Last Sunday was spent on the couch - pulled out into bed form - watching movies and eating Kraft macaroni and cheese with a friend of mine. I don't know if it's better or worse to know that is was a recovery-Sunday... but at least now you know I don't make a habit of lounging like a fatty...... just a habit of making bad choices on Saturday nights! ;)
Watching Love Actually got me so incredibly excited to go home for the holidays! I love love love that movie. And now I actually live somewhere that takes more than 5 minutes of planning and a few hours of driving to see them, so it made me even more excited to get home and spend time with everyone I love!!
These last few weeks have been a complete whirlwind, and now - as per usual - I am avoiding the work I need to do to catch up before my next big break! I spent last weekend traveling with the middle school basketball teams to Zurich. 4+ hours on 3 trains and 2 buses with FORTY-EIGHT 11, 12, and 13 year olds is not exactly my idea of a good time.... and twice in under 48 hours... wow. I can already tell you I am NOT looking forward to the eight hour train home from Vienna. I am so thankful that we will take a plane to get there so I don't have to do that one twice! It was the first weekend of actual coaching, and we won both games! Our girls are now 4-0!! With only a few minor issues, it was a successful trip!
After I got back in town Saturday evening, I went to dinner with a friend and somehow managed not to fall asleep at the table. And somehow - even more inexplicably - I managed to convince myself (and her) that we should take the train into the next town to go drink at a new bar... which somehow led us to another bar with great music on the way to the taxi line... which ended up being a Hookah/Shisha pipe bar... and we were the only non-Middle-Eastern people inside. Awesome night... which explains the recovery-Sunday.
Back up another week... and I was in Vienna. The most beautiful city I have seen, to date. After 3 hours of delays to get there and hotel room reservation screw-ups, we made it into bed after 1am Friday night/Saturday morning. I went to the Belvedere and saw the art exhibit Saturday morning before spending a full day at Christmas markets all over town. The market at the Rathaus was like a winter wonderland. There was snow and lights and gluhwein. Absolutely breathtaking. I certainly spent far too much money on Christmas ornaments, but they were all so beautiful!
The weekend before that... I was on the beach in Portugal. Fall Break II (the Thursday and Friday at Thanksgiving) was spent with a couple friends in a little town on the southern coast of Portugal. I would go back there in a heartbeat, and I would love to see what it's like in the summer time and "alive." I sang more karaoke in 1 night than I have in my entire life on the first night we were there. On the last night, we didn't get home until after 8 in the morning... closed down a bar at 3, danced the night (or morning) away at a bar in the next town until after 7, and swam in the ocean outside my hotel after that. After less than an hour's sleep, I nearly missed my morning massage... and had an argument with my friends who were trying to wake me up for almost 15 minutes. It wasn't until half-way through my massage that I realized the dream I was having while they were trying to wake me was really things they were saying to me - and I have not laughed so hard as when I was explaining to the girls later that I was convinced they were trying to put my on a slave ship to Africa, and I wanted none of it. Hearing about the things I was saying to them, combined with the memories I had of what was happening in my head... it made my abs hurt from laughing so hard.
So now you finally have stories of my travels. I have finally had a little time for some vacations. I know I keep disappointing friends back home when I have nothing fun to talk about, but life here really is the same. It's the time off from work that gets to be more fun...
SEVEN DAYS. See you soon.
love and love,
K
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Notable Quotables....
I love it when I randomly hear a quote or a line that perfectly describes my life at that moment.
At some point in my life... probably high school... I started writing quotes down in a book. It didn't matter if they were song lyrics, or bible verses, or movie quotes, or famous sayings, or lines from famous people, or just something I heard. If it struck a chord with me, I wrote it down. The book reads like my own personal diary... and the best part is only I really know what I was thinking. I can flip back through the pages and remember why I wrote each one down. Or who I was thinking about when I read a memorable line. Or what flashed through my mind when I heard a particular song.
I like to go back and read through them sometimes. Usually on particularly hard or stressful days. The past 36 hours definitely fall into the hard and stressful category. Negativity and anger at work, which brings unnecessary stress and burden on others, is not really something I like having to deal with daily. Unfortunately, it's not only been around lately... but in the past two days, it's been practically shoved down my throat.
But then on bad days... I go back and flip through to the fun ones. The cute loving ones. The happy ones. Sometimes even the sad ones. Going down my own little memory lane of emotion helps me get past the stress of now. I heard a quote on a show I was watching tonight, and I caught myself rewinding to hear it again and smiled. I didn't bring the book with me, so I can't go and write it down tonight, but I will definitely be looking for it when I'm in Texas in December.
So with all that in mind... I'll leave you with these two for the day... because I don't have anywhere else to write them!
"Most people are about as happy as they make their minds up to be." -Abraham Lincoln-
"Don't give up on someone or something that you can't go a full day without thinking about."
