To Heli and back

Pictured above is Lisi, and Heli- another mountain guide from Lech. I joked he looked so much like a movie version of an Austrian mountain guide that he couldn't be real. (I think he might even have had elk blood on his jacket.. )

Yesterday had a day for the records I tell you... Went from plan "A" to plan "D" with yours truly bouncing along for the ride.

 I really am amazed I made it without actually crying. 

More details to follow, but here is all you need to know before you girls fall asleep tonight: 

1. skiing tells you a lot, if not everything, about how to face life. 

And, 2. if you have to ask if a person loves you-they probably don't. 

But your ski guide does.. Even if you don't deserve it. 

Sleep now 

Xx

Girl Power

Where I am lying writing this...

We had a lovely Christmas, but it felt odd-maybe it was the weather, maybe it was because I forgot my Handel's Messiah CD; but it didn't feel like a normal year.

The speeches however were wonderful: G and Frau S spoke about the renovations, and the symbolism of re-birth and change and progress. Then our Muslim dignitary spoke beautifully about the Syrian refugees' plight, and their welcome in Europe. I tell ya he was a hit, especially with the elderly ladies. One German fan who can't speak English gushed: "I have heat!". 

It's my new mantra. ...so primitive and yet so descriptive. 

Spent another day with my hero Lisi- the hand's down coolest woman on the earth. For those who may be planning an adventure vacation in the mountains soon, Lisi is a mountain guide- (one of only 10 females in Austria) meaning she can take you skiing out of bounds, and she can take you up Mt. Everest. Harumi is a ski guide only, so she skips the Everest. L grew up with four brothers, one of whom drowned at age three before she was born. She talked about it over lunch with us and we were stunned by the telling; particularly the beauty of how he is clearly still part of the family, and how profoundly sad they still are.  Like most Austrian mountain people she is serious-(the only time I could really make her laugh is when I told her of Harumi's dismay at my race performance) but she is more so. Anyway the family survived and spent many hours climbing up some wall in the Tyrol region...her mother forbade the children from climbing until they were seven, but Lisi was so "cute" and adamant, that they let her climb it at 5.
But to give you an idea how dangerous her sports are, last year she went to six funerals of friends of hers-all young people. Thomas of course wanted the break down of the causes of death; it seems avalanches killed most but not all. One fell of a cliff inexplicably. She has been in an avalanche herself, but pulled on her airbag back pack; a device she says "she loves". Then, even though it saved her life, she tried skiing without it a few times in the back country, to see if it had an effect on her decision making. To see if she took more risk with it on. Without question, she told us, she goes closer to the edge with it on.

Oh not only is she a sponsored athlete but she got her MBA so if she can't ski or climb anymore, she will have something to do.
Get a load of this picture from her website....www.lisisteurer.at


So you see why Thomas is keen to come along with us.
Today she truly kicked both of our rear ends with a 2.5 hour walk up a hill. Honestly, I wouldn't do this for any other woman....Harumi is much softer on me, more afraid I will have a cow if I am away from civilization too long.
But Lisi seems to think I am just fine tagging along with her.
And so I do.

