something being old if it’s 50 years old. Or in the case of our school, 70 years old. But here it’s not really old unless it dates back to Georgian times (that’s the time of King George of the American Revolution) and much is older than that! Malahide castle is 800 years old. Trinity College is about 400 years old. Now, not everything here is old. Much was destroyed when the British shelled Dublin after the 1916 uprising. What has been a result of this is newer buildings on the north side of the Liffey River and older ones on the south side.
That also creates an interesting social division in the city. More on that later though. Now it is time to walk more, in the rain to see the offerings of this grand old city.
Today we plan on going to Trinity University and seeing the Book of Kells and also going to a debate on Ireland of the Welcomes--the issues of immigration in the 21st century and how the influx of many nationalities are impacting Ireland on social, political, cultural, and of course literary fronts. After that we are going to see Claire Kilroy and Xialou Gou discuss outside perspectives of Ireland.Thursday, June 14, 2007
Kids r Kids
We made it out of Dublin proper today and took a fantastic train ride past the extraordinary Irish Sea out to Malahide Castle. Alone the way, we made a pit stop in Howeth. Because of the chilly weather, we opted to get on a bus instead of walking the rest of the way. We met the coolest kids! Our project has begun to morph from just exploring literary connections to exploring and forming amazing personal connections.
At the bus stop, smoking like dragons, we saw a group of the coolest kids in all of Ireland! We struck up a conversation and all hopped on the bus together. We discussed life for teens in Ireland, our grant objectives, their school experiences, sports, Hollywood and about a zillion other topics. These junior ambassadors of Irish culture gave us over thirty minutes of interview tape. We are so stoked and are writhing with anticipation of the soon to come posting of that video. We know that out students back in Tulsa will be pleasantly surprised by the similarities in teenagers and their culture.
Our new Irish buddies have agreed to start a pen pal blog, and we look forward to their comments. We are thrilled that Matt Peterson was not with us, because he would have fallen head over heels for these beautiful, lovely, articulate, friendly young women. We could not have made better friends.
We have so much more to add and post, but our internet connection has been a bit challenging. We are journaling and observing and collecting thoughts and anecdotes like crazy. This is an amazing country and we can wait until we have the opportunity to consistently blog. Upon our return, we will, of course, embed a variety of videos, pictures, observations, information, etc. about our trip.
Thank you so much to everyone who has visited our site, and our grateful thanks to those awesome folks we interviewed all over Dublin and the surrounding areas.
Thank you Fund For Teachers!
For those of you who were expecting promised emails, we are doing our very best, but can not seem to get access. Please be patient as we continue to look for a connection to our email.
We love all your comments!!!!!!!
Bri, Kim, Bea and Craig :0)
At the bus stop, smoking like dragons, we saw a group of the coolest kids in all of Ireland! We struck up a conversation and all hopped on the bus together. We discussed life for teens in Ireland, our grant objectives, their school experiences, sports, Hollywood and about a zillion other topics. These junior ambassadors of Irish culture gave us over thirty minutes of interview tape. We are so stoked and are writhing with anticipation of the soon to come posting of that video. We know that out students back in Tulsa will be pleasantly surprised by the similarities in teenagers and their culture.
Our new Irish buddies have agreed to start a pen pal blog, and we look forward to their comments. We are thrilled that Matt Peterson was not with us, because he would have fallen head over heels for these beautiful, lovely, articulate, friendly young women. We could not have made better friends.
We have so much more to add and post, but our internet connection has been a bit challenging. We are journaling and observing and collecting thoughts and anecdotes like crazy. This is an amazing country and we can wait until we have the opportunity to consistently blog. Upon our return, we will, of course, embed a variety of videos, pictures, observations, information, etc. about our trip.
Thank you so much to everyone who has visited our site, and our grateful thanks to those awesome folks we interviewed all over Dublin and the surrounding areas.
Thank you Fund For Teachers!
For those of you who were expecting promised emails, we are doing our very best, but can not seem to get access. Please be patient as we continue to look for a connection to our email.
We love all your comments!!!!!!!
Bri, Kim, Bea and Craig :0)
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Wow!
Well we made it! We arrived in Dublin after many, many hours of chaotic travel. The air travel was a unique experience. The cramped quarters made for a rough ride. I managed to break my seat during the flight from Dallas to New York--- Yikes! They certainly do not make planes in my size!
Speaking of extra-large------ We will need to post a picture of Kim's bag. I feel very sure that she secretly smuggled Pat into the country via her extra large luggage. I can't tell you all how much fun we had once we were assigned a room on the third floor. After it was hauled up the broken escalators at JFK, as we were boarding the bus from the airport, the porter (bus driver)
looked at our Mrs. Piper and exclaimed:
Jaaaaaazzzzzuuuusss Chriiiiiiist (Dublin for Jesus Christ) woman! You need to pack smaller knickers ------ or don't pack any knickers at all!
