Host mom treats Camel bite... =)

Wow, it has been awhile since my last post!!! I have beeen pretty busy these past couple weeks!

Well, my last post, i mentioned herbstFerien (Fall break!) Well, it was so much fun!! The first couple days, i pretty much just slept in, and hung around the house. (My hosts didnt have the fall break, only the school students) So, in the mornings, i slept in, and normally used the mornings to catch up on emails, and reading. Then my hosts would come home in the afternoons, and we would have lunch (more like a dinner in the states) and chat a little.

Well, one of the days during break, i was able to work at a Veternarians!!! It was absolutely wonderful!!! Since, i do not have any animals in my first host family, being able to work at the Vets, was great! First, a girl, Jenny, showed me around the clinic. The different rooms, and what each room was used for. There were so many rooms for the cats, it was unbelievable!! Then, i was able to look on during a surgery. I watched two male cats get neutered. And then, there were some basic appointments, and those were pretty interesting. But, i have to say my favorite part was deff. getting to play and be with the animals. There was this adorable little baby black kitten, it was long haired and soooo fluffy! And it was extremely playful, and sooo adorable! I loved it!! And there was also, this HUGE dog! I didnt even know what breed it was! But she was a sweet heart, despite the fact she prolly weighed more than me, and i am pretty sure if she had stood up, she would have been at least 2 feet taller than me!! Shes huge! but was such a sweety!! The entire day, i only spoke German, and that was pretty cool. and if i didnt understand a word, the people didnt immediatly startspekaing english to me, instead they explained the word, in German, and i was able to understand it! All in all, it was quite a fun time!!

And i think it was the day after this, or maybe a few days, i cant really remember, i was able to go with my "Host Uncle" and watch him make his regular TV series! Martinas brother, is a famous, and excellent singer here in Germany! He sings tenor, and is totally amazing! And he has a show here, called Sonntags Tour, which means sunday tour. And he travels around, different areas, in germany, and interviews people about what they do, and then it turns into a TV series. When i went with him, he was in Bad Ems. Bad Ems, has a veryyy famous health spa!! It is all natural salt, and i was able to go into the salt factory, and see how it was made! It was awesomeee!!! And then, we went down to a main part of the city, and i am not exactly sure what they were doing, but they got into a veryyy old vehicle, and filmed some more, and they went across the river and filmed a little, while i stayed behind and got to look a little around the city. It was really a lot of fun, except for it was cold. I was wearing my host moms ski jacket, and i was still pretty cold. The day was a little rainy, but not to bad. But by the time i came back home, i was like frozen solid! I had a few cups of tea, and took a veryyy warm shower, and then was finally feeling better! But, it was really an awesome day. I really enjoyed it.

I also went out with my host brother, and a few of his friends to a pub in Koblenz, Enchilada. It was really a pretty cool time. My host bro's friends are really nice, i like hanging out with them. We actually stayed out until around 4am!! I was exhausted by the time we got home, and immediatly went to bed! Then the next day, i woke up around 11, and my host dad told me my second host mom, Gaby, had called and invited me to go to Koblenz with her and her husband, and another American. But sadly, i had woken up to late  =( 

(Marksburg Castle)

So, my hosts and i decided we would go toMarksburg, and guess what?? My second host family was there!! So, we met up in Marksburg. Marksburg is a beautiful castle! And there is a legend, called the Lorelai (sp?) Where a sorceress sits upon a very high rock, brushing her long long hair, and she distracts the ship men, and the ship men end up crashing into the rock. I am pretty sure this story is in the states too...i remember hearing something about it. But the view from up there was totally amazing! It was so beauitful. We also went in and had Federweiser (sp??) Its a type of wine, that is like sweet. It tasted really good! I also had some good apple pie!! Then we went to the actual Marksburg. It was soo nice! First, we climbed up a few flights of stairs, and the view was spectacular! I loved it. And after this, we went to a restaurant, but the restuarant itself looked more like a castle to me! and the food was delcious! The other American, really liked the sauasge types you can get here in Germany. I really like the bratwursts..the others, i havent tried really. I tried a few of them, and they are okay. But, not my favorite thing in the world to eat!!

