| life is good |
[Sep. 12th, 2007|05:01 pm] |
Hey yall! Well, I'm here! Unfortunatelzy, my family doesn't have wireless, so I'm using their computer right now. I'm going to post everything that I've written for the past month so you can get caught up with me. Here we go.
15. August 2007
Well, I'm here in Germany! It's a sign of how busy I've been that this is the first opportunity that I've had to write.
So left my house on Monday morning at almost 6 AM, and my flight left at 7. Taylor and Jen had spent the night and we didn't sleep at all, but stayed up and watched the meteor shower on my roof. Jennifer came too, but she had to leave at 11:30. It was the first really difficult goodbye that caused pain. But it got worse when we left the house and I had to leave Mom and Bailey. The worst was at the airport though, in the security line with Dad, Grandma, Grandpa, and Taylor and Jen. God, it was awful.
Once I got on the plane, I didn't stop crying until after it took off, and I got my last look at Austin before I fell asleep. I was feeling depressed, but when I woke up 2 1/2 hours later, some of that had worn off. I also slept on most of the flight to DC and when I got to Dulles, I felt really pretty excited. I met up with Jennifer from AYUSA and Anh and Natasha, who were already there.
We sat in the same place in the International United Check-In for hours and steadily more people arrived. I made friends and talked to everyone the whole time. Finally we went through security and to our gate, even though we still had a few hours to wait. But by then almost everyone was there and we were all socializing and trying to get to know everyone else.
By 9:30 we were on the huge 777 plane ready to leave the country. I was sitting next to an American woman that travels a lot for her job. The plane nice, all seats had a TV on the back showing like 10 different movies on different channels and there were some XM stations to listen to, too. But after the first 10 minutes of Spiderman 3, I was asleep and stayed that way for almost all of the 8 hour flight. I missed dinner, but when I woke up for breakfast, I felt really sick.
Once we got off the plane in Frankfurt, we had a bit of an ordeal getting boarding passes, running all around the airport. But we got our passports stamped, went through yet another security line, and made it on time to our plane ( we boarded by walking up steps). This plane and flight was a lot shorter, only 45 minutes. I sat next to a German lady. I made my first mistake when I ordered my drink in German and accidentally got carbonated water, which is aparetnly mostly what they drink here.
Once in Hannover, we had a small meal at the airport ( I got to use Euros) and then took a charter bus to Hedersleben, here, for language camp. It was about 2 hours, in which I slept more. I sat with Brad.
We got here at about 6 yesterday and first got our room assignments. I'm in the only female triple room with Natasha and Brooke. Most have 1 or 2 to a room, but ours is big, so it's nice. We had dinner right after, which was served to us. We had steak, gravy, potatoes, and something purple and sauer that I didn't like. After dinner we had a meeting where we were told rules and our schedule and other official things. Then we had freetime until curfew, which is 10 for grounds, and 10.30 for rooms.
Last night I got my phone charged, put in the new SIM and activated it and called home right away. Then I called Taylor. And I let them know what was going on. After, I took a shower and went to bed soon after, around 11. I didn't go outside last night but my roomie Natasha did and got to talk to some German teens in the town. I didn't sleep terrible, but I woke up a few times and couldn't go back to sleep easily.
We got up at 7:30 and had breakfast at 8, which consisted of bread and jelly. We got sorted into our classes (2 beginner classes, an intermediate and an advanced. I'm intermediate.) and did some review of German. We also got a tour of Hedersleben. We walked to the small and only grocery store and I bought nasty German toothpaste and a notebook for class. We passed a Kindergarten and all the little kids waved and shouted "Hallo!" at us; it was so cute. There is also a youthclub here and a couple other smaller corner stores, a bank, post office and Biergarten, but mostly houses.
We came back and had more class, but lunch was right after. We had meat and fries, which I had to cut with a knife and eat with a fork, because that's how you eat in Germany. After lunch, we had a 2 1/2 hour break, and I went with a small group of people to explore the grounds. We found a creek and some horses.
Later, I went back out to town with another group and I bought a cold water bottle at the Supermarkt, again not realizing that it was 'mit Kolensäure', which is carbonation. Won't make that mistake again.
When we returned, it was time for the 3 hour afternoon lesson. It was all grammar and some vocabulary. Our teacher is Fanny, who is definitely the nicest of the 4 language teachers. She's 23 and from Berlin.
