27 things...Pay off a Credit Card

One very positive thing about selling my car earlier this week is that it has allowed me to pay off one of my credit cards and complete another thing on my 27 things list.  Okay, I admit it hasn't gotten me completely out of debt but it was a great feeling to pay that off, pay off my Masters fees and get on top of my other bills.

I've been following some great blogs with tips on cutting back.  I imposed a book ban on myself as I was buying them every week when I first arrived in Germany.  I decided I shouldn't buy any more until I'd read all the ones I had.  I read an average of one book per week and I've still got plenty to go at.  On top of that, I haven't bought any new clothes since October and I'm working my way through the stock piles of Avon make up and toiletries that I have before buying any more.  It feels great getting rid of the clutter while saving money!  Looking forward to paying off my next card already!

Wandertag

Yesterday I accompanied 8a and 8d on a hike to the Werder Stadium.  I was hoping for an easy start to the week and while it was mentally, not so much physically.  That aside it was also more educational than I expected.  I learnt the following things:

• some pupils are dumber than I knew - walking barefoot along public footpaths is never a good idea - I'd rather have bad blisters than glass in my foot (as I have proved on numerous occasions and in previous posts).
• some pupils will find trouble to make wherever you take them - cue half the boys in the class digging rocks out of the damn along the river to throw in, then cue the Bremen police boat coming along and telling them off.
• my old 'dreaded worst class' now speak constant English thanks to two new pupils from Greece and Russia who don't speak much German (so that's where I went wrong?!)
• The Werder Stadium is quite a sight up close and personal...maybe attending a game should go on my 28 list...

Goodbye to my Faithful Friend

I bought my first car less than a week after passing my test (third time lucky).  I hadn't told my mum or dad that I had passed so they were both suitably surprised when I pulled up in the new car.

I rushed into buying the car because it had taken me three attempts and almost six years of learning to pass my test and I didn't want to forget how to drive!  Also, it was so useful for getting to college, to my training schools in Garforth and Bradford, my first job in Harrogate and even Heckomondwike (although not entirely necessary there, I do admit).

I also insisted on bringing the car with me when I first moved to Germany.  Even after my experience in Oldenburg five years ago, I hadn't really realised how easy it was to get about in Germany without a car and I certainly hadn't realised how difficult the German government made it to be a car owner!  Gggrrrr.

So my car (which I unfortunately never named) has been with me through thick and thin the last three and a half years but I have finally taken the leap and sold it to hopefully a good new owner in order to lead a healthier, greener, and financially better off life.  

Goodbye old friend.

The Saturday Update..on Sunday

So it's been a busy week again with work.  I have observed my new class that I will be taking over in two weeks time, improved my German in doing so and been invited on another class trip - namely the England trip trial - tomorrow.

The trip is the same one I did last year but with the new year eight.  Basically we walk the kids around Bremen for the length of the school day, while speaking as much English as possible so that they realise how much walking and speaking English is involved in the London trip in May.  This year, I am officially in the year eight staff team so I feel a little bit more a part of this and although I'm going with the two classes I don't teach at the moment, I hope it will be fun, just fingers crossed for the right weather.

Yesterday I was training at the Volkhochschule for my new job which I am starting next month teaching English evening classes for adults.  I was a bit put out when the compulsory training took place on a Saturday and a very nice, sunny one at that but actually it was pretty useful and it was great to meet other teachers from all walks of life in the same boat as me.  I feel more prepared and excited about the experience already.  

In the evening we were at Madlen's surprise housewarming party.  She moved to Neustadt the week after I moved out of there.  The flat is great, very nice for Neustadt and she has it all set up nicely already.  She also has two gorgeous cats who were sneaking around while totally confused at all these people turning up in their new home!  

Just our flat warming to plan now...

German Film Revival

Just lately we have been getting back into more German films in our flat.  I probably haven't watched that many since I was at uni.  We've also watched quite a range, from some of the old slapstick, to the more typical European cinema to this one which is my favourite so far.

For the record, I love European cinema and this one kind of breaks out of that box a little and goes more in the Hollywood direction but I loved it.  It's a bit like Big Daddy (my favourite Adam Sandler film) with more girl power!

Definitely worth a watch if you can get it.

Inspiration

I really love my yesandyes calendar with it's little bits of inspiration and funny days to make me smile every month.  This months quote:

"The grass is always greener where you water it." 

simple but smart, I love it.

The Saturday Update

You may have noticed the lack of weekly updates lately.  I haven't been too happy most Saturday mornings with my progress diet wise.  I've stayed the same for the last five weeks.  This morning by some miracle there was a change...I lost a whole 1/4 of a pound!  Yes, I am seriously questioning the reliability of my scales.  The important thing is that I feel good with all the cycling and am starting to get back into some of my smaller clothes.

It's been another busy week.  I've had a relatively normal week at school although year six are away on a trip so I have had some relief there.  Our house guest Frankie was in school with me this week to check out the school system and practise her German.  I did have another run in with the girl who is big on her toilet rights so there may be another run in with her mother before long...we will see. 

I've gotten back into watching German films and finished watching series two of 24 at last so I'm gearing up to tick another off my list of 27 with series three!  

Today is actually a year since Nico and I first met so we are celebrating with a quiet day together and so far the weather is sunny and nice too - touch wood.  

Next week will be relatively busy with year six being back.  On Saturday I have a training course for my new job which starts next month teaching adults again.  Let's hope it's a good week.