Scotland

I'm back! Scotland was wonderful. I got to see Auntie, Amy and Mary, and lots of beautiful countryside. We stayed in Glasgow, where I saw a lovely cathedral, the oldest house in the city, and a cool cemetary called the Necropolis plus saw a bit of town and the pubs. Man are the one-way streets insane and nerve-wracking!!

We took half a day to drive across country, 45 miles, to Edinburgh. I still can't say it right! We didn't have much time but we still saw the castle and the Royal Mile, lots of fun shops. If only things were so sauteuer (darn expensive)!

We also took a day trip, almost 12 hours in the car, up north and then down around a peninsula called Kintyre. It was only 125 miles there but the roads were so curvy and windy that you couldn't go faster than 40 mph, 30 in most places. How crazy. And we took one road that was only one lane along the coast for over an hour. It was so beautiful! The landscape was amazing. So many green fields, rounded mountains, rivers and lochs, tons of sheep! On the one-lane road there were sheep in the middle of the road and we stopped to take pics. lol. We made pit-stops and one was castle ruins in Skipness where there was also ruins of an abbey. I stepped in a big pile of sheep poo and then the chased us! Ok, not really, the sheep dog saved it, but there was a moment of sheep fear! Auntie laughed at me.

When I got back to Germany at midnight, the middle of nowhere airport had lots of snow, so the drive home took way longer. But it was beautiful. I could see the white fields in the dark, and Nadeem rolled down the windows and let the snow fly in. What fun!

So I'm exhausted after the trip and work and everything else I've been doing. But it's good. It was so amazing to get to go to Scotland!!! I'll put pics up soon.

I didn't get a real Turkey Day meal. I kept planning on eating apple pie there, but then once I ate there wasn't room for dessert! lol. So I hope you guys had some for me.

Just under a month until I'm home!

OH! Congrats to Michelle! She had her baby last week. Miles Chase. He's having some challenges, so don't forget to get in touch with her and keep her and Miles in your prayers.

Love and miss everyone! : )

Nach Schottland

As of yesterday Germany has its first female Chancellor!!! Congrats Frau Merkel. Exciting times here.

Monday some of the TAs and I checked out our little Weihnachtsmarkt (Christmas market) here in 'Lautern. Very cute. I got a couple of the Gluehwein cups. My digi camera doesn't work so well at night or I would take pics and post them. I love Weihnachtsmaerkte!! They have all sorts of yummy sweets and crafts and the whole downtown is decorated. We even have lots of huge trees all over. Very festive.

Monday after school I went to Heide's (a teacher of mine) and we spent the whole afternoon baking Weihnachtsplaetzchen (Christmas cookies with a special name b/c they are indeed special!) It was great. The Germans put our Christmas cookies to shame.

So at the Christmas market I wanted to try the Gluehwein (glowing wine) b/c it's very traditional German. I hadn't eaten in awhile so I had a Wurst first, but then we drank just one glass of the wine and afterwards I was really loopy. I could barely stay awake at 9 when I went home and was fast asleep by 10. Now I'm wondering, since I rarely touch alcohol, how do you know if you're a bit "buzzed"? Odd question I know, but I swear one glass can't do that, right? Ahh, the adventures one has here! lol.

Yesterday I went on a field trip and took a fifth grade class to a French movie, luckily there were German subtitles. It was an experience. 18 small children all under MY care. Oh dear. It was also weird b/c the class has two boys from the U.S. so as soon as the teacher said I was the American TA they started talking to me in perfect English, with one of the boys having a cute Georgian accent. Suess!!

Today in a few hours I'm off to Scotland til late on Sunday. I am meeting Auntie there and quite excited!

The cold winter has arrived and brrrrr!!!!!

Last night I had ballroom and afterwards I was supposed to meet up with some teachers b/c it was Uwe's birthday. Well, I rode my bike around in the freezing dark for about half an hour, lost a glove, and finally gave up and called Thomas b/c I was way lost. I had ridden off my map so I couldn't find myself or how to get where I meant to go. Lol. I finally found them, but it took forever to thaw out, then we had to walk back home (b/c they walked there). Boy howdy I am ready for spring already!!!!

I hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving! Eat some turkey and canned cranberries for me!

