Edinburgh

Hi everyone,

This is a quick and dirty travelog from our trip to Edinburgh. We found the city fantastic, complete with a large palace on a hill, lovely wide streets in the Georgian section and full of mideaval and 17th century history. Here is the birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots, the Royal Mile and the docking place for the last British Yacht, The Brittania. In our three days exploring the city we enjoyed them all.

The first picture is the Palace at Hollyrood, where the queen is in residence every summer when she is in Scotland. It is here that we saw the Scottish Honours - or crown jewels, which had been hidden in a trunk for a number of years - a real treasure hunt story!

More in a minute,

Alana

Fall is in the air, the berries and the sea!

Hi everyone,

I have to tell you that two of my favorite parts of Ireland in the fall are the berries on the road when you take walks and the seals in the harbor. Both of which I enjoyed immensely yesterday on a long walk from Kinsale home. Then, if that isn't good enough, our neighbors have mostly gone back to their lives elsewhere in the world, leaving the car park empty and the area quiet - just as the sun comes out.

So how did I celebrate all this abundance? Well every few hours in the midst of work (yes I know it was Labor Day in the US but London calls later this week so I had to work today) I went out to the huge grassey area and read a new book. Sunshine, easy reading, dogs rolling in the grass, and a few little kids on the beach screaming as they played in the cold water. Life just does not get any better than this.

Love you all,
Alana

Our anniversary

Margie and I celbrated 12 years together this last week. We made use of the "getaway package" from our utility company and stayed in a funky older hotel near the town of Caher - known for its Butler castle which you can see above Margie's head in the background of the picture on the right. We relaxed by riding our bikes and hiking. The Indian looking structure on the left was originally made in paper mache' for a wealthy land owning (and therefore English) couple upon their return from their honeymoon in India. They loved it so much they made it up again in stone - and now the state keeps it up so that people like us will venture that direction to see it.

When our friend Vicki visited this June she exclaimed about the ferns - having had tourble keeping them going in dry Colorado weather. The picture in the middle, taken at the private grounds at the back of Blarney Castle, shows just how big they can get.

Twelve years have zipped by, living, loving, reinventing and doing it all over again. We are not the women we were then, but those seeds are still growing.

Our best to everyone,

Alana and Margie

Thank heavens for Harry Potter!

July found me surrounded by family, sharing my brother's cabin near a Lake in Northern Michigan. The fun of the trip was all of us with our own copy of the last Harry Potter book. I can't read without comment and the conversation went like this, "Oh no!" "Where are you now?" "Can't say too much but they're were just in the graveyard." "Oh yea that was a great part, wait until you see what is next." Bless JK Rowling for giving us so much fun.

After my niece and I were about 2/3rds through we took my brother to see the movie of the earlier book (the rest of us had already seen it). Of course the new news, delivered in book 7 completely changed our understanding of the characters in the movie and the explanation of what was happening, causing us to closet ourselves and talk it through after we got home.

Fabulous times indeed. If my life ever lets up or I am on an extended holidy when I have unlimited weight available in luggage (like on a container ship cruise) I want to reread them all - or at least 4, 5, 6, and 7.

Books are our good friends aren't they? And they don't make judgements or let us down.

all the best,
Alana

I've got the scoop . . .

This morning, while walking our grey-muzzled pups up to James Fort I met the two old gents who periodically show up along the shoreline to scan the sand for lost coins and other metal treasures as they point long, lean metal detectors. Being friendly and nosy, I asked which days brought the BEST of good finds. The response was something like “when the beach is full of people with loose pockets” (I still have trouble understanding a Cork accent.) As my curiosity began to grow about this potentially lucrative hobby, I then asked if they combed the beach after the sand sculpture-making workshop during Kinsale Arts Week. With startled looks, they replied that they did not know of the hundreds of spade toting sculptors who descended on Dock Beach a few Saturdays ago to create sand castles, mermaids, and sea turtles. HHHHMMMMMMMMM. I felt like I scored one point as a local who was able to share interesting and valuable information to fellow beachcombers.
All is well!!!

Colors calling, "HELP!!! Please???"

