Happy Holidays

Hello! I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and/or Hanukkah and are getting excited for our upcoming trip to Europe. We will have a meeting in the spring to go over all the fine points of the trip (what to pack, what to wear, safety, choosing roommates, etc.) Until then, I have a couple of things I thought you all might like to check out. 

First: Les Misérables. Unless you live under a rock, you probably know that the film adaptation of the stage production of Victor Hugo's Les Misérables was released on Christmas day. If you have not yet seen it, Bill and I would like to recommend you do. Besides its tremendously talented cast, it gives you an idea of what Paris looked like in 1832, and give you a little bit of history in a more visual manner. To read more about the historical chronology of the story, as well as my own opinions on the movie, you may visit my review Les Misérables, S'il Vous Plaît. Of course, please feel free to stop by and see me (or Bill if it is more suitable, but he'll probably refer you to me anyway!) if you have any further questions or  just wish to chat about Les Mis.

Second: You can check out my personal blog Le Blog between January 17-21 as Bill and I will be in Paris attending a teacher's convention and preparing for our trip! I will blog daily (as long as the Internet cooperates!) and post photos (I got a fancy schmancy camera for Christmas that I cannot WAIT to break in before our trip this summer!)

Third: I will be posting more on this site as the date for our trip approaches. If you or your folks have not already subscribed, you may wish to do so. If not, be sure to check back often so you don't miss any fun information!

Fourth (and finally!): My daughter, Gabrielle Reed, has created a Facebook group for those going on the trip. If she missed you, it was accidental and she wishes for you to let her (or me if it is more convenient) know so she can be sure to add you. Her goal was to create an opportunity for the Selinsgrove and Lewisburg students to get to know each other and break the initial ice before the trip. We have about 20 Lewisburg students and only 7 from Selinsgrove (all young women!) going on the trip this time. I would appeal to my students from Lewisburg to take the time to familiarize yourselves with these terrific Selinsgrove gals. Our students during the 2011 trip did that (when the numbers were reversed in Selinsgrove's favor), and there were many long-term friendships that developed. The Facebook group is one simple way to do that, so do not be reluctant to participate!

Let the Countdown Begin!

31,536,000 seconds. 525,600 minutes. 8,760 hours. 365 days. 12 months. 1 year. It might sound like a lot - especially when you're waiting for something completely amazing. But in one year from today, we will be leaving for our next trip to Europe!  Yes, in one year, we will bid au revoir to our loved ones, hop on a charter bus to JFK Airport, and take off across the Atlantic to begin the adventure of a lifetime - 10 days in London, Normandy, and Paris!

I have not been to London since 2007 and am very excited to go back! We will be visiting some amazing places that I did not get to visit the last time (the National Gallery and Westminster Abbey are at the top of my list!) I think that Bill and I are most excited to take those who wish to go on the HP Tour...we will get to see Diagon Alley (Leadenhall Market to Muggles), not to mention go to Platform 9 3/4 at King's Cross Station! There are some great photo ops there, so get your cameras ready! Some great dining opportunities also await us in England. Of course we will have the obligatory  and delicious fish & chips, but I have also requested we eat Indian food one night. There is a huge Indian influence in London (remember India was part of the British Empire...) and we will get to see a little of that during our visit.


Of course it goes without saying that I am beside myself to go back to France. It has been three years since I've been to Normandy, and one year since I've been in Paris. Anyone who has spent five minutes with me has no doubt tolerated my waxing obsessive about Paris, and it seems I will have to hold off a few months more to be there again. Bill and I will actually be going to a teacher's convention there in January. I will be sure to post some blogs and photos. I've never experience Paris in the cold of winter, so it will be strange to walk around in a heavy coat and boots as opposed to sundresses and sandals. Yeah, you feel really sorry for me, I know.

Periodically over the next year, I will post some thoughts, links, suggestions of books or articles to read and movies to watch to prepare for our trip. The movies I have already listed, (to the right) which take place in London, Paris or Normandy, may or may not be historically accurate.  The point is mostly to give you a glimpse of the places we are going across different time periods. And if you come across anything you think we might all enjoy, please post it (or email it to Mr. Switala or me and I'll make sure it gets posted). 

Last but not least, I would recommend that you become a follower of this blog or sign up for emails so that you don't miss anything. I would also recommend that your parents sign up - when we are in Europe, this is a great way for them to keep in touch with what you are doing as I post nearly every day that we are away. 

Until the next time...Cheerio!