A Royal Workout

Get a load of the weather forecast above. Indeed, it feels exactly like April here, with large patches of grass on the slopes and balmy temperatures.
We went on a very energetic excursion the other day with my bad ass replacement for Harumi.  H has given birth to a little boy named Ted. (is that the cutest??) with a middle name in Japanese that means "snowed a lot" because he was born in a snow storm (obviously.)  So I was assigned a new teacher-Lizzie: basically the coolest woman ever. In the off season she is a serious rock climber and is just back from Patagonia climbing and dangling and cavorting with Alex Honnold.
Anyway, she takes all of us out the first day to see how we ski, and the next day, we give the kids away,  and she takes us into the wilds for some skinning (walking up hill in skis). I had of course told her that Andrew and M and T would be her star pupils in anything cardio; but I would be a problem after an hour and a half. No matter...she wasn't listening. She proceeds to make us walk for just a tad longer than I would have on my own. And by "tad" I mean "plenty".
But we had a good time: skiing on patches of snow and grass, and then taking off skis and walking in water and then some ice....it's too bizarre.
There are many beautiful women in the hotel-new mothers mostly, with beautiful sad faces and bored husbands. My friends had mused that is was depressing to face the prospect of being out shined by a new crop...and I could not relate. The reason is not some sort of greater self confidence on my part. On the contrary-it's just that my husband is not interested in underweighted bad skiers in Prada. My husband worships people like Lizzie. As well he should. Believe me, she is beyond....competent and talented and kind and so f ing brave. And isn't courage the single most attractive thing in a person? Don't we all want a piece of that? Women like her and Harumi make me proud: really, I bathe in their reflected glory.
Speaking of courage-my absolute favorite Arab man in the hotel has agreed to give the xmas speech tonight. This is sort of big news in our Schneider universe because he does this professionally; so it is bound to be good.  To give you an idea, the last speech he gave was basically an announcement to get people to sign up for the ski race, but it was so moving-some of the Austrians thought it was time to invade Poland again. (last Poland joke of 2015 I promise!)

I will make this one short because it is Christmas eve and that might require an entry to itself tomorrow. more soon xx

One If by Land, Two If by Sea

I dragged Thomas through the Granary Burial Ground-resting place of Paul Revere and Benjamin Franklin's parents; among others. We were of course on our way to the Contemporary Museum of Art (where else) and I really had to put my foot down. I mean how many egg shell cartons symbolizing one's fear of failure can we see? But I think T liked it, and he is not really a buyer of the whole- freezing gray day in New England thing. Throw in a grave yard and he gets downright suicidal.
As most of you know, our very own Abiah Folger Karthauser (P. Folger's daughter) is named for Abiah Folger, mother to Benjamin Franklin. And this is what Ben Franklin had written on his parents' gravestone (i love this)

Josiah Franklin 

and 

Abiah His Wife

Lie Here Interred

They lived together lovingly, together in wedlock

Fifty Five years

Without any Estate or any Gainful employment (?)

blah blah 13 children pious, honest industry discreet virtuous, blah
then..

From this instance reader

be encouraged to Diligence in thy calling

and distrust not providence

In other words: work hard-and believe it is going to be ok, but don't worry about an actual job. Parachutes open, so jump. Also don't be a slut.

The other interesting thing about Boston is the people. First, and I am not making this up, the people you think should be at a hipster coffee house, are in fact at dunkin donuts. And not in an ironic-I'm so cool, I drink Dunkin Donuts way (guilty), but in a long line: I'm just popping in for a donut after yoga. It's a mad house. Also they suggest coming for lunch. lunch!
The second interesting thing is how chatty the citizens are! Is it the Irish in them? What is up with that? Our waiter will not leave us alone...drones on and on and shows up photos of the kiddies. The uber driver actually interrupts what we are talking about to chime in. I swear it's like a Seinfeld episode.
Ellie to Thomas: that egg shell display from the Iranian artist was witty wasn't it.
Thomas: Yes, Do you want to go to Bikram with...
Driver: WHAT ARE YOU GUYS TALKING ABOUT? DO YOU LIKE EGGS? WHERE DOES YOUR KID GO TO SCHOOL?
And not just once...it was like he was a friend, but in the front seat and just hadn't heard something directly. I have to say it cracked us up-

