Whole30

I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's thyroiditis in April of 2015. Since then I have done some research that shows that about 90% of people with this autoimmune disorder are also dairy and gluten intolerant, and that these things can cause flare-ups to the autoimmune disorder. Enter visit to nutritionist who recommended Whole 30.

Article: The Gluten-Thyroid Connection

Day One:

Breakfast: 

  Three scrambled eggs (with a splash on Almond-milk that is Aldi brand)

  An onion and pepper mix 

   Mrs. Dash no-salt garlic and herb seasoning

   A banana

Lunch:

  Boneless/skinless chicken breast (I just cooked this in the oven and then cut it up)

  A stir-fry of onion, green pepper, yellow zucchini, carrots, and spinach cooked in coconut oil and with Mrs. Dash no-salt garlic and herb seasoning.

Snack: Two larabars. ( I know this isn't the greatest thing to do, but I was really hungry and running late with grocery shopping after school and all)

Dinner:

    Steak in a Chipotle-style salad. 

     

   - avacado

  -  red onion

       - iceburg lettuce

        - spinach

        - green pepper

        - tomato

        - lime juice and garlic powder on top

Dessert: A banana and a cup of unsweetened applesauce with cinnamin on top

Day one COMPLETE! (end date = Dec 13 if I follow my nutritionist's advice and do 60 days)

 (*I did eat a teaspoon of horseradish sauce on a bite of steak. I will try to not slip up like that....)

First Job! Or: The Shenanigans Surrounding Sarah

I finally got a teaching job, and of course, it's been anything but normal. I'd been living in Ohio since late January, nannying and applying for teaching jobs. In mid-August I was ready to give up and move back home to Jersey. I was in a not-so-good nannying job and getting no bites from the schools I applied at. I had just moved into a new apartment when I decided to move back home. My parents were already coming out to Ohio and they were going to help me pack up and move out again. Rented out my new apartment, and didn't bother to even unpack my things in the first place. Of course, a day later I began getting bombarded with calls and e-mails from schools in Ohio. They weren't kidding about public schools hiring late!

I interviewed with a school in the city two days before my parents left to come out here. The interview was for an inner-city public school, where I really wanted to work. Interview on Monday, schools starts Thursday. They waited until Tuesday night to call and say that I was hired. Now that I'd rented out my apartment. I had one day to get my classroom ready, come up with lesson plans, and get all my paperwork done in at the headquarters downtown. Oh - and find a place to live. 

While I taught my second day of tenth grade English, my parents found and rented an apartment for me (I didn't have time or the choice to see it first) and we spent all day Saturday and Sunday moving me in (forget planning week two of teaching!). And that is how my incredibly insane fall started. O.o

Fall Break and more

I only have 16 days left in Austria. Time has flown. This is my last week of teaching in most of my classes! I have had incredible experiences and made wonderful friends here. God has definitely shown me that his plan for me is not always one that I can see.

Our pastor spoke on Isaiah 42 today, and I thought the main verse seemed very fitting for my time here and my future: "I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them." Isaiah 42:16. If you think of it - pray for me as I make some decisions about my future and where God would have me go next.

Fall Break



We had fall break two weeks ago. My brother, Shawn, flew to Vienna and traveled with me for a jam-packed four days! We spent half a day in Vienna on Thursday and took a night train from Vienna to Venice on Thursday night. We spent all day Friday in Venice, which was beautiful! I didn't expect it to be sooo nice. The buildings and the canals... I loved it! Friday night we hopped back on a night train and went to a little town on a lake called Hallstatt in western Austria. Hallstatt was quaint and breathtaking. We were surrounded by snow-covered mountains and even hiked up one! We spent most of Saturday there, and then took a couple-hour train ride to Salzburg. By the time we got to Salzburg, I was about ready to pass out I was so exhausted (sleeping on night-trains was more difficult than I had anticipated). We slept in a hostel in Salzburg Saturday night. On Sunday we took a Sound-of-Music bus tour through Salzburg and the lake district outside of Salzburg, then walked around the city on our own. After that, it was back to Vienna late Sunday night. Shawn had a flight out the next morning, and I had to go back to school. : )

Spiritual Emphasis Week

 This past week was spiritual emphasis week at the school. The students had chapel every day and heard some amazing testimonies from some of their teachers and classmates. One of my students came to accept Christ as their savior this week!! It is so amazing to work in a place that places Christ first and cares for the salvation and spiritual health of their students. We have a wide mix of backgrounds, cultures, and religions at our school and its so cool to get to love them all and hopefully model Christ for them!

