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July 23
Just one more day and then I will be on my way back across the pond to California. Today I completed a survey for the TED Global conference. I had to use the catalog to respond to many of the speakers. It's been a week since the conference, and when you have 100 presentations the brain becomes a bit clouded. I had my favorites: Annie Lennox, Thomas Dolby, Adrian Dolby (no relation), Jessica Jackley, Steven Johnson, Sugata Mitra, Elif Shafak, Ethan Zuckerman and my number one favorite: Jamuil Abu-Wardeh (The 99). When surveys are long and you must rate so many speakers, I'm not sure of the accuracy of the survey. However, I can tell you that my overall rating of the conference was "out of the park". It was definitely a life-changing experience. I was able to connect with many interesting people, several of whom I will follow up with after I return home. The conference also expanded my view and awareness of the world around me. I'm looking forward to getting together with some of you to view the sessions again and continue the conversation.
Yesterday we went into Judith's town, Witney. It is a picturesque place with a wonderful antiquarian bookshop. I bought a signed first edition of a Colin Dexter book. He writes mystery stories that have been turned into a television series for the BBC. The main character, Inspector Morse, spends a lot of time in the Randolph Hotel which is where I stayed for the conference. We visited The Fleece, a local pub where Dylan Thomas used to visit, and tried their local ale. I tried a half pint of Old Speckled Hen, an interesting name for an ale. When we returned home, I made an effort to see if I could get all my belongings into my suitcase for the trip home. I must say it is questionable. I've already given up a pair of shoes, a purse and maybe more as I get closer to Saturday morning.
Today, we went out to breakfast. Choices for the meal included: grilled tomatoes and mushrooms, sausage, bacon, and eggs scrambled or poached on white or wheatmeal toast and coffee or tea. After breakfast we walked around Witney again. With my camera, I documented St. Mary's Church, many headstones in the attached graveyard, the former woolen mills, the bookshop, the letter box, flower baskets and the center green.
The weather has been remarkable. It has rained each day; however every time we've gone out the rain stops and the sun comes out. Yesterday in the morning, we took the bus into Oxford so that I could return a jacket. As soon as we got on the bus to return home, it rained. When we arrived in Witney the sun came out for the rest of our afternoon walk, and it only rained after we returned home.
Back to today, after we left Witney, we drove a short distance to the Windrush River and Minster Lowell to see a beautiful church on the river and ruins from a 16th century manor. On our walk back, we saw a speckled hen (the name of the ale from yesterday). Then we popped in to The Swan for a half pint of their local ale, Hobgoblin, and crisps (potato chips). Walking is very under rated. I must remember to do more of it when I return home. I shall also return with additions to my speech: popped out (or in), brilliant!, sor-ry, moBILE, petrol, and trainers (tennis shoes).
My turn to set the table for another delicious dinner. I do lead a charmed life.
Love
Kate
Juy 21
Yesterday was a very long day. Judith and I drove to the park and ride and then took the bus into Oxford. We did a bit of shopping. I succumbed and became your typical tourist  and bought an Oxford sweatshirt, and then throughout the day began to regret my purchase. At the end of the day, after the stores were closed, Judith graciously agreed to return me later in the week so that I might exchange my purchase. At one in the afternoon, we met Victor Nikitin at the bus station. Victor is the son of Yelena Nikitina, my host when I visited Russia in 2002. At that time, Victor was in eleventh grade and did not speak English. Eight years later he was no longer a boy but a young man who had traveled to Sheffield, England in 2008 on his own knowing no English. In two years, he has managed to learn to speak excellent English, get his master's degree and find employment.
