Another First Day?!?!?

Well yesterday I had my first day at my new school. But in all honesty I though that switching wasn't going to work out, and that I was just going to go back to Anna-Seghers when the break was over. But yesterday morning, my host mom comes into my room at 8 and says that I have to go to school because she had just got off the phone with my principle, and they had found me a spot in the 10th grade. So I got ready, my host dad drove me, and I was 30 minutes early, so I just walked around. Then at 10, I met him and he was pretty nice. But I guess he was just being nice to me, and normally he's not like that. But that's what they always tell me about the teachers.

My first class was fortunately english! They were all waiting for me, and they had little short things to read about themselves. It was nice, but I had to sit there and nod, and say something everytime, and I honestly didn't remember one name!! I suck with names, but everyone knows me! I feel guilty, but it's one thing I'll never be good at!

After English was math, and we just sat there and had a mini party with bread and nutella, and they all told me how impressed they were with my German. They had no idea that I knew any at first, but then I said that I could speak German, and since then it was all German!

But the day was relatively short, and I'm glad that I went! I will miss Anna-Seghers, like I already said, but I really enjoy my new school. The people were so welcoming, and they really help me out and made sure that I understand. I still don't know if I made the right decision or not to switch, but I will be able to tell with time. And I'm just glad I don't have to worry about it over break!

Last Day...

Today was my official last day at Anna-Seghers-Schule. Going into the day, I had no idea! But in the first hour, one of our teachers told our class that our head teacher wasn't there, and her back-up was also not going to be there. So we only have the first 2 hours and then get to go home. The problem is that I don't have the first two hours. So I just don't have school in general. So the day was sort of sad from that point on. I only had a 3 hour day, and no one knew that I didn't have school the next, so no one realized that it was my last day.

In Chemistry, me and one of my good friends past notes like we often do. They don't text like in America, just good old fashion notes. It was nice because we've been doing that ever since the first time I've had Chemistry there, and I didn't realize today how much it has drastically changed. The first time it was only in English, and then I realized today that it was only German, but the best part was that I wasn't even thinking! So many things have changed the past 4 months at this school. They have really helped me to learn Geman, and didn't ignore me because I didn't know German. This school has just been great to me, all the students and the teachers. It may not be the top school in Germany, but I am truely going to miss it. I feel like I am abandoing this school, because in the end, it was ultimately my decision to switch, and I couldn't even admit that to my friends. This is one of the worst days I've had all year, and now I still have all of Christmas break to think about it. Anna-Seghers...

Ich werde dich wirklich Vermissen!!

This may be one of the worst pictures in the world, but it'll always be special to me...

It's Almost Time for Christmas!!

This past weekend we had our Rotary Christmas Dinner and Party. It really didn't work out how we planned. We at first wanted to meet up in the morning, and then shop and cook all day. Instead, I met up with Garrett(another exchange student from Michigan) and then went to the party at about 6. The party was just outside of Potsdam, which is the capital of another German state, and a city right next to Berlin. We met up with a few other exchange students at the Station and then went back to one of their houses and drank some tea and ate cheesecake.

Her family ended up making the dinner for us too, which we didn't plan on having them do, but it's really hard to organize something like this. It was a typical German meal, which is always good! There were only 10 or so of us there at the time, but people kept coming in one by one, so we didnt really have the room to sit down for dinner that we had hoped for either. But by time the party part began, everyone was there! We had the party in the second house, and we hung out there all night, and most of us actually spent the night! So it was redicously crowed for that many people! But it was an amazing time!!

We left about 9, and I wasn't home until 11:30 because the trains were so slow with all of the snow. But when I got home all I did was basically say hello, and then go back to bed. Then later that day I went to a Christmas Festival with my host mom and one of my host sisters. This time it consisted of only eating because Christmas German food is different from normal German food! German food is a lot better than American food! I didn't want to admit it, but it's going to suck going back to the U.S. with no Döner, Schnitzel and all the other amazing German foods!!

Anyway, after the Christmas Markets we met up with some people and went to a theater. We watched a very funny play with NO language! I was so happy for that! I finally was able to understand as well as the Germans!! It was a group that just wore masks and used only body expressions. It can come off as sounding very dumb, but it was very funny!!

It ended at 10, and we were in the middle of the city, so we got back later than 11! But going back was one of the funnest parts of the evening!! Its normally about a 5 minute walk from the tram station, but it turned into about 20 or 25 minutes because it was just snowball fights the whole time!! It was so much fun!! And I love it even more because I feel so welcome by my new family, and community! They all really make me feel like I'm a part of their family!