Ok finally I know you all want the chico update. We had a lunch with him-quick and cheerful with the Hermeys and Will. Then Thomas and i drove through the rain to go to dinner last night-a Friday no less, the night before the last half day before vacation. One would think it would be a gay carefree evening. But one would forget we are at PEA and they hit your hard...I think they might make you do homework on the way to the airport. F was on edge: said he had another two tests in the morning and a tour of the school to conduct. There is no doubt, he is under more pressure than ever in his little life. I can't say he is stressed, but he is tense....(Not the best time to ask him if he had a clean shirt or two for Lech). Sadly for me and my Christmas spirit, he arrived, straight from class at 6 15, and left by 7 30. But we did get some good intell out of him: he is taking some very cool classes-one on religion where they have dived right in about religion in America...in Bio they are dissecting...God I don't know -a former Exonian? class of 23? speaking Spanish to the king of Spain...knee bends in New Hampshire fields. All very storybook boarding school-painful but wonderful. I am sure it is like this for all parents of high schoolers, but because we don't see him everyday, it's like he is growing up as we are looking at him. As if we see the molecules expand and multiply in front of us.
Sigh. I must retreat to my mantra: We are mammals. My job is to make myself irrelevant.
And we are close to that already....

F did really well in my opinion in his first semester. So I asked what his advisor said about his grades; then I sat back, ready to luxuriate in the kind words. A little background-in a movie, she would be cast as that softball coach we all had..the one who doesn't show emotion until Jimmy overcomes cancer and wins the little league world series; so I knew she wasn't going to clap. But the way he told it, she looked at the grades, and said (I am paraphrasing, but it's my blog...)
Huh. I thought all Californians were lightweights.  Not bad. Now get out of my office, and don't cause me any trouble, I got enough on my plate. (How this cheered my Teutons! Honesty! how delicious...)
Urban legend (rural legend?) is she singlehandedly subdued a drugged out football player in his senior year. Just kneed him to the ground before the police could.
Kid probably came from California.

So F has just reported he got an flat A on his last test (Math) before break...he is free!! a little packing and we will meet at the airport for quick hop to beloved Lech. G is sending cocky texts (either that or he is massively drunk). They sound like a man who has accomplished something very difficult, or created something very beautiful.
Can't wait.
more soon from the mountains my lovelies...

We Ride...

Ok bloggies- we are off. We have a record setting number of bags and yoga magazines (see earlier blog); only thing missing is Albert. 

Boston til Saturday night, then direct to Lech, where we will see a new hotel - new lobby new kids area; and most importantly, a new tages bar- the soul of the place. My friends will already be there, and I'm hoping they send photos as soon as they enter. 

Alas, I fear I will be disappointed, and no advance photos will be forthcoming. Sigh. I wonder why I travel away from you guys.

Just praying K and G are not naked and babbling from the stress of the past few months. Honestly, their texts have become more and more cryptic, and only arrive in the middle of the night their time.

But who am I kidding? Frau S will be

tending to Princes and porn directors alike...  Our very own Angela Merkel in a dirndl: living proof that our long journey is over, and we are welcome.

Vegas or bust

Greetings Loyalies

I have arrived home to my dog and a strange green chicken concoction from 

El Salvador; and in case I don't tell you enough: I really love you all....! Also, I will never tell anyone about that incident in Mexico. ( Because I seem to have had an incident with most of you in Mexico. So you all know what I mean).

Flight update: handsome pilot did not buy enough fuel to get us home taking into consideration the very strong headwinds and extra traffic in SFO. Basically, after an especially long flight west, he didn't have enough reserve for the circling he would have to do. 

So after a 6.5 hour flight, we landed in Las Vegas. You can imagine my joy, especially because the landing was extra bumpy over the mountains. 

Thomas, God Bless him for this- mused that maybe we should just high tail it to the Amman resort which is a four hour drive. But the siren call of my own bed and Albert was too strong. 

 So after a refuel, back we fly, armed with a cheap Chardonnay through the bumpy clouds home. Thomas calls me a plane-aholic; i.e. there is a strong correlation between emergency landings and turbulence and my accepting the largesse of the Virgin America Bar.

Above is the shot of the sky after we were safely in the taxi. I had to admit that these clouds, though the source of my torment, were astoundingly beautiful. 

