EDUCATION BERMUDIAN STYLE

Every day for the last two weeks, I have watched young people having fun on the water.  There are usually about a dozen students crewing three yachts with pink sails, as well as two marine inflatable boats that follow them around, manned by instructors.  The sounds of laughter and shouted instructions carry across the water and the antics are a delight to watch. 

I decided to do some research - to find out more about these exploits that occur so consistently every morning.  What I discovered was that there is a program called Bermuda Schools WaterWise (BSWW) that teaches 10 to 12 year old middle school children about water safety, seamanship and sailing as part of their school curriculum.  The program is led by teachers and lessons are conducted during school hours as part of their curriculum.  The venues are either yacht club facilities or, if they are lucky enough - right there within school grounds if they are waterfront schools.  The program is now funded by Oracle - Team USA of America's Cup fame.

Another interesting tidbit I came across was that a charitable foundation called the Bermuda Sloop Foundation (BSF) built a replica tall ship modelled on the original 1800's Spirit of Bermuda sailing vessel.  The modern Spirit of Bermuda was constructed around 2006 and now serves as a sail training ship for Bermuda's youth.  Each middle school child has an opportunity of sailing on a week long Atlantic voyage.  During their time on board the budding sailors learn about Bermudian culture, history, sea technology and improve their seafaring prowess.  But it is also seen as character building, where students can learn the art of co-operation, teamwork, leadership, problem-solving and resiliency.

Great to see such a positive educational tool with such happy results!

                                 The Spirit of Bermuda. Photo by Seán Pòl Ó Creachmhaoil.

FEBRUARY UPHEAVAL

After an all too brief relaxing sojourn in Bermuda, it was back to Burlington to tidy up, clean up, pack up, declutter, and store.  Working every day for three weeks, accumulating hours of backbreaking and tedious slog, the move has finally been accomplished.  Taylors Moving had a team of packers who spent two days packing up the final bits - mostly from the kitchen, dining room and clothing from closets.  After that came the movers who managed to pack all of our worldly goods into a 40 foot container that was trucked off to deep storage - not to be seen for two years. 

Then came the U Haul truck to lug a 10 foot van load of goods into a storage unit that we can get into from time to time.   All those things that we (see I) think will be needed over the two year period - clothes, books, electronics, tools. ... and did I mention books?   Unfortunately, some of the stuff was just last minute detritus that should have gone to long-term storage, but in the panic of last minute packing, just never made it there.  

And finally, there were the six suitcases designated for immediate use in Bermuda - some kitchen gadgets, clothes, toiletries, and .... you guessed it - books!

Two things I know for sure: 1.  Patrick and I are getting too old to be carrying 30 to 50lb loaded cardboard boxes anywhere! (That will be the last U Haul we do) and 2. I sure am a packrat.  Found some interesting things that had been buried over time - some long lost photos, stained glass tools, embroidery waiting for needle and thread.  Also found some stuff better forgotten - old dresses, old magazines, and letters written long, long ago. A journal from my youth - shredded with a shudder.  And professional backlog - articles, essays, research papers all the way back to the 80's - what was I thinking?

One good thing to come out of all of this: I have finally managed to throw out the unwanted or unnecessary, or long out of date paraphernalia - the essays have been shredded, the magazines/articles and papers are doing their bit for recycling, and Value Village acquired just a little bit more.  Not to mention that the landfill site took its fair share as well.

I feel a sense of relief in a way - I know what I have, I know where it all is (more or less) and I know what to do with it all.  It's like starting a new chapter once more, with none of those untidy, bothersome leftovers that constantly trip you up.

And now to the next phase: to follow through and finish the projects that have been started, and to keep up with some sort of routine.   Now that I have the time, what I really want to focus on is actually making some of the ideas I have and projects in my head into a reality.

Let's hope it all falls into place.