21.10.2007 Dogs and Blogs

When I first discovered this cartoon in the latest edition of our popular Stern magazine I had to smile because I felt " ertappt" - for there is a certain truth in the picture when the dog compares his "marking-off territory" activity to the one we bloggers engage in. Bloggers want to leave their marks with high tech - dogs prefer to keep it low.

First we google and they sniff, then we post and they pee.....finally we wait for feedback and they for the wiff....doing it low-tech style only seems to be not very efficient for it certainly gets better results.

21.10.2007 A much awaited photo

Today I received this happy photo as an email from Dr. Allendorf....it came as an attachment to a mail that he had sent out to our three parents whose kids continue to benefit from their stay in Belleville.Apparantly our DAFK delegation had a safe although slightly delayed return trip from New York City - their second destination- yesterday. Dr. Allendorf's text states that our Paderborn youngsters are receiving high marks for their social skills and academic achievements.So pleased and also so relieved.

The photo shows from the left: Linda Driesner ( German teacher at Belleville East );Nils Sifrin ( Pelizaeus Gymnasium - his host partner Kyle Pointer - student at Belleville East - is unfortunately not in the picture);Katie McDowell ( German teacher at West Belleville Highschool );Robert Dahm ( principal of West Belleville HS );Doris Roach ( member and exchange coordinator at BSC ); Abigail Ernst - student at Belleville West; Bernd Broer ( President of DAFK ); Carolin Sale ( Pelizaeus Gymnasium - she is hosted by Abigail's family ); Jan Roland Schulze ( Goerdeler Gymnasium ); Jan's host partner - leaning on to the counter - is Luke Eckert - student at Belleville West.

I understand that we shall receive more details shortly and I look forward to post a photo of our entire delegation - including our smiling Landrat Mr. Manfred Mueller.