End of School

June 8th 2013

Happy Anniversary to Kevin and Tania!!  11 years.  

I talk about you (and your story) often while in Brasil.  Many ask how the whole Brasil connection for the family started.  I, of course, give credit to Nora Burns for being the first in our family (of the kids) to travel outside the US and to study in Brasil.  I then mention how MaryEllen Burns just could not go an entire year without seeing her "baby."

Either way I find it ironic funny that I am finishing up my first school year living in Brasilia.  I attended graduation and prom last weekend and finals for our students are almost done.  We have 1 more class day with our middle school students then 2 days of activities.  In about 9 days I will be flying to Europe to begin an awesome summer vacation.

• After 10 months, I still begin many conversations with, " Eu nao falo Portuguese."  Even if the conversation is easier than others, it lowers expectations and normally excuses my poor grammar.
• 10 months ago, I shrugged off the comments about how amazing it was to find peanut butter here.  I didn't even eat peanut butter when I was in the states.  Then one day, a few months ago, I found a jar of it and decided to make Buckeyes*. I have rejoiced anytime someone mentions peanut butter or I find it at a different store.
• 10 months ago, people told me to stock up on items I liked as they might not be available later.  I did not understand this.  However, when you go to the grocery store to purchase something and it is no where to be found - every week for a month - you begin to understand why they said stock up when you can.
• 10 months ago, people told me this year would fly by and I just glared at them. Did they not realize how long just this week was taking forget the month or the whole year. 
•   This year has flown by.  A year ago today I was still teaching class and figuring out the schedule for the upcoming school year at UNO, finals were 2 weeks away, I was still living in Chicago and had only packed 1/3 of what I needed to move- thank you KERRI!!!, I was just beginning to plan when I would say goodbye to friends and how I would do that.

The school year is ending and while I'm excited - every teacher enjoys the summer break - I'm sad as well.  So many people - faculty and students - are leaving and I may never see them again. I try to think positively - we will stay in touch and meet up somewhere cool in the future as well as thinking about the new people coming in and how they will affect my life.

My current train of thought is "Next Friday can't come soon enough" and "Next Friday is way to close" 

*Buckeyes are the state nut of Ohio and the mascot for The Ohio State University.  Someone ingenious person made them into a candy. The candy is balls of peanut butter and powdered sugar dipped in chocolate.

Buckeyes - Nuts

Buckeyes - candy

Buckeye - mascot

UNI Job Fair

February 5th 2013

So I realized a year ago today, I was at the UNI job fair getting hired.  I can't believe a year has gone by.

It started me thinking about offering advice to others about doing this or just helping with the process in deciding to move to another country or specifically Brasil.

No I am not arrogantly thinking I can actually help anyone make their own decision but providing examples of the joys and pitfalls never hurts.

So a year later.......

I would do it again in a heartbeat.  Both leaving the US and the moving to Brasilia.

I've missed awesome family events, friends weddings, Chicago food, visiting my family (or having them visit me), late night talks with my roommate, and some scattered gatherings.

I've gained a little bit of Portuguese, so many insights into the English language, many new friends, and an even better understanding of teaching.

Thank you Kathleen, God, Jessica, fate, and all other random events which led me to Waterloo Iowa a year ago.

Christmas in Sandusky 2012

However, that was the past few years.  This year, due to uh hum persons deciding to remain at their current homes and not return to the family home for Christmas, there were 6 of us celebrating Christmas in Sandusky on Christmas Day.  Let's review:

Patrick Burns - Sandusky





MaryEllen Burns - Sandusky

                                                          


                                         Nora Burns - Tampa Florida

                                       Pat Crotty (married to Nora) - Tampa Florida






Kevin Burns - Clovis New Mexico
Tania Burns (married to Kevin) - Clovis New Mexico

Tatianna Burns (daughter to K and T) - Clovis New Mexico
Therese Burns (daughter to K and T) - Clovis New Mexico
Matthew Burns (son to K and T) - Clovis New Mexico

 Meghan Burns - Sandusky 

 


Molly Burns - Sandusky

Katy Burns - Sandusky

         Danny Burns - some city in Azerbaijan







                                                           Marty Burns - Sandusky 

The 6 of us celebrated Christmas at 5am as Mom Burns needed to go to work at 7am (we would normally wait until she came home and celebrate then) and Molly and Katy needed to return to Dayton so Molly could work that afternoon..   It was probably the quickest Christmas celebration I have ever been apart of.  The stockings took 20 minutes (even with mom throwing fruit) instead over an hour and a half and the gift exchange was about 45 minutes.  Since it was so early and we had just stayed up instead of going to bed we didn't have a Christmas Dinner or Breakfast.

Someone drove mom to work, we napped, Molly, Katy, and Abbey left, we napped some more, and at some point Marty and I got up and went to a movie.

Christmas 2012 was very cool but at times very odd since half the family was "missing."