I was in a pinch. For Kinsale Arts week I was leading two children’s recycled games workshops. The first one was gratefully over and I was feelin’ in a panic as well as exhausted from the pace of the event and the numbers and age span of the kids—who were clever in their carnival-type game creating. As Alana couldn’t help with the second workshop the following day, we quickly learned the hard way that I needed more volunteers to guide the 15 kids through the playing and making of games. I wasn’t leaving it to chance that the event volunteer coordinator could find willing and able bodies within 24 hours. So -- we thought of whom we could ask. Working down the list, I called. AND, two friends, one of our Castlepark village neighbors, and the other—the queen mother from the Christmas Panto-- came to the rescue! Both women easily fell into the swing of playing and helping the 5-10 year old workshop participants. The kids had fun, no one was hurt (THE primary concern I learned from my mother) and I realized that I had people to count on in Kinsale, when in a pinch (another mother saying.)
All is well!!!

Moaning Myrtle hugs Professor ?????

Harry Potter rocks Kinsale!

Hi everyone,

Saturday night at midnight the newest Harry Potter went on sale at bookstores everywhere. Kinsale's Bookstor' was no exception. Lyn, Mike, and Cal (shown with Margie above) hosted 200+ young people and older people, most in costume in the square outside the shop. Mouse dropping cookies were enjoyed by most and the time flew as people in the cue discussed the survey questions. Do you know the name of the Hogwarts' librarian?

Personal PAR Mandala

I've been working to establish the median ground between two areas of work: 1) the eight aspects of living a multidimensional life and 2) participatory action research. Also I have been developing personal mandalas for the four mundane aspects of Self: mental, physical, emotional and intuitive. While not yet inclusive of the four highest aspects: knowingness, archetypal actions, conditioned bliss and unity the mandala above begins to illustrate the energies I look for in my "Reinvent Life" work.

Kinsale arts week starts with a bang

Fireworks on our hill Saturday night started a week of arts activities in Kinsale off with a bang. Finishing up a lovely evening of good food and chats with Kathy Kelly, another JIU professor and our friend Joan from Castlepark, we headed up the hill to see the fireworks up close and personal. Alas it was not to be as a young lad met us and shooed us away for health and safety issues. Joan and I bravely took the car around to the other side and actually it worked out alright. We walked a bit, talked a bit, watched a seal in the water assuring himself or herself that all these spectators didn't have food, and then they started.

Close to what would have been independence day in the states the curly cues, big bombs etc in brilliant colors seemed and appropriate touch to the season. The piers were mobbed but we stayed clear of the crowds, sat on the ledge and had a great time.

Thanks Joan for getting us out!

vicki's visit

Compassion meditation

Hi everyone,

I think unrealistically, we all make changes in our lives thinking that "this will do it - such and such will finally change," only to discover that no matter where we go there we are (big smile). Part of my story is learning to overcome a life long tendency to overwork and underapprecitate what is around me. Life in Ireland continues to remind me to live in the moment with enjoyment - a task that comes and goes. This weekend I listened to a book on tape about a Buddhist meditation where we breath in that which is stuck or dark - in ourselves and in others - "the unwanted" and we breathe out white purified light with the energy that would transform the situation, consciousness, courage, love, loving kindness, etc.

From another source I came across the idea (quantum-ly based it turns out) that when opposites meet (like the center of the paradox of our lives) transformation and magnificence happen. This propels us to look at and embrace our darker sides, "the unwanted" bits, and to transform them.

So here I am, when stressed about things, or bored, or frustrated - taking it in to myself rather than pushing it away, and the giving myself a gift of whatever energy seems helpful. When the unwanted begins to dissipate, the meditation then reminds us to pass it on to all the people in the world who are feeling those same dark thoughts at the moment. No matter what we feel, of course, there must be millions feeling something similar.

I attach the newest self portrait - part of a developing series of which the last one with the celtic mandala and the fire were a part. Someday I may grow into the potential that this one offers (smile).

Love you lots,
Alana

A small art group forms in Kinsale

Hi everyone,
Did I tell you about our art group? It happened spontaneously. I took a favorite book: The creative Habit by Twyla Tharp as my entry into the book club at our local Bookstor' (that is the spelling). During the conversation one of our group mentioned that, "of course you can't learn art - you have to be born with the talent." Well all who know me from my art teacher days know that this is one of my pet peaves, I know for a fact that you can "Learn Art" because that was the philosophy of my art teacher - and I did!

