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Sunday, November 24, 2013

Das Zugehörigkeitsgefühl

Hallo, Leute!  Was gibt's?  Ich kann es einfach nicht glauben, einfach wie schnell Zeit geht.  Ich bin hier für schon fast 4 Monate gewesen!  Und fast von ein Jahr hab ich meine Bewerbung für YFU gemacht und geschickt...und hab ich für 5 Monate gewartet, um einen Brief zu bekommen, daß sagen würde, ob ich ein Auslandsjahr haben könnte... Und es ist fast von ein Jahr, daß ich ein Vorstellungsgespräch mit Tom Woods für dem CBYX Stipendium nach Deutschland hatte.  Meine Freunde in Amerika wüssten, daß ich nach ein andere Land gehen wollte, aber sie wüssten nicht (ich auch) daß ich wirklich gehen würde.  Ich erinnere mich, in 2012, ungefähr Dezember, als ich zu mein Dad gesagt hab, 'In ein Jahr von jetzt, könnte ich in ein verschiedene Land sein.'  Die nächste 5 Monate waren nicht leicht.  Ich hab gehofft, geträumt und gebietet, um ein Austauschjahr zu haben.  Und hier bin ich, ein Jahr später, in Deutschland!  Es ist wirklich komisch, wie schnell die letzes Jahr gegangen gewesen hat.  

Hello, people!  What's up?  I can simply not believe how fast time goes.  I have been here for already almost 4 months!  And almost one year ago, I made and sent my application for YFU...and I waited for 5 months to get a letter that would say whether I could have an exchange year.  And it is almost one year ago that I had an interview with Tom Woods for the CBYX Scholarship to Germany... My friends in America knew that I wanted to go to a different country, but they didn't know (me neither) whether I really would go.  I remember in 2012, around December, when I said to my Dad, 'A year from now, I could be in a different country.'  The next 5 months were not easy.  I dreamed, hoped, and prayed to have an exchange year.  And here I am, one year later, in Germany!  It's really wierd how fast this last year went.

Und jetzt denke ich, wenn letztes Jahr so  schnell gegangen ist, wie schnell würde mein Jahr in Deutschland gehen?  Und ich weiß ganz genau, daß es schnell gehen wird...es geht schnell jetzt!  Alles daß ich darüber tun kann, ist mein Jahr zu hegen.  Ich muss jeden Moment einsaugen, weil ich nicht immer in meinem Austauschjahr sein werde.  Ich muss sagen, daß das ein bisschen deprimierend ist, aber ich muss auch denken, und sei dankbar, daß ich dieser Gelegenheit hab. Ich bin wirklich gesegnet.

And I think now, if last year went so quickly, how quickly will my year in Germany go?  And I know exactly that it will go quickly...it is going fast now!  All that I can do about it is to cherish my year here.  I have to drink in every moment, because I won't always be in my exchange year.  I have to say that that is a little depressing, but I also have to think and be thankful that I have this opportunity.  I am really blessed.

Also...was ist passiert, seit die letztes Mal daß ich etwas geschrieben hab?  Na?  Los geht's! 

So...what happened since the last time I wrote something?  Well?  Let's go!

Am 9. November, ich bin zum Oberstufenball gegangen, in meine Schule.  Es war sehr schön.  Als ich in Amerika war, hab ich meinem Koffer ein Kleid, Schuhe, eine Kette und Ohrring gepackt, weil meine Gastmama zu mir über Facebook gesagt hat, daß ein Tanz in die Schule sein würde.  Aber es war eine Überraschung, als ich da gegangen bin.  Ich dachte die ganze Zeit bevor, daß es einen Tanz war.  Es war total ok, aber hab ich entgedeckt, daß es war nur ein Abendessen und ein Programm danach. Es war trotzdem gut! Während dem Programm, gab's Witze über viele Themas.  Ich hab leider nicht alles verstanden, aber es ist ok. :-)

On November 9th, I went to Oberstufenball in my school.  It was very nice.  When I was in America, I packed a dress, shoes, a necklace and earrings in my suitcase, because my hostmom said to me over Facebook that there would be a dance in my school.  But it was a surprise when I was there.  I thought the whole time before that it was a dance.  It was totally ok, but I discovered that it was only a dinner and program after.  It was nevertheless good!  During the program there were jokes on many themes.  Unfortunately I didn't understand everything, but it is ok. :-)

   Zum Oberstufenball! To Oberstufenball!

