Classic Quiz

So, we're in Indiana enjoying time with Anne's family right now. We're about to frost a bunch of Christmas cookies and put together some good questions for a classic Christmas movie trivia quiz. I think we're going to pull stuff from Holiday Inn, White Christmas, It's a Wonderful Life, and Miracle on 34th Street.
Fun, huh?

Are you serious?!?!?!

I've been working on some US tax stuff recently - for myself, and helping some of the newer staff at VCS. There are some different forms to fill out since we're overseas. Anyhow, I was looking through the IRS website, which has all kinds of good info on it. I found this page that is just unbelievable and funny!

Woah!

This is me at 24 weeks, one week ago. That's SIX MONTHS. Wow, I can't believe I'm 6 months pregant. Woah. We went to the doctor the other day, and he reports that Baby Frank, which I've told my class to call Blank Frank, since he has no name yet, weighs in at 950 grams. For those of you who are metrically challenged, that's about 2 pounds. It's amazing to me how much my trust of our doctor skyrockets after we meet with him again. Then it goes down, down, down as I find things to worry about, and then back up when we are reassured that things are okay. You'd think I could just trust him. But alas, I worry about things like preterm labor, chromosomal abnormalities, and flying across the Atlantic being pregnant.
Speaking of, we are flying to the USA in SIX days! We are getting super excited to spend time with both of our families over this short break. No one in the states has seen the belly yet, including YOU, so get ready!
In other pregnant news, I'm super TIRED. It takes all I have to give my energy all day at school and then climb up our stairs to get home. I know it comes with the territory, I'm just not good at being weak. I can usually fight it and just go on, but now my tiredness is taking over! Yikes! I'm trying to find times to nap while my students are at PE or music, so that's helpful. Babies take a lot of work, even before they arrive. Okay, that's enough writing for today. I'm off to bed! Goodnight:).

Christmas Poem by Lydia

One of my fourth graders wrote this poem on her own initiative this week, and I thought it was super cool and wanted to share it with you. Her name is Lydia, and she's Austrian.

I love Christmas!

You celebrate the birth of Jesus
He was born in Bethlehem
I wish I was one of the angels praising him
In Christmas you surely get more than one present
The Christmas cards I made are now ready to send
You get candy in every kind of flavor
But mostly I like Christmas becuase Jesus was born as our Savior!

Audit

Tomorrow's a big day for the business office at VCS. A lawyer/finance guy is coming to the school with his colleague to check out the books.

He might snoop

But he's allowed

He better be gone

Before my eyes droop

What's the stance

of the school cash

Manfred's the man

With our record's

he'll dance.

22 Week Belly Shot

Ooh, Baby Boy Frank is growing! This shot was taken on Thanksgiving Day, BEFORE the feast we enjoyed with some friends. So, maybe now the belly is a few pounds heavier!

Fourth Grade Thanksgiving

Both of these pictures are from the Thanksgiving mini-feast that I had with my class on Wednesday last week. We had food from Japan, India, USA, Nigeria, Austria, and the Philippines. It was worth it to indulge:). We thanked God for all the blessings we enjoy in our home countries before we ate, too. One thing I am thankful for in my home country is YOU!

Weekend in The Hague

I just realized today that I haven't been blogging...so here goes!

I got back late Sunday night from the ECIS conference in The Hague. It was jam packed with learning. I told my students on Monday that I just went to school from 8 to 6 four days in a row. They were impressed, hehe. Really, though, I learned SO MUCH more than I could ever implement this school year. Representatives were there from the International School of Bangkok, Prague, Brussels, The Hague, Amsterdam, Stockholm, Saudi Arabia, and so many more. They imparted wisdom to me and other teachers about teaching science, using portfolios, new books for kids, and having students lead their parent-teacher conferences to name a few. I am really thankful that VCS paid for me to attend this learning-fest! The four of us that went are planning to share all that we learned with our staff during the next few staff meetings.

for you non-German-learning folk

boy

Danktag

A turkey sat
on the backyard fence
and sang this sad, sad tune
Thanksgiving is coming
Gobble gobble gobble gobble
And I know
I'll be eaten soon
Gobble gobble gobble gobble
Gobble gobble gobble
I would like to run away
Gobble gobble gobble gobble
Gobble gobble gobble
I don't like Thanksgiving day
I love it.

Sorry to keep you waiting...

So you might be asking us:
Knabe oder Mädel?

The answer is:
Pimpf! Junge! Bub! Knabe!!

Is this mean and cruel??? I guess it would be if I didn't give you a way to find out the meaning of those words. Never fear - the answer is here. Then type in the word you want to know and hit enter (or click "Suchen"). Then you'll find out!!

What educational fun!

