I think that first day back was so tough because it's a difficult transition - going from a fulfilling holiday where I could do and see whatever I wanted (including stay up late and sleep in the next morning), to a grueling routine that deprives me of sleep and very little time and energy with which to get even the basic things done. By the end of the week, things started rolling along and I became more aclimatized to the situation. Plus, I think that the new semester always marks a turning point for me; I reflect on what I've learned and experienced, and come back back all the better for it. I had two people who sat in on classes to observe me who remarked at the huge strides I've made in only a month. I still have areas to work on, but things have tightened up incredibly. One person told me that I'm a "phenomenal teacher." I don't think I'm at that level yet, but I don't think I'm too bad at what I do. Even one of the kids today remarked "Ms. B, you're talented. You know what you're doing." That made me laugh.

I love the kids - well, most of them and most of the time. There are some who were really happy to see me and who I was really happy to see in return. At the end of the day, they're what it's all about. There are many I would miss if I were to leave. Ultimately, I'm glad I decided to stay.

I could go on and on about work, but I'll just recount one more thing and then move on. On Monday, we had a ROPES course as a staff. We all met up at UC Berkeley, where a couple of college-aged trainers had an action-packed agenda ready for us. We started out with a bunch of warm-fuzzy group shares, then some small group bonding games, then some more challenging team-building activities. They were fun, yet challenging at the same time. The best part, however, was the actual ROPES obstacle course. Even though I've never been rock or mountain climbing before, I was chomping at the bit to strap on a harness and get to the top of those trees. Others in our group were scared to death, and I was all "pshawww!" They trained us for a bit, then I was up.

Somehow I was roped in (no pun intended) to going on the swinging balance beam course. I was a series of balance-beam thin planks of wood that were suspended from ropes that were spaced too far apart to hold on to with both hands at the same time. I knew that I was secure in my harness and that the people below holding the rope had me, but walking on to unstable, ultra-thin planks of wood 40-feet above the ground was a little more than disconcerting. I kept having to take deep breaths and try to switch off the animalistic side of my brain that was screaming "grab on to whatever you can and don't move a freaking inch!" Instead, I forced myself to shimmy across plank after plank, swinging without anything to hold on to, letting the screams of encouragement from the people below drive me on. I went up twice, and each time I had to fight complete and utter panic. It seems very fun and easy, but you're fighting against every animalistic, fight-or-flight instinct in your body. The second time I went up, my friend Erin traversed the course with me, so that was a bit comforting. They took lots of pictures of us up there, so I'm excited to see how they turned out. I'm proud of myself for facing such a challenge and fighting against my fears. I feel like I've been doing a lot of that in my life lately.

In other news, I'm slowly reconnecting with people in my life. I went over to my sister's apartment on Tuesday, and she and Francisco cooked me dinner and I showed them all my pictures of Europe. On Wednesday, my friend Jonathan took me out to dinner at a fabulous restaurant across the street. I was actually really happy to see him again. He still has a crush on me, but I'm not feeling it in return. He's a good friend, though. I've talked with several other friends on the phone. I have plans for the weekend with friends at work. That sense of loneliness I felt from time to time during my vacation is starting to abate.

My new roommate moved in two nights ago. I can't remember his name, but like every other roommate I have, he is foreign. I can't place his accent, but it's very sexy. I'll ask him one of these days. He is very nice and polite, though he has instantly started hogging the fridge and cupboards. We have no room! Besides that, I think he will fit in with the mellow vibe of our place and that we will all get along. I miss Marc, though. I really would have loved to talk to him now that I've been to France. Kamal, my other roommate, came back last night, but I've yet to talk to him. I'm kind of in hermit mode right now: keeping to my room because I'm spending most of my down-time relaxing and trying to readjust to my life here. It's pretty overwhelming.

I've written a very long entry here, so I suppose I should stop now. I received a gift card at Borders for Christmas, so I went shopping there last night. I had no idea that there was a new Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants book out, so I bought that and can't wait to read it. I also bought a book of travel essays about Paris. They are beautifully written and capture the city as I remember it. I fell madly in love with the place, so reading these stories makes me cry. I also bought several of my favorite magazines, which I'm tearing through at a rapid pace. I've missed American magazines, even though I always thought British were superior. There are some things that we Americans do get right from time to time.

And I'm off!

Anne