Best part was a got a text from GS as we were landing saying: Don't crack under pressure! Random but psychic. Love the Austrians- they always show up when you are at your darkest hour. 

A few anecdotes from visit with F: he says won't put on a large winter coat until every single girl is wearing one. This means, he will never don his coat. Sigh. God counts a mother's tears as the Irish say (or was it the Jews?)

He is very tight with the preps in his dorm... Says his dorm has a bit of a rogue reputation. I am not sure what this means among the high SAT crowd..(braces-clad lotharios? ) We shall see. In any case, he says the reputation is wholly undeserved. 😇 

We Meet at Last...

So we made a triumphant, if very late, entrance into Ireland- ancesteal land of comedic giants in my life: the McEnerneys and the Carney sisters. Sadly, we had to opt for room service because of the hour, but our upgraded suite was so huge ( guess not that many people honeymoon in Dublin in November..) we didn't mind missing the pub.  One blogger, whom I'll refer to as "Lathy Smarper" had asked in rather lurid detail for a photo of me " in the pub surrounded by tortured Irish men with black eyes and black turtlenecks. " or something to that effect. Alas I was unable to provide.. But nice idea Lathy!!

The thing that hits you immediately is how educated the average person seems to be- our taxi driver regaled us with history and politics; it appears they are still not quite over the 'Troubles' and he choose wonderfully descriptive  language when describing the Protestants..especially the use of the word 'Feck' . It's so adorable, I intend to officially switch from the pronunciation favored by my father, to the Irish one. Try it, you'll see.

Since we only had the morning to tool around, and books are worshipped here, we used it to visit a bookstore , and the library at Trinity University.

 The famed Book of Kell (8th century manuscript of the gospels-) was a hit, but my jaw dropped and stayed that way when I turned the corner and saw the above. The "long room" is a library that is still in use by researchers, presumably in black turtlenecks, with books as high and far as the eye can see; a church built to the worship of the written word. I could go everyday. 

In any case, I will return for a more in depth tour. 

 Off to see the boy, armed with a mini chocolate cake (his absolute fav) from Lydia in Portugal. Then home Monday for thanksgiving count down.

Xxx

Adios Portugal

I have been hearing complaints from the McEnerney girls that there have not been blogs from Portugal. 

( I thought you had heard it all already!) The weather has been nice- we swam in the ocean with the Brighams and had a few epic naps to the sound of rain. So a bit of heaven all around. The light is so beautiful, I can't describe it; and the photo above gives only the vaguest idea of the glory of the sunset stroll. 

Otherwise a lot of exercise, a lot of fish, a bit of golf with the famous pre dinner dry white port. 

The Brigham kids made us laugh so hard - we are definitely on their side against their parents every time- and we will lobby hard for a return trip by them. We have many Portuguese stones left to turn.

Tomorrow: the big news, Ellie's triumphant, first ever entry into Ireland ., land of her people; or at least the boozy, fist fighting ones. 

Maybe I'll give a tasteful press conference in the lobby upon my arrival..

Parents Invasion

So we got a glimpse behind the curtain, and saw a bit how F lives. He is really happy; and likes the feeling of living on his own. His dorm has a lot of " preps" or "juniors"- the Exeter names for freshman. - and they are having a fine time. Best part was the math class where it became clear to me exactly how they teach differently here. Specifically, they don't teach at all. Not really- the whole sit around the table thing is secondary to this strange but wonderful technique of taking motivated tykes and having them teach it to themselves, and then to each other. There is only gentle direction from the teacher who is like the really smart kid who kind of asks the leading question that moves the discussion along. Ot perhaps the one that can explain it in a special way.. But she plays a supporting role only. In math the kids arrive and go to the board to write out their questions- and show how they got their answers. Then they present that to the class, and the class asks questions or if needed, point out errors. It sounds terrifying I know! But they are so not afraid; they are adorable little group of puppies that laugh and cajole and tease. F drew the short stick and had to show a tough one. Two very adorable girls then went to town with question after question; filled with honest confusion and skepticism. The teacher said nothing. I turned to Thomas and said: I think he's going down on this one.. These girls smell blood in the water. The question was; if the car is filled with 40% anti freeze and 60% water and you want to make it 50% anti freeze ( without taking it all out and starting again- Brigham style) what is the equation. 