After dinner at 6, we watch the news in German at 7, followed by the day's announcements. Then it's freetime until curfew, and I think tonight a lot of people went back to town or are studying, but I'm up here in my room listening/watching German Fußball on TV. I also called home to give them an update. We get to use the internet on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 8-10 here. It's really slow and there's only 10 computers for 50 kids.
So, I love Germany and it's still so surreal that I'm here. There's lots of things that I love about it, like that Germans are very eco-friendly and this country is very clean because of it. They're hardcore about recycling, too. However, there is something that I really don't like. The water. I've already had 3 unpleasant water experiences. And all the water is room temperature, too. German hate ice. I want some cold water that doesn't have bubbles. That is a surprisingly difficult concept here.
I'm really tired again, from jetlag, culture shock, and the exhaustion you get from trying to interpret a different language all day. Because all the teachers speak in German most of the time and they want us to speak as much German as possible. But it's hard, your mind has to be constantly active.
Oh, and I've been texting Dana because Mom gave her my cell number. She's going to call me on Saturday!
17. August 2007
The past two days haven't been too eventful... full of German mostly. Last night I went out in front of the abbey that we're staying in to talk to the local German teenagers. They all come and park their cars out front and play loud music and smoke and drink beer. Not a lot of us Americans go out and hang out with them because I guess it's difficult and everyone is sort of intimidated by them. But Natasha talks with them like every night so I went out there with her her. I didn't talk like at all, but it was a cool experience. They were trying to get us to drink and go off with them in their cars. And I just found out that the guys we were talking to were skinheads. Crazy. I didn't do anything stupid though, of course.
I've been trying to be social with the Americans, too. There are some people I talk to and others that I don't, and some people that I still don't know very well. I sit with different people at meals, but its getting harder because cliques are already forming. I'm trying to be friends with everybody. Last night, me and Natasha stayed up talking and she took a bunch of my music from iTunes because we have very similar music tastes. We stayed up kinda late, so I was exhausted today and took a nap on my lunch break. I've also been reading a lot. New Moon is finally getting good.
I don't feel like my German has progressed a lot yet but it's getting better. Last night, on a whim, I went to a supposed 'dance party' in one of the girls' rooms. There were 6 guys and 6 girls and some of were dancing to techno and rap and someone flciked the lights like a strobe. It was kinda fun, but I felt out of place. I wanted to have fun though.
The past days, we've had orientation with Beate, our program director, and she talked about German customs and program rules and stuff. I found out that now that were in Germany, under authority of PI, AYUSA's rules don't really apply anymore. We can travel alone, and we can smoke and drink, all as long as it's okay with your host parents. The bit about travelling alone is fantastic!
Marc, my friend, got placed in Olpe where my school is, and Colleen is there too, but we all go to different schools. And tonight I got to get on MySpace and Facebook briefly..
19. August 2007
It's really hard to remember what I did yesterday since I'm not writing every day. But here is what stood out..
Yesterday was Saturday, but unfortunately we still had to go to class. At some point, Dana called me. I talked to her for a little over 20 minutes all in English. I wish it could have been a German conversation, but I just don't know enough yet. She told me that I would be taking the train to Siegen from here with 3 other CB kids. That's on September 8th. Can't wait! She has a strong German accent, but sounded nice and spoke good English. She was as nervous as I was to be on the phone. I said hello to her mom and we talked about school and language camp and other small things. I was speaking more simple and slower English than usual. Taking to her made me feel nervous for the intense ned to learn German quickly. I don't want to disappoint anyone.
We had a scavenger hunt for the second part of the day all around Hedersleben. I was in a kickass group, with Antonio who is almost fluent in German, Chase and John, who are both fast runners, and other assorted cool people. The crappy part was that we were running, and I doubt that I could be more out of shape, and I was always behind when they were running. But this guy that I hadn't even met or talked to was waiting for me and being really nice and eventually introduced himself as Tyler. He asked about my TSM shirt and so we started talking about music and other stuff. Our group got back to the Kloster first, but when they announced the winners later, we had tied for 4th out of 6 groups. Whatever.