: )

Schulfest

This morning's school festival was quite nice. I started at the American Breakfast with real pancakes and syrup that one of my students bought at the Base. Yum!! I didn't even have to cook. I thought they would have me do that. Instead they gave me pancakes. Then I walked around the school to see what all the other classes had prepared. All sorts of food, especially sweets and cookies. Mmm. I didn't indulge, just looked. And a few students played music. There were games as well. Very nice.

On the train ride home the train was packed with people going to 'Lautern for the soccer game today. Also tons of Amis. (Americans) I was sitting next to some and started talking to them and they thought I was German. I still sound horrible due to my lovely cold. I finally got them to believe I was American, but they still insisted on speaking German with me. Very odd because most Amis here don't speak a word of German. But these were surgeons. Not to be an intellectual snob, but the normal military don't take an interest in the language. I hadn't met any of the doctors before. They aren't even here as long as the military folks. Go figure. So I walked with them to the start of the Altstadt and said goodbye.

On Tuesday I'm going with another teacher on a field trip to my own city, but what's funny is she needs me to help watch the kids, which means I need to go to Landstuhl first and meet them at the train station there before 8 am. Crack me up. And then we'll come BACK to my city and go to a French movie. Go figure. I think it's great. Actually, Chuck and I went to a French movie in Montpellier and that was quite hilarious since we could barely order the tickets and the man behind the counter kept telling us that the film was in French and we couldn't speak French. As if we didn't realize that. lol.

So I have work on Monday, the French field trip on Tuesday, work Wednesday and then lots of train time to get to the airport and off to Schottland for a loooong weekend. Luckily I have a ride home in the middle of the night on Sunday. I was a bit worried about that, but now it should be ok. It'll just be a tired Monday afterwards.

I think I need a nap. : )

Television!!!

I have a T.V.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Juhu!!! I'm so excited. I did the happy dance. I jumped around. I turned it on and instantly had several channels and GILMORE GIRLS, all in German. How wonderful. Such a good day. Sad that I get so excited about such a small thing, but it is so nice. And it's in GERMAN. I mean, I can be lazy and watch my favorite shows and learn at the same time. Very nice.

So I went to school today just for the one hour. Then I came right back and made soup. The soup was very.......um....edible. Yep. Edible. Healthy, though. Lots of vegies. I invited Chuck to lunch and he agreed. The soup was indeed edible. lol. I'll try that one again later.

Tomorrow is the school festival. And in the evening we're going to see the new Harry Potter!!!! And in English. What a treat!

Hmmm, it sounds like my life currently revolves around media entertainment. Well, just today and tomorrow!

It sleeted/iced a bit today. Didn't stick. But very cool to watch.

Voiceless Me

I'm a bit erkaeltet (I have a cold). I knew I was getting sick this weekend, and then after the 5 hours on Monday and a few yesterday, plus the business, lack of sleep and lots of excitement and being outside in the freezing cold wetness, well. I woke up this morning without much of a voice and Thomas said if I couldn't talk I oughtn't come in. So I phoned him at 6:30 to whisper that I'd be staying home today.

I spent the day drinking tea and sucking on "Bon-Bons" as they call cough drops. Chuck came over and we whispered together seeing as how he's sickly as well. Then I made my way to the Apotheke (pharmacy) and the nice lady helped me pick out some more Bon-Bons (I would prefer a package of Halls, but getting to the base is too much work). So tonight instead of going out I'm calling it a quiet in-night, and hoping I'll have more of a voice for school tomorrow. Also tonight there was a get-together in my building to get to know some of the other residents, since a German dorm is not at all like an American one where people just go introduce themselves. No siree Bob.

Just over a month until I'm home! I'm so excited!

On top of the castle. 

Burg Nanstein

Hi all! Today Chuck and I checked out my village, Landstuhl. It is quite lovely. We walked around town, saw a few churches, a graveyard from WWII, and climbed up to the top of a hill where the beautiful ruins of Burg Nanstein are. The castle has been destroyed and rebuilt many times, and the remains are great. Took lots of pics. Have already sent them out to you. So, if you aren't receiving my email links to the pics, please tell me because I might not have your email address added to that group.

If your name is MONICA LEVY, I need your email address. I realized I have no way to contact you and I want to. I need your email address and your home address and please update me on how you are, ok?