F could not easily convince them.. Back and forth it went. Teacher speaks up in quiet southern accent: Think about where the 7 -11 is.. That'll help..(I'm paraphrasing.. Who is listening at this point?) 

So F beats back the adorable mob and class ends.. Then as we are saying goodbye to him, little chirps of voices from behind- Frederick! Can you explain that last X axis thing? And like in the brochure, they go off three of them to jam a little math in their break. I tell you, it is devious how it gets kids to talk about school stuff all the bloody time. 

Also interesting is the kind of people who come!! One father looked like someone on Duck Dynasty..but with a shaved Mohak. With- not making this up- a baby with same shaved Mohak. I of course give them my best, guilty white liberal look like "welcome, outsiders, to Exeter.." But sure enough, while I am busy figuring out which girls are nicest to F, duck dynasty blurts out the answer to a question no kid knew... Not such a hick after all. But where do they find geniuses who give babies shaved heads ? Only at Exeter I guess. 

I know all you want is the photos .. So I'll stop there. Xxx

Above F defending his method..

F with Burkes girl buddy. 

Computer science class above..

In front of the hallowed Wentworth four square. 

Moon over Exeter

So much to discuss: the love boat; four square; dodgeball; teen romance; billion dollar endowments; Spanish and math tests; food; math Olympiads... 

But it is late and my mind is blown away by the papal visit: or more specifically how gaga people go when they hear a simple truth. 

(and John Boehner resigns!? )

Here's all you need to know til I see you: F is really happy - bit of swagger, but delightful to see, and we are yucking it up. It's a tough place, of that I am sure. But I am equally sure that that toughness bonds the children to each other and to a shared sense of purpose unlike anything I've ever seen (yes even more than burkes 1980!) 

Anyway he is tucked in, and I am tucked in and for now I'll leave you with my favorite prayer- the prayer of St. Francis, in honor of our little friend from Rome. It goes without saying, I have done none of this myself, but thought you all might give it a whirl..

Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace;
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is error, the truth;
Where there is doubt, the faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master,
Grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled, as to console;
To be understood, as to understand;
To be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.

Sweet Sorrow

A serious consideration of these things and an observation of the growing neglect of youth must excite a painful anxiety for the event, and may well determine those whom their Heavenly Benefactor bath blessed with an ability therefor, to promote and encourage public free schools or academies, for the purpose of instructing youth, not only in the English and Latin grammar, writing, arithmetic, and those sciences wherein they are commonly taught, but more especially to learn them the great end and real business of living. 

John Phillips, founder PEA.


Before I left for Boston, I had dream in which Chris Nelson and I did a rousing duet of "I could have danced all night".  (I love that song from My fair Lady; sue me.) And then last night, before I knew we would finally say goodbye to F, I had a nightmare that someone was trying to steal him from me. 

This pretty much sums up my ambivalence towards this whole exercise: Frederick has been invited to a wonderful ball, but it's on the moon.
The registration was quick and quiet with very nervous children. They gave him his key, took his picture, and we moved him into his room which is a delight. But here's the thing: we are not in California anymore. We are in New England, and in New England they do not hug.

 My brother had told me this repeatedly, but I brushed it aside because it sounded like a downer. Indeed however there was no parade, no jumping up and down that we had arrived, just simple handshakes with instructions to floor four.

