*...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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