I'm still a Super-fan! Do you get a "hit count" from the website or is your observation based on number of comments?
Please skip any dirty parts in those books your mother sent you.
Have fun in Vienna!
Kevin
Well, I guess I'll just have to increase my readership/commenting-level to make up for missing comments.
I'm glad you liked the Jewish quarter and the Communism museum, even if they weren't all that they're cracked up to be. That's a funny story about the resturant. Way to jump to conclusions . In other news, that is ridiculously cheap in the first place... ever since I turned 21 I have come familiar with the price that american resturants charge for beer. It's like your whole meal!
Castle Quarter. Seriously, what's up with dissapointing tourist attractions? I see what you mean about the city itself being the highlight and the actual sights not so much. Hopefully you got to see a lot of it on the long, wandering walk! That's really cool about the dancing buildings.
I look forward to reading about/talking to you while you're in Vienna!
Mom
I get 2+3 as my problem every single time! Maybe I get the answer wrong and they are retesting me...
I agree with your feeling that many of your blog fans have fallen off the message posting wagon. I'll bet they are still reading/stalking you though!
Prague does sound very fun and I am glad to hear you are going with some other people to dinner...is it the Australian girls you mentioned on the phone?
So, beer AND wine in the same evening? Oh my!
I think the christmas markets sound really fun. Someday I'll have to plan a trip to Europe for this time of year so we can see them.
Stay warm and see you one week from today!
Love, Mom xx
P.S. I bought that same book of christmas shorts stores for myself and when I started the second one I panicked because it was a little racier that I anticpated! I almost emailed you and said "don't read that book!" but knew that would propel you to INSTANTLY go and look at the book so I have just been crossing my fingers you would be too busy to read it! Oh well!!
Lorraine
Beth: I am so happy you are enjoying Prague. I found it to be one of the best cities we visited back in the 90's and then they were just reinventing it to accommodate tourists. Keep well. I know despite all your adventures you will be happy to be home for Christmas. Love, Lorraine
Lindsay
Story of the new new girl:
Firstly, let us not confuse the new girl (Rylie) with the new new girl (Lauren). Lauren = catastrophe. Rylie was moved to front room after being in my room for 2 weeks, and Lauren replaced her. And I want Rylie back. Pronto.
1. Me and Rylie got along perfectly right from the start. And I can already tell, after 4 days, I am NOT getting along with Lauren.
2. Me and Rylie's style (Which works for the backroom but wouldn't necessarily be the same for the front room) = rules galore. In example, I made the recent rule of no scissors at power hour, because in my weeks in that class, I have discovered they can't quite manage scissors yet, and I have to be paying very close attention or they end up running around and waving them in each others' face (Or if they are Joey, opening and closing them in their mouths)- And at power hour, I can't pay very close attention to the whole group as individuals in turn, because I am walking back and forth helping people with homework.
3. Lauren's style = BS her way through and let the kids decide. In example, I give you this dialogue: Me: "Anisha, the rule is no scissors at power hour" Lauren: "Oh, well, I told her she could use them and she's doing fine." Me: "Well, I try to make sure the same rules apply to everybody."
Which is why I think she would be better in front room, because it is actually true that they can handle scissors at power hour, and thusly they don't need as many rules.
Also, she whips out a little notebook to write down all the rules I mention to her, which is ridiculous in itself of course, because everything is a lot more situational than that, and then it's like she specifically tries not to do them. And she has already "told off" Rylie for playing music in the background of free choice time- Which is fine, and questioned how we run our program - when she has been involved for 4 days, and has no previous experience with any kids.
4. Rylie and me already starting making our North Pole, and when Rylie was switched she had to abandon it, but I planned on still using our original thoughts, because we had already started it. But now Lauren wants to use all her ideas. Such as putting three giant stuffed animals in our room, where there is no extra room. Also, they are penguins. Which definitely no not live in the North Pole, and I had already talked to her about it being more realistic than Christmasy. Also, when I told her penguins do not live in the North Pole, she challenged me and said they did. And they don't. But she is still convinced they do/can. So now we have three giant stuffed animals that we have no room for. Also, they are VERY creepy looking (Think Mrs. Lemke's Antonio Banderas).
So in general, me and Rylie get along very well and have a style that was working for the back room, also she got all attached to kids and decorations in the back room, and is sad that she's in the front room. She isn't being treated as well, because she is only 17 and Josh and Quinn are closer to her age and don't think of her as an authority, and think of themselves as more of an authority, and also she isn't being treated well by Lauren, and also I don't get along with Lauren as much, and Lauren would probably work better in the front room with Jody.
Phew. But all signs point to my job being very miserable if things don't get switched back. I made a meeting to discuss it with Yvonne on Monday.
Also, the kids all want me to "bring you in" over break, but I told them you are not a dog and you're very busy and will just be getting home, and that you can come of your own accord whenever you want, if you want. And they seemed satisfied with that. But they do miss you, which is probably good to know.
Kevin
Haha, I got 1+1, which is definitely a better math problem.
In other news I'm glad you get to stay that last night with your host family in Paris, but after that you get to be here in Seattle and I'm very excited about that. I kinda want to just delete the upcoming week from my life. Then I wouldn't have any finals to take and you'd be almost home!
I MIISSSS YOU!
<3 Kevin
Dad
It is a good day so far... I got to rate the blog which means I found it first - and my math problem was 2+2= which everyone knows is the best math problem. (I won't give away the answer)
Enjoy those last days in Paris, don't forget to go up the Eiffel Tower and then have a wonderful and safe trip. I can't wait to see you soon.
Love, Dad
Mom
I still have to do a math problem every time I post something..you would think they would know me by now!
Anyway, anxiously awaiting the already-written but not-yet-posted blog on your last few days. I guess I can wait til it stops raining so you don't have to get drenched in the park. Also, STILL waiting for pictures of Berlin...?????
12 more days and counting....can't wait!
Lindsay
1. What would you like for your birthday? 2. What would you like for Christmas? 3. If I held a Christmas party between the 16th and 23rd, would you attend? 4. If I held a New Year's Eve party, would you be more inclined to attend? 5. Would you attend both?
Thank you for participating in this survey. Assuming you are going to.
Kevin
Two more weeks!!
Sue
Happy Birthday and Happy Thanksgiving! Sounds like you had much more fun than we did since we are all sick here :( There are snow flurries here, but nothing on the ground. Berlin sounds very interesting......and sobering. Enjoy the rest of your travels!
Karen H
Hi Beth!
Happy Birthday!
I am really enjoying your reports - I can't believe how much ground you cover! The Berlin trip sounded incredible and your report was a very nice bit of writing! You should submit it to Budget travel or someplace for publication.
I had last week off and got new wood floors! Really makes my place seem warmer. Even with installers, it was a lot of work but worth every cent and hassle!