At some point in my life... probably high school... I started writing quotes down in a book. It didn't matter if they were song lyrics, or bible verses, or movie quotes, or famous sayings, or lines from famous people, or just something I heard. If it struck a chord with me, I wrote it down. The book reads like my own personal diary... and the best part is only I really know what I was thinking. I can flip back through the pages and remember why I wrote each one down. Or who I was thinking about when I read a memorable line. Or what flashed through my mind when I heard a particular song.
I like to go back and read through them sometimes. Usually on particularly hard or stressful days. The past 36 hours definitely fall into the hard and stressful category. Negativity and anger at work, which brings unnecessary stress and burden on others, is not really something I like having to deal with daily. Unfortunately, it's not only been around lately... but in the past two days, it's been practically shoved down my throat.
But then on bad days... I go back and flip through to the fun ones. The cute loving ones. The happy ones. Sometimes even the sad ones. Going down my own little memory lane of emotion helps me get past the stress of now. I heard a quote on a show I was watching tonight, and I caught myself rewinding to hear it again and smiled. I didn't bring the book with me, so I can't go and write it down tonight, but I will definitely be looking for it when I'm in Texas in December.
So with all that in mind... I'll leave you with these two for the day... because I don't have anywhere else to write them!
"Most people are about as happy as they make their minds up to be." -Abraham Lincoln-
"Don't give up on someone or something that you can't go a full day without thinking about."
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Long overdue...
So, I've only just realized it's been over a month since I wrote anything. Clearly I'm LONG overdue for an update! Seeing as it's the last day of October, I ought to get in one post this month...
I'm 26 now. I've had another birthday, and I feel old. It was relatively uneventful, aside from having Mexican food (!!!!!!!!) for birthday celebration dinner. My parents were in Europe and visited. All my kids sang me happy birthday. Bunches of students brought me little sweet treats to celebrate. OK - not so uneventful, pretty great actually. =)
My parents were both here for a few days, and then my mom came back for a few more after their cruise. It was on my fall break, and we were able to vacation together. We went to Rothenburg for a couple nights. It's a really cute, very old town - nearly undestroyed by the wars. Love it! Then to see Neuschwanstein Castle and stayed in Fussen. GORGEOUS! We traveled all over the country by train, and only had one little issue... when our train arrived late, and we missed our connection!
Since then - it's been a pretty normal life. It's hard for me to tell people I haven't done anything big and exciting. I really have the same kind of life as in Texas, just transplanted somewhere else. I like my job, and it keeps me very busy. I go out to eat with friends, go shopping when I'm bored, and go out to local bars when I'm thirsty. =)
I took a position as a middle school basketball coach, and that will be starting up in a couple weeks. Tryouts are right in a couple weeks, and then I'll be taking a trip somewhere warm on Fall Break II (Thanksgiving weekend). Vienna is still planned for the first weekend in December - I can't wait for the Christmas markets! Erin and Lauren (and husbands) have booked flights to visit in March, and I can't wait to start planning all the details of that trip.
OK - so that's the gist of the last few weeks.... a little bit of same-old same-old... but I'm loving it!
PS - current temperature: 49*F.... last week, we had highs in the low 40s and below freezing lows. This week it looks like it's going to be quite warm... highs in the mid 50s!!
I'm 26 now. I've had another birthday, and I feel old. It was relatively uneventful, aside from having Mexican food (!!!!!!!!) for birthday celebration dinner. My parents were in Europe and visited. All my kids sang me happy birthday. Bunches of students brought me little sweet treats to celebrate. OK - not so uneventful, pretty great actually. =)
My parents were both here for a few days, and then my mom came back for a few more after their cruise. It was on my fall break, and we were able to vacation together. We went to Rothenburg for a couple nights. It's a really cute, very old town - nearly undestroyed by the wars. Love it! Then to see Neuschwanstein Castle and stayed in Fussen. GORGEOUS! We traveled all over the country by train, and only had one little issue... when our train arrived late, and we missed our connection!
Since then - it's been a pretty normal life. It's hard for me to tell people I haven't done anything big and exciting. I really have the same kind of life as in Texas, just transplanted somewhere else. I like my job, and it keeps me very busy. I go out to eat with friends, go shopping when I'm bored, and go out to local bars when I'm thirsty. =)
I took a position as a middle school basketball coach, and that will be starting up in a couple weeks. Tryouts are right in a couple weeks, and then I'll be taking a trip somewhere warm on Fall Break II (Thanksgiving weekend). Vienna is still planned for the first weekend in December - I can't wait for the Christmas markets! Erin and Lauren (and husbands) have booked flights to visit in March, and I can't wait to start planning all the details of that trip.
OK - so that's the gist of the last few weeks.... a little bit of same-old same-old... but I'm loving it!
