Almost There...

Aside from a couple of the children... we're honestly almost there.

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Bursting To Share Our Success!

I make no secret of the fact that I love my job. I am very lucky to have fallen into the perfect career for me (and yes, I did fall into it... it was not that path I had planned.)

As with any job, there are a host of challenges that are inherent within it... But oh my goodness, it is ever rewarding, fulfilling and uplifting. Being a Montessori teacher (any kind of teacher, actually) can break your heart (for hundreds of different reasons) and it can also fill your heart. It can fill your heart to its capacity and beyond; so much so, that you think it is going to explode.

I had some amaaaaaaaaazing moments today, which I am SO grateful for. I just had to share them with you!

• One of my intermediate mums came to thank me this morning for whatever I have been doing with her daughter/working with her on in her writing. She told me it's spilled over to her general attitude towards school and her work in general. She is excited and motivated to come to school and is happier. What a GREAT way to start the day!! (Thank you, Mum of student! You have no idea HOW much that meant to me!!) 
• Today's reading group told me that they are really enjoyed the work I'm giving them to do after reading their book.
• As a follow up activity to their reading, I asked them to create a timeline of events for what's happened so far in the story. I told them to do whatever they wanted or present it however they wanted. Then I went off for a couple of hours to plan their next unit. When I came in at lunchtime to do some marking, I was blown away with what they had done in the hour and a half I was gone. It was AMAZING. (They didn't have to go away and work on it then, they all chose to.) Almost all of them had used the previous lessons and learning to build upon to create these fantastic timelines!! Woot! Score one for me and explicit teaching of reading comprehension strategies! Check these out!
  

  

  
• A child from another class asked me today (after a small explanation of what Montessori is) how he could "join Montessori." SO CUTE! 

It's all coming together!! (And it's our success, because it's just as much the children's success as it is mine.) 

Ten Years At Our Montessori Unit

Tomorrow, it will be eleven years since I arrived in New Zealand; Monday will mark my tenth year teaching at the Montessori Unit at our school. A decade! At the same school! I have seen families come and go; I have taught all the children in some families (so I have known some for almost that entire time), and right now there are students in my class that I remember as toddlers or preschoolers who insisted on wearing the same dress every day (and this child's mother despairing over it!)

Today, my ten year anniversary was celebrated with some of my friends from school and with our Montessori family.

I have to say it...

I am one lucky girl.



After listening to a song written and composed by a student (who sang SO sweetly); watching one of my students dance (I wish I was that graceful); receiving thoughtfully handmade gifts/poems from the children, as well as beautiful flowers and gifts from the Montessori Board of Trustees, then listening to very kind words about me (and taking note of the stories that were kindly left out), I blubbed my way through thanking everyone there.

My co-workers, families at school and the Montessori Trust have not only been my friends over the past years, but have been my support system and been part of my New Zealand family.

I am so thankful - my heart is very full... and I know, I am loved.

(I actually have cake, not chocolate, but the thought is much the same!)  via

Life Lessons I've Learnt From Knitting

For the last six years, I have written a speech to deliver to my students who leave the Senior Montessori class at the end of the Montessori 3 year cycle.

Last year, I gave the best one to date... A few people asked me to post it, but I never got around to it...(a bit busy with other goings on in life!) So now that my baby actually sleeps at night, I'm finally posting my speech from last year (my apologies if some of the photos are stretched out and funny looking. I had to save them from my Powerpoint... chances are I'll miss some stuff out too, since I generally make my speeches up as I go.)

Life Lessons I've Learnt From Knitting.

  Casting on - Casting on is the start of a new journey.

I love starting new knitting projects. Selecting my materials and reading through the pattern to plan the pathway to completion. The excitement, anticipation and nerves are all part and parcel of embarking on a new adventure or project. Like the students who are leaving us at the end of this year to cast onto their new adventure, I too will be casting on in my new role as a mother.

  Lesson 1 - Your parents will do (almost) anything for you, even stuff they hate.

I started knitting at a young age because I saw my grandmother knitting and I wanted another way to be close to her and connect with her. Mum taught herself to knit so she could teach me how. She hated it. She still hates knitting. She watches me knit now and wonders how it is that I can put so much time and effort into my hobby. She said it was a very happy day when I lost interest in knitting, so she could stop also.

