It's Jan 11th, 2013, 12:30pm. Niall and I board the plane in Kelowna for a 50 min flight to Seattle and 7 hr flight to Reykjavik, Iceland. Vrooommm!!! Eight hours ahead in time zones, just like that. IcelandAir is really fantastic - they immediately bring the children on the flight a free headset to watch movies, coloring book with crayons, a free warm meal, blanket, pillow and children's airline tickets are priced less than adults! This is a fresh experience compared to the North American airlines that cater to 'first class' and children aren't specially recognized - maybe it is Iceland's priority for families, I am not sure?
I have mixed feeling to leave, still searching my heart if this is the wisest choice for my family & education. As we watched the sun reflect off of the wing of the IcelandAir plane and stared in awe at the endless 'mounds' of snow-covered mountains below, across Greenland's ice sheet, the Atlantic Ocean to land in Keflavik airport, I am glad for opportunities, a mix of coming home to Reykjavik and leaving home in Canada, and the bittersweet knowing that Alexis & Kai are with Niall & I only in spirit this time. I miss them so much my heart breaks, yet knowing we will see each other soon & they're in good care with their daddy.
The first day was sleeping and making our apt feel homey again (I had rented it out to students from Poland & Netherlands while we were away), along with a nice walk to the grocery store and of course, Ice cream ("Is" in Icelandic) shop for Niall. It wasn't until Niall and I went to school Monday morning (together on the luxury Mercedez Benz 'school' bus) that I felt, Awwwww, yes, we are supposed to be here!!! Niall's class & teacher, Heiða, welcomed him so warmly, he said 'man, i missed school!" Off he went to his first lesson in biology, as I waved good-bye to him & his class the 1st morning. My first class was Glacial Geology, with one of the world's most reknowned glaciologists, who researches and works on glaciers in Antarctica, Greenland, Svalbaard & Iceland. The 3-hr lecture (with a couple break, of course!) is so fascinating - I know why I've returned to the Univerity of Iceland. The professors, familiar classmates (mostly from all over Europe) and the ambience/ease of the Univ is a wonderful opportunity of a lifetime. Niall's 2nd day at school included a trip to a local geothermal swim pool as their 'sport' class. We will have a roommate, Ruth, joining us to stay in our 2nd bdrm, in mid-Feb from Dublin, Ireland. She's a PhD student in Geothermal Energy, doing her work in New Zealand, Iceland & S America. We've been asked to continue our blog, so will share Saga II as much as possible. Thanks for being with us!
I have mixed feeling to leave, still searching my heart if this is the wisest choice for my family & education. As we watched the sun reflect off of the wing of the IcelandAir plane and stared in awe at the endless 'mounds' of snow-covered mountains below, across Greenland's ice sheet, the Atlantic Ocean to land in Keflavik airport, I am glad for opportunities, a mix of coming home to Reykjavik and leaving home in Canada, and the bittersweet knowing that Alexis & Kai are with Niall & I only in spirit this time. I miss them so much my heart breaks, yet knowing we will see each other soon & they're in good care with their daddy.
The first day was sleeping and making our apt feel homey again (I had rented it out to students from Poland & Netherlands while we were away), along with a nice walk to the grocery store and of course, Ice cream ("Is" in Icelandic) shop for Niall. It wasn't until Niall and I went to school Monday morning (together on the luxury Mercedez Benz 'school' bus) that I felt, Awwwww, yes, we are supposed to be here!!! Niall's class & teacher, Heiða, welcomed him so warmly, he said 'man, i missed school!" Off he went to his first lesson in biology, as I waved good-bye to him & his class the 1st morning. My first class was Glacial Geology, with one of the world's most reknowned glaciologists, who researches and works on glaciers in Antarctica, Greenland, Svalbaard & Iceland. The 3-hr lecture (with a couple break, of course!) is so fascinating - I know why I've returned to the Univerity of Iceland. The professors, familiar classmates (mostly from all over Europe) and the ambience/ease of the Univ is a wonderful opportunity of a lifetime. Niall's 2nd day at school included a trip to a local geothermal swim pool as their 'sport' class. We will have a roommate, Ruth, joining us to stay in our 2nd bdrm, in mid-Feb from Dublin, Ireland. She's a PhD student in Geothermal Energy, doing her work in New Zealand, Iceland & S America. We've been asked to continue our blog, so will share Saga II as much as possible. Thanks for being with us!