Lehigh Graduation

On Monday night, I graduated from the Masters in Education program in International Counseling from Lehigh University.  It took 6 years across three different countries...and I had a baby in the middle of the program.  

Irish Travelers Wedding

One of the highlights of my trip to visit Switzerland and Spain last week was staying in the same hotel with an Irish Traveler Wedding.  There were crazy outfits, huge hair, and a few broken beer bottles.  Crazy!

Marbella, Spain

As part of the Les Roches and Glion tour, we also got to travel to Marbella, Spain. 

The trip started off with (many) drinks with all of the representatives from the schools.  

We took a master class in how to cut Jamon Iberico. 

Um, yes.  I did notice the place of the ham in this picture.  (cough, cough)

At dinner we were entertained by a flamenco dancer and a Spanish guitar.

I tried to walk every morning and I was treated to this beautiful sunrise.

We also got to tour Marbella...on the day of the Royal Wedding.  Of course, we were going to watch!

Check out the beautiful streets of Marbella.

And the beautiful churches.

The church from the outside.

A little fun on the bus!

And at dinner!

Saying goodbye to all of the wonderful counselors.

Gruyere, Switzerland

As part of my recent trip to Switzerland, we were treated to a wonderful trip to Gruyere, home of the famous cheese.

The scenic view of the castle.

Oh, that view!

Shana with the beautiful view!

The center of the town.

And a better view of the beautiful castle.

And that view again.  Look at the snow!

And two lovely ladies I got to share the view with!

And then we got to enjoy the local cheese - fondu and raclette.

I do loves me some cheese!

As if I hadn't had enough, this was dessert!

Blast from the Past

In 2000 I traveled with Hilary and Michael to Montreux, Switzerland and had a wonderful few days on Lake Geneva.  I was thrilled that a visit to Les Roches and Glion Hospitality Schools last week brought me back to this beautiful town.

Posing with Freddie Mercury.

The view of the castle in the water.

The hostel we stayed in 18 years ago.

Montreux, Switzerland

I had an absolutely beautiful trip to Montreux, Switzerland to visit the Les Roches and Glion Hospitality Schools.  It was an honor to be invited to visit these three school locations in Switzerland.  I loved walking along the lake and seeing the snow on the mountains.

Downtown Montreux

The stunning mountains.

The beautiful streets.

The statue of Freddie Mercury.

Happy Mother's Day

I had a wonderful morning in Ripley's class celebrating Mother's Day.  Ripley made me a beautiful flower painting, filled out a sweet questionnaire about me (he thinks I weigh 14 pounds and I'm 16 years old), and we shared a muffin together.  It was a wonderful day!

Emily

Our good friend from South Korea, Emily, came to visit us in Dubai.  

Green Planet

Ripley had a birthday party at Green Planet this weekend.  I won't be winning any parent of the year awards because I took zero photos of my child and about 15 of the sloth.  Below is my best one!

Skating Lesson

Ripley had an awesome skating lesson at the Dubai Mall Ice Rink.

Book Character Day

Although Ripley was very excited to dress up as the alligator in the book There's An Alligator Under My Bed, he was not thrilled to have his photo taken.  Here is my little sad alligator.

And sometimes you sleep with your trophy...

I love that Teddy fell asleep with his hockey trophy.

Choir Concert

It was so exciting to see Teddy sing in the Elementary Choir this afternoon.  All three elementary grades (3-5) sang Beatles songs.  Teddy's grade sang Yesterday and A Little Help From My Friends.  At the end, almost 600 students were in the auditorium singing Hey Jude together!

High Tea at the Burj Al Arab

If I have to have an after work meeting with a university, it might as well be at the Burj Al Arab for high tea.  Thrilled I didn't have to spend the $150 as I was a guest of the hotel.

End of the Season Hockey Party

Although hockey season seems to keep going and going, the Dubai Sandstorms had their office end of season party this past weekend at Flip Out Trampoline Park.  Every end of season event is difficult because we have to say goodbye to so many friends who are moving away from Dubai or to the next division.  The kids had a great time bouncing around together!

Teddy's Self Portrait

On Wednesday, the Elementary Art program hosted their Gallery Walk.  It was fun to see Teddy's self portrait, al a Picasso.  

Ripley's Field Trip

Ripley's class went to Jam Jar for a field trip this week.  At Jam Jar the kids got to learn about different painting techniques and then paint their own masterpiece!