Staying Local.

Today is the most beautiful fall day in Berlin. Right now as I type and share, I am sitting outside of a little American inspired cafe in Zehlendorf. It is the perfect amount of sunny and chill. The sun warms your face but the cool wind keeps you from ever actually being uncomfortably warm. There are so many people out today - cars passing, people on foot, others sitting a drinking along side of me. Of course, no shops are open so everyone is just meandering through the sidewalks.

Fall seemed to come so quickly for me. As soon as I arrived back in Berlin, summer seemed to already cool off. We had a few warm days but I can't really remember them. I feel like I've been grabbing jeans and a jacket since I got here. It's funny the weather helps me distinguish between my work in Berlin and my time at home. When it gets hot in Berlin, it's time to leave. It means the end of school is nearing and I need to pack but once it cools off I'm back in full teacher swing. (For now.)

I'm sorry I haven't wrote you sooner. It's not that I'm unhappy or keeping anything hidden. It's just that I haven't had time. I know that seems like an easy excuse. Let's be real for a second... if I taught in the States, I know at least once a week during the summer I would be in my classroom preparing. Well, when I spend all summer in the States not touching my work - I have a pile when I get back. I kind of prefer it this way because I don't my work to distract me from my family while I'm present with them. But it is nice to use it as a distraction to how much I miss them when I return. So yes, I've been busy with school and then on top of that- we haven't had a full staff since the second week of school. At leat one teacher every week has been out. Now with that being said, I'm over work being a distraction. I'm ready to have a social life in Berlin - well get back to it. I want to see my friends on a Wednesday afternoon and stay out late on Friday nights. But the last two weekends, I have gone into school to play catch up and prepare. I daily bring work home and I'm habitually in bed by 8.30 most nights. I hope you don't read this as complaining- I'm not. I'm stating and stating that I'm ready for a solution in this area of my life. I don't want this to be the normal. I don't want this to become the routine. Hopefully, soon. Maybe over fall break I'll work ahead so the weeks to come don't seem so heavy.

I'm sure you are all curious to where I will go over fall break and soon after Christmas break. Well, for fall break I'll travel to the little canal city, Amsterdam! I'm very excited to return to Amsterdam after years and years away. I don't have a plan- just to walk along the canal, see a museum or two, and eat! The thing when I travel anywhere is food. If the food isn't good- forget it. Ha! My Christmas break will be one of my favorite, memorable adventures that I have while in Berlin - my best friend, Lacy is coming to visit. I can't believe in 87 days she will step off a flight at TXL and she'll see my cozy apartment. I'm beyond honored and thrilled she is coming to visit me for her first Europe trip. I've been making lists with the help of my Berlin friends of where we should go, see, do, eat and just relax. I'm geeking out- even harder than when I went to Barcelona and you know how giddy I was about that ! ! ! !

Lately, I've been TRYING to experience more of my neighborhood. It doesn't take as much effort to go 10 minutes around the block compared to 40 minutes to the center of Berlin and then figure something out. Most Sundays I find myself at a really cute, fresh, and family cafe, Frau Lüske. It is a 5 minutes walk from my apartment. The cafe has this beautiful outdoor deck and an even cozier area inside complete with cakes, pies, ice cream, and rolls- that doesn't even include the actual menu. The menu includes the best french toast in Berlin! It is served with fresh fruit and mascarpone. Oh it's so heavenly - by Sundays I'm carving it but this Sunday I did breakfast at home. (I'm trying for 21 days no sugar again, well starting tomorrow. )


Carlie has shared with me this great Italian place behind our train station. I'm still in shock that I never knew great Italian food was right under my nose. It's the perfect little place for a late dinner and share a bottle of wine with a friend. It's been really great to appreciate my neighborhood and taking advantage of it.

Well, I will leave you with that and a recommendation - go see the movie, The Intern with Anne Hathaway and Robert De Niro. Carlie and I went last night and it was very touching. I wasn't sold on going out because I was feeling stressed about school BUT I'm so happy I did. I need to force myself out more but still get my "me" time.

All my love.

Here's a little video of me walking through my neighborhood.