The first order of business was a big hug and then lunch at Jamie's, Jamie Oliver's Italian restaurant. I felt like a native knowing exactly where the restaurant was and offering suggestions from my precious visit. As it was after the lunch hour rush, we were able to enjoy a leisurely visit and a great meal. We then strolled around the city visiting the Ashmolean Museum,  The Oxford University's Bodleian Library, the Oxford Castle and prison, walked the grounds of Keble College, saw an exhibit of trees from west Africa, and had a drink in the pub, Eagle and the Child, where C.S.Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien  met for 30 years. Finally, we stopped for dinner before saying goodbye to Victor at the bus station. Other than the fact that Victor was eight years older than the last time I saw him, it felt like no time had passed. Both Judith and I enjoyed hearing about his schooling, how he came to Sheffield and his views on life and the world. By eight o'clock,
 we were back on the bus headed to our car and home. We managed to stay up until nine thirty and then hit our pillows. Once again we have traveled between the raindrops. The weather report predicted rain yesterday but it didn't start until we walked in the door at Judith's.
This morning I went to a yoga class with Judith. We turned down a long, tree-lined drive. When I post the photos, you're going to think we were going to a palace not a gym. The class was a nice break from sightseeing. And, now we are off to The Trout, a local pub where they filmed the BBC series, Inspector Morse, and now it's sequel, Lewis.
Love
Kate
July 19
This was the first morning that I felt I could sleep in, nothing definite on the agenda. However, after coffee and toast we were off again. Today we visited Blenheim Palace, the ancestral home of the Dukes of Marlborough. The palace was a gift to the first duke by Queen Anne for his victory over the French at the Battle of Blenheim in 1704. And, Winston Churchill was born here in 1874. Churchill's parents attended a party at palace, and he chose that time to make his entrance into the world. He was born in the downstairs guest room.
There is just a mere 2000 acres of gardens surrounding the palace. After lunch on the terrace overlooking the gardens, we covered many of those acres as we walked to the rose gardens, to the cascades and back along the lake to the palace.
From the palace we drove just a mile to the church where Churchill is buried. There was a funeral in progress in the church. I sat on a bench beside his grave and listened to the organ music in the church and watched two small children run around the Spencer Churchill family plot. One elderly man stopped in front of Churchill's grave and spoke, but I couldn't make out what he said.
Tomorrow, in Oxford, we will meet Victor Nikitin, Yelena's son, who now lives in York. I haven't seen him since 2002, when I stayed with them at their home in Voronezh, Russia.
The weather today was sunny and warm. Tomorrow rain is predicted again. The weather is so changeable. My umbrella is never far away.
Love
Kate
July 18
Today, Judith and I drove 75 miles from her home in Whitney to Winchester. I had been introduced to a resident of Winchester, Jim Mitchell by my friend Gaelle. Jim agreed to show us his city. We began at his flat and walked from 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. around the city stopping only twice to sample local brews and breads. We saw Arthur 's Round Table, the cathedral and Jane Austin's resting place as well as a myriad of other local sites. We listened to the cathedrals organ music, inspected the ancient Roman walls and gates of the city and rested under the giant Yew trees. Jim loves history. We learned more in those few hours than most do in a weeks time in the city. After returning home, Judith treated me to dinner at a wonderful Bangladesh restaurant. It was a completely new experience for me and one that I loved.
Love
Kate
July 17
Yesterday, the conference ended. I was so overwhelmed by the week and the emotion of the day that I couldn't write. Friday morning's speaker created the website wikileak. It is a site that publishes highly classified information after verifying it's authenticity. We were shown a clip of a tape from the cockpit of a U.S. Fighter plane killing people on the ground in Iraq including two journalists. You could hear their conversation while they were shooting. It was very disturbing. Julian, the founder talked about information that was leaked prior to the elections in Kenya that actually changed the outcome of the election. Later, there was a presentation by a woman who started an organization to help women and children in war torn areas. She highlighted specific stories of what she called "the other side of war" -- war from the point of view of the women and children who are it's victims.
On the lighter side. We also heard from a man who showed how we could meet the nutritional needs of the growing population by using insects as our daily protein. And, at our break, all the snacks and sweet treats had worms, ants, grasshoppers and caterpillars as Ingredients. No, I did not try them.
I am still processing all that took place. All the presentations were good. Some I resonated with more than others. I made dozens of contacts and am looking forward to following up with them. After spending a week with a global community, I realize how little I know about the world around me and how lucky we are that there are so many creative people working to make the world a better place. This was such a positive group that when the power went out for a half hour, the entire audience came together and made it one of the highlights of the event.
