Home sweet home??

I can"t believe i have been in America for over one month now. Its so weird...

My plane ride home was insane. We, Martina, Rudolf, Gaby, Marius, and I, arrived in Frankfurt a little after 7:00am, we stood in line, i was checked in, and then it was time to say goodbye. I couldnt believe how fast my last few days went by...

Standing in the airport, realizing i was leaving ehind some of the most important people in my life, i realized how much i'd changed...i went from being a person, wo didnt let anyone in to my life, to becoming someone, who let so many people in, and let them help me.

I realized how muvh i was going to miss these people...After getting my passport checked, i turned for one last wave goodbye. I then walked, with yet another new person, down to my plane, and waited for boarding...

I probably spent the first 4 hours of my flight, just crying. hich at the time, was pretty embarassing, but now, not so much. It just shows how much i loved them, and was missing them.

Once i landed in America, it was time to go through customs, which really wasnt that bad...but i still ended up missing my next flight...so, i was delayed returning home, for yet another 5 hours..

At this point, i was starting to feel less sad, and starting to feel a little excited. I was really looking forward to seeing my brother, and my friends!!

Getting to the airport, and seeing my friends and family, was something, i cant even explain. It was both happy, and absolutely sad//i realized how much they had all changed, or not changed, and how much i had missed within that past year. Not going to lie, things were pretty damn awkward....

Now im home, and am startingyet another chapter in my strange, and confusing life. Hoping, this chapter will end just as good as the last..
<3

I learned to laugh, I learned to cry, but will I ever learn to say goodbye?

There is nothing in the world that compares to saying “goodbye.” The sadness that comes with it is like no other, but the hope that comes with it as well; the hope that this is not the last goodbye. The hope that keeps us going, keeps our heads high as we wait for the next time; if that next time comes.


Some people don’t think that saying goodbye is such a big deal, probably because they have never had to do so.  At a young age, I was introduced to this sadness of saying goodbye. Goodbye became a very real to me. Some people have never felt this realness before, and some may never experience it. If they grow up in one town, attend high school there, go to college there, and work there, they might never have to say goodbye to anyone.

This is not necessarily a bad thing, but it is definitely not a good thing. Goodbyes are a part of life, much like meeting new people. Throughout your life, people come in and go out; it’s natural....but still difficult.

If you think about it, distance is but a mere thing, therefore it should not be an excuse to bring a friendship to an end. In fact, friendships can achieve an even higher level because separation can cause unity. It may sound like an oxymoron, but it’s true. Unfortunately, some people give up so easily on their friendships. I, however, will NOT give up so easily. I am going to fight to have these friendships last for a lifetime.

How do you say goodbye?? The last few days, i have had to say goodbye, at least twice a day..And it occured to me, i dont really know how to say goodbye..What do i say?
It's been fun; glad to have known you and I wish you all the best...?


Somehow I know that no- goodbye can say what needs to be said, how can just a few words tell what a heart feels? After spending an entire year here, it is time to say goodbye.

I am going to miss the people here so much. I have the most amazing host families, and have met the best of friends, andmany other people too. I am going to miss them so much...i don't want to say goodbye, but i know it has to be done. I am planning on coming back here, but no one knows what will/could happen between then and now...so, with this post, i just wanted to say goodbye to all of my friends, and my host families. You mean the world to me, all of you, and have helped me so much! I will never forget any of you. I love you <3

*~Life's many visitors touch us in numerous ways, but it's the impressions left by true friends that are most remembered and seldom ever matched. ~*

Friendship isn't always easily described. The Eskimos, they say, have a hundred different words for snow. Unfortunately, the English language isn't quite as innovative, though it has vast opportunities to differentiate meaning. Certainly, Love is one of those opportunities. And so, too, is Friendship.



Instead of different words, however, we're stuck with simple adjectives. Close friend. Best friend. Childhood friend. Intimate friend. Trusted friend. Beloved friend. But whether you use adjectives or different words, few could deny the nearly infinite meaning in such a simple word.

