Time for One Breath, But No More!

We are in the midst of the type of week that we always want to have at PMOEC. On Monday we had a group of French Canadian students come for 5 days. The school is Seminaire St. Marie and they come twice every year. This group is making their first trip to our center and will be back at Pok-O next year when they are in the next section of the english language program at their school. Then, on Wednesday morning, another 52 kids came from another school, also from the province of Quebec, who will be staying through Friday. So now, we are hosting nearly 100 clients at PMOEC; the dorms are full, the dining hall is rocking and the staff is full out. I've said it before and I'll say it again: this staff is wonderful. They are getting to work at 7AM and leaving at 10PM every day. They are helping out in the kitchen, even when they aren't supposed to, they are helping each other and are still delivering amazing lessons morning, noon and night. But that's all I've got time to say. I'm headed back to PMOEC in a few minutes to teach a great orienteering class designed in-house by Leah and can't wait to get back in and see these appreciative kids. See you next week...

The Super Bowl of Pranks

In High School pranks were status symbols. In the days leading up to graduation in the spring, the seniors were given a lot of freedom at nights. Many days, the student body started the day admiring the previous night's work; a teacher's car filled with shoes in the courtyard, the headmaster's office meticulously reset on one of the floating docks, a false arrest orchestrated with the assistance of the local police department. The list is endless and hilarious. I'm sure you can tell that I revel in these tricks and love to tell the tales, perhaps even to a fault.
Apparently, the staff had gotten wind of this obsession and decided to set-up a prank of their one. Alas, in the planning of this one, I was not able to share in the excited anticipation because this particular prank was going to be at my expense. Apparently the original plan was for April 1st, but the actual execution was on this past Monday morning, a perfect day as the staff all started work a few hours before me that day. When I arrived at work and came up the stairs, I came into my office and, where my desk chair normally sat, was a toilet. No the water was not hooked up and, no, there was nothing in the bowl; but there it was. It was as clean as an old toilet that has been living underneath of one of the barns onsite can be. Quietly, brightly and stoutly, it mocked me.
So what did I do? I sat down. I checked my email. I considered this effort. And I laughed. Out loud. How could I just let this pass without really enjoying it. I was touched to be pranked. It was truly hilarious.
I hope that you work in a place that: a) will not look poorly upon a friendly prank being played that does not take away from your work productivity and b) has a team of people that have the kind of relationship I have with my staff where a toilet in your office brings you to tears.

Here We Go!

Yes, I know; I missed a week. I am sure one's of you are disappointed. But, the spring season was dropped into 4th gear, as it always is, on day one. The entire instructing staff and Krista spent a few days in the woods last week bonding, eating, hiking and getting to know each other in a way that you only get to know each other when you are sleeping shoulder to shoulder with your co-workers on a sub-zero night. After two glorious days of hiking on Nun-da-ga-o and the backside of Hurricane Mountain, we woke to an inch and a half of snow on the third day that cancelled our plans to do some rock climbing, but the trip was an amazing success. We all came back worn out, but extremely happy about the time we spent together. Emily swore that she would never go back inside again. A great success for all. The time we spent on the top of Hurricane Mountain the first afternoon was as calming and fulfilling as any hike I have done as an employee of PMOEC. We all took time by ourselves pondering the horizon, mentally mapping our whereabouts relative to the local mountains nearby Pok-O and filling our internal tanks, readying ourselves for the spring.
And this week? Well, those full tanks are running smoothly as we host Spring Break Camp. Thus far, the weather has held and the kids have had a great time. Today is a full day hike with all of the groups heading out to various points in the High Peaks to get a taste of the phenomenal feelings that we were all able to experience as a staff just a few days ago. Get yourselves out there too. Its a great time of year. In the meantime, enjoy this photo that Emily took from the top of Nun-da-ga-o and don't worry; she did come back with us. Until next week...