Friends

God has blessed me with more great fellowship last week.

Tuesday I went to Janet aka "Baby Mama" Serrano's house for some dinner and ooowwing and awwing over the fact that Janet is a Mama! Isn't she beautiful! I do miss my rooomate and even though she lives in Salinas I feel like its a whole 'nother world!

And on Wednesday I had Mike and Eliza over for some curry and naan from England. It wasn't Hampton Tandorri but the next best thing. I really love these guys. Mike is in the Military and studying in Monterey and Eliza just passed all the tests to become a substitute in the area. Before that she has been enjoying her time being a good wife. November 14th watch out! She's going to babysit for my class! Eliza is queen of baking and cooking glorious meals for Mike, so I was feeling a little competitive because everytime I go to their house I have such a home-cooked meal---its amazing. So I googled pumpkin dessert and found this great recipe and decided to make it with Eliza. We even made our own whipped cream!

I wish I could have shown you a finished project...but they came out nice!

Joanie

I had a few agenda items when arriving on UK soil. My agenda went a little something like this:
1. buy Kinder Bueno Bars
2. buy boots chapstick
3. Deal with my NatWest Bank Account
4.Make a stop in Muji
5. Hear and record Joanie rocking out.

I asked her a few times but when she was 'warming up' her voice on Sunday morning before we went to church, she played me a few songs. Joanie is such a talented woman and sure has guitar skills!

Enjoy this!

Hampton Tandoori

Although I was only in Surrey less than 48 hours, I made it to Hampton Tandoori. Just like Brian Broderson who shows up at the Dingmans and makes a stop at Twickenham Tandoori, I showed up at the Dingmans making sure to go to Curry too, but because of a lack of a rental car-I go to Hampton Tandoori. It's only a few blocks from the Dingman home. Its a great little place with glorious curries and Indian food. The girls and Joanie and I all got different kinds of Curry and we got some Naan (garlic and stuffed lamb) and had a mini-Thanksgiving. I love England.

CC Twickenham

I just wanted to add this picture. People in america are so spoiled when they show up for church and everything is already done for them. We show up, sit in a chair, enjoy the service and go home. This is not the case for many churches abroad. Everyone in the church comes and sees it as their duty to help serve by setting up chairs, doing the sound board, leading worship, teaching Sunday School, etc. Here is a great photo of Sarah and Charlotte passing out the bulletin/words to the songs.

More Photos

Here are some more photos of beautiful girls I got to hang out with in England. I wish I took a family picture!

Luncheon

Joanie put together a beautiful luncheon for me so I could get a chance to visit with Jenny and the girls, Arlene and her new baby, Mickaela, Joanie, and Arlee. Pure fellowship is so sweet.

Pictured from left to right:

Charlotte, me, Arlee, Sarah, Arleen, Mickaela

Jenny, Joanie and Katie are in the front row.

111

I love so many things about England. Here is one--the 111 bus. I love double deckers! While studying in Kingston the 111 was the bus we took every Tuesday to have dinner with the Browns and the bus we'd take to get to LHR.

England.

After my adventure to Cologne I was able to spend Thursday night with Michal, enjoying every last moment with her! Friday morning we woke up, went to breakfast and then I crossed the street and caught a train to Frankfurt Flugenhafen (airport). Silly me got on the wrong train. When typing in the directions I put Frankfurt Main Station, and not the airport train station. I was a little stressed out (to say the least) when I realized that I was at the wrong station and somehow needed to figure out how to get to the airport. I decided to be brave and started asking people who looked like they were going to the airport for help. I would approach someone, smile really big and say, "Excuse me, do you speak English?" It turns out that everyone looked like they were going to the airport, but really where just catching a train. Ah! So God brought a really nice American guy into my path who was married to a german gal and could read some german and speak it. He was such a gentleman and let me basically follow him to the airport. It was about a 20 minute journey in all--trying to figure out which train to get on, figuring out the tickets and then the journey itself.

