farkle

I just got home from a fun night out on the town. Okay, its not what it sounds like. We usually have game night on Thursday nights, but tonight the apartment we usually use for this was under construction. So we decided to move the game night to a local coffee bar. Although when we are in the flat we sometimes play loud and crazy games, for tonight we thought to just play a card game or something, since we were in public.

A crouwd began to gather and the tables were full. About 12 of our students had come for this coffee/game night. After the initial greetings and chatting we decided to break out the games. At first this was met with resistence. And even when I mentioned playing cards at the coffee shop during class, my students all looked at me perplexed. Why would I ever do that? Coffee shops are for talking and drinking coffee, nothing more. One students even said to me, "well, we can try it." But he didn't sound very convincing.

One end of the tables started a game of Dutch Blitz (my new addiction) but since only four people can play that the rest of us were left out. I debated what game would be easy to play and would include the remaining 10 people. I mentioned UNO (a game we often play at the flat), but this was quickly dismissed. I tried to explain Yatzee, but I haven't played that in forever and wasn't sure of the rules. My students reassured me, "Its good to just talk." "Its too noisy in here to concentrate on a game."

Finally I thought of a game, Farkle also known as Zilch. With some resistance, we started the game, rolling 6 dice and hoping for a 5 or a 1 to add up points. After the first round everyone was fully into the game and quickly they were cursing me and hoping I would not get points. I love how a game can bring out a completely different side of a person. I won the first round, but my students are quick learners and they quickly picked up some strategy and I was no where near winning the second game.

more pictures of baby Owen

This is the cutest baby I have ever seen. He is only a few days old and already smiling for pictures. Here is a picture with the proud parents:


They went home on Monday and are settling into their house with a new baby. I can't wait until I am there next summer.

baby Owen

thanks

I am thankful that my brother sent me a video of Owen. I am sad I can not hold my new nephew in my arms....but am happy that with technology I can see a video of him. Thanks brother!

I am thankful for the wood stove in my flat right now...and the roaring fire that is coming from it while snow is falling outside. Yes, its still October. Why is it snowing already? I laughed when it started snowing earlier tonight and said, oh it won't stay on the ground. Well I don't know about the ground but the rooftops are all white now...and its still falling at a heavy speed.

I am thankful for the fondue pot my brother gave me for Christmas last year. Last night we had some girls over for a movie and chocolate fondue. What a fun treat!

I am thankful for the great pancake recipe I have and the blueberries I bought in the mountains over the summer that I put in pancakes this morning. Saturdays are always a great day for pancakes. Two of my friends spent the night and a new American colleague just arrived a few days ago, so we all enjoyed pancakes together.

I am thankful for candles when the power goes out...and when it comes back on after 40 minutes.... so we could finish our movie tonight.

I am an AUNT

Owen Michael Kobus was born this morning at 4:15 Eastern Standard time. Todd and Lisa are very proud parents of a big and healthy baby.

s'mores

How long is it going to take me to get used to my busy schedule again? Really I can't complain. Most mornings I sleep as late as I want, and have to be up doing things around 10 or 11. I am usually gone all afternoon, teach in the late afternoon, and have some activity in the evening. In America I was always busy, and it was no problem, but here its just so much more work and effort to get anything done.

This weekend I visited a family for the holiday, and then we all decided to take a quick trip to the mountains. It was a random little excursion, but lots of fun. We drove to the mountains and stopped for coffee. I then realized that I had put the makings for s'mores in my car, and we borrowed a lighter from the waiter at the restaurant, and headed further up the mountain to build a fire. It was slightly difficult to build a fire because it had been raining the past couple days. Thankfully I had some cardboard in my trunk and we successfully built a fire and roasted marshmallows. It was a very random, but very fun afternoon activity.

Me Fat Bajrami

Today is the end of the month of fasting for the Muslim people. Now they will celebrate for three days. Today, the first day of celebrating, everyone goes to visit their family. It is a time of visiting and eating lots of baklava. I decided to stay home today and clean, and will visit the families I know over the weekend.

dinner and cake

Last monday was my friend's birthday, so I eagerly made a cake and invited people over to celebrate. Here are some pictures.

First we went out for coffee after class.
Then we came back to my flat for cake....but I decided to make a quick dinner first.And then we ate cake!
Fun times for all.

Busy again

So the craziness of my life here has begun again. Classes have started up, clubs that I supervise have started, and many other random activities I am in are about to be in full swing. I am not at all used to the busy life anymore and am having trouble staying on top of everything. The months of August and September were fairly relaxing for me....but not anymore.

This weekend I hung out with a friend and relaxed a lot. It was very nice, but now I have lots of work to do. Saturday I was supposed to be busy and go to a kids club, but I stepped on a nail in the morning, and then was forced to stay home and sleep all day.

Today its cloudy and rainy outside and I just want to stay in bed again. It was hard to get out of bed this morning. Well I have work to do...no more sleep for me.

pictures

I downloaded some pictures from my birthday to another website...you can look at them here.