On Thursday night, Heike took all of us to the annual eating of German schnitzel. We carpooled from Werne to Lünen, where Morgan and Jessica have been completing their elementary student teaching assignments, and we visited the local Christmas markets before stopping in for dinner. At the Christmas market, Heike purchased each of us a festive and traditional German gingerbread cookie. It came on a string, so naturally I wore mine to dinner as a necklace.
I caved and ate it later on, and it was delicious.
When we got to the restaurant, we spent some time talking and relaxing with one another. We have been teaching in three discrete schools for the past two weeks, so each of us had stories, pictures, and even videos to share. Kelsey, for example, showed a video of me standing on a chair and leading German 4th graders through the final verse of "The 12 Days of Christmas".
Yes, that face looks innocent, but she can be rather sneaky.
Our restaurant was cheerfully decorated for Christmas, and the food was simply delicious.
Our time together on Thursday night was refreshing and encouraging.
Yesterday morning, I ventured to Wiehagenschule one last time for a final day with our elementary students. Kelsey was teaching a special lesson at A.F.G. and Jordan was sick, so I spent the morning there on my own. Due to a schedule change, I wasn't working with the students I planned to teach that day, so I created a new activity on the fly from materials in the teacher's lounge.
It was sad to say goodbye to the children and teachers who made our experience a success, but we were given a wonderful parting gift- coffee mugs featuring a picture of all the students and teachers at Wiehagenschule!
Today, my host family and I will do some Christmas baking- I will show them the magic that is Rice Krispie Treats- and we will visit Münster. As usual, more pictures to come!
Tschüss,
Johni (Mrs. L)