Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Inquiring Minds

One of the greatest challenges and stresses I have encountered in our move to Germany is education.  After speaking with many homeschoolers I have come to realize this is sort of a right of passage for new homeschooling parents.  I constantly question what I am doing and what I should be doing.  Days and nights are filled with research on different curriculums, books, ideas, and approaches. 

Needless to say I would have to say things have been extremely successful.  The three older kiddos have been devouring all the Math, Reading, Science, and History they can get their mitts on.  We have thrown all three kids in all kinds of extracurricular activities from STEM classes offered through the USO to dance and sports.  I have truly enjoyed this opportunity that has been granted to us.   I have previously stated that homeschooling is not necessarily our first choice, but for quite some time felt it was the best choice.  I feel incredibly grateful this opportunity was granted to us while we adjusted to life in Germany.  We have definitely met some incredible people and broadened our perspective on life and education.  However, as life goes on, things change.  

As much as we enjoy homeschooling, I cannot help but feel there is something more out there that would benefit our children more than spending their days at home with me.  I like to think I am a free thinking parent who does not try to mold my children to my way of thinking.  I try desperately to expose my children to different ideas, beliefs, and perspectives.

About a month ago Daniel and I started to throw around the idea of enrolling the children in the German public schools.  I have met many people that have done so, however most of those children started in the German Kindergartens and have moved their way up through.  I decided the best idea would be to go and speak with the school and see what their experiences have been. 

The school informed me they have had many English speaking students come and go through their school.  Most English speaking students integrate into the school in the first, second and third grades.  Most first, second and third graders are speaking fluently after six months.   I had one fourth grade teacher tell me she had one child come into the school in the fourth grade with no German language skills under his belt. She said in cases like these, it is more than likely that the child may have to repeat the grade while learning the language.  

The prospect of possibly repeating the fourth grade concerned me as we do not want to discourage Teddy's progress in school, however this is also an opportunity most people will never get their whole lives.  After speaking with the staff, as well as my dear sister-in-law Katie (with an abundance of foreign language education experience and knowledge), we decided to enroll Teddy and Patrick and re-evaluate after 6 months.  Rowan will start next year in the first grade.  

Classes are a max of 20 students.  There are British, Norwegian, Belgian, Dutch, French, Polish, Russian, Italian, African and German students.  School starts at 7:50.  The children get a morning "breakfast" break and morning play time.  Patrick's day ends at 11am where he is served a hot lunch with all his classmates.  Following lunch, the children can either go home or play until 2 on the playground.  "Sports" class (Physical Education) and German second language class are both twice a week.  Teddy's class goes until 1pm.  He is then served a hot lunch and proceeds to the playground.  Both boys could come home at 11 and 1pm respectively, however the school informed me they will acquire the language much more quickly if they stay and play with the other children.  At 2pm the boys walk the three blocks together back to our house.

The first day the boys were extremely excited.  I was incredibly relieved when I saw how welcoming all the other students and the teachers were to our boys.  Both boys were surrounding by all the curious students of their class.  It was heart warming to hear all the students introducing themselves to the boys and see their interest in meeting them.  Some children only speak German, however there are quite a handful that are bi and even multi-lingual.  

I arrived at 2pm promptly to walk the boys home from school.  Patrick told me to come back at 4 (he was having too much fun). There were children playing soccer on the field, while others were jetting around the playground on scooters and peddle carts.  One thing that warms my heart about Germany is the children play for what seems a great deal longer than other cultures.  German culture seems to embrace youth, innocence, and play for just a little longer than what I have otherwise witnessed. 

When the boys and I exited the gate on the playground, several children called from across the school yard, "Bye Teddy!  Bye Patrick!  Tschuss!"  It was amazing how much interest some of these kids had in the boys and how quickly they all seemed to warm up to one another.

The boys told me they had made several good friends on their very first day.  

With any change comes the good and the not so good.  Teddy has told us his class is sometimes boring.  Patrick has not complained about anything.  However both boys are incredibly satisfied with the friends and social nature of the school.  

Patrick came home yesterday singing a German song the class sings every day.  He is slowly picking up the lyrics.  Teddy came home telling me how to say "I am from Weilerbach."  He also said he learned how to say "shit head."  Apparently 9 and 10 year old boy behavior does not vary too much from American to German culture.  He said during German class, the teacher stepped out and a little boy named Dakota in his German class said something that made several other boys giggle.  The boy sitting next to him quickly informed Teddy what was said to keep him abreast of this terminology.  Thanks, Dakota.

The boys are in the middle of their second week.  So far so good.  Teddy brings home a small piece of Math homework each evening.   The nice thing is we just have to translate the directions.  Math is the same in every language. We just pull out our google translate and figure out what we are supposed to do.   We are incredibly eager to see where they are at in 2, 4 and 6 months.  