Friends are special people. We can't pick our family, and we're sorely limited in the number of them at any rate. Society and mores (and often our own conscience) dictate we select a single mate. But our friends can be as diverse and infinite as the adjectives we choose. Our friends, in a very real sense, reflect the choices we make in life.

I thought i would dedicate this post to all of the amazing friends i have made here in Germany...not just within in my school, but within my host families. When i first arrived here, i was thinking it was going to be really hard to make friends, because i had that in Germany, people aren't as open.minded as we are in America. So, for the first few weeks, or even months, i really depended upon my first host family, to make me feel welcome, and included. My first host family was amazing, they took me all over the place, and introduced me to so many people, and really helped me learn to not be so shy, and how to make friends here in Germany. My host mom, Martina, and my host dad, Rudolf, became great friends of mine by the end of my stay with them. I can not thank them enough for everything they have done for me, and i am just so lucky, to have been able to have such an amazing family like this. &lt;3

Then, i moved on to my second host family in January. It was time to get used to a whole new house, and a whole new family. Of course, by now i had made some good friends in my school. We weren't as close then, as we were now, but knowing German really improved things. But, i was still shy to go up to them and ask them to hang out sometime. As i changed host families, i noticed immediately how different they were to my first family. I started talking with my host mom alot, we would go on a lot of walks together with Sally, and my host mom taught me a bunch of different german recipes, and we laughed, i really loved staying with this family. Gaby, my host mom, became a great friend too. For example, i had planned to meet up with some friends one weekend, but the weather was too bad, so i couldnt go. At first, i was pretty bummed out, because i was really looking forward to hanging out with them, but then Gaby and I tried to build a snowman, and ended up making a cheesecake together. It was so much fun, because the snow was too powdery, and we couldnt build a snowball, much less, an entire snowman! It was reallly cool to realize that it didnt matter i couldnt hang with my friends, that hanging with Gaby was just as much fun! I am so happy i had the chance to get to know her! =) &lt;3 And i had the chance to get to know my host sister, and that was great. She is just like a big sister to me, she is so sweet, and extremely nice. It was awesome to hang out with her, go for a coffee, or just take a trip into the city to hang out. I loved hanging out with her! She became just like a real sister to me! &lt;3 =)

Then it was April, and it was yet again the time to switch families and homes. At this point, i had great friends in school, and did a lot of different things with them. I switched host families, and again realized how different they were compared to my last two families. The biggest difference as having so many siblings. I had 3 host sisters! One, was 18, so one year older than me, and the other 2, are twins, and they are 14. The twins, Lana and Leonie are 2 of the funniest girls i have ever met. They say exactly whats on their mind, and i really admire that in them. They are truly the funniest, cutest girls i have ever met!!! It was really cool getting the chance to get to know them. I really got along well with my host sister Laura, she became just like a sister to me. We could talk about all sorts of different things together, and it was just great having the chance to get to know her, and being able to call her my friend. &lt;3 =)

And of course, my amazing friends in school. I have had the chance to meet so many people in the school, but of course, there are always the few, that you always hang out with. Domi, Britta, Saskia, and Dany for me! I am so happy i got the chance to meet these girls and hang out with them.They are the most hilarious people i have ever met, and are always there for me. It was really cool, Britta, was in America for awhile, so we always speak English together, and it was like she was a little piece of America for me, and i was always able to talk to her about how i was missing something from home. Saskia and Dani, are some of the sweetest girls i've ever met. Saskia, i cant even explain how amazing she is!! I've loved being able to hang out with her!!! and Dani, she is such a sweetheart, i am lucky to have her as a friend, i'm going to miss her so much!! And Domi, she was one of the first friends i made here. She helped me get used to the German way of life...my first lesson was German clothes, she took me shopping,a nd showed me what people here wear, and then she gave me a lesson in how people dress for the diskos! Ha, i dont know what i would have done without her! I am going to miss these girls so much when i leave!!! =( &lt;3

I haven't written in a long time. I have been super busy, and just haven't had much time to sit down and write. Well, i ended my last post talking about my trip to Hamburg, so I'll begin with that.