 But it did give me a bit of extra cuddle time with my beautiful grandmother, thanks to my mum's efforts for me.

  Lesson 2 - It's okay to make mistakes. Don't be so hard on yourself... most of the time, no one can tell but you. Take the mistake and learn from it.

Can you spot the mistakes in the sweater? (This was the first one I ever knit.) I used the wrong stitch pattern on the ribbing because I got confused with the pattern.

 This photo shows that the sweater was sewn up backwards. Oops.

Lesson 3 - Ask for help when you need it.

Since this was my first project on my own, I asked Phill's mum, nana and aunty for help. They all worked on the sweater with me. It's now a treasured little bit of our family history. (Unfortunately, our baby's due in the summer so s/he won't get to wear it, but it's there should they want to!) Ask for help. People generally want to help if they can.

Lesson 4 - No matter how hard you try, sometimes things don't work out as you plan. Imperfect can be perfect. 

I worked for ages on this soft toy. I tried and tried and tried. It just doesn't look right or as perfect as the other ones I've done... but it has character and it's really quite sweet and perfect in its own way. When things don't work out as you planned, appreciate the lesson learned and move on. 

Lesson 5 - Things get easier the more you work at it.

Each one of these soft toys was better than the last one I made. Practice really does make perfect. The first time you do something, it isn't going to be the best... so keep working at it.

 Lesson 6 - Learn new things. Take the time to learn something new. Do things that you think may be too hard, you may surprise yourself.

I like the look and vibrancy of hand dyed wool. I liked the thought of it. I decided to try it one afternoon, using Kool-Aid. It was great fun and it turned out beautifully! I can't wait to do it again!

 Lesson 7 - Good things take time... if you're going to do something, you may as well do it right.

Again, perseverance is key. Good things take time and aren't always easy. It's so satisfying when you figure it out and finish it though. This blanket took me 6 months to make - each row took me 10 minutes. It was frustrating and tiring, but I did it and I took the time to do it right. It felt awesome.

 Lesson 8 - Keep important relationships alive.

I made this little cardi for a dear friend who was expecting a baby. We hadn't seen each other in many years and I still have yet to meet her baby. Her friendship is important to me though, even though we don't talk very often... we still check in with each other every so often. It's an easy, relaxed friendship, that's easy to keep alive. Keep those relationships alive - they're more important than you could ever realise.



 Lesson 9 - Take an interest in what others are going through and show them you care.

These were made for a friend who was very sick and going through some difficult things in her life. She loved them appreciated them, and they made her feel good to know that she was cared about and on my mind. Small gestures can mean the world to people.

 Lesson 10 - Give freely, generously and from the heart, with no expectation of return.

Another wee gift for a friend's baby, just because I wanted to celebrate his birth with her. I didn't want anything in return, I just wanted to give. A study recently showed that performing altruistic acts for others has a physical benefit for the giver. Not only is giving a wonderful thing, but it's good for your health too!

 Lesson 11 - Ask lots of questions and learn what you can from those around you.

Your friends all have a talent. Ask them for help and learn from them... this sweater was a gift from a friend who I often ask for advice about knitting patterns and techniques. I want to ask her to teach me how to knit with colours and designs!



Lesson 12 - Be yourself, find your balance and take pride in your own unique gifts.

A lot of my friends think I'm a bit of a nana for loving knitting. Not many women in their thirties get excited about pretty new knitting needles. I don't care. They've come around and actually think it's pretty cool now, because I'm not ashamed of my talents. Embrace your talents and your quirks. They make you who you are.

Casting off - Finish what you've started and see things through to completion, but at the same time, don't be afraid to start over (and over and over). Your completion point may be different than what's expected - it depends on the goals you set for yourself.

Please note that the ends of this sock are not woven in, and there is only one sock. I've been working on this pair for ages but it's not the sock that I really wanted to get from this project (although the sock is awesome) - I wanted to knit with my beautiful new wool and I was focussing on learning a new technique to make the wavy pattern. (It was surprisingly easy.) That being said, I ripped it apart and started over again at least 3 times. There's nothing wrong with starting over. Sometimes, it's even fun... but do try to finish the journey you've started upon - much like you've finished your journey in the Montessori Unit.

A Reminder...

