aandrew

Today was field day! (Sportfest) You might think all the kids look forward to field day, but this was more like a track and field event. There were no egg races, tug-o-war, water games, etc. There was only sprints, relay races, long jump, shot put, and something similar to hamerthrow, but not as heavy. I had fun just watching the kids try the long jump. Some really went for it, while others did not want to get sand on themselves and tried to jump far while still staying standing. Every student had to complete every event Pictures of Sportfest: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2077487&id=28304250&l=88b6652a4d I only stayed for half of it, and then I went to a 13th grade class that was studying the civil rights movement. They were supposed to ask me questions about my experience in the south, ... read more

Today I went to the open house at the Braunschweig National Theater. A little history about the theater - This theater group has been producing plays and operas since 1690! It was originally commissioned by the Duke Anton Ulrich and built near the Hagenmarkt in Brausnchweig as an Opera. This building closed in 1861 due to structural failure. The current theater was constructed and opened in 1864. During WWII, parts of the theater were severely damaged, but were reconstructed, and the theater resumed productions in 1948. Now the theater is used for plays, operas, musicals, symphony concerts, and ballets. Today, I got to tour the inside of the theater (not the technical production areas, unfortunately) and see a technical show. They had coordinated lights, fog machines, fly works, and stage manipulation to music. It was really ... read more

Hey guys! Sorry about the delay in my updates. Travelblog.org was down yesterday and I couldn't update like I wanted to. I have spent three days in the school and a really enjoying it! I have sat in 5th - 8th grade lessons as well as one 13th grade (yes it does exist in Germany) lesson. I have just been observing the teacher and making minor corrections on classwork. I will give more details on the students later. I am now moved into my new apartment!! It's such a blessing because this is a really nice apartment and she's not charging me what she should. I am renting it from the art teacher at the Neue Oberschule. The apartment belongs to her daughter, who is studying in Vienna right now. Pictures are here: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2077300&id=28304250&l=e21ea366fe ... read more

Today Rolf and Rosa (my mentor teacher and his wife) were scheduled to volunteer at a Volkslauf (road-race) in Schapen (a local town). We got up quite early and went to Schapen and were oriented with all the other volunteers. AND, in true German fashion we were all given bright yellow vests with safety reflectors to wear with special stickers denoting what jobs we were assigned to do. We were assigned to watch runners and make sure that they were running on the correct path. The actual route was a half marathon and went through a nearby state park. We got back in the car and drove to our post. On the path to our post, we passed by the nature preserve and fed some local deer chestnuts. The deer don't look like our deer, though, ... read more