They're back!

Everywhere you look...there they are - and I have absolutely no complaints. The students have made it back to campus as school started up this past week. On Monday campus was flooded with new students and their parents, while the returning students joined them on Tuesday for our opening ceremonies.

Monday proved to be quite a busy and hectic day for me and my fellow guidance counselors. I showed up to work shortly after 8.00 to make sure I had everything in order and was ready for the big day. There were a few random tasks here and there to take care of in the morning, but mainly it was prep time for the afternoon. Starting around 11.30 I had a few students trickle into my office wanting to make changes to their schedule. Before I had the chance to breathe it was 6.30pm and we had finally changed the last schedule of the day! At that point I went home and quickly made dinner, only to return to school an hour later for an "open house" in which parents had the opportunity to walk through their child's schedule and meet the teachers. Naturally a few parents drifted up to our offices and we once again worked on schedules. Finally around 9.30 I walked through the door, home at last. It was a really busy day, but a lot of fun. I got to meet a lot of students, and finally put a face to the schedules I had been working on.

Tuesday we had our traditional opening ceremonies. One of my favorite days of the year. The day begins with the seniors parading into the auditorium, each carrying a flag of a country that is represented by students and families of our school. Following a "charge" to the senior class, residence life staff, and faculty staff, we have the "roll call of nations." One individual calls out all the nations represented by students/families and then the students stand up as their nation is called. This year we have 53 different nations represented. It is moving, inspiring, and encouraging to realize how many different countries are represented, and how many different areas of the world people are working to spread The Good News.

Wednesday and Thursday brought a little normalcy to school as students started to settle in. The guidance department remained busy patching up a few schedules and rearranging a few classes. I had a few students come in this morning with tears in their eyes stating, "I lost my schedule and don't know what class I'm supposed to be in. Can you tell me?" So I quickly printed them a new schedule and pointed them in the right direction. The school is not massive, but it is a good reminder of what a huge step this is for so many students. New country, new dorm, new school, new teachers, new classes.

Throughout the week I have been blessed to have so many of my Sonne guys stop in the office just to hang out. On the first day of school every single senior stopped in at one point or another to sit and talk and catch up. I had to laugh at one of them because it was the first day of classes, and he was already asking me if I could write him a pass because he was late for class. I wrote a note, and got him excused, but don't worry it was legitimate!

It has been extremely hot here this past week - so we have been doing everything possible to stay cool. Sunday-Wednesday it was above (33c) 90+F every day. Thankfully last night a storm blew in and brought with it some cooler temperatures. Of course, it is still in the mid 80s, but it feels nice. German weather is so bizarre.

Hope you enjoy some pictures from the opening ceremonies. I admit, I did not take any of these, I am borrowing them from friends. So thanks to all you who posted them on facebook for me to take!

Tommy