PS - current temperature: 49*F.... last week, we had highs in the low 40s and below freezing lows. This week it looks like it's going to be quite warm... highs in the mid 50s!!
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
cutest thing ever
OK - I have to start out by saying I didn't take any of these pictures... I actually googled them, and stole someone else's pictures. I realize this is creepy on a couple of different levels, but I really, really, really wanted you to see what the hell I was talking about.
SO - with that little disclaimer out of the way...
O.M.G. The freakin' cutest thing I have seen since I came to Germany has got to be all these precious little toddlers strolling along on their balance bikes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SO - with that little disclaimer out of the way...
O.M.G. The freakin' cutest thing I have seen since I came to Germany has got to be all these precious little toddlers strolling along on their balance bikes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
These little kids.... sometimes I swear they can't even be two years old yet... strolling along on these little bikes-without-pedals.
They just go cruising around and sort of make themselves glide around. They can steer, go up hills, appropriately use the right part of the sidewalk at crosswalks and not just fall off the curb. It's PRECIOUS.
And.... I really think it's probably a better first stage for learning to ride a bike. I haven't seen a single bike with training wheels - just these bikes with no pedals and regular bikes. These little ones get much bigger in size, it is just cuter to see the little babies riding around. They make me smile. Also - for the parents, they seem to be a little better for walking around because the kids can move faster. You don't have to constantly wait for the little toddler legs to run run run and try to keep up with your big, grown-up steps.
I love it!!!
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Lazy Sundays
I can't remember if I have mentioned it before, but the whole country shuts down on Sundays. Well, I actually haven't been too far yet, but the whole town of Oberursel shuts down anyway, and I've been told it's pretty standard across the country. The only places that might be open are restaurants... so the only thing to do on Sundays is eat or go for a walk or both (or stay in bed recovering from massive hangovers, but I've already tried that one and it's a much less appealing option). Luckily, the weather has always been surprisingly nice on each Sunday I have been here!
There really is nothing to do, though. The grocery stores are closed. The shops are closed. The malls are closed. The bakeries usually close by eleven or twelve. The malls are closed. There is really not a lot to do. If you're planning to make dinner, you have to make sure you get all the supplies you need before hand. If you want to run errands, forget about it, there is nowhere to go!
Last Sunday I went for a run/walk on the 5K loop in the woods near my place, and then cooked dinner for some friends. They had just gotten back from trip week on Friday night, and it was nice to have them back. This week was pretty typical - busy with normal school stuff. Some of my classes had their first test on Friday, which is what led me to this post - I'm procrastinating. In the past I have often spent Sunday afternoons grading papers and preparing for the week but still never seemed to have enough hours in the day to get things finished. Last year, I just stopped doing it. I don't know how or why or when I made that shift, but I stopped bringing papers home and left work at work and had my time away from school. Mentally, there is no turning off the teacher brain, as I was always thinking about lessons and students and ideas, but physically there was nothing at home for me to work on. I got my nights and weekends back. But here, there is nothing to do on Sunday. I need my afternoons and evenings to get things accomplished, and Fridays and Saturdays for fun. That leaves grading for Sundays again. I walked to school this morning and brought everything home, but I really just don't want to work on it! I know the kids are going to ask me about the tests (over and over and over....) if I don't get them graded, but I keep weighing my options... Lazy Sunday? Or grading tests with some Glee in the background? *sigh*
In other news... a friend and I went out to a bar and danced the night away last night. In true Kelsey fashion... we ended the night with a long list of hysterical commentary. We managed to lock ourselves in a hallway outside the bar looking for the non-existent elevator that leads to the bathroom, get yelled at by the door guy who let us back in for using the toilet for customers (we later decided he meant employees), discover the reason Europeans wear so much black is because you can sweat like a whore in church and no one can tell, and feel like we're in college again because you can take the night bus home after the trains stop running. They leave downtown Frankfurt towards all the surrounding towns and neighborhoods at 1:30, 2:30, and 3:30am. I felt like I was on the E-bus with Brady! ;) It was a great night!
There really is nothing to do, though. The grocery stores are closed. The shops are closed. The malls are closed. The bakeries usually close by eleven or twelve. The malls are closed. There is really not a lot to do. If you're planning to make dinner, you have to make sure you get all the supplies you need before hand. If you want to run errands, forget about it, there is nowhere to go!
