So since we last spoke I have been pretty busy so I will do my best to tell you everything but I'm not sure how much patience you have with my ramblings at the moment so I will try and make it nice and concise :D
At the beginning of last week John, Charles, Holly, Daniel (fellow ELAs who happen to be living in the surrounding area) and I all met up and took a train down to Cologne together to attend what promised to be a thrilling 'training course' organised by the British Council. I think we even surprised ourselves at how well we all got on and how quickly the journey past. Though I'm sure the men where glad when we arrived in Cologne and they were able to have a break from mine and Holly's incessant talking...OOOOPS! Well start as you mean to go on I suppose, so if they plan on keeping in touch then they are going to have to get used to it because that is just who I am. From Cologne Hbf we then met up with everyone else who was going to the training course and piled into a coach and headed off to nearby Altenburg.
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| Altenberg - view from my bedroom! |
Over the next few days we were subjected to early mornings and HOURS of being bombarded with information about the coming months, which although useful was also EXTREMELY boring at times! Though I can't complain too much because our days were brightened by breaks for Kaffee und Kuchen and hours of cheap booze and socialising in the evenings :D Despite my preconceptions, I had an amazing time on the course and met so many amazing people who I will hopefully keep in touch with over the next 9 months and well into the future. The 'training' and mock lessons we taught in groups in hindsight, despite our whining and moaning at the time, were actually useful and gave us a chance to get our fears and worries out of the way ready for proper school in the coming days....
That last night in Altenberg only served to top off a wonderful few days as we were treated to a talent contest put on by the Ehemalige students. As well as introducing me to some incredible new bands/songs and allowing some of the others to showcase their talents, the evening definitely reinforce my belief that musicians are way hotter than normal people.
So having being woken up at the crack of dawn on Thursday we were bused back to Cologne station and the newly formed 'Muenster Massive' found ourselves trying to cram ourselves and our luggage into a small carriage on the train and beginning our journey back out into Germany and away from the the comfort of our new-found English friends. I am lucky enough to have another ELA, Tom, living with me in Marianne Haus so even though I don't have any Germans to speak to at least I have some company.
So now on our whistle stop tour of the last week we move on to my first day of teaching. I woke up at stupid o'clock on Friday morning and headed into school for 8am to teach my first class of the next 9 months. Despite my nerves it was actually a success! Wooohooo! After standing at the front of the classroom, introducing myself and being bombarded with questions about myself (*note to self* make sure you have a fav. film/song/german word/football team ready at ALL times!) Astrid (my lovely tutor and tutor of my first lesson) sent me off with the 3 top students in the class and had me teach them about the UK education system. Definitely didn't realise how complicated it really is until I had to explain it to a group of students who are used to a completely different system. Genuinely excited about teaching this class next week :D After first break, I had to face the class of metal workers which was what can on;y be described as an experience but I survived so its not all bad! This is the first time I realise how in awe I am of Astrid... Can't really explain it, but she is just the most amazing teacher. I have never seen a teacher who can act all chilled out in front of a class and banter with them yet at the same time maintain complete control. (Also I think she may secretly be a witch because she is seriously attractive and looks way younger than she actually is - might have to start keeping and eye on everything she does and learn her secrets!) School day down and 'teaching' week over I headed home for a much needed relaxing afternoon...
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| My school - Richard von Weizsaecker Berfuschule |
Hang in there blog readers not too much left now...YOU CAN DO IT! I will leave you with my thoughts on my weekend and then update you on my school life for the week next time we speak or rather next time I speak and you (hopefully!) listen/read...
Saturday and Sunday brought with them some incredible sunny weather which was divine! We organised to have a big girlie meeting at Holly's in Duelmen on Saturday night so come 5 o'clock Rachel, Katie and I all piled into Holly's flat all geared up for sharing 'horror' stories about school and have a relaxing evening :) It was wonderful to see the girls and have a good natter but sadly we got a bit carried away and one of us missed the last train and had to camp out on Holly's sofa (she has a fear of bunk beds so I wasn't allowed to sleep on the top bunk..) OOOOPS!
Then on Sunday, because the weather was even better (didn't think that was possible but apparently it was!) a bunch of us headed into Munster and chilled out in the sun! I thought I was happy staying here in Luedinghausen but spending the day sat in the park in Muenster I think I have changed my mind! I don't think I have been to such a beautiful town...
Right that's it, I will let you all leave now!
Bis dann blog world!
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