When we got up today we had to figure out how to go to the hospital in Malta. We took one of our IMEC friends, because she was in a lot of pain (our favorite taxi driver picked us up, felt like he was a family friend. Last time he picked us up from the grocery store). Our friend is better now, they took x-rays and an ultra sounds, she got the results, and some medication and we only spent a few hours in the emergency.

In the afternoon Becky and I finished our presentation for tomorrow. And then we finally went to the beach to swim in the sunset. That was a nice end to this crazy day.

A few nights ago we went to a district called Paceville (or as I like to say Touch-a-ville). This is the party district in Malta with lots of clubs. The party was for the Erasmus exchange students, EU students that are spending a semester in Malta. It was so bad that it was good again and I loved hating it.

Last night on the other hand I had a lovely time. We went to the Capital Valetta for an event called Science in the City. As we strolled down the streets we found an outdoor jazz bar with life music. It was 100 times nicer than Paceville, but unfortunately, the season is coming to an end and the last concert will be next week 🙁

During the day we’re doing lots of homework… I’m working on a presentation with Becky, we’re comparing Germany and Belize. I’m also preparing a presentation to the Maltese ECEC students about Canada. And then I really really have to start writing my paper, it’s due in 2 weeks. I’ve already read lots, but now I have to pour my brain onto paper.

For our first module here in Malta I am writing a paper in which I will compare, contrast, and critique the early childhood workforce in any two countries. I’ve chosen Canada and Germany, because so far I have focused on Canada, which is a bit ironic, because I am accepted to this program as a German.

I would have never imagined that one day I would have a Maltese ID.

• TUE25 SEP31°C(88°F)
• WED26 SEP29°C(84°F)
• THU27 SEP29°C(84°F)
• FRI28 SEP31°C(88°F)
• SAT29 SEP31°C(88°F)
• SUN30 SEP31°C(88°F)
• MON1 OCT31°C(88°F)

About 4 years ago my sister Kerstin moved from Vancouver to Hamburg. She thought she would stay for a year to spend some time with our family. Things never are so straight forward, and instead she stayed for 4 years and built a life in Germany.

After 4 years of meeting new and old friends, seeing our family, maintaining a long-distance relationship with John, taking a masters degree, going to the Netherlands for one semester, finding a job and a lovely home…

…Kerstin, John, and Lennert are on a plane back to Canada. I can’t wait to hear how your adventure continues.

Love you.

Wow.

We took a little boat to Comino, a small island between Malta and Gozo. All the tourists left by six and we had the island to ourselves. What a nice nice nice day.

I’ve been thinking about the time when my mom was the cook at Pooh Corner. The children would ask “Is that your mommy?” That was a nice time. My mom poured so much love into the food. I wish I could have some of that love today, because I have a cold (I think Evan gave it to me when we skyped). My roommates are taking care of me, but it would be nice to be at home just for the weekend.

I am trying to figure out what to eat here in Malta.  Every time we move to a new country it takes a few weeks to get used to the new food and where to buy things. And we only received our scholarship payment for September TODAY, so I’ve been shopping at the supermarket where I can pay with my VISA card. Now that I have cash again I will start buying my fruit and veggies from the veggie guy downstairs. I’ll take a picture for you, it will make you smile. It’s a nice way for the neighbours to meet and chat. More veggies will make me feel better right away.

I’m off to bed, I have until tomorrow afternoon to get better, because we’re going on a boating adventure that I don’t want to miss.

xoxox

There are no short cuts!

A few times now we thought that we were very smart and took the short cut home. We haven’t learned from our mistakes yet! Here in Malta the streets are so misleading that you end up at the opposite side of the island… Today for example we took the bus from Valetta to school. We were almost there, when the driver turned and took us along the scenic route through all the districts around our university… It was like a comedy, we were getting later and later for school with every turn the driver took.

We had a lovely morning though. We got up early enough to see the sunrise at the harbour, applied for our Maltese ID card to get reduced bus rates,  saw a little park way before all the tourists arrived, and even sat in a cafe. We were so ahead of ourselves this morning until the crazy streets os Malta slowed us down…

I read somewhere that there are no short cuts in life, only those that we imagine.

We did all our homework on Saturday so that on Sunday we could take a day off. This is where we went…