So anyway, I checked in and then waited about 20 minutes in the Syngapore Airlines line. (I was suppose to be on Luftansa.) Oops. I eventually got on my flight and 2 hours later landed at Heathrow. I was glowing. I don't know how to describe it. Getting off the plane and stepping onto England land was glorious, listening to the people's voices and hearing the beautiful accents was wonderful. God has given me such a love for that little country and it feels like home everytime I arrive. I went through customs and the officer asked me, "What is the purpose of your visit to England?" My answer: "I LOVE YOUR COUNTRY!"

He didn't ask me anything else and let me go on my merry way. I picked up my luggage and walked out to see Jenny and Sarah waiting for me! If you have seen the movie, Love Actually, theres a few scenes at Heathrow Airport where people are meeting family and friends who have just arrived. That's exactly what it was like.

Jenny drove me to her house where we had some tea and then went to pick up Charlotte from school. The Wilshers are such a cool family. When I first met Elliot and Jenny they had a little 2 year old-Charlotte. Both are servants in the small church. Elliot uses his technical skills to design websites for missionaries and churches while having his own business. Jenny uses her gifts to be a mom, and wife who supports the church. That little description isn't giving them justice, but its a good start. They also now have a cute little girl named Sarah. If you look up the word "Cheeky" in the dictionary there is a picture of Sarah.

So we went to Rob and Joanie Dingman's home where I would be sleeping. Rob was packing up to go to a Calvary South Africa Conference, so I got to see him for a few hours before he left. They also are so special to me. They are a missionary family from Seattle, Wa. They have two beautiful girlies--one is in 4th grade and one is in 7th.

They work so hard serving people day after day after day. They are so generous and give so much of themselves to people. They live so close to LHR (heathrow) that they get so many calls from strangers asking to stay at the Dingman's for a night, or a worried parents calls from America about their child-there was a complication with a flight and a young christian who is away from their parents needs a safe place to go for a week. People google Calvary Chapel London and somehow find the Dingman's phone number. So, I stayed at Hotel Dingman and literally went to sleep smiling. =)

I woke up Saturday morning and rode into Kingston-upon-Thames on the 111 where I did a quick shopping trip and sight seeing adventure. My original purpose was to cancel my bank account I have there, because its more of a hassel than help, but I couldn't. Closing it would have been closing a special part of my life--so I put some activity on it where I got out 5 pounds. Now the bank account is valid for at least another 3 years. I ran around like crazy enjoying everything before catching the bus back to the Dingmans for a luncheon.

Here's a short video that shows how beautiful Kingston is. Kingston is in Surrey and only 13 miles from central london but a world away. Sorry for the long blabbing.

Interruption of the Travel Blogging

I just want to make sure everyone knows that YES I am a California teacher but no I do support support Prop. 8.

I just saw a commercial that says that California Teachers are against Prop 8 and will vote NO!

I voted already. I voted YES!

This is my way to be loud about the issue! I wonder if there is anything else I can do.

More Videos of Helga

Before I post about my last bit of the adventure I wanted to post some videos of Helga. She is so cute! She learned English while she was a teenager when she came to America for 2 years. She lived with my Grandma and helped in my Great-Grandfather's Bakery. I didn't think I cared too much about it, but having family history is pretty cool. If you are going to only want one video, watch the third one down. You can hear the Schnitzel frying and you get an oral history of my family. After the war, the family was so poor and so my Great-Grandfather (Uncle Bill) went back to visit Germany and took Helga with him for two years.

Cologne

Michal had classes that I tried to get her to skip while I was visiting, but too bad its Bible College so she couldn't just say she wasn't feeling well....so....I had a 4-day rail pass and only had plans to use 3 days, so while Michal was in class all day on Thursday I hopped the train to Cologne. It is a beautiful city only 1.5 hours (by train) from Siegen. I had planned to get to Cologne around 10:15, but too bad everything is in German in Germany, so I got on a right train, got off at the wrong stop, rode the correct train back to where I started and tried again. I ended up in Cologne at 11:30 and hung out until 3:30. It was cold and rainy, but ohso beautiful! I also found a Starbucks where I bought a Germany coffeemug to add to my collection. I ended up sitting in the big Cathedral for awhile just spending some time with God. It was beautiful! The picture is me in the rain enjoying all the sights!

