Gifts in Green

School started for us on the 19th, and we’re now in the second week of our teaching here at Asbury.  I knew I was running on adrenaline the first week, so I didn’t read too much into our having made it through the first few days, but now, a bit further in, I’m pretty pleased with how we’re getting along.  We have to be on our toes to keep up with the teaching and other duties, but it’s manageable, and I come home with my head full of students, now that they’re starting to distinguish themselves from their classmates and have particular histories and personalities attached to them.  Sydney’s using my office for his office hours, so my department is getting used to seeing two Penners around, and we even have one student who has both of us for his classes. Nobody stands on ceremony around here, so faculty have been coming in to welcome him and tease him about sliding into town late in the game.  All around, a warm, friendly environment.

I will post pictures of our house soon, but, for now, I will leave you with an image of the birthday present that Sydney brought home for me yesterday: a pile of cut roses, a rosemary plant (I’ve been wishing for one for awhile, since it’s one of my favorite herbs and it might last through the winter here), and a grapefruit tree with incredible-smelling blossoms.

Erin