Last Sunday I went for a run/walk on the 5K loop in the woods near my place, and then cooked dinner for some friends. They had just gotten back from trip week on Friday night, and it was nice to have them back. This week was pretty typical - busy with normal school stuff. Some of my classes had their first test on Friday, which is what led me to this post - I'm procrastinating. In the past I have often spent Sunday afternoons grading papers and preparing for the week but still never seemed to have enough hours in the day to get things finished. Last year, I just stopped doing it. I don't know how or why or when I made that shift, but I stopped bringing papers home and left work at work and had my time away from school. Mentally, there is no turning off the teacher brain, as I was always thinking about lessons and students and ideas, but physically there was nothing at home for me to work on. I got my nights and weekends back. But here, there is nothing to do on Sunday. I need my afternoons and evenings to get things accomplished, and Fridays and Saturdays for fun. That leaves grading for Sundays again. I walked to school this morning and brought everything home, but I really just don't want to work on it! I know the kids are going to ask me about the tests (over and over and over....) if I don't get them graded, but I keep weighing my options... Lazy Sunday? Or grading tests with some Glee in the background? *sigh*
In other news... a friend and I went out to a bar and danced the night away last night. In true Kelsey fashion... we ended the night with a long list of hysterical commentary. We managed to lock ourselves in a hallway outside the bar looking for the non-existent elevator that leads to the bathroom, get yelled at by the door guy who let us back in for using the toilet for customers (we later decided he meant employees), discover the reason Europeans wear so much black is because you can sweat like a whore in church and no one can tell, and feel like we're in college again because you can take the night bus home after the trains stop running. They leave downtown Frankfurt towards all the surrounding towns and neighborhoods at 1:30, 2:30, and 3:30am. I felt like I was on the E-bus with Brady! ;) It was a great night!
Monday, August 30, 2010
1 month until...
MY BIRTHDAY!! Just in case you were wondering when to send me a present... now's the time, people! ;) I kid, I kid!
One month until my birthday, and officially one month SINCE I landed in Frankfurt! CRAZY!!!
This weekend was fun.... and eventful and exhausting! Friday was a nice peaceful night alone, which was much needed! Saturday I had an adventure removing the old washing machine from my kitchen and discovering new ways to take apart my kitchen cabinets to soak up the water! :) Later in the day, my new washer and dryer were delivered and installed... I don't think I have ever been so excited to do laundry! I give it two weeks, and then I'll hate it like a normal person again. Saturday afternoon I helped serve burgers at the FIS back-to-school bbq. It was sooooo good to have a nice big, juicy cheeseburger! I had to slip outside to the grills, though, so all the people in line wouldn't see me eating the one they had been waiting for. Later Saturday night I went with a group to Lantern Fest in Bad Homburg... it has something to do with St. Martin and kids and lights and something or other... all I know is there was a lot of food, a lot of drinks, and a lot of carnival rides (which I stayed far away from), and a ton of people. Sunday morning was nice and lazy, and Sunday afternoon I went into Frankfurt to Museum Fest. We didn't actually go in to any museums, but we walked around through the crowds of people, up and down the river, looking at booths of items for sale and trying not to buy every piece of delicious looking food. I did cave and get chocolate covered strawberries on a skewer....... or "a little slice of Heaven," as we called them yesterday. :) We found a fun band and a table to sit at under a giant umbrella just thirty seconds before the rain started, so we stayed put for a while and had a great day!
Trip week started at school this week, so all the 8th, 9th, and 10th graders are all left for their class trips today. This week is supposed to be easy for me as a 6th grade homeroom teacher because they have a set schedule all week.... but it's only Monday, and I'm already exhausted!!
Tomorrow I have to get to the mall to look for a raincoat because, rain or shine, we have an orienteering/hiking event planned for Wednesday, and I don't particularly want to be soaked AND freezing... I think I can only handle one or the other at this point! It is August after all!
One month until my birthday, and officially one month SINCE I landed in Frankfurt! CRAZY!!!
This weekend was fun.... and eventful and exhausting! Friday was a nice peaceful night alone, which was much needed! Saturday I had an adventure removing the old washing machine from my kitchen and discovering new ways to take apart my kitchen cabinets to soak up the water! :) Later in the day, my new washer and dryer were delivered and installed... I don't think I have ever been so excited to do laundry! I give it two weeks, and then I'll hate it like a normal person again. Saturday afternoon I helped serve burgers at the FIS back-to-school bbq. It was sooooo good to have a nice big, juicy cheeseburger! I had to slip outside to the grills, though, so all the people in line wouldn't see me eating the one they had been waiting for. Later Saturday night I went with a group to Lantern Fest in Bad Homburg... it has something to do with St. Martin and kids and lights and something or other... all I know is there was a lot of food, a lot of drinks, and a lot of carnival rides (which I stayed far away from), and a ton of people. Sunday morning was nice and lazy, and Sunday afternoon I went into Frankfurt to Museum Fest. We didn't actually go in to any museums, but we walked around through the crowds of people, up and down the river, looking at booths of items for sale and trying not to buy every piece of delicious looking food. I did cave and get chocolate covered strawberries on a skewer....... or "a little slice of Heaven," as we called them yesterday. :) We found a fun band and a table to sit at under a giant umbrella just thirty seconds before the rain started, so we stayed put for a while and had a great day!
