Donnerstag, September 22, 2005
Baptism By Fire...
Today, Henrik and I biked to the local library--maybe 1.5 miles away. As we were leaving the Bibliothek, loaded down with books, Henrik's bike chain slipped off... well, whatever it is that bike chains slip off of. I tried to hook it back on, gleefully covering my hands in oil in the process, to no avail. Finally I told Henrik that he could ride in the seat on the back of my bike.
Henrik is 8. A small 8, but still 8. We both started laughing and he climbed up. He pretended to cry like a baby and we laughed. I looked at him, shaking my head, and said, 'You know we're both going to die, right?' I know he didn't understand exactly what I was saying, but he definitely got the spirit of the message because as we took off we both made the same shrieky 'we're going to die' sound.
But, we made it! Ina said that this was my 'bike test.' I am happy to say I passed it with the same dexterity that I passed my driving test almost six years ago. For my driving test, we paid extra so I could take it in the driving school's car--complete with little stickers on the mirrors and windows to aid in parallel parking. I crept precariously around the obstacle course behind Quakerbridge Mall and, I still believe, earned my license because I was so scared I looked like the safest driver the tester had ever seen. Plus, she was friends with the driving school lady who told her to take it easy on me as I was 'scared sh**less.' But, I digress...
Yesterday, I went to Henrik's schule to help with his English class. I tried to explain where I was from and passed around postcards from NJ (the Jersey shore, complete with fat people) and Williamsburg. It was interesting to 'teach' a class without speaking the language of the students. It was also frustrating as heck because I couldn't tell the little monsters to shut up! ;-) The kids liked my 'Colors and Numbers Bingo,' especially the ten 'winners' who earned pieces of chocolate. At the end of class I heard, 'Thank you very much. English lernen's quatsch.' (Loosely translated: It is stupid/senseless to learn English.) Haha... thanks kids.
German school is so different. The kids are only there for the morning, so they don't get lunch but have a mini-meal. Henrik treated me to a bag filled with apple slices, peppers, and cucumber. Did you hear that America??!?!?! Kids were happily devouring apple slices; no one complained about the lack of chips and soda. The entire school poured onto the blacktop and fields outside--I think there was one teacher. Kids seem like they are allowed to be a little more rowdy there, but there is also this order maintained.
In class, all the kids had a chocolate milk on their desk. The teachers switch classes while the kids stay in the same room. So the (unsupervised!) passing times can get a little rowdy... At the end of the day, all the kids hop onto their bikes and head home. Some kids take public transport--it is so funny to see little kids on the UBahn in the morning, looking bored. The subway was definitely not part of the daily routine for me--where is the big yellow school bus?
I love that so many kids bike and walk to school. In my hometown people are up-in-arms because budget cuts have led to the school district eliminating buses for kids who live within a mile of their schools. We live about 1 mile from Henrik's school and it is a great bike ride! Of course, Germany is set up differently--people STOP for pedestrians and bikers. I am still getting used to that. I love the way this country really values the family--no homework on weekends, shops closed on Sundays, 4-6 weeks of vacation. Sometimes, I really think that I could raise my children here.
I guess it is too soon to come to that conclusion though... TODAY is my 'one month anniversary.' Here's hoping that the rest of the months are as great as this one has been!
Henrik is 8. A small 8, but still 8. We both started laughing and he climbed up. He pretended to cry like a baby and we laughed. I looked at him, shaking my head, and said, 'You know we're both going to die, right?' I know he didn't understand exactly what I was saying, but he definitely got the spirit of the message because as we took off we both made the same shrieky 'we're going to die' sound.
But, we made it! Ina said that this was my 'bike test.' I am happy to say I passed it with the same dexterity that I passed my driving test almost six years ago. For my driving test, we paid extra so I could take it in the driving school's car--complete with little stickers on the mirrors and windows to aid in parallel parking. I crept precariously around the obstacle course behind Quakerbridge Mall and, I still believe, earned my license because I was so scared I looked like the safest driver the tester had ever seen. Plus, she was friends with the driving school lady who told her to take it easy on me as I was 'scared sh**less.' But, I digress...
Yesterday, I went to Henrik's schule to help with his English class. I tried to explain where I was from and passed around postcards from NJ (the Jersey shore, complete with fat people) and Williamsburg. It was interesting to 'teach' a class without speaking the language of the students. It was also frustrating as heck because I couldn't tell the little monsters to shut up! ;-) The kids liked my 'Colors and Numbers Bingo,' especially the ten 'winners' who earned pieces of chocolate. At the end of class I heard, 'Thank you very much. English lernen's quatsch.' (Loosely translated: It is stupid/senseless to learn English.) Haha... thanks kids.
German school is so different. The kids are only there for the morning, so they don't get lunch but have a mini-meal. Henrik treated me to a bag filled with apple slices, peppers, and cucumber. Did you hear that America??!?!?! Kids were happily devouring apple slices; no one complained about the lack of chips and soda. The entire school poured onto the blacktop and fields outside--I think there was one teacher. Kids seem like they are allowed to be a little more rowdy there, but there is also this order maintained.
In class, all the kids had a chocolate milk on their desk. The teachers switch classes while the kids stay in the same room. So the (unsupervised!) passing times can get a little rowdy... At the end of the day, all the kids hop onto their bikes and head home. Some kids take public transport--it is so funny to see little kids on the UBahn in the morning, looking bored. The subway was definitely not part of the daily routine for me--where is the big yellow school bus?
I love that so many kids bike and walk to school. In my hometown people are up-in-arms because budget cuts have led to the school district eliminating buses for kids who live within a mile of their schools. We live about 1 mile from Henrik's school and it is a great bike ride! Of course, Germany is set up differently--people STOP for pedestrians and bikers. I am still getting used to that. I love the way this country really values the family--no homework on weekends, shops closed on Sundays, 4-6 weeks of vacation. Sometimes, I really think that I could raise my children here.
I guess it is too soon to come to that conclusion though... TODAY is my 'one month anniversary.' Here's hoping that the rest of the months are as great as this one has been!
# posted by Heather @ 9:14 PM 