Even though I really love it, Christmas is still going to suck! There is so much snow, but it still doesn't feel like Christmas! I miss having a tree already up, and all the christmas lights in the U.S.! Mostly I really miss my family. But this Christmas will be nothing like the others. There is going to be 6 total siblings over, and then 2 sets of Grandparents, and then 3 Australians(which means English!) It'll be the biggest and longest Christmas ever, because christmas here begins on the 24th and ends on the 26th!!

But what I'm mostly excited for is New Years! Apparently the U.S. doesn't know how to celebrate New Years. Here, New Years is as big as 4th of July, or even bigger! I'm going to go to the Brandenburg Gates and stand out of in the cold from 9 at night until about 2 in the morning, celebrating the New Year!! And also, on New Years, there are 3 more Brazilians coming to stay with us. One is the old exchange student with my family, and the others are here parents. So I'll be celebrating the holidays with people from all over the world!

But after the holidays, I'm pretty sure that I am officially switching schools. I've already talked to my host parents about it, and I'm pretty sure it's the best option. So for the next 2 days of this week, will be the last at Anna-Seghers. I'm really upset about leaving my school, especially because I enjoy the people so much, but at the same time I am ready to experience this new school. Lately, I'm just always ready for something new. I'm nervous that I won't like it, or that the new people won't be as welcoming, but at least I know that I've made good enough friends here already, that they'll be there for me if it doesn't work out. But I hope that it does!

The Beginning of Another Step...

Well I would of posted sooner, but suprisingly enough the internet hasn't been working at my new house either. But it's finally up and running again.

Well, everything has been going well! Last Friday I finished getting packed, and then I drove with my host mom and my host brother to my new family in Schöneich bei Berlin, Brandenburg. It's a nice little town with about 10,000 people, just outside of Berlin, and it really reminds me of Marysville. I live in this mini community of people that have been living together for about 15 years now, and it is very friendly(as I was typing this some lady walked in the door and asked for rice, haha). But it was still very sad leaving my host mom because she was all that I knew before I came to Berlin. But my new family was very welcoming. When I got here my host mom was waiting with my older host sister and my younger host sister. But my older host sister left for work and then I sat down with my host mom and host sister and had cookies and drank tea. I learned pretty much everything I needed to know. I have 4 other siblings, one is the twin from my little host sister and then 3 others not living in the house. The 3 of them were all on exchanges in English speaking places and my older host sister that still lives in the house just got back from Argentina. So it is a very big family, which I sort of missed.

That night I went grocery shopping, and met my host dad and practically the entire town. Reminds me a lot of when we go to Meijer and we meet the whole town of Marysville. Then afterwards we went to meet my other little host sister at their Grandma's house, and we ate some amazing German food. Like always with German grandparents. Then Saturday I just hung around the house and then a later me and one of my host sisters went to a concert from a local band. And on Sunday we drove somewhere near Poland and got a few Christmas trees. It was sort of a crappy day because it had rained so the snow was brown and all melted. But the weekend was a lot of fun.

I live a ways away from my school now. I got lucky because Monday and Tuesday my host dad drove me a little bit so that I could avoid taking the first tram. But today I had to take one tram a little of the way and then I had to switch and I was almost late for school. Which didn't even end up occuring today! It was very complicated yesterday and today with school. And total in the past 2 days I've had 2 classes. As much as I enjoy not having school, I'm ready to actually learn something, and I think that I'm actually going to switch schools. Right now I go to a Gesamptschüle which is like the school I want to go to, but a little easier. The school that I'm switching to is a Gymnasium, and it is also close to where I live. It'll suck leaving this school, but I'm sort of ready to switch schools at the same time. I would be switching after Christmas, but I still need to talk to my YEO and see if that'll work out.

Somethings to look forward to now are that Christmas break begins next week on Wednesday and starting tomorrow is only half days. This weekend is our Rotary Christmas party in Potsdam and that should be a lot of fun! Like it always is with exchange students. Then I also have 3 days of Christmas to look forward to, unlike the American one day of Christmas, and then New Years in Berlin!!!

Another Step...

Well, it's been about 2 weeks or so since my last blog post because I still haven't really had internet. Well in the past 2 weeks, it has been practically snowing non-stop! It has been extremely nice, but at the same time, very annoying! If we had this much snow in Michigan then school would have been canceled everyday. Here, you have school, you're just late, and generally your teachers are too. The only time they cancel school is when there is ice, or when it is -25°C. But I still haven't figured out how you actually learn these things, because they don't broadcast that on t.v., and the only place you know if teachers aren't there is on a board at school!