My friend led a staff meeting last year - this comic was included and dedicated to me. via

Yesterday I went on a trip with my Year 5/6 students.  There's a student teacher in one of the other classes now who used to be one of 'my parents.'  I've been lucky enough to teach two of her three (gorgeous) daughters when they were in the Montessori Unit.  She was telling me about a student that I worked with in the Unit in my first year there, upon whom I left a lasting impression (a good one).  The thing is, he was never my student.  I interacted with him no more than 10 times, while I was in the 9-12 class (I was teaching in the 6-9 class at that time) and I was covering the class while the teacher was at Morning Tea.  I'm not sure what I did for this child (er... young man now - he's 21 - ugh), or what was so different, but something I did affected him - enough that it's stayed with him, nine years later.  Being the sap that I am, if I wasn't on a trip,  I would have burst into tears right then and there (I managed to keep it together though.)  I just felt like it was such a powerful reminder of the effect teachers can have on any students they interact with on a day-to-day; week-to-week or month-to-month basis.  So thankful that I left some sort of positive impact in a child's life! 

I try to revisit this poem at least once a year... for a small reminder...

A Teacher's Revelation:
I've come to the frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element in the classroom.
It's my personal approach that creates the climate. 
It's my daily mood that makes the weather.
As a teacher I possess a tremendous power to make a child's life miserable or joyous.
I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration.
I can humiliate or humor, hurt or heal.
In all situations, it is my response that decides whether a crisis will be escalated or de-escalated, and a child humanized or de-humanized.

-- Haim Ginot, Child Psychologist via

Day 3...

Today, one of my darlings who left me at the end of last year came to visit.  She made her mother drop her off at the school gate so she could run down and see me and be the first of my graduates to come visit.  Still so sweet!  Good thing she's not in my class anymore - she's almost as tall as I am!

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Today's favourite moment:

*students are updating their journals and showing me - they list the work they've done and the times... the following is the funniest converstation...

Me: What did you do for Math?  You didn't fill it in.

Child: Circling.

Me: (Thinking, thinking, thinking...) OH!  You mean rounding.  Gotcha.

So freakin' cute!

What Warmed My Heart Today

It's the second day of school and so far, I love my class.  Every year, I feel so blessed to be working with such a great group of people (adults and children.)

I got nine new Year 5 students in my class this year (Grade 4 students) after a mass exodus of students at the end of last year (maybe I'm preparing them too well, so they feel well equipped to leave the safety of our Montessori class!)  In these nine new students, I have some very interesting personalities.  One of my new students (child x) is a bit different and definitely has some learning and social preferences (I prefer preference to challenge) but a very sweet child, nonetheless.

Like in any classroom (not just a Montessori class) the start of the year is very full on and busy, busy, busy.  There's scarcely a moment to breathe, let alone sit down... so today, child x gave me their book to look at after finishing a bit of writing work, I put it down on the table to look over.  At the same time, child y was mucking about, so like any other teacher would, I gave child y 'the glare' and put my hand out for him to hand me the thing he was playing around with.  Child x looked at me, looked at my hand, and promptly put his hand in mine and held it - sweetly, gently and calmly... and he looked so genuinely delighted that I wanted to hold his hand, my heart melted and I stopped, took a deep breath, enjoyed the moment and let my heart fill up with love and gratitude.

What was your favourite moment today?

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Oh. Man.

Every year, I think it's the hardest year to say goodbye to my students who leave me, but I think that they're just so awesome during the year, I forget how my heart breaks and swells all at once on the last day.  Quite frankly, it's emotionally exhausting!  I had an a lot of students leave at the end of this year, so it was a bit hard.

On Wednesday, we had our Montessori Leaving Assembly to say goodbye to our students who have completed the Montessori Cycle and are moving on to another school.  Generally, I'm a blubbering mess on that day - I was pleased that I held it together so well on Wednesday... I cracked a tear when in his farewell speech, one of my boys thanked me especially and said that I taught him "important life lessons beyond academics and how to be a compassionate individual."  My heart twisted a bit, but I mostly kept it together.  Oh.  Man. (#1.)

