Outward Bound Adventures

As a start to the new school year my 8th grade group headed to Baad, Austria for a week of the program Outward Bound. We split into five groups, me being in the second group, and set off to hike and do team building activities with our new class mates. Mygroup, the challenge group, hiked hut to hut for three nights and two huts. I got to be leader on the first day, meaning I got a map and a compass and was told "Ok, we're following you." We hiked up into a valley of rocky, sharp mountains for seven hours before we reached the hut. Unlike most huts in Colorado, this one had running water, electricity and a restaurant.

On the second day, we headed to the next hut along a

VERY steep path. The day presented many surprises. One, the day was as foggy as pea soup which presented a challenge for finding the trail. The second surprise was much better. We saw a Steinbock, which is a kind of rare European mountain goat. We were very lucky because our instructor said that she had never seen a Steinbock in the wild so close. We also got lucky because we saw three marmots up close too. Talk about a cool day!

The third day we summited a peak near the hut and did a two hour solo. It was a beautiful day so many of us got sunburns because of sitting in the sun so long. On the fourth and final day, we mastered an amazing feat. We got up at 3:55 am to hike back down into Baad and be there by 9:00am. We hiked in the dark with flashlights and saw the sun rise. It was a tiring but amazing end to our week in the Alps.

Home is the place

Here is a little story I created on Storybird about my summer experience at home in Crawford, Colorado after living and working in Germany for the year.

Enjoy. Beth

hOMe is the place on Storybird

Rethinking Leadership

At the beginning of December, I had the opportunity to take my 10th and 12th grade English Language Learners to London for four days.  When my colleague told me he couldn't come on the trip after we had already booked, I felt a moment of panic.  How could I possibly lead a group of teenagers around a city I barely knew myself?  I had only been in London one other time and then I had stayed with a girlfriend and let her lead me.  After several sleepless nights trying to figure out the details of the daunting task ahead of me, I awoke one morning with some clarity.  Like the first rays of sun shining through after days of fog, I knew how I could lead the trip.  Simply don't lead.

That very morning, I brought my idea to the students and framed it this way: "Since this trip is about learning English, developing the skills necessary for travel in an English speaking country, and the chance to experience British culture, you will plan and lead our London travels.  If I do all the planning and leading, I'll learn a lot, but this is about your learning."  They were thrilled.  They thought I was the coolest teacher, because I let them plan the trip.  I told them we could visit any of the tourist attractions as long as they could justify why it would help them learn English and something about British culture or history.  They spent a few class periods researching and then presenting their ideas. They developed the itinerary.  They figured out how to get from one site to the next.  They seemed prepared and I impressed upon them that their research was not merely academic--I truly did not know how to get around and I was counting on them completely.

When we finally arrived at the airport a day and a half late due to snow at Heathrow, they switched in to full leadership mode.  Everyone had a role and took it very seriously.  The student responsible for getting us from the airport to the hotel had done his research well.  Although we missed the last Tube trip out of the airport at midnight, he knew there was also a train and led us through the airport to get to it.  The student responsible for getting us to Madame Tussaud's wax museum the next morning figured out the Tube lines and got us to the VIP entrance of the museum in record time.  The young man responsible for our first group dinner used his free time to visit the restaurant, organize a private room, and a set menu for our group.  The students granted the 'leader' for each event the right to ask the questions, figure out the transportation, and walk in front of the group.  Very impressive!  It was a privilege to travel with this amazing group of students from Bavarian International School.

The 3 minute video created by one of the talented students in the group captures the feel of the trip.  Enjoy!

My Music Trip to Holland

There is so much to write and so little time so I will let the images explain.

One week ago, I went to Amsterdam, Holland and The Hague, Holland with a group of musicians. We did some site seeing, went to a symphony concert, saw the Anne Frank Museum and played at a music festival at the American School of the Hague. I performed a cello solo, flute solo and I played with the flute ensemble. Over all, the trip was fantastic and very memorable!

I was inspired by the Dutch language and was constantly trying to imitate announcements in Dutch. Also, I was inspired by the number of musicians that came to the music festival. There was even a school from Libya there! It was good to see that all the musicians were excited and motivated to play too.

The trip had a rocky start when on the flight over a girl's bag went missing and our hotel ended up farther away from the train station then we thought. But as a team of 12, the group did very well and managed to get the best ribbons from the festival. From our school alone, there was a pianist, guitarist, cellist (ME), 3 flutists, a drummer, singer and 2 clarinets. The trip ended well and I am very happy I went!

(top left) The group in Amsterdam in front of the Concert Gebow. (Concert hall)

(top right) A picture of the symphony concert.

(below) Video of my flute solo. I play Humoreske by Dvorak.

New Year's Greeting

A Christkindlmarkt Journey

Fröhliche Weinachten! Merry Christmas!