Die nächste Wochenende war die Umzug mit meine Gastfamilie.  Wir haben nicht weit umgezogen, sondern nur einem Dorf 2 kilometer weit von unserem Wohnung und unserem Dorf.  Die Umzug war sehr anstrengend und viele Arbeit, aber wir hatten viele Hilfe von Familie und Freunde.  Die letzte Mal daß ich umgezogen hab, war als ich 2 Jahre alt oder so war.  Es war interessant!  Das Haus und das Dorf, wo wir jetzt wohnen, ist sehr schön.  Es gefällt mir sehr!  Mein Zimmer ist auch toll.  Alles ist einfach toll!

The next weekend was moving weekend with my host family.  We didn't move far, only to another village 2 kilometers away from our apartment and village.  The move was hard and a lot of work, but we had a lot of help from family and friends.  The last time that I had a move was when I was 2 years old or so.  It was interesting!  The house and village that we now live in is very beautiful.  I like it a lot!  My room is also great.  Everything is simply great!

       Mein Schlafzimmer!  My bedroom!

               So schön!  So beautiful!




 ...und der Hund, Amando. ...and the dog, Amando.

Am 21. bin ich mit meiner guter Freundin, Johanna, zu Die Tribute von Panem, Catching Fire gegangen.  Wir haben es auf Englisch geschauen, und es war TOTAL cool!  Sehr, sehr gut.  Meine ersten Film ins Kino in Deutschland!  Johanna ist eine ganz Liebe, und es freue mich so sehr, daß wir uns Freunde sind. Bevor sind wir uns zu Salädchen für Abendessen gegangen.  Es ist ein total leckeres Restaurant!  

On the 21st I went with my good friend, Johanna, to The Hunger Games, Catching Fire.  We saw it in English, and it was TOTALLY cool!  Very, very cool.  My first movie in a movie theater in Germany!  Johanna is so great, and I am so glad that we are friends.  Before we went to Salädchen for dinner.  It is a totally delicious Restaurant!  



       
Mehr und mehr in Deutschland hab ich ein Zugehörigkeitsgefühl.  Ich finde, daß alles endlich leichter werden ist.  Ich hab so viele Deutsch gelernt!  Es ist so cool zu hören, wenn deutschen Leute sagen, wie gut mein Deutsch ist!  Es ist sehr ermutigend zu wissen, daß ich etwas wirklich gut tue.  Ich sage nicht, daß es jetzt leicht ist, weil die Schule und alles noch schwer ist, aber es wird mehr und mehr entspannt.  Ich muss sagen, daß dieses Gefühl ein bisschen schwer zu erklären ist... Weniger stress überall, und mehr ein Gefühl wie Friede, und die Kenntnisse daß alles gut wird.  Ich bin warten gewesen, für dieses Gefühl zu fühlen!  

I have more and more in Germany a sense of belonging.  I am finding that everything is finally becoming easier.  I have learned so much German!  It is so cool to hear when German people say how good my German is.  It is really encouraging to know I am doing something really right.  I'm not saying that it's now easy, because school and everything is still hard, but everything is becoming more and more relaxed.  I have to say that this feeling is a bit hard to explain... Less stress overall, and more a feeling of peace and the knowledge that everything's going to be okay.  I have been waiting to feel this feeling!

Ich bin glücklich.  Hab ich schon gesagt, einfach wie gesegnet daß ich bin?

I am happy.  Have I already said simply how blessed I am?


         Eine Schnecke. ;-). A snail. ;-)

Bis nächstes Mal!  Biss dann!  Tschüss!

Until next time!  Until then!  Bye!

Sunday, October 20, 2013

Einfach London!


 Hallo, Leute!  Wie geht's euch?  Ich bin gut gewesen, weil jetzt ich Ferien habe - und für noch eine Woche!  

Hey, everybody!  How are you all?  I have been well, because I now have break, and still for another week!  

