tjugo

So, we've hit the twenty digits, as it were.  In bad Swenglish you would say it "shoe-go", or sometimes "shoe-gi", especially if it is twenty-one through twenty-nine.  Said properly it is another sound/shape that doesn't exist in English, but it's still an easier action than trying to say seven.  Seven is a killer.

 

Today's gift is peppermint foot rub.  It isn't exactly a product that either of us are jumping at, but hey, now that we've got it, we'll put it to good use.  As Jennie expressed to me this evening, really the best part of the calendar has been that we're writing again ... but that was before she used the new bodywashes this evening.  Yes, she tried both kinds. 

Sadly, Jennie's voice is still fluctuating between a whisper and sounding like this guy:

"WHERE have they hidden the lime and coconut body wash?!"

Very soon now she needs to be healthy for Chamonix, so it will be another early night for her here.  Our Saturday morning departure is coming up quickly!

And speaking of holidays, as of this afternoon I was officially done school until January 9th. Nice.

 'tis the season for teacher gifts.  A nice live flower collection, and some schnazzy cholkads!  Quality over quantity, baby!

It feels good to have a term in the new position under the utility belt, as it were.  I am quite happy with how things have gone, and generally feel that the 'success rate' with my ideas/activities has been at the percentage I could have optimistically-yet-realistically hoped for.  Sure, I still have (already have?) something of a laundry list for my "wishes for next year", as the category was called at my review meeting last week, but I'm pleased.  Certainly it is nice to be through the "I can actually do this" feelings and first times.  Because this has been such a big part of what I have been up to, at Jennie's suggestion I will do another post about some of the stuff I've been doing with teaching.  In the spirit of being "in for a pound", I've decided on a slightly more in-depth write up on what teaching is like over here, the differences from Canada, and what kinds of things I've been up to than I feel like whipping off tonight.  So that will wait for another day.

For now, let's just share a little more of what's really important at this time of year: gifts and presents.  Heh.

Just in time to go into storage for some months - we are finally holding below-freezing temperatures with snow on the ground, and besides, 'tis Icebug weather - I can stash away a couple new pairs of runners.  On the left are Montrail Fairhavens, which are billed as a hybrid road/trail shoe, and as that's pretty much what most long runs tend to be around here they are my go-to shoe.  Their size 10.5 converts to "44 and change" in Euro sizing (which is what I usually trust for fit), yet I find they are a snug fit on my usually size 44 (and no change) feets, especially once you've been on the move for four hours or more.  They have a nice level of cushion, and do more than okej on the technical stuff - pretty ideal shoe for me.  On the right are some La Sportiva Wildcats, which are much more of a rugged shoe - less cush, stiffer ... a lot like my beloved, yet departed and discontinued Montrail Odysseys.  When I know that a run is going to be mostly tough technical terrain, or say in snow, when I appreciate a little extra stiffness from a shoe, they are awesome.  Thus the Wildcats will probably see action before the Fairhavens, but from the course description of the TEC I still think the Fairhavens will be the way to go when the time comes.  I enjoy debating these issues with myself ... often for hours on the trail.  Good times!

Of course, Christmas is also about family and friends ... and sadly, the time has come to retire a friend.  Rob, it's time to call it a day.

The Rob I am speaking of, naturally, is my laptop Rob.  Laptop Rob was generously bartered to me when we moved to Sweden by actual Rob, our excellent friend who was featured in a photo series last week by Jennie.  

Laptop Rob has been my primary home and work computer for almost two years now, and he has served me well.  When I was taking him to school on a daily basis last year, some of my kids asked why my laptop said "Rob" on the bottom of it (actual Rob is a very thorough and responsible individual, and had labelled everything), to which I replied that Rob was the name of my computer.  Replete with interesting stickers - some of which I am quite glad the kids don't recognize or understand - Laptop Rob has been popular with students and muchos beloved by me ... but sadly, Rob's time is coming to an end. 

some Rob on Rob action!

 He wasn't a spring chicken when our time together began (the kids adored my "vintage" laptop), and not for the first time tonight, when Jennie croaked about "that noise" and wondering where on earth it could be coming from, the answer was Rob.  He has become loud.  He lags through movie trailers on me.  Last week his sound capabilities spontaneously died for several days, and then came back as randomly as they had disappeared.  Virus checks have all come back negative, and while I've cleared out this and defragged that, slowly but surely Laptop Rob is telling me it is time.   

As it turns out, I had begun planning for this eventuality a little while ago now, and it seems that the timing of my scheme has worked out perfectly.  I will say no more of it until Christmas, but here is a wee teaser photo of 'the plan':

Heh heh heh.  

All right - as the slightly less tired and sick party in our apartment right now, I am off to do some dishes and then get ready for some sleeping.  Jennie is already there.

I have a busy day of sleeping and running and then lots of wonderful nothing planned for tomorrow, so it might be a good day for the teaching run down.  We'll see.  In any case, you know we'll be back again so long as the calendar lasts.

Later, gators!