After dinner, I was in my room talking to Dad when 3 people came in requesting to use my phone. And then 2 people passing my door invited me to the rave that was gonna happen in AJs room. So I explained how to use the phone and then grabbed my stereo and went to the party. Lucky I did too, because I was the only one with an iPod dock. We danced to techno and rap and it was more fun because there were so many more people. Plus all the cool kids. It took a while for the straight guys to start dancing and some of them just watched, but the room was loud and hot and crowded.
This morning, Sunday morning, was great. Sundays are completely free. Breakfast is still at 8 and still required but you're free to go back to bed after that if you want. I did. And then I woke back up at 8:45 because of the church bells. So I decided to go to church in my sweats, bandana, and old Chucks. It was Catholic and in German but still an interesting experience. I'm glad I went.
After church, I read and slept in my room and took a shower, until it was time to go to the soccer (Fußball) match against the Germans, who kicked our asses. I didn't play but watched the first game. Then I got bored and walked back with some people and had tea and cake and chatted awhile until I decided to go study and do homework.
And that I did for hours. I was very productive and I think it will help me learn. After dinner, I did more of the same until news and announcements. Apparently there's been a hurricane in Mexico called Hurricane Dean. After that, my pattern continued and I read a lot. I'm on Eclipse now. People have found out that I have a working phone, so several of them have come to me asking to use it. So I decided to work my advantage and make a business out of it. I've let like 7 people use my phone and I've made a €6 profit so far, which is actually €21, since I didn't actually pay for th minutes. But people have been coming by all day, I've had guys sitting in my room talking to me and waiting to use the phone. It's nice. And AJ came by to borrow my stereo again. It's cool to have people knocking on my door looking for me or wanting to hang out. I've also made more friends recently, my personal circle if people I like is getting bigger.
It still feels like I've been here ages but its only been barely a week. Only 3 left. Weird. I try not to think of Mom and Dad and Taylor and Jen. To dwell would bring out some pain, but I'm totally fine. No homesickness yet.
Tomorrow is back to school. Sundays are definitely my favorite day.. I think I'm gaining weight. I can't tell by looking but judging on my food intake, I bet that the outlook is night gut. Time to get this under control.
2nd round...
20. August 2007
Today I woke up and felt a little sick and a lot tired. But I got over it. After class, we had lunch and something special for dessert. ICE CREAM! I had been craving ice cream, or anything cold really, so this was really good. We had Culture and Politik with Gerd in the courtyard, which was interesting and I learned a lot.
After dinner I was in my room reading since I had done most of my Hausaufgaben over the Mittag Pause. I heard voices out of my window so I went down and the entire population of Hedersleben teens were out there, but I am too much of a coward to go and talk to them. So I decided to try to break into the computer room since I was desperate for the internet. Lo and behold, the computer was actually already open. I checked MySpace and Facebook again. Hopefully tomorrow I can upload some pictures and check my email.
At like 9:45 my parents finally called. Dad finished Harry Potter and Mom refilled by phone minutes for me, I now have €45, so that should last a while. I have my little business going, charging everyone 40% of what they use. =)
24. August 2007
I can't believe it's been 3 days since I updated. I'll try to remember what's happened.
Wednesday after classes, dinner and news, we went to the youth club and some played indoor soccer against some Germans and the rest of us watched. When half of us left at 9, we came back to watch the big soccer match on TV between Germany and England. I took a shower first and Germany won 2-1. Wednesday was the first night they started making us actually to to bed at 10:30. We have to have the lights out and be in bed, and they're being really strict about it.
Tuesday I got to get online again and I uploaded some pictures from my camera to Photobucket, which took ages. I also read my emails from Taylor, who had been sending almost daily updates on her life. After I read them, I had to call her. We talked for about half an hour about stuff here and there. It was hard hanging up.
Thursday we went on a field trip. First was a glass manufacturing place. It took a while to get there and the bus was one seat short and I happened to be in the very back seat, where we had to squish in an extra person. But the glass place was neat. I bought a yellow glass ring for me and a blue one for Dana. We went on a short tour of the place and then some of got to blow our own glass for €10, so we had to wait around forever for that. I was the last one of 16 to go, but I thought it was pretty neat. I made a blue glass ball.
After a teeny sandwich, we left to go to Struebeck, another little town that was closer thins time. The town was a culture town; their thing was chess. Everything was about chess. They had a museum, a life-sized chessboard in the village square, and a pretty, old church. It started raining on our tour, so it was really humid after that.
