"Hallo Hallo Misses Long!"

 I think the John F. Kennedy School is going to blow my mind, in a good way.  My first day in the classroom was wonderful!  I walked in and was immediately swarmed by the most adorable little German & American 4th grade girls.  They were telling me in the sweetest accents, 'Misses Long, Misses Long we've been waiting for you!!" They fired off about 50 questions each. They asked if I spoke German, and when I said no they assured me that if I sat with them at lunch everyday that they would teach me all that I needed to know.  They have been doing just that!  I actually think they have made me their own little project. Whenever anyone speaks German they are quick to translate for me and inform the german speaker that I do not speak Deutsch, haha.  Today, a few of the girls insisted that I come with them as a guest to their religion class.  I joined them and was introduced as a new student.  The look on Faur Claire's face was priceless when I walked in, considering I'm larger than most new students.  The class was really cool, the students have religion class twice a week and there are different choices to attend.  I went to Religion/Rest, where they concentrate more on Ethics.  They informed me that everyone is very open and honest about their religion at the school, and so it was neat to be able to share just my basic beliefs!  The school is very neat!  I start at 7:45 and end at 2 everday except Friday I am done at 1 and Wednesday I don't come in until 10:45.  They have periods and i dont teach every period, so we have some breaks every now and then.  It's very nice.  A breath of fresh air, actually.  The students are so independent and responsible.  They change classes & go to lunch/recess on their own, walk in the hallways by themselves and know exactly when to come and go.  It is shocking how the kids will do what theyre supposed to if you actually let them try. i love it.   Although 12 of the students in my class are dubbed "American" which they are, I can't tell that they are by their sweet voices.  All of the children have lived in at least two or three different countries already. To list a few: USA, Germany, South Africa, Madagascar, Russia, France, Mexico, Austria and even more.  This absolutely blows my mind considering these children are 9&10 years old and in the 4th grade.  Today was only my second day and the teacher was absent so i was on my own... This would've been scary except the children knew exactly what to do and pretty much did it on their own. Amazing, once again.  During home room I asked the students to raise their hand if they spoke more than just German and English (I hear so many languages all day, I was just curious.  Roughly 17 out of the 23 in my class raised their hand.  Some languages were, French, Spanish, Russian and Afrikaans.  9 YEAR OLDS. Anyways, I love the school and the students. All of the teachers are SO nice and love what little Southern accent that I have.  They all want to know where I'm from.  I cannot wait to spend more time at the school and learn more about the students and the international school culture.  I'm learning a lot everyday.. more to come about the common and uncommon things that have captured my attention over the last few days.  Going to get some rest, because it's almost Sunday! I'm looking forward to a day of rest and actually getting settled in around the house. The last few days have been so crazy. We may also go looking for an international church we've heard about, so wish us luck.  We're still getting used to the public transportation... we get lost often. Trial and error is our method of choice.  Gute Nacht!