In a card yesterday, a parent thanked me for "helping shape xxxxx into a mature young man, although he's still got a long way to go, you've given him the best start possible..." again, my heart twisted.  Tears!  Oh.  Man.  (#2) 

But today was hardest.  I was doing alright.  Teared up when I got another beautiful card from a parent, but the tears didn't actually brim over.  Oh yeah!  We said goodbye to our 5/6 students first and I felt my eyes getting a bit wet when I looked at their cheeky grins, sparkly eyes and just gorgeous smiles.  But I was good!  I held it together and made it all the way to morning tea.  Thought I was awesome.

And then...

"So... uh... Tez, we lied and we weren't actually doing anything for the yearbook - the intermediate leavers have organised a gift for you and there was no parental input in this at all.  We just wanted to say thank you to you."  OH!  MAN!  (#3)  Tears, tears, tears.

Not only did they give me a GORGEOUS eco-cup for my morning coffees, but the card... inside were the sweet and heartfelt messages...

Kept it together a bit...

But then... I read this poem that one of my girls wrote...

Oh.  Man.  Tears.  (#4 & #5)

But it was this message that sent me straight over the edge.  It's not only filled my eyes with many tears, but filled my heart with love, pride and a bit of selfish sorrow that she's going.  She hugged me several times at the end of the day, so we cried together (more than once.)

Oh.  Man.  So many tears!  (#6, #7 & #8) 

Ten years ago when I decided to be a teacher, I hoped and prayed that I would make some sort of an impact on children's lives.  I actually still hope for the same thing, each and every day.  Today, however, was one of my high points in my career - it rates up there with when I left home and one of my boys organised all the students sign a Hockey Canada t-shirt that he bought me.  (I cried my eyes out then too, but it was only my 3rd year teaching and I was too cool to cry in front of them, so I hid in the bathroom and sniffled away.) 

I really do love my job... so grateful and so blessed.

At The Risk of Getting Emotional...

Tomorrow is Katy's last day teaching with me.  I've been a bit grumpy and short with her recently, simply because I don't want her to go.  I mean, I'm ridiculously excited for her and even a bit jealous - she's young, gorgeous and has the world at her feet - she's off to Italy to continue her Montessori training in Bergamo - how could I not be a bit green-eyed?  In the kindest way possible, of course!

Katy and I at Wai-o-Tapu (Sacred Waters) during our (fabulous) class trip to Rotorua.

Here's the thing... as we sat and had one of our chats yesterday, it occurred to me (probably for the hundredth time, but that's the benefit of having an appalling memory - each time is like a new discovery for me) that Katy and I probably spend more time together in a week than Phillip and I do. 

Co-teaching is very much like a marriage - we get fed up with each other and grumpy with one another all the time... but then we get over it.  There are times either one of us has come to work in a foul mood and after a: stern talking to/good laugh/hug/cry/rant/rave we're alright - it seems we generally know what the other needs.  Sometimes, we've laughed so hard we've snorted and had tears in our eyes.  There have also been buckets of tears shed about sadder things... I knew that after Dad died, I could go into school and cry on Katy's shoulder.  Anytime.  That helped me immeasurably.  The other day, we dissolved into giggles at an eyebrow raise and a lopsided grin - it actually happened more often than you'd think.  We have giggled like school girls in class and the children would stare at us, wondering what on earth had gotten into us.  We grumbled and groaned like old ladies.  We understand each other.  We've shared deep dark secrets, our hopes, dreams and fears.  We hold nothing back when we're talking to each other.  She's listened to my same stories a hundred times (the downside to having a terrible memory), yet she never complains... It's a very special and rare connection to have with a co-teacher... one that (thankfully) has crossed over into a very real friendship.   

Yes, I know you can see right up my nose and it's not the most flattering photo of the two of us... but it was a good time!

It's also been so good to see Katy grow as an educator; to see her become more confident and capable in class.  She asserts herself more each and every day and I think she will be an inspiring an dynamic Montessori teacher when she is done her training and has her own class.  

As the children sang their song (You're Amazing by Bruno Mars, with a bit of lyrical editing, because I did think it was a bit weird if they sang about kissing her lips) I felt tears pricking at my eyes, as I do now, and so I will blink rapidly now, as I did this afternoon and think of the great things that wait for her.  
 
Katy, I am really proud of you for following your dreams to Italy - taking that big leap into the unknown will bring you untold adventure, which I think you'll love!  Thank you for the support, hugs, coffees, giggles, cups of tea, stories, gossip and enthusiasm for life... I am grateful for having had the opportunity to have taught with you over the past 15 months.  I look forward to hearing your stories, my friend.  I'll miss you.

