Summer Loving

Hello friends! I am back in Kuwait now! I know it's been a long time since I last blogged, but I wanted to write a little about my summer break before I write about this school year so far. The end of the school went off fairly well. It was definitely a stressful year at work, but I know the first year in any occupation involves lots of extra work. And of course, there's nothing better for a teacher than receiving a "Thank You for Teching Me" plaque at the end of the year. :)

On my way back to America in June I spent two weeks in Germany. I had studied German for six years in college and high school, and have several friends living in Germany, plus we had to fly through Frankfurt on the way from Kuwait to America, so it was the perfect vacation and transition destination on my way back to America. My good friend Mariam travelled with me the first week in Berlin, Dresden, and Munich, and then I went on to Salem and Trier where my friends live.

I was able to visit my aunt and uncle's foreign exchange student Claudia in Trier. She is now married to a wonderful man and they have two of the cutest sons ever, Tilman and Linus.

They were incredibly hospitable and did a wonderful job showing me around, especially considering that both of their boys are under the age of three!

Prior to Trier I spent five days in Salem, off the Bodensee in Southern Germany. My good friend Hillary from St. Olaf lives there working at a boarding school located in a castle! I was able to meet Hill's students and we enjoyed lots of champagne, walks in the German countryside, and even a Renaissance harp performance from one of her girls. I hadn't seen Hillary in four years so needless to say it was a very joyful reunion. :)

My trio of wonderful visits was completed with several days in Munich with my friend Lara. Lara lived on my block growing up and was totally my idol when I was growing up, so to stay with her and her husband, Steve, was amazing. She also did a fabulous job showing us around Munich and making us feel so welcome.

Once I was back in America it was eight weeks of friend and family love. Highlights included California for a long weekend with my best friends from high school, Allie, Allison, and Jenny...

Playing with my SO SMART dog, precious soft baby Lucy...

Family and sister time in Apple Valley and Rice Lake...

College friend reunion in Nebraska...

And baby and wedding preparation and showers galore with my aunts and cousins.

To end the summer my new baby cousin Molly was very cooperative and arrived a couple of weeks before I left. All in all it was a fabulous and refreshing summer, filled with relaxation and time with people I love.