After our last session yesterday, busses met us outside the theater and took us to the river for punting and the barbecue.. The weather was beautiful, and it offered an opportunity to debrief and say goodbye. I had lunch with a professor from the university of Vienna who has written a book on education a d will be sending me a synopsis of it. My new friend Julie and I had an opportunity to visit a while before Judith picked me up at the hotel.
I slept well knowing that today was going to be slower paced. Today, we drove to Stratford to see the Royal Shakespeare Company perform A Winter's Tale, a nice change of pace from the intensity of TED Global. The streets were crowded with summer tourists and bus loads of students. We found a lovely Italian restaurant on a quite side street and had a delicious and relaxing meal before heading over to the theater. Our seats were two rows from the stage. I have seen many of Shakespeare's plays over the years, but none that compare to this one.
Tomorrow we are off to Winchester to visit a friend of a friend who has graciously agreed to show us his town. Sometimes I think I lead a charmed life.
Love,
Kate
July 15
Well, life is one amazing miracle after another. One of the speakers today is from the record industry and shared about two songs and how they came to be. The first song was, My Sharona. And there was an interview with Sharona on the big TED screen. Well, as many of you know, Sharona Is a long time friend of the family. I can't believe I come all the way to Oxford to see Sharona interviewed on the big screen at TED.
I solved the problem of my phone not charging. I didn't bring the right adapter. Sometimes trying to be minimal does not pay off. I also had to get an electrical adapter because I only brought one instead of the set and it was the one for Europe instead of the UK; however, my glasses lost the screw and the lens fell out. I did remember to bring an extra pair...but the lens fell out of those too. I'm not sure what kind of a sign that was, but I was very grateful to the optometry shop around the corner and the lovely man who repaired them for me.
I calculated that with the TEDx presenters on Monday morning and the TED university presenters in the afternoon and the regular TED talks that I will have listened to almost 100 talks by the end of the conference tomorrow. We have also had some amazing social events in the evening. Once again it is well past midnight. Tomorrow, the event closes with a barbecue and punting on the river. I am not sure how that will be as it has rained on and off all week. But maybe my luck will hold one more day.
Tomorrow evening my friend Judith will pick me up at the hotel, and I will begin the second leg of my trip. I can't believe the week one is coming to an end.
Love
Kate
July14
Just got back from the reception at the museum and dinner at a lovely dinner with about 150 tedxers and tedfellows.
I met Boniface Mwangi from Nairobi who is a documentary photographer and fellow who photographed the fighting in his country and has a traveling exhibition of the photos to remind people what war is like.
I had dinner with Lucia who lives in Berlin and has organized a tedx event.
And Juliana of Kenya who is a fellow and has started her own company ushahidi.com that provides connectivity and crisis information. And Maria who did a tedx event in Bulgaria and iyeoka who is a poet and singer from Nigeria.
I learned about the apps Bu.mp, evrnote, osfoora HD and tweet deck. then there was Arthur Potts-Dawson who has created to green restaurants. And is working on three more, based on the Chinese elements and I met John Hardy, the jeweler I told you about earlier that created the green school in Bali. He invited me to come over
and visit. The site is: www.greenschool.org.
A great day! I just can't get my iPhone to charge.
Love, Kate
July 13, 2
There is a moment to breathe. Actually 15 minutes between the last session and the evening reception. The talks are amazing. Meeting the attendees is equally amazing.
Today I met a young girl who has created a multiple-million dollar micro finance business and lives in Hollywood. She is a speaker tomorrow and would be thrilled to speak at our march event. I also ran into the IB director again today. She emailed me the name of a person she thought would be a great speaker for us. It is someone who is looking at reducing the global footprint.
The theme of the conference is, "And Now The Good News" and I must say that these people are doing amazing things. One presenter was a very successful jewelry designer and retired in Bali with his wife and three children. After viewing Gore's Inconvenient truth, he built a completely green school in Bali. I wish I had written down the website.
