Three days after I graduated from UMM, I had an interview at Aurora Charter School in Minneapolis (follow link). It's a bilingual charter school, with a 99% Latino student body of all native speakers of Spanish. The interview went very well and the next day I left for Europe with 40 others from my Concert Choir.Our tour first took us to Norway, which was beautiful. We were able to tour in Bergen, Alesund, Lillehammer, Otto, and Oslo. Well, you can't very well go to Norway and NOT see the fjords, so that is exactly what we did. It was not an infrequent experience for us to have to take a ferry across a fjord in between cities. We were also able to take a 1.5 hour long ferry ride throughout the Geiranger Fjord, the second largest fjord in Norway. We started inland and worked our way out to another mountain town. It was a great time of year to be there, because the melting snow caused the waterfalls to be spectacular. I could go on and on, but you'll just have to ask me to tell you more when you see me next. :) Lots of Scandinavia is covered in forests and their buildings are made out of wood. That is also why the countries have burned down a few times. Here's what Norway looks like (city view of Alesund, a bit o' climbing, the Geiranger Fjord, and having fun in Lillehammer):
While I was in Oslo, I got an e-mail from Aurora offering me a teaching position for Language Arts, grades 6 - 8. I am super excited and this is an amazing way that the Lord has continued to bless me. It was fun to celebrate having a job in Europe as well!
After a couple of days in Goteborg, Sweden, we moved onto Copenhagen, Denmark. It is such a beautiful city! My father has been to Denmark four times (once with my mom), and my oldest sister Sarah studied abroad there as well. It was fun to finally be there myself and explore the beautiful streets with friends. Here's a peek at Denmark (buildings near the Nyborg canal, with the Little Mermaid statue):
Then, we went back to Sweden, where we were able to tour Linkoping and Stockolm. I really enjoyed Sweden, it's just a beautiful country. The feeling of landscape that I get from all of these countries is if you were to combine Minnesota with Oregon (at the latitude of Anchorage, Alaska). That's the best description I can give. While we were in Stockholm, we were able to stay in a hostel that was on a boat (two actually)! We pretty much had both boats to ourselves... it was great. Take a gander at Sweden (Stockholm, bikes everywhere, a token "singing" picture, and a picture with my director at our last dinner):
We finished off our tour in Iceland. After spending a night in Reykjavik, we headed to the Blue Lagoon for a few hours. Since Iceland is a volcanic island, there are many natural, hot, mineral springs. The Blue Lagoon is basically a 2 acre hot tub in its natural setting. It is unlike anything I had ever seen, and it was a great way to end our Scandia adventure. Here's a final picture of that (notice the swimmers heads peeking out of the steamy water by the bridge):
So, now I am back in the states, anxious to start planning for this upcoming year. I moved into Dinkytown last night (at the Parsonage) and am very excited for everything that the Lord has in store for me. China will take up my entire month of July and then the school year will be here before we know it. Only this time, I'll be starting it as a teacher! Yes, I'm a bit nervous / scared, but I also know that I am ready, which makes me excited. Lord, come in power!
Tonight I was incredibly blessed by the opportunity to get together with a former classmate. We have literally known each other our entire lives, but have not seen each other in nearly two and a half years. I hate it when I lose contact with people, but I'm having to accept that it's just a part of life sometimes. I have kind of realized that there seem to be two main natures that friendships can take in this context. One, is that once contact is lessened or lost, it is extremely difficult to regain. The other path is where you can pick up again, right where you are in life without missing a beat. This friendship renewed tonight is certainly the latter.
I was able to go over to her new apartment and we spent nearly five hours together, just talking (plus exploring a favorite old bookstore and some delicious ice cream). We covered a gamut of topics and opened doors to many more conversations to come. I am hoping that with my upcoming proximity to her, that this renewal is able to be strengthened even further. We have both gone through a lot in our lives and have many exciting experiences and learned life lessons to share with one another.
But the biggest blessing? It was very clearly when I came to the realization that God has her in the palm of His Hand, whether or not she knows it. In the past, this dear friend of mine battled with a depression worse than many cases I have ever seen and she also struggled with eating disorders. Now she is healthy and stated to me enthusiastically, "Karen, I have never been so happy in my entire life! I am just bursting with joy and loving life." Her joy is my joy... I was elated. Lord, I would ask that You continue to draw her close and protect her as she continues on the path that You have set for her. Show her that You are still her God and her best friend. Whether or not she realizes it, I know the deep-seated love that she has for You. Show me the way to go and the words to speak. Let me radiate Your Love. Amen.
"We live, we love. We forgive and never give up 'cause the days we are given are gifts from above, and today we remember to live and to love." (Superchic[k])
I received an e-mail today informing many of the alumni of Trinity at River Ridge that former art teacher Stephen Froiland passed away on Tuesday. To me, this proved to be quite the shock. He had been living with Crohn's disease for years and liver cancer apparently. From the sounds of it, I think the family knew it was coming... but I didn't. Needless to say, it shook me up. He was my art teacher at the end of my Trinity career and he was the one who helped me come into my own as an artist. I accomplished more than I could under his guidance. Seeing his passion in the classroom every day was a true inspiration of the power that creating visual art could have on one's life.
I developed my love of Bougereau, Waterhouse, and Leighton because of him. He encouraged me in my creativity and gumption within my own art form. He gave me ideas and ways to explore them. I still have a work that I have been piddling with since my senior year that he helped me with. (For those in my class, does "siren" ring a bell?) I have so many memories of discussions and true encouragement from him. Even after graduating, I would look forward to the conversations that I could have with him in the hallways during quick visits. He always encouraged me to keep painting, drawing, and creating art... and I have. It has been an outlet for emotions of all kinds: a way to grieve, a support to others, a celebration of joy, an expression of longing, an honoring for loved ones, and a transfer of feelings that can't be expressed in words.
He was an amazing artist and I always regretted the fact that I was never able to visit his rented studio space that was located near one of my favorite coffee shops. (Jeremy, I think it was by Black Dog Cafe.) So, I honor him for his passion in life for art, teaching, working with ambitious teenagers, his courage, and his steadfastness. I hope to be able to affect the lives of my own students as he affected mine. In his short forty-five years of life, he was able to accomplish so much.
As I write this, I am listening to the soundtrack of "The Mission". For some reason, it has occasionally reminded me of him. (Not the songs of impending doom, the serene ones.) Now it seems more appropriate than ever. The romantic, classical quality of the score just tears at your heart strings. It relays this mix of joy and sorrow, as does this time surrounding his death. He is with His Lord now, and is freed from the suffering that he endured for so many years. The tears stream down my face and yet I rejoice in the knowledge that he is finally resting at peace. Thank you for everything that you have taught me, Steve, you will be dearly missed.
