Ace of Cakes

Reesa and I were asked to make a "book worm" cake for another teacher's baby shower. Bottom Book
Glazing the Cakes

Frosting on the "pages"

Bottom Book

Top Book

Covering a cupcake in fondant to make the worm didn't work...

...so, we made the whole worm out of fondant.

Carrying the cake on the subway...no problem!

Ta-da!

My New Classroom

I moved classrooms this year and now share a room with the ELL teacher, Leslie. It's fun sharing a room. It's just like the old days at Lewis Central. The book cases split our room in half. Me and 3 of my middle schoolers about to start up my Modified English class. I LOVE these kids!

Here's my quick attempt at a cute bulletin board. More effort will be given when time allows. The cute poka dot boarder was a gift from my lovely friend and roommate, Reesa!

Good Eats

Yesterday, my friend Rhea and I went to the Naschmarkt to grab fruits and veggies for the week. This is one of the health food stores where I get many of my milk free items.While shopping, we got hungry and needed a snack. We stopped for some falafel and hummus. I took a pic of my last one so you could see it. Mmmmmm....

Reesa had some artichokes sitting in the cupboard and decided to make some artichoke dip...vegan style so I could eat some too. It was made from tofu, nutritional yeast (for the cheesy flavor), spinich, artichokes and onion. MMMMMmmmm....it was delish. We ate it with veggies and chips along with a Green Monster smoothy (frozen banana, frozen spinach, peanut butter, carob power, and soy milk).

Finish What You've Started

I've been praying for wisdom about next year. I signed a two year contract last year and was planning to be done this June. I was SURE a week ago that this year would be my last. But this week....ahhhhh...I don't know WHAT to do!

So today, I was reading Luke 14:25-35. Jesus is talking about the cost of being a disciple. "For which one of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who observe it begin to ridicule him. Saying, 'This man began to build and was not able to finish." Wow, I can't believe I read this passage on this day. I felt like He was saying to me, "Nicki, don't just lay the foundation of a special needs program and leave." I want to be able to finish what I started. Question is, how do I know when it's finished?

I really feel like I need to go home and pay off my school debt but I also feel the need to see this through. I'm not sure what God has planned for me down the road but I do know that road is about to take a big curve and I can't see what's around the corner.

First Week of School

The first week of school was a busy one but a good one! I gave 7 entrance exams to new students, did a teacher in-service on how to give the DRA (Developmental Reading Assessment) and set up guided reading groups, started 3 middle school classes, and had Back to School night with the parents! Many days were 12 hour days and one night I had to make copies in the dark as the janitor had left for the night.

We changed our name this year from Vienna Christian School to International Christian School of Vienna. The new name better reflects who we are to the international community in Vienna. We are getting a new roof this year (praise the Lord) and you can see the scaffolding in the picture. Here are a couple of my students.

We went to the park for 7th hour on the first day of school. We played water balloon volleyball and soccer.

Look what I found!

Tofu Schnitzel!!! Only in Austria!

Family Vacation in the Dells

After we spent the morning skiing, we drove out to the Dells for our first family vacation since 1999. Our first event was the Tommy Bartlett show. Now, me and my brother used ski at the same time but he never let me ride on his shoulders! Mom, Dad and I got to ride a Military Duck that drives on land and in the water. It was pretty cool.

The Dells are really beautiful.

Dustin joined us the next day... He wrestled a bear and saved my life. Just kidding.

It wouldn't be a Braun family vacation without riding a fast boat! We rode a jet boat called the Wild Thing. It had 1200 horse power, did 360's, and had brakes that would make the water spray over the top...we were drenched by the end of the ride. It was pretty fun.

We went mini golfing.

A good time was had by all.