"If you're not prepared to be wrong, you'll never come up with anything original"

I love that my school and the montessori philosophy (at least in my mind) caters to the creativity that is inherent in all children. They are given the freedom to make their own choices and consequently their own mistakes without judgement or interference (unless they are about to make the mistake of licking scissors or eating soap, then I may have to step in a little). When asked "Miss Abby can I do it this way?" it's so excellent to be able to say "yes friend! PLEASE do whatever you think is best and we will see what happens or what you are able to create". And what they come up with and the connections they make and the independence and confidence that they gain more often then not leaves me speechless.

Grateful November.

1. Three year old giggles 2. Strong, smart, inspirational women at work 3. Beer, burgers and sorta kinda watching football on a Friday night 4. Slowly learning to slow down 5. Finding excitement in the future while enjoying the present

“One way to get the most out of life is to look upon it as an adventure.” — William Feather

I feel lucky. I have had my fair share of grand adventures. I have lived on two different continents other then North America over the last three years and visited many more in between. I have made memories that will last a lifetime but will forever seem like a distant daydream. Christmas on the eiffel tower? Sunsets on seemingly deserted Australian beaches? Teaching English to a class of adoring Korean children with smiling faces and big hearts? Yeah right. These are things to remember. And to love. And to share. And to learn from. I have realized that I am a mover. An adventurer. A gypsy soul. But while travel by definition is pretty much always an adventure I am learning that I am currently embarking on what could be the greatest adventure of all. Living a life that I will not soon have to leave. Making connections with people that I will not soon say goodbye to. Gaining experience that will lead to something tangible in the future. Setting up a home that is truly mine, and not only where I stay in passing.

And I am excited.

Preschool Life Lessons

"This slide keeps sliding me DOWN!"

"Hey Miss Abby! I can see through your eyes"

"Oh yeah, what did you see?"

"Your brain. It's full of green stuff and air."

IT'S FESTIVAL SEASON

There are some INCREDIBLE music festivals floating around Australia this Summer. Last month we went to one called Stereosonic, which was pretty much just a bunch of DJs going crazy in the sun. Overall loads of fun. This Saturday we are going to SummaDayze to see NERD and David Guetta. CAN'T WAIT. Australians don't mess around with their music festivals. Especially for guys. It takes ages to get their hair fluffy enough, their singlets just the right about of revealing, their cut offs perfectly frayed and to find the right floro sunnies. Here is a video to help you understand:

"Happy Christmas, I tink it's turty-nine out teday"

Christmas in Australia was unlike any other Christmas I have ever had. While I spent Christmas away from home last year (Paris), it was in a new city to me and it was cold. This year not only were we in our "home" city for the time being, but it was extremely, sweat drippingly, can't move because I might melt, hot. We had a few invitations for the big day, but ended up spending our Australian Christmas with a few Irish friends celebrating, drinking and eating a huge 'traditional' Irish dinner.

We were invited to Irish Christmas by our friend Crazy (his name is really Cathal, which sounds like an Irish version of 'Karl', but we can't seem to say it right ever), who promised that the beer would be cold and our tummies would be stuffed. It was an offer we couldn't refuse and on Christmas morning we found ourselves packing a taxi with a case of TEDs (toohey's extra dry beer...sorta like miller i guess), sugar cookies, and Allie's delicious spinach artichoke dip. OH! and a chocolate cake for Jesus' birthday in accordance with one of Allie's family traditions. We arrived at Crazy's friend Stevie's house to find a sweet dog, a new wii to play with, a ton of food/beer, and an overall relaxing atmosphere.

Christmas day followed pretty much the same pattern as it does at home, eat, drink, play with new toys, but with a few additions like suntan, swim and sit outside till 1 am. The dinner was absolutely delicious and very much like our Thanksgiving dinner: Turkey, roasted veggies, mashed potatoes and gravy, and some very tasty pork. Everyone seemed to enjoy the birthday cake even though we didn't get a chance to sing Jesus "Happy Birthday". It was so so so nice to actually sit around a big table and eat a big meal with an group of other Christmas orphans.

After dinner we goofed around the pool, and eventually ended up playing an epic game of KINGS. One of the BEST parts of the evening festivities was when the absolutely wonderful hosts brought out a plate of freshly fried up chips and spring rolls. Drunchies satisfied without evening leaving the house! This is definitely something I need to remember to do for future parties that I throw.