They say 'time flies when you are having fun', but this is ridiculous!

So. Im now towards the end of my seconds month!

This month has been quiet to say the least.  The first 2 weeks were in school, the second 2 are holidays.

Well, I had loads of plans for the 2 weeks - travel to Berlin, head to Hamburg.. but then at the start of the holidays, I had a 'brainwave' to pay 2 months rent in one go.
Next month will be great. This month, NO!!

Don't get me wrong, I haven't been left tight, just not enough to survive and go to Berlin and buy food - which, sadly, I still need!

So I am making it up by planning a larger trip during the 1st week in Easter/ But for now, its under wraps until its DEFINITELY happening, and its all completely confirmed!


But anyway, what have I been doing over the last few weeks, that have not cost very much?
Well, I try to make sure that I go for a walk once a day.  The weather here is great at the moment, so I may as well make the most of it - after all, its getting colder, and it could be my last chance before I have to go out wearing EVERYTHING I own (people who know me will know what I'm like with the cold..  It can be 30 degrees, if the wind blows at 29, I feel it!)

I was also asked to go to a park Its in Schlüchtern,but its pretty hidden.
Well, its a nice place to be ..

There is a playing field, a small play area.. Oh, and deer!   VERY TAME Deer..

 To make it perfectly clear..  The Deer are fenced.. yes but ..   the Humans have less space than they do!!  


It was pretty tough to get a photo, because they kept moving, and I kept getting a picture of their arse..  until one of the members of staff that I had gone with went all doctor dolittle on them, and made noises..!

  This guy followed us all the way around!

This was one of the younger ones.















Anyway it was nice! and good to see Human beings too!

Before the holidays, I had my 'big spend' of the month. (apart from the 2 months rent...)
I say 'big spend' .. It wasn't , but considering I had almost 3 weeks left before being paid..  I had to consider the future a bit!

Some of my students invited me to their (and I quote).. "school disco"
Now, despite being the DJ that the kids at my old high school still ask for in the hope that I am not at uni on that date because I (supposed to be) the best... (its always nice for a positive review!!)    I still expect a school disco to be terrible music, awful lights a DJ enjoying himself more than any of the guests and teenagers dancing with members of the opposite gender, but look like they are shifting a wardrobe!
So.. kinda like this..

Well .. it wasn't..

It was a HUGE rig...   about 600 people, and went from 9pm - 5am!  beer was flowing, spirits were flowing faster and, after being there for just 2 hours.. I ended up doing what I do best (and the answer isn't partying!)

DJ-ing!
well, not being the DJ, there was this kidda doing that who clearly had taken a disliking to me!  there was a word for him..   and it rhymes with 'Bosser'
Moving on..

One of my students was in charge of lighting. (which I do anyway..)  so, it ended up that we kinda shared the workload! :D

So, to be fair..
This type of thing would never happen in UK schools. EVER.. but they are stupid.. because this made SO MUCH MONEY!    They have asked me to DJ at the Christmas Disco..   er   YE!


There was another Major Event over the last week..  (notice the capital letters...)
to say its the best thing to happen so far, it a bit far..  but it is us there..
There was a special arrival to Schlüchtern the other day...

Yorkshire Tea makes Mike happy!

A colleague went to England (Whenever I say Colleague, I should probably point out that it is usually one of 4.. the rest are nice, but I don't have much to do with them , so its now worth writing about!)   but a colleague went to England.  She was there for 4 days and , as an English teacher, loved it. She even managed to catch the good weather that was about for a few days.

But, when I started here, she asked me what I miss the most about the UK..  my answer was 'Yorkshire tea'

well, she remembered.. and when she came back we met up.  I walked through the door, and she presented me with this 80 bag box of Yorkshire tea.  Well.. since then, I have been the happiest person in Germany !  its lovely.
I should probably also explain. that German 'tea' or what they pathetically refer to as 'tea' is like dishwater. dishwater that has been left overnight, warmed up by candles and had milk that is on the turn poured into is ..    its GRIM.
This was an awesome day.. until I took them home and realized that I had no milk, nor sugar and the shops were shut..    Im quite surprised that you couldn't hear me yell "BUGGAR" from where ever you are right now!

Just realized I have spent about 20 minutes talking about tea..  I definitely am British eh?



