And the countdown begins!!

Hey friends! Festive greetings to you all! In the past I have been one of those cynical people who complains that late October/early November is too soon to think about Christmas and that it all just needs to stop and oh GOD it's so commercialised and annoying and I don't even like advent calendars that much. However, in recent months I have come to accept that my outward cynicism and sarcasm is simply a thin protective layer, and in fact I am one of the most enthusiastic and excitable people I know. Especially about Christmas. In Chemnitz, the Christmas markets open on 28th November, and I am literally counting down the days on a little chart I've made. I also carefully planned when I needed to start my advent calendar (25th November) in order for the end of it to coincide with my going home for Christmas on the 18^th December. This year is the first that I have had a chocolate advent calendar that didn't cost less than £2; last year I bought myself a token chocolate one, just to show that I could, having never had one before, but it may have been purchased from Wilkinsons or one of its kin, which meant that the chocolate was basically inedible. 2014, on the other hand, is the year of the Kinder chocolate advent calendar (thank you, Jack!), and let me tell you, it has not disappointed so far.

Most of the last week has been a countdown not only to the opening of the Christmas markets, and the start of the advent calendar, but to moving in to my new flat. Current status: three days to go! I am moving in on Saturday, so all being well, my next blog post will come from there! I'm struggling to believe that it will all go well, however. Something is going to go wrong, they'll change their minds at the last minute and decide I would be a terrible flatmate, there'll be a problem with the contract and it'll all go tits up. The possibilities are endless. This week is not functioning as much of a distraction either, as it's not that busy compared to last. Worse, since the triumphant completion of my cushion cover - of which I will post photos at some point because it's super cool - I am lacking a proper crocheting project to occupy my time. I did start making a scarf but the wool is running out a lot more quickly than expected so I fear it will just end up as a pointless rectangle. A minion hat seems like a delightful thing to make, but probably will take more concentration than I'm willing to give.

I did have real things to do on Monday and Tuesday, including preparing my best lesson so far, in which I gave an ostensibly 20-30 minute presentation about my home region and its traditions and culture (don't laugh, there are some things to say). Having been concerned that I would only be able to talk for 10-15 minutes at the most, it turned into an hour and a half presentation/chat with the whole class comparing our different cultures and so on. They were really engaged and interested, which made me feel as though it was all worth it - coming to Germany, being an ELA, everything. I am easily inspired.

Speaking of inspiration, on Saturday I went for a bike ride to see what there is on the outskirts of Chemnitz. I cycled to a village called Euba, which finally gave me the chance to see one of the 'quaint little villages' that are apparently so common in Germany, if by 'Germany' you mean 'Bavaria'. However, Euba was pretty and I saw another church that I'd like to have gone inside, had it been OPEN. Why are churches in Germany never open? It was a peaceful place though, with an incredibly well-tended and often-visited graveyard, judging by the beautifully neat flowers and the several people who came and went during the ten or so minutes that I was looking around. 

 The cycle ride in general was exhausting, as I again allowed myself to be fooled by the hills around Chemnitz. It just all looks so flat on Google maps, you know? Especially if you ignore the altitude thing that Google maps actually shows you now (technology is amazing). After cycling up a ridiculously steep hill for what felt like half an hour (maybe only fifteen minutes in reality), and having got off and pushed my bike for the last bit, the final section back into Chemnitz itself was a long freewheel down the other side of the hill for another fifteen minutes. Having taken my gloves off due to the extreme heat generated by cycling uphill, my hands then became so cold due to the wind rushing against them at speed going downhill that they became almost frozen to the bike and I could see them going redder and redder, so I had to make a swift stop at Netto to buy some warming Glühwein – the only thing that would help, probably. Lessons learnt – always wear your gloves, and pay attention to Google maps. It is your friend.

In other news, tomorrow I am being taken out to lunch by a teacher as a thank you for helping her with marking (I'm praying that it won't be too awkward) and on Friday we are going to Dresden for the Christmas markets (!!!). On Saturday I have my first concert as a member of the TU Chemnitz Universitätschor, which I fear will not be very good, but will hopefully be fun! That's assuming I manage to find the place and turn up on time, having adhered to the dress code, which may be asking a little too much. If it turns out to be good after all, I might even invite some friends/teachers to come along to the next one. But we shall see.