Also in the past 2 weeks, I got to go to my very first Weinachtsmarkt(Christmas festival), with some people from school. It was huge! and while there I got to try legit German Christmas foods and drinks and got to participate in German traditions.......and we also did not get killed by terrorist....so it was a pretty successful night! Then after that, I went to a party with my host brother and got to meet all of his friends, including my new host sister, but I didn't know that night....

Last weekend I got to see Berlin in winter! I love how much Berlin gets into Christmas!

Then the next day, I got to go with some friends from school Eislaufen(ice skating)! Then I headed back early to spend my last Saturday night with my host mom....

On Monday(the 6th of December), there is a tradtion called Nikolaus. What's supposed to happen is that kids wash their shoes the night before, and the St. Nikolaus puts candy in your shoes while you are sleeping. I didn't have any idea about this, but I woke up the next day with candy in my shoes! Then some people from school had to explain it to me.

Finally.....my changing family news! Well my host brother came home from school last week and told me he knew my new host sister. She is the best friend from his girlfriend, and so he is always around her too. But he didn't really have too much info on my new family. Then last friday, my YEO called my host mom and said that I would be switching this Friday. He only mentioned that I will no longer be living in Berlin, and that if I wanted I could switch schools. So basically I have no idea what's going on anymore. In 2 days I switch families to a family that I have very little info on. From the sounds of it, I will be living with 3 host sisters about my age, and I have 2 more older host siblings. I now will be living in Schöneiche, Brandenburg. It's a little town right next to where I live in Berlin, I actually get off at the same station when I go around the city, but now I also have to take the bus about 6 more stations. So my already 35 minute ride school, turned into an hour or more, so I am just going to wait and see. I'm going to suck it up until the holidays begin, and make my decision then. I will make sure to fill everyone in on what's going on, because in all honesty, I still have no idea! But I will find out forsure more on Friday....

First Snow!!

Well incase you didn't notice....there is officially snow on the ground in Germany!!!! It snowed a little bit earlier this week, but I woke up this morning, looked out the windown, and there is what else, other than finally some legit snow on the ground in Berlin!! And it hasn't stop snowing since!!

Other than that, I have to fill you all in on the events of my week! Well like I said, it snowed earlier this week, and I also managed to get my Passport back! It was very complicated, but it is officially back into my possesion! I don't want to go into detail, but the school actually had to get involved with this one! But all that matters is that all is well! I also skyped with my family yesterday because it was thanksgiving! It was so nice because I haven't talk to my Grandpa, my aunt, or my cousins since I've left. So it was so nice, but at the same time, I finally felt a little homesick, which makes me officially not too excited for Christmas.

But nonetheless, I'm going to a Christmas festival, just outside the local mall in Berlin! I'm going with some people from my class, and I guess there was a bomb found there, or something like that. But I'm still going to go! There is too many threats, so basically no place in Berlin is safer than the next. So I'm just going to enjoy my time here, and not let them get in my way!

Kein Internet?!?!?

Well for the past 2 weeks I haven't really had internet. But this suprisingly hasn't really been all that difficult on me. It sucks because I can't be updated on things going on with the other exchange students or people back home, or I also can't post blogs or anything. But everything has been suprisingly fine without it! I've probably learned more German in the past 2 weeks than I have in this whole time being here, and I've been enjoying my school and my friends from school a lot more. But because of the lack of internet, it's time for another long boring post....

I'm trying to remember what important has been going on over these past couple of weeks now. Well first off my German teacher in school is sick, so I don't have German until next year, and that means only 3 classes total on Tuesdays because I have German for 3 hours that day. But last week I still had to work a grill at our school for German class because we need money for these books that we make at the end of the year. But it was pretty amazing because I got to eat so much German food!! But school really hasn't been too special other than that, I've written an exam for almost every class now. Generally they aren't too good, but I've been avoiding using my dictionary but that usually doesn't work.

Two weeks ago me and the other exchange students went to a concentration camp called Sachsenhausen, it's just a little north of Berlin. It was a very good and interesting experience, but I definitely want to go back by myself or with one or two other people, because it's sometimes hard to focus when you're with the other exchange students, it's too much fun. But it was still nice, and afterwards we grabbed some Mexican food and then hung out for Ago's last weekend in Berlin.