More news!  (This has been a month of little money, but news!)

(despite him running away during out early high school years) The one who remains my best friend SAM is coming over in April!   a couple of days after my birthday!   Well, I haven't seen him now in .. 3 years..  so to say that I am excited is a slight understatement!

Frankfurt, Kollegenausflug and the week ahead!

The Last week has been interesting.  Though I haven't really done much, at the same time, I kind of have!

Last week, I managed to Squeeze in more lessons that usual, just to help out a Colleague who couldn't make it into school.  I didn't mind, in fact, I really enjoyed it! :D

I have also got a lot of lessons to do for next week. I have booked myself to teach the full lesson for most of my lessons, which I am really looking forward to! :D  The lesson is the same for everyone, but it can be made easier or more difficult...

and it revolves around The Simpsons! :D


The main reason for updating this today, was to talk about Friday really.

Friday, was our Staff trip.

Now, this is not what I expected to be honest.  

We went to a place called Glauberg (to start) where we were dropped off on what can only be described as a back road and we walked for what I would say was about a mile and a half to a shack at the top of a hill. Nice views though!

View From Glauberg Hills

Frankfurt Skyline form Glauberg Hills

Here, we were served Brotchen (which are like sandwiches, but without a top on!) and drinks, ranging from water to apple juice to beer!!  (typical German!).  We then continued to hike for a further mile and a half to a museum, which was about Celts  (Woo!)

We had a guided tour..
to paint a picture..

1)I was tired..  having had a stressful week with home stuff, I fell asleep at 2 the morning before, and was awake at 6
2) I had just walked 3 miles, not amazingly far, but after 12 hours sleep over the last 4 days..  pretty tough
3)i was walking and listening and talking German. Some people struggle to understand, that the mental capacity to Listen, translate, understand, formulate response, translate and speak all so that the conversation doesn't lose flow is OK in bursts, but after 4 hours of it....  its tiring..   (hopefully fellow FSAs will know what I mean here!)

so .. the guided tour....

She spoke with a general speed of about 25 words per second, and similar to Faust, by the time I had translated the first sentence, she has then gone on to say around about 4 more so I understood some of it...

Big shout out to the teacher though, (and it did make me laugh) who then asked for a summary of the tour...    He is an English teacher, and must have been able to read my facial expression like a treat!

The View from the Museum Cafe

After this, we went to a town (I suppose you can call it) Called Budigen and had a coffee , then went to a Restaurant for a Meal.

Budigen 'town' center

Very nice restaurant!

I enjoyed this part...  we had a nice meal and I sat with the younger staff , enjoyed a few beers and talked about nothing sensible.  Which was nice!

On Saturday, I went to Frankfurt , and met up with another FSA.  He was pretty desperate to do something called the Ebbelwie Express , (translated as Apple-wine Express). This is an old tram, that costs EUR7.50 . With this , you get a ride of about an hour round trip, a bottle of apple wine and a packet of mini pretzels.

Not bad really!

Well, it can't exactly be called a sight-seeing tour. The tram (obviously) has to follow the tram lines, which in Frankfurt are more for practicality that tourism. There is one good view though...

The View from the Tram

What I can say it is, is a fairly relaxing hour on a tram that isn't very discreet (it looks like a circus on wheels!), that plays very loud, garish and stereo typically German Music. Nevertheless, it was enjoyable.

The Tram!

Apple wine, by the way, tastes very similar to a not-too-dry Cornish Cider.  The leaflet actually says "This Cider is now a world famous Wine" ..   Well..   Okay then!

We also went back to my Little corner of England in Germany (in the form of the Irish pub) and had a pint.
After the Pint, I clearly had some Dutch Courage and decided to go up the Bloody great tower.
The Lift travels at 20kph  and once you are up there..  its pretty windy..  but Frankfurt at night...

Frankfurt at night from the Main Tower 

 So a good weekend then really...   And the F1 topped it off.. a Second for Massa was great..  Ignoring the Winner and the non-finishing Ferrari.. :P


This next part, it to satisfy The University of Sunderland - as part of my 'reflective Diaries'

its not tough to live tough here
the language is fast
the Germans like beer
hate Lufthansa strikes
they have an unhealthy obsession with fizzy water
and their shops are weird

Oh, and all that Cultural awareness we did before we came??  total and utter Bull...   probably would have been better to teach us something useful??  