Monday, December 2, 2013

Reflections and Ramblings



                "I don't wait for the calendar to figure out when I should live life." 

"A man that carries a cat by the tail learns something he can learn in no other way."  
                                                                 -Mark Twain

This is the first year of many I missed a traditional Thanksgiving feast with all the trimmings, including my all time favorite pumpkin pie.   It is the first year in more than a decade where I did not drink myself silly or eat myself into a gluttonous coma. It is the first year in quite a while I have not faced Black Friday crunches, or set out to carefully design a master plan on how to make this Christmas just as great as last year's. Consumerism at its best.  

If you know me, you know I adore my home in Arizona.  I love the arid climate, the mountains, the sunshine, and the great outdoors.  Our move to a Germany has not come without growing pains.  What I wouldn't give right now to wake up in Tucson, slap on a pair of shorts and hit the running trails.   I have always thought of myself as a low maintenance girl.  I tease Daniel all the time that he would not find a lower maintenance wife than I am.  The outdoors is my gymnasium, I despise make up, I have got my hair professionally cut 2 times in the past 10 years, and camping is my type of vacation.  Okay that might be a little pathetic, perhaps even substandard, but its me.  I am slowly realizing the consumerism culture of the United States has influenced me more than I realized.

People in Germany shop for fresh daily groceries at their local corner market.  Their kitchens are tiny so that they cannot shove food in the back of their freezer, only to be forgotten and then tossed in the garbage 14 months later.  They eat what they buy.  Nothing less, nothing more.  Foods are whole, not chocked full of corn syrup and hydrogenated oils.  Instead of 50 inch flat screen televisions or standing in ridiculous lines on midnight of the eve of Black Friday, they carefully select a hand knit scarf, a favorite tea or bottle of wine, or perhaps a hand painted ornament purchased from their local craftsman.  Their gifts are simple.  They are special. They are intimate.  It is true gift giving. Everyone pays with cash in stores.  It seems there is very little plastic in their lives, both literally and figuratively speaking.  Restaurants have small children's tables with games and activities, maybe even a swing or a slide.  Walking trails provided and maintained by the government are littered with whole families strolling hand in hand together on each Sunday afternoon.  Cars are either parked for days while people walk or ride their bike regardless of the weather, if they even own a car at all.  Children are allotted many play times during school.  With only 45 minute work periods children have many opportunities for play throughout the school day.  Toys are primarily made from wood instead of being replaced with plastic.  The list goes on and on.  

The Dalai Lama said, "When you are discontent in life, you always want more, more, more.  Your desire can never be satisfied.   But when you practice contentment, you can say to yourself 'Oh!  I already have everything I really need.'  

In the past 6 months I have really tried to embrace this idea.  In fact I told Daniel I might become Buddhist to which he rolled his eyes.

  I have slimmed down the kids wardrobes to just enough clothes for the week, not too many to overwhelm me with laundry.  I have cut down on the bath towels to where everyone has one but I do not have 30 towels to wash at the end of the week.  We have enough plates to feed our family and possibly a couple guests.  We have just enough pans to cook our meals.  I have cleaned out my own wardrobe which I will be honest in saying has left me with what many might deem once again, substandard.  I do not have there stress of buying, washing, maintaining.  We have cleaned out our toys to just a few classic favorites.   Slimming down on material possessions has improved our lives immensely.  We have spent more time on experience this past year than anything else.  I have tried desperately to focus on the knowledge, health, happiness, and nurturing of a kind, tolerant, and positive spirit in myself and my children.  

I recently read a study that said families of 4 have twice as big of houses as families of 6, 8, even 10 people in the 50's and are far less happy.  What has changed?

I stressed myself to the brink when I found out i was homeschooling because i was afraid i could not do it as well as I should. The past few years we were ridiculously happy with the kid's school, yet felt we could not pass up this opportunity.  I struggle with familiarity, what society deems "acceptable," and venturing outside the box for not only myself but my children as well. This is an area where my perspective is slowly changing.  My children are fulfilling their "grade standards" this year and then some.  They are doing it on their own schedule.  They are participating in a living education.  They are gaining perspective, experience and in turn knowledge in their travels and experiences.  We are considering a German school.  Yet I have realized my kids are being far more educated than I realize, and if we cannot find a school we like than they will be okay. I will be okay. They will be better than okay.  Maria Montessori said, "the teacher's task is first to nourish and assist, to watch, encourage, guide, induce, rather than to interfere, prescribe, or restrict. I am slowly gaining the confidence that as their mother I am more than capable of holding this position.  My children are learning.  We have provided the environment and the tools.  Their potential is limitless.

After all of my rambling I have comprised this simple list of things I want to accomplish during our time in Germany. 

