November Update

It’s the season of grey, last time we lived here the grey clouds rolled in off the North Sea on September 19^th and didn't drift away until April 20^th, last time they hung over my head like a lead blanket.  This time we had another month and a half of vibrant fall colors with perfect fall weather.  While the clouds have rolled in, and appear to be here for a while, this time it’s not a lead blanket, but a new color that somehow adds authenticity to this Northern European experience. It’s funny how perception controls reality.

I have been thinking a lot lately how this experience will shape me as an educator.  I worked at a wonderful school back in the states that had a significant population of ESL (or English as a second language) as well as several deaf students.  While I did my best to connect with them and learn about their world, I really had no first hand personal experience with what they go through on a daily basis.  In a weird way I feel as if I am deaf; not because we can’t hear, but because what we hear doesn't yet register as understandable words and sentences in our brain yet. I think I have also gained a greater understanding for the ESL students I have worked with because I have had to use contextual clues, body language, and the handful of words I do know, to understand what someone is saying, but often miss the point.  I constantly think about how much easier this experience would be if you could read and understand the language, then I think about those students again, and how they have the real struggle, because for me this is temporary, and if I get really stuck I can I can just ask one of the many people who can help us.  I am sure by now you are probably thinking, well just go learn German, and you are right to think that, as that would be the smart thing to do.  I don’t think that is where I am going to invest my time academically, because I am looking at some other educational options that will help me out when we are back state side, but it’s a bit too early to tell.

Addie 

We have two American Thanksgivings this year, and then it will be Christmas market time.  The Christmas markets are a truly unique European experience, filled with beer, brats, and quaint little shops.  It’s one of the few times I have enjoyed Christmas shopping.  We are fortunate in that Erin’s family will all be coming over for Christmas and the New Year.  I am excited to show them the sights and sound of the million people New Year’s party in the center of Berlin!

Halloween

Party at the kids Kita