Then the following Monday, some of us went to the airport to say goodbye to Ago. It was so weird because the last time I was there was when I had arrived, and Ago was there to greet me! But I still wasn't too sad. It was very upsetting, but I guess I really never got to know her all that well. So far 3 of the oldies are gone, and there are still 4 left. I think that it'll be much tougher with the next 4, especially because we get so much more time to know them, unlike the first 3 in which we had only 2 months! I still really don't look forward to leaving, and I try not to think about it. But when I hear about all these people leaving, it's sometimes tough not to...

This past weekend me and my host family went to Sachsan-Anhalt again, to celebrate my Host Mom's father-in-law's birthday. I love it because we just ate authentic German food all day, and generally I can only speak German because many of the elderly people never learned English, and suprisingly my German knowledge is better than their English knowledge. So it's always interesting. And there was also a German comedy group there, and I understood most of it. So overall, it was a pretty good day!

Today I left school early to go get my Visa with my YEO and it ended up not going so well. He told me that he already talked to my club about a new family, and there are a few people interested. So this week I should have an official answer on where I'm staying. But anyway, after getting lost we finally found the place on time. We got in, got everything approved, and got my Visa for free! And then we walked literally 100 feet to the car, and I got in the car and realized my passport wasn't where I left it! So we walked back to where we had the meeting, and didn't find it. So the lady is going to call me in 2 days and tell me if they have it, or if not, she's going to help me get a new one! So hopefully eveything works out, and it is with someone that is good! I'll keep everyone updated on what happens, hopefully I have internet!

A year ago....

A year ago today, I was accepted into Rotary and sense then, I have changed tremendously! And in all honesty, I think for the better...I think the major thing is, I'm alot more openminded now! I'm just happier here! And I think that this will actually come back with me. Germany has changed me overall and not just in Germany, but forever...and I love that I still have so much more time left here!



But anyway, a year ago today I had my interviews, met a few of my future outbound friends, changed my mind about where I was going, and most importantly...got accepted into Rotary!!



I'm not going to go into details about the interviews and stuff, they went very smoothly! Before them I wanted to go to a Spanish speaking country because my aunt is fluent and she was the one that really originally wanted me to go. Then for some reason at the conference, I wanted to go to Belgium, but then I decided I just wanted to go to Europe!



And look where I ended up....in Berlin!!! So I'm happy that I changed my mind! If I hadn't then I don't think that I would be this happy! It's hard to say, but I am just glad that I'm here, and right now, I wouldn't have it any other way!

Hm, well I've been sort of busy lately. I feel bad because I promised a video post, and pictures from Paris! and I never did either. Maybe I'll get around to that someday. But not today either.

School was actually very good since I returned! I miss all the exchange students but I've been enjoying it. I also got my report card back. I had no 1's(a.k.a. A's!)!! I got a 2+ in English. I think I already shared why, but it's because I don't participate enough, but I never really saw a reason to because it takes away from the others. But it's ok because it doesn't even matter. Then I got 2's in Art and Gym and the rest was either a 4, 5 or no grade at all! I was also late for my first class because the bus decided not to come! But that wasn't really a problem because it's the teacher that doesn't know I exist.

This past weekend was great! It was my friend's birthday Friday and then Saturday we just hung out in Berlin because one of the exchange students is going home because his club failed to find him a new family! This makes no sense at all! Well he is still here and still might be here, I'm hoping things turn around, be we hung out, just in case!

Next weekend we're going to a concentration camp with Rotary. It should be interesting and I hope everyone is there! And I'll try posting after that!

Paris!!

Paris is supposed to be this amazing city that people dream of going to all their lives...but in all honesty, it's just a normal dirty tourist city....but I still loved it!!

Time for a little recap of eveything that has been going on, including being in Paris!! Well Friday was my very last day of language school and it was actually sort of sad. I really loved language school and I just love being with foreigners all day. It also helped that it was right in Prenzlauer Berg, which is practically Mitte! I loved almost everything about language school, one teacher was amazing, but the other was scheiße! I talked to two of the people in my class at the break, both were from Brazil and one them is actually very active in Rotary! So he was excited when I told him that I'm here through Rotary, so we are definitely going to stay in touch. The other I had lunch with and she is still here for 5 more months and that won't be a problem to see her. That night I met up with my exchange friends and we met another district which was pretty cool and a lot of fun! Meeting other exchange students is amazing!