Birkenstocks

While in Germany I laid to rest my pair of birkenstocks that I had for the last 4 years. They had reached their last days and as the germans would say, they were "Kaput." I bought them for $12 at the Birkenstock Outlet in Gilroy-one of the best shoe investments ever. Michael took me shopping to buy a new pair and once I got home we had a little funeral. Thankfully they were put to rest where they were born and raised.

Second Part of Journey

After my night in Naumberg I caught a train to Siegen to visit my frieeend Michal. (isn't she beautiful!) I was roommates with Michal in a very small space big enough for only two bunk beds. We couldn't even close the door fully and we had a very small window that could only be opened part way. So living that close to someone for a long period of time really binds you together. I booked the ticket to Frankfurt unsure about where she would be back in August. She is studying at the CC Bible College Campus and I was able to visit with her, go to a few classes, and enjoy the beautiful area. It was like a mini-retreat. She took me shopping into town where I was able to have a funeral for my old pair of birkenstocks and buy a new pair. I also helped her write a few papers and taught her the art of taking a 600 word essay and stretching it to be a 750 word essay. (You can learn a lot in college these days.) I was also able to meet some wonderful and beautiful people! (Like Valentina from Argentina)

The train ride was about 2.5 hours and was thankful that when I stepped right off the train Michal was waiting for me! It was also wonderful that the station was directly across from the bible college living quarters. Its a big house that was transformed into a dorm. The ladies have the top floor, the guys have the middle floor and the bottom floor is a library/computer lab/common area and office. It's beautiful!

And I know its not the most appropriate, but I have to post this graphic sign that is posted on the walking path from the living quarters to where classes are held in Siegen. It literally translates: No Dog Toilet. Yuck.

Food in Germany

Germans eat their big meal at lunch time and at dinner have a lighter snack. I arrived Hungry and tired from a 10 hour plane and 2 hour train ride and I ate this. It actually tasted OK, but it was looking not so OK. It is basically hot dog bits in some kind of mayo salad. You are suppose to put it on toast. They thought I was nuts for taking a picture. I think they are nuts they eat this at least a few times a week.

Helga also taught me how to make Schnitzel. When she was cooking it she told me to get out of the kitchen because the scent would get on my clothes. I said No No...its OK...but sure enough I smelled so wonderful for my train ride that day... So if you are curious about how to make Schnitzel--here it is!

Europe

I am finally over jetlag (i think!) and am ready to post some photos of my adventures. Im not going to worry about posting too many photos because the internet is great in the fact that you can easily type in a new web address if you get bored looking at the webpage you are currently on. =)

My first adventure was arriving at Frankfurt Airport and taking a train to Kassel. Helga is my grandma's first cousin and Klaus is her husband. I had been there two other times visiting so Helga is basically my German Grandma. She has a daughter, Annetta, and her husband Yorgin. Annetta has two kids-Fabian who is 13 and Marina who is 18. Marina was in Berlin when I was visiting so I only got to visit with the rest.

Naumberg is a little village with not a lot happening in it. There isn't even police! The trees and scenery are beautiful though! My great-grandfather was born in this village.

Back in the US

I'm back. I can't wait to show pictures and write about everything I did and saw. I was only gone a week, but I cannot express to you how perfect the week was! I barely got home tonight...our plane was delayed at Heathrow by 45 minutes which cut my time REALLY short in Denver. By God's Grace the plane to San Jose had been delayed too, so I made it.

Thanks Jenny for everything you did! It was so wonderful seeing the girls and really understanding the term "Cheeky." hehe.

Pictures to come later...now I have to try and get myself to sleep for school tomorrow morning!

Update

I am in Germany and am loving every bit of it but before I start talking about how amazing this place is, I HAVE to talk to NKOTB.

I apologize I am using a german keyboard and the y and z are switched so if i mess up, you do the math.