School this week was pretty tame. I didn't do much and got off early most days. Next week will be more strenuous. I have lots of lessons to give. I hope to give a bunch on Thanksgiving, one on media/technology in American high schools, a discussion class to lead, I'm also taking over the principal's English class all week, Tuesday through Friday. So I'm planning to do a lesson on stress (I'd like to lead some yoga, get a little movement and excitement going on, but with a group of 9th graders I'm not sure that will work....) and the rest of the week everyday English. Not as exciting as getting them all to balance in Warrior Pose, but oh well. I'd love to do a lesson on book banning. Chuck got one of his classes to ban the Declaration of Independence and the Bible after they said they wouldn't ban books. (Of course he just pulled sections from the works and didn't tell them what it was from.) Sounds so interesting! I still haven't started a club yet, I just don't know what to do! If you have any ideas for one, please let me know!!

Dad and Kathie, thanks for the shoes and shirts. Megan and Mary, thanks for the candy and the continual letters/cards, I really love them!

My dance partner for ballroom on Tuesday wasn't bad. He can do the steps, we'll work on his lead, and the international style came back to me for the most part so it wasn't embarrassing thank goodness!

It's getting chilly here. Is the weather still crazy warm at home?

Hope everyone is well. : )

Sunshine

I don't feel I've really said how completely beautiful it is here, especially where I work. I plan to really explore the village soon. However. I take the train to Landstuhl, and go by fields and gardens and lots of trees and even some horses. In the mornings there is usually a fog that lifts as the day progresses. Sometimes when I'm in one of the higher floors of the school I can watch the fog roll slowly by, and see down into the town and to towns past, over hills covered with trees full of leaves burning with fiery autumn colors. My school sits on hill surrounded by trees. I love the rolling hills and all the forest area, and they think it's flat here! Not at all what one comprends coming from the Mid-West.

Sunday Koto came to visit. It was wonderful! I'd missed her so much. One day wasn't enough, but better than not having seen her. We spent the afternoon walking around and seeing town, I showed her a lot of our churches and fountains. She says it's much prettier than Frankfurt. As she left I had one of those moments that reminds you of films. After lots of hugs she got on the train, but stood there in front of the door, letting other people go and we kept talking until the beeping warning that the doors would close sounded and I stepped away from the train. The doors closed. We waved, and kept waving as the train slowly pulled away from the station. I didn't want her to go. It was sad, but I was so glad to have seen her. Luckily I get to see her again very late on the 26th when I come back from Scotland and need a place to sleep instead of staying the night in a train station, which is not safe.

Every Sunday Thomas (my Betreuungslehrer=teacher who is responsible for me), two of his friends, and Chuck and I do dinner together. We meet at someone's house and cook. It's so great! One time we made an American dinner with hamburgers and brownies, another they made us Zwiebelkuchen und Federweisen/Neuer Wein. Yummm! This last Sunday everyone had just gotten back from "holidays" so we went to Thomas's and ordered pizzas, only he made ME do it! I don't even like doing that at home. lol. But it's so nice b/c it's a weekly thing, just like our Stammtisch Abende (tonight). It's one of those signs that you're carving a niche for yourself somewhere new, when you have those ordinary things that make up everyday life but are so wonderful. Like when I go to the Markt on Saturdays for groceries.

I only had to work 2 hours today. Nice. Tuesdays are supposed to be my long days, but with tests there has been some changing in teachers using me. Which is fine, because other teachers have been picking up the slack. I did two lessons on American high schools yesterday, and the kids love the pictures and yearbook I brought from home. I wish I had brought my class ring and letter jacket. I'm getting ready to prepare a lesson on Thanksgiving and hopefully will do it in several classes b/c I feel it's an important American tradition/holiday and much more fun than grammar and normal class, so they should enjoy it as well. I always want to bring in props but I don't have many and it's expensive to obtain them. I also wanted to build a gingerbread house (or houses) before Christmas but that sounds too problematic/messy. My teacher wasn't as excited about the idea, which I can understand.

Tonight is my first night of ballroom dance practice. I hope it goes well. Can't wait to see how good my partner is. Or if I even know the International dances anymore, since I'm sure they don't do American style here!

Not much new

Thank you Val! I'm impressed you navigated the German website so well.

