Summer Wanderings

As the school year finished, Alpha and I had a decision to make about what to do with our summer. Oringinally we had decided to spend the summer in Germany with my family, but the visa process ended up taking about 10 weeks! And yes, we did get to Germany, but only for this last week before we go back to work. But I am getting ahead of myself.

Enjoying the great !

Alpha and I applied for his German visa back in May and when we realized it was going to take a lot longer then the 2 weeks originally quoted to us, we decided to go see his family in Khulna for a week of relaxation and just to get out of Dhaka. It was a wonderful time just being able to sit back and enjoy the beauty of Bangladesh.

And then on the 22 of July we got the call. Alpha's visa came through!And our flight leaves in 6 hours! That was quite the day. The night before we had to pack our whole apartment to move, then Alpha had a job interview in the morning and then we went to pick up his visa, booked our tickets and headed to the airport!
For Alpha's first time out of the country, pictures are worth a thousand words, here is our trip in pictures:

At the Airport!!

Waiting in lines... so many lines....

Alpha's first time on a moving walk way, of course we had to do it twice.

So tired and in desperate need of caffeine

We spent a day at a castle!

Castle Bread, yummy!

Yummy treats, Alpha really enjoyed the German food

Going inside to castle... I wonder how Jared feels about this...

Dad and Alpha Hiking 

Jared and Alpha after a long day of wandering 

Always ready for a photo oppertunity

Mom and Alpha enjoying the village

Just because...

Waling into the Castle for the first time!

Having fun

The Boys

Getting our Couple shot

Getting their Couple Shot

Mom found her bike!

Now that is a Rickshaw!

Well...

Okay... Really Guys....

There we go (At the Brandenburg Gate)

But this is better

Alpha REALLY liked all the fancy cars

At the Dubai Airport on our way home

A New Year To Come

The summer has come to a close and the new school year has started. Alpha and I have been enjoying a relaxing summer without having to teach, but it has also been stressful as we have spent many hours and weeks working on visa applications and interviews. After 10 weeks, Alpha was able to get a 12 day tourist visa to Germany so we could visit my parents. My next post will be about our time in Germany. Now back to the summer...

The school year ended with much joy and celebration, but also the sadness of saying goodbye. Grace International School had a large turn over of staff this year with many teachers finishing their contracts and moving on to the next chapter of their lives. Also my good friend Leslie, my adventure and travel buddy, had to return home unexpectedly. I miss her so much and can't wait till I can see her again!

The next chapter of my life with Alpha will be spent as another year in Bangladesh. I have accepted the position on Primary School Art and Secondary School Drama teacher at Grace for the coming school year. I am so excited about this change of position and cannot wait to get started with my students. The year is going to be filled with exciting projects, creativity and young imaginations!
Alpha has had and will have some more interviews at the international schools in the area, please pray he gets a job for this year.

We have a lot of work ahead of us as the school year starts. Alpha and I are starting the visa application process for him to come to the states. It is going to be long and complicated, please pray that we have patience and God makes the path clear for us.

We had Good Times in the Rain

My Cousin's Son Alferd

Practicing Bangla with Family

Visiting Family in Dhaka

Catching Up with Friends from Khulna

Saying Goodbye to My Dear Friend Leslie