Organ Screen

So, Baby Frank had an organ screening today. It was really amazing to see all the intricate parts - the spine, the brain, the heart, the stomach, the bones all over the body, the eyes, the mouth - just amazing stuff. We heard the heart beat and it was fast! It weighs about 1 pound and is 9.5 inches long.
We were in the same building as where we might have the baby, so we got a tour. It's called Privat Klinik Döbling. The lady was so so nice that spoke to us (which isn't very normal in Austria). The place was so clean, quiet, and seems to have all kinds of the latest technology and nice stuff for people like me that will have to wander around and wait - free drinks, comfy chairs, etc. We were really sold. :)

Oh so you might be wondering if it's a boy or a girl. We aren't. :)
But we can't tell yet. Soon........

Summer Memories

So today I took a walk after school around 5, and it was PITCH DARK. I mean, really! As I walked I dreamed of being in Oden, Michigan, like we were in the summer, where the sun shines until 9:30 or 10 p.m. You can water ski AFTER dinner. Oh, the days! Here's a few Michigan memories from this past summer. Top: Us with Chris's parents, Fred & Judy. Second: Us the night we told our parents were were PREGNANT! Third: Anne's crazy cousin, Laura, making a typical Laura face. Bottom: The grandparents to be: The Franks and the Luginbills.

The Business Manager Hard at Work

Chris definitely works hard every day at V.C.S. These are a few shots of his office, which he is proudly decorating more and more as the year goes on. One of his favorite things is the green dog dish on his desk filled with candy for his visitors. Maybe you should make a visit to the Business Manager's office sometime soon. You might win a yummy treat!

Watch out world...Baby Frank is coming!

If you can't see the blue shirt...it says "we're hungry." It was fun to wear it to school yesterday! The we're hungry shirt is 19 weeks, the green t-shirt is 18 weeks. The belly is ever-growing! Watch out world...Baby Frank is coming!

Winter is Coming with Kicks and Punches

The time changed this past weekend, signaling the approach of a stinging winter in Vienna. Ooooh. Bring out the turkeys, cookies and sprinkles, white lights, and presents! I'm ready for the holidays! Really, though, yesterday it was completely dark by 5:15 p.m. in Vienna, and we were shocked but probably shouldn't have been. It has been this way year after year here, but after long summer days our shock is still renewed.

In other news...Baby Frank has kicked its first kick and punched its first punch! I'm pretty sure that over the last few days Baby Frank has begun his or her workout routine that will supposedly continue for the next few months inside the cozy space of my belly. It feels like little hits now and then, and sometimes it feels like bubbles inside. A sensation I've clearly never felt before. Woah. Signs of life. That's really amazing.

Smart Car

We just had a 4 day weekend since it's Fall Break for VCS. Anne and I went to Guntramsdorf - the town where I used to live - and stayed at the International Teams hospitality house. It was amazing weather, inexpensive, and relaxing. Plus - we rented a SMART CAR!! Those things are so cool - and it actually didn't feel cramped or anything inside. It has a sort of manual/automatic transmission.

Anne Frank in Holland

So yeah, Anne is going to leave me for a few days. Sad.
But as I was reading what she wrote, I had a thought. It might seem to you that "Woah!! She's going to Holland just for a conference! Dang, it must be nice to do crazy travelling like that!" Or maybe something else along those lines.

Well, from a European perspective, it's not quite as big of a deal. It's more like saying I'm going to a conference just outside of Denver, Colorado. Cool, maybe. Awesome if you love the Broncos. But otherwise, it's not THAT big of a deal. It's a little more like that for Europe - lots of countries that aren't so big, close together. Oh yeah, and the school is paying for it. :)

So, there's my 2 cents.

National Holiday in Oesterreich

Today is a National Holiday in Austria. 50 years ago today the Russian, American, British, and French occupation officially left Austria and Austria became it's own free republic since before World War 2. It was an exciting day for Austrians. John Foster Dulles was one of the 2 American representatives who signed the treaty giving freedom to Austria at the Upper Belvedere Palace on October 26, 1955. Most Austrians are not particularly patriotic, but today they'll celebrate with a military parade around the city's Ringstrasse, which means Ring Road, and I believe that some Russian soldiers are coming to pay their respects. Chris and I are going to check it out after our work day at school. Congrats to Austria!

Trip to Holland!

Good news! I was asked by my principal to attend a conference put on by the European Council of International Schools with four other V.C.S. staff members in Holland in a few weeks. I'm so excited for this professional opportunity to learn more about international education and bring it back to the others. I will be attending workshops and seminars primarily focused on elementary education, curriculum development, and student learning. The conference is in The Hague, which is close to Amsterdam, and I think we'll have one whole day to check it out, which is fun. Here are some links for those of you who are interested in more information about the conference or The Hague.
www.ecis.org
www.denhaag.com
I'll keep you posted in a few weeks on what I learn:).