It might be www.greenschool.org. I'll try and find him tonight.
After the reception tonight, there is a tedx dinner at the Malmaison hotel. Then every night there is socializing until 2 a.m. I, however, am not one of those. There is just too much to take in for my batteries to last that long.
Today, Julie, my new friend from Wisconsin took me to lunch at Jaime Olivers restaurant down the street. It was wonderful. We also visited the bookstore. I should say the Ted bookstore. After I had gone to pay for my books. she paid for those as well. Am I lucky or what?
This is a great birthday. Thanks for all of your good wishes. Off to the museum reception and then dinner.
Love
Kate
July 13
Today was the official opening of TED. In the morning, I sat in the social area and watched Ted university and Ted partners. Monday, I attended a tedx lunch and workshop. I met organizers. Tedx India, south beach, Dubai, brazil, Seattle, Kenya and more. I took notes on some of the ideas. One of the Dubai speakers was in the opening Ted session today. He is a writer who developed 99 it is a new superhero animated cartoon series that uses the Koran and heroes
from Turkey, India, and other Muslim countries to restructure the way children in those countries see themselves. Marvell comics has picked it up, and it has been signed for several episodes. Look up Naif Al-Mutawa, the creator. His presentation was stunning. Steve Berlin Johnson a writer who has a book coming out in november, Where good ideas come from, talked about ideas being networks and coming from collaboration. He talked about the need to restructure the work place to foster ideas. One young presenter shared about his nine year old son's business and his website: zibkids.com. Nic Marks talked about happiness and the need to focus on the positive. He said, "Martin Luther King did not say 'I have a nightmare'".
There was so much more. When I get home, I'll type up my notes and share. There are several students here as fellows who submitted proposals. All of my wonderful students could think about that. This is a life changing experience. I feel like I have been listening to the the most amazing minds for two full days. I have heard 39 speakers and that doesn't include the tedx speakers numbering 12 or more. The last presentation today was Annie Lennox. She sang four songs and was so inspiring and emotional. I cried (no surprise to anyone). Last night and tonight, there were socials, another opportunity to meet more amazing people.
Oxford was the site of some of the Harry Potter scenes. I can certainly see that. The rain has been regular but always seems to stop when I walk outside.
Tonight, the marketing director for Kohl's told me that if you go on to Kohl's Facebook page there is a contest for schools to win 250,000 dollars if they can come up with a plan for it and then get the most number of votes for their idea. Take a look, and let me know what you think. Also, the director of the IB program was a speaker this morning, and of course, I ran I to her at the social tonight. She is going to send me some info and is interested in our tedx event.
Tomorrow is another amazing and intense day. I'm glad I'll have a week afterward to relax before coming home.
Oh, I almost forgot; tomorrow is my birthday!! Happy Birthday to me:)))
TaTa for now!
Love kate
July 12, 2010
OMG! First off, I rented for my iPad and watched Alice in Wonderland on the plane yesterday. It seems like years ago. And tonight the theme of the gathering was "welcome to the tea party" complete with the Mad Hatter's hat. Concidence? Or the supernatural??
I met so many interesting people today. First, there was the Tedx lunch and workshop. I have a bunch of business cards of people doing really interesting things. I have notes that I will transcribe later. After an afternoon at the university, I came back to the hotel and watched teduniversity in the social lounge and met an amazing woman who is the chief marketing director door Khols (sp?). We had a great afternoon and as we headed over to the party at the university, a man joined us who was from northern Canada. He has an energy company. I told him our theme for tedx next year was energy. He'd be willing to speak. I also tallied with to presenters from a performing arts high school near Oxford. When I told them that my sister in law was performing at our tedx event and that she was terri Nunn of Berlin they both turned white and asked if I could talk her into singing at their event in November. So terri, if you don't have a gig, they will pay your way over:))
I'm meeting so many people I'm having to write notes on the back of the business cards to keep track. Don I don't know how you do it. I'm. Back in my room. I've been meeting people since I checked in this morning at 9. It's now 11 and tomorrow it's 7 a.m. So, amazing!! Maybe this should replace school...any ideas?