Trip week started at school this week, so all the 8th, 9th, and 10th graders are all left for their class trips today. This week is supposed to be easy for me as a 6th grade homeroom teacher because they have a set schedule all week.... but it's only Monday, and I'm already exhausted!!
Tomorrow I have to get to the mall to look for a raincoat because, rain or shine, we have an orienteering/hiking event planned for Wednesday, and I don't particularly want to be soaked AND freezing... I think I can only handle one or the other at this point! It is August after all!
Friday, August 27, 2010
I ♥ Fridays!
Today was the end of the first full week of school. Just when things start getting into a routine, though, the rug is about to be pulled out from under us! Next week is the upper school "trip week." The 8th, 9th, and 10th graders all take a week long class trip somewhere around Europe, and the 11th graders go somewhere for the second half of the week. The seniors don't take a trip because they have to focus on thier IB work, and the 6th and 7th graders each take a trip in May. I have a 6th grade homeroom, and our kids will be "off schedule" all week long - meaning they won't actually attend regular classes because a schedule has been set for them - and I'll be running some of those activities. Essentially - it's going to be a crazy week!
Since my "big kids" knew they were leaving and my "little babies" knew they weren't having real classes next week, it was a little hard to keep everyone focused. I am excited about getting another start with them when they get back and whip them into shape!
My new washer and dryer get delivered tomorrow, so I excited to FINALLY be able to do some laundry! I used the machines that were here when I got here to wash some essentials after a week or so of being in Germany, but they are long gone now, and my laundry hamper is so full I literally can't close the lid!! My housekeeper - Porn - came today, and it's just another reason I love Fridays... coming home to a clean house is the most amazing and relaxing feeling ever!
There are two big festivals going on this weekend - one in Bad Homburg and one in Frankfurt. A big group is going to Lanternfest in Bad Homburg tomorrow night, the school Welcome Back BBQ is tomorrow afternoon, and a nice relaxing dinner at home tonight. Finally. I don't think I have cooked one real meal in my own apartment since I moved here. Kraft macaroni and cheese to cure my hangover doesn't count. Which reminds me - German hangover kicks American hangover ass! I don't know what I was thinking trying to keep up with an Aussie drinking German beer... I couldn't get out of bed until 4:30 in the afternoon a couple weeks ago! I'm learning though... should be interesting to see how I feel on Sunday after the festival this weekend, though! ;)
Since my "big kids" knew they were leaving and my "little babies" knew they weren't having real classes next week, it was a little hard to keep everyone focused. I am excited about getting another start with them when they get back and whip them into shape!
My new washer and dryer get delivered tomorrow, so I excited to FINALLY be able to do some laundry! I used the machines that were here when I got here to wash some essentials after a week or so of being in Germany, but they are long gone now, and my laundry hamper is so full I literally can't close the lid!! My housekeeper - Porn - came today, and it's just another reason I love Fridays... coming home to a clean house is the most amazing and relaxing feeling ever!
There are two big festivals going on this weekend - one in Bad Homburg and one in Frankfurt. A big group is going to Lanternfest in Bad Homburg tomorrow night, the school Welcome Back BBQ is tomorrow afternoon, and a nice relaxing dinner at home tonight. Finally. I don't think I have cooked one real meal in my own apartment since I moved here. Kraft macaroni and cheese to cure my hangover doesn't count. Which reminds me - German hangover kicks American hangover ass! I don't know what I was thinking trying to keep up with an Aussie drinking German beer... I couldn't get out of bed until 4:30 in the afternoon a couple weeks ago! I'm learning though... should be interesting to see how I feel on Sunday after the festival this weekend, though! ;)
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
1 month in...
I have been in Germany now for nearly a month, and it already seems like a lifetime ago! I finally have internet working at my place, and now that school has started I have started to figure out how I'll need to manage my time.... so hopefully I'll be able to update often!
I have so much to tell in just a month....... and I have found it nearly impossible to put pictures into this stupid blog, so you'll just have to look at FB for those!
The day I arrived, I was picked up at the airport with my 4 giant suitcases and 2 carry-ons and brought to my apartment. I got my keys, learned how to lock the doors, open the windows, flush the toilet, lower and raise the blinds.... it was a lot to take in! Soon a couple from school came to take me into town and go shopping for essentials. I have emailed a lot with the husband, Stephen, because he is now the math department head at school, and it was great to finally put a face to the names! Rebekah, his wife, and Stephen taught me how to buy a ticket for the train, how to get a buggy at the supermarket, how to find the essentials at the store, and where to find the most delicious ice cream! After we unloaded everything, we went to the town square for the Oberursel wine festival that happened to be going on the weekend I arrived. Several more teachers from FIS came, and I had a great time hanging out with them all evening! Since I find it physically impossible to sleep on airplanes, though, I didn't make it much past eleven that night, and I slept like a rock when I got home!
