Finally

Sorry I haven't written in a while. This is now week 3 in Germany and we finally have secured steady internet. We had school assignments due when we had patchy internet and did not have time to blog for rushing to complete assignments.

Our first week in Germany was nothing but vacation and sightseeing. We went to Oktoberfest, explored Munich, visited castle Neuschwanstein (inspiration for Cinderella's castle), went to the Zugspitze (highest point in German Alps), and experienced the concentration camp Dachau. It was a moving adventure around Germany and we saw some amazing things. (Pictures are posted on Facebook).

This week as been collaboration week. We collaborate in teams mixed with some German education students and some American education students. We present our teaching strategies to the team and are able to collaborate and discuss the strategies with one another. Language has been an interesting barrier to overcome. The Germans are proficient in English (enough to give a presentation in English and we understood it) and the American group knows almost no German. It makes me feel severely uneducated that everyone else can speak my language but I cannot speak theirs. We need to improve our second language standards to make us fluent in another language before we graduate from high school. They use full language immersion to learn other languages at young ages and are able to pick them up quickly. I like this method.

There has been drama within our group of travelers. It is nice finally having my own room and being able to have alone time to Skype with my husband and stay in touch with my family.

The weather in Germany started out very warm, almost too warm. Since then, it has cooled down severely, even turning to bitter cold in the mornings. The wind howls and we've finally needed to turn on the heaters. Scarves are gifts from God and should be worn outside at all times during the winter, just so you know.

Last weekend, a group of us went to Cologne, Germany. We saw the Cathedral, several various churches, the original Eau de Cologne shop, walked along the Rhine and of course visited a bier garten while there. We also visited the Lindt chocolate factory and indulged in the free samples. It was the most amazing chocolate I've ever had. Fantastic. Ok well it's bedtime so I can get up early and start school all over again. Good night friends. I miss you all and love you all. Talk to you soon!

The Beginning

"I like to start my notes to you as if we're already in the middle of a conversation. I pretend that

 we're the oldest and dearest friends, as opposed to what we actually are - people who don't

 know each others' names and met in a chat room where we both claimed we'd never been

 before. "     -Kathleen Kelly in You've Got Mail 

You've Got Mail is my favorite movie of all time. Yes, it's a chick flick. Yes, it's completely

predictable. Yes, I still have every line memorized. I cannot explain my attraction to the film 

except to say that it is magical. In the film one of the main characters, a charming children's

book store owner Kathleen Kelly has to start over in life and in her professional career. This is 

the turning point in her life and I feel I have come to that same destination. In less than 2 weeks

I will be traveling to Germany to live and study for two months. I am already homesick going 

to college here away from my home and husband. If I can't handle being 4 hours away from 

my home and family, how am I going to manage being in a different country? That being said, 

I am very excited about the new realm of possibilities being opened to me and cannot wait

to start my adventure. There is so much to tell you about my trip and so much to pack. Next 

time, I think I'll tell you about my plans for fall break! I am planning to travel to Greece and

Italy but know nearly nothing about the sightseeing in these countries. If you have any 

advice, will you please send it my way? 

"I just want to send this cosmic question out into the void. So goodnight, dear void." -KK, YGM