One Week and What?

It’s crazy to think this will be the last blog post I will write while I’m in Switzerland! That’s right my friends…this is my last full week in the land of cheese, chocolate, wine, banks, and watches. While exciting to think I will soon see my friends and family, I’m not entirely happy to be leaving so soon. I have fallen in love with this country, my coworkers, and of course my first grade kiddos. I have teared up many times over the past week whenever I think of leaving them behind.

The past two weeks have been a whirlwind of teaching, teaching, and teaching. Last week I completed my full week of student teaching – and I survived! The first day, right before the kiddos came into the classroom at 8:30, I thought, “I can’t do this. I’m going to fail.” But then they came in and we were off! Each day provided new challenges and accomplishments – all of which helped me learn important lessons and skills. My cooperating teacher was awesome that week and offered ideas and encouraging words when I needed them. When Friday came, I couldn’t believe how fast the week had flown by!

One of my kiddos has been in rare form the past couple of weeks! Most, if not all, of you saw my Facebook post about the hard-boiled egg incident (if not, go and read it!). That same kid also had something to say about me at lunch this past Friday. One of the food items we had for lunch that day was broccoli. This kid was talking with me as we were eating. Partway into my meal, I put an entire piece of broccoli on my fork and into my mouth. Well, he saw me do this and exclaimed, “You’re like a lobster! I can’t believe you put that whole thing in your mouth!” HAHA He cracks me up so much!

Overheard in the classroom:

Teacher: “This poem will go at the end in your folder.”

Kid: “At the end? Ooo-la-la!”

Another time…

*The kids are all working on their writing at their tables when randomly…*

Kid: “Jane**, I love you.” (**Name has been changed)

*The kid goes back to his writing*

So precious!

So, my time in the classroom is almost over. I’m sad to be leaving, but excited that half of my student teaching experience is already completed. That means graduation is getting closer and I’ll soon be done with college! Since I was busy preparing for full time teaching, I didn’t do much traveling or sightseeing the past couple of weeks. Instead, I planned lessons and stayed on campus. However, I was able to do a few things and capture some amazing scenery– check it out below!

The following pictures are all taken of the same view, but on different days. This is my absolute favorite view I have each day as I walk up the hill to dinner. I love that it changes each day but, no matter the weather, I always think it is spectacular! 

I was so happy to receive some mail these past couple of weeks! It was such a surprise and I loved connecting with my MN people!

We began our Astronomy unit this past week and we started creating a KWL (Know, Want to Learn, Learned) chart about astronauts. Many of the kids were VERY excited to be starting on Astronomy and they knew much more than I thought they would! For example, one of my kids told me that, "A long, long time ago, when my mommy was in school, Pluto was still a planet. But it's not now." Fun fact: Pluto was still a planet when I was in grade school...man that made me feel old! :) Haha

We also went on a field trip this past Thursday to learn more about space and planes. I had a once in a lifetime experience because Charlie Duke, the tenth man to walk on the moon (Apollo 16), was also at this location. He was so nice and took a large group photo with the kids as well as one with me! I wished we had had the time to talk with him and ask him questions, but we didn't. I also wore a spacesuit, saw a comet, went to Mars, and set off an alarm. That's right. In all my grade school field trip experiences and family trips to museums, I have NEVER set off an alarm. But, put me in a space exhibit in Italy, as a student teacher, and you can expect trouble to ensue. :) What actually happened was I was posing by the Mars exhibit to take a picture and I leaned over too far, setting of an alarm that immediately shut off when I leaned back. The teacher taking my picture and I got a good laugh out of it though!

This was just an unique view I thought I should take a picture of. :)

Yesterday, October 25, I went chocolate shopping! This picture was taken at one of the chocolate factories near Lugano. While I didn't actually do the chocolate tour, I was able to taste different chocolates in the gift shop and purchase some delicious treats to take home!

One night, a group of us spent some time at a friend's apartment just talking and catching up. This friend had a table she converted into a "Friendship Table" where she encouraged anyone to draw a picture for her to remember them by. So, I decided to try and be artistic and added a drawing. Of course I did a giraffe! I love this idea a lot and want to do something like it one day!

Other random things from the past couple of weeks:

• A HUGE HUGE spider was on the curtain in our bathroom. My amazing and brave roommate killed it since I was too afraid to go back in there. Stupid things.
• It was my cooperating teacher's birthday. She loves to bike so I made a sign that said: "We "Wheely" Hope You Have A Great Birthday!" :)
• A group of us went out to eat and I had nachos! 
• I got a signed copy of the book Bloomability, by Sharon Creech. Look her up!
• I love pesto on my pasta! I will be making my family try this when I get back!
• One of my friends made banana bread - so good but not as good as my grandma's!
• Switzerland's Fruit Loops don't look as pretty as the USA's...fun fact.
• Everything's pretty much closed on Sundays in Lugano, so shopping must occur on Saturday or it'll have to wait until Monday. 
• The leaves are changing color here - it's so pretty!
• We had Daylight Savings today, October 25.

Due to conferences and other academic obligations, classes this week only go until 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday. That means we are free to travel! I’ll be heading to Paris with a group of people to spend our time off before I come home on Monday, November 2. I am so excited I get to go back to France and see its beautiful architecture and eat its AMAZING croissants! Last time, I was there in the summer, so I am looking forward to seeing what Paris looks like in the fall! 

One week and I’ll be leaving this country behind. 

One week and I’ll have to say goodbye to the friends I’ve made here. 

One week and I’ll be leaving one home to come back to another.

One week and I’ll be back in Minnesota. 

One week and I'll be able to see my MN friends.

One week and I’ll be able to hug my family. 

One week left of my European adventure.

One week.