Chillen

'The Boyz' called me last Friday to ask if they could visit on Sunday afternoon. I said yes and asked if they wanted to do homework. They said they had to do chemistry homework. I asked what they wanted to do later and they said, "chillen". I said, "What?" They repeated, "chillen" then I remembered it is modern youth 'Dinglish' based on the English phrase 'to chill out'. How languages change!

They arrived and settled in. Homework done and then I heard the words I was waiting for, "Opa, we're hungry". No surprise there! As usual I stuck two pizza into the oven. They happily munched through those and then chocolate pudding before falling onto the sofa and putting a DVD into my machine. They picked an 'adventure' film about spies, the military and fighting in the Middle East involving the USA military. They consumed bags of crisps and a large bottle of Coca-Cola as they followed the action. Yes, this is all part of 'chillen'.

Later I said I wanted photos to add to the family collection.. They do not have a camera. In fact where they live they do not have radio, tv, internet, use of a computer. They were all recently moved to another complex housing refugees but in the middle-north of the city. So, I got the camera out and took some photos. The Boyz wanted to take some themselves and in different poses. I agreed and now share two photos of the shots they took of each other. Both looking very serious. I enjoyed my time with them for they always make me laugh as they 'chillen'.

25 Years ELTABB

It is 25 years since I co-founded ELTAB = English Language Teachers' Association, Berlin-Brandenburg. Kristie D. brought the idea to Berlin from Frankfurt-am-Main where she lived, taught English and was active in the local teachers' association. A small group of teachers met her in my flat to talk about starting an association in Berlin and Brandenburg. That was at the end of 1993. In early 1994 we had completed all the paper-work with lawyers to set up the organisation.

Many new and old members met yesterday evening to celebrate 25 years. The meeting was in Berlin Aquarium, on Budapester Strasse near to railways station Zoologischer Garten. The current president is called Sarah Brown and she really is a talented person. I hope she stands for office again next year. I had never been to this Aquarium before. It is part of the complex making up Berlin Zoo in the west of the city and not to be confused with Tierpark in the east which is not far from where I live.

I wandered around the Aquarium and was amazed to see many kinds of fish staring at me as I slowly walked by. There were also other kinds of sea creatures but I kept staring at the fish. Here is a photo of three fish. They are very large and I was surprised to see they had almost no tail. We had a tasty vegetarian buffet and drinks for a modest price. There were also some speeches and word games. What else when you have language teachers together?  I was then thanked for my work and presented with a certificate.

I'm very proud of this and that we started ELTABB for it has given so many people opportunities for them to explore their skills and abilities apart from teaching English. I plan to attend the ELTABB Stammtisch on Saturday 7th December, in the Altstadt in Spandau from 6.00 pm. I hope to take my 'Family' with me so they can learn a little more about German culture and enjoy the food and drinks on offer. See you there if you are in Berlin!

Training

Regular readers will know that each Friday I run to the No. 27 Tram and jump on it at 09.31. It is usually full of students going to the Technical College next to where I do my training. In addition, teachers often take lots of kids to a play area a bit further on so it is always full.

We do training exercises from 10.00 am to 11.30 am. Kerstin is the trainer and here is a photo of her leading the group. I usually meet a member of the group called Werner in the changing room. He is a hobby photographer and likes to play around with images. He also takes videos on family holidays which he lets me watch. In addition, he supports refugee families including my family.

On Friday he showed me two photo and said I could have them. I don't remember him taking them. I asked who it was behind the mask and he said it was me! I can't remember wearing such a thing. I suspect he used a photo changing programme to add the mask to my face. It's horrible but some friends said it was an improvement :-))

After training I met Imre and we went to 'ExpoLingua-Berlin'. It was the 32nd International Fair for Languages and Cultures. It was held in the Russian Federation Building on Friedrichstrasse. It provides information about learning 90 languages, offers 90 lectures and there were 150 stands/stalls. Lot of visitors and good atmosphere. No surprise that Imre was hungry. We stopped at a restaurant so he could sample some of the food on offer. It was pasta with meat balls. I just watched him chew!

Leaves

One week since my last post. How time flies. I told you before that I was in the Philharmonie last Saturday and on Sunday I went to a special meeting of Berlin Labour Party. It was about the election in the UK on the 13th December and how we in Berlin could participate and support members.

On Monday and Tuesday I had my usual meetings then on Wednesday evening I went to a meeting of my SPD. It is busy drawing up a declaration about building and development of the district in which I live. A 7 page document had earlier been sent to members so the meeting was to hear if they wanted any changes. A very interesting session.

On Wednesday I met my German teacher again to discuss and analyse a letter I had got. Later I went to a local restaurant to book a table for Sunday lunch. I got the last one. Friday had my usual meetings plus a visit from Johanna for 'tea and cakes' and a chat. Very nice.

Tomorrow I am going to a local restaurant to meet Jan and family including his mother for lunch. Then off to a church for a christening service for Andrea's little boy. Really looking forward to that. Berlin is settling into autumn as you can see from the leaves in my garden. I prefer Spring!

30 years

There are celebrations all over Germany today to mark 30 years since 'The Fall of the Berlin Wall'. Actually it did not fall. Border guards allowed people from the east to cross believing permission came from the High Command of the East German government. A misunderstanding, but the wall eventually came down, and German reunification came a year later = 1990.

The German President, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, gave a speech at the Berlin Wall Memorial in Bernauer Strasse (where it was breached) in Berlin this afternoon.

 Chancellor Angela Merkel was there as were the heads of state from Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic. He urged people to "fight for a peaceful and united Europe". I wonder how many Brexiters would agree!

There are lots of meetings, parades, parties and concerts taking place all over the country. There will be a big concert at Brandenburg Gate this evening. I shall be in the Philharmonie enjoying a concert. UPDATE: Sinfonie Orchester Berlin. Haydn - Symphony Nr. 93 / Mozart - Concert for three pianos / Beethoven - Egmont Overture op.84 followed by Symphony Nr. 5 op,67.

Week so far

It is a really nice day here. The sun is shining and sky is blue. I plan to go for a walk later. The Sunday concert I talked about in my last post was superb. The orchestra was made up of young people - music students, and they played with such confidence. Usual things on Monday and Tuesday and on Wednesday I went to a special meeting help by my housing association. Now to put on my shoes for the walk. Enjoy your day even if the sun is not shining!

Musical Weekend

As you know I often go to classical music concerts, but usually one concert a weekend. This weekend it is two! Yesterday I met my Kowalke Gang and set off for the Philharmonie. There was a concert in the Chamber Music Hall, which is the smaller of the two halls in the building. It was almost full and most were over 60 :-)

Programme was another Russian musical evening of Borodin: Overture to Prince Igor. Anton Arensky: Violin Concerto Op. 54 (1891) - violin played superbly by a lady called Kotowa Machida. The evening ended with Tschaikowsky: Symphony Nr. 5.

I was curious to know more about Arensky so did some hunting on the internet this morning. Arensky 1861 to 1906. He died of TB in St. Petersburg where his family had moved to when he was a boy. He studied music there and made a career as a 'romantic'classical musician, a pianist and professor of music. He wrote a lot of music and I plan to listen to more.

In a couple of hours I shall walk all of 5 minutes to my local protestant church to meet the Kowalke Gang again. We shall then listen to a famous piece of music. Yes, Mozart's Requiem. Looking forward to that. Hope you are enjoying your Sunday, with or without music!