“After a good dinner one can forgive anybody, even one’s own relations.”
Oscar Wilde
I have half a mind to eliminate the Jeopardy game I use to start off Day Five, but it was such a winner for last week’s group, I hate to do it. I guess it will depend in large part on when the participants get to class. Our 8:30 a.m. starting time has typically been 8:55 or 9:00, which makes things much more difficult. I also need to give the participants 30 minutes to design their AV, which will be flip charts- and give them the feedback oath so they give constructive and honest feedback to each other. If we have 9-10 participants in each of the three taping rooms, we’ll need to start the taping by 10. You see my dilemma.
When the class was over, a very kind man collected the candy, Koosh balls, and glitter wands (so I could hide them). And Mahmoud drove me back to the office, where I met up with Lina (who gave me the information about my trip to Petra and Aqaba), and then went with Mona, Meredith (a communications consultant with Ecodit) and Pritti (the marketing consultant from I don’t know where) and Mona’s husband, Richard, to a restaurant on top of a mountain far above the Dead Sea.
It was a pleasant trip (the three of us consultants were seated intimately in the back of the car), the scenery beautiful, and the restaurant had a terrific view from the terrace, which is where we sat. There was a nice breeze, we could see Palestine- and there was Indian (who knows why) music and great food.
The sunset was lovely and then we searched for Venus (found 1) and Mars (found 1 that was an airplane, 1 that wasn’t Mars, and finally 1 that was) and had lots of good conversation about religion (I’m sure I mentioned in an earlier letter that Richard is writing a book about religions).
On the drive back, I could barely keep my eyes open. But we had to stop at Mona and Richard’s house to get an envelope to deliver to someone at the hotel. We all went up to their apartment, which I’ve described before. Their magnificent view was even spectacular at night, with the lights of Jerusalem in the distance.
Once we got back to the hotel, I found out that the addressee of the envelope had checked out of the hotel, so I’m going to have to give the envelope to Meredith to mail when she is back in the States (she goes back on Sunday). Then I needed to write about my experience conducting the training and the benefits that the participants received- so that Meredith can put it into a press release.
Then find three previous Laurel Learning Tips related to training large groups in an interactive manner, to send to Trisha and Piotr for Bassey
Then score four pre-tests that came in today (and were completed today) so of course almost all of the answers are correct. Maha is quite literal- if people need to complete the pre-test, that’s what she has them do. I had pointed out to her yesterday that these pre-tests were no longer pre, if you know what I mean. I’m going to have to throw them out.
Speaking of literal and task-focused, Maha created a schedule of work for me (and her) next week that was going to start on Saturday!!! Luckily, she didn’t realize that I would not be conducting a two-day train the trainer class for the staff. That freed up two days. Otherwise, my trip to Petra and Aqaba would have had to cut out Aqaba. Whew!
I have not yet reviewed the 28 lesson plans- and quite honestly, I can barely keep my eyes open. I’ll just have to review them and return them next week. I simply cannot keep getting 5 hours of sleep. (Uh oh. I just looked at the clock and it is already 12:30 a.m. on Thursday. I haven’t had my shower yet, so a long night’s sleep is still not in the cards for me. Oh well, one more day!
P.S. Mona spoke with me about possibly returning to provide coaching to the trainees in 7 to 10 months. I said absolutely!
May your learning be sweet.
Deborah
