Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Anticipatory Set 1: The Russian Mountain

“Anticipatory set: actions and statements by the teacher to relate the experiences of the student to the objectives of the lesson.”--Madeline Hunter

Occasionally, one’s life can be compared to one giant roller coaster ride, the highs and lows and sharp unexpected turns throwing the rider out of kilter and off-balance--and all one can do is grasp the cool metal bar with white knuckled terror, teeth clenched, and face contorted into one long eye popping horrified scream.

The word in Spanish for roller coaster is “Montaña Rusa”, which means “Russian Mountain.” Apparently Spanish speakers feel mountains in Russia are especially thrilling. Or insurmountable. Or both.

Planning an extended six week independent overseas trip on one’s own is the same as climbing a Russian mountain; the victory of a successful reservation, the accomplishment of a flight connection, the overcoming of an insurmountable language barrier, the lackadaisical attitude of clerks for whom deadlines are not a part of the culture; the numerous and expensive international phone calls to wrong numbers--the best laid plans going awry-- all give the feeling that sometimes we are tightly strapped in to a roller coaster and the best we can do is hang on for the ride.

The delightful slow anticipation on the ascent, the tick tick tick of the the computer keys on the keyboard as the hopes and expectations slowly inch upwards into the clear blue sky and the sudden plunge into the dank abyss when they plummet into a fetid pool of lost opportunities and disappointments --only makes the determination to succeed stronger and the victories that much sweeter when they do come.

And they will come.






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