I went to Hamburg with my third family for 4 days, and had an amazing time! We got up early, and my host sister, Laura, drove us to Hamburg, a 6 hour drive! Our first day, we went on the Reeperbahn...if you don't know what that is, its super interesting, take a look on google. We also went into a wax museum, it was crazy how some of the statues, honestly looked just like the real person!! (I will load pictures, as soon as my new camera gets here, the other one is broken, and i cant get my pictures off of it) Then, we went to the first musikal. Heiße Eck. It was 24 hours at the reeperbahn. It was a little bit hard for me to understand it, because of the Hamburg dialect, but i got the point of it. It was really interesting to watch, because i had never really seen something like it in America. But, by the end, it turned out to be really funny, and i ended up understanding the entire plot...not something i was used to, but it was really funny. The next day, we did some shopping, and some sightseeing. The City Hall is huge!!^^ At the end of the day, we went into the Hamburg Dungeon, which gave a full history of Hamburg, but in a horror house setting. It was really interesting, because you learned too, i really enjoyed it, and had a great time! And i honestly thought it was going to be a lot scarier than it was, but it wasn't so bad. At one point, there was this one room, full of mirrors, but you couldn't really tell it was mirrors, because it was so dark, it was one the weirdest feelings, i would walk, see myself, but keep walking thinking it was a mirror, it was one of the weirdest/coolest feelings ever! Then,w e saw Der König der Löwen (The Lion King) It was AMAZING!! The costumes were done fantastically, they actually had people as the giraffes, and elephants, and as Simba, it was the most amazing thing i had ever seen in my entire life time!! I'd love to see it again sometime! And the vocies were amazing, it was my favorite part of Hamburg!!!!! =) The last day, we visited an Animal park, and it was really cool, becuse the animals really had a lot of space, and plenty of freedom, and you could even feed the elephants!!!!!! =)

This past weekend, i was at my last rotary conference! It was really sad having t say goodbye to all of the other exchnage students, because we honestly dont know if we will ever see eachother again. It was really sad...and i am not looking forward to having to say goodbye to my friends, and my host families here...

This weekend, i will be with my counselor, going to a wine festival. I m quite excited, to see if i can taste the difference between the different wines. And see if i can tell the difference between the grapes =) I'll be there for the weekend, and will be taking another boat ride/tour...it shall prove interesting. I had my first experience on y big boat...and it was okay...i just didnt like it when they turned around....

My language, i feel pretty fluent in German now, even my grammar is getting better!! School is going well, we just finished our last exam today, so hopefully soon, i will be doing a lot with friends!! My friends, Kayla, and Lauren, from America, are going to be here in just 11 days, and i am SO excited to see them again!!!!

I'll write more in 2 weeks! =) (Hopefully) But check again sometime next week for the pictures! =)

To my friends:

A friend is someone you hold dear:


Someone who is always there, through thick and thin;

Someone who is only a phone call away.

A friend is someone you can always rely on:

Someone who is there to share your thoughts with;

Someone to listen, no matter the subject.


A friend is someone you can feel comfortable with:

Someone you can sit silently beside, without conversation;

Someone you do not need to fill the quiet moments with.

A friend is someone you can trust:

Someone who will guard your deepest secrets;

Someone who will never let you down.


A friend is someone who is not judgmental:

Someone who will gently offer advice and opinions,

Yet, someone who is not overbearing or critical.

A friend is someone who can keep you grounded:

Someone who can help you see through your obstacles;

Someone to shoulder you through life's trials.

A friend is someone who shares unconditionally:

Someone to laugh and to cry with;

Someone to lean on, through both the good and the bad.


A friend is someone you choose wisely,

For a friend is your own mirrored image:

Someone to compliment your own self;

Someone who indicates who you are as a person.

A friend.... is what you are to me.

Thanks so much for everything you guys! I love you, and will miss you SO much!!!

~ There is no Challenge more challenging than the challenge to improve yourself ~

I can't believe how fast time is going by again! I was at school the other day, when i realized i had only 13 weeks left until i flew back to America!!! I couldn't believe it! It seemed like just a few weeks ago, it was Christmas!! Its amazing how time seems to fly by when you don't want it to.

