HAPPY NEW YEAR:

I would like to wish everyone a Happy New year for 2009 .I was going to say a prosperous new year but it does look a bit gloomy in the economic climate and I for one am feeling that with the pound not doing too well in USA .But it is good enough to live on so that is all that matters .

CHRISTMAS BUILD UP :

The week after the Scottish walk I was invited to join Melissa's mums family for a Christmas do in Maryland which is the next state for me .Theresa's car is great but just for around town so I hired a very nice car and drove to a very nice location by the river and had a wonderfull day with very nice welcoming people .It put me at last into the Christmas spirit .

Finally on Tuesday 23rd Dec we broke up for the holidays and my ever faithfull Vamoose bus took me to NY on Christmas eve .

It was such a treat to wake up and watch Emily on Christmas morning .She makes it all so worth it . It was joy .

HOME:

We made our way to the airport on boxing day and I must say I was not too sure about coming home half way through the year but once I landed on Scottish soil it was GREAT .

Meeting up with family and friends was just what I needed and has spurred me on to fulfill my task for the rest of my time at Poe .

Having said that my Spa treat from Gillian was to die for . She knew just what I needed !!!

The Girlie lunch was a really good day and want to thank you all for your company and your generosity .What a lot of nice people I know !!!

Just after the lunch the whole family went down with a sickness bug which cost us two days of the time in Scotland . We finally felt well enough to travel to Dunbar on New Years Day where we managed to spread the bug even more !!!!!!

I finally got my BIG hug with Brian and Hannah. It was so good to see them home and looking so well .

The family party went well and Christine and Ian did us proud .

We made our way back to US and Emily travelled well both ways .Said goodbye to family at JFK and waited for my connection to DC which unfortunately was 3 hours delayed so by the time I got to DC I was pretty tired . Thank goodnes for the next day to recover .

THE NEW YEAR BEGINS:

Like many of you the dreaded winter term began and well we just have to get on with it .The first week back like home was not too bad as the kids are happy to be back to see their friends.Then week 2 !!! I took ill again this time with a flu type bug and had to take 2 days off . I did not like doing that as it used up some of my sick days and I want them for better things than being sick . But I was not good so had to give in this time .

Poe continues to be challenging but more and more of the kids are responding well to me and that is good .If fact when I returned after my 2 days off they were really pleased to see me back .Well most of them .

Outside of school things continue to be fab .

I was given a VERY nice gift of money from the girls at home that when I saw the ad for the Avon 39 mile walk around DC over 2days in aid of Breast cancer I signed up for it with the money I was given!!! Aff Ma Heed . Yes but it is a once in a lifetime opportunity and a girls got to do!!! The training has taken a wee knock but I will get back to it soon .Look out for me 2-3 May . I will wear my Moonwalk hat from the walk in Edinburgh last year .

I have a web page where you can make a pledge which I will explain once I get the hang of it myself . The one snag is that I have to raise $1800 before they will let me walk . That is the bit that worries me more but I have been to the first meeting and hopefully I will get some good advice on how to raise the money , Thanks for the suggestions so far and if you can persuade Kenny Glendye to part with some Dumfries Academy money in aid of his Fullbright colleague!!!!!!!!!!!

Remember I said I have a few things on my list to do . Another one was accomplished last week. I went to watch the DC Capitals play Ice Hockey at the Verizon centre in downtown DC . It was Soooooo good . The razz ma tazz was brill and the game good to watch although they lost 3-0 . My next ticket is for the Wizards Basketball team . Cannot wait .

INAUGURATION FEVER :

Things are hotting up big time here .Barack Obama fever has got the place jumping .It is all I hear on the radio and TV . And being in DC I get a day off . Thank you Barack old chum .The weather now is so cold and the security so mad I will just watch it all on TV . A few of us are going to the neighbours to watch together .

It is such a wonderful time to be here and am chuffed that I am .

Ok that is you up to date . I will try some photos now to go with this update . As always keep in touch even though I do not get back to you personally I do like to hear from you .

Take care and bye for now Helen xxx