Letters from Vietnam

January 18, 2012 By 2 Comments

Our letter from Vietnam

So, yeah, this is a new one. In case you’re having trouble reading it, that stamp does in fact say “Missent to HO CHI MINH CITY.”

People have mistaken Vienna for Venice and Austria for Australia, but I don’t know that anyone’s ever mistaken Vienna for Vietnam. Sure, they have plenty in common. They both start with ‘V’. They both, um, have, um, you know, um people?

Yeah, so not much in common it turns out. In the US Post Office’s defense, the sender did neglect to write Austria in as the country. I’m not sure it’s that great a defense, though.

In any case, I’m glad this Christmas letter’s incredible journey ended in our mailbox.

Filed Under: Austria, humor, vienna

Tea Party: The Rematch

October 27, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Staff Retreat

Touch Mugs and Keep it Clean

Staff Retreat

National Anthem

No, Sarah Palin wasn’t invited. In fact, this tea party had nothing to do with politics. This tea party actually involved tea, believe it or not.

In one corner, a 50-some year old British man who spent his life in the land of afternoon teas. For years, he perfected the craft of tea consumption.

In the other corner, a 30-some year old American who has only in the past 10 years developed a passion for tea-drinking. A late-comer and clear underdog in this contest.

After an impromptu singing of our respective anthems, the tea drinking began. And let me tell you, there’s nothing like racing to see who can drink a scalding hot beverage the fastest.

We were neck and neck most of the evening, but I surged ahead to take the lead and clinch the victory for Americans everywhere, 8 cups to 7.

With a scalded tongue and a full bladder, I raised my arms in victory to chants of, “USA! USA!”

Later that night, I realized the consequences a drinking over a gallon (4+ liters) of hot tea. Kidneys working overtime to send me to the bathroom every 15 minutes until 3 am.

Staff Retreat

Mr. Tea Oversees the Carnage

Staff Retreat

The Conciliatory Handshake

Filed Under: humor, icsv, Life, Matt

On The Menu

June 7, 2011 By 2 Comments

I went to Vapiano last night with some of last year’s seniors. One of whom pointed out that I was on the menu.

“Look it’s Mista Klein!”

I don’t know what it says about me that the actual menu item is a small salad with cherry tomatoes and carrots, but I’m just glad to be on the menu.

Filed Under: humor, Life

Where Klein Always Shines

June 6, 2011 By Leave a Comment

So one of my classes was getting tired of the old Stroodle banner(above), and decided to come up with a new one in the 20 minutes they had at the end of class one day.

For those of you(probably all of you) who need definitions:

  • Stroodle is Moodle combined with Apple Strudel, a Viennese treat.
  • Moodle is a Course Management System.
  • A course management system is a web site where I can post class materials and assignments, and students can complete and upload assignments online. Kind of like a virtual classroom.
Filed Under: humor, icsv, School

Monotasker

June 1, 2011 By 3 Comments

After school, some students are in my room working on a project. Another student who is bored is talking to me.

Me: I can’t talk now. I need a few minutes to get some things done.

Student: (Continues talking about something unimportant)

Me: Hold on. Just let me finish a few things, and then I can talk to you.

Student: Are you frustrated?

Me: I’m a little stressed. I need to do a few things right now.

Student: Can’t you do two things at once?

Me (puzzled): No.

Student: Why not?

Me: Because I’m a man.

Filed Under: humor, icsv

Photo Bomb

May 13, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Can you spot the bee who snuck into my photo?

Filed Under: humor, Photography

Baby Carrot

September 4, 2010 By 1 Comment

I might have pulled this one a little early…

Baby Carrot

…

..

Filed Under: Austria, humor, Life, Matt

Disco + Tanktop = Progress in Pictures

February 7, 2010 By Leave a Comment

YMCA Feb 6

It’s been a while. I’m sure many of you had given up hope of ever seeing another disco-themed progress report on my ongoing shoulder recovery. Some of you were probably thankful. Rumors abounded that I had run out of tank tops. Today, I put those rumors to rest.

I continue to make a lot of improvement through physical therapy, but still don’t quite have full range of motion. It seems like it’s taking longer to get that last 5-10% of motion than it has to get this far. But I’m sure that’s more perception than reality.

If you’re so inclined you could pray for healing and that I stay motivated to do my stretches everyday. Thanks!

Here they are, my progress in pictures:

YMCA_Week5

YMCA_Week4

YMCA_Week3

YMCA_Week2

YMCA_Week1

Filed Under: humor, Life, Matt

VCS Advent Calendar

December 15, 2009 By 1 Comment

Each year our librarian creates a huge advent calendar in the library. She photoshops fun Christmas pictures with the faces of staff and students. It’s my favorite VCS tradition. Here’s what she did to us this year:

advent

Merry Christmas!

Filed Under: humor, Matt, Tricia, VCS, vienna christian school

Young Man, There’s a Place You Can Go

November 10, 2009 By 4 Comments

YMCA_Week5Back by popular demand! Here is the fifth in the series of YMCA photos. Sooner or later I’ll be ready for my cameo on the Village People Reunion Tour. I’m also making an attempt to break the record for most diverse collection of tank tops in a series of YMCA photos. Someone call Guinness. Or send me a new tank top. I don’t know how much longer I can keep this up.

Check out my previous attempts below and see how much progress I’ve made.

YMCA_Week4YMCA_Week3YMCA_Week2YMCA_Week1

Filed Under: humor, Life, Matt
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