Six

I've lost six umbrellas since moving to Berlin. Two of them went astray this morning. Dang.

Ommmmm...

Whew. After a week of no personal life, on Friday I finished reports. Assessment like this is so difficult. There must be a healthy balance of praises and areas for growth for each child. I want to send a disclaimer home with each report card that says, "Truly, I think your child is great! Developing is normal." I tried to write the reports keeping in mind that the parents are not all fluent in English, but trying to describe each child with a third grade vocabulary was next to impossible.

Anyway, I took the weekend to catch up on sleep, laundry, vitamins and minerals, and planning for the next few weeks. Lovely. I also made peanut butter cookies for my lunch bunch. They're extra crumbly. Maybe I can get milk for the lunchers too.

No car...

I thought I would be miserable without a car, but actually life on the s-bahn is pretty nice. I can read, people watch, eavesdrop in Deutsch, enjoy my ipod, grade papers, put on eye make-up (I did this Friday morning in the window reflection) and ponder my next blog update. Sure, it takes a bit more time to get places, but after I pop 86 Euro into a machine, my travel fees are complete for the month. When I was home I spent way more than that on gas for 2 weeks! The only dreadful part of life on the rails is...

The long, denk walk to the pick-up spot.

When I leave school at 5 the night sky is pitch black. There is a short walk down an unlit road whichis mainly frequented by the kids at the hotel next door and carless teachers rom my school. Generally, I make plans to travel in pairs, but today I left school alone. I know I'm an adult, but it is reasonable to be a bit nervous in this situation. At Centre I used to fake talk to people on my cell phone when I was apprehensive and alone outside. The chatter probably sounded like, "Yeah mom, now I'm walking up the steps behind Sutcliffe. Yeah, I know they're steep. I'll be careful. Oh, by the way I forgot to give you DPS's phone number. It's 859-238-HELP. Sure I'll repeat it..." or " That's hilarious! I'm almost to the Warehouse now. Can you see me? I'm in front of the Beta House. Look out the window, Tricia. I'm right here." (I cannot believe I'm admitting this on public domain. Love me in spite of my dorkiness. Bitte?) Now, though, I'm a tougher woman of the city. I'm fearless. I'm like Destiny's Child, an Independent Woman. I sat next to a guy named B-Ball on the flight home- well, that's what his grillz said, anyway. I can take any one who comes my way because lurking under my striped Target mittens are... brass knuckles. ;)

Maybe I should mention them to my fake listener on the phone next time I have to walk home alone. Yeah. Sniff.

New student?

So, I'm really enjoying my class. They seem to remember the rituals and routines fairly well. Even my new student is getting along pretty well and catching on to the idiosyncracies of my class. Today, we heard that another new student will be transferring in from JFK in Berlin. We're not sure whose class he will be in, but I know that adding him will give my class eleven boys and five girls. Pretty unbalanced, no? Even so, I'm open to the idea of having him join our class. Sixteen is the perfect number for collaborating activities!

Reports currently own my life. Maybe that's why my students are being so fab? Nah, they're really just sweet at heart.

Get to sleep, already!

Ugh. I made a terrible jet-lagged mistake. After school today I went home and decided to go to bed. I was asleep before 7 which explains why I'm now wide awake at 1:30 am on a school night. Night is almost too reflective (it is a dark time for me- and everyone else except "Eskimos and dudes with night vision goggles" TY Blades of Glory.) I start feeling homesick, lonely, and a bit hopeless about where my life is going. Heavy.

So, I'll write some gratefuls and try my best to rest up for tomorrow.

I am grateful for my supportive family. They give me confidence.
I am grateful for good, true friends both here and abroad.
Iam grateful for a job which challenges me.
I am grateful for students who complained when I said it was time to go home.
I am grateful for the student who, the moment I finished our read-aloud book, asked, "Please, another, please!"
I am grateful for the technology which allows me to keep in contact with you.
I am grateful for the pink sunrise this morning.
I am grateful for the opportunities and luxuries to know that my basic needs are no concern. Way to go, Maslow and your rockin' hierarchy.
I am grateful that having the chance to express myself without fear.
I am grateful for the hope of having another day and a better attitude tomorrow.

(This is the kind of journal entry I used to destroy. We'll see how long this one lasts.)

New Year's Resolutions

According to the JCES 5th grade PSHE book, goals should be achieveable, measurable, and written down. This entry will complete the triad. My resolution is to write in this blog once per week. (Notice today is the 7th of January, so I'm still on track!) Wish me luck and resolve.

I'm at the airport right now getting ready to fly back to Berlin. One of the toughest and best aspects of this experience is constantly and never feeling at home. My homes are varied. I'm at home in Danville/Junction. I feel at home in Bellefontaine. I feel at home in Lexington. I hope when I return to Berlin I will feel at home too. Before leaving Berlin I was chatting with another teacher who is originally from Spain, lived in Chicago for several years, and now lives in Berlin. She said that she is constantly bringing foodstuffs and toiletries from all three countries. Do I want to do that for the rest of my life? There are worse predicaments...

I really enjoyed this holiday break. The best parts were seeing family and friends and really sitting down and catching up with them. Oddly, time didn't stand still when I left and changes have occurred for everyone. I'm glad. I think that change is painful because it forces you to grow. Isn't that why I'm here? To travel and grow. (I hate the term "find yourself." BITM, don't you already have yourself? Aren't you really seeking adaptation, reaction, and reflection? If you don't agree, you can go and "find" yourself...)

Happy 2008. I'm going to write some grade cards now. See you in less than 7 days.