Mold 1 : Kate 0

Why is it always mold here? Why oh why? Mold and dust. You can never keep things clean, go barefoot, lay on your floor, or breathe mold-free air. It just sneaks up when you aren't looking and then bam! Mold!

As I was cleaning things out yesterday I spotted a rather large area of mold. Now, it doesn't even begin to compare to the attack of the mold situation that Megan and I braved, but mind you, it was substantial. What did I do? I decided to be a good resident and clean it up. Don't want to leave a bunch of mold for the next person living here. So I grabbed my handy dandy American cleaning supplies and went for it. And then the paint started coming off. Hm. Bad idea. Now, I couldn't just leave it like that, so I thought how could I fix this? Hmmm, maybe I could use my paint that I use for art. That might work, right? So I dabbed some on a paper towel and dabbed at the wall and oops. More paint came off. Not only that, but then I smeared it on the floorboard and couldn't get it off too well. Double oops. Damn mold.

Today I said goodbye officially at school. Set out the hordes of cookies that took me three hours to bake yesterday. Nice Thomas lent me his kitchen. They gave me a Sickingen Gymnasium sweatshirt, very cool, and a yearbook sort of thing. Also, the English faculty gave me a cd with the soccer songs on it. Cool. : D Very nice.

Tomorrow I am going to school to say bye to one last class, give back my keys, and then at 4 we are BBQing with my 6th graders and watching the Germany vs. Argentina game at school as well.

Tonight I hope to pack some. Axel is bringing over some boxes and I'd like to pack and get them sent out Saturday morning. And E is cooking dinner tonight, too. Such a good boyfriend. :)

Can't wait to see everyone!

Oh, and something in my room reeks and I can't figure out what it is. Man!

One Week and Counting

I said goodbye to one of my ninth grades and my 12 LK today. The ninth graders made more cakes, meaning I've eaten way too much cake recently! lol. And saying goodbye to my 12ers was hard. I admit, I did cry just a little. Dang it. hee hee. They gave me a goodbye card with their pics on it, a small German dictionary, and Bridget Jones' Diary (book) in German. That is one of my favs, and I've never read it, so it couldn't be more perfect!!! I am going to miss them. They didn't all hand in their essays so I demanded they do it by Thursday so I can return them by Friday, my last day of work.

I also gave the bike back today which was great fun. I had to haul it up and down lots of stairs. lol. The little girl carrying the big bike. So I was all gross and sweaty by the time I reached the school. However, there was this very nice man who offered to drive the bike to the woman's house that I borrowed it from, which was a huge relief, b/c it meant I didn't have to deal with more trains and stairs. Whew! He deserves a gold star for the day.

I'm starting to get a bit more sad about leaving. It's always hard saying bye to people. And I'm trying to get lots down before I head out.

Ok, must run to Stammtisch or I'll be late. I will add some more pics when I get some time.

Bye : )

Pics from the last few days...

My kids and one of the many, many delicious cakes, Koto and I in lovely Frankfurt, and us cheering for the Netherlands. Who is that dashing man in orange? hmmmm....

Ohne Holland Fahren Wir Nach Berlin...Schoeffle Schoeffle

This is a very sad song. And I can't believe the Germans sing it! I schimpf my kids when they say that. Soccer is taken so seriously here!

I visited Koto this weekend in Frankfurt. She lives in a beautiful part of the city. We walked around and saw some of the city, which seems quite nice, and watched the hordes of people pour into the area by the Main River to watch the soccer match, Germany vs. Sweden. We watched at a cafe and the Germans were crazy. They won, which means they go on to the Quarter Finals. It was insane! We took the U-Bahn back into town to take part in the celebration. They kept singing the same songs and people were climbing the fountain and jumping in, waving flags, and other craziness. Koto and I didn't stay too long, just long enough to take it all in. After all, we're not German, and while we are happy for them, we're not going to go crazy.

Last night E, Darco and I cheered for the Netherlands (sorry Rita, you know I love you!) and sadly they lost. Poor E! My sad Dutchman. We were even all decked out in orange and very spirited.

Today my two 8th grade classes had surprise parties for me. It was amazing. They baked all these incredible cakes, and I don't think I've ever eaten more cake in one day! I couldn't try them all. My kids can really bake. You wouldn't believe how incredible these cakes were! And they made me cards and gave me a Germany hat that they signed. I felt so loved. I really like those classes and it was so great to know they appreciated having me here as well.

This afternoon I started dealing with going-home-things. I will be without electricity for a day or so at the end, and I did the official whatnots to let the city know I'll be leaving. Dang. There is so much to do and my time is filling up and running out. I hadn't been really thinking about coming home and what I'd need to do. Yikes. And some teachers have invited me out to dinner, which is very kind. 8 days. I can't believe it. Then I'll be home. Can't fathom it.