Although our bus driver did not qualify as a poet laureate, his sentiment was indeed, shared by all!
We are running (by running I mean slowly and lazily) making our way back to the hotel for some much needed sleep! We will all post again very soon!
Bri
Speaking of extra-large------ We will need to post a picture of Kim's bag. I feel very sure that she secretly smuggled Pat into the country via her extra large luggage. I can't tell you all how much fun we had once we were assigned a room on the third floor. After it was hauled up the broken escalators at JFK, as we were boarding the bus from the airport, the porter (bus driver)
looked at our Mrs. Piper and exclaimed:
Jaaaaaazzzzzuuuusss Chriiiiiiist (Dublin for Jesus Christ) woman! You need to pack smaller knickers ------ or don't pack any knickers at all!
Although our bus driver did not qualify as a poet laureate, his sentiment was indeed, shared by all!
We are running (by running I mean slowly and lazily) making our way back to the hotel for some much needed sleep! We will all post again very soon!
Bri
Guidebooks lie!
So, three months of planning (or at least two) doesn't exactly come to naught, but is seriously hampered by changes on the ground. Of course, anyone with experience will tell you that no plan survives first contact with reality. Leaving JFK at basically midnight meant we didn't arrive here until 11 or 12 today. The only things that survived from the original plan for today were checking in at the hotel and the first event of the Writer's Festival. We didn't make the Codex Leicester because that's when we finally got to the hotel to drop off our bags - by the way, I don't know if anyone told you, but it rains in Ireland. Often. We were soaking wet, lost (street signs would really help the tourists!), and tired by the time we found the hotel and heading right out on that rather ambitious itinerary was not going to happen. Instead, we got cleaned up, went downstairs to the pub for a celebratory moment and then headed out to find something to eat at the best fish 'n chips place in Dublin - which has moved. We ended up eating decent fish in a restaurant close to the Project Arts Center where most of the festival events will occur. Tomorrow, there is very little in the festival that we think will advance our understanding (depressing stuff about war or cancelled events), so we're going to truncate the itinerary from today and tomorrow and go full-blown tourist.
As far the festival, after one event, this science teacher feels much smarter after hanging for just an hour with all this erudite literature types. More later, including video once we find a working hotspot where we can work in piece. All this posting comes from the Chat'R'Net cafe down in Temple Bar (3 Euro an hour - not too bad!)
As far the festival, after one event, this science teacher feels much smarter after hanging for just an hour with all this erudite literature types. More later, including video once we find a working hotspot where we can work in piece. All this posting comes from the Chat'R'Net cafe down in Temple Bar (3 Euro an hour - not too bad!)
We are here
It is 19:38 local time--that translates to 7:38 in Dublin and it is 1:38 at home. We have been awake for about 36 hours--coherence is fleeting. The tripwas delayed 5 hours so our first day was essentially cut in half. JFK airport was a complete nightmare, but thanks to Kim Piper's tenacity we made our check in time just barely so we could wait 3 hours for our delayed Dublin flight.
We just went to our first Writer's festival event--it was a reading and discussion with the authors Rose Tremain and Gerard Donovan--amazing to hear to authours speak of their craft. The discussions on language were exciting, but I'm a nerd.
Tomorrow will be vast explorations of the Dublins past. We are at an internet caft--really cool! Hopefully tomorrow we will blog from a free Wi-Fi spot.
I'm so tired that it's now retyping as much as typing so I'll sign off.
Take care all!
We just went to our first Writer's festival event--it was a reading and discussion with the authors Rose Tremain and Gerard Donovan--amazing to hear to authours speak of their craft. The discussions on language were exciting, but I'm a nerd.
Tomorrow will be vast explorations of the Dublins past. We are at an internet caft--really cool! Hopefully tomorrow we will blog from a free Wi-Fi spot.
I'm so tired that it's now retyping as much as typing so I'll sign off.
Take care all!
Monday, June 11, 2007
tick, tick, tick,tick....
So, here it is. We are hours away ffom our FFT trip. I spent all day yesterday waiting on planes to come home from the AP reading (7 days of reading AP essays--Fun!) and I'm just tired! but, I'll sleep on the plane tomorrow because I'm goin' to Ireland! Everyone is set, the bags are almost packed, and this time tomorrow we will be at Tulsa International Airport standing in line to check bags.
Much to do and miles to go before I sleep.
The next post will probably be once the travels have begun!
Slainte!
Much to do and miles to go before I sleep.