Although I missed the Bridge  Benefit dinner I went to the New Kids on the Block concert. I reallz did have the best time and am even looking to see if I can go to another concert in November. It sounds pathetic in everz way but I did have the time of my life!! If you were to ask me to sing any song by them I would not be able to, but somehow at the concert I was able to sing every EVERY song along with every other person in the stadium. The HP Pavilion in San Jose was 100% packed and there were only about 200 men there. Every one there was between the ages of 24 to 32 and all were huge fans. I was not ashamed.

OK Enough about them.

I got to Germany safely after some engine trouble, found the train to Kassel and managed to get on it. Helga picked me up and todaz I left Kassel and made it to Siegen to visit Michal! Germany is so beautiful! There are leaves with manz colors!

Its bedtime though. Adios!

Gettin' Jlos

So tomorrow night I will be in San Jose rocking out to New Kids on The Block. I am quite sad I won't be able to make The Bridge benefit dinner-but look out for my cool Yosemite photo I deveoped and framed and donated. Its a little fuzzy, but I think it makes it artsy.

Saturday afternoon I leave for Frankfurt, Germany. Pray for my flight! I arrive and will get on a train somehow (Donde esta Bahnhoff?) to visit Helga and Klaus (my grandma's first cousin and her husband).

Monday afternoon after a quick visit to Naumberg I will take another train (again pray for me that I find it) and prayfully arrive in Siegen at the Calvary Chapel Bible College. My dearest pal Michal who was my roommate in Austria is studying at the college. She is german and although I have not seen her in 3 years we have been sending packages and letters back and forth for those years. I can't wait! I'll get to sit in some classes and in the free time roam the streets of Siegen.

Friday morning I will take another train back to Frankfurt airport at the buttcrack of dawn and get on a flight to London Heathrow! My original plan was to just get on the 111 and ride to Hampton, but thanks to Jenny I will be picked up (pray we find eachother!) and get to stay until Sunday morning. I'll catch a flight back to San Jose, arrive at 8pm and find my car and go home.

The real zinger will be waking up and going to work the next day at 7am. haha.

So if you are reading this...please pray for me! Also, if you want anything from Germany leave me a message!

Pray for this Little Girl

The new "kumari" or living goddess, was carried from her parents' home to an ancient palatial temple in the heart of the Nepali capital, Katmandu, where she will live until she reaches puberty and loses her divine status.

She will be worshipped by Hindus and Buddhists as an incarnation of the powerful Hindu deity Taleju.

A panel of judges conducted a series of ancient ceremonies to select the goddess from several 2- to 4-year-old girls who are all members of the impoverished Shakya goldsmith caste.

The judges read the candidates' horoscopes and check each one for physical imperfections. The living goddess must have perfect hair, eyes, teeth and skin with no scars, and should not be afraid of the dark.

As a final test, the living goddess must spend a night alone in a room among the heads of ritually slaughtered goats and buffaloes without showing fear.

Having passed all the tests, the child will stay in almost complete isolation at the temple, and will be allowed to return to her family only at the onset of menstruation when a new goddess will be named to replace her.

"I feel a bit sad, but since my child has become a living goddess I feel proud," said her father Pratap Man Shakya.

***This is horrible.....please pray for this little girl who has to live away from her family until Puberty.

Imagine College

Saturday morning I went to Seaside High School at 8am to help with a really cool thing. A group called "Imagine College" formed many years ago to encourage Seaside kids to go to college and do something with their lives! Many students in Seaside do not even consider college a possibility, so with the help of many volunteers every freshman at Seaside High School's home was visited and presented with a packet of information.

If the students kept at least a 2.5 GPA, attended two summer institutes at CSUMB, and graduated from Seaside High in 4 years they would get $4,000 for college AND if they met those requirements they would automatically be admitted to CSUMB upon applying. I and my partner, Highland's Principal, went to four homes and got to talk to two families. One of the families was shocked and amazed that someone would want to help them. You could really see the light in the eyes when we told them to "Imagine College."