The next day I rolled out of bed at about 9 or 10 got ready and my host family took me to Ostbahnhof! It was so nice seeing everyone that I hadn't seen in a while! Many I get to see because they lived in Berlin, but a lot live really far away! So it was nice. We left Ostbahnhof at about 2:30 and headed out on our 17 hour bus ride or so to Paris! It suprisingly didn't suck because it's just nice seeing everyone and talking to everyone. Time really flew! We had to make stop constantly because the bus driver always needed a break, and every time we had to leave! Even if didn't want to get anything or we just wanted to sleep. Our Bus ride went through Berlin, Köln, Belgium, and eventually Paris. Somewhere between Köln and Belgium we got 9 exchange students from a different district because we had extra space. They we all pretty cool, especially Sims!! I hope you read this! Driving through Europe didn't really phase us at all! We were in Belgium and we could care less. It's almost like driving from state to state. We ended up in Paris at 7 in the morning to the building across the street burning. But we all could of cared less due to lack of sleep.

Same thing happened in Paris, we all could of cared less that we were there! We just showed up, put our bags in a room and went downstairs to eat cresants and nutella. Someone decided to mention the fact that we were in Paris and everyone just said "cool" in a very monotone voice. After eating, some people played piano, of course all Latin Americans because they can literally do everything!! Then afterwards we finally left for Paris! Without showers, by the way! So everyone was dirty and smelled the whole day!

We took the Paris subway system everywhere! And it sure does suck compared to Berlins! It is old and it is so complicated compared to Berlins! I'm sure I could figure it out no problem, but it would take like 50 switches to get from one side of Paris to the other. I think we only had to switch 3 times to get to the first place, which was the new area of Paris. It was extremely nice and a lot better looking than the buildings in Berlin! I believe the first thing was called the Arch of Defense. We started there, they gave a mini orientation, and then we walked thru all the new stuff until we got to another station and then we went to another really famous thing called the Arc de Triomphe and that was really cool! When we got there we had freetime so we wasted a little bit of it by trying to cross the complicated street. Only a few of us did and I realized we actually go under, so that was easier.

We saw that then grabbed some lunch! Being poor exchange students we ate McDonalds and it was so complicated! First off it is more expensive than Berlin and then I couldn't figure out how to order because I kept saying things in German to the lady, even though she knew English, I can't even imagine how tough that'll be when I go back to the U.S.!! After that was over, we met up and went to the thing that people truely do dream of seeing and being under...the Eiffel Tower!! But the Eifel Tower was no joke, it was legit! It was way bigger than I had imagined and it was so nice looking! The only thing that was sort of upsetting was the big nets around it because of people killing themselves. But still it was nice. We took photos, and a group of us went to the top of it. Another group was 10 minutes late and they had said it was too crowed, so no more! It was amazing! It was sort of scary when we kept going higher and higher, but it was wort of it! Being that the top was just incredible! You can see how beautiful all of Paris is too! Es war sehr schön! I would do that again for sure, it was definitely the best part of Pairs! It sucks that it happened on the first day too because I realized that nothing is going to beat it.

It was funny seeing the other group on the second level and they were so mad that we go to see it! But it's a reason to go back. We all still went down together and met the rest, who were trying to negotiate buying mini Eiffel Towers from the people and that was also a lot of fun! But it made us late and not in order so the Rotarians were extremely mad! Eventually we were all together and there but we still wanted to walk and take pictures even though we were late, so they were still extremely mad. I wasn't really paying attention either and I walked over some person's things. He was mad too! But what was he going to do because what he was doing was already illegal.

We made it back to the hotel, got rooms and some people had time to shower, but not me so it was another few hours of being dirty! We went to the restaurant and ate some French food. It was not good at all compared to German food! The we had free time for a few hours and we had to be back at 11 because they were too angry with us for it to be 12. I think we finally went to bed 3 or 4 because of course we had to talk and then we had to be up at 7! So we got like no sleep but we slept well because when we woke up the lights were still on and normally I can't sleep with them on. We headed down for breakfast and it was the same as the day before.

I'm trying to remember everything that we did, but I'm already forgetting the little things. I think we went to the Louvre, and that is the famous museum in Paris where a lot of movies were filmed and where the Mona Lisa is. It was a very nice museum, but it was just so boring and the Mona Lisa was the only thing that I actually knew. But it was actually a bit disappointing because it's so small! I always imagined it to be big! But it's so small! But at least I got to see it....

Then we went on a little walking tour through downtown and we ended up infront of the Music Hall and got more free time. We grabbed food from this soup place and I finally spoke English with the lady but it was so confusing and it took over 5 minutes to figure it out because she wouldn't accept the fact that I didn't care what sauce she used. It was also expensive! But it was good and it was French, I think. Then we went to a shopping place and found Reese's Peanut Butter Cups!!! It was pretty incredible, but I only bought 2 because it was expensive! But it was amazing! After that we went to the Hard Rock Cafe only to look around and not to actually eat, so it sort of sucked but it was cool because they only speak English at these places.