The next post will probably be once the travels have begun!
Slainte!
Sunday, June 10, 2007
2 nights and counting!
Hello Everyone~
It is Sunday night at 10:00 p.m., and I am getting so excited! Everyone finally has a passport, so it looks like we are all good to go. It feels like such a dream. I still can't believe Fund for Teachers bestowed this amazing grant on us (thank you, thank you)!
My husband (Pat), son (Quinn) and his girlfriend (Julia) all went to Barnes and Noble today so that I could stock up on some good books for the long plane ride. I picked up a coffee table book on Ireland and browsed the beautiful pages. That is when it suddenly hit me--I'll be standing in some of these very places in just a little more than two days! I can't wait to experience this trip of a lifetime with my three good friends who are not only amazing educators, but people truly committed to enriching the lives of our students at Will Rogers High School. I have no idea how this crazy adventure will turn out (especially with our diverse and live out loud personalities) but I know that it will be a "spot of time" memory for me.
Let the Adventure begin~
Kim :0)
It is Sunday night at 10:00 p.m., and I am getting so excited! Everyone finally has a passport, so it looks like we are all good to go. It feels like such a dream. I still can't believe Fund for Teachers bestowed this amazing grant on us (thank you, thank you)!
My husband (Pat), son (Quinn) and his girlfriend (Julia) all went to Barnes and Noble today so that I could stock up on some good books for the long plane ride. I picked up a coffee table book on Ireland and browsed the beautiful pages. That is when it suddenly hit me--I'll be standing in some of these very places in just a little more than two days! I can't wait to experience this trip of a lifetime with my three good friends who are not only amazing educators, but people truly committed to enriching the lives of our students at Will Rogers High School. I have no idea how this crazy adventure will turn out (especially with our diverse and live out loud personalities) but I know that it will be a "spot of time" memory for me.
Let the Adventure begin~
Kim :0)
The Circle is Complete
I forgot to post this yesterday! Received a phone call from Brian in Houston with his new passport in hand! We are ready! Passports, tickets, hotel reservations, itinerary. In 72 hours, we should be sitting at the Gravity Bar atop the Guinness StoreHouse, discussing how much of the itinerary we want to throw out the window in favor of things we've found that better fulfill the obligations of the grant.
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
Itinerary
It's subject to change, of course, but this is our itinerary as of this moment: Ireland Itinerary
I created this document on Google Docs and I'm still learning how to do everything, but a nice feature of Google Docs is that any document can be a collaborative effort. I'm hoping to explore the full capabilities of this over the next few months.
I created this document on Google Docs and I'm still learning how to do everything, but a nice feature of Google Docs is that any document can be a collaborative effort. I'm hoping to explore the full capabilities of this over the next few months.
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
Monday, June 4, 2007
Updates
We leave in a week. Kim has her passport, Brian has found his damaged but still valid passport, Bea and Craig are waiting with bated breath. Craig is still confident - he has faxed off itineraries to Senator Inhofe and a number he found that is supposed to be the passport agency.
Now we're looking at the rail trip from Dublin to Limerick. We will be taking a late train - we just have to decide how late and if we're going to buy standard tickets or go first class for a few dollars more. We changed the hotel we're staying at in Limerick - our original choice could not accommodate us for the extra night and we found some very recent, very negative reviews of their facility on Trip Advisor. The place we really wanted to stay was Hanratty's (Che Guevara, among others, stayed there) but we couldn't book them online. We're all just a little too old to risk nothing being available, so we found a neat little place that was recently converted from a pub to a hotel. It has the advantage of us having our own rooms - something we will not have in Dublin.
Shortly (once the passport situation is resolved), we will post the itineraries for each day of the trip. We will also begin posting videos of the trip - the first one will probably be as we gather at the Tulsa International Airport.
Now we're looking at the rail trip from Dublin to Limerick. We will be taking a late train - we just have to decide how late and if we're going to buy standard tickets or go first class for a few dollars more. We changed the hotel we're staying at in Limerick - our original choice could not accommodate us for the extra night and we found some very recent, very negative reviews of their facility on Trip Advisor. The place we really wanted to stay was Hanratty's (Che Guevara, among others, stayed there) but we couldn't book them online. We're all just a little too old to risk nothing being available, so we found a neat little place that was recently converted from a pub to a hotel. It has the advantage of us having our own rooms - something we will not have in Dublin.
Shortly (once the passport situation is resolved), we will post the itineraries for each day of the trip. We will also begin posting videos of the trip - the first one will probably be as we gather at the Tulsa International Airport.
Monday, May 28, 2007
waiting ......