I was foolish to think it would be fuzzier... Make no mistake, it was polite and people popped their heads in. One offered pie. But there was very little amazement that we had arrived. 
F is so anxious to get things started-anxious to see if he can hang with the big guns in the classroom. Funny, but he is less interested in his backhand or little red heads, than he is going mano a mano with the kids from South Korea. I am not exaggerating this. He wants to know who he is; and he thinks he might find out around the Harkness table. Some of you have expressed skepticism over this system (they have it everywhere, it's just a discussion class..etc. ) I could not more strongly disagree. It is a philosophy unique in its pervasiveness to here, and it's genuinely a better mouse trap. 

Below from Harkness when he gave his gift, discussing the idea he stole from Cambridge in 1930.

"You are thinking of improving an existing institution by building on what you have got now. I am thinking of something much more radical than that ...I want to see somebody try teaching - not by recitations in a formal recitation room where the teacher is on a platform raised above the pupils and there is a class of twenty or more boys who recite lessons.  That is what I am trying to get rid of.... What I have in mind is teaching boys in sections of about eight in a section, not in a formal recitation room, where there would be ... a raised platform with an instructor behind a desk, but where eight boys could sit around a table with a teacher who would talk with them and instruct them by a sort of tutorial or conference-method, where the average, or below-average boy would feel encouraged to speak up, present his difficulties, and the teacher would know... what his difficulties were."


The only time I cried before I actually said goodbye, was when the minister spoke about the moral lessons learned from simply listening to your fellow student's voice, and honoring your own by using it. You had to be there, but it was good stuff.

We have said goodbye and it hurt. 

But we are now in the presidential suite at the Boston Hyatt Airport, after a marguerita. (who knew they had a presidential suite at the Airport Hyatt?).
So I am better-mostly because of you people. Thank you, all of you for calling and writing and worrying about me. I can't wait to hug you and have Albert lick my face.

xxx
PS because we are now a snooty intellectual blog, I am going to begin "adding addenda" (redundant?) So below is my absolute fav, the Original Deed of Gift from Phillips...adorable droner that he was.

It is not mandatory reading. 

Below that some photos of CAB in 1951. Yacht club and next to a cute girl were the only places I found him. Obviously. 




The Original Deed of Gift from John Phillips to Phillips Exeter Academy, Containing the Constitution, May 17, 1781

WHEN we reflect upon the grand design of the great Parent of the Universe in the creation of mankind, and the improvements of which the mind is capable, both in knowledge and virtue, as well as upon the prevalence of ignorance and vice, disorder and wickedness, and upon the direct tendency and certain issue of such a course of things, such reflections must occasion in thoughtful minds an earnest solicitude to find the source of those evils and their remedy; and a small acquaintance with the qualities of young minds, how susceptible and tenacious they are of impressions, evidences that the time of youth is the important period, on the improvement or neglect of which depend the most weighty consequences, to individuals themselves and the community.

A serious consideration of these things and an observation of the growing neglect of youth must excite a painful anxiety for the event, and may well determine those whom their Heavenly Benefactor bath blessed with an ability therefor, to promote and encourage public free schools or academies, for the purpose of instructing youth, not only in the English and Latin grammar, writing, arithmetic, and those sciences wherein they are commonly taught, but more especially to learn them the great end and real business of living.

Earnestly wishing that such institutions may grow and flourish; that the advantages of them may be extensive and lasting; that their usefulness may be so manifest as to lead the way to other establishments on the same principles; and that they may finally prove eminent means of advancing the interest of the Great Redeemer; to His patronage and blessing may all friends to learning and religion most humbly commit them.