Then we left for dinner for real and we ate at some nice little French restaurant and the meal was very good! It was just a very entertaining dinner, but it is very hard to explain everything. But one thing I got out of it was the education in the U.S. can be very dissapointing in many aspects, especially because everyone in the group can speak English and only me and a few other Americans know only English. It's sort of embarassing and it just makes American's look even more cocky because we know that others will adapt to knowing English for us! So hopefully this changes eventually! After dinner we went on a boat ride through the center of Paris! It was a lot of fun but my camera was dead, so no pictures! But it was a good time and I'm pretty sure a boat ride through Paris won't ever be the same again...

That night we got to stay out until 12:30 and of course we ate crepes!! After that we hung out and had to get up at 6:30 but we went to bed past 5 so definitely not enough time! Once again same Breakfast, and I wasn't hungry, so I went up stairs, packed and I got ready for the rest of the day. We had to walk everything to the bus, over a mile away, but it was fine. Then we walked to the station and did another walking tour. Then we visited Notre Dame. It was very nice but sort of sad how they charge money for everything there and even have full time employees. It didn't really seem like a church because of that. But the building was absolutely incredible!!

After that, we took a train ride to Versailles which is just outside of Paris. It's where they signed the treat of Versailes during WWI. It was the final part of our trip and it wasn't that exciting either. It was very nice but so boring!! Plus there was a bunch of random little Japanese creatures and it took away from the beauty. After walking through it we met in back and like 5 of us and the guys in charge of our exchange walked through the gardens. It was very nice and realaxing! But it turns out everyone else was waiting for us, and they were mad even though the guy said that we were doing this.

Then we went to McDonalds and ate burgers and just enjoyed ourselves because we were going home!! It was fun being with everyone, I don't think Paris was all that special but I still loved it! I will go back for sure and do what I want! But I loved being with the other exchange students, and the bus ride home was extremely sad. Seven of the oldies are leaving soon and some of them were crying! I'm really going to miss them too! One leaves in 2 weeks, but the one that I'm closest with leaves in January and I am so glad! I don't want her to leave, but I'm glad she is here longer. But also on the ride home I sang Spanish! I love that I know a little and I can at least read it! So I finally wasn't discluded for not knowing Spanish!

We arrived in Berlin about 11 or 12 and we grabbed some Döner because we all missed it so much, and then we went back home! The next conference isn't until February and it's so far away! We are going to a concentration camp in 2 weeks and we're going to try to do more things like this. I love being with exchange students! They just make things so much better. Also, I apologize for the long and very bad post! I just can't write very well today for some reason.

I do have one last thing to say! Today I took my Klasuar in German and I wrote it in German! It was really bad and I told people that and they asked me what language I wrote it in and I said "German"?? Apparently I could've written it in English!!! I just don't remember the teacher telling me this! But alles gut!! At least my grades don't matter!

I hope everyone enjoyed my long boring post! I'll do a seperate post for pictures but I still have to post those on facebook...

Herbstferien

Well I am still currently on Fall break, tomorrow is the last day and it sort of sucks that it is going to end! Throughout the break I have been attending a language school in Mitte! It is so cool coming out of school everyday and seeing Berlin's big T.V. tower, which says that you're in Mitte! I am also just going to miss being with foreigners everyday in general. Foreigners are generallly the funnest people. I am definitely more fun here than in the U.S. and I'm sure that I'll be a lot more boring when I go back. It's mostly because it's new and we are all just so excited to try new things and it's not as fun seeing and doing certain things that you have been used to for so long! So for a foreigner it is much easier to be open about things!

Anyway, my first week of break was sort of boring. I just went to language school everyday. The first Monday I had to get up at 6 and take my placement test, which ended up being really bad! So I was not put in the advanced class, but it wasn't the lowest either. I have 2 teacers for 1 1/2 hours each, with a 30 minute break inbetween. My first teacher isn't the greatest, but my 2nd teacher is excellent! I have learned a lot from her and I think if I took the test again it would be a lot better. But that is pretty much what I did all week and nothing else!

Then on the weekend I met up with people from school Friday, Saturday I hung out with some of the exchange students in Berlin, and Sunday I actually tried to read German!! I bought Anne Frank Tagebuch, I'm pretty sure that you can figure out what that means, and I was reading that and Harry Potter. It's still not very clear, but I enjoy reading them in German because I read both of them in English, so it helps. I also didn't have any internet connection that day, so I'm doing things that I needed to do on Sunday now because I finally have time.

