Test Week

Grades are due on Monday, so this was basically a test week at school. I got all seven classes graded, but on Friday my laptop crashed. The automatic backup didn't work, so I lost a few grades, and will have to spend a lot of time on Monday reconstructing the lists. At least I got a new laptop out of the deal though. Spend much of yesterday setting it up.

Naomi had a little 'baby shower' yesterday and she and some of her friends spent some time making things for the baby room. Now I have to figure out how to hang them up...it should turn out nicely though.

The sunshine broke through and we still have some grocery shopping to do before the game starts. It is fun to watch them because we get all the bar noise so it is like we are a part of the crowd, but we get to be comfortable in the living room. Good to finally get some rest today!

Week 28

Wrapping Up with Regular Lessons

This was the last real week for normal lessons. Next week will be full of tests and the week after I will have the kids make some posters, then it will be a week of makeup work (sort of like a week of summer school), and after that the kids are done but we teachers might have a few meetings. Things are winding down.

We are at the cottage this weekend and the place is really starting to look better. Yesterday I noticed an almost flat tire (Naomi said she saw it in Rotterdam but forgot to mention it - she still has a lot to learn about cars) but we were near the shop and they were able to fix it quickly, so that was nice. After a nice lunch in Rijssen we saw some family, but I didn't get much rest, so a headache that started on Friday never really went away.

This morning my head is in better shape, and today should be more restful, so hopefully I can make it through all the grading of this coming week in one piece...

Week 27

Rest Needed!

I have been getting migraines about once a week, but this week I had two or three and the feeling that it could flare up has been floating around in the background the whole time. Perhaps it is allergy related, or the humidity is getting to me, but it is frustrating to not be able to get through a full day of teaching - I have to really conserve energy at school.

I assume the main problem is simply exhaustion. We have been quite busy with cleaning up the cottage and preparing things for the twins, so I decided to take a weekend off. Hopefully, as a result of all the rest I got, I can get through the next week without too much trouble.

At least the end is in sight. This will be the last week of normal lessons at school. The week after will be full of tests, the week after that I will do some projects, and the week after that is for the kids who need to do some extra work to pass the year.

Week 26

A Full Week

This was the first full week of school in about a month. It was draining. I had migraines on Monday and Tuesday. Partly due to recovery from Metz, I imagine. Students are getting ready for the summer vacation, so school is less and less interesting. I planned out the rest of my year though, so at least I know what to expect. One more quiz, one more test, a little project, and baby-sitting kids who failed for an extra week.

Tomorrow we have off due to Pentecost. Since it was a three day weekend, and Claire wanted to see us, she managed to arrange a train ticket from Switzerland and met us at the cottage! We have had a nice time and she is helping out with some things as she contemplates her future in Switzerland.

Yesterday it was up in the 80's outside and quite humid. Inside it felt like we had air conditioning though - up until after 10pm. This house is so well insulated! Since it was so hot, Claire and I got the little fountain in the garden cleaned out and working. I am really happy with it, too bad Naomi doesn't care! Claire and Naomi are working on clothes, and I would really like to move some wardrobes around once that is done, but we shall see if that will happen...

Week 25

Metz

We had a nice short week at school - only three days. Claire also had Thursday and Friday off, so we met her in Metz, France. On the way down, we stopped in Mechelen, Belgium for a nice lunch in a sunny square. Gas in Luxembourg was almost 40c/l cheaper than in the Netherlands, so we filled up there. Claire's train ride was longer than our four hours in the car, but she made it without too much trouble.

Friday was a nice day. We started off with a couple hours in the grocery store - French supermarkets are amazing. We spent about 250 Euros there...good thing we brought a cooler. Claire cooked us a really nice lunch, and after a nap, we headed into the old city. It was beautiful and the weather cooperated perfectly. We found a nice French Restaurant for dinner and Claire tried out some duck liver pate...a French delicacy. After trying it, we could see why its not an American delicacy.

Saturday was not very enjoyable for me. We got a slow start but made it to Luxembourg City eventually. I enjoyed the view of the city with the long, stone bridges stretching across the tree filled valley and the food, but that was about it. We didn't make it home until after 9:30. After sleeping in this morning, now we will need to get some things done before the school week starts up again.

Week 24

Mechelen.

Claire's Lunch.

Metz.

From the Cathedral.

The Cathedral.

A two second exposure.

Luxembourg City.