Not yellow ice I hope! 
There was a little gentle melting of the ice yesterday and I expect by this afternoon it will be all gone.
See the change in the colours when a shaft of sun fights its way through. (Below) It was reasonable yesterday. No damning wind. When it is calm any amount of cold can be tolerated. 
Though it was not even too cold. When the day is a little warmer Jude comes rocketing screeching out of his corner to follow us about. He is very easily sidetracked and Ton is driven quite mad trying to keep up with him.
When it is very cold he pokes his head out and shakes it, curls his body up in disgust and retreats back into his hot box. Not stupid!
I have enrolled in a twelve week course of study to qualify as a teacher of English as a Second Language. TEFL. (Americans love to use letters instead of words). Teaching English as a Foreign Language. As you all know I love to teach and have been haunted by a need to help the refugees who are arriving here with nothing – not even words. Then confronted with such a negative environment.
I hope this qualification may enable me to help out a little in the immigration communities of Chicago. I am not sure exactly where this pathway will lead but I can also teach online and this will help the family finances with John stopping work.
I feel good about this. The courses themselves are not cheap but this one is with a Chicago school ( brick and mortar) and is certified, accredited and recognized, with good teachers and support. I have done a lot of research on this, trying to find my way to involving myself in helping the children.
Winter is the perfect time for study. The Airbnb closes for the winter and siesta time can be study time. Much of the course can be completed online. And I love to learn. And I love to teach. I feel this is a good step forward as I feel my way into getting involved. Just gasping in horror at the tent cities of imprisoned South American children is not enough.
I did my final telephone follow up with the school yesterday and the next course had one spot come available so not wanting to wait for next years enrollment I put everything on my credit card and I start Monday!
I hope you have a lovely day – we have a few warm days ahead which makes everyone’s lives easier ( and wetter but never mind).
Love celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
55 responses to “JUDE EATS ICE”
Good for you about helping English language learners. I’ve been volunteering in a group since the first of the year. Most of them are working on conversation skills. They are very grateful for the help.
That’s great! When I start I can pick your brains.
Please do. We’re still learning a lot.
Bravo, dear Celi. I am so proud of you. You will be giving your students a new life.
What an amazing plan! See a need and fill it! You are constantly reinventing yourself. And you have such energy! I’m wishing you much luck with your new endeavors!
I can’t think of anyone I’d rather have helping me fit into my new land if I were a refugee gagged by my lack of language. Ability to make yourself understood is such a basic human need.
100% in your corner, Ceci, cheering you along the way!
Jude is so adorable even if Tom doesn’t think so!! I hope you will be able to teach English for those poor people- my heart goes out to them! Don’t understand my beloved country anymore. Anyway, I don’t know how you do it all ! God bless!
What a cute little pig!
I continue to stand in awe of you, C. I love who you are.
xo,
K
That is a great idea! And I know you will be great at it. That picture of June chomping is hilarious. I can almost hear him crunching.
Good luck on your course. It’s a very helpful/useful course and I know the immigrant children and adults will appreciate the chance to learn the language. I can’t remember if we had anything similar offered when my brother and I came to Canada in the late 60s.
Teaching was what occurred to me during your recent Feedback post… but thinking farm. However, in the community offers much, and and some off-farm life balance. When I lived in the city I volunteered in a program at an asylum seekers centre where English conversation was needed to help those doing ESL studies as well as volunteering visiting at a detention centre until the program was shut down. I also studied and got my adult literacy education certificate. Putting it into practice, I found more difficult, navigating support groups and bureaucracy, my own work-life balance and then a move away from the city. I am sad about that but opportunities may come up. I think you are in the right time and place, and possess wonderful ability to make a real contribution.
My very best wishes in your efforts Celi! That Jude is a sassy little thing!!
Celi! I am absolutely thrilled to hear the news! To me this would be a wonderful win-win situation in many ways! You have always been a natural teacher and, methinks, you would gain as much as those you taught, especially having been an immigrant yourself, but in much easier circumstances. You understand, you care – you would be such a giant cog to make a difference . . . And as Big John is about to do away with long drives to and fro, it would be just great if you found a case of new checks and balances . . . all the best . . .
What a positive move to do this training. I have friends who do it here in NZ as they find it so satisfying. I’m sure you are a great teacher. PS any plans for NZ when summer finally arrives?
The stars aligned for you to get into this course; so GOOD for you (and all of those who’s lives you will touch: )
Jude sounds more than just a little hyper-active – thank goodness he’s out in the barn now – what a corker!