I was proud to say that many of King Teachers spent their Saturday morning walking home to home inviting students to stay in school and go to college. As I type this I laugh. A few years ago I probably would have thought this was a great thing, but I'd never be involved. Is my mindset changing? Goodness...I feel like I am really becoming a teacher. I'm not sure how I feel about it!

Out of all the schools--King had the most teachers represented! Go Panthers!

King Panthers love to Read!
King Panthers will succeed!
King Panthers go to college!
King Panthers get lots of Knowledge!

VP Debate

Thursday night I went to the Republican headquarters to mingle with like-minded people and to watch the VP debate. Although I'm not a big fan of McCain and most republicans who would go to a debate watching party probably does love McCain I still enjoyed myself! I ran into Herold while I was there and he graciously posed with the future President and VP for me. =)

1st Grade Stories

Though my class is more challenging than words could ever describe, they sure keep me entertained every day. Some funny-some not so funny. Last Friday I found pepper spray that had fallen out of someone's backpack. It should be shocking, but I feel like its more the norm than shocking. Last week got so bad I just broke down and actually cried. My kids saw that I was upset and for about 10 minutes they decided to behave. Then, they went back to normal.

Asking to go outside to "pass gas" is still the norm. The kids are not embarrased by any means and proudly continue to ask to go outside to pass gas and come back in like it is no big thing.

Yesterday a little boy went to the bathroom. He was there over 10 minutes so I sent another kid to go get him. He came in and I told him that 12 minutes in the bathroom was not acceptable. He looked at me like I was nuts and flat out told me that he had "a 10 minute poop." The girls of the class said EW and told him to just say #2. Goodness! That is so gross and I tried my best to keep my straight face.

The same little boy announced to the class today that if he didn't go to school that he'd have to go to County Jail. I was shocked and asked him who told him that. Of course my mom Miss Dobie...who else? I laughed to myself because in all reality his mom probably got a call from a Truancy officer who explained to her that if she did not bring her kids to school every day and on time, she (the mom) would be going to County Jail.

Thursday and Friday and then I have two weeks off. Two more days....Two more days....

Happy Birthday Madre!

Sunday Night I took my mom out to PF Changs for dinner. She was so excited!

I am Woman

Now I don't want to brag or anything, but last week I changed my own headlight in my car. (OK so maybe I do want to brag...but it was with the help of Erik at Kragen.) You see, one side of my Scion's headlights is easily accessible but one is not so much. The fuse box and a few other things that I would never be able to name were blocking the space to change the headlight. Because it wasn't an easy job, Erik was not allowed to do it, because if he broke something in my engine, I could sue them. So he guided me through the process. I used tools, changed the bulb and put everything back together! I took a picture of my dirty hand to prove! It took me a good 45 minutes, but when the time was up, I had two functioning headlights! WooHoo!!

This is for Hannah

Look Hannah. It isn't always foggy in Monterey. It was only during the summer. Let September's graph be my proof. Sunny won!

A Blessing

Last Monday I was having a tough morning. I had forgotten that it was RIF day at school. RIF is a non profit that gives free books to children a few times a year. RIF stands for Reading is Fundamental. The children get to choose a book and take it home and read it with their family. It's a great program that encourages reading within families.

Its kind of a big ordeal because a reader comes to the class and reads a story to the kids. Usually its a retired teacher who hasn't been in the classroom in awhile. They forget how wild they can get, and its embarrasing for me that my students don't listen and embarrasing for the person reading that they can't get the kids under control. Next we all go to a location and pick out a book. Usually 4 kids find one book that they all HAVE to have. They fight over it until one kid wins, and the students move on and forget. We always have a few kids who will get spanish books and they only speak english at home, or a kid who can convince the people stamping the books that they really NEED this chapter book about some historical figure even though they can't read, "The cat is fat."

Either way the Lord sent me a gift. That Monday morning when things could have been going a little smoother, He sent Mayra Skipwith into my classroom to read to the kids. She goes to my church and has such a special touch with people. I have heard about her for awhile and I randomly sat next to her during a bible study this summer. She taught for many years in the public schools and is a very knowledgable woman. She was wonderful with the kids and it was great that I got that encouragement!