A little more lady like... seconds before the previous picture!

 p.s. - Italian shoes.  We have the same size feet.  Just sayin'.  (Handbags are also okay.)

A fortnight's worth of Sunday Evening Reflections

I was busy having an awesome and relaxing time with LeeAnn in Wellie last Sunday, so I happily neglected my writing last weekend.  In spite of an achy back and a bit of a nasty sniffle, it's been a really lovely fortnight.  Things that I loved over the past two weeks...

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1.  Getting to blob out (or lie on the floor so my back didn't ache) during a sick day last Monday and watching one of my favourite movies - Monsoon Wedding.  I've also just read that it is being adapted into a Broadway musical, which they started casting in June.  I'm curious to see how one of my favourite films translates onto Broadway.  The movie is a riot of colour and festivities, fraught with familial drama - I hope the stage production is as spectacular as the movie!  I always get a bit nostalgic for my family when I watch it, but it never fails to make me ridiculously happy.

2.  Being back in class the day after.  It was actually really lovely and the children were so very sweet, knowing that my back was achy and Katy was still sick.  Such a great group of children.

3.  I did a Parent Information Evening (about Montessori Math and Storytelling) on the Wednesday night of that week, and even though only ten people came, it went really well.  I think it's one of the best ones I've ever done actually!  It's a shame more parents weren't able to make it... but I left there feeling pretty fantastic and I got some really positive feedback about it. 

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4.  Hanging out in the Air NZ lounge, and being able to take my friends in on the way to Wellington and back.  It was just so very decadent and such a pleasant way to wait for our flights!  It made the delay on the way down much more palatable.  I'd love to take Phill somewhere soon just so we can go hang out in the lounge for a bit!

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5.  A fabulous weekend in Wellington, spending quality time with LeeAnn.  Girlfriend time is so good for the soul!  The purpose of the trip was actually work related.  The first reason was to attend a day's workshop at a school only a few minutes away from LeeAnn and Warwick's (gorgeous) house.  The workshop was fantastic to reignite and re inspire me, but most of all, it was a great chance to catch up with other Montessori professionals in New Zealand and to touch base with some fantastic folks that I haven't seen in ages.  Katy and I stayed on and spent Monday morning observing another 9-12 class.  We came away with some great ideas and feeling really excited about implementing some changes to make our awesome class even better. 

(That was mostly just the first week, except for the Monday observation!)

6.  I got my pretty new knitting needles in the post (which I battled for on trademe - I curse trademe lurkers!)  They're beautiful and I'm looking forward to doing some knitting with them! 

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7.  A Friday night, all snuggled up on the sofa, nursing my cold, feeling sorry for myself and watching Iron Chef... I'm convinced that's why I feel better today!

 

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8.  A super Saturday spent pampering myself.  I had my hair done first thing in the morning and then had a fun evening out with Rebecca, starting with a yummy dinner at Wagamama followed by watching the movie, Salt. (I thought it was entertaining - not fabulous, but a good, fun movie to watch on a Saturday evening with a good friend.) Again, girl time is so very good for the soul - and I always have such great time with Rebecca (which I think I've mentioned before!) 

Before.

 9.  I just made some tasty (Weight Watchers) self-saucing puddings.  What a lovely way to end a Sunday evening. 

After.

Whew.  It's been a fantastic fortnight - bring on another week! 

Something a little out character - a letter out of order...

I'm going to do something that goes against my very nature, but this one has been brewing in my mind for the last few weeks and if I don't write it now, it won't be nearly as relevant as it could be.

Over the past couple of months, I have been immensely grateful for reunions. 

Reunions are wonderful, uplifting and just so very fantastic! 

I was recently visiting home for Christmas and I had the most fabulous reunion with my nephew.  I was blessed enough to spend some portion of nearly each day with Noah.  The last few times I've gone home, I've been very apprehensive about seeing him.  I was worried that he wouldn't know me, or he wouldn't like me.  I am happy to report that when I was at home over Christmas, I had an awesome time with Noah, and I have no need to worry about any future reunions because I know he'll remember me.  I also fell head over heels in love with him.  He is a happy, sweet, polite and clever and generally a delightful child.  I'm not saying that because he's my nephew and I'm horribly biased... I genuinely mean it!  It was just fantastic and I had an awesome time. 

