Saturday, March 01, 2003

Thanks for your greetings. I am back from Annecy, Geneva, and Amsterdam. I should go to bed as it's about 4:00 am according to my internal clock (not that I ever got adjusted to French time). I met some nice people at the conference and the French didn't live up to their rude reputation. Everywhere it was "Bonjour, bonjour!" And I took lots of pictures, Peter.
Gracias primo.
---Livvi'i

Friday, February 28, 2003

Liv,

Tu siempre me has impresionado con su nivel de espanol avanzado. Creo que tiene algo que ver con sus maestros- o es nada mas de tu intelectualidad. Todos de nosotros sabemos que eres un genio.

Tomas
Roosevelt
Hey all. I was just about to ask if you knew about the teachers from Roosevelt coming to Como. I only met a Spanish teacher who was amazed at my Spanish teachers ability to teach free levels of Spanish at once, and get a bunch of them to pass the AP exam.
----Livvi'i
Yes, family, I have fond memories of Mr. Rogers... I think I enjoyed his show even more than "my boys" did. I especially remember frustrating them by singing, "O I like to take my time, I mean that when I have a thing to do, I like to take my time and do it right."
How long are you going to be "over there", Teresa? I enjoyed reading about all you're doing. I pray you have a safe trip home. I also send my greetings to everyone in Atlanta, Chicago, St. Paul, Shakopee, New York City, Bloomington, Annecy (?) and Minneapolis. Too busy to call your own mother?... tch tch tch... Have a great weekend, everybody! Nancy
A Roosevelt High -Como Park connection
A couple of days ago several educators from Roosevelt High School( alma mater of several of us Andersons) visited Como Park H.S.(alma mater of Liv) . Apparently CP was in a position ten years ago similar to what Teddy country faces today; a critical mass of unsuccessful students and a bad reputation. My colleagues were impressed with the CP of today. Maybe some of their successes can be replicated at RHS.
Mr. Rogers was my daily ritual (as well as peanut butter and jelly sandwhich) upon coming home from my morning kindergarten class. It is sad to see him go.

Well, Maria, I'm sorry to say I won't be home for spring break. I'm actually going to go to a monastery to pray and spend some time in silence during the week. It's actually a Lutheran monastery with benadictine influence. Check it out at http://StAugistinesHouse.org

We got permission from the U.S. government to travel to Cuba this summer for a week and so now we are awaiting a letter of invitation from Cuba so we can start the process of getting visas.

Hope all is well in Minnesota, Georgia, New York and Indiana (Ingrid are you still in Indiana?) oh, and of course, France.

Tom

Thursday, February 27, 2003

Hi Everyone,

Yesterday I did write something on here, but I must have done it wrong because it didnt get published. Anyways, what I wrote was that I have a couple questions for several people who frequent this site. First off...Norris, are you working at the exhibit on Egypt this weekend, because I think Pete and I may be going on Saturday and we would like to see you, plus possibly get a discount on our tickets. Tom, when is your spring break? Just wondering because my parents want to have a game night with your parents and mine and we want to wait to have it until you are home.

Just curious, but what happened to the idea of going on an Anderson Family trip this summer? Has the entire idea been thrown out the window? I think it would be a blast. I know that going to Matt and Janelles wedding in California was a great family bonding time...especially for me being the newcomer.

Nancy we did get your phone message from a few days ago and I have been bugging Pete to call you back, but he claims that he's too busy. I hope school is going well for you and thanks for the call. It's nice to know that people are thinking of you.

Hope everyone is having a great week and enjoy your trip Teresa!!
Mister Rogers - You'll always be our favorite neighbor... 1929-2003



NY Daily News - Breaking News - Sad day in 'Neighborhood' as Mister Rogers dies

Wednesday, February 26, 2003

Andersons on the Moon!

Well, not really....

BUT there are Andersons in France! At least one we know of... Liv got a call this afternoon from the VISA company checking to make sure it was really RIGHT that someone was using our credit card in France. Interesting that they do catch things like this - Liv's guess is that the fact that charges were coming from the US and France simultaneously was suspicious. I guess it is good they are on top of this...

Teresa wrote today that, "We just finished the first day at the conference center... now just have to wait for the big dinner. The place is very fancy and in a beautiful location. It is interesting to have perspectives from around the world."

(feel free to write her there - she DOES have email!)

Tuesday, February 25, 2003

Everything went much better than I had anticipated. My flight out of Mpls was delayed about half an hour while they added more hydraulic fluid, so I was a little worried for a while, but we only arrived about 5 minutes late in Amsterdam. That airport is very nice and so it was interesting to wander around. The flight to Geneva was just over an hour and the airport there was small and easy to navigate. I walked through customs, staight ahead was my bag, and then immediately the person holding the sign for the cab. And the cabby was a glamorous woman (and not drunk). There were 3 of us from the flight. My hotel is right on a park and I have a wondow overlooking the lake and the mountains. My room is small, but the bathroom is huge (as big as the bedroom) and very modern.

I took a long walk around part of the lake today and everyone was biking, rollerblading, skateboarding, and walking dogs. I have seen a million dogs, including many "French" poodles.

Finding the cybercafe took me a long time though. The girl at the hotel said it was nearby in some cafe but I never found it. I had just about given up when I ran across this little place tucked in a tony street with antique shops and art galleries. It only has about 12 terminals, but it very classy (including quiet music in the background). Not like the English one with 400 terminals! You just pay a person after you're done (1.50 Euro for half an hour). I don't think I will ever find it again, however!

Sunday, February 23, 2003

I hope you have a wonderful time in the alps! Take lots of pictures!