This last week really seemed to fly by- Robbie began working on Monday, August 8th. His first day was spent mainly getting to know the people who currently work there (local staff) and the ins and outs of the school. It is a relatively small school (definitely small in regards to the Kuna Middle School that he is used to)around 140 students ages 3-18 but none the less it takes time getting to know routines and procedures in place. The office staff is very kind and helpful. There is a new office manager this year -replacing the latest one that had been there for 18 years- Asghtik (pronounced- Ash-ter-ik) and Lusine (pronounced Lu-see-ne) who does the finance. They have been exceptional at helping to make the adjustment. Robbie also has a part-time Director of Instruction, Jeremy, who also teaches Secondary English (I believe). He and his family have also been great in helping with the transition.
On Tuesday, the nanny, Asghtik, came for a few hours to get to know the children and for us to get to know her. The kids had a great time playing, Audrianna made necklaces with her and I also was able to leave and go into school for a couple hours to check out my classroom. Robbie also had his first 'fun' meeting with a parent. It's a little different clientele than we are used to but still they are parents wanting whats best for their children. This parent happened to be a Russian parent (translator was used) that wanted his little kid back into the school. He was a behavior problem and the school really doesn't have to let him back in. Catch 22- school gets money for the child, but child can be a problem. They aired on the behavior contract and letting him try again this year. Robbie is great with these types of things and has already shown his expertise in working with parents to solve problems by working through them- BUT he knows things like this need contracts to hold all parties accountable.
Then that night I had to be up by 1am to leave by 2am to get to the airport with our plane departing at 4:30 am. So, I left on Wednesday morning for a new teacher training in Podgorica, Montenegro. We had a layover in Vienna, Austria for a few hours. It brought back lots of my European memories from being in Spain. It is a very nice airport with lots of stores and restaurants. We then departed for Podgorica on a small plane- not my favorite- to a some beautiful country. It was warm, surrounded by mountains but not far from the Mediterranean coast. We had a few hours to spare before the hotel room was ready, so we checked out the mall close to the hotel. I was able to find a few grocery items that I haven't found yet here in Yerevan. I also found a few toys and schoolers for the kids that are WAY cheaper than in Yerevan. Not cheaper than in the states, but I was happy to find them some things to take home. We then spent the next couple of days at the QSI school getting to know the ins and outs of teaching with QSI. They served us lunch and snacks and I filled up for sure. I felt guilty eating knowing that my family may or may not be eating happily. :) We went out to dinner both nights and had a great time getting to know the teachers that will be at my school and getting to know some others in this region that I know I'll see again soon. Friday evening they took us on an adventure towards the coast line. We drove up and over the mountain ranges, took about 2 hours and drove through the town of Budva which is very 'beachy'. The town stretches the coastline that has beach the whole way. It was packed too. A busy tourist town for sure. We made it to Kotor, well know for their Old churches and its medieval fortress up 1,350 steps the side of the mountain.
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| Montenegro Wine |
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| My first meal outside of Yerevan- Austrian Air |
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| Hanging out with teachers from QSI-Y in Vienna |
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| Not my favorite way to fly- small! |
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| I guess if I'm flying a small plane, it better be a 'Fokker' :) |
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| A market close to our hotel in Podgorica |
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| I had to try a Kalimotxo in Podgorica. :) |
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| My morning coffee with a view |
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| One of the newer schools for QSI |
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| Uncle Duane :) |
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| Delicious dinner of kebabs and roasted peppers- I added the fries from another person's plate...I can't get away from them. :) |
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| MERIDIAN. Am I back in ID? |
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| And we start our trip...fun group of people |
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| Driving and taking pictures=motion sickness not fun |
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| But I did it for all of you wanting to see the scenery- pictures don't do justice |
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| The view above Budva the coastal town before Kotor |
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| Driving into Kotor- you can barely see the steps and fortress camouflaged into the rock |
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| again...it's there |
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| Driving into Kotor |
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| right= the fortress we climbed |
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| up high |
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| we are almost to the gate to start our climb |
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| and I'm walking in these because I didn't have any thing else |
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| hard to see with the sunlight but it's at the first 'stop' along the climb overlooking harbor |
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| not quite there yet |
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| more steps |
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| keep climbing- BTW this is Paulette she's 72! |
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| rocky |
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| I might have had a little 'freak' session about this bridge. Don't worry, I walked on the outermost edges-. |
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| Peak-a-Boo |
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| It's just beautiful! |