1.  Learn the language.
2.  Eat healthy.
3.  Exercise.
4.  Live simply.  
5.  Stress less.
6.  Maintain a positive outlook each and every day.
7.   Laugh.
8.  Roam. Experience.  Live.
9.  Study, learn.
10.  Share.  Give.  Love.

Thanksgiving, Prague 2013


"Prague never lets you go.  The Dear little mother has sharp claws." -Franz Kafka



Over the long Thanksgiving weekend, we drove to Prague in the Czech Republic.  Now I realize I am that girl that says, "this place is definitely my favorite!" For each new city we visit.  But I must say this time... With certainty... This city speaks to me, it's artists, music, history, architecture, food, people, the language, the culture... It's a Mecca of magnificent beauty that sings to my soul... Okay that is a little dramatic but it really is awesome.

The Christmas market (which comes highly recommended in Prague) was just setting up so we were able to parruse the vendor's stands along Prague's Old Town cobblestone streets.  For less than $10 Patrick picked out a journal, Rowan picked out a hand painted wood carved puppet, Liam a hand painted train, and Teddy a collectors coin.  I highly recommend visiting Prague before they switch over to the Euro dollar!

Street performers are on many corners.  I have realized mimes are in great abundance.  Liam told me the one he posed for a photo with is his "new friend."  There was also another street performer making the biggest bubbles I have ever seen with rope and two sticks.  With a crowd of children gathered around, he gave Patrick a shot at making his own.

We saw several foot massage places with customers in the windows wit their feet soaking in a fish aquarium, while small fish would eat the dead skin off the bottom of their soles.

We all genuinely enjoyed the local food.  I had Czek goulash twice.  I can only describe it like a stew with either chuck beef or pork.  We dined on potato and bread dumplings, cheese plates, some of the most delicious sauerkraut I have ever had, and of course... more pork.  What is funny is since we have moved to this region of Europe the biggest choice you have is pork.. Yet I have not seen one pig since our arrival.
We walked the Old Town. New Town, the Jewish quarter/cemetery, the astronomical clock, Saint Nicholas Church, and Charles Bridge.  Prague is the capital of the Czech Republic and Bohemia proper.  Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava RiverPrague has been a political, cultural, and economic centre of central Europe with waxing and waning fortunes during its 1,100-year existence. The area on which Prague was founded was settled as early as the Paliolithic age.  Prague was the seat of two Holy Roman Emperors and thus also the capital of the Holy Roman Empire. It was an important city to the Habsburg Monarchy and its Austro-Hungarian Empire and after World War I became the capital of Czechoslavokia. The city played major roles in the Protestant Reformation, the Thirty Year's War and in 20th-century history, during both World Wars and the post-war Communist era.

Prague Castle is a castle in Prague where the kings of Bohemia, Holy Roman emperors, and presidents of Czechoslavokia and the Czech Republic have had their offices. The Bohemian Crown Jewels are kept within a hidden room inside it.  The Guinness Book of World Records lists Prague Castle as the largest ancient castle in the world.

The Prague astronomical clock is a medieval astronomical clock located in Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic. The clock was first installed in 1410, making it the third-oldest astronomical clock in the world and the oldest one still working.

The Old Jewish Cemetery, the Jewish Quarter of Prague in the Czech Republic. It was in use from the early 15th century (the oldest preserved tombstone, the one of Avigdor Kara, dates back to 1439) until 1787. Its ancestor was a cemetery called "The Jewish Garden", which was found in archaeological excavations under the Vladislavova street, New Town. The numbers of grave stones and numbers of people buried there are uncertain, because there are up to 10 layers of bodies. Jewish people were not allowed to be buried outside of the Jewish cemetery.  So to solve that problem, they would take off the headstone, throw down some more soil, and layer the bodies like a taco salad and slap the headstones on the top layer.  That is why there are headstones leaning on one another. It has been estimated that there are approximately 12,000 tombstones presently visible, and there may be as many as 100,000 burials in all. Liam felt the desperate need to touch each and every headstone within his tiny reach.

We made a quick rest stop on the way home in the village of Rothenburg.  With one of the most famous Christmas markets in Germany, it is an incredible intact village from the 1500's complete with a protective wall surrounding its perimeter.  
As we drove back home into our quaint little village of Weilerbach, Christmas band music filled the crisp evening air, decorative trees and Christmas lights lit up the corner to our small neighborhood, and locals stood on our street corner Christmas market sipping Gluwein (a warm spiced wine) visiting, laughing, and being merry.  



Daniel and kiddos, Prague.


Love all the ornate doorways.


Old Town.


Another doorway


The Bubble Master.


Watch out, Patrick!


Fun popping bubbles with Patrick having a go at it.


Jump!


A tourist getting the dead skin eaten off his feet.


Us at the palace.



