Yawn

I don't know what it is exactly, the changing weather, the uped intensity of my language course this week or just the general submersion in a forein culture and language, regardless of the reason, ich bin ganz müde!!! I am so tired!! By Friday it was a 'hit the snooze five times and take the last train to class' kind of morning. Now the weekend is here and if it isn't exactly lazy, I'm finding a bit of time to relax and enjoying at least the change of pace.

This morning we had a nice breakfast all together as usual. Something I enjoy about the weekends. Stephan's sister joined us as well. She is leaving on Monday for the last stops on her world wide travels. She has literally been traveling the world and on Monday she leaves for ANTARCTICA!!! So jealous. Well, after breakfast I went into the city with Sabine and Lili for a bit of shopping and then lunch. When we came home Lara and I baked some cookies, and worked on some puzzles (a favorite past time of hers) and then we all (Stephan, Sabine, the girls and I) had a small something to eat and coffee before heading out for a lovely evening walk, arriving home just as the wind and rain swept in. Now I am cozy and dry, enoying my cup of tea (and a delicious homemade cookie) and a quiet relaxing evening. *Sigh* :)

K.

The last couple of weeks have been so busy. Whew! I started my German course and so far that is going really well. I'm learning all the important things......

like BIER!!

And some of the not so important things, like grammar and verb conjugations :) Kidding. It is an intensive course and it really covers everything and we are learning SO much. There are only 10 people in the class which is perfect. The other students come from all over, Asia, France, Brazil, Panama, England and there is also a woman here from the US. Everyone is really nice and friendly and its just a great atmosphere. We have two teachers who rotate through the week which I wasn't sure about at first but it works. They are both really great teachers, very friendly and helpful. To summerize, the people are wonderful, I love learning the language (AND having to immedeately apply what I learn to my daily life), and its great to get up in the morning and have somewhere to go and something to do. Plus, I love it when we have homework!! I don't think I've ever said that before.

As for the other areas of life here.....good, good, good. Family life is great. Still. This last week we could really feel in the house that the girls have become very comfortable with me and have really accepted my being here and my role in the family. Every day we are getting more and more comfortable with one another and life flows pretty easily. Our schedule, or routine is very relaxed and not at all like, now you are working, and at this time you can do your own thing. It really just feels like I'm a part of the family and I'm a friend to Lara. I help out around the house or play with the girls, and then sometimes I have my friends over or I have plans to go into the city. Its just life here.

Well, here is a bit of visual representation of what I have been up to these last several weeks.

On our way to the Mercedes-Benz Stadium to watch FOOTBALL!! VFB Stuttgart vs. FC Shalke.

The Stadium.

Support Stuttgart!! Red and white everything.

VFB Stuttgart on the left, FC Shalke on the right.

Woooo!! Football!

It felt kind of strange not to have more pre-game stuff. And no anthem or anything.

This is the Stuttgart fan section. There is no seating it is standing only.....and they stand, AND cheer for the whole game. I tried to take a video, it didn't turn out very good, but they are loud and seriously, there is hardly a break in the cheering.

Mmmmm, half time was beer and brat time......and then back to the game.

Now that my German class has started, I have to wake up ear-ly. Oh man. But, on the plus side, somedays I get to enjoy a beautiful morning sky.

Okay, okay, maybe it isn't so aweful getting up early.

The results of my last baking day with Lara. In case you were wondering these are not from scratch, they're from a box and I had to buy them because they're called Mini Americans. I thought this was hilarious. I have absolutely no idea why they are called Mini Americans. Silly Germans. The cookie should actually be frosted, half chocolate and half citrus but, we thought just chocolate was better. We also added some M&M's because, well, they're fun.

Mmmmmm. Delicious. Lecker.

This I took last Friday when Sabine and I took the girls for a walk in the woods not far from the house. Absolutely gorgeous with the sun coming through the trees. Lara was always asking me 'what is that?' and testing me on my knowledge of German.

Fall is beautiful here. I love it.

Sabine and Lara.

Lili at the playground.

So sweet!!

Oooops, Lili dropped her Rice Cake. 'Look Mama!'

Lara inside of a little house someone made out of tree branches.

German Class

Tomorrow is my first day of my German language course! I'm a tiny bit anxious because I really have no idea what to expect. But I'm also excited. It will be great to have something more to do here, a reason to get out and go into the city and of course, to learn German!! I am really looking forward. Oh, but it means that I have to get up so early! No more rolling out of bed at 9, having a long relaxed breakfast and an even longer lazy morning. I'm a little bit sad about this, but I'll adjust to my new schedule. So, bright and early tomorrow morning, half past 8.......


:)
K.