When we left, we went to Halberstadt, a larger city where everyone was looking forward to going. We had a walking tour of old stuff in the city, which was interesting, but then we had free time and I went shipping with a group. We went to H&M, my new favorite store. I was tempted to buy tons of awesome stuff, but settled on a pair of black and grey dress shorts. Then we went to New Yorker, an edgier Rue 21, where I bought grey shirt with a pink '80s thing on it to go with my shorts.
It was a good day.
25. August 2007
Yesterday morning, we painted 3 big cylinder things in the town. The one I worked on had huge American and German flags, some peace signs, and a combination of the American and German seal, with both eagles on it. It looked pretty kickass.
We had class in the afternoon, but we met in the Aula and learned about German holidays.
Today we had our morning session in the Aula again, this time about the DDR. After lunch and break, in which I finally finished Eclipse, we were supposed to go to an alternative sportfest but it got cancelled, I guess because we had freetime instead. During my freetime, I walked to the store and bought Riesens and on my way back, ran into some guys and Natasha.
Tonight is the Talent Show. Me and Natasha are acting out A Strole in the Jungle. Should be funny. =)
27. August 2007
The talent show went great. I wore my tie-dye shirt with a bright yellow mesh tank top over it and my black skinny jeans rolled up and I was barefooted. Natasha wore tie-dye pants and a pink mesh tank top. We went almost last and it was great. I said the words along with the song and acted out as the narrator. Natasha was Pink Jelly. Everything was psychedelic and lots of people liked it.
Yesterday, Sunday, was free-day. I woke up for breakfast, but went back to sleep until before lunch. After lunch we studied a bit and then went for a 'hike' that was more of a walk. But it was nice. The weather was perfect. After cake and coffee at the youthclub, we played sports and chess at the playground of the elementary school. At 6, we had a BBQ at the youthclub. They eat hamburgers and hot dogs on white sandwich bread with only ketchup and mustard. And the patties were really think and that hot dogs were actually sausages.
After that, I called Taylor since it was the day before school starts at home. She said that no one has classes together this year. That really blows for them. She seemed depressed. And now since school is starting, I can't talk to her on weekdays anymore. I miss her. A freakin lot.
Last night I talked to James in my room for a while and finally got around to studying. I ended up doing my homework by iPod light under my covers after curfew.
This morning was mid-terms. I don't know how I did. Probably a C. Hopefully.
Anyway, we get to write letters to ourselves that we'll open next June after the program. Yay!
28. August 2007
Yesterday was the hardest day that I've been here. I called Taylor to leave her a message for the first day of school and I kinda got choked up and ended up crying a little. First day is almost the biggest deal of the year and it was weird missing it. And I miss Taylor like crazy. More than anyone or anything else so far. I miss having a best friend. I feel like the other half of me is missing.
I wrote that letter to myself.. it was 2 pages long. Full of expectations.
30. August 2007
Classes are getting so much better. Fanny is definitely the best teacher to have. And our class is the smallest. It's actually pretty fun now. Aside from when the grammar is just not making sense. But we always talk about random stuff and everyone is always laughing about something. I got a D on my midterm, which I was proud of. Fanny said I was best on the geography part.
I did my laundry on Tuesday. the washing machine is freaking tiny. I had to kick my clothes in to make them fit. And I didn't even do my whites, which is most of my underwear and socks. And there is no dryer here, so I brought it all back to my room and hung it on the curtain rod and opened the windows. It actually worked out well, and after only a day, most of my stuff was dry. During break, I went back to the supermarket and bought more chocolate, which is already gone today.
I accidentally missed the news on Tuesday night because I was reading Cool Gardens trying to decide which ones to read for the next talent show. Oops. Kristin made me write 20 sentences. I got online, and since I waited like 45 minutes to get on, I got to stay on for a nice long time. I checked the emails from Taylor first. They started school, and I'd been dying to hear about the first day, so I was really glad to read about that. And I actually replied so tonight I should have a response.
Yesterday I got my winter luggage out of the storage room and brought it up to my room. I don't think its technically allowed, but a few other girls did, too. Anyways, it's been really cold (well, pretty chilly anyway) lately and we all need some jackets and long sleeves. I love the weather. It's always hovering between warm and chilly, like just when it's a bit cold, the clouds will move apart and the sun will warm you up. But the coldness is actually a beautiful thing. I'm not complaining at all.
