The magic of newness.

My teeth are clean!!! It is almost 6am and I have been awake since 4...sleep has been hard these first few days. I pray that I get into a schedule soon. I rode my bike to town yesterday and gazed at all the culture surrounding me. First of all, the bikes here are crazy! They look really big but they are so easy to ride in comparison to my bike in Alaska. I have a basket to put my jacket and bag in which is exciting. The streets are all cobbled and EVERYONE bikes EVERYWHERE. I am in love with that aspect of being here. I explored inside a castle, walked along the River Rhine, and bought my first Kaffee in a bakery. It was delicious. (I taught the little boy 'delicious' and it is his new favorite word.) The doors in Germany are very big. The key to get in the house is very strange and sometimes it takes me a few minutes to get inside! I got to play with the little boy yesterday and it was a blast teaching him English words and listening to him to catch some German as well. He is full of smiles and energy. I biked with the mom to ISD where the girls attend school and the trail there is so phenomenal!!! Along the way there is an apple orchard so we grabbed a few for the ride. :) She gave me homemade plum cake that she made with the plums from her tree for lunch and I quite literally 'whipped' up some fresh cream to put on top!!! It was the least sweet treat I've ever had, as well as my new favorite. I love the food here. It has not made me sick yet! The middle girl helped me put away all my belongings and she oohed and awed over my 'Boogie box' and all my jewelry. She loves my beaded purses that Grandma made and it is her birthday in 9 days so I am going to surprise her with one of them. :) The girls requested that I put them to bed last night so I went up and helped them get ready. They showed me pictures in their yearbook and talked about all their friends and teachers for a while. It is so fun telling them anything about my life because it is so different from theirs, so we have lots of fun together. They speak very good English and quiz me on German words frequently! They have discovered how much they like me to tickle their feet and knees. I have an inkling it will become a nightly event. They are so full of love, hugs, kisses, and snuggling. I love it. Today I start my first official day of work and I am taking the little boy to a park! I must depart now to shower and get ready to make breakfast with the mom. Pray for today that I do my job exceptionally! Much love to everyone...missing you already! Tschüss.