But this weekend was great and so was today. My 6th graders invited me to a bbq at school on Friday and I'm more than excited to go. They were really shy/scared about asking me, which I think is cute b/c why should they be? I'm so happy to go!!!

I hope you all are well.

: )

Some Pics from the WM Madness

It is hard to tell, but the view we had from Ranj's BBQ was amazing! We could watch all the people and craziness below! Alison is the one in the England hat. She's great fun. And I am wearing E's Holland hat in support of the Netherlands.

Sunday the Netherlands are playing Portugal and I think I will be for Portugal, as long as E doesn't get too upset! hee hee. But I have to support Rita.

Tomorrow I'm off to Frankfurt to see Koto for the last time before taking off. I've not really been around the city yet so it will be nice to see a new place.

11 days. : )

Another Game Day

Trinidad and Tobago play Paraguay in town tonight, and taking the train home was crazy. It was a bit late, and then was only a two-car train, with four doors. I went to one and it was completely packed, no way to get in. The next two were the same. Crammed full with people. I thought I wouldn't be able to get on! So the last door there was about two square feet of space and let me tell you, more than two of us got on! Talk about insanity. People were also singing songs about Germany winning the World Cup, which was kinda fun.

Germany is also playing in just over an hour, and I had planned to go watch in town, but I'm not sure now. It's raining and the city is already packed. However, there is supposed to be a parade put on by Trinidad later, and I would like to see that. Hmmmm.

No one at work really seemed to know that next week is my last week, so I'm trying to spread that around.

And today one of my classes made the whole year worth while in just a few words. I told my 12 LK that next week is my last class with them and I told them I've really enjoyed the class, and they said they'd enjoyed having me here and felt they'd learned a lot. They even said thank you for making them write all the essays (I thought it just annoyed them!) and that they felt it has helped them prepare for the Abitur next year. Then they all started clapping. I didn't know what to do so I said thank you and turned which I sure was a lovely shade of red. It is moments like that that really make teaching amazing. I will miss that class, they really are one of my favorites.

One last note: TWO WEEKS FROM TODAY!!! That's right folks, just two lil ol weeks and I will be back in the KC area! Can you feel the excitement? hee hee.....

Clearing Up Some Confusion

Just to make sure everyone is aware. Yes, the World Cup is going on right now in Germany. Not only that, but I am in one of the cities where the games are actually going on. Australia played Japan here, and tomorrow the U.S. plays Italy. So it really is crazy here. But good.

Tonight we're cheering for the Netherlands. I was glad to see England kick butt yesterday.

Now I should get back to lesson planning. hee hee. : P

Lazy Summer Days

For those of you not well-versed in Calvin and Hobbes, that was a reference. : D

I have no work today b/c it is yet again a German holiday. Not bad. It's warm and cloudy and absolutely peaceful here right now and I'm loving it. I also realized yesterday as I was at work, that I really do enjoy and love my job here. I get excited to go to work. Hmmmm.

Last night we went out to watch Germany kick Poland's butt, and in the very last few minutes Germany scored and it was great! The town was so full of people and it was crazy and lots of fun. It is weird that my quiet little town has become party central. lol.

If I'm lucky we might get a bit of a storm today. However a German "storm" barely shows up on our Midwest radar, but a girl can dream!

Miss you guys and hope you're well and see you soon.

: )

A Few Choice Pics

The nose-picking is for my darling Mutti who thinks it's not so appropriate to take such shots. The smoking isn't real (or at least I'm the only one not really smoking!) and it's a Portuguese traditional friendship cigarette, so I was partaking in cultural things. The soccer whistles were free at the airport. And the last two pics I'm at Hoheneck, near K-Town with lovely ruins. Very cool.

A Sad Day In K-Town

The U.S. just lost to the Czech Republic. 0:3. So sad. : (

And we took Ms. Rita to the airport. She's on her way to Portugal now. I will miss her so very much. But it was great having her here!

It was way warm today.

Another holiday on Thursday. Do we ever work here? : )

Hello Summer!

So it's really, really here. Warmth and sunshine and I am very happy to enjoy it. Yesterday Rita and I played in the Stadtpark, except I couldn't climb the red thing bc the kids were playing on it. Sheesh, as though it were meant for them or something! lol. Then we stopped by Jan's, stole some funny-looking hats, and woke up Chuck at noon! Then we all went to the American Diner (hee hee) and had a lovely lunch. It was pretty cool. Afterwards Jan took us to Otterberg where we saw an old church and remains of the monastery, then we went to Hoheneck, which has some very nice ruins of an old castle. I think my computer can't take any more pics! lol. I just keep taking tons and putting them on and it's starting to get really slow. Hmmmm.

