I don't like travelling as much as I used to. As we flew into Newark, in an extremely bumpy landing, I found myself relieved (as I emptied the contents of my stomach into the nicely supplied bag) that the Hudson river was close enough to land in. How sad!
I was glad of the few hours between flights as I really didn't want to get onto a plane again, or rather my stomach didn't. The flight to Jacksonville was fine, though my stomach objected to the landing even after 5 hours of settling.
Monday was an interesting day as I spent it learning about the new system we are installing worldwide in HR. It went live here on 1st January, and they have had some "interesting" experiences that we need to avoid when we go live on 1st July. I wonder whether I will get summer holidays!
I'm in a different hotel from the one I was in on previous occasions. My bedroom overlooks a pleasant small lake, and there is a lovely big window to view it from, with a large desk to work on. It's 5.15am here and I've been awake for over an hour, so jet lag rules OK! Don't worry - I'll have got into the routine for here by Friday, when I then have to head home.
I went to the nearby shopping mall on Monday evening. It is very expensive and there were no sales on, so I didn't buy anything. Last night we had a group dinner, but tonight I might see if I can go to a normal shopping place. I perhaps need to keep reminding myself that my euro buys 1.28 dollars, but I am surprised at the prices all the same.
Yesterday morning I enjoyed watching CNN's reporting of Obama's first press conference. The commentators all declare for a particular political persuasion, so everything is coloured prior to them opening their mouths. I've found it is acceptable here to say that I like Obama, whereas I used to feel that it was prudent to keep my mouth shut on anything political. I still tread with caution, only saying something if asked directly.
Anyway, that's it for the moment.
Wednesday 11 February 2009
Saturday 7 February 2009
and..
I forgot to mention that I planted garlic today. It is supposed to need some frost in the ground before it sets properly, so hopefully it will spring up with the coming summer weather.
Sun, and all that
It is absolutely beautiful out today. It's very cold away from the sun, but the skies are clear and there is no wind.
I attempted to light a bonfire this morning as I have a pile of old raspberry canes in the veggie garden. It wasn't successful as they are still too wet, but I enjoyed just trying to get it started and hanging around watching the flames that did come out of it. I also went for a walk with the dogs, passing pleasanteries with other walkers who were also enjoying the day.
We have rats in the compost heap, which is not very nice. I bought lots of poison last Sunday and we are waiting to see whether it has been successful. They seem to have been attracted by the bird seed that was falling onto the compost, so we've moved the bird food back onto the patio area where the dogs might act as ratters if they appear.
Did I tell you about my visit to Ballymaloe? Well, I've been given a present of a wine appreciation course in Ballymaloe House. It is the weekend after next. It starts with a dinner and wine on Friday evening. The course itself is on the Saturday, followed by dinner again on Saturday evening. It finishes after breakfast on Sunday. I'm invited on my own, so b will stay at home with the dogs, and that is the only down side of it. He has encouraged me to go, so I'm determined to relax and enjoy it.
I attempted to light a bonfire this morning as I have a pile of old raspberry canes in the veggie garden. It wasn't successful as they are still too wet, but I enjoyed just trying to get it started and hanging around watching the flames that did come out of it. I also went for a walk with the dogs, passing pleasanteries with other walkers who were also enjoying the day.
We have rats in the compost heap, which is not very nice. I bought lots of poison last Sunday and we are waiting to see whether it has been successful. They seem to have been attracted by the bird seed that was falling onto the compost, so we've moved the bird food back onto the patio area where the dogs might act as ratters if they appear.
Did I tell you about my visit to Ballymaloe? Well, I've been given a present of a wine appreciation course in Ballymaloe House. It is the weekend after next. It starts with a dinner and wine on Friday evening. The course itself is on the Saturday, followed by dinner again on Saturday evening. It finishes after breakfast on Sunday. I'm invited on my own, so b will stay at home with the dogs, and that is the only down side of it. He has encouraged me to go, so I'm determined to relax and enjoy it.
Thursday 5 February 2009
It's official
Newtown Letter, sent out today.
Dear Students, Staff, Parents and members of the School Community,
I am pleased to announce the appointment by School Committee of Keith Lemon to the position of Principal at Newtown School.
Keith is currently Head of Boys Physical Education and Year Head for Transition Year in Wesley College, Dublin, where he has taught for the past 18 years. During this period he had responsibility for boarder boys for six years in Wesley, and was resident housemaster in The Royal & Prior School, Raphoe for a short while, so is familiar with this aspect of school life. He teaches Physical Education, Religious Education, CSPE and SPHE to the range of year groups in Wesley, and has successfully coached and assisted hockey and rugby teams both in Wesley and elsewhere. He gained his primary degree in Sport and Leisure Studies at University of Ulster and taught at St Andrews College before moving to Wesley. He recently completed a Masters degree in Education (Leadership and Management) with the Open University.
We will also be welcoming Keith’s wife, Lorna, and their two young children, to the community.
Keith will continue to fulfil his current appointment at Wesley College until the end of the school year. In the meantime he will engage in the school community at Newtown, visiting the school and participating in appropriate meetings and events, and working with everyone to ensure a smooth transition to his new role. He looks forward to working full-time here from 1st August.
I’m sure you will join me in welcoming Keith and his family to Newtown. This appointment brings to Newtown an energetic and inspirational leader with the experience and expertise to meet the opportunities and challenges that we face as we move into a new and exciting phase of the development of our school.
Anne Goggin
Chairperson, School Committee
Dear Students, Staff, Parents and members of the School Community,
I am pleased to announce the appointment by School Committee of Keith Lemon to the position of Principal at Newtown School.