Over the next few days I was helped by the teachers so much! Since no other new teachers were arriving until almost a week later, I had a lot of opportunity to learn how to live here before the craziness started at school. I spent a LOT of money at Ikea.... bought a new dresser (just like the one I have at home in Texas!), two end tables, a new bed and mattress (which I LOVE), and a desk for the living room... along with a few odds and ends for the apartment.
As strange as it sounds, Julie (one of the math teachers at school who I have also emailed with quite a bit) and I were both looking for shower curtains and couldn't seem to find any we liked at any store we went to! She ended up taking me to Frankfurt where we went to the big department store - where we were both successful in finding shower curtains - and also spent a little bit of time walking around Frankfurt.
Once the rest of the teachers arrived, life started getting crazy. We had two trips organized the weekend before work started. The first was a tour of Oberursel and then dinner with applewine - a local drink that is sure to knock you on your ass! The following day, we went to the next town over - Bad Homburg - and took a tour of an old castle. It was GORGEOUS, but, unfortunately, you can't take pictures inside. We did get to climb to the top of the white tower at the castle, and the view from the top was amazing! Then the new teachers have a week of orientation and meetings before the rest of the faculty, and we had our entire days planned out for us. We were given tons of information in very little time, and all our brains were spinning. One day we had a "Welcome to Germany" class, another we spent all morning talking about all the taxes we were going to pay, and one afternoon we went to the mayor's office for a private meeting about Oberursel and drank applewine in his office! At the end of the first week, we took a trip to a nearby Roman fort. I'll be honest and say it reminded me a lot of the Alamo... not so much the way it looked, but the concept and organization of the structure... but it's crazy to think this fort has been here since around 700AD!
School started last week, and I actually started a day early because I have a 6th grade homeroom. This is the first year the kids are out of elementary school and in the upper school, and they get to come in an for a few hours on the afternoon before classes start. They get their schedules and their lockers and get to spend a little time wrapping their heads around the concept of 8 days of schedules, 11 different teachers, and organization and time management. I have never had 6th graders on the first day of school, and while I hate to say I was laughing at them, the anxiety they feel over the stress of their new lives in upper school is absolutely adorable!
I am teaching five sections of classes that rotate through an 8 day cycle with 6 periods per day. The kids have a few electives that rotate in there differently from their core classes, but in an 8 day cycle, I see each class 6 times. I also see them at all different periods throughout the rotation. While we haven't even made it an entire rotation yet, I really enjoy the variety of the day-to-day schedule. I have two 6th grade math classes (plus one 6th grade homeroom), one 7th grade math class, and two 8th grade math classes... which is more preps that I have ever had, but I really enjoy the variety of ages and levels of the students I have. Some of the teachers I work with have classes ranging from 6th grade to upper level IB math classes, and the shift in brain power that that must take is beyond my understanding! I am happy right where I'm at! I share a classroom with another teacher, and I have to float for my homeroom and my 7th grade class, so I feel like I am never sitting - and almost always on the run. It keeps my busy, but I don't really have a "home" at school. I don't mind though, because the teacher computer lab I go to work in is the office of a friend at school and is next to the printer, so it's actually easier to work in there! :) I just bring my hard drive to school and bring it with me to each of my different classes.
The kids are amazing. I have one class that is VERY talkative, and might make me pull my hair out, but I moved some seats around today, and hopefully that will help! I haven't taught any GT or honors classes at home, but it's a big change for me to have kids fill out their info sheets and check "yes" to the question "do you like math?" Then when I read the answers to "why?," I feel like I am reading 50 papers that I wrote because they all love math for the same reasons I do! :) It's great!! :)
This past weekend I went on a hike with the 9-12 asst. principal, Pete, Julie, and a couple other new teachers to the top of the nearby mountain. It was about 9 km uphill, and took somewhere close to 2 hours (I think), but the view from the top was AWESOME! Just as we were getting ready to head back town, a massive storm rolled through, and it started hailing. Hail. In August. I don't know what to do with myself.
This week has been pretty busy, and it's the first full week of school. Monday I was caught in a monsoon on the way home, dried off and waited out the storm at my place with Julie, waited over half an hour at the train stop (the trains apparently were not running because of the storm), got money from the bank, went to dinner but the restaurant was closed, walked somewhere else to eat, SPRINTED from the restaurant to the train station to make the train home - in rain boots, nearly missed the train by mere seconds, rode without a ticket, tried to not throw up my dinner and wine from running so fast, got home and sat for ten more minutes trying to decide if I was going to throw up my dinner and wine, and finally went to bed. Yesterday, I was at work until around 6:30 and then went to eat at the restaurant that was closed Monday. Today was my long day at work, and we had a meeting right after school with our grade level homeroom teachers. Tomorrow is an easy day, though, so I went home right after the meeting. A bit later I went on a 10K hike through the woods with Julie, and we just got home from dinner down the road.
