It's almost my 31st birthday! Mark your calendars!
Friday, December 16, 2005
TEA WITH MR. TUMNUS
Tonight David and Ellen had a Royal Ranger's sleepover. The theme was missions, and the children dressed in foreign costumes. David and Ellen dressed in Chinese outfits. Ellen brought a girlfriend home from school. So we first stopped by her house so she, too, could change into her clothes for the festivities.
After dropping off the kids, Dan and I first stopped by his work to meet a coworker friend and tour the office where they sort the mail in the mornings. Then we visited his friend Herr I--. He met him on his postal route. Herr I-- is 84 years old. I enjoyed getting to know him. His apartment was amazing! His late wife collected art, so the walls were filled. He has traveled the world, and he gathered souvineers from each country he visited, filling shelves and curios with his collection of oddities. And the books he has collected! He owns many volumes, and lots were picture books, so I didn't have to worry about language barriers.
First Dan and I helped him asseble a secretary he bought via mail from Ikea. Then we straightened up the room, while Herr I-- made tea. When he brought out the tea, I saw that it was one of my favorites - orange spice - accompanied by a tin of chocolates, cookies, and stollen. (Here's a LINK to an article about stollen at Wikipedia. I love stollen!) The chocolate was also my favorite chocolate; the Germans call it bitter chocolate. But the best thing he served us was the marzipan potatoes. They aren't really potatoes, but look like miniature versions of this vegetable. They are actually made of delicious candy!
Herr I--'s kindness to us was remarkable for more than the great food and nice surroundings. He served under Rommel. He was taken prisoner by the allies at the end of the war. Not so unusual for someone his age, but here's the kick: he was abused by the Americans. They left him and the rest of his comrades in a field without food, water, or shelter. They eventually were given starvation rations, but Americans still denied them shelter. They were held in the open in barbed wire enclosed fields for weeks. He thought he would die from exposure, and some did die.
And tonight he served two American men tea. Can you tell that he is a Christian?
After dropping off the kids, Dan and I first stopped by his work to meet a coworker friend and tour the office where they sort the mail in the mornings. Then we visited his friend Herr I--. He met him on his postal route. Herr I-- is 84 years old. I enjoyed getting to know him. His apartment was amazing! His late wife collected art, so the walls were filled. He has traveled the world, and he gathered souvineers from each country he visited, filling shelves and curios with his collection of oddities. And the books he has collected! He owns many volumes, and lots were picture books, so I didn't have to worry about language barriers.
First Dan and I helped him asseble a secretary he bought via mail from Ikea. Then we straightened up the room, while Herr I-- made tea. When he brought out the tea, I saw that it was one of my favorites - orange spice - accompanied by a tin of chocolates, cookies, and stollen. (Here's a LINK to an article about stollen at Wikipedia. I love stollen!) The chocolate was also my favorite chocolate; the Germans call it bitter chocolate. But the best thing he served us was the marzipan potatoes. They aren't really potatoes, but look like miniature versions of this vegetable. They are actually made of delicious candy!
Herr I--'s kindness to us was remarkable for more than the great food and nice surroundings. He served under Rommel. He was taken prisoner by the allies at the end of the war. Not so unusual for someone his age, but here's the kick: he was abused by the Americans. They left him and the rest of his comrades in a field without food, water, or shelter. They eventually were given starvation rations, but Americans still denied them shelter. They were held in the open in barbed wire enclosed fields for weeks. He thought he would die from exposure, and some did die.
And tonight he served two American men tea. Can you tell that he is a Christian?
BUSY MORNING
It's lunchtime. I just finished a sandwich, and I'm killing time until David gets home from school. A workman is here, replacing a leaky window in David's room, and Annette is talking to a friend on the phone. We've tried repeatedly and unsuccessfully to get my laptop to connect to Dan's wireless account. Looks like I'll have to be content to use Dan's computer for a while longer until we can get it figured out. Why are computers always so temperamental
Earlier this morning, I visited Ellen's 7th grade advanced English class. The kids were so shy! But I finally got a few of them to warm up and ask me some questions about American culture. I noticed that most of the maps and information in the room were British. Makes sense. We ended up talking about movie stars, fashion, and fast food. Ellen seemed pleased, but a little disappointed that her friends didn't come out of their shell a little more. I understand, though. Without advance notice, I can see how they'd have a hard time getting used to me being there or coming up with questions for me. Still, it was fun. And she gave me a tour of the school. I saw David playing basketball with his friends. It rained earlier, but it has gotten a little colder, so I saw a few flakes of snow. I made myself a hot chocolate and watched it snow for a bit before eating lunch. It's Christmastime!
Dan stopped by quickly on his route to let me see his truck - Mein Bruder ist ein Briefträger.
Going to Ellen's class got me thinking about teaching English in Japan. I wonder if I will end up doing that someday. I've always thought it would be fun.
Earlier this morning, I visited Ellen's 7th grade advanced English class. The kids were so shy! But I finally got a few of them to warm up and ask me some questions about American culture. I noticed that most of the maps and information in the room were British. Makes sense. We ended up talking about movie stars, fashion, and fast food. Ellen seemed pleased, but a little disappointed that her friends didn't come out of their shell a little more. I understand, though. Without advance notice, I can see how they'd have a hard time getting used to me being there or coming up with questions for me. Still, it was fun. And she gave me a tour of the school. I saw David playing basketball with his friends. It rained earlier, but it has gotten a little colder, so I saw a few flakes of snow. I made myself a hot chocolate and watched it snow for a bit before eating lunch. It's Christmastime!
Dan stopped by quickly on his route to let me see his truck - Mein Bruder ist ein Briefträger.
Going to Ellen's class got me thinking about teaching English in Japan. I wonder if I will end up doing that someday. I've always thought it would be fun.
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