Good, old days?

Last week we visited Blåfarveværket. The place oozes of the "good, old days".

Well, definitely old days, but maybe not all good, because between the lines we could sense the hardship of mining, and when looking more closely, it wasn't all that great.

When looking back on my own life, I can recall the "good, old days". But when looking closer, it wasn't all that great. Some things were good, others weren't. That's life.

And it continues that way; Some good and some not so good. So I make a deliberate choice to bring with me the good memories (mostly) and to focus on the good things at present (mostly). Biased view on life? Yes. And I enjoy it.

Peace and quiet

Maybe it is an age thing, but I really enjoy the peace and quiet of Røyse. Walking the dog, or just go for a walk on my own; Listening to the silence - and the birds and the bees; Enjoying the flowers next to the path, and the view from the dirt road leading up to our house.

Knowing that I will soon be far, far away from all of this, I sometimes ask myself if I am crazy - leaving the "best place on earth". But I know that I can enjoy it here, and still move on. I believe I can find various forms of peace and quiet wherever I go - if I take the time to sense it.

What did I learn in school?

It was my last day as a teacher at Tyrifjord Videregående Skole today, and I asked my students what they felt was the most significant thing they had learned in class during this last year. The answers varied: Increased cultural understanding; communication; methodology; how to do reasearch; socialisation... And given the fact that the class was in Sociology ans Social Anthropology, the answers made much sense.

But what about me? What did I learn this school year? What has been the most significant thing I have learned?

I have learned a lot this year. Both about the subject itself, interaction and my own role as a teacher. But most of all I have learned that being a teacher and investing time and energy in young people is increadibly rewarding. The students questions, reflections and challenges keep me alive, and bring me hope, both for their lives and for my own. - I owe a lot to my students!

(PS. The picture is from Ethipia and taken by Frank Spangler)

California here I come!

I am back in Southern California! Even if it is just for a few days, it is worth the looooong flight. I love to pick oranges directly from the threes and to shop at Trader Joe's. And most of all I love to meet with friends and family. The irony of it is of course that I mostly meet with other Scandinavians.