July 11, 2010
World travelers, I recommend Virgin Atlantic. Even though I was cramped in economy, the service was good, the plane on time and the bathrooms were clean. Judith Morris was there to greet me at the airport and immigration went quickly. I didn't remember
Heathrow being such a large airport. Pity anyone in high heels.
Judith went with me to the Randolph Hotel for an impromptu brainstorming meeting regarding TEDxYouth. It was a great opportunity to meet kindred souls. And when we got to the hotel, I asked about registration and they said it was on the second floor. I thought yeah! early registration before the crowds. However, it was presenter only, but hey, while there I thought I'd ask for directions for the next morning's meeting location. While Holly was checking on that for me, Annie Lennox came in to register. Right place at the right time. Annie asked me what TEDx was. I told her and followed it up with, "I'm planning on changing education one TEDx event at a time." She was quite lovely and Judith and I were thrilled to be in her presence.
The conversation at the meeting was lively. I realized that many people who want to change education don't have their facts straight or had a grasp of the total picture. I'd love to hear your thoughts on what you think is right with education and what you think needs to be changed.
Oxford is a very busy place. I'm exhausted and ready for my pillow. Keep in mind that I am writing this on the iPad, so notice what I say is not necessarily how I write it.
More tomorrow after sleep.
July 10, 2010
Does anyone else obsess over traveling? I've weighed my suitcase, measured my carry-on, gone through a list of "What to take" and stressed over snacks? What do I do for eleven hours? I bought an iPad so that I have music, books and even movies to watch, plus my journal. Really, do you think I've gone too far? Getting your boarding pass for international travel is a little more complicated than U.S. travel. They want more information. In addition to your boarding pass, you have to fill out information for "next of kin." They want phone numbers and nationality. I feel like I'm going in for surgery and may not recover.
One of my students, Kylie Foo, is in her native Singapore for the summer, and not once in her blog did she mention the flight. She was the inspiration for this blog. I have always said I learn more from my students than I teach them. In fact, I don't think you can teach anything. You can just model, guide (as Don Levy says) and facilitate. And it is circular--you can't give without receiving. Thank you Kylie for your modeling, guiding and facilitating.
I received an email from the organizers of the conference yesterday, and we are having an impromptu meeting tomorrow, Sunday, to discuss TEDxYouth. That will be a nice way of meeting some of the attendees and organizers before the official beginning.
I have also contacted Victor Nikitin, the son of Yelena, my host in Russia. He is working in Sheffield. I have not seen him since my visit to Russia in 2002. We will try to connect after the conference.
Well, I promise not to reopen my suitcase again before we leave for the airport. Is there anything I'm forgetting?
July 8, 2010
Saturday afternoon, I'll be flying to the UK for the TED Global conference in Oxford. July 12, Monday, will offer pre-conference activities, and I'll be attending the session for TEDx organizers. I hope to come home with new and interesting ideas for our next TED event on March 26 of next year.
The official opening of the conference is Monday night. Don Levy, our TEDster mentor, has introduced me to several people attending the global conference. I have connected with them via email and look forward to meeting them. There are 746 attendees from all over the world. I looked at the list yesterday and was overwhelmed by the diversity and talents of everyone attending. The conference will run through Friday, July 16.
I would like to meet fellow souls who want to transform education and make it engaging for students by connecting them to their passion and to their future.
This year's theme is, And Now the Good News. The schedule, speakers and their bios are online at:
http://conferences.ted.com/TEDGlobal2010/program/guide.php
I encourage you to follow along with the speakers. I will send my notes via this site each day (I hope). I have chosen this site for my blog as I am on the Board of Directors for Culture Wrap. For you soon-to-be filmmakers, this is a good site to become familiar with.
The following week, I'll be visiting friends in Oxford, Winchester, and possibly York and attending Shakespeare's A Winter's Tale in Stratford Upon Avon.
Kylie, thanks for your encouragement in my new venture as a blogger. Keep in mind that is a new skill for me. All suggestions are welcome.
More from the other side of the pond.
Kate
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