Last week, i changed host families. I was really nervous to change, because it meant again, trying to adapt to a whole new life-style. I actually didn't start to really pack, until basically the day i was supposed to switch. I couldn't believe how much stuff I've accumulated!!!! I came to Germany with one suitcase, and my rotary backpack...nothing else! An this time, when i left my host family, i had my suitcase filled to the absolute top, my backpack, another suitcase, and 8 plastic bags! Plus a huge laundry bag, just for the new shoes!! And that was after i sorted through everything and decided to give a lot of it away!! My host mother couldnt believe how much stuff i had! It was hilarious bringing everything down, and loading it all into the car!! Before we left, i went for a walk with my host mom and Sally again. It was really weird...knowing that i wouldnt be staying with Gaby anymore, and not seeing Sally everyday! Then my host mom drove me to my new family, and we finally brought all of my things upstairs into my new home.

The first night, my host sister turned 18. So, of course, that means a huge party! Before the party began, i pretty much just unpacked all of my things, and tried to find spots for it all! My younger hst sisters helped me out, and laughed out loud when they saw all the books I've managed to buy...In fact, we are now reading a book in English, together. Still Life, by Joy Fielding (Really good!) We read it together, in English, and then i ask them if they can say what just happened, first in German, and then i ask them to say the same thing, just in English. And it also helps me with my German, so its really cool    =)   Then the party began, i think there ended up being around 40 people there...i couldnt believe it! They all stayed up until after 7 in the morning, i was in bed around 2. lol =)


I cant remember if i have already talked about my new host family, in previous posts...so, heres a little information. I live with only girls =) I have 3 host sisters, Laura (18) Lana (14) Leonie (14) Yes, the last two are twins =) And my host mom, Sabine. They have one dog, Luna, a beautiful border collie =)  I now live in a super small town called Hundsdorf, its about the same size of Embarrass (lol Rhondalay!) But at least Embarrass has a gas station, my small town doesn't even have that =) Theres about 400 people, and we live on the top of this huge hill!!! And when i go with the dog, we can also go up this huge trail, and theres a Buffalo Farm!! And a bunch of sheep, but here the sheep still have their tails...it looks really weird! =) But most of the time, i enjoy going through the woods with Luna, for our walks. =)

I went out with a few friends, on Saturday to Unikat Halle again, it was pretty fun, but i was dead tired, cuz it was the day after Lauras party! And i cant believe ho w exhausting it is to change families. I hve to-locate everything all over again!!

School started again on Monday, after having nearly 1 month off! It was good to see my friends again, but still, school is school.  We got most of our exams back, and i managed to get an A- on my English exam...lol. I apparently forgot my American Humor, and wrote a little bit to seriously. =) People here seem to think that Americans have a special humor, mainly meaning that we exaggerate everything we say.

Weather is wonderful, it is spring, and warm =)

I met with my rotary president, here in Germany, yesterday after school. We went to his house for dinner, and basically just talked about our exchange year so far! And i also got the date to do my presentation about Wisconsin! June 15th! =) I'll also be attending a rotary ball, for the switching of presidents, and i am really looking forward to it!!!

Thats pretty much all thats happened these last 2 weeks.In May, we'll be doing another Wandertag (Field trip) in school, and we are going to Köln (Cologne) in the Zoo! =) And of course, shopping! =) Then i am going on a Musikal Reise, with my host family, in the middle of May! We are going to Hamburg, and are going to see a few different musicals, including König der Löwen! (The Lion King!) I'm looking forward to it!!!!

I'll prolly write again after Hamburg =)
<3

~ Life's challenges are not supposed to paralyze you, they're supposed to help you discover who you are. ~

March is by far my favorite month so far, but also the most challenging of my year so far. So many things have happened, but yet, i am still here smiling and enjoying myself as much as, or even more than, before.