To make a long story a bit shorter a group of four of us have been meeting now on the odd Tuesday a couple of times a month. I designed three two week segments: drawing from an object in front of you, drawing from a photograph (where we are now), and creating a composition (which we are working towards). They have learned to see as a person drawing needs to see, to use their pencils to create values, textures. We started a game to play with shapes as we discuss composition and next week I will bring my art books and we will discuss our thoughts as we create compositions of our own - which will begin the following month.

Our group include Katherine who lives out of town in Oz Haven with her husband and two early teenagers on an acre + of land - gorgeous, by the river. She works in juvenile probation so, of course, we spent one evening talking about at risk kids in Ireland and comparing that to the US. We can share professional resources etc. Una is our other member who is new to our lives. She and her husband work from home on the internet as Margie and I do. She is in information management and brings a wealth of interesting ideas to our discussions. For instance, do you know why the years go faster as we grow older? It is all a matter of perspective - when we are ten a year is one tenth of our lives - when we reach 50 the proportion is much different (let alone a 100). They lost their first child after six months due to a whole in his heart, and I have learned a lot from her sharing her stories and being willing to help us understand the issues that have defined her life. Artwork gives us time and space to let these stories develop - it is lovely.

They love it - I love it and we are discussing adding a few more people and maybe going on the odd field trip. Serendipity at work.

Lots of love,
Alana

Illuminated Journals

Here I am as you will find me most early mornings - snug in my place in one corner of my office/studio as I work on my latest creative enjoyment - illuminated journaling. The pleasure I derive from sorting my clip art and photos, sizing them appropriately, printing them and then cutting them to size so that they can be made into stickers. Then mixing these images with stenciled celtic knots and stamped images I proceed to decorate my journal pages one by one. Fabulous!

All the best to all of you,
Alana

Rhodondendrons and travel in Ireland

Its sad that the rhododendrons in this picture are so small that you can't see them. The southwest of Ireland is an enchanting part of our Isle and is covered this time of year with huge rhododendron bushes - some as big as a house. Multi colored, they originated in the Himalayas, brought to Ireland by amateur botanists in the early 1900's. One book calls these beauties the "foreigners who never left" as they fight to take over from the native oak.

Margie and I spent last weekend in Killarney, and ventured, as pictured above, to Bantry House, overlooking Bantry Bay. A bitter sweet visit where we met Mr White the current owner of the family estate, held in place by strangers tramping through daily with the customers to his expensive BnB. We all enjoy the 15th, 16th and 17th century treasures outlined for us in a multi page explanation as we explored the house. A testimony to impermanence in the face of what I am sure was a life where people expected lives that sorted out as they had for centuries, nevertheless the world moved on and they scramble a bit to keep the legacy for their off spring.

Our adventures included a day to a herb farm, where we exchanged expat stories with a German woman and a day of bike riding through Muckross house, another of the English manors, this one owned by the state.

Margie and I look forward to many visits from the US this summer. Starting with my childhood friend Vickie in June and going through Jean and Carla coming in October, we will enjoy showing those we love the country we love.

All the best,
Alana

This doctoral program is finally fun!

Hi everyone,

I have the perfect life!!! I just got off the phone - having done great work helping the sales staff at our university envision the doctoral program of which I am Chair - work that I love because it is a place where I can use my passion to help things grow - and now.... Well now I am seated in a great home, a stones distance from the marina in a world that is NOT the crazy university setting where I work... So today I am celebrating that my new position as Associate Chair of the up and coming Doctoral program in K12 education at Jones International University is finally warming up and getting fun AND that at the end of the day I still live in Ireland.

Our Ed.D in K12 education got off to a slow start, partially because of the slowness of some internal decisions and JIU and partially because I had a writing project that was tying up my plate. What has made it fun these last few weeks has been:

1. Organizing the faculty who will be writing classes and how that will proceed (God I love to organize - isn't that sick??).
2. Working with new technology (see my earlier post on the future).
3. Planning how to incorporate participatory action research into.....the mentoring program for sure, my life guaranteed and the rest of our students lives if possible.
4. Working closely with both my boss and the other chair (of the business department). I haven't had such a workable situation since my days at CASASTART with Larry and Sharon. Funny - they are on my mind for other reasons these days - but that will have to be another post.
5. Finally - letting my passion for the future of education invect others to the good of what we do.

