Cologne, and daily living

Well.....
On Saturday, my host brother and my host father, took a trip to München, to watch the ever so famous, Soccer game. They are BIG supporters of the Bayern München team. And were totally decked out inBayern Münchens colors, when they took off.

As for me, i went with my host mother into Köln (Cologne). I was absolutely amazing!!! The buildings there were magnificent (as nearly all the buildings are here in Germany!) I even saw a building shaped like an egg!!
We went to Cologne so my host mother could take a trip to the Bio supermaket. (One of the few places you can get bio meat!) Once we got that out of the way, we did a little sight seeing. My host mother had wnated to find a pair of boots for winter, so we checked out a lot of the shoe stores (she is a real fan of shoes! =) )
She also took me shopping!!!!! Where, i was able to get 5 new shirts, and a hair straightener!! =) I was really thankful, Martina is a very giving person. =)
We then went to the Cologne Cathedral (DOM) it was truly amazing!!! I couldnt fit the entire church into the view of my camera (will post pictures soon!) it was truly amazing...and a way to remember what year it was built...
1
1+1=2
2+2=4
4+4=8
(1248)
(My host mom taught me this)

We left Cologne around 8pm. I then went to kirmes with my friend (and soon to be host sister) Laura, in Deesen. Kirmes is a festival...i think something like a religious festival. I know it is celebrated from the church. Each year, a different tree is cut down, and used as the kirmes tree. And each tree has a special kirmes saying on it, every year it is different. Every town has a kirmes...i think it is something like a fair from the church, back in the states.
Anyways, i had a fun time there. It was a chance to speak with people my own age, i enjoyed it very much. By the time i came home from kirmes, it was all ready midnight. I didnt go to sleep until some time after 1 o'clock in the morning.

The next day, was a birthday party, near Cologne. It was my host mom's nieces, 15th birthday. So, i went with Martina to her sisters home. Her sister has a beautiful home. In Germany, the birthdays are celebrated a little bit differently. Not to different from the states, this one was one with only family. And a birthday cake, is a lot different here than in America. In America, we all know birthday cake...here in Germany...it is more often like a cheese cake, or sort of pie. The birthday party was nice.

Now, i have been getting a lot of emails asking me what my daily life is like. so, i figured i would post a little bit about my daily life here in Germany.

Now that school has started, i am on more of a fixed schedule. I wake up in the morning around 6:30am (time difference from here, and WI is 7 hrs!i am ahead) Then at about 7:00am, i go down for breakfast, where i usually just have a glass of orange juice...still not a big fan of eating in the morning! I then leave for school at about 7:30am. I then havemy classes, and during Mittags Pause, depending on the day, i come home. Mittags Pause is a little like lunch in the cafeteria in the states, But here, they do not havea cafeteria, you go home, or out during this hour to eat.
Usually, i am finished with my classes by this time (except for Monday tuesday and thursday) so, i can come home.
I then get my homework translated, and try to finish it.

On the weekends, i do not usually have anything planned. Usually my hosts tell me where we are going, and it is always wonderful. Before school started, i was doing a lot of sight seeing between the different cities and areas of Germany.

Everything is still going wonderfully with my host family. I really like them, they are extremely nice, and very kind. I feel really comfortable in their home. My host mom Martina, is great. We have a lot of laughs...she is always telling everyone to speak German to me. Rudolf, my host father, is wonderful. He speaks more English to me, than my host mother. but he is really nice. =) I am very happy to be staying with them. =)

**Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you've imagined. **