My host sister came again, the weekend before we left for Berlin, because she was going to be dog-sitting, Sally. It was fun to sit and talk with her, and hang out again. We even played skipbo, and it was hilarious. The germans seem to really like this game =)

Anyways, on Tuesday afternoon, we left for the airport to go to Berlin!!!! We flew with the Ryanair, airline, and i was sort of disappointed, because it is an irish airline, it as all in English, and i was looking forward to see if i could understand it in German. Because, when i first flew here to Germany, Madelyn and I were on the same flight, and they spoke German, and we both couldn't understand anything, and i was looking forward to comparing it...oh well. Anyways, the flight took about 1 hour, and then we landed, and i had my first few glimpses of Berlin, in a taxi as we drove back to the Hotel. And the city, is HUGE!! Way bigger than Chicago, and much prettier. The buildings were so old, and so...idk how to describe it. Anyhow, it was beautiful. We unpacked our bags in the hotel, then went off for a drink, toasting Berlin. On our way there, we saw some amazing street dancers. It was unbelievable the stuff they could do. So, we watched for about 10 minutes, then went to Cafe Kranzler, which is a huge Coffee-Beer cafe. I tried my first sip of Berliner Weisse, beer and i loved it!!! Its beer, with raspberry syrup mixed. It tastes so much better than normal beer!!! =)  From there, we met up with my host dads sister, and her family, in an Italian restaurant, the food was SO good! But, i was so stuffed, i thought i was going to explode!! It was the most i have eaten in a longgg time!!!

The next day, i went with my host mom to the Berlin Zoo. It is the biggest zoo in Europe i think! It was so much fun, we got there a little after 9am, and then stayed for 6 hours!!!!!!! And we didnt even get to see all of the animals! We also went into the aquarium, which was awesome. It was my first time ever being in one, and i really enjoyed it. They had reptiles and stuff too!! The zoo had Elephants, Wolves, Hyenas, and so much more. the coolest part,was Knut. Knut is a polar bear who was rejected by his mother. So, he was raised by the Zoo keepers.He was the first polar bear cub to survive past infancy at the Berlin Zoo. Knut's need for round-the-clock care required that Dörflein not only sleep on a mattress next to Knut's sleeping crate at night, but also play with, bathe, and feed the cub daily. Knut's diet began with a bottle of baby formula mixed with cod liver oil every two hours, before graduating at the age of four months to a milk porridge mixed with cat food and vitamins. After we were finished at the zoo, we went to the Reichstag. Reichstag is like the German White House. We got in through special tickets, through rotary, and were able to have a tour, and see where the politicians always are. It was really cool!! After that, we went to the Fernseherturm, which is one of the tallest in Europe. We waited for over an hour, bu it was worth it. The Fernseherturm has an amazing view, of all of Berlin, and a rotating restaurant! Once we were finished seeing the view, we went to find a place to eat. My host mom and i just kind of followed behind my host dad, and brother. Our feet were killing us at that point, and we walked through another little part of the city, and couldn't find anything, then finally we went into what we thought was a Chinese restaurant. But it turned out to be some type of Japanese, and we had no idea what anything was on the menu...so, we left, and settled at another Italian restaurant. After that, we took te subway to a bar, and had some cocktails, and decided to stay until past midnight, so we could celebrate my birthday. And sitting next to us, was someone from a famous TV series here, called Tatort. It was really cool.

The next day was my birthday, and we decided to do a Trabi tour. For those of you who dont know what a Trabi car is, in English its called Trabant. For those of you who still dont know, it was one of the most popular cars driven in East Berlin. My host brother drove this car, through Berlin for an hour, and it was so much fun. Afterwards, we went on a Spree tour. Spree is one of the rivers in Berlin. Basically, it was a boat tour. It was tons of fun, and our tour guide was a typical Berliner. Meaning, they are very direct and brusque. For example, you can get on the bus and ask the driver for directions and you're likely to get a stroppy reply among the lines of 'Am I the tourist information office, or what?' They also have a bit of a dialect, making it hard for me to understand what they were saying. After the Spree tour, we went to KaDeWeh, which is a HUGE shopping center. I even found a section all for americans, which had pop tarts, relish, oreos, mustard, A&W rootbeer, and so much more. Needless to say, i bought some =) My host mom and i did a little more shopping, then went bck to the hotel had a small drink, and picked up my host brother an host father, and we went out to eat at a Turkish restaurant. I absolutely love the turkish food, it is amazing!!! Anyways, my host family gave me a beautiful present for my birthday. Its just like a charm bracelet, but instead it is a charm necklace. They gave me two charms for it as well. The first for peace love and harmony, and te second a flipflop, with the American flag =)

Friday was our last day, so we went through a few museums. I bought an amazing book, all about the seperation of East and West Berlin/Germany. Its so interesting, there was so much i hadnt known before!! We actually managed to lose my host brother at some point...but eventually we all met up again, on our way to the airport.