We had afternoon lessons cut short so that we could go to another BBQ that the mayor of Hedersleben had for us at the youthclub (the mayor organizes all of our events) with the German teens. Only like 4 or 5 German kids came though, the ones that we usually hang out with: Melissa, Patrick, Sasha, and I can't remember the other guy's name. Patrick and Sasha are really sexy though. So the BBQ sucked because I had to wait like an 1 1/2 for a freakin' hamburger. The grill fire wasn't got enough and I was starving by the time I ate.
Anyways.. we're all ready to get out of language camp. 8 days until we go to our host fams. It's so routine here that it gets boring really easily. And now that I don't have a book to read.. but this Sunday we're going to Quedlinburg. Outings are fun as long as we get free time. And next Wednesday, we're going to Leipzig, which will be cool because that's a pretty big city.
31. August 2007
Can't really believe August is over. And everyone has been in school for a week already. This week went by pretty quickly, and now we only have one left!
Last night after dinner, me and Alondra went to the NP to get some hot chocolate because it was cold and we wanted to watch Little Miss Sunshine. Shannon went with us, but when we got back, we had the news and then we went to the computer room, and we ended up staying there for a long time, so we're gonna watch the movie another day. Michelle and Chris have my website up! It looks really good, too. It's all in German colors and has my blog. It's very nice. I can't wait to tell them how much it rocks.
Last night was a hot night for my business. Everyone wanted to use the phone, I made almost €10 I think. It wasn't actually that much, but everyone overpays me. I had so many people in my room, and it was great because everyone is so excited to finally get to talk to their parents or boyfriends or whatever. They feel like they owe me their life, but I'm just happy to be able to make them happy.
Today for lunch, they gave us this SICK fishy shit. It was just disgusting. Everyone hated it. I barely forced myself to taste it. It was cold, raw fish in a mayonnaise-y sauce. Bleh.
Today for our afternoon lesson, we went to the NP to get stuff to make pancakes and cookies tomorrow. Class is really fun now. We have the most random and crazy conversations, all somehow pertaining to German/Germany. Fanny is just the coolest. We all cuss all the time, too, and Shannon brings up such weird topics.
Anyways... I got a postcard the other day from my CR. She seems really nice. But today I got a postcard from home! It was the one from Taylor. I love having it. I want to send my CR and my host family a postcard, but they don't have any domestic stamps for us here..
1. September 2007
Holy crap, it's September. And it's freezing here. Last night at 7 when we went down to the news, they told us that the people that signed up to go do the Fire Brigade thing were leaving right then. And, I had signed up, along with most of the people that I like here. I already had on my Spree jacket, but I added my pea coat and the green scarf I knitted last summer because it was raining a bit and it was cold.
We walked over to the fire house (it's around the block) and they showed us around and told us about what they do. Every year they have a big party to get everyone excited and interested in the Fire Brigade, I guess. They had posters up of each year's party, and they were all really.. bad. There was strippers and crazy stuff. We also got to see the fire trucks. Keep in mind that none of this is like American fire stations. It's a small village fire brigade, the trucks are smaller and less shiny, it's all volunteer, and everything seemed less official than it is in the states. Anyways, a couple of us got to hold the hose when they had water shooting out of it. I got to, but I had forgotten my camera, which really makes me mad because the whole night was full of amazing picture opportunities. Then we got to use the jaws of life, and I kept the piece of steel that I cut. They also showed us the foam stuff that they can make come out of the hose. It was this huge, white puffy stuff. It was awesome.
There were 2 fire trucks, one bigger and newer, and a van. The group I was in got to ride in the big fire truck on the first trip. It was me, Van, Natalie, Johnny, Anh, Colleen, and Shannon. They put on the sirens and lights and we all drove to the next village, because here they have like a group of Fire Brigades that help each other out. At the other one, they showed us around and we got to take pictures in and on the truck. Then, we got back in the trucks, this time we were in the smaller one, and drove to the next village and did the same thing. On the way back from that one, we were going to ride in the van, but it was already full, so we got back in the big fire truck. We sang Stacy's Mom really loud and our fireman put us on the radio. When we got back to the Hedersleben fire station, they gave us hot dogs on white bread. We ate and talked and then they let us put on their uniforms and helmets and stuff and we took pictures. It was a really good time, I hung out with Antonio and Solrun, who are 'together' now, but they both flirt with me and everyone else. And supposedly we're getting married. Yes, all 3 of us. It's.. funny. I don't know how else to describe that whole situation.
