She didn't know I was taking this picture.

One day, one day, one day Viv will head off into the wide, wide world and be ready for anything.

in omnia paratas

One day, one day, one day, I will be ready to watch Viv head off into the wide, wide world. That day is not today.

We are in Salem, Massachusetts for two days before a week in Cambridge and we got to spend time with Kim, who I met at my Fulbright orientation.

Kim and Viv before the tour of the Witch Museum. It was totally worth every penny (keeping in mind Kim and I got teacher discounts so our tickets were free. But still! We loved it! There were life-size dioramas and we thought the mannequins would be animatronic (they weren't) and we were super impressed they have a 1st edition Wizard of Oz book.

Viv, The Official Family Photographer, took our selfie.

We planned to meet at the Witch Museum, but it turns out there are about 1,000 witch museums in Salem so I asked a nice reenactor, Riley, how to get to the one where we were meeting Kim. He told us he's part of History Alive and there'd be a show later. Well, yeah. We will totes be there. Oh, it's the trial of Bridget Bishop? Even better!

After the Witch Museum diorama success, the three of us used our tickets to get a discount on a psychic reading (there are also about 1,000 psychic places in Salem). Kim took notes during the 15 minute session that seemed way longer and Kim confirmed it was, in fact, way longer so here's what is said in a Salem, Massachussetts psychic reading on a Saturday afternoon in August:

Viv- Best friend - two peas in a pod - never ordinary, interested in different things, she’s gifted, going to have hands full, teens get out of control, they are trying to control abilities, right now fully grounded, sees spirits (those on the other side balanced, spirit guides), don’t ever feel afraid, don’t want to feel isolated, will rely on teaching and what can learn to help her - meditation, spiritual world

Two Babies crying - get ready for announcement - will be welcome

Working with typical vs. disabled - might flip back - changes in working with special Ed - working on cutting edge - show younger teachers how it done - growing point this coming school year - things may change in school year; join administration? Move up for you?

Relationship - is he mr. right? Lovers card - about finding soulmate - on right path -

More money coming - side business - raise from job - extra funding -

Little things - celebrations of milestones - start next year on upbeat - will be bumps - won’t be severe

Health - leg fatigue? Watching and adjusting; talk to doctor dietitian -

House - inherit house - 2.5 years until
It happens - sadness? Have they been sick a long time? Passing is more about life and love vs. sadness -

First responder in family? Justice appears has to do with

Straying a little bit end of school year - can’t hold tongue when don’t agree with something

You are probably asking yourself if any of it rang true.

No.

But! When you're in Salem, you Salem like the best of 'em.

From there we went to lunch and then headed over to see Riley keep History Alive! Kim stayed for the part they did in the street, then we said our goodbyes. I have a feeling we'll see each other again in Salem. Or at the Norman Rockwell museum. Or in the Berkshires.

The Trial of Bridget Bishop was four college-age kids playing multiple historical figures and interacting with the audience when they answered questions. It was great! Well done, Riley!

And then? Souvenir shopping! We LOVE souvenir shopping! Al, a fellow Fulbrighter who went to Amsterdam, showed us the beauty of it when we met up with him at Anne Frank's house and then hit half a dozen souvenir shops and had a great time with all the kitsch. Thank you, Al! We didn't know what we were missing!

Viv found the steampunk hat and that was it. The girl has found her style. The way she walked around town with it reminded me of The Life and Death Brigade in Gilmore Girls.

But.

Listen, Viv: hand the hat to yourself. Be your own adventure-maker. Don't rely on someone else to paint the world for you. Be that for yourself. Get by with a little help from your friends. Remember to be a friend to yourself.

Why are we in Salem anyway? I am participating in:

Gender Matters: A Globally Focused Professional Development Workshop for Educators

August 5-8, 2019

Workshop Background

The Harvard Global Studies Outreach summer workshop for 2019 will focus on gender, considering both issues of identity and equality. The following questions will guide our exploration of this global topic:

What is gender? How has it been constructed and understood across time, place and space? How does gender intersect with race, sexuality, class, ability, and other differences that affect people’s power and well-being?(identity)
What is the current state of gender equality in different global communities? How do different global societies think about gender equality and to what extent do they share and pursue a common vision? (equality)
How do understandings of gender shape access, opportunities, and systems? How do systems and institutions (political, economic, cultural, academic, familial, etc.) reinforce, depend upon, or dismantle gender inequalities? (power)
What do our students need to understand about gender identity and equality so they can help create a peaceful, sustainable world in which all people are equally empowered and respected? How do we, as educators, create a learning environment for them that is affirming, safe, and equitable? (agency)

As a learning community, we will:

Examine gender as a biological reality and a cultural construct;
Unpack our own understandings and biases about what it means to be male, female, and non-binary;
Consider how factors such as race, class, disability status, religion, sexual orientation add complexity to intersecting issues around gender inequality (intersectionality);
Focus broadly on global patterns, trends and perspectives to enrich and expand our understanding of gender identity and equality beyond the American viewpoint; and
Elaborate and share the perspectives of our students, considering how we can increase their understanding of gender in its many facets and help prepare them to live and work in this evolving landscape (although they may prove to be better prepared than us!)

While I participate in this, Vivi the Kid and The Midge will paint the town...er...um...red. But not in red coats. Um. This is awkward. I'm going to back out of this by saying they're going to Hop on the Trolley (I'm still trying to get this phrase to make a comeback). I told my mom about my love of Hop On Hop Off for seeing a city because it's inexpensive, tickets last two days, and it has stops at all the major sights. I hope they take pictures!

Sharmanka Theatre in Glasgow has Kinetic Art that's unlike anything I've seen before. One reason for flying out of Glasgow was to be able to see a show. It's sort of steampunk puppetry with Rube Goldberg movements and music.

I booked us in the Kimpton Blythswood Square Hotel because it was the only one with double bed accommodations available the days we were there and it looked great online.

We were exhausted and decided to go to bed early, but the room was hot. And muggy. I couldn't keep the window open because we were over the central shaft and there were garbage bins and stank below. No matter how much I tried to get the air conditioning working, it was still hot. And muggy. I even googled the user manual for the system. Still hot. And muggy. I called the front desk and greeted them at the door in my jam-jams and they tried getting it to work. Still hot. And muggy. I called again. They brought up a portable air conditioner.

We saw the clock strike 2:00. 3:00. 4:00. We finally slept. But we missed out on a day in Glasgow.

This is what a tired kid looks like.

We decided to do a cab tour so we could at least see some of the city and the driver was really nice and agreed to drop us off at the theatre for the show. Along the way, we saw:

This church is gigantic. It's like a TARDIS -- bigger on the inside. We went in, then down, then over, then around...it just kept going.

Fact.

That night after the show, we went back to the hotel to meet up with Victoria, a fellow Fulbrighter now living in Scotland just outside Glasgow. We agreed to meet in the hotel restaurant and Viv took a picture of the lights.
The macaroni and cheese with brisket? Otherworldly.