Well it seems I have survived the first 9 days here in Germany! Not only that but I have adjusted to the 9 hour time difference, registered as a resident, and am slowly recovering from the abuse the foreign germs have put my immune system through!
I am very thankful that this is not my first time here in Germany or the time reunited to adjust would be much longer. The trickey part about going overseas is that every little thing, and I do mean very little thing is different (even the light switches are backward here!). I am very glad I am not as naive as I was the first time around so the small things are not so overwhelming. Another fantastic part of being here before is that I already have the confidence to actually speak German! Most of my day is spent in German and many of the people I meet are surprised by it. That's certainly not to say it's anything close to perfect but it is very helpful in asjdusting and provides a level of independence I didn't have the first time around!
This week has been a busy one. Aside from slowly getting to know the neighbourhood, the way to kindergarten and daycare ect. I have had many small adventures.
After a day or two of adjusting my Au pair responsibilities began. Such things as taking the children to kindergarten in the morning, picking them up in the afternoon and general helping around the house. I am very thankful I found such a welcoming family as I did, my responsibilities certainly don't seem much like work and the children are fantastic.
The beginning of the week was spent doing all the important required things such as registering as a resident, extending my visa, setting up a bank account and ordering a SIM card (though that now means a small battle with telus, but what else is new?)
I was also welcomed by a swarm of foreign germs! With all the kids being a bit sick there was no warding off the inevitable fever, and head cold that followed.
Other more exciting adventures included a lovely day trip to a neighbouring town, grocery shopping (which in Germany really is an exciting adventure!) and a fieldtrip with the kindergarten class! On Friday I joined my eldest charge and his kindergarten group on a trip to the elementary school
--- side note ---
*Children here go to kindergarten from age 3-5 and it is seperate from elementary school, which begins at grade one*
After the adventure of packing 27 kids onto a city bus, we arrived at the school to find it a buzz with Christmas activity! The whole school was open for crafts and waffles. Each class room had a different craft and all the children were free to rotate through and make as many crafts as they wanted. The main hall was filled with mothers standing over waffle irons, sprinkling icing sugar and passing waffles to eager little hands. With a Christmas tree and all the atmosphere was fantastic and the morning was so much fun! Personally, I am greatly enjoying that everything is Christmas and not 'holidays' here, it's not even the first of December and it's already beginning to feel very merry!
Tomorrow is really the beginning of the Christmas season, the first of advent. (though the green grass and trees still holding onto leaves still says fall to me!)
Tomorrow's adventure includes a trip to a large Christmas market in a town an hour or so away.
No that everyone is caught up I hope my future posts will be more frequent, concise and interesting? but everyone said to stay updated!
In short, all is well, I am happy, healthy(ish) and loving Germany! Much more too come!
Much love to my family and friends back home, and those of you elsewhere. Thanks again for all your support! Despite the enjoyment I am missing everyone!
Cedar.
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