But, we didn't get back to the Kloster until 10:30, which is curfew, so we had some extra time last night. Brooke let me borrow Pride and Prejudice, that she was borrowing from Colleen to rip onto my computer. After we finally turned the lights out, me, Natasha and Brooke stayed up for a few hours talking and gossiping. Ha. It was great. We listed all the people that annoy the shit out of us. And talking about our lives and stuff like that. It was nice, since I don't get to do that with my friends very often.
This morning, for our morning lesson, we got to cook! My group made German pancakes, and the other groups did apple cinnamon pancakes and cookies. I did most of the work for my group, and the pancakes turned out good. Actually, ours was the best. We put Nutella and powdered sugar on it. Yum. We were in the kitchen all morning though, and we had a good time cooking and hanging out. Fanny's parents came at the end, and we got to meet them.
Tim delivered two postcards to me. Both from home, one from Grandma and the other from Frau Bookert. I taped them all to my wall under my shelf next to my bed.. looks nice.
And now I think I will sleep and take a shower. Maybe I'll go visit with people, or maybe I'll watch a movie..
2. September 2007
Yesterday I ended up going downstairs after a while and I hung out with Anh, Mikah and AJ. We had tea together and we eventually decided to watch Little Miss Sunshine on my laptop. We used my laptop and Anh's speakers and Johnny, Gurdeep, Alex, and some others watched it with us in the couch room. I love that movie...
After dinner I stayed in my room waiting to get another phone call, since I missed them during the news. Eventually I called my house and told them to call me back. But Mom and Dad weren't there, so I talked to Grandma and Grandpa for an hour. Apparently my parents went to New York. Dad surprised Mom for their anniversary and they picked up and went to New York. They're in Rochester right now and they're gonna see Kathleen and go to Niagara Falls and eventually New York City, too.
After I talked to them, Mom called me from the Hyatt. Talked to them for about a half hour and then I called Taylor, but no one was home and then Jen, but only for like 3 minutes since I'm almost out of minutes, but she was in an aquarium in Dallas and she said she'd call me soon.
Today we're going to Quedlinburg at 2. But I'm pissed because in Germany, everything is closed on Sundays and we won't be able to shop at all. And I'm in desperate need of replenishing the euros on my SIM. I have like €1.50. So I was excited for today, but now it's going to suck because we probably won't have any free time. GAY.
3. September 2007
Yesterday after breakfast, I slept until lunch and then, since lunch was gross again, me and Carah went to the bank and then the Biergarten. I ordered some fries, which were really good, and there were already some other kids up there, so we hung out until like 1:20.
Anyways, we went about 10 km to Quedlinburg. Quedlinburg is a small, very old city. All the buildings look completely German and it was very quaint. We had a guided tour and then an hour to do what we wanted. Everything was closed though, so I didn't get my phone card or any postcards. I did have some Eisschokolade with Carah and Natasha though.
After we got back from Quedlinburg, and after dinner, we had to watch a movie in German and I fell asleep. And.. yeah it was boring and after, I went to bed.
Before class today, I went to the K&K down the road by myself to get some postcards and a phone card. It was raining, of course. Anyway, I had to ask for the phone card, but they didn't have the brand I needed, and then I asked for postcards (auf Deutsch, of course) and they gave me 5 that had aerial views of Hedersleben for free. This morning in class was crazy hard. I hate German grammar. It is hell. During break, I did my homework with Shannon, Natasha, and Carah, and then we went to the NP. Half the kids were either coming back, there already, or walking there. I bought M&Ms, baked pitas, gummy bears, and a Twix. When we got back, I had tea with Shannon and Lee before class.
For the afternoon culture class, Fanny played a lot of German music for us, and we looked at the lyrics and figured out what they were saying. After dinner, I decided to take up Cortnie on her offer to use her credit card to refill my phone. Unfortunately, while I was on the phone doing it, I ran out of minutes and the call was disconnected. But, right after that, Cortnie's mom called my phone to talk to her and she ended up doing it for us. So now I have €30. We watched another movie after the news, but this time is was an actual German movie, so it wasn't dubbed but it didn't have subtitles either. It was about a bunch of kids in Leipzig. I didn't really understand it, but I still enjoyed it.