This week I meet up with my friend, Emily, from my district back home! She lives in a little town called Esens somewhere on the North Sea. She was visiting here with her German district and I met up with her all the days she was here, along with some of my friends. It was really nice seeing someone from home and it really makes me miss people! But even though I was a little sad that she left, she also made me feel very lucky because I live in Berlin! I know that everyone reading this already knows it, but she was saying how happy she was to be here and stuff like that and I just felt so lucky! How many people really get to live in Berlin or any big city as an exchange student? It's very lucky and I'm still wondering if I love big city life, or small town life? But I have many years to determine where I actually want to live.

Well tomorrow is my last day of language school. I think I'm getting together with some exchange students after and we're going to buy a flag and other stuff that we don't have yet. I leave for Paris on Saturday!! I'm suprisingly not all that excited. But I realized when I get really excited for something, it's generally a disappoinment, so I'm just glad to be going and I hope that it's fun and all goes well! I will make sure to post again after I get back on Wednesday! I also get to skip some school because of this! Which does make it even better!

Herbst

Well it has been about 2 weeks since my last blog post, and in all honesty it hasn't really been all that exciting. I've just been living life. I also hate titles for my blog posts! I can never think of one!!! So I figured that Herbst would just work, because it means fall in German, and well, it is definetely fall here!!

Well over the past two weeks nothing exciting has happened, once again! School is school, I still don't completely understand it, but it is getting better. I did however, not get the highest grade in my English class! Apparently, "I don't care or raise my hand enough!" but in what way would that actually benefit me, or help anyone else? I contribute by correcting people, and the teacher very often because she constantly asks for the correction, but it's not good enough! At least my grades don't matter here....

Also, I have take every single test in school. Which actually I don't mind doing. There is really no reason not to, and it's not like I can go home or anything, so I just take the tests, and normally get a 5, which is good because it means that I didn't fail! I have never actually failed a test here! But at the same time, it's a lot easier because all I have to do is get like a 9 percent to pass. So I actually only get like 20 percents, but that is fine with me! And on the presentation that me and my partner had to give over the German author, Sebastian Fitzek, we received a 2! which is like a B. All that I had to do was stand up in front of the class and read some entries in German! Which didn't really go well because I shake excessivly when I hold stuff in front of me for too long!! It really sucks and it's embarassing, but it helps me to realize how much I love Germans! Even though I looked like a fool, everyone still says "good job" and they don't really bring it up. In American school, whenever I would do that, people wouldn't let it go, even though it's something I can't help! I just love Germany more and more everyday.

They past two weeks have been really fun too! Last weekend I went to my friend Garrett's, in Eberwalde, and it was really cool because it so different! He lives in a small town, where people actually know him! Here, nobody knows me, and as much as I love Berlin and I love Big city life, I do still miss small town life, and I miss being able to walk around and saying "hi" to people that actually know me. But I do still love it here! Anyways, he went to some party in the park, and I got to meet a lot of new people, and I suprisingly spoke almost all German with them! It's tough because they all know English, so everyone wants to speak English, and generally when that happens I just start speaking English without even realizing it. I look forward to the day that no one realizes that I'm American. I hope that that day comes soon!

This weekend I had no school Friday, because my class did extra things during the week to have this day off. We took a class trip to see Ich - Einfach unverbesserlich (Despicable me) and it was sooo good because I understood everything that went on! I'm begginning to love kids books and movies, they really raise my self-esteem! We also had to watch Effi Briest, and that was another culture shock moment! It turns out that in German schooling it is ok for the movie to have sex or even just talk about it sex. It hardly even phased anyone either! It's just normal here. But anyway, because of this we had Friday off! So me and two girls from school went shopping becuase I need to look more European! and I'm glad too!

Saturday, we celebrated my friend Garrett's Birthday in Berlin. We just sort of hung out all day, and it's a lot of fun! No matter how many times I've seen or done things in Berlin, it really never gets old! Things aren't as exciting as the first time, but it will never be old, I can guarantee that...But I just want to say that I absolutely love Berlin! I don't know how common it is that exchange students get the big cities, but I am extremely thankful that I did! It is an absolutely mind blowing experience, and I am so glad for it! I still miss home, but at the same time I already feel like Berlin could of been my true home all along....

