Daniel Ferrante

PGOAT and I went shopping at the Marché Nöel this weekend. I’m happy to say that I finished all my shopping. However, when we returned to our dorm, someone had broken into her room and stolen her cell phones, CD players, digital camera and tripod. Overall, nearly 1500 dollars worth of her possessions. We thought it was isolated to her, but as the other students returned to their dorms, we found that 6 other people had their rooms broken into. I thought she may have left her dorm room unlocked (as there was no sign of tampering) but I find it difficult to believe that 7 people all left their rooms unlocked for the weekend.

It’s unfortunate that, even with our doors locked, people can still break in. We have no idea whom to suspect: The staff? Someone who is good at picking locks? It’s sad, and not the way to start the holiday season.

My Students

The struggle with my 3rd year students continues.

I have two students who are ALWAYS misbehaving in my class. Every week I have to either separate them or talk to them after class. Two weeks ago I threatened to talk to their teacher if they kept disrupting class. Last week they behaved as they always do, so I spoke to their teacher.

Just today they came up to me complaining that I was picking on them and that they never do anything wrong.

Their teacher came by and stepped in, translating for me. I described in detail how they throw things, drop things, talk during class, use informal address when talking to me. They of course denied any wrong doing.

“Why just last week” I said, “They kept knocking the name cards of other students’ desks.”

“That’s not true!” one of them said, “We did that two weeks ago!”

Oh little man, how easily you fell into that trap. But then a battle of wits with a 12 year old when you’re 32 isn’t too challenging.

Needless to say, their teacher tore into them for nearly 5 minutes. Then she walked me to my next class and yelled at those students for good measure. She and I don’t always get along, but it’s good to be vindicated in front of her.

As I began class…

“Hello, how is everyone doing?” I asked as slowly as possible.

“We don’t understand the question.” they said.

I sighed. This is their third year of English and they still have a hard time with basic questions.

My Girlfriend

Ask me why I’m smiling lately… It’s because I’ve begun dating a gorgeous young lady from Austria (the country near Germany, not Australia, that’s the country near New Zealand). She’s the German language assistant at one of my schools. She’s incredibly intelligent, caring, funny - we have the same sense of humour - and she says, “Thank you.” when I do nice things for her.

I won’t talk much about our relationship - you don’t want to hear it and I am not willing to share much about my love life anymore - but I am so happy about dating her I just had to share.

We are keeping our relationship a secret at our school, but we both laughed when one of the teachers here suggested I get to know her.

“You should really get to know the German assistant from Austria.” she said, “She seems like a really sweet girl.”

I did my best not to smile.