And the Seasons, They Go Round and Round

From when I first graduated from Miami University, I moved every year for three years (Switzerland, Denver, Switzerland). After all that moving around, I have finally settled somewhere for 2 (going on three) years in a row. There are a few things I've noticed about being in the same place for more than year. The biggest thing I've noticed is that you look forward to the seasonal things that happen in your area. You also can see the seasons change. As we move from summer into fall, many of the restaurants and stalls near the lake shut down. Not long after that all the fountains turn off. Then the cold really sets in and there are all sorts of great things. Time for hot chocolate and snuggles and skiing. Here are just a few things on my list for the next few months.

October - changing leaves, absolutely beautiful! Parents visiting and school half term


November - Marathon time! Not too hot, not too cold, perfect weather for running


December - Christmas market, snowboarding, visiting family


January - hot air balloon in Chateaux D'oex


February - Ski week half term


The list goes on...

Here we are, September 23rd - the second official day of autumn. And even as I enjoy each day here - the running, the bike rides, hiking, camping, drinking, walking, and mostly working - I look forward to the next. I like that the seasons change, and that I know what's coming. I appreciate that there are a million things happening here in Switzerland, and there is always something to do. I look back on all my years in seasonless California, and I see that it is a lot harder to gage time. One day looks pretty much like the next, and the only thing that reminds you of the change is the slightly (very slightly) colder weather and the holidays. Here I change over my wardrobe twice per year. I pack up those summer things away and bring out my warm shirts and coats and socks. I start making soups the minute there is a chill in the air. I even bought butternut squash in anticipation of all the soups/stews I will soon be able to make! The season changes in Ohio were there, but I were so focused on working and studying that I barely noticed. It's such a nice little rhythm, with something good always just ahead.

Another New Year

Normal people think of the New Year as January 1st. They get excited for a fresh start and more new adventures. Teachers have their schedules a little different. For me, the first day of the new year is the first day of school. I think of years as school years (August-June) with July just known as vacation. When I talk to people about "Next Year", I often really just mean next school year. It's one of those things that I'm not sure I'll ever change unless I stop being a teacher.

So I have begun a new school year, my second full year at College Champittet. Being the overenthusiastic person that I am, I have said yes to every class that was offered to me. This means I am teaching (take a deep breath) first grade art, third grade English, science, history, and art, fourth grade English and art, fifth grade English, biology and geography. Oh, and in my free time? Teaching drama and gymnastics after school, and tutoring 4 children. Did I mention I was awarded the position of the head of the English primary department? Let's just add that to the list too.

In the run up to school, I had many little anxiety attacks, which l kept wondering how the HECK I was going to do everything. I sat up through the night trying to plan everything, and my 4 weeks that I was in Switzerland this summer I spent at school planning, copying, organizing, etc. The days before school were even more stressful as we had two teacher training days that were completely useless and completely in French. All I could do was make lists in my notebook of everything that needed to get done and sit there thinking of how behind I was.

Well now I've made it through the first full week of the new year and I can happily say that the anxiety attacks have slowed down. I haven't really started all my tutoring and activities, and the students haven't turned in any homework, but it's going well. To be honest, I actually forgot how much I really love teaching and how cool the kids I teach really are. I love every class I teach (except the 5A class, I could do without them). I'm still learning some names, but we are having a great time overall. I love that I am getting experience across the grades and subjects. I love the opportunity to take a leadership position in my school. I love being able to work with students outside of class time to help them become stronger in other parts of their life. I enjoy my time with the very international staff members who come from all corners of the world with all different perspectives. I still get frustrated in meetings that are all French and everyone is talking over each other and I can't understand anything. Oh well, you can't have everything.

So now Paul and I look forward to next year (school year that is), and we aren't sure what we want to do. Stay here another year and have a crazy, hectic year of more experience and stress? Go somewhere else and hope for my own classroom and a bit more calm? It's too early to tell now, but it's something to think about. Until then, I'm going to settle into a routine and hope I find a few free minutes to train for my marathon, finish my graduate course, make dinner, and sleep.