Prague Castle


Patrick on the castle grounds


Daniel and I had a child on our shoulders at any given time.
This is how your tour Europe and get a work out!


Impressive castle gates.


Patrick and the guard.


Teddy and Daniel taking in the view of Prague.


Prague.


Patrick and I on Thanksgiving day.


Liam keeping things real.


Acordian player at dinner, this woman in the hat was singing with him. 
This restaurant is over 600 years old.  They serve one beer.
It has not changed.


Give thanks.



Marylou and Rowan.


4 in a row.


Explore.


Astronomical clock.


All gussied up at the astronomical clock.


Jewish headstones.


Jewish cemetery.


Teddy in the cemetery.


Liam touching each and every stone.


The big boys.


Charles Bridge


Chilling on the stairs of Saint Nicholas



The beggars always held this position.


View on the Charles Bridge


Charles Bridge View.


Us.


Liam's new friend.



Old well in Rothenburg


Carolers in Rothenburg


Teddy's Rothenburg


Patrick's new ride.


More beautiful doors.


UP on the perimeter wall.


View of Rothenburg.


Another door!


Guarding the Palace, Prague in the background.


Friday, November 22, 2013

Can You Guess???

Over the long Veterans Day weekend we decided to make the 5 hour trek to the city of dancing houses, bicycles, canals, fresh herring, Dutch pancakes, Anne Frank, marijuana bars and legal prostitution. We're talking the home of capitalism, the first stock exchange, and the country that lent us funds for the Revolutionary War. Enough hints?   You guessed it!  Amsterdam!

I must say, Amsterdam was nothing like I pictured it.  In fact, it was much more beautiful than I pictured.   The buildings literally lean due to the water levels in the canals, giving the houses the illusion they are dancing with one another.  The canals are lined with antique fishing vessels newly renovated into house boats.  The residents of Amsterdam's primary mode of transportation is the bicycle.  Bicycles are parked everywhere!  There are actually more bicycles in this city than people.  Families ride their bicycles together and stick their children (some three at a time) in the cart on the front of their bicycle!  People will pedal away with pretty much anything stowed on the front of their bike.

We stayed in a 16th century home right on a canal street.  We had a gorgeous view of the city, pedestrians, and historical church.   We were two blocks from a large daily market, and 3 blocks from the red light district.

The first afternoon we were here we set off on foot to find something to eat.  Strolling the streets we passed many interesting shops and entered into China town.  The aromas from the quaint shops and restaurants flooded the streets, to also include the marijuana bars.  As we searched for a restaurant to grab a bite we soon realized we were making our way into the red light district.  We quickly ushered the children back out of this area.  Oops!

After learning more, we soon realized Amsterdam's red light district is very safe.  The prostitution and drug laws are in place regulating the business practices, so believe it or not, crime is almost non-existent.

While in Amsterdam we dined at a great Italian restaurant.  After speaking with our server from Tunesia we soon realized Amsterdam is quite the melting pot.  Only half the citizens of Amsterdam are Dutch, the other half are International.

We took a canal cruise which situated us 6 meters below sea level.  We learned all about the city to include their method of controlling the water levels in the canals so as not to disturb the city.  Te city remains completely unaffected by the rising and falling of the tide. We saw gathering places of wives of fisherman from the 16th century where they saw their husbands out to sea.

We enjoyed lunch at a small little bar where a polish waitress took Liam behind the bar to help serve drinks.  She doted on his through our whole meal.  The kids enjoyed Dutch pancakes with bacon.

With Marylou and Jim traveling with us, Daniel and I had the opportunity to tour the red light district at night without the kids.  I have never seen anything like this in my life.  The streets were hopping and windows filled with gorgeous women from all over the world.  One cannot help but wonder why a woman would choose this profession.  From what I understand, the brothels are registered with the state and follow strict mandates.  The rooms are then rented by the individual "women of the night."  A typical "trick" will cost these women $50.  They rent their window where they advertise their service for about $150 a night.  You can do the Math!  We saw many satisfied customers coming out of such brothels.

We decided to stick out the 45 minute wait in line to tour the Anne Frank house.  It was most certainly worth the wait.  Seeing this young girl's pictures on her bedroom window all these years later and her actual diary was an incredible experience for each and every one of us.  We walked the very same hallways as Anne and her family.  These experiences have given the kids and ourselves a whole new perspective on history and life in itself.  

    "We all live with the objective of being happy; our lives are all different and yet the same."
     - Anne Frank



My boys in Amsterdam.


Us.



We're on a boat.


Look at this good looking crew!


Bikes, bikes, and more bikes.


Beauty.


Us.


This way to Anne Frank house.


Pretty Fall Day.


Look at those dancing houses.


Me and my girl.


My better half.


Me and my girl.




Our view.


Our rental loft.


Outside our room.


Amsterdam.