Back to School

So, my German course started today. Have you ever had that dream where you're supposed to start a class somewhere, but you can't find the room it is in, or somehow you go to the wrong class? I'm happy to say that not only did I make it to the correct classroom this morning, but I didn't even have that dream last night. I could definitely feel my nerves this morning though - how silly to be nervous about it.

I was surprised to learn that the class is being taught entirely in German, but today, at least, I was able to understand everything. We did super basic stuff today, though, and the teacher seems pretty good about making sure we all understand everything before she moves on to something else.

It's a super international class. There are 13 students - two each from France and Brazil, and one each from Poland, Italy, Algeria, Iraq, the Philippines, South Korea, Spain, and Sweden. And me.

I also learned this morning about another German custom: die Schultuete. Apparently it's customary to give first-graders a "school cone" on their first day of class. Below is the one I received this morning from Martin:


I kind of felt like a first-grader today, especially as I was reciting the German alphabet and counting from one to ten with the rest of the class, so even though I'm 33, I guess the schultuete was pretty fitting for me.

Here's my school:


It's right in the city and only about a five minute walk from John's apartment. I like learning, and so far I like this class, but having a pretty building to go to somehow makes it a little bit nicer.

In other news, I made it up to the North Sea coast in the Netherlands over the weekend. It was cold and windy, but beautiful. I'll try to get pics up within the next day or two.

Hope you're well! Take care!