When i got home, i found a package from my family, and a cake. My host sister had made a cake, without a recipe, using oreos, and white chocolate!! I couldnt believe it!! She was so sweet!! And the cake tasted amazing!! =) And from home, i got cheetos!! nd a bunch of bath and body works, and a few others things. Also a funfetti cake!!! =) =) Finally, an american cake! =)

Sunday, yesterday, it was Easter. We had colored some eggs, and my host mom hid our easter baskets. It was fun looking for them. My host mom also gave me a book all about the Westerwald, which is the small section of Rheinland.Pfalz, i live in!! Then we got the rest of the food ready, and i learned how to make Lachsrolle, whhich is like a salmon wrap. Its delicious!! And then i made Devilled Eggs, but a much milder version. =) It was fun to meet and see the rest of the family, before i switch host families.

So, i switch host families on Saturday. As i wrote before, i am excited to go to my new family, but also sad to leave this one behind. I made my host family here, a small scrapbook, with some of m favorite pictures, and memories. It was fun to go through the pictures, and remember the events where i took them.

My new host family has 3 children. One is just about my age, one year older. The other 2 are twins, 14 years old. They are all super nice!! I am excited to be able to have some host siblings that i see every day!!! =)

My language is coming along good, just trying to learn the grammar, which is super hard. But otherwise, good. The weather is springy! Finally starting to get warmer again, and sunny!!

I'll write again after i get settled with my new host family. <3

*...Life IS simple, it's just not easy...*

Challenges come so we can grow and be prepared for things we are not equipped to handle now. When we face our challenges with faith, and are prepared to learn, willing to make changes, and if necessary, to let go, we are overcoming the challenge.

Over the last two weeks, i have started my internship, Easter break has started, Spring is finally here, i went to a rotary weekend, and the 13th class graduated!!

I'll start with my internship. As i wrote in the last blog, i am doing an internship as a veterinarian! I started last Monday, at 8am. And my first job, was to show the other interns how to change a cat box...lol. So, after that, i got to play a little bit with this adorable white cat!! About an hour later, the cat was brought in for surgery, (neutered) and i was able to look in on the operation. At first, i was kinda freaked out, because the cats eyes were still open, and i was afraid it was awake, but then one of the vets, told me to pick up the paw, and feel how light it was...and it was super light, which meant the cat was in a heavy sleep. Then around 11, the cat finally started coming to, and i just kinda sat around with her for a little while. Then a dog came in, and i was able to watch Dr. Fischer, treat her. It was really interesting, because theres no way of really knowing what is wrong with the animal, since they cant talk. And to watch how she was able to figure out exactly what was wrong with the dog, was really fascinating!! Then from 12-3 i had my lunch break. Then i came back at 3, and it was incredible how busy the place is in the afternoons. I had a lot to do. There is also a dog, her name is Freier, she is the owners dog, and is always just walking around the vets. And between seeing the other patients, i played with her alot. But, i really loved doing the internship there, it was so much fun, and i learned so much.

Easter break has also started (I have 1 month without school, because of praktikum for 2 weeks, then 2 weeks for Easter Break) The Germans celebrate easter pretty much the same as we do. Except, they have an Easter Tree =) As you can see, and the Frohe Ostern, means Happy Easter! But we will be coloring eggs, searching for easter baskets, just like in America. I am also going to show them what Devilled Eggs are. =) And here, they make these cool cakes in the shape of either a lamb, or of a bunny. =) I am excited to learn how to make it =)

The weather the last couple of days have been really warm, but a little rainy. But, i am so happy to finally see the sun shining, and no more snow on the ground!! =) Here it rains alot, but not like the constant downpours we get in America, jus drizzling off an on through the day.