To all people to whom these presents shall come, greeting. Whereas, the General Assembly of the State of New Hampshire did by their Act on the third day of April, Anno Domini I 781, incorporate an Academy in the town of Exeter and county of Rockingham, by the name of the Phillips Exeter Academy, for the purpose of promoting piety and virtue; and for the education of Youth as is in said Act directed; and whereas by said Act all the lands, tenements, and personal estate that shall be given to trustees for the use of said Academy are and shall be forever exempted from all taxes whatsoever. Therefore, in consideration of the great importance of the design mentioned, and of the powers, privileges, and immunities in and by said Act granted, and for the sole purpose of promoting piety, virtue, and useful literature, I, John Phillips, of Exeter aforesaid, Esquire, have granted, and with most humble thanks to the Lord and Giver of all things for the opportunity, ability, and disposition by Him given, do, by these presents, most cheerfully grant to the trustees of the said Phillips Exeter Academy nominated and appointed by said Act, and to their successors in that trust, all my right, title, and interest in and unto the real estate described as followeth, viz.: — Two acres of land in said Exeter, being the land through which a road was lately given; and binding, westerly, on Mr. Joseph Lamson’s homeplace.

The "Cage: built 1890; about to be replaced by new 34 million dollar indoor track/tennis center. 

Wentworth Hall; Day 1

I

.."Goodness without knowledge... is weak and feeble, yet knowledge without goodness is dangerous. Both united form the noblest character and lay the surest foundation of usefulness to mankind."

The above written by PEA founder John Phillips. Beats the other motto: "come hither boys, that ye become men.."

 I am not making that up.

So the littlest Wehlen is tucked into a wonderful room on the 4th floor of Wentworth hall. His address is: 

Frederick Claus August Wehlen c/O PEA 

#2126 Phillips Exeter Academy 

20 Main Street Exeter, 

NH 038332460

Send notes dipped in chocolate. 

Details tomorrow. Must rest my weary head.. Xx

Live Free or Die

Greetings from the granite state. We are happily tucked in to the Inn, boys are nervous but happy. 

Ahead of tomorrow's check in, I went to the post office where I sent things, via Amazon, from the "what to bring list"... with I must admit, a few extras. When I entered, a very large, semi bald local in overalls said: "let me guess. Frederick Wehlen? 

"Why yes...!"

(aren't these people friendly..) 

Yes well we took ALL your things and brought them into his room already..(!?) 

Keep in mind this man merely has an arrangement with the school to absorb all the beginning of the year stuff. He doesn't work here. But apparently the Wehlen haul was so epic, he had to make room. 

I offered to kiss him in the face. (exact words) Thomas handed him the Amex. (We each express passion differently I guess). It seems if you send enough, they cry uncle. I'm not the first to do this; and next year I'm sending a pony. 

Ran into the beauty from SF who will be in their class- see below. I told them in four years they would thank me for forcing them to pose. 

Fs dorm looks good! Lexi and I snuck in. 

It's .right across from the tennis 

courts. Didn't see the room. 

We felt sad and nostalgic before we left, but now we just feel sort of giddy. Maybe it's the humidity. But adventures lie ahead ...

Thomas heard some kids talking (upper classmen) about how they were going to wear ties anyway. This is the first year in the 234 year history that ties are not required ( it was an answer to what to do about the women; now everyone has to have a collar on..). 

Thomas and I of course went for a run in the 94 degree heat- poor Frederick. No one else's parents were running. I got so hot and miserable that I stopped after a half hour. Von Wehlenhof of course carried on...

Dinner with locals tomorrow, while the boys eat in the dining hall..I believe they rip the children from their mothers breasts sometime in the afternoon. 

I promise good photos tomorrow. Xx

Portrait of a child, his dog and his uncle ..

 

Few Photos arrived...

D sent these recently so I thought I would post them (thank god for the password...).
Off to the wild east on Monday. Am having my moments of separation anxiety  I tell ya...
The good news (or bad, depending) is I have been asked to be on the parents' committee at PEA; which means I go back to Boston on the 25th for a meeting/booze up with my new BFFs from around the globe. I will be a familiar face in that town I tell you. Thomas of course is staying home...His only comment was he expected this-having had years of training to be the husband of Miss Rah Rah conga line organizer.
Go Lions! (I can't believe I just said that...)

castle at night..