Three days of classes, a teacher workday, and then only 11 days to Ireland! Hopefully we will get our passports without having to travel to a passport agency. We applied in mid-March--but the news is full of reports that it is taking longer than expected. Tomorrow will be 10 weeks--and we start the phone calls.
Other than stress on waiting for passports, we are just about ready. the Dublin Writer's Festival has finally posted the program online so we have a good idea of what we want to go and see and hear, but our trip itinerary has changed so we can be in Dublin on Sunday as well--too many good things to experience. We will not be going to Galway as planned, and I'm bummed because of that, but now we will spend the 13th -the 17th in Dublin, take the late train to Limerick, and spend the entire day the 18th in Limerick--we fly home the morning of the 19th. Too short, too short! The trip will be packed!
Still much to plan, and we need to get Brian and Kim blogging as well--so, for now, adieu!
Other than stress on waiting for passports, we are just about ready. the Dublin Writer's Festival has finally posted the program online so we have a good idea of what we want to go and see and hear, but our trip itinerary has changed so we can be in Dublin on Sunday as well--too many good things to experience. We will not be going to Galway as planned, and I'm bummed because of that, but now we will spend the 13th -the 17th in Dublin, take the late train to Limerick, and spend the entire day the 18th in Limerick--we fly home the morning of the 19th. Too short, too short! The trip will be packed!
Still much to plan, and we need to get Brian and Kim blogging as well--so, for now, adieu!
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Final Days
The trip is almost upon us. Some plans have changed - the Dublin Writer's Festival finally put out their schedule, and some of the more interesting sessions are on Sunday, so Galway has been cut out of the trip. That's OK, though, since the main purpose of Galway was to experience the internet cafe culture and it looks like we'll get plenty of that in Dublin. Instead, we're planning on staying an extra night in Limerick so we can have a full day to explore the city. Limerick has a very current literary connection because of Angela's Ashes and Frank McCourt and we have plans to take a walking tour of the locations associated with the book.
Other than that, we're simply waiting on passports and making final purchases (walking shoes!) before school is out.
Other than that, we're simply waiting on passports and making final purchases (walking shoes!) before school is out.
Thursday, May 3, 2007
On our way.......
The Fund For Teachers orientation was great. We met several other fellows and spoke with them. The wonderful thing about Fund For Teachers is the diversity of the fellows. We met people who are travling to England, Colorado, China, and Italy. It really is wonderful to see how many educators are working so hard to improve their classrooms and their schools.
My Team is wonderful as well. It's amazing how many people know Brian! He is what Malcom Gladwell would call a "connector" He has the ability to connect with just about anyone. Kim is amazing in her ability to talk to just about anyone. Her excitment and joie de vivre spill over and are infectious to anyone around her. She and Brian are going to be the people magnets at the festival! I love working with these two people--they are so gregarious and fun to be around. I don't know what we'd do without Craig. He's not a part of our grant team, but when he decided to come along, all of our tech worries were suddenly less. I'm lucky to have him as not just a husband, but as a techie geek too--I love him!
We have our technology (how exciting!) and Craig has set up the laptop. He stripped off all of the bloatware and set it up so all of the team members are users. We decided against using MS Office and are using Google Docs instead--it's free and compatible with Word, so we can just copy and past anything that needs to be in a Word format.
The camera is really cool. It's small, lightweight, and as seen on Craig's video, pretty darn clear and user friendly.
Overall, things are well on their way! We're planning on meeting next week to discuss particulars and such--only 5 & 1/2 weeks to go!
My Team is wonderful as well. It's amazing how many people know Brian! He is what Malcom Gladwell would call a "connector" He has the ability to connect with just about anyone. Kim is amazing in her ability to talk to just about anyone. Her excitment and joie de vivre spill over and are infectious to anyone around her. She and Brian are going to be the people magnets at the festival! I love working with these two people--they are so gregarious and fun to be around. I don't know what we'd do without Craig. He's not a part of our grant team, but when he decided to come along, all of our tech worries were suddenly less. I'm lucky to have him as not just a husband, but as a techie geek too--I love him!
We have our technology (how exciting!) and Craig has set up the laptop. He stripped off all of the bloatware and set it up so all of the team members are users. We decided against using MS Office and are using Google Docs instead--it's free and compatible with Word, so we can just copy and past anything that needs to be in a Word format.
The camera is really cool. It's small, lightweight, and as seen on Craig's video, pretty darn clear and user friendly.
Overall, things are well on their way! We're planning on meeting next week to discuss particulars and such--only 5 & 1/2 weeks to go!
The New Camera
Bea playing with the camera zoom while asking Craig his opinions on the new technology.
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Friday, April 27, 2007
Things are getting started!
We meet with the FFT people next week for orientation--how exciting!!!!!
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