Weekends.

Last weekend was a bit too much weekend, if that's possible. Erin and I were out until the wee hours of dawn both nights and even though I managed to wake up before noon both days, I didn't exactly get the most out of the blissful two-day hiatus. So this weekend is a weekend for weekending. Which mostly means reading, and being outside. 

Last night we went out with some "old friends" -- of the I've Known You for Five Months variety -- and met some new ones. Communication isn't really a boundary any more, certainly not because I've become fluent in Modern Greek, but because most people our age speak some English. But when you're with a group of people half of whom are more comfortable speaking Greek, it creates a strange dynamic. At one point one of the Greek-speakers mentioned that they were being rude to speak Greek when not everyone could understand. I tend to disagree. Sure, it's not the thing most conducive to conversation, but I feel like the burden of language is on the visitors, not the natives. But, clearly, this way of thinking when flipped back into an American context is what leads to ignorant comments toward people for whom English is not native language. Who knows, the real answer is probably just not to be a dick. Ever. 

Speaking of Change We Can Believe In (I wasn't), check out the new President! Way to go, America! Here we watched the ceremony live at an event hosted by Democrats Abroad. It was surprisingly high-profile, with something like representatives from 22 foreign nations present. But the whole crowd went wild at the first glimpse of Obama. Sure, it would have been incredible to be in the United States for the day, but it was also wonderful to see the impact this election is having on the global community. There's a new found sense that progress at least stands a chance and that the world superpower is finally back in its right mind. In conclusion, if you haven't seen it yet, please check out Beyonce's performance at the first inaugural ball. 

Other thoughts... well, let's see. Read some children's literature. I'm teaching A Wrinkle in Time still and it is fantastic! I also just read the first Sherlock Holmes novel and will be re-reading To Kill a Mockingbird soon for a high school class. Sure, Lee's novel isn't exactly children's literature, but it does cater to a younger audience in its clarity and candor. I haven't exactly been able to pin down what makes children's lit. something special, but it has something to do with those two ideas -- clarity of speech, of ideas, and a straightforward use of language. Even in the science fiction realm of Wrinkle in Time, unusual ideas are presented with concise logic, namely that time is a material subject, which is explained like this:

 "Mrs Who took a portion of her white robe in her hands and held it tight.

        'You see,' Mrs Whatsit said, 'if a very small insect were to move from the section of skirt in Mrs Who's right hand to that in her left it would be quite a long walk for him if he had to walk straight across.'

         Swiftly Mrs Who brought her hands, still holding the skirt, together.

         'Now, you see,' Mrs Whatsit said, 'he would be there, without that long trip. That is how we travel."

Lovely. 

And, speaking of travel (I was), I've just recently booked my flights for spring break. Erin and I are going to Copenhagen and Stockholm during the first week and then I'm heading to Paris and Prague for some solo exploration. If you know anyone in any of these cities who would like to host an American girl or two, let me know. 

That's all for now, I hope all you New Englanders are keeping toasty and remembering to take your vitamins.