Keith is currently Head of Boys Physical Education and Year Head for Transition Year in Wesley College, Dublin, where he has taught for the past 18 years. During this period he had responsibility for boarder boys for six years in Wesley, and was resident housemaster in The Royal & Prior School, Raphoe for a short while, so is familiar with this aspect of school life. He teaches Physical Education, Religious Education, CSPE and SPHE to the range of year groups in Wesley, and has successfully coached and assisted hockey and rugby teams both in Wesley and elsewhere. He gained his primary degree in Sport and Leisure Studies at University of Ulster and taught at St Andrews College before moving to Wesley. He recently completed a Masters degree in Education (Leadership and Management) with the Open University.
We will also be welcoming Keith’s wife, Lorna, and their two young children, to the community.
Keith will continue to fulfil his current appointment at Wesley College until the end of the school year. In the meantime he will engage in the school community at Newtown, visiting the school and participating in appropriate meetings and events, and working with everyone to ensure a smooth transition to his new role. He looks forward to working full-time here from 1st August.
I’m sure you will join me in welcoming Keith and his family to Newtown. This appointment brings to Newtown an energetic and inspirational leader with the experience and expertise to meet the opportunities and challenges that we face as we move into a new and exciting phase of the development of our school.
Anne Goggin
Chairperson, School Committee
Wednesday 4 February 2009
Daffodil time
b bought daffodils at the market last Saturday. They are now in full bloom, spread in various jars around the house. In an otherwise gloomy week, they give some hope of good things to come. Maybe spring will come, and even summer after that...
Saturday 17 January 2009
Poor ol' Goldie
Goldie is miserable today. He is having difficulty walking and is going around panting. He needs to go to a vet, but of course there is no vet open until Monday. b brought all the dogs with him to Enniskillen yesterday, to the opening of the Waterways Ireland new offices. The car journey didn't help, I'd imagine, but he hasn't been in great form for the last couple of weeks.
It's been a really blustery day, with heavy rain showers, so none of us have ventured far outside.
I took an afternoon off work last Tuesday to spread the manure we had acquired over my raspberries. B and I worked hard at it as it had been delivered in a large trailer that had to be returned to its owner. We've either managed to kill the raspberries with the quantity we put on, or we'll have a bumper crop next autumn.
More depressing news has come out on the jobs front. Not content with the loss of 1,900 jobs in Dell and the various announcements from firms supplying them that they are to let go at least as many again, Kostal has now announced that they need 300 volunteers for redundancy. They manufacture components for the luxury end of the car industry, an industry that is a bit dicey at the moment. Anglo-Irish bank has been nationalised - a crazy move, bailing out developers and other friends of the current government. The world has gone mad!
It's been a really blustery day, with heavy rain showers, so none of us have ventured far outside.
I took an afternoon off work last Tuesday to spread the manure we had acquired over my raspberries. B and I worked hard at it as it had been delivered in a large trailer that had to be returned to its owner. We've either managed to kill the raspberries with the quantity we put on, or we'll have a bumper crop next autumn.
More depressing news has come out on the jobs front. Not content with the loss of 1,900 jobs in Dell and the various announcements from firms supplying them that they are to let go at least as many again, Kostal has now announced that they need 300 volunteers for redundancy. They manufacture components for the luxury end of the car industry, an industry that is a bit dicey at the moment. Anglo-Irish bank has been nationalised - a crazy move, bailing out developers and other friends of the current government. The world has gone mad!
Sunday 4 January 2009
Ice cream and sorbet
My ice cream maker has been churning out about one ice cream or sorbet type per day, but I will probably put it away for a while after today. My favourites so far are the champagne sorbet we made on Christmas day, and the melon sorbet (secret ingredient was brandy) I made a couple of days ago. I've also made chocolate ice cream, fruit salad ice cream (with the remains of my fresh fruit salad juices), strawberry ice cream (delicious!), caramel (unsuccessful and had to be thrown out), and kiwi sorbet. I think that's the lot. Today I will make ice cream with pecan nuts. If I could find marscapone in a shop I'd try using it as it would be an interesting substitute for cream. I should also try making it with yoghurt. Hmm, maybe I need to keep the equipment out on the counter for a bit longer...
Yesterday I attended 2 funerals. They were so different, with one having about 1,000 people there, and the other only a couple of dozen people. That is perhaps the right way, as the bigger was for a 16 year old who had died with 2 others in a car accident near Nenagh. The other was for someone who had reached a good age.
Today is the last day of my holidays. Routine starts again tomorrow, with the alarm already set for 7am. It's so cold out that the holiday hasn't been conducive to getting up and doing things around the house, though that isn't really logical as it would get my circulation going. However, as a result I've done lots of reading, and played far too much of shooting bubbles. I am definitely rested, so the return to work is much easier. Given a choice of times to take off work I would go for the summer, but I also think that a break is needed in the winter just so that we can see the light every now and again.
Safe driving to those returning to London today. It looks cold on the weather map.
Yesterday I attended 2 funerals. They were so different, with one having about 1,000 people there, and the other only a couple of dozen people. That is perhaps the right way, as the bigger was for a 16 year old who had died with 2 others in a car accident near Nenagh. The other was for someone who had reached a good age.
Today is the last day of my holidays. Routine starts again tomorrow, with the alarm already set for 7am. It's so cold out that the holiday hasn't been conducive to getting up and doing things around the house, though that isn't really logical as it would get my circulation going. However, as a result I've done lots of reading, and played far too much of shooting bubbles. I am definitely rested, so the return to work is much easier. Given a choice of times to take off work I would go for the summer, but I also think that a break is needed in the winter just so that we can see the light every now and again.
Safe driving to those returning to London today. It looks cold on the weather map.
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