tooting my own horn

Dressed, standing in a narrow hallway and ready to step out of the door, while saying the last goodbyes to the lovely women I had spent a self-care, read poetry-write-and-dance day with, I felt the need to share something that has made me happy and proud.

"May I toot my own horn?" I ask the others.

"Go ahead!" they encourage.

"A book that I contributed a chapter too is among the 25 most beautiful books in Estonia and last week also got the first place from Tallinn University educational books category," I share. 

"Oooh!" "Congratulation!" "What's the book about?" 

"We wrote about teaching handwriting, especially cursive to children through art and considering their needs. It also includes some science and history and lots of pictures. The main author is an art teacher with PhD and she set the standard for the quality, not budging a bit when the  publishing company wanted to save money by doing less or differently.  My contribution is my story as a fourth grade teacher and being a cheerleader to others," I explain. 

"Next time you come, bring the book," the hostess invites. 

This kind of sharing is unnatural for me as Estonian. We have been trained to be modest. Maybe because my contribution is small and my friend was the main author it is easier to celebrate. The book is really awesome. Seeing it on the book shelf in the bookstores was incredibly exciting.  I hope it will be translated into English. 

In the order of appearance from the left: Sirje (first grade teacher), Edna (art teacher and the main author), me, Margit (first grade teacher).