What a thrill it was meeting the Kurshior teachers! Theyhad contacted Jim Amaral, last year's FMF master teacher, Hedi Caraville, last year's 3-weeker, and we all met. While none of us had ever known the other, this group immediately bonded.

Hedi and her husband toured Washington while we all attended classes and the fabulous workshops at Bell Multicultural HS. Later in the evenings, we all ate dinner together. James Amaral treated the guys to dinner one night, but the Caraviles picked up the tabs for ALL of use two nights in a row. Now THAT was a real treat.

It was interesting trying to explain to Masanori about the food at the Museum of the American Indian. (He LOVED buffalo.) Seeing Washington through their eyes made it new again for me. And, taking them to the Vietnam Memorial and the other memorials was emotional. I cannot view the Vietnam Memorial without getting tears - I lost many friends - and they intuitively knew the place was special to me.

Masanori and Kudo were so gracious to me. They have worried and fretted that I am anxious about the Kushiro experience. Their new English word was "tense." I think they mistook my many questions for anxiety. (James Amaral has been patient to a fault for my frequent emails about this and that. I like to be prepared and to do a professional job...and nothiing helps me do a good job than information.)

While none of us got a lot of sleep in Washington -- due mainly to St. Patrick's Day shenanigans, and general excitement -- we enjoyed the sites, the workshops, the whole idea of Bell Multicultural, and watching the interactions between the US and Japanese teachers.

Dave Corsa has been a super help to me. He's even suggested some interesting and lightweight (thinkikng ahead about packing for 6 weeks) science ideas....happy/sad balls and celts.

If you want to know what these dandy things are...contact me or Dave. I am hoping they'll be good discussion starters.

I cannot thank FMF enough for the wonderful Washington experience. Many times my mind drifted to thoughts like, "How did all this happen to me?" Or, "How lucky am I?" Or, "I wish I could videotape all of this and inspire others to apply."