parents, ireland

the whole group at dinner in ireland

fam in temple bar

My parents came to Cambridge for 3 days and it was so wonderful to have them here. I was sad to really only spend the nights with them because of school during the day, but it was fun anyway. We went punting with the whole group on Thursday, and that was really fun and a good way to see parts of Cambridge that we haven't gotten to see yet. They came to my school but unfortunately it was while we were having a fire drill so it was a very chaotic time. They did get to see the kids and meet my teacher and the head teacher though.

The Englands got here on Thursday and then we all flew to Dublin on Friday. It was great. Friday night we ate at a restaurant and a choir from Norway was there and sang us lots of songs. We took a bus tour around Dublin on Saturday, went to the worst castle ever (I have seen houses bigger than this castle!), saw St. Patrick's Cathedral, did a little shopping, and went out to dinner. Sunday morning we went to Mass and Starbucks and flew back to Cambridge. I loved the laid-back attitude of the Irish, and it was a great weekend. It was so so good to spend time with the families and have that piece of home with us.

Now back to teaching!

amsterdam, may ball, school

Amsterdam -- we went to Amsterdam last Saturday morning (reeeallly early) and went to the Van Gogh Museum and the Anne Frank House, had dinner, watched a movie, and flew back Sunday morning. The Van Gogh Museum was soooo wonderful! I love all of the bright colors and you can see the detail in each painting and the way his brush strokes make it really look like it is moving. Love it. The Anne Frank House was so moving. It was unreal to be in the place, the EXACT place, where she lived. To stand in her bedroom and see the magazine pictures she had put up on the wall to decorate it, it is an indescribable feeling. Her story is so powerful and you can really feel her as you walk around the house. I can't imagine the constant fear they all must have felt. And what deep, deep feelings Anne expressed in her diary at such a young age. It was a truly memorable experience.

Homerton May Ball -- this weekend was the big formal ball at our college. Everyone gets all dressed up and you are supposed to stay until 5:00 am. We left about 3:30. there is music all night, dancing, unlimited food and drinks. There were bumper cars! It was very fun.

School -- I'm solo teaching in two weeks!!! what?! Crazy. It's crazy that we are halfway through. I can't believe it. I really love my students and I am constantly amazed at how much they have to offer and how much I can learn from them. I know I am supposed to be there to teach them, but they teach me so much - about finding joy in small things, about persevering in the midst of awful situations that they don't deserve. I am so thankful for the school and the class that I have been given. I love becoming more involved with them and their lives.

My parents are coming on Tuesday!!! I can't wait! I am so excited. I just want to hug them.

italy!

lauryn and ashley in venice

on top of the Duomo in Florence

this is beautiful venice, lots of water

after 10 days in italy i'm not sure how to summarize, but i will try.

LONDON (5.25)

spent the night in London, had an amazing dinner with faith!

ROME (5.26-5.29)

big, overwhelming at first. love all the beautiful churches everywhere!

St. Peter's -- amazing, saw the pope!

Sistine Chapel -- 2 hour long "queue" but ridiculous when we got there. HOW did he do that?!

Spanish Steps -- one of my favorites, i loved all the artists around, and it was a beautiful view of the city.

Pantheon

Trevi Fountain -- just like lizzie maguire. so fun

Father Baker -- English Mass at the Angelicum was so cool!

Colosseum -- big, old

Maria Maggiore

*** I enjoyed Rome and the spirit and history of the city. Lots of gelato and pizza/pasta.

FLORENCE (5.29-6.1)

Ponte Vecchio -- shopping (lots of leather, jewelry, etc)

tried to see David, but the line was three hours long! we decided McDonald's was a better choice.

Pitti Palace reminds me of Pitty!

Duomo -- tons of steps (like 400something) but pretty view at the top!

LAURYN'S BIRTHDAY -- we had a nice dinner etc on our last night in Florence

VENICE (6.1-6.3)

shopped around in a market (fresh fruit!)

Guggenheim Museum -- had some Picasso

San Marco -- Italian Mass

met up with Ashley's friend from high school and had a lovely dinner the last night.

Italy was quite an experience!

I read Stellaluna with my students today -- about how we are all different but we're all friends, and that's true -- Italy, America, England, etc -- all very different, but we can all still be friends! and I'm glad for that! It's good to be back in Cambridge and get more things started at school.