I am loving life. I miss my friends and family, but I am so thankful for skype and facebook. And that I can call the US for a flat 5 euro a month. It helps!
Now that I think I'm all caught up, I'll try to keep up to date!
Much love! I miss yall!
I have so much to tell in just a month....... and I have found it nearly impossible to put pictures into this stupid blog, so you'll just have to look at FB for those!
The day I arrived, I was picked up at the airport with my 4 giant suitcases and 2 carry-ons and brought to my apartment. I got my keys, learned how to lock the doors, open the windows, flush the toilet, lower and raise the blinds.... it was a lot to take in! Soon a couple from school came to take me into town and go shopping for essentials. I have emailed a lot with the husband, Stephen, because he is now the math department head at school, and it was great to finally put a face to the names! Rebekah, his wife, and Stephen taught me how to buy a ticket for the train, how to get a buggy at the supermarket, how to find the essentials at the store, and where to find the most delicious ice cream! After we unloaded everything, we went to the town square for the Oberursel wine festival that happened to be going on the weekend I arrived. Several more teachers from FIS came, and I had a great time hanging out with them all evening! Since I find it physically impossible to sleep on airplanes, though, I didn't make it much past eleven that night, and I slept like a rock when I got home!
Over the next few days I was helped by the teachers so much! Since no other new teachers were arriving until almost a week later, I had a lot of opportunity to learn how to live here before the craziness started at school. I spent a LOT of money at Ikea.... bought a new dresser (just like the one I have at home in Texas!), two end tables, a new bed and mattress (which I LOVE), and a desk for the living room... along with a few odds and ends for the apartment.
As strange as it sounds, Julie (one of the math teachers at school who I have also emailed with quite a bit) and I were both looking for shower curtains and couldn't seem to find any we liked at any store we went to! She ended up taking me to Frankfurt where we went to the big department store - where we were both successful in finding shower curtains - and also spent a little bit of time walking around Frankfurt.
Once the rest of the teachers arrived, life started getting crazy. We had two trips organized the weekend before work started. The first was a tour of Oberursel and then dinner with applewine - a local drink that is sure to knock you on your ass! The following day, we went to the next town over - Bad Homburg - and took a tour of an old castle. It was GORGEOUS, but, unfortunately, you can't take pictures inside. We did get to climb to the top of the white tower at the castle, and the view from the top was amazing! Then the new teachers have a week of orientation and meetings before the rest of the faculty, and we had our entire days planned out for us. We were given tons of information in very little time, and all our brains were spinning. One day we had a "Welcome to Germany" class, another we spent all morning talking about all the taxes we were going to pay, and one afternoon we went to the mayor's office for a private meeting about Oberursel and drank applewine in his office! At the end of the first week, we took a trip to a nearby Roman fort. I'll be honest and say it reminded me a lot of the Alamo... not so much the way it looked, but the concept and organization of the structure... but it's crazy to think this fort has been here since around 700AD!
School started last week, and I actually started a day early because I have a 6th grade homeroom. This is the first year the kids are out of elementary school and in the upper school, and they get to come in an for a few hours on the afternoon before classes start. They get their schedules and their lockers and get to spend a little time wrapping their heads around the concept of 8 days of schedules, 11 different teachers, and organization and time management. I have never had 6th graders on the first day of school, and while I hate to say I was laughing at them, the anxiety they feel over the stress of their new lives in upper school is absolutely adorable!
I am teaching five sections of classes that rotate through an 8 day cycle with 6 periods per day. The kids have a few electives that rotate in there differently from their core classes, but in an 8 day cycle, I see each class 6 times. I also see them at all different periods throughout the rotation. While we haven't even made it an entire rotation yet, I really enjoy the variety of the day-to-day schedule. I have two 6th grade math classes (plus one 6th grade homeroom), one 7th grade math class, and two 8th grade math classes... which is more preps that I have ever had, but I really enjoy the variety of ages and levels of the students I have. Some of the teachers I work with have classes ranging from 6th grade to upper level IB math classes, and the shift in brain power that that must take is beyond my understanding! I am happy right where I'm at! I share a classroom with another teacher, and I have to float for my homeroom and my 7th grade class, so I feel like I am never sitting - and almost always on the run. It keeps my busy, but I don't really have a "home" at school. I don't mind though, because the teacher computer lab I go to work in is the office of a friend at school and is next to the printer, so it's actually easier to work in there! :) I just bring my hard drive to school and bring it with me to each of my different classes.