Time is flying by.  I can't believe it's already been 2 1/2 months!!!  O.O

You ask, what have I been up to since my last post?  Nothing too new to mention, but this past week I had the great opportunity to spend a week in London with my host mom!  It was a great week.  Here's an overview:

A great friend of my host mom's kindly allowed us to stay in his apartment in Covent Gardens for the week, so it didn't take long to be amidst the bustle of London life.  One thing that you may or may not know about London is that it is EXPENSIVE.  Even more than Germany!  Despite this, London is super fun, modern, interesting, and historic.  Here was my week! 

You see some really weird street performers in London.  
Despite juggling huge knives on this thin rope between these pillars, this guy did survive.

What has Yoda been eating?  Since when is he so tall?  Maybe I should've asked for some growing advice...
I guess he just couldn't face the day...

A cool building 

The M&M store.

Big Ben
                                             

Westminster Abbey!

...and a beautiful courtyard on the inside!  
Westminster Abbey was awesome.  I spent a great time touring it (pictures weren't allowed inside), and it was so cool to see the tombs of famous people in English history (like Mary Queen of Scots, Queen Elizabeth I, King Henry VIII, etc.).  I also saw the graves of Charles Darwin, Handel, and other cool people.  I stayed for the 5:00 Evensong service, and it was AMAZING.  I was one of the first people there, so I sat in the Quire section, practically amongst the choir (the famous one with the young boys who sing soprano and wear cute white robes)!  It was absolutely stunning.
                                   

What building is this, you ask?  Good question.  
Piccadilly Circus.  Don't be fooled as I was...it really isn't a real circus...

St. Paul's Cathedral was awesome, too.  Mama and I took a lengthy tour (the self-tour where you can go your own pace) and climbed to the very top of the Cathedral, where you could see this view.  The climb, I tell you, was quite a workout.  But it was totally worth it!
                                             
The view atop St. Paul's Cathedral
Mama and Me
                                               

Cool view from above!


And another!  
                                      

Yup, the typical London phone booth!  
Big Ben, red phone booth, red double-decker Bus.  All in one picture!
                                             
                                     

                                               

                                      

A view from Tower Bridge.
                                     

Buckingham Palace
                                     
The cool monument behind it.
Very expensive but soooooooo good!

I was so excited to see The Phantom of the Opera!  We had great seats, and finally, after so many years of adoring this musical, I was able to see it live...and in London!  
                                                
Ohhhhhh, yes!
The Phantom of the Opera!!!!!  Absolutely stunning.
                                               
                                               
Some sort of march protesting something about teachers (I believe pro-teacher).  That's all I  got from reading the signs.  Realllllly long march and really loud.

                                      
Well, hello, Mr. Bean (or Johnny English, whichever you prefer).  So nice of you to greet me with that face!
                                           
                                     

                                                  

It was so weird hearing and speaking English again.  I'm so used to hearing and responding in German on a daily basis that it was a strange transition back to English.  It was quite funny: the first day we were there, Mama and I went grocery shopping.  At some point we couldn't find something, so I asked an employee where it was, obviously in English.  But after he told me where it was, without thinking I responded, 'Danke.'  I guess German is just engraved into my mind!  I thought that was pretty funny.

So, I hope you enjoyed this post!  London is a really great place, and I hope you have a chance to go there someday.  My next post will be sometime next month, after our move to a new house in a neighboring village.  

Until then!  Over and out.  


                                             


Saturday, September 7, 2013

Many things



Hi everybody!  I'm sorry it's taken me so long to write another post.  I didn't realize that I would have such little time in Germany - I hope you understand!  

So, this is what has been happening since the last post.


This is my wonderful temporary family!  They are so great and awesome!


In my first home, for three weeks I went to German Language school with six other American exchange students.  It was just like a normal school day, except for all of it, we learned German and had orientation sessions.  Since we were the beginning level of German class, we knew German on the range of very little to none!  Our teacher, Nathalie, was very patient, sweet, and helpful.  I learned a lot in those three weeks!  


My lovely German teacher, Nathalie!

                                             

My host mom's bike that I rode to and from school every day, and this is the path I took.