The weather here also makes it a joy to end the day and still be in Ireland. Not only is it sunny more than rainey, but the days are now blessedly long. I can work long hours and still have tons of daylight to play. Life is really really good.

I hope it is equally good with all of you - and I look forward to hearing your stories as well.
Alana

PS: For anyone interested the book is up on Amazon - the final proofs went off to Sage today. Search on: Participatory Action Research or E. Alana James and it should pop up!

FAVOURITES

It has been a long time since I've blogged but yesterday's sight in town just struck my memory bank of happy moments in Sassy's in Belmont or Guy's on Haight Street in San Francisco. You will soon see what I mean and may have your FAVOURITES from kidhood.

You see FAVOURITES is the local NewsAgent/sweets store in Kinsale. Yesterday while sipping my tea, munching a scone and enjoying some very focused peoplewatching from Patsy's Cafe, at 10:30am a hoppin' time of the day. You see, this little restaurant is located at a conjested narrow crossroads.

Back to the memory--I was amazed to see about 25 primary school students all scrunch through the door of the this tiny bright orange store, all 400 square feet, including walls, racks and stacks of merchandise and daily newspapers. The teachers were diligent on monitor duty outside the shop awaiting the smiling and satisfied, nibbling returnees. As I observed, I started sharing what I was witnessing to the woman who shared my table. To appease my aroused curiosity another woman "in the know" was sitting next to our table explained the great event which was unfolding before my novice eyes. What I was viewing was the reward for the first holy communion class who had just finished practicing and were now able to go buy a treat before trudging back to class. It was obvious, even to a blow-in like this ex-pat, that these Kinsale kiddos were happy as clams with this bonus for marching time in the parish church. So as I savored the view and the last drops of my tea, I reflected back to the many candies,(SWEETS is the term here) lined up awaiting my pennies and nickels that were to be hastily spent before going to the Haight movie theater or when all the cousins took a break from swimming at the Killeans to trudge to the local Sassy's candy shop. To see kidstory repeat itself is sweet!

I have seen the future and it is exciting!

Hello everyone,

As Associate Chair of our new Doctoral program and JIU, I get to have the fun of proposing new permutations for the field of online education. Friday, I got to test a platform for synchronous discussion that can have up to fifty people, all of the globe if need be, in a synchronous real time classroom – just like if they were in the same room together. One is in the center of the screen and four others are live at the corners. Then the remaining group are in the wings, and are easily slipped into one of the spots by the facilitator when they raise their hand. As a group we can watch power point presentations, see videos, etc. This is a version of webinar, and while they are not new – they are to me!

Very exciting. As someone who earns my living typing comments in asynchronous meetings, this offers a chance to augment that with live conversation. I am thrilled.

Other things that are equally exciting in our lives are my co facilitating retreats for people who want to reinvent their lives. Margie is reinventing hers through ongoing property management with our apartment (www.kinsaleapartment.com) and through working with kids in Kinsale making games out of recycled materials.

Our lives continue to evolve in new ways.
All the best,

Alana

54th birthday

Hi everyone,

This week I turned 54, and in truth I hardly noticed it. I took a luxurious day, starting with my first canoe trip on our bay. The photo above was shot by a nice German lad who had camped on the beach the night before. Other than that, and a few laughs with my fellow Rotarians in Cork it was lovely and low key. Margie and I will celebrate more the week of her birthday (April 28th) as we go to Trim and visit the ancient sites of Tara (soon to be a highway) and Newgrange.

This month has found us recouping from a trip to the US. It amazes us that the break in routine takes two weeks to reinstate once we are home. Its kind of an ongoing culture shock. Our Tidy Towns committe was extremely excited by the two garden vacs we brought back for them. This year picking up the cigarette butts in the streets goes high tech! But it is confirmed that the smoking ban in the pubs has made for more litter on the streets, all over Ireland.

Our work has been time consuming as I finish up a class I am writing on how people learn for our beginning Masters of Ed students. My university is beginning to mount a new doctoral program in K12 eduation and I get the fun of being associate chair - in other words, I get to seriously help steer this ship towards success. I am loving it. Margie is property manager for the apartment and rentals have taken off.

For fun, we play cards or board games every Friday night at our local pub. This is a women's game which balances the poker which men have played there the same night for years. We tease each other across the room. Come join us some Friday won't you? The Dock Pub, Kinsale, Co Cork 7:30 pm.

Lots of love to all,
Alana