Happenings

Right now, I am preparing for my first teaching interview! I'm slightly nervous, wondering if I will be able to perform well, but at the same time I should think that a girl who has done so many German orals should find an interview in her own language easy enough!

At the same time, I'm considering doing an MA in History with NUI Galway. I have been offered a place by the School of History and, although I was initially firmly against returning to the much-trodden grounds of Áras na Mac Léinn and the Concourse, the idea is slowly growing on me. Any situation really is what you make of it yourself, and I think that if I resolve to act differently myself, set aside silly fears and assumptions and present a friendly, open face to everyone I meet, next year could be the opposite to what last year was. So much goes on inside active, imaginative minds and if I directed some of this 'creative energy' into projects outside of myself, I may find the year more fulfilling. The course itself appeals greatly to me.

Hmm...concerning Norris and Cox, the latest news is good news. Cox did not get the Fine Gael nomination and Norris campaign has suffered a fatal blow with the discovery that he used his position as a Senator to appeal for clemency for his ex-partner who had been charged with child abuse in Israel. The race looks set to lose the Grandpa-figure who is in reality a dangerous individual. These development have been an answer to prayer; it will be exciting to see what God does next.

Next week, I head for Deutschland. Back to Bayern and all it symbolizes. It will be a time of relaxation, thoughtfulness, sight-seeing and visiting. Periods of aloneness will give me time to start thinking about a thesis, which hopefully will have some form of European educational history at its center. It will be without a doubt interesting, and I look greatly forward to it.

The New Year

Happy New Year!

Past memories are poignant and precious; they speak of that other world, where I once fell, the one I face yet still most days. The world where the idealist approaches the brick wall of reality and either crashes into it and falls stunned to the ground, or, receiving a fresh surge of power, it lifts higher and flies above the monstrous concrete structure. This year, O God, may I fly higher.

'There is often conflict between the ideal and the practical, the remote and the immediate; and this conflict presents real problems. As idealists we may live on a different plane and with a different set of standards than the pragmatist. The idealist will, for instance, regard love as a higher broader basis of judgement than sheer retributive justice. He will seek to lay up treasure in heaven rather than upon earth. He will measure values in terms of service to others rather than benefit to self. We need constantly to life our sights above worldly standards - success depends upon the strength of our courage and conviction, upon the clarity with which we see issues.' (A wise person, whose name I never recorded)

I am excited about 2011. I believe it will be a good year - yes, we are sunk middle in a deep depression and the snow and ice are due back next Tuesday evening with temperatures of -6 degrees, but a flame of hope burns within me. It really does.

Motto: 'Go and do thou likewise' (Luke 11)