Mono-Printing Workshop

I learned how to create mono-prints using only ink, plexiglass, and a roller.  I enjoyed my leisurely walk and gelato in a chocolate covered cone as I made my way to class.  When I rang the bell I realized I was 25 minutes late - not 5 minutes early.   I apologized profusely to both the instructor, Patrick and to my classmates, and then caught on quick to the process.

Restaurant: Pramerl and the Wolf

Once a month a group of colleagues and I try a new restaurant.  This month, we went to Pramerl and the Wolf, a Michelin One Star located in the 8th district.  They do not have a menu -  you just choose 5, 7 or 9 courses.  The chef comes to the table to discuss any allergies or aversions, then they start bringing dishes.  I liked most courses - the lamb tarter took a few bites for me to adjust to it - but none of the dishes stood out.  I thought the sommelier pushed the wine as he continually asked if I wanted another glass despite multiple refusals.  Instead of providing silverware, each table contained a secret drawer where you choose.

My friend Cynthia commented that the food was well prepared and inventive, but not worth a Michelin star.  We will not go back.

Emily's Art

In art, one of our units was photography, so for two classes, we went outside in the freezing cold, where the elementary students were playing in their adorable little snow pants and jackets and boots, and took pictures of things that seemed picture - worthy.  Our main focus was finding something that had an interesting light or shadow to it, and focusing our lens on an object in a cool and dramatic way.  Here are my favorite pictures that I took within the two days.

Cheering for UVA from Afar

We neglected to setup slingbox - our go to tool to watch US sports - this time around.  We signed up for MLB and NBA packages and thought CBS would cover us for March Madness.  Nope.  We could watch the games - but only in real time.  I have never been a night owl - starting times of 12:00 am and 1:00 am just didn't work.  But when UVA defied my expectations and pulled through game after game, I had to change my paradigm.  Tuesday, while my fellow Wahoos enjoyed beer and bars, I awoke around 3:00 am and curled up with my coffee to watch history.






Brian bought me a paper and sent a picture!

4E - Owen's Classrom

We just finished the second trimester of fourth grade. 

This is my self reflection on the fourth grade. My teacher Miss. Enge assigned us this for our parents.  My favorite question on the sheet was to pick three people you want to be in class with next year. 

We create self portraits every month and this is one from March

Our new subject in math is line plots and this is one of the questions she asked.

This is my class and kids are from all over the world.

We are doing a poetry unit and this is one activity that we did.  We were assigned to black out a sheet of paper and we had to circle words.  I circled "a great surprise" "but" and "expensive"

Restaurant: Shu Spicy Sichuan

Last Saturday, we invited the Skrzynskis  - an Australian family we befriended - to meet us at a Sichuan restaurant Shu.  I met Rebecca during the new students orientation in August.  She and her husband Alex moved their four kids from Hong Kong to Vienna the same week we arrived from the States.  Her fourth grade twins play soccer with Owen and we see the the whole crew at Church each week.

The ten of us enjoyed our own private table housed in its own room with a cut out facing the bar.

We tried the dumplings, several types of wantons, lamb, chicken and eggplant dishes - I should have tracked the names!  Perfectly portioned and without too much sauce or salt, I loved each bite. 

As we walked through the tiny restaurant to leave, the silence of the 20 people dining there resonated.  Our voices must have rung through the whole place the last two hours.  We wondered why the waiter came by several times after we paid....

Restaurant: Cafe Frida

I do love the restaurants in Vienna.  I found a group of new friends who share my passion for food and once a month we try a different place.  Cynthia and I decided to try a breakfast focused joint in the 8th district named after artist Frida.  Incredibly colorful, the small dining room evoked the vibrant energy I have not previously found in this city.  We both enjoyed bacon and egg sandwiches with oven roasted vegetables and of course, a cappuccino.

We followed our delicious meal with a walk through the Saturday market.