Today was market day again. I really do love market day! I got different cheeses and tried a mystery meat! hee hee.

I'm going salsa dancing again tonight. Thank goodness it's so near!

Not much else new. Kind of a boring entry. lol. Oh well.

Flowers

Who sent the flowers?

They're beautiful. German bouquets are always a work of art. Whoever did it, Thank you! I LOVE getting flowers. But seriously, next time sign the card. Please email me and let me know who the mystery person is so I can thank you personally!

I went salsa dancing last night until they closed the bar and kicked us out. It was wonderful!

Not much else new here, just need to study. Like always. : )

And the Dumb Foreigner Award goes to.....

Me!!! Ok, so I thought I had this uni thing all figured out. I even got to the uni early and parked and locked up my bike (after walking it halfway up the long hill and asking someone where the building was b/c it was dark) and made it to the room with plenty of time. First one there. Then the next student arrived, and just to double check, I asked if it was French. Yes, indeed. Then I asked if he had the book. Yes, it was stated online. Darn it! I missed that. Strike one. Then he asked if I had enrolled for it. Um, we were supposed to do that? Yes. Strike two. And then it turned out that I was in French 5, not French 1. Strike three. That makes me out. So yes, they helped me find that French 1 is on Tuesdays during ballroom dance (I found a partner yesterday! We haven't danced together yet, but at least he's willing to try. I'm excited.). Dear goodness.

So I went back down to my bike, shaking my head and laughing at myself all the while. You'd think by now I'd have the system figured out. In all fairness, the website I looked at had a G1 by it, which I thought meant Grundstufe 1. I think there was something wrong with the website. Or rather, there were so many with the same and different French classes, it's quite confusing. I thought I had it figured out, but obviously not.

In the end, what is more important? French or ballroom? Difficult, but I chose ballroom. Plus, the French class is extra. lol. Maybe it's a big fat sign that I'm just not meant to take French. Or that I need to learn to read a German uni course catalog. Both seem like fairly good possibilities.

Meegan: Yes, I learned my lesson in Tueb. The Schwarzfahren (yes, you spelled it correctly) was necessary and I was very unhappy about it, but it was that or miss our plane home. At the time I didn't realize the consequence could be jail.

Sammy: I secretly love wearing scarves and had a bunch at home, but here the people wear scarves everyday and I love it b/c I can too without being some scarf freak. It's actually normal! Good stuff.

Well that's the excitement for today.

Me on wall at Aigues-Mortes in the south of France. 

Ich darf aber bleiben!

Mein Visum ist endlich erledigt! Juhu! Ich darf hier bleiben. Was fuer ein schoner Tag, ge'?

Ok, so I got my visa today. About time! I'm very excited. I'm allowed to stay in the country until the 15th of July.

I also bought spices today. That might seem odd to be excited about spices, but it was time. It is difficult to cook in my little room, but it was simply time to get the necessities to make proper meals. Especially so I can make my own spaghetti sauce!

Also got paid. Relief. However, I don't think they've been taking the rent from my account. That is not good. I mean, yes, I'd like to not have to pay, but if I have to pay three months at once...yikes.

Right now I'm taking a Kaffeepause (coffee break). What would life be like without a daily afternoon coffee/tea/hot chocolate and cookie/cake break? These Germans know what they're doing when it comes to afternoon Pausen.

Tonight there is a ballroom meeting at the Uni. I'm taking my bike b/c it will be later and the busses don't come very often. However, it is up a big hill and I'm not convinced I can make it up. Sadly I might have to walk the bike up. Wouldn't that be amusing? I hope it stops raining, or that could make it twice as fun! lol.

Other than that not too much new going on here. It's still unseasonably warm. So no complaints. With all the trees here the leaves fall like mad and I love it.

The other day I was walking through the city when I heard someone belting out this Italian opera sounding song. An older gentleman, standing on the corner, his only companion a worn black music box. I was mesmerized. I stopped right there and watched and listened to him. He was really into it and the sound that came out of him was breathtaking.

Today as I was again walking in the Altstadt, I heard pretty violins. There were two men dressed up, under an overhang to protect them from the drizzle, and they were playing wonderful music. The kind that makes you think of Eastern Europe. Right there in the middle of the busy shopping street. Just like the movies!