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| at the top |
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| The Montenegro flag and overlook |
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| wasn't sure but looks like another 'wall' to keep the enemy out |
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| Montenegro |
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| lots of people apparently just hangout up here |
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| long way up, long way down |
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| I loved the view- not sure if you've seen enough yet? :) |
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| I think that yacht is taking me for a ride...I'm almost there don't leave! |
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| dinner menu |
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| I went with the pizza- good choice |
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| view from my hotel room |
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| again from room |
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| streets of Vienna. I think that's Mozart up there... |
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| memorial--forgot of what. oops! |
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| San Stephan church |
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| There were a ton of horse and carriages. I'm sure Robbie will want to take us all on one when we return. |
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| Entrance |
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| and mass was going on...NBD |
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| I love, love, LOVE these beautiful churches |
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| I've decided to take a picture of menu or else I'll never remember the names of where I was |
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| as if I haven't taken enough selfies yet...streets of Vienna |
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| Paulette and I waiting for our Polish Sausage and fries :) |
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| cheers |
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| Yummy! |
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| Werner something sausage- filled with cheese, wrapped with bacon- umm yes it was delicious! |
This is what Google has to say: Kotor is a fortified town on Montenegro’s Adriatic coast, in a bay near the limestone cliffs of Mt. Lovćen. Characterized by winding streets and squares, its medieval old town has several Romanesque churches, including Kotor Cathedral. It's also home to the Maritime Museum, which explores local seafaring history. Sveti Đorđe, one of 2 tiny islands off the ancient town of Perast, features a centuries-old church.
We hiked up to the fortress to witness the most beautiful view. The ocean winding through the bay and the ships on the coast, town nestled up the coast line and the sun shining perfectly down. It was a fun day. Then we capped the evening off with a yummy dinner and wine. I had to get pizza with tomato sauce and mozzarella because I wasn't sure how long I'd go again without having the two on a pizza. If I haven't mentioned yet in Yerevan they often make pizza with ketchup and who knows what kind of cheese. Audrianna said the other night that she really misses our "Pizza Nights". :)
Saturday our flight didn't leave until 3pm so I was able to sleep in a little, a late breakfast and then went and did some shopping for the kids. We then had a 6 hour layover in Vienna and made the best of it by going into the city. Which I was able to scope out for us when we travel to Malta in October. We will also have a layover, but this one will be 13 hours! It is super easy to get into town. A quick jump on their 'Tram' called the CAT and in 16 minutes you're arriving at city central. We didn't explore the city too much since the people I was with had been able to do that already and I wanted to wait and explore with my family. So we did some window shopping, checked out the Cathedral of San Stephenson and then had some lunch. It was a great afternoon. Giving us plenty of time to get back to the airport to fly home. I'm also starting to really like the Duty Free stores. Things like that are much more expensive in Yerevan so I now know it's all about planning the trips around when I'll need cosmetics, toiletries, or even toys etc.
I'm jumping around a bit since I didn't mention that Robbie had his first meeting with US Embassy on Thursday. It went well and was a very positive meeting. I think this year we will see great things at our school. I'm excited to see that relationship grow and know with Robbie leading he'll do AMAZING work! I wish I was home on Thursday as well because Robbie was all dressed up in suit and tie and I'm sure he looked great! I can't believe he didn't take a selfie. :)
The house cleaner also came on Thursday and Robbie said the house looked great. I'm keeping her for sure! She also does the laundry and ironing. She was here all day and I don't know how she does it. I think she'll need to be here twice a week to help off set these messy boys! Plus all of the laundry they go through. The kids seemed to do really well with the nanny. They played lots and were well fed. She's picking up quickly on how to handle them and I know they will be spoiled rotten! Dayton will be starting school next week and will only be with her a little after school, but Preston will really get to reap the benefits.
I made it back home Sunday morning around 5am and was exhausted. I felt like I was going back through jet lag again. Fortunately, my family let me sleep in a little and a nap with the kids in the afternoon I was felling better. The boys loved their new scooters I got them, Audrianna got a new badminton set and they all got candy and treats. I was the 'best mommy ever' for at least a few minutes.
Monday started Robbie's second week of work and I have been able to get into school as well. Having the nanny here full time, I have more time than I've had before to get into my classroom and get some things done. My classroom needed to be set up and I'm finding that I wish I brought more of my things. :) 'Tis life and I'm making the best of it. I'm still getting used to different technology, but overall things are settling in well for us. We've been able to meet a few more families in the neighborhood and are getting invitations for the kids to play. We checked out a different mall on Tuesday and found where we could find more household things. Are latest ideas for us to work out- getting a car and where exactly we will be traveling for Christmas break.
We are currently taking suggestions. :)
Love and miss you all!
