Wow. Today half of the class gave presentations in our Equality and Diversity class. I always think that this course is even more amazing because of the diversity within our class. Everyone brings a different perspective to the course. Needless to say, the presentations were all unbelievable. We basically had to come up with a project to address issues of equality and diversity in our home countries. I hope that some of us will have the opportunity to implement their plan when we go back home next year.

My presentation was today as well. I talked about the importance of infusing the curriculum with diversity on a daily basis so that diversity can be the norm. I focused on bringing in books to provide children with new perspectives. And of course having conversations about these books. Somehow everything seems to be connected to the Book Club project I had with my coworkers at the daycare.

I always walk up the stairs to the classroom at the University.

Well, not always, because today we took the elevator. One of our professors joint us on the first floor and we ended up talking about how this elevator tends to get stuck when too many people are piled up inside. No need to worry for us, there were just three of us. And then the elevator stopped. The lights went off and that was that. Yikes. I imagined the worst, but you can see that I’m still alive.

After 2 1/2 weeks in Germany I am now back in Dublin for the last stretch.

The pocket knife that Laurence gave me a while ago gave me some difficulties at the airport… (I left it in my backpack. Oups. And no one said anything on my way to Hamburg). The guy at the security check gave me some options and I thought that checking in my luggage might be the best. When I found out how much they wanted to charge I went back through the security check FAR FAR AWAY from the guy that would recognize me. This other guy also found the pocket knife but let me get away with a warning. Phew.

I had a fantastic time in Germany. I ate enough cake for the next year, because everyone wanted to take care of me. Karin made this pirate cake:

I almost forgot that the Germans decorate their trees with Easter eggs.

I’ve taken my 13 week running program on the road. This morning I went to the seawall in Bremen, which is at least 10times nicer than the treadmill at the gym.

Ahhhhh. It’s so nice to be back.

The meeting with my instructor today was quite short, but fruitful nevertheless. She helped me clarify some ideas and we identified my research aim and some objectives. I think.

I am not quite ready to put it all into words, but I can say that my proposed research is influenced by the book Releasing the Imagination by Maxine Greene. This is the book I read at work with my coworkers. You all know how much I loved the book club, even though it was quite challenging at times. I still miss getting together to share our thoughts about education. Anyways, Maxine would argue that schools should be a place where all students have a voice.

This connects to You Can’t Say You Can’t Play Vivian Paley. One of my favorites for sure. She implements the rule “You Can’t Say You Can’t Play” in her kindergarten classroom after discussing with the children whether this rule could work or not. The children that get rejected the most were in favor of the new rule and the kids that did most of the rejecting thought it was crazy. The classroom being a public space (unlike your home where you can choose who you want to hang out with) I think that this rule could help all children develop a sense of belonging.

Now I just have to connect my ideas and write up the research proposal. Piece of cake.

I am leaving for Germany tomorrow morning! I will be in Bremen for the first few days and then my dad will come pick me up and I will spend some days in Hamburg before driving down to Paderborn to see the rest of my family. I am so excited.

I am getting just a little stressed now, because I’m only bringing a backpack. I have to figure out which readings & notes I need in order to prepare my projects for school. I have 2 assignments due when I get back from Germany… And clothes of course. But Kerstin will be able to give me something to wear.

These last few days I’ve been working on my research proposal that’s due in a month. The problem is that most of that month I will be spending in Germany (I anticipate many distractions!)!!! So, on Thursday this week I will be meeting with my Research Methodology instructor. I hope she can help me clarify my ideas.

Yesterday I went to Evan and Ainsley’s yard sale. It was hilarious.
Thanks to skype for making it possible.