Welcome to Hanna's, Marko's, Samuel's and Sofia's blog! This is for us and you to stay in touch, share memorable moments and exchange thoughts on life in America and in general. Enjoy and do post comments!
With our time in the US running out, we have been excited to see some of our most important people at least one more time. On Friday, we went to Providence one more time to visit our favorite French family Karyn, Nico, Margot, and Alice. We had delicious
dinner and quite a cool dance party! A perfect distraction from all our moving work and worries!
Marko got some good news about Finnish ice hockey (even though they did not end up winning the world championship). Go Suomi!
On Sunday we went to a place in the Needham forest called "Martini Junction", a quite hidden little place where an old man had built a model train track. Enjoying a beautiful walk in the woods, finding some toys on the way, spending time with our dear
friends Kate, Matt, Charlotte, and Abraham? Perfect!!
While everyone enjoyed the rest of the Sunday together, we were also anxiously following the Austrian presidential elections. Thankfully the results were what we had hoped for ... even though too close for comfort.
The combination of the end of the academic year, our move, birthday festivities, and mother's day have put us in a nonstop-celebratory state. It's not the worst place to be ;-)
Thank you for all the beautiful mother's day wishes. And happy mother's day again to the mothers in our lives! (See also last post.)
The best mother's day gift of all: Happy and healthy kids who love each other.
Happy birthday Marko! Every day we are thankful for you and everything you do for us. You make this world a better place.
Because of our busy schedule this past week, Marko's birthday festivities were spread across several days.
Birthday walk behind SED.
Birthday lunch at home
Marko's birthday was the most important but not the only celebration. All of BU was in a festive mood. You know that graduation is approaching, when you see red robes all around campus.
The first academic celebration of this week was the master and doctoral students' reception.
After that, Hanna gave a little party for her advisees. Here is a small group of them.
That was followed by cocktail hour and many good-byes to wonderful students.
On Friday, we went out with some of our favorite SED people: Sherell, Chris, Laura, Kate, and some of their partners.
Then the big day arrived: Graduation Day! It started with the ceremony of senior robing, during which seniors were dressed in red robes and caps by their professors. Some very moving speeches were delivered by the class of 2016, a very impressive bunch of young educators.
Italian and Spanish teachers.
Decorated caps.
ESL teachers.
The ceremonial robing
The robing was followed by the actual graduation ceremony for all students of education.
Bilingual education, class of 2016!
Here they come!
Cheers to the wonderful class of 2016!
Congratulations, graduates!!!
Finally, the week of celebrations concluded with a gathering of some of last year's master's students in our backyard, former students who have become friends. It is so inspiring to be around these young educators. Thank you all for these lovely and memorable celebrations!
If you are wondering what Samu and Sofia have been up to, they are doing very well. Samu has learned to make his own smoothies, they have both enjoyed watching the construction work that's going on right outside our front door, loved playing with the rocket balloons Erica gave them (thank you!!), and they have been singing the Paw Patrol song a lot.
The songs goes like this: "Paw patrol, paw patrol, we'll be there on the double. Whenever there's a problem 'round Adventure Bay, Ryder and his team of pups will come and save the day. Marshall, Rubble, Chase, Rocky, Zuma, Skye, yeah, they're on their way. Paw patrol, paw patrol, whenever you're in trouble. Paw patrol, paw patrol, oh oh oh, paw patrol."
