Pupils and Pottery

For the sake of alliteration all charming nouns were dismissed.  (Seems to follow suit with dismissing the format of the blog, too.  Sorry.)

Being in the middle of week four at BFA and after quizzes and other assignments. I find my students better than before.  That doesn’t mean they all work hard and are always on task, those would be robots or in a perfect world, but it does mean they are becoming individuals with stories...and slowly I’m getting to know them.

This week I’d like to introduce you to Sven, a local German student who rides the bus into school 40 minutes each morning from Lörrach, the town that actually has shopping.  As a senior he has chosen to return to school and graduate from BFA.  As this is an American high school diploma, it won’t do him much good here in Germany as an entrance into higher education, nor will it suffice for finishing the German school system, but he has chosen to to this to improve his “resumé” as a step beyond those in his situation.  He actually learned of the school from playing basketball against BFA teams and having gotten to know some of the boys.  This polite young man is impressed with a caring faculty, and he works diligently each day.  And I am impressed with him; imagine returning to school this after having been out of school for a year and knowing it doesn't promise a thing.  That is quite a responsible, mature decision.  Pray for a good year for him academically, socially and for spiritually.ding.  

If you did not already have a chance to view the video of a coworker during Spiritual Emphasis week, watch this to the end.  See what an amazing thing it is to be with these kids regularly---awesome; these songs run through my mind often.  It is just a couple or three items down on my FB page.  I wish I could attach it to my e-mail for those without FB.

The Bathers

This area around Kandern, southern Germany, is known for its pottery, and this past weekend was the greatly anticipated annual festival. Walking into the Blumenplatz, the quaint town center, prepared one for threading through the crowd.  Amid all the activity, a tent was set aside for children to practice their hand with clay.  Then I viewed the  delightfully creative products which ranged from the unusual beach swimmers and towering water features to an array of tableware and decorative pieces.  Thank goodness I have a little apartment and the prices were more than would be realistic to spend, or I would have had way too many breakable things to bring home!  Enjoy the pictures.

The tower

Brilliant Bubbly Ball Fountains

One of my favorite "vases"