Summer has arrived!

Manti-madness-deliciousness!

Do you know what manti is? No?!?!? Shame on you! If you don't have a clue about what manti is, then click on this link to inform yourself- it's worht it and so so tasty! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mant%C4%B1

The end of an amazing school year

I don't know if you will believe me, and it is also hard for myself to comprehend this reality as well, but my contract at the Judith-Kerr Europa Grundschule came to an end yesterday. My contract officially ends on the 31st of May, but as that is a Saturday, and as I have Fridays off, yesterday was my last day of work.
The thought of not having to go to work everyday (or almost everyday!) is somewhat disconcerting. I have to admit that I had a wonderful experience and a great time at that school, and I will miss my students and the teachers that I worked with. I was so extremely lucky to have been placed in such a wonderful school. Although, like all other schools, this one has many problems (mostly related to money, of which there is none), I was lucky to be in a school where major behaviors problems were not an issue. The students were well behaved, the teachers very friendly, and the principal, although I did not have much to do with her, was nice. I felt welcomed at that school from day one- if you remember, I even received a bouquet of flowers on my first day- and I never felt as anything less than a colleague like all others.
My last day of work was a lovely one. Every class in which I had worked in (four groups in all, two 5th grade classes and two 6th grade classes) had prepared for me a card on which was glued a picture of that group. A gift accompanied that card, as well as a small speech from the class representatives. It was very touching!
My colleagues were equally generous, handing me a gift certificate for a very fancy store here in Berlin- KaDeWe, as well as a little hand-made booklet in which there are pictures of the school, of all my classes, and of the three teachers I worked more closely with.
I will of course go back and visit, as the official school year only ends in mid-July. But it won't be the same not going there everyday.....I will miss you Judith-Kerr students!

Berlin- a few pictures 11

Berlin- a few pictures 10

Estonian tags

Paldiski, where you find cats in trees!

Paldiski is a town and Baltic Sea port situated on the Pakri peninsula of north-western Estonia. Originally a Swedish settlement known as Rågervik, it became a Russian naval base in the 18th century. The Russians renamed it Балтийский Порт – Baltiyskiy Port (i.e., Baltic Port) – in 1762, and the Estonian pronunciation, Paldiski, became the official name in 1933.
In 1962, Paldiski became a Soviet Navy nuclear submarine training centre. With two land-based nuclear reactors, and employing some 16,000 people, it was the largest such facility in the Soviet Union. Because of its importance, the whole city was closed off with barbed wire until the last Russian warship left in August 1994. Russia finally relinquished control of the nuclear reactor facilities in September 1995.
After Estonia restored its independence, the city had not enough Estonian citizens and Paldiski was subordinated to Keila until 30 October 1996. Located some 45 km west of Tallinn, Paldiski is a municipality within Harju County and has a regular ferry connection with Kapellskär in Sweden. Derelict Soviet-style apartment buildings make up much of the town, and the relics of military bases are widespread. For those interested in such things, it is easily accessible from Tallinn, and provides a grim and atmospheric feel, befitting its post-Soviet status.
Today the town has only 4,000 inhabitants and amenities are limited to two supermarkets, a small modern hotel (Hotel Valge Laev, with six guest bedrooms), and a small pub. Although there are no cafes or restaurants in the town, the hotel restaurant and bar are open to non-residents.
***Information taken from Wikipedia***

One tree, three cats!

Pirita beach and monastery

Pirita beach, on the Baltic sea, with its bright orange changing cabins!

Pirita Monastery, founded in 1407 and burned down by Ivan the Terrible in 1577.