Yoga in Twos!

Last week, we tried something new in yoga - partner work!  I was a little disappointed because my normal yoga partner Loreto had been held up and missed yoga for the first time since I started.  I'm a little bit backwards about being forward with people I don't know, especially in my second language but it was really good!  There was only one activity we couldn't manage together - standing up without using our hands from a sitting back to back position (just try it if you think it sounds easy!)

Next week I'm thinking of breaking my clothes ban and investing a little of my bonus money in some yoga kit - let's see.

Mexical!

On Saturday, after heading to the cinema, we were so into the spirit in town that we decided to stay for dinner after buying our tree.  We'd tried to go before but they were closed and we thought we were going to be out of luck this time as it was so busy but they managed to fit us in. 

Since going gluten free, eating out can be a problem, especially in restaurants based around diets that mainly include wheat (I'm thinking Italian with all the pizza pasta, and my all time favourite).  We thought Mexican was going to be the same with all the wheat tortillas but Mexical not only uses some Corn flour tortillas as well as wheat flour, but they show it on the menu so that it was easy to pick!  Apart from that, the food was delicious and healthy. 

The cocktails are tasty too!

Christmas is Coming!

Christmas has finally officially arrived in Zum Huchtinger Bahnhof!  Not only is our flat well on the way to being decorated (every room now has some aspect of Christmas, there's just the tree to finish) but the neighbours are into it too.  On our way home last night we spotted a big Christmas tree on the roof of the beakery on the corner!  Brilliant!

We've now lit the second light on our advent wreath, started on the advent calenders, opened the Gluhwein, baked mince pies and put up the tree so we are well on the way.  Just the shopping to finish now!

Pete's not so sure about the tree yet but I think he's going to love it too.  I can't wait til I see a little cat sized santa hat!

27 things - See a 3D Film!

This afternoon we made the most of the miserable weather and headed indoors in town to watch Happy Feet 2 in 3D.  I've seen some shows in theme parks that were 3D before and good fun but never a full movie.  The cinema was surprisingly empty but not surprisingly those that were there were mainly under the age of ten.

The film itself was not as good as the first one but I really enjoyed the 3D aspect.  It wasn't as dramatic as the theme park as shows but I liked that.  It didn't make me jump - it was just fun!  And it meant that I finally got Nico into the cinema after almost 18 months together!

The Saturday Update

This week I have put on a pound.  This is not as negative as it could be given the continued consumption of Gluhwein and regular trips to the Market again.  I'm kind of putting this on the back burner until the New Year when I plan to make getting to goal my number one resolution followed by getting more exercise.

This week has seen pay day, Christmas bonus and finally my German tax return so things are looking up on that front!  This also saw me lift my shopping ban temporarily.  Well, my last pair of flat shoes fell apart on Thursday night in the rain so I have invested in some girly peach pump type shoes for day to day wear.  At the bargain price of 9.50 Euros, I'm not convinced they'll last long but if I like them, I'll by some better quality next time.

I'm still fighting off a horrible cold which is affecting my hearing now so I have to see an ENT specialist next week.  It sounds a bit scary seeing a specialist but it's more common here than in England so we will see what Monday brings.

We've been coming up with some new teaching ideas for the top set pupils in year seven so I've been busy copying fiction books (which all my pupils want to read, not just the top set).  We're going to do Mathilda next year (book, then film) and I'm taking them to the school kitchen to make mince pies for Xmas!

I finished making my Christmas cards to send to England and just need to do one more German one now.  The flat is becoming more full of the Christmas spirit every day and hopefully, we will find a tree this afternoon!

Next week, I must crack on with the Christmas shopping, will hopefully cross something else of my 27 list and am looking forward to a visit from Mum on Thursday!

Something New Week #3

This week was something totally unexpected and not even organised by me but was something new all the same.  This week I met some professional basketball players.  The school had a visit from the Bremerhaven Polar Bears!  

 Jamison Brewer (former NBA player) and Maurice Pluskota came into school to answer some of the pupils' questions, show them some skills and play a game.  It was great to watch.  The pupils were extremely overexcited.

Advent Calendars at the ready!

We bought these so long ago, I thought we might forget them this morning!  And behind door number 1...

Bet you know which is mine and which is Nico's!