First Days Frienzies

Hello all! I apologize for the long length of time that has elapsed since my last post. Things have been crazy here getting settled into my new digs and preparing for twenty four kiddos!

When I last left you, I was still staying with my mentor because the process for getting my housing proved to be more difficult than anyone could have anticipated. That continued to be an issue for me. We got the keys to a room on Tuesday from the base in Graff (30 minutes away), had to drive back to Vilseck to make sure it looked ok and that everything was working. Then had to drive back to Graff and sign my paperwork to make my room mine. Long story short, I spent 4 of my 5 days last week running from base to base with various teachers who donated their time all trying to pay for housing and get the passes I need to be on base. I finally got my housing paid for Friday (only 127 dollars a month!) and got my privilege card so I could fill my fridge. I am STILL working on getting the pass that will let me come and go on base. So needless to say, it's been a challenge and a bit of a nightmare. Hopefully soon everything will be resolved.

So I am in my room. It is a lot like a dorm, lots of rooms in one building. Because this is a deployment year, there appear to be only a handful of people in the building, none of which I have actually seen. So kind of a creepy, lonely place to be. It is all one room with a full sized bed, closet, desk, love seat, kitchen, and bathroom. The kitchen does not have an oven which is a little disappointing. I am really craving some homemade cookies right about now! But so far, I've been so busy with everything that I have been eating meals that don't require much preparation. Its a nice enough place. Has what I need and I have been able to borrow from others what it didn't have.

It wouldn't be right if I didn't stop and take a second to rave about the people I have met here. My mentor and her partner have been INCREDIBLE. Opening their house to me, taking me shopping the first time so I could put my things in a car instead of making several small trips on foot, letting me do my laundry at their house and borrow their Internet, driving me where I need to be, making me dinner, asking me on trips with them, introducing me to all their friends and other incredible people, etc. This place is wonderful. All of the staff are really friendly and have provided me with everything I could possibly want while I'm here. I have been offered rides places, meals when I want them, and beds in real homes when I need to get away. I feel so incredibly blessed to be surrounded by so many good-hearted people. It has made this transition seamless.

So last week was filled with cleaning, planning, and making trips all over the place trying to get ready for school and to get me legal. This weekend I went to my first fest in the small neighboring town of Schlict. It was there that I had my first brat, the Nuremberg brat. They were really skinny and long, like sausage links and very good. I went with my mentor and a bunch of her teaching friends. We drank beer, ate meat and bread, and ended the night sitting by their friends fire talking and laughing. It was a great night. I spent the night at my mentor's house and went to church with them the next morning. I spent the rest of the afternoon at their house working on homework and doing my laundry for free! Even got a home cooked meal while I was there. Have I mentioned how giving and loving these people are?!

First day of school was yesterday. I have 5th grade classroom with 24 students, 12 girls and 12 boys. The class is extremely diverse (these are military kids) which is really neat. They all seem really sweet and say things like "yes mam" all the time. It is hard knowing that over half the class has a parent who is deployed. It is amazing to see the way they carry on even when their world is in turmoil. I can already tell how rewarding this experience will be for me. I brought a behavior management program with me to Vilseck and all the teachers are raving about it and are so glad I did! It was nice to be able to bring something to the table. By 10 AM yesterday, my mentor was telling me that I am a natural and making plans to start turning things over to me as soon as Wednesday! Being told that you are a natural is, I think, one of the biggest compliments you can receive in this career. Paige and I get along really well and seem to have the same kind of teaching philosophy which helps a lot! I know I will be able to get a lot of invaluable experiences this semester and I am so looking forward to growing into an even better teacher!

That's what I have been up to! I am taking a weekend camping trip to Garmish, a southern German town, this weekend with my mentor and a bunch of other teachers. I will attempt to blog before then and am sure I will have lots to report after. For those of you who haven't heard, I have not gotten Wifi in my room yet so that is why I am unable to get and recieve texts, snapchats, and Skype right now. They are supposed to set me up September 4th, a week from tomorrow. When I have that set up, it should be much easier for me to communicate with everyone, especially through text and Skype. Sorry if you feel I have been neglecting you! I just haven't been getting things. Also, I got my address today which I will include at the end of the blog. PLEASE DO NOT FEEL LIKE YOU NEED TO SEND ME SOMETHING. Things are expensive. Letting me know you love me is free and easy and does not require the use of the postal service! As always, thank you all for the love, prayers, and support. I honestly did not know how this adventure was going to go. I was very nervous about being this far away from family and friends. The people I have met here and the support I have gotten from home have really made for a smooth start. I feel settled and actually very excited about all of my opportunities over here. It's going to be a great 4 months. Until next time, Chuse!