Purpose and intentions

The purpose of this blog is to inform my family, friends, and students of my adventures, thoughts, fears, and feelings regarding my African adventure. Today, I will leave NH, and fly around the world to Zambia to begin a year of teaching in a different school. I have flown very little and have never been overseas, so this will be quite an adventure for me. The intent of the blog is to encourage others to try something new,become a risk-taker, expand your horizons, and look at the world through different perspectives. 

There is a vast difference between "want" and "need" and I am positive that I will encounter situations that change my definitions of these terms. However, my daughter's pre-school teacher used to say to the children, "You NEED friends." She was correct, and I have passed that message on to my students. This simple sentence has been demonstrated time and time again once my journey solidified. My friends and family have been extremely supportive of this undertaking. So many people wanted to just meet and chat before I left that it has left an indelible and positive impression upon me, yes, you NEED friends! There is a lot of good in this world, make sure you spend time with those that help you see this. 

Lastly a disclaimer and a commonality. I am currently writing this on my phone. While I am aware that younger generations are proficient in this skill, I am not, nor do I intend to aspire to that level. I hope to post often and therefore there will be grammatical errors that I will be perfectly aware of after I publish. Forgive me. 

The commonality is in the pictures below. The first photo is of Mt Ascutney; a view I see everyday while driving home. I never get tired of this beautiful view. I have photos of it from every season and various angles. No wonder Maxfield Parrish was inspired here. The second picture was taken by my daughter while in Zambia. It is the Kafue River; another spectacular landscape ( riverscape?). Both of these photos are originals with no touch-ups or filters, both are gorgeous and both have tints and shades of blue that are similar and appealing. Two very different places in the world that share some traits. I will continue to search for commonalities between NH and Zambia while recognizing and valuing differences.

                                          Mt Ascutney late Spring

Kafue River same time

If you choose to follow the blog, feel free to ask questions and I will do my best to answer. 

Be well,

Jill AKA Noisy Librarian