1997 was a good year for all of us. It was my second year of teaching ESL at Fort Vancouver High School. Believe me, the second year is always much easier than the first. My big transition was last year when I went from teaching groups of 2 or 3 elementary students in New Jersey to teaching up to 40 high school students in one class in Washington. What a difference a "long distance" move makes!

Our biggest thrill in 1997 was moving into a new and much more accommodating house. It is so nice having a house as big as the one we had to leave in NJ. An unexpected bonus is that now we have the nicest neighbors we have ever had. Neighbors make a difference!

With teaching, I don't have time for much else, especially since I've been selected to be on a couple of committees at school - that's in addition to to two weekly staff meetings. However, I do always find time to visit my favorite store at least a couple of times a week (Goodwill, aka "Saks Fourth Plain").

In June, my mother and father came to visit from New Jersey. It was wonderful having them here, and Dad certainly enjoyed the numerous senior activities in Vancouver. It was not such a good trip for my mother, who suffers from Alzheimer's, and was pretty confused most of the time.

I had a special bonus from the school system this year. I was selected to go on an all-expense-paid trip to Russia for 9 days in June. The trip was in commemoration of the 1937 over-the-pole flight (from St. Petersburg to Vancouver) of Valeriy Chkalov - the Russian Lindbergh. The trip was a very big event for our little town and many local dignitaries and educators were in our party of 85. We were wined and dined wonderfully in Russia. I met Cosmonauts, four-star generals, and high government officials. Fortunately, I was able to get away and have dinner and social time with some Russian families. It was a tremendous experience, which can never be repeated. I have learned to appreciate the value of toilet paper.

In August, I took the girls to NJ for our customary visit. My family was all in good health, and it was wonderful to get to see them all. Unfortunately, we had to place Mom in a residence where she can get the constant care she now needs.

1999 has been a year of many changes. We spent most of the year getting ready for Elizabeth's departure for Japan. I was fine until the last couple of weeks before she left when I realized she would be gone for a full year! I now understand why the foreign exchange staff told students to thank their parents because they are making a big sacrifice - how true that is. Having a beloved daughter away for a year is very hard. I just try to remember another thing the officials said. Instead of missing your daughter, concentrate on the fact that she is having a wonderful adventure.

Mary's adjustment to a new (private) school, St. Mary's Academy in Portland, has been important this year. She was hesitant to go - we're going to let her make the decision as to whether she continues there for the rest of her high school. St. Mary's offers a tough college prep curriculum. Mary dove right into it, and is doing extremely well! She is also her homeroom representative, and (at 6'1") plays on the freshman basketball; team.

My mother's death from Alzheimer's was another change. Mom started deteriorating quickly in September and was gone by mid-October. Although she had suffered from the disease for the past seven years, it does not make her passing any easier.

I'm doing fine at school. I'm still teaching ESL reading, which is what I enjoy most.

My year has been filled with numerous stress factors, including my mother's and father's deaths, the retirement of my husband, the wonderful return of my oldest daughter, and the end of my youngest daughter's term as an only child. Other than all of that it has been a normal year.

During my month's stay in New Jersey cleaning out my folks' house I was able to attend my 30th high school reunion. It was great! I went with my old friend who has lived in Missouri since graduation. I still contend that the women look better than the men do.

I played a lot of golf this summer and fall and I'm getting much better, especially my driving.

My school year has been wonderful. I have most of the students that I had last year. That is the best news. They know me, and I know them. I teach reading all day with the Accelerated Reader program I have installed on the six computers in my room, the students finish a book and take a pre-made test on their particular book. So far, my 75 students have read and taken tests on more than 500 books.

I have also become an ESL mentor teacher for the school district, which means I facilitate study groups with regular classroom teachers regarding the ESL students they have in their classes. Thank goodness there is 20% more pay to compensate for frequent after school and weekend events.