Just a Little Update

Guten Tag!

   I cannot believe that there are only 9 days left in February.  Which means 9 days until my halfway point in Germany.  These last few weeks have been busy to say the least and I know that March will be even busier, but I just wanted to give a quick update!

School:
   I have enjoyed being with 4th grade so much! It's so different working with students who are a little bit older because most of my time in practicum was spent with K-1st grade.  The content is so different and I've loved the challenge.   I found out just before arriving for my student teaching that I would have to teach Berlin History during my time here.  There is no way around it, that is what the grade level has planned for.  At first I didn't let it scare me.  I thought WWII, the airlift, Berlin wall coming down, etc... I can read up on that quickly! Well, let's just say we're teaching the origins of Berlin, how it was formed out of the Ice Age and settled my merchants coming from Slavic settlements.  This didn't sound so bad either until I received the information and it was a binder full of Berlin History written completely in German.  ehhhh.  Teaching is hard when the kids have to translate the material for you.  The German teachers on my grade level have been extremely helpful.  They spend after hours with me translating the material while I take notes in English.  It has taught me to be patient and flexible and I have to pray for confidence and clarification on what I know about the content before every lesson.  Thankfully, the students love to help me and laugh politely when I butcher the pronunciation of German words and city names.  Pronouncing Spandau and Colln a drawn out southern accent when instead its pronounced like (SCHPONDOW) and (CERLN) really gets a laugh out of the students.

Fasching:
  Tomorrow at school we're having a Fasching party! It's kind of like Mardi Gras!  Everyone is going to dress up and we're going to make masks and have cake during art.  I didn't really pack any costumes when I came but no worries!  I stopped in at the local drug store and found a bumble bee head band.  We'll see how my costume turns out.

Fights:
I've had to break up two fights while I've been here.  I'm becoming a pro at guiding students through conflict resolution.  One of the fights broke out at recess on Pirate day. Let's just say there were swords and foul pirate language involved.

Weather:
  After the past two weeks of single digit temperatures, I welcome the 40's with open arms and a huggeee smile.  It feels like summer! I was able to go out in my Arcteryx instead of my winter coat for the first time!
The warmth has also made it easier to get out for fresh air.  It has been so nice to be able to take walks after school and go on runs without going numb!
** My FAVORITE THING to do here = smile and give a short little wave at everyone I pass on my run.  It's really funny.  The Germans, although very nice if you need help, don't really acknowledge each other when out and about.  Everyone really keeps to themselves.  It's so funny to run and smile/wave and see the mixed reactions!  Some people look behind them to see if I'm smiling at someone else.  Others look confused and then some laugh or smile back with a "wait do i know you?" look.  I also love running in my Auburn sweatshirt.  I hoping for a War Eagle one of these days.

*I've gotten to know the cafeteria ladies.  I can order basic things off the menu now in German! They were kind to teach me and read my sign language for the first few months!

Berlin:
  As much as I love to travel Europe it has been nice to hang out in Berlin the past few weekends and explore the city a little more! I really am so grateful for how smoothly everything has gone so far.  I miss everyone back home but know that if the next two months go as fast as the last two I'll be home in no time! Also, I CANNOT WAIT FOR ANDIE TO COME!!! Yay! I'm counting the days until April 2nd.  I'm learning so much about how the Lord works in the little details. I've learned that God is the same both in Alabama and in Germany even when my circumstances are so different.  I'm so glad we serve a God who is constant and close!!