4. September 2007
Today during break I wrote 3 postcards. One to my host family, one to my CR, and one to home. I wrote drafts in English, then translated them to German. I was quite proud of myself. The one to home has the English translation below it.
For our afternoon class today, we had Gerd talk to us about school in Germany. It was the most interesting this so far, because it directly concerned us. I've decided that I'm really glad that I got put in 11th grade because it's definitely better than 10th. You can leave campus, you get to move around for your classes, and you have more freedom in general.
Tonight we're going bowling, and tomorrow is Leipzig! We're leaving at 8:30 and not getting back until 6:30. First we're going to the American consulate, which should be really cool, and then a museum and a couple churches, and then free time. There is a McDonalds there, so I intend on eating a cheeseburger and fries and having an ice water.
Thursday is finals, and Friday we have class in the morning one last time and then we pack in the afternoon. Almost all of us are going to Magdeburg on Saturday morning to take trains to our families. And that will be the end of language camp!
6. September 2007
Yesterday in Leipzig was sehr gut. Breakfast was served from 7:30 to 8:30 so that we could leave at 8:30. So everyone got up early to be at breakfast at 7:30, except for me, who slept in and ate at 8 by myself. We had a nice bus this time, and I sat with Shannon for the 2 hour ride into Sachsen. We listened to my iPod and he fell asleep.
First we went to the American consulate, where we couldn't bring anything inside, but we had to have our passports. The consulate general there talked to us about the foreign service and Germany, and we got to ask questions. It was actually really interesting, especially for me.
When we left, it was a bit past 12, but we had to go to a museum before we could eat. The museum was about the DDR, and it was a really good exhibit, but my tour was in German. We wore little headphone things to hear the guide. Then we walked around the corner to a really big, old church and went in to take pictures and stuff. But we could leave when we wanted in groups of at least 4 and do whatever we fancied for almost 2 hours. I got a text from Dana that said (in German) how excited they were, and they got my postcard and that her Dad won't be there to pick me up on Saturday, but the other 3 will.
My group of Natasha, Carah, Shannon, Lee and me went to find a McDonalds and we walked back to where the bus was, at the Haptbahnhof, which is the big train station with a mall inside. I think we were the only group who went there. But we ate at McDonalds with the money the program gave us. We all got Big Macs and fries. And I had ice water. It was fantastic. And I felt strangely very full after that. So then me and Natasha dragged everyone into a couple of chick stores where we didn't find anything. Then I wanted ice cream so we stopped and I got a scoop of chocolate. Then we decided to get out of the bahnhof, so we walked around outside for a few blocks, but didn't find anything else interesting to see or do, so went all the way back to the bahnhof to use a restroom. We found one in a Subway, but you had to pay a Euro to open the door. So we payed once and took turns using it, never closing the door. We had a few minutes after that before we had to be back at the bus, so we went to a magazine store. I looked for a German hairstyle magazine, but I couldn't find any, which I think is strange.
When we got to the bus, a ton of people had H&M bags. But I was glad that I didn't spend hardly any money. I fell asleep listening to music on the way back. We had dinner and then watched the news and finally had some free time before bed, Today hasn't been interesting yet.. we reviewed this morning for the final that is this afternoon. Speaking of which, I should go study.
10. September 2007
Wow! There is so much to write about! I haven't been able to write in the most important days. The last two days of language camp and the first two days with my family. Ay. Where to begin..
On the last day, we went over the First Night Questions in the morning and packed in the afternoon. And we went to the Biergarten one last time. There was a whole stupid drama with Brooke because me and Natasha were talking about her the night before in German when we thought she was sleeping. Anyways, at 5:30, we all went to take down the CBYX flag in front of the Jungendclub and then back at the Kloster while we were waiting for the big dinner, we had a huge photo shoot with everyone. And then we ate a nice last meal and had the talent show right after. I read some Serj Tankian, which was well received. They extended curfew to 11:30 and I talked to Mom on the phone.
Saturday morning everyone finished packing and 40 of us went to Magdeburg on the bus. We all had a travel buddy; mine was Cortnie, but I was also with Marc and Colleen. Natasha was the only one on her train, and it left after everyone else's. So, it was insane trying to get all of our luggage on the train and get to our seats and everything. So Natasha helped me get all mine on, but she couldn't get off the train before it left, so it left with her on it, going the wrong direction. She freaked out, out, of course. Luckily, almost all the rest of us were on that train, too, as was Fanny. So Fanny got it all sorted out and Natasha got to where she was supposed to be.
