September is a harvest month. Our September was full of activities, new starts and discoveries. We harvested the experience of turning from a guest family into a resident family with daily routines, favorite grocery items and regular schedules.
Kids got a real taste of school. Their days are filled with new subjects such as physics, geography, Lithuania’s and Europe history, economics, ethics, Spanish (Andrew), German (Dominick), the Lithuanian language and lots of English grammar. When we were thinking about the Lithuanian school in Madison, we all thought that the Lithuanian language would be the hardest subject. It turned out that English lessons are the hardest. English is taught in a very traditional way by emphasizing grammar rules. Vaidas and I studied past perfect and other 11 tenses (and sort of forgot all the rules over time). Kids were not exposed to these grammar rules in Madison (at least, yet). And here, the grammar rules and correct spelling are taught in marathons of 8- 12 weeks. Thankfully, there is an internet with many answers to the questions that parents don’t remember or don’t know.
The grading system is different and we like it. Each lesson (math, geography, history) has lots of modules. In each module, every topic is taught and comes with certain assignments. For each assignment, there is a certain amount of credits given. At the end of the module, there is a seminar - a way to test students whether they learned the concept. The seminar has a certain amount of credits as well. Students can also earn credits doing “extra mile” activities. The module is worth the set amount of credits that are turned into percentages. So, some modules can have a total of 20 credits, others have 90 credits. But in both cases, 20 and 90 credits are 100% and students need to collect at least 50% of the credits to “pass” the module. Students can retake the seminars because the goal is to learn and understand the topic. I am told this is NOT a typical grading method in Lithuania, but our school does it.
Parents can log in and see the credits and teacher notes about all the assignments. I think we got the concept and we are doing ok in collecting the credits.
The other real learning of the language is also happening. I told Andrew that he will probably learn some bad words from the kids at school. He is checking our knowledge about some of them. He asked for a translation for “bliamba” - for which I welcome your suggestions - and offered an equivalent to “seni” which he thinks means “dude.” Dominick noticed that everyone says “liuks” which means “great.”
We have some activities after the school day is over. Andrew is attending ping pong lessons that are taught by Helmutas Lisinas, a Lithuanian who won Lithuanian and Soviet championships in the 1960s. He is 82 and in a great shape. Vaidas usually participates in the lessons and is advancing his moves. Andrew also is now a member of Volvere Running club and practices once a week. Andrew already participated in ping pong competition in Ukmergė and running competition in Vilnius. We also found a viola teacher for Andrew since he played viola at school and wants to continue once we are back. She is not just a teacher, she is the main viola player at the Lithuania’s national symphony and she is a daughter-in-law of the late Vilnius mayer Algirdas Vileikis.Vileikis signed the original Madison Vilnius Sister Cities agreement and had visited Madison, Wisconsin. There is a book with his memoirs „Deja vu. Vilnius 1974–1990.“ Oh yes, the world is small and I do look for such serendipitous moments.
I was invited to the US Embassy for the country orientation and a chance to meet other Fulbrighters. There is a professor Karen Longman in Klaipeda, she is doing research and teaches about how leadership identities are formed, especially in women. There is a business professor in Vilnius (originally was placed in Belarus, but had to transfer to Vilnius), three English language teacher assistants placed in Radviliškis, Anykščiai ir Vilkaviškis. There will be a couple more Fulbrighters coming in January 2024.
This was the first time ever I was at the US embassy in Lithuania. The embassy has a huge city block behind secure walls. The ambassador is not yet confirmed by the Senate, but the embassy has a person in charge and seems to be working with many partners to show the American support for Lithuanian businesses, cultural events and government. All Fulbrighters were invited to an annual banquet at the ambassador's villa.
You know me, I enjoy hosting parties. We had a “welcome to Lithuania” celebration with friends in mid-September. I wanted to commemorate the fact that both Vaidas and I left Lithuania 25 years ago (in 1998) and it was our 19th wedding anniversary. We had about 30 people in a lovely “Beatos virtuvė” studio. Beata is a cook, author of cookbooks, magazine and TV shows and also a very warm person (sort of Martha Stewart in Lithuania). I don’t know her personally but I have almost all her magazines and many of my favorite recipes are from her repertoire. So it only made sense to book a space in her studio where she films her shows. OK, she did not cook for us that evening. :)
We went to Šturmų švyturys for one of the weekends. We visited Ventės ragas (ornithological station for migrating birds), Mingės kaimas which is like a mini Venice in Lithuania with a river instead of the street, and had a lovely dinner at the Šturmų švyturys. Their menu consists of five items - the fresh catch, three appetizers and one dessert. The next day we visited Aukštumalos pelkė (swamp) and stopped at Švėkšna. Swamps are really beautiful and I like the wooden paths allowing to observe them. Lithuania has LOTS of old churches, the one in Švėkšna is impressive, it looks like from a Harry Potter movies.
Stay warm, safe and calm.
Milda
Great month! The school sounds really unique. Miss you!
I am impressed by everything they are learning in school! Sounds like you are having a great time. What beautiful scenery too. -Christine