As many of you have read already (via email I assume) my arrival here in Aachen has gone relatively smooth with no problems as of yet. If I can only go 13 days with nothing bad happening, I surpass my previous record. Last year I was here twelve days when I had my appendix removed.
It's Sunday in Germany, which means no shopping. However, the city is still a buzzing. They have been having this festival called "September Special" or something along those lines. I am content for now to sit in my Starbucks. Once I have a flat, I will feel more comfortable. I just hate staying at this ladies place for so long. Maybe tomorrow my dream flat will be available (ab sofort) and I can move in and sleep tomorrow in my German bed (ugh). I plan on spending two to three months in a smaller, temporary apartment and eventually moving into a bigger place. This way I can just get settled, get a layout of the city then save up some geld and move and go to Ikea! :)
I start teaching tomorrow. I'm only teaching the basic class on Monday for an hour. These are people who have never spoken a word of English before in their life. Should be good that I get to destroy that for them. Tuesday I start "privat unterrichten" or private lessons with this guy who is in the Lumber industry. He's an older gentleman apparently who scored about 24% on his language placement test. I hope he doesn't have any bad habits.
Bad news today from the home front. My grandfather is quite ill. He is suffering from pulmonary fibrosis for quite some time now. Mom called at 2:30 this morning to tell me that Hospice care has told them the less than two weeks theory. They're keeping him heavily sedated at this point which is the best. He's in a lot of pain. He told my Mom and the nurses that the past week has been the worst week of his life. He told me last week that if he should die before I come back (which was a given) that I am not to return home, its his dying decree I guess. So, follow it I shall.
Now, I've got to create some lesson plans, any suggestions?
4 comments:
hallochen! Well for starters I am praying for your Grandfather and you and your family. The Lord is with him and in that you can believe. I know its not easy, when your family is in pain and you are far far away. During my Semester abroad in Tuebingen in 2002,my grandmother passed away, and I was not able to go to the funeral. My parents even debated telling me until I got home a month later!!! so i am sorry and you will be in my prayers!
Love ya, HOllychen
Thanks love. This isn't anything new in my family, we're used to death sadly. I'm so over people in my family dying.
With that in mind, when I logged in to the website, its now auf Deutsch! How crazy is that? I think its because I changed my location...unclear. I hope you're doing well. Get over here soon!
That news about your grandfather is indeed saddening. What's worse in my opinion is that "decree" being what it is.
All the best, bis bald.
-Brian
Oh Christopher,
reading all this stressful stuff is quite saddening and I just hope that life in Germany paid you back a little bit by now...
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