Not the most flattering photo of me, but it's okay because I love making this kid laugh!

I also got to have the best reunion yet with my Faiza.  We got to hang out, chat and just 'be.'  We haven't had the chance to do that at all in this phase of our lives and I really missed it.  We also had great fun going to see Jersey Boys, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and trips to Wally's.  I loved every second of my reunion with Faiza.  It was magic and I love her. 

I think this is the first time I've been home and not taken photos of us...

This 'photo' is also relevant in a couple of paragraphs from here... 

When I came back to New Zealand, I had the best reunion of all... Phill was at there waiting for me.  He had taken the day off work, got up at 4 a.m. and took a cab to the airport - just so he could be there when I got back.  Since I wasn't expecting him, I walked right by him (again - just like the last time he surprised me at the airport.)  When I did see him, I vaguely remember launching myelf into his arms and squealing at the top of my lungs.  It was the best thing to come back to and made me SO very happy. 

I love this guy.

The day before school started, I was lucky enough to have a quick reunion with my dear friend LeeAnn.  She came up to Auckland for work and we went out for a lovely dinner, walked along the beach and had a good catch up.  I always look forward to her work visits and our friendship makes me soul happy.  We haven't taken any photos of us together in ages.  That is something that must be remedied next time we're visiting each other!

Finally, I went back to work.  It's always nice to meet up with the people I work with and having a good gab with them is great.  The people I work with are really quite awesome... but my favourite reunion to do with work was having my class back again.  In Montessori, the students stay in a class for a three year cycle.  Due to the way the New Zealand school system works and our wider school going up to year 8, students have the opportunity to stay in the 9-12 class for four years.  I had a few students leave, as they do when they get older and I have now ten children that are new to my class.  Every year, I really look forward to having my kids back again.  I love the relationship I build with my students because I have them for several years at a time... and I get to do that because we get to have our reunion every February.  They are really good kids and yes, they make me crazy at times (as I'm sure they do to their parents too) but I know that I'm lucky to have them. 

I don't feel right putting up photos of children that are not related to me, but rest assured, I have many great photos of them and they are gorgeous. 

How I love a good reunion!!

'b' is for Books!

I love books.  Every room in our house contains a book of some sort.  They cover most available surfaces; stacked, piled, strewn, arranged, shelved two or three deep... Phillip and I are surrounded by books; while the clutter drives me batty, I don't think I'd have it any other way.

One of my measures of a successful holiday is the number of books I can read while I'm not working.  I'll often try not to read during term time (because I'll stay up late to read) but then I feel bereft.  A bit lost, like I'm missing some vital part of myself.

I don't just love the narratives, recounts, illustrations, information and all that marvellous stuff that goes with reading - it goes deeper than that.

To me (and I suspect many others), books conjure up fond memories and of course a variety of emotions.  I can't remember a time in my life that I didn't have a book in hand.  I associate books with my mum... she is always reading, and I think I get my voracious appetite for reading from my mum.  They stir memories of being curled up in bed as Mum would read to me.  I used to make tents under my blankets in the middle of the night with my lamp, so I could read a bit more.  When we would stay at Perin Auntie’s house, I'd sneak down to the classrooms downstairs (she had a Montessori school in her house) and sit on the floor and read (or try to figure out the Binomial Cube) until I could barely drag myself up the three flights of stairs to get back into bed (I used to love it when the house was full and we'd have to sleep on mattresses in a classroom.) My favourite presents have always been books.  I can't even count the number of times I have gone to bed before Phill, only to have him come in and laugh because once again, I've fallen asleep while reading, and more often than not, the book is resting on my face.  I relish the conversations and discussions I have with my friends about books - why they were or were not fantastic, which then spiral off into other amazing and inspiring conversations and suppositions.  It makes my heart smile when Noah picks up a book and asks someone to read it to him.  The way my students become engrossed in the stories we read in class - so excited and anxious to find out what is going to happen next - I love it!

More than the stories, I love the escapism that goes along with a really good book.  The fact that when I'm reading, it's all about me and doing something I adore.  I admit, it can be hard to take time for myself - so easy to get caught up in all the things that must be done... but it never seems to be hard to find that time when I've got a good book to keep me company. Thank goodness for that.