Computer probs

I haven't really been updating too much lately w/pics b/c my laptop isn't working. There's an internal problem with the hard drive. It's only a year 1/2 old so it shouldn't be having issues like this. I'm rather frustrated but blessed that at least I can use my school computer.

In other news-the event I've been waiting a year for is finally back--The Herbst Messe! This is the huge fall fair that takes place in Basel starting the last Saturday of October. It lasts 2 weeks and is so much fun! Anne & I are going tomorrow w/Aubrey, Amy-Jo & possibly Josie & Jamath. We are meeting up w/the Ladle family later in the afternoon as well. Tomorrow is going to be a ton of fun! I will do my best to get pics up asap.

October feels like January

It is approximately 40 degrees right now. This morning when I left my apartment I was ever so thankful that I had put on my long johns under my pants! It's definitely colder this fall than last fall. Supposedly it is supposed to snow within the coming weeks. Looking out of my classroom window it looks like it could be a warm, sunny day. But when I took my kids out to recess I was bundled up like an Eskimo! If it's this cold now, I'm wondering what it will be like in January..!?

C-A-N-E-S Canes!

I was so happy to see that the Hurricanes FINALLY beat the Seminoles! WOOHOO!

US vs Switzerland

Last night some of the RIA staff went w/Diana and some of her friends to see the US soccer team play Switzerland in Basel. It was a really cool event and when we sang the US National Anthem I got chills! Team USA beat Switzerland 1-0 in the last 6 minutes of the game. When it was over, they came to cheer on the American fans in the stadium! We had a blast and it was probably one of the most fun sporting events I've ever been to. To get a description of the pictures in the slide show, scroll the mouse over them. Enjoy!

What I've Been Listening To...

I've had a cold since Friday night (yes my b/day night! wah!) and decided it would be best to stay home from church yesterday to recoup for today. While I was home yesterday, it gave me a chance to browse through some podcasts on iTunes. I came across Pastor Bob Coy from Calvary Chapel in Ft. Lauderdale. My brother attended that church when he went to high school. Anyways, I've heard nothing but wonderful things about this man from Chip so I decided to subscribe to free podcast sermons by him. It's so refreshing to hear this man speak! He is truly anointed by the Almighty!

On a less serious note, I've also gotten into listening to Jeff Foxworthy. It all started over Fall Break when Anne mentioned that she just didn't get his humor. I downloaded Redneck Games for her to listen to and, well, needless to say--she gets it and I think is slowly becoming a fan.

I'm still a bit under the weather and didn't feel 100% today but went to school nonetheless. However, I came home as soon as school ended and am now sipping on some Theraflu like stuff that Cherie lended to me (THANKS CHERIE!). Hopefully I will feel better tomorrow.

My 29th Superhero Birthday Party

Yes you read that right. Last night my roomie & my boss got together and planned the most random but fun birthday party ever. Everyone came dressed as a superhero and then had to dress me up as Artsy Girl. I know this sounds a bit confusing and like something I'd probably never plan myself, but trust me--we had a blast!! Anyways, here are some pics from my 29th.


Me as Artsy Girl. The shirt reads DRAMA BABY!


The party people

First Birthday Pic!

Me & my kiddos on my birthday :)

Fall Break Pics FINALLY!

29

And so...the last year of my 20s officially starts today...

Even more randomness..

This has been a pretty low key week after all the excitement of last week's trip. The kids came back to school today and my class was quite mellow. I noticed at recess today how orange the flowers are becoming. They were laid out all over the ground and it looked so beautiful! Pictures are coming, I promise.

Random stuff

Sorry that I have yet to get pics up from Fall Break. We got home on Thursday morning at 3:00am and the next day my computer went on the fritz for a few days. We are in the process of getting pictures onto cds b/c so many digital pictures makes a computer tired! So...I am hoping sometime this week to get pictures up from last week's trip. It really turned out to be a great time. I especially loved Amsterdam and seeing Anne Frank's & Corrie Ten Boom's home. We've had teacher planning days the last 2 days so tomorrow will be the first day of teaching in a week and a half. I've enjoyed my break but I'm excited to see my kiddos tomorrow. I was in Basel earlier today having coffee w/a friend from church and as I was walking back to the tram stop I noticed that the air was a bit crisper and there were several fall displays in the window. Fall is my favorite season so I'm so glad that it's really here! The leaves are changing outside our apartment and they are really beautiful. Oh yes, Anne & I have also started cooking w/pumpkin! Last night we had sauteed pumpkin, eggplant, & zucchini over brown rice. Tonight we had steamed pumpkin over whole wheat pasta. Both dishes were yummy! We are hoping to eventually have roasted pumpkin but since that takes a while to cook and we are usually tired by the time we come home, that will probably have to wait until a weekend. I've started to eat a few organic items now such as yogurt, pasta, & milk. YUM! It's not nearly as expensive over here as organic food is in the States so that makes it even better. On another random note, I got my plane ticket to fly home for Christmas and I am officially coming home on Dec 20th at 11:39pm! I will be landing in Jacksonville after a five hr layover in Atlanta. So anyone who wants to come out at midnight to greet me you are more than welcome!! Hope everyone is doing great. Until my next post--Auf Wiedersehen!

Road trip thru Europe

Belgians are the craziest drivers in the world. I thought Floridians were crazy but Belgians make we Floridians look like the world's best drivers!! They don't really give you a chance to move over into the other lane and once you see one coming at you, you'd better get the heck out of dodge!

That being said, we've had a wonderful time in the northern part of Europe. Despite their crazy driving skills, the actual country of Belgium is beautiful. Being able to see where such a famous battle took place was amazing. Yesterday we drove up to Holland or the Netherlands, whatever you want to call it, and saw Corrie Ten Boom's house. This is really cool b/c the gospel is presented during the tour!! We drove on to Amsterdam (Ten Boom house is 25 min north in Haarlem), had a wonderful Thai dinner, and went to bed! Today we are going to Anne Frank's house and then heading back to Germany.

This has truly been a wonderful trip and I can't wait to share the pictures with you!!!

Brussels, Brugge, & Bastogne!

I have to make this a quick blog since I am on a timer thing at the hotel. We are in Bastogne, Belgium where we've been since Saturday night. This is the city where the Battle of the Bulge took place. Anyway, yesterday we drove up to Brugge which was BEAUTIFUL and also to Brussels but got stuck in a traffic jam so we didn't get to see much of it. SAD! Today we toured around Bastogne and saw some really great museums and for WW2 buffs like myself it was AWESOME! Tomorrow we are driving up to Amsterdam to spend the night and will also see the Corrie Ten Boom house & Anne Frank's house. Exciting! I will try to post up some pics tomorrow night and a slideshow when I get home. Love you all!