My RYEO from the states was also in Germany during my break!!! It was absolutely great to see her!! i hadn't really realized how much i really missed home, until i saw her. But we had a great time, she came to ym hosts hous,e where we had some tea, and cake. And then she came with us to my host mothers group, "Urny Girls" which is just a little group of her and her friends and they meet up in various areas. It was fun, we hiked up to the place where we were going to eat, and it was great being able to talk to Ann. And then, i went with her to Essen, and Düsseldorf over the weekend. And it was really cool being able to go into the little shops, and talk to her (in English) about everything i have done so far, and for  there to be some one else there who understood how different it is here. It was great, i really enjoyed myself. and at the end of this little get together, of cours,e i had to say good bye. Which truly sucked. Of course, i cried a little. But, strangely, i wasnt to home sick after she left. I was worried i would end up getting really homesick, after seeing her, but i am not. (Thank God!) But it was an amazing experience.

I also had the chance to go to the Circus!!!! It was my first one and it was totally great!! We were able to see Camels, and Zebras and so many other animals! I even got the chance to ride one of the camels!!! It was great! Eric, another exchange student, was there with me. It was my host mom, Martina, my second host mom, Gaby, Eric, and I. There was an intermission halfway throug,h and we went out to feed and pet the animals. Ihad a lot of fun feeding the zebras, and then we were feeding the camels, and the camels were indeed quite hungry. I had run out of food, and was sort of standing there, when another camel came up, and bit my hand. At first it hurt, but it didnt really look to bad. It was pretty red, but i couldnt tell the skin had been broken, so i didnt really say anything. Then Eric and I went to ride the camel!! That was a once in a lifetime experience i do believe! We then went back in to watch the rest of the Circus. At the end of the circus, my hand had started to hurt a little more, and when i looked down at it, i realized the camel had actually broken through the skin!!! We then went home, dropped Eric off, and my host mothers were talking about how to treat a camel bite. In the end, they just decided to put some anti bacteria on it, and then just keep an eye on it. So, when i got home with Martina, i went and washed my hands, and in the light, i could see it was a little swollen over the bite. But wasnt to worried, Martina then put on some cream, that burned sooo much! And then we read it, and it said it shouldnt go right on wounds...and its not for people with asthma...so, we rinsed it off immediatly, and put some other type of cream on it. We then wrapped it up, very nicely...and i went to sleep. The next day, it still didnt look to bad, a little bruised and a little swollen, but nothing to horrible....Well, that night i stayed with my host sister, Laura, and while i was there, my hand had swollen up, really thick...and we decided it would be best if i went to the doctor. Sure enough, the next day, my entire hand was huge!!! And it was tinted blue...it looked quite weird. So, we went to the doctor, and the people just laughed when i said i was bit by a camel...the doctor, looked at it, and put some cream and disenfectant on it, and then wrapped it up. and told me my prescription was to eat half a pine apple every day...funny, i know. But something in the pine apple was supposed to help bring down the swelling. Well, the next day it was till swollen, so, we went back to the doctor, and he put some other cream on it, and wrapped it up again, and gave me some cream to put on at home. Finally, like 5 days later, my hand returned to normal. You can still see the wound, where it had bitten, but my hand is not even swollen any more. =)

So, my break was definitely one i will not forget. It was very exciting...and quite strange. But, it was so much fun!!

Now, i have returned to school after 2 weeks free. But, its good to be able to see my friends, and to ahng out with them now.

The weather here is getting colder, and it rains often. Tonight is halloween, and i am going out with a few friends to a big party! i am quite excited!!!

My host family is still great. I cant believe i only have about 9 weeks left with them...its so weird half of my exchange is almost over!! =(

Language gets better every day. And so does the food! I think i can finally say, i am used to German food. It really doesnt shock me as much as it had my first couple days here. Now, i quite like it!! And it is so much healthier than in the states, i have all ready lost weight! =)

Halloween was great!! i went to a friends house to get ready, and then went out to a club! it was truly a fun time, and celebrated so much differently than in the states!!!

Until next time...