Do not ask me what I'm pointing at....

Vaimiti in background

Encryption

This post is solely to encrypt the blog again. Do NOT worry. Nothing has changed. You may see a post like this again. Should you see one, remain calm and DO NOT contact the blog owner with complaints. A post like this will be posted every 10-15 posts. REMAIN CALM. NOTHING HAS CHANGED. Thank you for your attention.

Ellie away's tech department

California Addendum..

Albert and I re-united and asleep on Frederick's bed.  We are inseparable as ever and he appears to have caught my jet lag; perhaps due to the fact I woke up at what I thought was 6 - made huge breakfast for him, and was in the process of making a latte for myself, when Thomas stumbled down to inform me it was midnight. Nothing beats a well fed, wide awake puppy at 12:01 a.m.

 

Came home to craziest California stories ever- one friend's teenage son found a dead body (suicide) another's ex husband indicted for illegal trafficking in tortoise shells. Streets filled with people in boxing gloves at 5 am (newest exercise craze). I'll fill you in when I see you Tuesday. 

Home sweet California.

Oh! Ps None other than handsome Turk is sending me emails with his new baby pictures .. Says "we are a beautiful family and he loves us all". See? We grow on people. 

Istanbul

The view from our room of Ciragan Palace

Last day of summer vacation in one of the great cities...

Oh how I love this town. Each time, we are here for only a few days- and alas, we only barely scratch the surface. Did the usual touring of the big mosques, the maritime museum, and some shopping. Istanbul is a feast for anyone - history buffs, shopping fanatics, foodies, shipping nerds. Yesterday was of course CABs birthday and I thought of how he would have loved to wallow in Byzantine and Ottoman history; to hear the calls to prayer; then to retreat with a cool drink and look at boats. 

The traffic has become so onerous that we have turned to the tram (excellent) and get this- T found Uber Boat - uber for boats.. We called; two guys came who spoke very little English, and took us to a very nice restaurant on the water for lunch. When I heard of the scheme, of course my first thought was: YES let's take a Turkish boast with unfamiliar captain into the choppy Bosphorus and dodge enormous container ships. Taxis with air conditioning and seatbelt are so dull. But I kept mum, and it was great. 

See photo of us meeting the boat below, along photo of Frederick, and me in bathrobe lounging by the "sea" after we retired for the day. 

Highlights of summer: F says Queen Mary; I say gazing on my back at that staggering meteor shower one night on the Vaimiti.  Thomas says Portugal- just the ordinary days. 

I think we are ok-ok about Exeter, ok about the future being so full of changes, ok about summer ending; really ok about seeing you guys and Albert. :) 

We are all dying to see that silly dog. 

Vacations are always the time when I think of ways I want to change my life slightly: add more, subtract some, pay more attention to my important people; pay less attention to the others; learn how to make pasta alla Norma, learn some Arabic, organize the storage room. 

I never do any of those things but I love making the lists. 

But the fact remains we are in for a whole lot of freedom thomas and I. Thomas for example wants to sail to Hawaii and I will have three weeks to do anything...just imagine.

Now who wants to go to India with me?  

Soon 

hugs 

you 

xxx

Few more...

As you can see, what I lacked in personal grooming, I made up for in sea happiness. Packing now... Xx

One more day on the Mediterranean...

We have been to Samos, Patmos, Symi, Bodrum, Leros, Loryma, Kindos and Turgutreis, among others. 

We get dressed for dinner, but basically the rest of the day I am a salty crazy haired mermaid dividing my time between seeing ruins and eating French food. (Mirrors and hair dryers are relics of my past.) If there is time, I use it to drink a little vodka while imploring French 20 year old ski instructors to go to Jackson Hole. 

So you see, it's a full life. 

I will miss my only sporadic connection with Instagram and what's app frankly.. But the drum beats of excitement to hug you and Albert (my baby!!) are starting. 

First though, my beloved Istanbul...