The kids are amazing. I have one class that is VERY talkative, and might make me pull my hair out, but I moved some seats around today, and hopefully that will help! I haven't taught any GT or honors classes at home, but it's a big change for me to have kids fill out their info sheets and check "yes" to the question "do you like math?" Then when I read the answers to "why?," I feel like I am reading 50 papers that I wrote because they all love math for the same reasons I do! :) It's great!! :)
This past weekend I went on a hike with the 9-12 asst. principal, Pete, Julie, and a couple other new teachers to the top of the nearby mountain. It was about 9 km uphill, and took somewhere close to 2 hours (I think), but the view from the top was AWESOME! Just as we were getting ready to head back town, a massive storm rolled through, and it started hailing. Hail. In August. I don't know what to do with myself.
This week has been pretty busy, and it's the first full week of school. Monday I was caught in a monsoon on the way home, dried off and waited out the storm at my place with Julie, waited over half an hour at the train stop (the trains apparently were not running because of the storm), got money from the bank, went to dinner but the restaurant was closed, walked somewhere else to eat, SPRINTED from the restaurant to the train station to make the train home - in rain boots, nearly missed the train by mere seconds, rode without a ticket, tried to not throw up my dinner and wine from running so fast, got home and sat for ten more minutes trying to decide if I was going to throw up my dinner and wine, and finally went to bed. Yesterday, I was at work until around 6:30 and then went to eat at the restaurant that was closed Monday. Today was my long day at work, and we had a meeting right after school with our grade level homeroom teachers. Tomorrow is an easy day, though, so I went home right after the meeting. A bit later I went on a 10K hike through the woods with Julie, and we just got home from dinner down the road.
I am loving life. I miss my friends and family, but I am so thankful for skype and facebook. And that I can call the US for a flat 5 euro a month. It helps!
Now that I think I'm all caught up, I'll try to keep up to date!
Much love! I miss yall!
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
1 month left...
So it's June 29th, and I officially leave for Germany in thirty days...
I got my job offer in February. I bought my flight in April. I finalized plans for my new apartment, and I moved back into my parents' house in May. I sold most of my big household items, and I packed the rest up in my parents' closets in June. I leave for Frankfurt on July 29th.
Let's just say... It's all happening...
It's getting hard to imagine what living there is going to be like. I have little struggles all the time thinking about all the things I will miss, and I lose track of all the things I am excited to gain. The new experiences and places and people that I will get to have in my life get overshadowed by the memories brought on by a photograph in my old dresser. The adventures I'll get to have are forgotten because of the wedding invitations I receive and know I can't attend.
Then I get a moment to myself and remember all the things I am looking forward to. I know I'll have to adjust to being gone from all my family and friends that live here, but I can't wait to share my new life with them when they visit. Or when I take visits home. Or when we talk on the phone.
So as I sit here sweating to death in this ever-so-lovely Houston humidity... I'll think about snowflakes and smile. I am going to freeze my ass off....... and I can't wait!!
I got my job offer in February. I bought my flight in April. I finalized plans for my new apartment, and I moved back into my parents' house in May. I sold most of my big household items, and I packed the rest up in my parents' closets in June. I leave for Frankfurt on July 29th.
Let's just say... It's all happening...
It's getting hard to imagine what living there is going to be like. I have little struggles all the time thinking about all the things I will miss, and I lose track of all the things I am excited to gain. The new experiences and places and people that I will get to have in my life get overshadowed by the memories brought on by a photograph in my old dresser. The adventures I'll get to have are forgotten because of the wedding invitations I receive and know I can't attend.
Then I get a moment to myself and remember all the things I am looking forward to. I know I'll have to adjust to being gone from all my family and friends that live here, but I can't wait to share my new life with them when they visit. Or when I take visits home. Or when we talk on the phone.
So as I sit here sweating to death in this ever-so-lovely Houston humidity... I'll think about snowflakes and smile. I am going to freeze my ass off....... and I can't wait!!
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Episode 1: Meet Kelsey...
By this point in our lives, most of my friends are familiar with the concept of A Day in the Life of Kelsey. Explanations of "what's new in your world" often lead to countless stories of bizarre and humorous things I have experienced lately. Those who know me know that my stories tend to be less Reader's Digest and more play-by-play recaps. And while I realize this often leads to frustration and wanting to scream at the story teller (me), I enjoy sharing each episode of A Day in the Life with my friends. As far as I can tell... they've all come to accept it. I tell the longest stories ever, I leave no detail untouched, and I generally take twenty minutes to tell you something that could (and maybe should) have taken two. But I like letting you experience the situation as I did. Let you fully grasp the depth of the humor, the humility, the shock, the anger, the total embarrassment, the emotion of the moment as I went through it. .. so deal with it. My stories invite you into my life, and they let you leave knowing you missed nothing. Even though you weren't there, you could have been, and Lord knows you won't have any questions because I won't leave anything out! ;)
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