I walk out of the S-Bahn station and I'm greeted by the smell of gebrannte Mandeln (roasted almonds) and the sound of Christmas music from every corner of the Christkindlmarkt. The smells and sounds of every booth and vendor waft out from the hubbub of people. I walk past a booth overflowing with carved, wooden, Christmas figures and another with jewelry and yet another with Bratwurst (Sausage) and another and another..... I am surrounded by the chatter of excited people, the continuous chewing of people by a stand of Maroni (Chestnuts), the hum of music in the distance and the smells of all kinds. Oh, the smells, they make up the Christkindlmarkt, floating from every food vendor and wood carver. From the strong smell of wood to the smell of a burned Bratwurst to the savory smell of Mandeln. The sights are amazing, overwhelming to the eyes. Looking beyond the sea of people, I spot rows and rows of roof tops covered in shimmering lights. It starts to snow lightly and the church bell in the tower above me rings and I glance over toward the ginormous Christmas tree. Reaching almost 30ft. tall, it is covered with surrounding on lookers and a fanfare of lights. Color everywhere! An unexplainable joy rises into my heart as my senses inhale the surrounding beauty. I am standing in the middle of Munich on Marienplatz taking in the fun of the German Christmas market.

The Christkindlmarkt is an expanse of vending booths and activities that winds its way throughout the Munich central squares. I'd call it festival. It is known all around the world as Christmas time in Germany and now I understand why. It holds within it not only the smells and tastes of Christmas but, the feeling too. The moment you step out of the S-Bahn, you can feel the vibrant glow of a friendly welcome. Yes, there are people who just do it for the money and the Gluhweine (an alcoholic hot drink) but otherwise, it's just a festive event, open for the public to enjoy. We went last weekend and I tried Chestnuts that were roasted on an open fire for the first time. And almonds that were beyond delicious, heavenly, almost. That was my favorite, the warm almonds covered in sugar and served in a cute, decorative cone. I also liked the shopping. Do you know the saying, "Shop 'till you drop"? Well you could do that at a Christkindlmarkt. The booths are numerous and if you don't find what your looking for at one, you'll surely find it at another.

We wandered around to several squares and I think we found our favorites. The main Marienplatz market was one of the best with the big tree but there was also the medieval market. It was a lot smaller but in the middle there was a clown or jester to entertain the public. At first, we watched a tight rope walker cross a rope with clogs and something covering his eyes. It was amazing how may people stood there in the snow watching a guy in a clown suite try to walk a tight rope. We were packed in between a booth and more people just trying to see.

I take a deep breathe to inhale the sights once again. The tight rope walker almost falls but saves himself soon enough. So, I'm there again, standing in the middle of Munich on Marienplatz and I think, This is what traveling is about. The memories, the experiences....

You get them and you lose them but these are some that I will keep forever. Merry Christmas!

Mom and dad eating a Bratwurst from both ends! Yum! (below)

A stand filled with handmade crafts. (above)

Happy Holidays!

What do you think of when someone says "Happy Holidays!"? I think of sledding, skiing, shopping and hot apple cider with my friends. This year is different, I am thinking about returning home. We will be heading back to CO in two days and I have mixed emotions. Of course, I'm completely ecstatic to be going back but somehow I know that a piece of me will be left in Germany. This has become a second home and I am going to miss it even just for the three week break. On the other hand, I feel the anticipation of getting back to my normal routine and life of the USA. I'll have to experiment with my two different lives in two different places. On that note, here is a little holiday quiz that I came up with.

If you were something winter themed what would you be? Are you a poplar bear, snowman, or christmas tree? You might be a little bit of everything.

1.Would you rather,

a) curl up with a cup of hot chocolate and a book.

b) build snowballs and sled with friends.

c) hang ornaments and decorate with your family.

2. If you were shopping for holiday gifts would you most likely by,

a) a new book and and knitting needles.

b) a pair of skis and a warm hat.

c) cookie cutters and a christmas cook book.

3. How many people do you get holiday gifts or cards for?

a) Just your closest family and friends.

b) Everyone at your work or school + your family and friends.

c) Your neighbors, family and friends.

4. If you could, what kind of holiday party would you throw?

a) A cozy gathering with your closest friends. Your theme would be take 'save the environment.'

b) A big, outdoor bash with all your friends and class mates. Make sure to bring your sled!

c) A 'tis the season party equipped with a Christmas banquet and music. You would play Christmas games and holiday food from around the world.

5.What kind of gift and card would you give to a friend?

a) A scrap booking set and a hand made, eco-friendly card.

b) Stickers for their ski helmet and a small hand written card.

c) New glass ornaments for their tree and a pre-made Christmas card.

Are you a poplar bear, a snowman or a Christmas tree?

If you got mostly a's, you are a polar bear.

If you got mostly b's, you are a snowman.

If you got mostly c's, you are a Christmas tree.

Or are you a Christmassnowbear? (a mix of everything)

Have a very merry Christmas, and a happy new year! (And if you don't celebrate Christmas, have a very happy holidays and a lovely new year!)