Last night we went to Dorle's, a teacher of Rita's, and had a fun goodbye party. I am still feeling the party today. Sleeeeeep. But it's Rita's last full day here so we got our sorry, lazy bums outta bed and walked around the WM Mile with all the craziness. Tonight Portugal plays and we're taking Rita out to watch it. I'm still sad she's leaving, and trying not to think about it. Though we already packed up her room this morning. Schnöffle schnöffle.

So that's what's new here! C u all soon!

: )

TOR!!!!!

Germany beat Costa Rica last night, 4:2. Go Germany! I wore my Germany shirt and everything. Ok, so I didn't watch the whole game. I got bored. lol. I mean, come on, it's soccer!

The city was so crazy last night that I didn't venture out to see the game on the big screens. Rita and I were walking around town before the game and people started staring and we heard these weird noises and we went to see what was going on and there were these people dressed up as HUGE bugs and it was quite scary. They also had weird noise-making whatnots that sounded very horror film like and were enjoying chasing people. I didn't want to partake. I admit it, I'm just not a fan of bugs. Especially not life-sized ones. Nope, no thanks buddy!

I do, however, think "summer" has finally hit. Juhu!

I'm also quite excited b/c Megan called last night and is going to come visit once I'm back in the States. Yay!

Today Rita and I are getting her ready to go home. Taking care of last minute things, packing, and her teacher is throwing a going away party tonight. I guess I should plan some lessons sometime, too. lol.

Hope you all are doing well.

: )

12 more

Not too much news here on the home front. I only have 12 days of work left, unbelievable! Or wait, maybe less due to holidays. So many here!

Tomorrow the WM legs los and I think alle der Hoelle wird los! Ahhhh! But I do have a Germany shirt, so I should be good. I've not yet decided whether I'll take part in viewing games from the middle of the Altstadt on big screens. We will have to see. The city has really been turned upside down with this whole event and it hasn't even begun yet! Yikes.

It is finally warm today. I think we're headed for a warm spell and I can't describe how excited I am about it!

Not much planned for the weekend. Rita's goodbye party. So sad! I don't want to think about it. I am certainly looking forward to being home again. I can almost taste it! hee hee. Ok, not really, that's just the Apfelschorle I'm drinking, but what the hey.

Hope you all are well and I will see you soon!

: )

P.S. Sorry the pics didn't work well on my online album. That program seems to act up from time to time.

Late Light

It's 10:30 pm and I feel bad going to bed b/c it's not quite dark yet. lol. But in 7 hours it will be light again.

I've been trying to load some pics to this website but it's not working so far. I will keep trying. And fairly soon I will put the pics up on my photo album.

We had dinner at Thomas's tonight. Quite nice. Tomorrow is a sport day, which I forgot, after spending two hours planning lessons today. I need my one class, though, b/c we have to talk about the book! I'm on a specific plan. Maybe the teacher will let me take a different lesson this week. I have essays to collect, darn it!

: )

Back to Tueb

This weekend was great! Friday night Rita, E and I had a goodbye dinner, since E and Rita won't see each other again before they left. It was a bit sad, but still really good. : D

Saturday Mark and I drove to Tuebingen. It was still cold, yes, I was wearing my winter coat in June in the cold and rain, but it was great. I love that city. It has changed a bit, but is still as gorgeous as ever. There is an H&M and a Lush now, improvements! The Doener and Eis there really are better than in K-Town. The Altstadt is magical. We spent the two days just walking around. We walked by my old neighborhood which has changed with lots of new buildings. We walked up the hill past the goats (which have babies!) and up to the Bergfriedhof where you have a lovely view of the city and it is so incredibly peaceful. It was definitely the most beautiful place I have ever lived.

I also ran into Cristina from Spain and Daniel and Isabel (Daniel and I used to be roomies). Very cool. A lot of the people I studied abroad with are back in Germany. I think it really had an impact on so many of our lives.

We also rented a boat and the current was so strong we couldn't make it around the island! That's never happened before! All in all (as my students are so fond of in essays!) it was a great, wonderful, happy weekend. Mark is a good travel companion. Just let me lead him around a beautiful city.

On the way home we were flying on the Autobahn, doing 125 mph. Scares me to death! Ahhhhh! It is waaaaay fast. I think he would have gone faster if I weren't a scaredy cat. lol.

Today is another holiday (these Germans! do they ever work? lol) so I slept in and am hand-washing clothes. Ahhhh. Have some lessons to plan. It is less than a month left, and I suddenly feel like this month is going to rush by and I will be home before I know it. Sadness and happiness. What fun!

: )