The train ride was long, the first leg was 4 hours. Steadily, everyone got off at different places.. Carah helped me, Cortnie, Marc and Colleen get our luggage off the train in Hagen, where we switched trains. Marc's family also picked him up there, so they helped us get to our next platform and helped with luggage. It was fantastic. So, me, Cortnie and Colleen got on the train to Siegen, and the ride was an hour and half.
In Siegen, Doris, Dana and Colin picked me up, and Kathrin was there too, our CR. Right after, we went to McDonalds because Colin loves it. I was pretty quiet because I didn't want to speak in English, but couldn't say much in German. But they were very nice and we were getting along well.
After unpacking, that evening, I asked the First Night Questions, and they said I don't have any chores, which is nice. Went to sleep in my own nice comfy rollout bed and actually got to sleep in on Sunday morning for the first time in 4 weeks.
After breakfast and meeting Holger, who is very, very nice, Dana, Holger, and I went on a walk around Hünsborn. They call it a calf, because there is a city, then a town, then a calf. It's pretty small, but quite quaint. And it's hilly here and you can get great views of the surrounding trees and hills.
So I was really nervous for the first day of school today. Doris took us, and they ended up putting me in a 10th grade class with Dana instead of 11th. Which is actually really good, because it's all the same people in your classes. And you stay in the same room most of the time and the teachers come and go, except for physics, music, and chemistry, which are in different rooms and/or buildings. So I went to Dana's class, 10A, and the only open seat was next t the teacher's desk at the end of the row of all the guys in the class. So I sat there, and the guy I sit with is Moritz and then Chris is across from me. They were both really nice and offered to help me when I was trying to translate a science worksheet during math. English was the first class, which was nice. I didn't do much. during 4th period, I had a break because Dana had Latin, and so I sat in the cafeteria, where Mr. Lenz found me and gave me a schedule and asked me what classes I wanted. I told him that I would like to be in a Spanish class, which will be with 11th graders.
After 4th period, I was supposed to have my photo taken for my ID, but Chris found me and I walked with him to Chemistry instead. He spoke to me in English, since he speaks it pretty well. I made Dana and her friends late to Chemie because they were looking for me, I felt bad. After Chemie was another block period, and they told me I didn't have to go to Religion, so I went to the cafeteria again and sat with Chris and Moritz and another guy and listened to music. They looked at my iPod and liked my stuff on there.
So school ends at 12:45 for us, so after that I met Dana and we walked a way to the bus stop. The bus that you take home is actually a city bus packed with kids. Little kids and older ones up to about 16. Standing room only. The bus ride is long, too. By the time we got home, it was almost 1:45 already. But Doris had lunch ready and we all sat in the kitchen and ate and then did homework. I did the English and Dana did German.
Dinner is bread here. With Nutella (amazing chocolate hazelnut spread), cheese, butter, jelly, whatever you want. I like it. And we always have a dessert too.
12. September 2007
It's only been 4 days since I've been here, but I'm understanding more and more every day. I think I can effectively communicate what I need to say. I still sometimes have to say things in English though.
Yesterday I found out that 4 of my 10 classes are taught in English because I'm in the class of the advanced English speakers. It's good and bad. Good because I will be able to understand the lessons and have good grades, but bad because I won't learn German as quickly. Politics, History, English Creative Writing/Drama, and English are all taught in English. So during the first break, I had my photo taken and during the second break, they gave me my ID. And I introduced myself to the other exchange students. Two girls, one from Brazil and one from Mexico. They both spoke only a little English, but they Mexican girl spoke good German. We sat and talked during 6th period in 4 different languages. They said that they've both been having problems with their families and with school.
After school, me, Dana, and Doris went to Siegen to go shopping. I needed a coat and winter shoes. I got a coat at H&M and a hoodie and headband, and I got some sweet shoes in the mall. They're like high-top Converse that are waterproof and furry on the inside. They also told me last night that we would go to Cologne during the break that we have in a week in a half. I'm so excited! We're just gonna go to shop, it'll be great. |
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breegermany's journal
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