Rathaus Christkindlmarkt Field-Trip

The 4th and 5th graders took their annual field-trip to the Rathaus Christkindlmarkt this week. It snowed big, fluffy flakes the whole time we were there - picture perfect! The kids got to do a craft inside the Rathaus (City Hall) before we went around the market. Some kids made mosaic coasters and others decorated the covers of photo albums.

We took a whole group photo before we turned the kids loose with chaperones in the market. Everyone enjoyed the festive market and the festive snow. My favorite part was trying a new food - a lango. It's a hot, fried piece of bread brushed with garlic butter. They probably sell these at state fairs in the U.S., but this was the first time I ever tried one. I liked eating something so warm while standing out in the cold.

Learning to Make Kim bap

One of my students invited Mrs. Ring and me over to learn how to make Kim bap, a Korean food. We had such a good time together! Mrs. Ban had everything pre-cooked and prepared for us to make the Kim bap rolls. We learned how to place the rice and vegetables on the seaweed paper.

Then we used a special mat to roll it up. With each roll, we had to squeeze hard to get the rice and seaweed paper to hold together.

Here's our teacher and our first Kim bap rolls. After we made the rolls, we sliced them into circles 1 cm. thick.

Here's the fruit of our work and the Ban children. S.G. is in my class and his sister is in 1st grade. They'll be returning to Korea in February. We are so thankful for the time we've had to get to know them and for a wonderful cooking lesson!

Pumpkin Pie

I actually got to enjoy two Thanksgiving meals this year - one on Thursday and one on Saturday. I was asked to make and bring the pumpkin pie for the second one and I really got into that project. I had seen a picture in a magazine of a pie crust with "leaves" around the edges. I decided to try my hand at that technique and was pretty pleased with the results. As for the taste, I think I grow to like this kind of pie more and more with every passing year. Yum!

Thanksgiving Party

The 4th and 5th graders had a Thanksgiving party last week. We let the students help make the treats for the party in the school kitchen. One group made applesauce, while another group made Rice Krispy treats. We also baked Sara Lee pumpkin pies from the commissary so everyone could sample that classic Thanksgiving dessert.

We played some games and learned about the history of the first Thanksgiving and how it became an American holiday. We ended the party eating our treats and talking about things we're thankful for. God has certainly blessed us!

Christmas Cactus Social

The Christmas Cactus plant in my classroom loves it's new home. It bloomed the most beautiful blooms I've ever seen it bloom. The secret to getting a Christmas Cactus to bloom? Well...you had to come to the party to find out!

In honor of my beautiful plant, I threw a party - an after-school social - and invited all my coworkers to come admire the plant and share some treats together. I thought it would give us a chance to chat more than we do when we pass at the copy machine each day.

We had a great turnout for the party. The snacks were delicious - chocolate cake with chocolate frosting, apple crisp, fresh pineapple, peanuts, candy, chips, pretzels....no one left hungry.

And everyone got their picture taken with the cactus (sorry, not all photos could be included in this blog post)! People also suggested a name for this beautiful plant. The winning name was La Mariposa Rosa. The runner-up name, which is being used as the plant's nickname, is Sabra. Sabra means thorny cactus in Arabic. Thanks to all who attended and made this party so much fun!

We LOVE Recess!

This year's class LOVES recess. They take their soccer and dodgeball very seriously and referee their own games according to strict guidelines and rules. But as much as they love their games, they also love being together. Here's a few pictures we took at recess recently.

Fall Festival 2010

Our school community enjoyed Fall Festival last weekend. Students, their families, and friends came for carnival-style games, a concert, and a pie-in-the-face contest. Here's some pictures of this fun night:

Students watch Mr. Mason do magic tricks.

These 5th grade girls get ready to blow their ping-pong balls to the finish line.

Whitney busted out her fall gear for the big event. A stunning sweater vest, wouldn't you say?

The 2nd-5th grade Elementary teachers. We work together really well and have a lot of fun along the way!

And here's a video of the elementary students singing "Music Is Always There".

Saturday Market

My friend, Leslie, and I ventured out to a fruit and vegetable market this weekend. Our goal: find squash. We also found great deals on grapes, peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes, cauliflower, and apples.

We arrived just as the market was opening and the displays of fruits and vegetables were so perfect-looking. Each piece was vibrantly colored and looked delicious! Train lines run above this market; stores and apartment buildings stand on either side. We had beautiful weather this weekend!

Let the Dinner Parties Begin

I really like cooking and having friends over for a meal! These three friends from school came for a meal last week. We had healthy lentil and veggie pizzas for dinner. It was great fuel for Nicki, who went to run the Vienna Night Run (5K) after dinner.