<3

Be happy for this moment, this moment is your life.

Hallo!!

So, nothing to much is new here.

A few weekends ago, we had two guys from Austria staying with us. They were actually pretty cool, very nice. I definitely realized the different between Austrian German, and Germany..German. I had a hard time understanding what they were saying, but sometimes i was able to catch a few words, and understand pretty much what the topic of the conversation was. They stayed with us, beause of the Schutzenfest. (Sp?) Schutzenfest is a shooting festival. My host dad is something like the captain of it. It's pretty sweet. It was a pretty fun time, we went in the evening, of course, i wore the dirndl. The beginning it was just a lot of talking to different people, and introductions. Then i followed my host mom around selling Lotto (raffle tickets) We then went and sat, and talked to some more people. My third host mom, Sabine, was also there. So, i talked to her a little, and then Martina went dancing. It was awesome to see all the dances they do here!!! It's nothing like American dancing....or maybe it is...but i have never seen it before. It was awesome! I took a bunch of videos...once i figure out how in the world to upload them, i will do that.  The rotary club president was also there, so, i said hi to him,a nd talked for a few minutes, and then, before he left he boughtsome lotto tickets, and gave them to me, it was very sweet of him!! And, believe it or not, i actually one! twice!! My first prize was a blood pressure machine...woot! ;) Then, i also won a plane ride around the westerwald. I think that will be alot of fun when i get the chance to do it!!! I am so excited for it!!! =) We came back to the house pretty late (or early...depending on the way u look at it)

Sunday, we went to Koblenz with the 2 guys from Austria, and had soem ice cream (which was delicous) and walked around a little while. I was ableto take some awesome pictures!! (I love taking pictures here!)

The next weekend, friday, i went shopping with my friend Domi!! And it was a total blast! And, i got rid of my flip flops!! (I know, big suprise!!!) i bought some tenni's and i bought a few jackets, and pulli's, and some new jeans (skinny jeans) i really like them!! it was a lot of fun, it was great to just sit and talk to her (in german!!...and a little english of course)

Sunday,  i went to my third host sisters' birthday party (Lana&& Leonie, they are twins) it was pretty fun. I was able to meet alot of the different family members. And the cake this time...was a little bit closer to the birthday cake i am used to in the states. It looked something like marble cake. I didnt have that one though, i tried this mango, strawberry, "cake". It was interesting. We then watched some home movies, and it was pretty cute.

Although, watching the home movies, amde me feel a little bit homesick. But, it was okay.

Then on Monday it was back to school. School is still going pretty well. I have finished my first exams. Which were actually, not as bad as i thought. Although, stupidly, in english i completely over thought one of the questions, and answered it completely wrong...so, i probably look like a dunderhead...but oh well. I still like most of my classes. A few of them , i wouldnt mind having less of, but oh well. I am starting to get to know my way around the school pretty well now. and my friends make things a lot easier, and less awkward.

I was pretty sick this past week, with a stupid stomach flu...and it was awful. But i am feeling a lot better now. I had my first experience with the Dr. I do not know, if it is only my host family, or if it is in all of Germany, but the doctor comes to the house...you do not go to the doctor. And luckily, the dr spoke english (i didnt feel like concentrating on German when i was ill) and found out i basiclly just had the stomach flu. And here, i was told to drink lots of tea. The tea wasnt to bad, a bit different than in the states (no sugar, and no milk) but it wasnt so bad. I was sick until Thursday, then started to feel better. and today (Friday) i went back to school. And now, we are in Herbstferien (Fall break) for two weeks. =)

During Herbstferien, i think i am going to Luxembourg, and to the oldest German city! I am excited! i will also be going over to Domi's house as well!!

As for my host family, all is still going wonderful. I still like them a lot. They very sweet, and extremely nice.
The language is getting easier every day, i just need to get over feeling embarassed when i try to speak..once i overcome that small obstacle, i think it will be better.

All in all, it has been totally amazing so far. And it has all ready been 2 mnths!!! I cant believe it! I still fidn it hard to believe io am actually in a whole different country...its just so amazing. Anyways, thats all for now.

<3