Luke 15:7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance

Fall Break

A view from Monday morning

The snow on my walk to work

Well, ICSV is now on our Fall Break until November 5th. On Monday and Tuesday we had professional development with a team from Biola Univeristy, and a hilarious staff talent-show on Monday night. We also recieved the first snowfall of the season on Monday. I woke up to about an inch of snow and freezing weather, but it was beautiful! 

        Today I did some lesson planning so that I'm ready to jump back into school on Monday. I also baked muffins to eat as I travel with my brother, who is currently en route to Austria! We are going to visit Vienna, Venice, Salzburg, and Hallstatt. I also went shopping with a friend today and heard Christmas music playing in the stores - Happy Halloween! Actually, Halloween is not a big deal in Austria. I saw two people dressed up, but for the most part there is no trick-or-treating and the people do not make much of the holiday.

Banana Oatmeal Muffins!  

God has been continuing to bless me here. I have had wonderful experiences with friends from the school and have been welcomed so much by the staff. I went to brunch at my pastor's house with a group of young people on Sunday, and I really feel that I am exactly where God wants me. I have really enjoyed attending Grace Church here and have found it to be a good fit. Having a good home church is so important in feeling "at home" in a place. Pastor Mason and his wife are very caring and welcoming people. 

The Weekend Update

Dinner with friends

I can't believe I only have a month left here! This trip has been incredible so far. I am really starting to feel settled in and like part of the family at school. I found a church that I enjoy and am blessed to have been welcomed into a group of teachers who attend the church. We meet for coffee before the service and have a great time together. The service is taught in English and simultaneously translated into German, which is really interesting to see.

Mandy and I at Augarten

This weekend I had the opportunity to spend time with my friend Mandy. We went to the Augarten park and enjoyed the beautiful fall foliage in the midst of two WW2 anti-aircraft towers there. I also spent time with some teachers at a Mexican restaurant after school on Friday.

flak tower at Augarten

Plaques remembering people who died in WW2
are in the sidewalks throughout the city

A Typical Day

This seems to be a popular post-idea, and perhaps something you all are interested in. Here's a typical day for me in Vienna!

7:15 I catch the bus to school
7:25 I prep for the day.
7:50 on Tuesdays this is worship time and Fridays are staff devotions. Every first Wednesday is all-staff prayer as well.
8:20 home room

8:30 I teach 6th grade English class to second language learners from Russia, Austria, and Korea (not ELL, but a seperate Language Arts for ELL learners)
9:30 I am a teacher's aid/observer for 10th grade English for second language learners
10:35 I teach 9th grade English
11:15 I have lunch and a planning period
12:40 I teach 7th grade English
1:30 I teach 8th grade English Literature for  second language learners
2:20 I have a planning period
3:45 Staff meetings on Thursdays
4:00 I go home

Posters for short story unit with 9th grade

Night at the Museum(s)

Rooftop View of the City at Night

It is a tradition in Vienna to have one night in October when a 12 euro ticket will give you access to any participating museum in the city from 6pm-1am. Last Saturday, October 6th, was the Der Lange Nacht der Museen. I met up with about 10 other teachers from ICSV at 4:30pm. After fueling up at Starbucks and prioritizing our list of museums, we set out! We saw the Chimney Sweep Museum, the Coffee Museum, the National Library (part of the Habsburg Palace), the Albertina Art Museum, and The Demel (the royal bakery). I had a great time getting to see original Michelangelo's, Picaso's, bakers making sugared acorns and trees, and getting to spend time with some of the teachers. I also tried a new church with some of the girls from the group the following Sunday, and I really loved it!

Our group taking a break outside the Albertina

Sugar Wedding Dress at the Demel

Inside the National Library