I was so bad at riding this bike when I first started, because I rarely rode bikes in America.  However, I was practically professional by the end of the three weeks!
                                                
Linn is so photogenic and adorable!
       
                                 
All of the exchange students with most of the host siblings.
All of us exchange students in a candid pose.


A few weeks after arrival, all of the exchange students, our teachers, and our host siblings all together went on a class trip to Münster, Niedersachsen.  It was a very beautiful city, and it was a fine day.  We toured some museums, saw the sights, and went for a boat trip.  A lot of walking, too!  Oh, and I ate at McDonalds for lunch.  It was much classier, but much more expensive.  No dollar menu in Germany, I'm afraid.            

     
Saint Lamberts Church, Münster, Niedersachsen.  Our class trip.

Ahhh, the European architecture!  Historical fact: after WWII, almost all of Münster was destroyed.  So what you see is a remake of the original city.
            
German Marketplace - very busy, and so many things to look at!
Germany has so many beautiful churches!
                                             

Bread, bread, bread!  If you love bread, come to Germany - it's a specialty!


Me, Linn, and Karolin!  Fun afternoon shopping!


...I was pretty excited that the shoes were only 4,95€!

Hmm, something new.  A random skateboard thing (I don't even know what it is called exactly) in the middle of the sidewalk!

This is Lana.  She is my host sister in my permanent family, but she is an exchange student in America this year - and staying with my family!  I'm so glad I got to get to know her for at least a few days before she flew to America and began her adventure!
Marburg, Hessen.  Such a beautiful city!  This is the home of the Grimm Brothers.  There are many fairy tale tourist attractions all over the city, the places where the fairy tales supposedly happened!  I was ecstatic to learn this...and I live so close to Marburg! :D
Meet my permanent host mom, Marion! :)
I am standing in front of the Cinderella's castle...the castle where the fairy tale supposedly occurred!  And that is her shoe!  I'm not sure why it is red, though...hmm...
A beautiful church.
     
                                                

   
Germany is SO stunning!
       
Sunset over a lake - so perfect!
That is where my school is - on top of that mountain!
                                          
                                         
...and the view from the top!
                                        
Since I don't know much German yet, this is what I have to do to understand a poem (written in the 1700s) in German class.
My schedule
School!  I'm sure you want to hear all about it.  My school is really great and is a Gymnasium, the highest school level in Germany.  The people are really nice and have taken me in warmly.  The teachers are very understanding of my language barrier, and I am really grateful.  So far, school is really difficult for me, not only because it is in German, but because of the higher level of difficulty that I'm used to.  I am in 11th grade, the second-to-last year at my school.  My grade is currently in something called Q1.  It's a little difficult to explain, but these last two years are really important for German students because they are working and studying really hard to earn their Abitur, which pretty much means diploma.  The Abitur is the final written exam taken at the end of school in level Q4.  It is extremely difficult and is important for each students' future.  When students begin Q1 (the level I'm in), every point they earn counts for their Abitur.  There is a lot of pressure!  

So, scheduling is quite a bit different in German high schools.  In America, high school students go to school at the same time, and end school at the same time each day.  Also, in America, students have the same classes each day, and usually only six classes.   It is not like this here.  If you look at my schedule, you will notice that I have many classes twice in a row, and I have ten different classes overall.  Each Stunde, hour, is about 40 minutes long.  Between every couple of hours there is a 20 minute break.  Also, there are free hours here!  It's really nice; we can hang out with friends, do homework, relax, eat food (there is a bakery within a minute's walking distance!)...pretty much do whatever.  It's especially nice when you have two free hours back-to-back.  

On Mondays and Tuesdays, school for me ends at 2:30.  On Wednesdays and Thursdays, school is quite long and ends at 4:30.  But on Friday, I end at 12:40!  Wednesday is really long because I have no free hours.  However, on Friday, my schedule is perfect!  I have two hours of English, two hours free, then two hours of Music.  And all done at 12:40!  So nice!


My dog Amando.
Another Schloß, castle.



  

                                                 


Well, that's all for now, folks!  I'm not sure when my next post will be...it takes forever to upload pictures and such.  Thanks for reading!  

As for now - bye, tschüss!