World Cup Crazies

I took the train into Frankfurt in search of a distinctly German restaurant and found "Suppen & Bratwurst" (Soup and Sausage). Pretty guten.

After lunch, I entered what looked to be a quaint little book store. Quite the contrary---the fairly small entrance room opened up into a massive four-story book store! I enjoyed the beautiful display flags hanging from the ceiling in celebration of the World Cup.

There were two Starbucks within five minutes walking distance from each other. Though not a Starbucks frequenter, I was in the mood for a splurge. I chose a chilled-white-chocolate-mousse-mocha that was devine.

How cool it was to be in Germany during the World Cup! The craziness had swept across the population, and they were stirred up. Young men were yelling chants, while men and women alike had painted flags on their cheeks.

Us Ladies in Frankfurt

Us ladies---Lauren, Tasha, Karen D., and I took the same flight to Frankfurt, Germany. We spent several hours chatting, resting, and walking around. While on one of these airport adventures, Lauren and I found a perfume display with a manican man kicking a soccer ball. Ha! I don't quite see the connection, but that's ok because we got some great pictures with "the manican man." When we passed by the display later, there was a huge crowd gathered around as a man kicked a soccer ball towards a tv generated goal. I gave it a try, and to my surprise, won a complimentary bottle of Cool Water perfume!

Lauren and I found a machine that takes your picture, paints the colors of a flag on your face, and then charges you to put the picture on a cigerette accessory. We had our pictures taken, and the flags painted on, but we made the unanimous decision, however, to not continue with the process.

Traveling with these friends was a nice change from my usual solo travels. When you're by yourself, you only have yourself to laugh with.

Class Fun

My last classes were a piece of cake. Here's a heated game of musical chairs.

Looking Forward

I am so looking forward to seeing family in just two more days! :)

I can hardly believe it's just two more days---the thought of being on the other side of the Atlantic just doesn't seem real to me yet.

Here I go!

Missing

Ahhhhhhhhhh! I am going to miss it here! Yes, two months seems like such a long time. I'm especially going to miss people (those living overseas with me). Thankfully, we have our blogs, and most of us will be here by late August.
There are a few who are moving, and things will not be the same without them:

Linda, Abdul Muhib, Lisa D., Victoria, and Sarah,

The Lord bless you and keep you.

The Lord make His face to shine upon you,

and give you peace, and give you peace.

The Lord lift His countenance upon you,

and be gracious unto you, be gracious.

The Lord be gracious, gracious unto you. Amen.

Baby, baby!

I recently heard some good news. There's another family baby on the way, and that means that now I have 10 nephews and nieces to love: David, Stephen, Timothy, Michael, Elizabeth, Grace, Faith, Sophia, John Mark, and ?..... Congratulations, sister and bro-in-law!

Woe is Me

I had my first horrific ironing experience yesterday. A loud and foreboding sizzle sent up steam within less than a second. I jerked the iron back to find a gaping 3-inch-diameter-hole in my favorite skirt! Eeek! It's quite impressive looking---a perfect circle. I decided, however, that a picture would be too depressing.

Morning Waves

Today was my first day back surfing since December. The waves were rather small, as you can see in the above picture. Actually, that's not really me, and the waves were much smaller than this, but I thought it appropriate that a surfing post have a surfing picture. The temperature today was just about perfect, and the water and sky were beautiful hues of blue.

So what do I have for all of this? An hour and a half of bliss, a tan, and two red knees. I had failed to anticipate the wet suit riding up above my knees.

Trumpet Blast

This is the first year that the school has had a band, and I am loving it! These are my three trumpeters: the loudest instrumentalists in the band.

My Roomie and Me!

Here's Melissa and I at the same farewell party. We've been roommates since I first came in August 2004, and we'll be roommates again next year.

Embouchure

At her and Abdul Muhib's farewell party, Linda asked me for a flute embouchure lesson.

I felt so honored. :) Here's our first...it took all of 1 minute.

In this picture, we're pouting our lips in demonstration of going up in pitch. Now see if you can do it. Oh, and please send me a picture.

They've Got Rhythm!

I love rhythm, and it has been fun and rewarding to see my students experiencing and enjoying rhythm too. Here are some group and individual shots of students clapping rhythms off of the white board (Above: 1st graders; Below K-5).

Bee Haven

I stopped by a patisserie (bakery) on my way home from errands this afternoon. I've seen a few bees in patisseries before, but this was really quite excessive. They were flying over my head, landing on me occasionally, and walking all over the buns behind the display glass.

Here's a closeup. See the bees?

The men working in the patisserie were proud of their bees. Their moto could easily have been "if the bees love 'em, you will too!" I was surprised to see one of the men demonstrate how "tame" the bees were. He pinched one out from underneath the display countertop and let it crawl along his arm.

What on EARTH Am I gonna do now?!

I am so ready for a break, and at the same time, I am wondering what on Earth I'm going to do with my time when I'm no longer busy.

Well, a few things are guarantees: I'll be spending time with my family and friends, going for walks, running errands and having fun at the same time, playing tennis, enjoying my nephews and nieces, talking over tea, meeting my sister's fiance, participating in "wedding talk," going to the Fresh Market, playing sequence, watching Hitchcock or whatever-else-suits-us-movies during highlighting sessions, playing the flute (piano/flute duets, Mom?), going to the New City Cafe, and taking a road trip. The list goes on and on. :) What alot to look forward to!

Busy? Here's A Good Reminder

"Don't ever let yourself get so busy that you miss those little but important extras in life---the beauty of a day...the smile of a friend...the serenity of a quiet moment alone. For it is often life's smallest pleasures and gentlest joys that make the biggest and most lasting difference."

Oliver!

The musical Oliver is finished! Yippee! I am proud of the students, and I'm exhausted. I can't blame all of this fatigue on the musical, for I did spend about four hours at the beach for Kathleen's birthday today. We layed out, took walks, and talked. Kathleen, Lisa, and I ran along the beach for a ways and then jumped in for a swim. The water was beautiful and invigorating.

A ROSE by any other name...

You are like a rose stemming from the hand of God;
Pull back the petals to reveal the beauty within.

Refreshing Re Treat?

You bet'cha! The orange juice was just one of the many refreshing aspects of this trip.

Group Art

The creative what'cha'macallit pose inspired by one of our members

Boys

These boys are great! The one on the right is one of my saxophone players! :)