The 13th class here graduated this past week. And they do things completely different. First of all, they graduate in March, and not in June. And they graduate, the day, after they finish taking their Abi, which is kinda like an SAT or an ACT in the states, After they finished their ABI, they through  huge party outside at the school. With free beer. I didnt stay to long, just long enough to say congrats to the few of the graduates. For me, it was to cold! And i didnt want to stay out to late, because i had to do my internship in the morning.  And on their last day of school, they carried these huge...idk what they are called, but something similiar to bags, filled with candy, and would come in to the class rooms randomly, shout ABI and through candy at everyone. It was really funny. And then people played music in the parking lots, and it was just really funny to see the difference. In America, all the seniors are usually crying on their last day, and usually dressed up nice, here everyone was so happy, and dressed zup as little school children...

As for the rotary weekend, it was very interesting. I had fun being with the other exchange students, and getting to go shopping in the city, but there definitely a huge difference between rotary/rotex here in Germany, as in America.

In about one week, i will be going to Berlin for about 5 days with my host family. I am really excited!!! I cant wait to see the Capital of Germany! My host mom, even got me a book all about Berlin, and i am so excited to go there now!!! Speaking of host family, i will be switching host families in about 2 weeks...I'm sure i am going to like my new family, but i am really going to miss the host family i am with now. I loved staying with this family, they were always so sweet, and so nice. It'll be sad to switch families again. I've really loved being able to be a part of their family, and am really thankful for them for hosting me.

I already know my third family, and they have three children, 3 girly, and i have got to know them all, and they are super sweet, nice and funny. So, i know i am going to have a good time in this next family. They are even taking me to visit Hamburg!!! It's going to be wonderful!!

So, i will write again when i get home from Berlin! I am looking forward to spending my birthday there!! =) I probably wont be able to answer emails until i am settled into my new host family, so please be patient waiting for answers. =)

Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.

 März 3, März 4

“Live life fully while you're here. Experience everything. Take care of yourself and your friends. Have fun, be crazy, be weird. Go out and screw up! You're going to anyway, so you might as well enjoy the process. Take the opportunity to learn from your mistakes: find the cause of your problem and eliminate it. Don't try to be perfect; just be an excellent example of being human.”

I can hardly believe how long it has been since my last post! Well, I'll start off with the basics, school, home life, language, weather...and then get to the more interesting stuff, like Karneval, and the last few weekend trips =)

So, school is going well. I can't believe half of the year is already finished! My classes are the same...i still dont understand anything in my Politics class, Biology is still my favorite subject. As for my other classes, they are going well. I recently participated in my Music class, that was great!! I actually knew an answer to the question, i was very proud of myself!! This week is exam week. Today, i took my english exam..and it wasn't too bad! Its so weird...English. I honestly find myself questioning everything i write in English, because i never know if it is actually right anymore. I never used to question my English...but now, even some things that i think look right, turn out to be wrong! I just have to get through next week, and then i have basically 1 month free of school!! For 2 weeks, i will be doing an Internship, as a veternarian!! I am quite excited to be able to work with the animals! I will do this for 2 weeks, and then i have 2 weeks free, for Easter break!! I am looking forward to sleeping in! =)

I have officially been with this host family for 2 months. I still feel really comfortable, and am really enjoying myself! I have a very good relationship with my host mom, and i find her super sweet. And my host dad quite funny. This last weekend, my host sister, Kerstin came home for the weekend. It was sooo much fun!! I really like her, she is super nice! We went shopping together, and played a few card games, and even Settler of Catan! It was an awesome weekend, and i really liked getting to know her more! In fact, this weekend i am going to visit her in Trier, and we are going to go in the city together, and do a little shopping. =) I am really excited!!

