Making connections

Three of us had a great time at the weekend making collaborative connections on Twitter to arrange an impromptu Elluminate session. Alan in Leeds, UK; Philip in Adelaide, Australia, and myself in Joburg, SA. We all came together within a couple of hours and had a good session, even with Alan's mike problems. (Technical glitches can be very frustrating in Elluminate).

I've been reading a paper for my ECA which talks about mechanisms for reducing the 'distance' in distance learning and boy, did we do it then. I've written about this before; I find student-led Elluminate sessions really rewarding and there is actually no distance between us as we grapple with the ECA and share our different approaches. For me it was indispensable as I really needed that connection to get the adrenaline running again. I'm now in Base Camp 2, which feels a bit easier. I will be working for two weeks flat out now, as much as I can.

The other wonderful connection I made yesterday was with a lady in the OU Library, who helped me with access for a paper and signed it 'from a fellow South African'. We have struck up email contact and it's fabulous to talk to someone who knows MK and South Africa as well. We can share the joys and challenges of each country. We love SA, it's spacey, and as she said has sun and big blue skies, lots of them. We as a family are considering moving back to England and to MK, for me to apply to do a PhD at the OU. But what to do for the best? There are three of us in the family, and each has their own opinion. It's like having two cakes, each with nice things and not-so-nice things on top. Of course one wants one cake with all the nice things, and it's just not possible. It's very rewarding to make a connection with someone who understands both.

Back in circulation

I'm back from my travels to the UK. We had a whirlwind trip and I can't believe how much we managed to fit in. We had such a great start - we were upgraded to London as the plane was overbooked. Once you've sat in way bigger seats with TWO footrests and acres more space (the only thing extra we could have wanted is to lie down which wasn't a problem on a day flight) - then you never want to go back to cattle class again.... well I can wish, can't I.

So after a whirlwind of family, friends, Edinburgh wedding, British weather, British traffic, British prices, and....British food, we are actually really incredibly glad to be back in sunny South Africa. It's Spring. The sun is shining, and the crickets are humming at night. I love it here.

Etienne Wenger of Communities of Practice fame says he's not sure he belongs anywhere any more - being split between Switzerland and the US. Which is it, not belonging anywhere, or belonging in both and somehow synthesising a new and composite identity?