If that isn't reflective..

Just for you , Jo! :D


So.. Im not sure when I will next update this..  so - Stay safe all,
Turrah!

Looking ahead, by looking backwards

Exactly this time last month, I was at work, helping children to dip candles, having the prospect of moving to a new country in 3 days weighing me down for the entire shift.

They say that "a lot can happen in a month". Personally, I do not need any more proof that this saying is true.

I personally believe that I haven't been this happy for a fair time - and that's not to say I haven't been happy, just not this happy!  (:D smiley face to prove the point...)

Though it hasn't been long since I last updated my Blog, I thought I would update it today anyway!

Last week at school was brilliant! I think it was because I have found my feet, know where everything is , I have visited all of my classes now and I am beginning to have friends that I don't think I will ever lose contact with.

Monday was the same old - I have 2 lessons on a Monday - and one of them is with the teacher I stayed with for the few days, so it is always good! The other is with the 9th Grade - who are MENTAL - but in a good way!

Tuesday, my busiest day is always good - there is one lesson particularly that I look forward to, for no other reason but there is one lesson that is always a learning experience!  its mental - and the other staff that I am friendly always laugh (both hysterically and awkwardly) when I tell them about it - but I think it is great - because it is always different! (both meanings of the word!)
Wednesdays are good to - I have my own class that i teach - they don't know it yet but we are watching the Simpsons in English next week!

I enjoy Thursdays because I teach the FCE class - who tend to be very good, but lack confidence! - so i bribe them to talk with sweets!
This Thursday in particular enjoyed too - I went to a colleagues' house for a bit of a social night - we had a few beers, played some games and had a great chat!!   I had a brilliant night - and it was a great chance to learn more about the school and the systems in Germany!

Friday, I do nothing usually. Its my day off, so I normally use it to prepare for the week ahead , because then I have the weekend free! I went to get my bank card and PIN though this week - and since then keep repeating my pin under my breath so I don't forget it when I got o change it! (cause I will!)

Then, Yesterday...   Yesterday!
Its the start of the Oktoberfest season here - so everything turn Bayerisch for the period - EVERYTHING!
typical Bayerisch music, typical Bayerisch food and of course, Typical Bayerisch Beer!*

*German beer is deceptive - the bottle may say 5%, yes - but its a German 5% - which can be anything up to 3x the strength of the UK 5%, depending on which beer you buy!

I was in Fulda during the day with 2 other FSAs - we had a nice day just walking around - and I appreciated the time to speak English! - After that, I met up with 4 other of the Younger Colleagues from school, for a night that was described as "a few drinks"

well - first - they taught me about German beer - not that I am complaining - it was really interesting, and now i know what I will be ordering , and can sample some of the other wears here - instead of "eine Flasche Becks, bitte!"  I started with a bottle of becks and one of the members of staff looked at me , apused and shook his head.  He said "Eugh, you're definitely English aren't you!"(in a jokey way)  and then declared it was his round...



OH..  Dear...

It was the size of my Face and it could, on hot days, be used as a swimming pool!

and to give you the full picture...

This was that member of staff!

For someone who doesn't drink much this was an adventure...and remember the point about percentages..  this was a , quote from the bar lady:- "Timid"  12% - by German standards!   FAIL!

The other great thing was that these members of staff did not teach English, so I had to go the whole night Speaking German - and as EVERY person learning a language will know  - its always "better"  (NOT)  when you have had a few ...  

Finally - we ended up in a nightclub in Schlüchtern. - yes, there is a nightclub here..

If you can define it as that - its a basement club with about 2 lights that flash alternately, and the DJ is one of the bar staff that has nothing to do - quite good though, you can order a pint and a song!

We were the only people really dancing. and we only really danced to the English songs so DJ barlady was playing to our liking!!  awesome!

One thing that hit me though is that - not a single person seemed drunk- which was nice!  sure - everyone had  had a bevvy or two - but nothing like the collapsing sacks of shit you get in the English night clubs - no vomit to slip in , nothing!


So the last week has been great - and if the last few weeks set the tone for the entire trip - I really will have a great year this year!

got to head off now though - im off to top my week off with a daily dose for Formula 1!