As for my German, it is coming along really well! I'd say, from a scale of 1-10 speaking is like a 9.5 and as for understanding, I'd say a 10. As I've mentioned in a few of my last posts, i have started to dream and think in German, and it was so weird at first. But recently, i had a dream in English, and it was weird...I cant really explain the feeling...of thinking and dreaming in another language...I have also decided to take the DAFS test, meaning deutsch als fremdsprache (German as a foreign language)  And, if i pass this test, it allows me to study in Germany...which means, i want to go to college here. I have come to really like the german language, and the culture, and even the education system. I want to study here. But, i first want to make sure my language is good enough...so, i am receiving tutoring once a week from a teacher, and we are practicing for this test...I really hope i pass it..!!! I will take it in July, or in June, which gives me 4 months left to study! However, i won't take the test, unless i am sure i am ready for it. In order to study here, i have to be C1 level, and right now i am  managing B1 (The system is a1,a2, b1,b2...)

As for the weather here, it is finally getting warmer!!! We have no snow on the ground now, quite a difference from my last post!! And, i am able to go with a normal jacket, no longer needing a huge winter coat!! The sun is finally shining again!! And the skies are finally blue again!! But, supposedly i is supposed to snow again on saturday, i am hoping the weather man is wrong!!   =)



So, as most of you know, in February, it is Karneval. Karneval, is kinda like Mardi Gras! It was one of the most...interesting and different things i have experienced so far!! I had a great time! For the first day of Karneval ( I had one week of school free!) theres something called Altweiberfastnacht. Which means, basically a womans day. This day, the woman are in charge, and cut off the ties of any man she sees! (Including the mayor of the town...)Anyways, i went to Martina's (My first host family) for this day. They had a huge party, complete with a DJ  (my host dad)   =)   It was a lot of fun, and then we went to Sirius, which is a small pub in my town, but it was so full, that i ended up leaving after about 10 minutes, with my host sister, Laura. Laura then came to my house, and slept over. It was a lot of fun!! I also went to a parade, in a neighboring town, Höhr, the parade was so much fun. I couldn't believe how all the people dressed up...there was even one group that dressed up as naked people..(It was like 3 degrees outside!) I also got to see my first host family in the parade, as Princess and Prince! But, karneval was really a lot of fun!    

The weekend before last, i was in Trier, with my host mom, to visit my host sister, Kerstin. Trier is the oldest city in Germany, and i found it beautiful. So, first we picked up my host sister, and then we did a city tour. In this cute little train (Look at the picture)  And we did the tour for a little while, then walked in the city, and went into different shops. I also got to go inside the church. Churches here are sooo nice inside, compared to America. I love being able to go inside the different ones, and see how each of them differ from the other. We also went to eat at Subway!!! It was my host moms first time, and i wasn't to sure if she was going to like it, but she did. It was funny though, because we each ordered a 6 inch, and my host mom thought that was the large one. =)  We also went inside a gummy bear shop! It had so many different types of gummies i couldn't believe it!! And they were in all different shapes, musical, and even playboy and playgirl! It was super funny. There were even some that had vinegar inside! I swear, they must have had any flavor you could have thought of! It was a really fun time, i really enjoyed myself!!  (As for the picture, i really am not so short, she is just super tall!!)

I've received so many emails, with people asking me what is typical for Germans to eat...and rather than write each of you back, i figured i would just write it on here real quick, and then you can all know.
So, for breakfast, it is very typical to eat a Brötchen. Which is like bread rolls, but it gives in so many different kinds...but one typical one is the Kannenbäckerbrot. (First picture) Personally, i dont like it. I prefer what they call, American Toast bread. I find theirs, way to crunchy...lol. And they almost always put butter on it, and then you have your choice at what else. Whether it be cheese, marmalade, different meats: ham, salami, bacon, or nutella. There is also something else people spread on their morning bread and it is kind of like meat in a jar..leberwurst...meaning liver sausage, and it is totally spreadable. (I haven't tried it...) Then for lunch, there is usually something warm. Lunch is their biggest meal of the day, and one really typical one is a sunny side up egg, on top of bread and ham, and then you eat it so. Or, my favorite, is potato wedges covered in this creamy spinach. I love it...and of course, yes they eat Bratwurst, and Sauerkraut.  And for dinner, usually the same as breakfast, a brötchen, with different toppings. They also drink a lot of tea here. And normally, drink Mineralwasser, meaning sparkling water...i personally can not drink it. I cant stand it...i normally drink water from the tap...






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