My New Abode

Well, it's taken a long time, but I finally have some pictures to share of my new abode. I really enjoy living here! These first two pictures are of my kitchen. The table with built-in bench is called an Eckebunk.

This is a furnished apartment. It was so nice to move my stuff into the furniture pieces that were already here and feel at home right away. These next two pictures are of my living room.

And this is the bedroom. The bed is very comfy and I love all the light from the big windows. This room was painted purple by previous tenants.

First Day of School

School began on Monday, August 23. Look at this sharp group of fifth graders! Looks like it's going to be another great year!

The Big Classroom

A new classroom was finished in our school building this summer and the school administration decided it should be the 5th grade room! Look at all this space and the big windows! I've enjoyed moving in furniture, books, and teaching resources and getting everything organized for school to start. I think my students are going to like this room a lot!

The Container...It's Like Christmas

The new staff members are here and another school year is about to get underway. Here we go! The container arrived with the belongings that the new staff shipped and the school supplies the school ordered from the States. It was so much fun opening those boxes and seeing all the treasures inside!

Cousin Time!

I spent the 4th of July weekend at my grandparents' cottage in WI. It was great to see my cousins and spend time with them. We swam in the lake most of the day on Saturday. We also went to the water ski and firework shows. Below, we took in the Waupaca 4th of July Parade. We managed to collect a gallon Ziploc bag of candy and 4 fishing poles! Well done, team Schroeder!

Meeting Anna Louise Stevens

Over the 4th of July weekend, I met my niece Anna Louise! It's official: she's as cute in person as in her pictures. What fun to watch her and hold her. She already knows what she likes (eating, sleeping, mom and dad) and what she doesn't like (being wet, being hungry, and getting passed around from person to person). It was neat to see my brother and sister-in-law caring for her with such gentleness and skill. They clearly know her different cries and love her lots!

This is my favorite picture from the weekend I spent with Anna. Grandpa held her after lunch and they both fell asleep.

Seeing Sandi!

Sandi picked me up in Chicago when I arrived this summer and we spent the first few days together in the Chicago area. It was WONDERFUL to see her and have extended time to talk and hang out together! One evening we drove along the Fox River and found a very green park to walk through. We ate dinner out on the deck of an authentic Mexican restaurant and then headed back to the park for a cheap round of mini-golf in the last hour before they closed for the night. Good times with a good friend!

Paris Visite

Between the end of school and my flight home to the States, I had the opportunity to go to Paris. It was my first time back since moving to Austria. The weather was perfect and the city was beautiful. Above, see a view of the city from the towers of Notre Dame Cathedral. Below, looking up at Sacre Coeur with summer flowers in the foreground.

I stayed with my friend Anna during my visit. It was fun to catch up on 5 years of life and to be out around the city together. The first night I was there was Fete de la Musique - musicians were performing on sidewalks, street corners and in parks all over the city. Anna took me to one of her favorite restaurants which served up huge, delicious salads in metal mixing bowls!

The best surprise of my visit was running into a former student from L'Etoile du Nord School in MN. Moira was visiting Paris with her sisters and mom. We spent the afternoon touring Notre Dame together, while I got an update on where former students and teachers have ended up. Such fun to see friendly faces in the middle of such a big city!

Emily's Baptism

Another student, Emily, was baptized by her dad along with her two older sisters. It was exciting to see these girls take this step in their faith journey with God.

Tina's Baptism

This month, I've had the privilege of attending a couple different baptisms for my students. These baptisms took place in the Danube River. Tina was baptised by her father. It was special to hear him speak about what baptism means and the joy it brings him to baptise his daughter.

Happy 30th, Amanda!

My friend and co-worker, Amanda, celebrated her 30th birthday this month. We planned a picnic birthday party for her, but moved the party indoors at the last minute due to rain. Not to worry - much fun was had by all. We ate chicken wraps and ice-cream cake and played games until midnight.
Here's the birthday girl (below), enjoying all the friends and fun! She received a few gifts, including the game Settlers of Catan and a handmade book of 30+ favorite memories we have with her.

Family Fun Day

Our school recently held the annual school picnic - Family Fun Day - at the Donaupark. It has been raining so much here this spring, but the rain held off through the morning so that we could enjoy sports, food, and conversations with one another. It was a wonderful time for families to get to know each other better and the mix of cultures was so rich. There was amazing food from around the world on those picnic blankets!

Above, I'm pictured with two other elementary teachers and friends. Below, the two Judies rode the Manner train around the park at the end of the picnic. They invited me to come along and we enjoyed a tour of the very large Donaupark. The flowers were in bloom and the smells of spring in the air. This was a special way to end a great picnic.