This Week's Entertainment

Yes...I really am that weird.

"Camping"

For Fall Break this past weekend, Liz organized a camping trip just outside of Vienna. While it wasn't roughing it by any stretch of the imagination, it was a lot of fun. It was great to be away from our hectic everyday lives and enjoy good company and fresh air.

The group: Chad, Yvonne, me, RheaAnne, Liz, Sara, Whitney

Our lodging: bungalows

Sunday was a beautiful day and we spend several hours in the Wiener Wald (Vienna Woods)

Once we made it to the top of our last hill after hiking through uncharted territories we opted for a short nap on the grass...it was pretty great.

We also found a friend to bring back with us, Maynard.

Not a bad way to spend a weekend.

Breakfast of Champions

If you're making cookies to take to church how can you resist just a small sample?

Pretty in Pink

My sister got me this cute shirt for my birthday and I just got around to wearing it. I had quite the reaction from my fellow teachers who thought it was a bright color for me to be wearing.

I didn't mind the brightness until I looked at one of my Primary students and realized that we were wearing the same color. She had on a head to toe ensemble with a huge head of Cinderella or some similar Disney Princess. Now I'm not quite sure how I feel about wearing Princess Pink...

Watch Out For Lightning

Earlier in the month we had a fire drill. Aside from the first drill these are always a surprise...as you will soon see.

This particular morning I had finished reviewing our class agenda for the day and had begun a simple prayer.

"Dear God..."

Screeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeech!

"Oh crap!"

Oops...I'm such a great example.

Piano Lessons

Last week I started teaching my first piano students. It was pretty fun...especially since this family holds a special place in my heart. Alonso is in my class now and Eli (in the middle) was a favorite from last year.

Apfelhof

Yesterday I went with friends to an apple farm.

First we learned about and harvested potatoes.

Then we took a tractor ride to the apple orchard.

We picked a bag of apples to take home.

Once back we watched apples being pressed into juice.

We ate our potatoes, drank our juice, cooked some sausages and even had s'mores.

Finally after a visit to the pumpkin patch we headed home.

What was lost has now been found

Thankfully in time for the wet weather and especially since I squished it into my suitcase from the States.

The Solar System according to a Kindergartener

My student reports that the rocket is leaving Earth and will pass the moon, "Upiter," and Saturn. When asked where he learned this he replied from TV. Not bad for a five year old.

"Cross Country" Meet

Last weekend I went to cheer on our cross country team...which consists of two students and two "coaches." Actually Mr. Klein is the coach and I just keep them company. FOr this race we joined a city race. Our only runner of the day did a great job, coming in first in her age group.

Long Night of the Museums

Last Saturday was Long Night of the Museums. This year was a little more laid back than last year, in fact we only got around to five museums. That's what happens when you get older.

The first place we visited was the National Library. We Americans affectionately call in the Beauty and the Beast Library.

The next stop was the Papyrus Museum. Where we saw various manuscripts written on papyrus.

We even had the opportunity to write our own messages on papyrus. Here is Sara and Whitney posing as they write.

And Rachel and myself diligently discussing and working on our own hieroglyphics.

We also visited the Film Museum and the Bible Center and ended up at the Globe Museum. Another favorite from last year. If you look carefully you can see Sara contemplating the evolution of globes.

A long, tiring, but fun night with friends.

English Movies!

A group of us girls went to see The Proposal a couple weeks back. At first we thought we had the whole theatre to ourselves as we were the first ones to find our seats. So like the tourists we sometimes are, we took pictures.

It was a lot of fun to see a movie on the big screen in English.

Saturday trip to Schönbrunn

I made another trip to Schönbrunn a week or so ago. I don't think the fountain was running last time I was out there to take pictures.

And the best part:

Who wouldn't want wedding pictures in front of one of Europe's most beautiful palaces?

Playing their own game

As a teacher you know that each class is going to be very different than previous years...that's just human nature. One of the ways I see the difference this year compared to last year is in their ball playing choices. My boys last year were huge soccer players. They knew all the rules and had great ball handling skills. Skills far above expectations for their age. This year is a younger class and it's interesting to watch them play ball. Four boys could be playing three different games with one ball. The first boy firmly believes he's playing soccer and kicks it across the field. Until the second child picks it up and launches it into the tree as if he's playing basketball. Then the third boy grabs it and throws it against the wall in an elementary attempt at handball. And then there's always a couple of boys just running along trying to keep up.