O yea! Paris is in less than 2 weeks now!! Also, I am officially on break for the next 2 weeks! Only problem is that everyday I have a langauge school so I won't get to sleep in, but it will defintely be worth it! I plan on posting a video a week from Monday, for my 2 month Anniversary here! But no promises!

Bis bald!

Neuruppin!

Well this weekend was probably the funnest weekend I have had this year! I just want to start out by saying that exchange students are some of the best people in world! I'm so glad that I'm doing Rotary and not a different program, because I don't believe that I would've had the same opportunity to meet exchange students! Rotary is the best!

School was pretty easy last week. Thursday we had a sportfest that started at 1, so I didn't go to school until then, and then I ran 100 meters, threw shot-put, did long jump, ran 800 meters and then went home and got ready for Neuruppin! Friday I went for the first two hours, it worked out that my next couple of teachers weren't there, so I got out early and went home! I grabbed my stuff and I had to walk to the tram carrying my Rotary jacket and rolling a suitcase. Some older lady that I say "hi" to a lot came up to me and started talking to me. She had no idea that I didn't understand. She mention something about the weather and how nice it was and I just said, "ja, es ist sehr schön" and then I managed to get away without making her feel awkward or anything. Then I met a group of ladies from Australia. They were about 50's, but it was nice being able to help them out, and they ended up just following me to the tram, and then to the bahnhof(station). They got off the stop before me, and I sort of wanted them to meet everyone because they had some questions about Berlin that I didn't know, but others would know. I ended up arriving at Fredrichstrasse early.

I met the group, it was mostly people that I already knew, and then a few new people. We met in front of the grocery store, and we went in to buy a few things and I found mountain dew!!! I almost cried, I was so happy. Unfortunately there is no picture of it yet...We hung out a little, then bought a group ticket which was really cheap! Then we got on the s-bahn and headed to a different station. We only had 4 minutes after we got off the s-bahn to make the next train. Somehow we managed, but the train was completely full so we had to stand for a half hour, which was no problem because none of us could sit still!

We were greeted at the train station in Neuruppin by some of the local Rotarians and they gave us a ride to the hotel/hostel. We got our rooms and then waited for people to arrive. It was nice seeing some of the people that I hadn't seen in a while, like the ones that I had flown here with. Everyone was amazing and everyone gave hugs! It's very weird that we hug these random people, but I definitely miss hugs. German hugs just aren't the same for some reason....

For the first part of the night, we just chilled outside, drank fanta, and ate some Haribo! Then we went inside, sat down, listened to them talk and we ate. It was just a buffet, with common German foods...aka meat, potatoes, and bread! Then they talked some more, and everyone had to introduce themselves in whatever language they wanted. I believe that everyone at least attempted German, but I really couldn't say much more than the basics. Some people went on and I understood, but I was nervous to screw up the grammar in front of everyone! Then we went to the beach thing for the night, and just chilled again. There were so many cameras going and I figured there was no point in taking pictures! Which is actually really nice and I finally just got to enjoy something for once. I also met more random people. There was a group from Berlin there and they were doing some singing thing. Once again I ran out of cards, so I can never meet up with them again. Which sucks because they were really cool. But afterwards we went back to our rooms at midnight and probably feel asleep at 5! It's tough to sleep when you can't stop talking!

I got up 2 hours later, and then we had breakfast. The group of singers joined us, but I didn't recognize anyone because it had been too dark the night before. Suprisingly enough, we had bread for breakfast. But here you have like 1000 different things that you can put on bread, so it never gets old. We left breakfast and headed to the main part of Neuruppin. We got to take a boat there! Once again, it was so much fun and it was very long too. We got to Neuruppin, and it is a very pretty town. We had to take a group photo, and out of the 40 of us, 30 people handed 1 guy their camera! I was going to, but I figured that they had enough, and also there is facebook. After that, we split up into groups. Spanish and English. I was glad because I was sick of hearing everything 3 times! 2 times is much better and eventually it will just be one. We got to go up the cool church and climb like 1000 stairs. Then you could actually see the whole town. That was probably the highlight of the Neuruppin tour. It wasn't all that interesting to be honest. A tour of Berlin would be way better!

For lunch we had Spaghetti! We listened to some guy speak about Germany and it was interesting. Then we had the actual orientation. Which was pretty basic. They went over the d's which have already been drilled into everyone's heads and then they discussed the trips and orientations. We have Paris next month! It's 250 euros and I already paid for it. It is technically an orienation, so I'm confused why we have to pay, but I really don't mind. Then we have one in January, I think, and it's with another district! Then we have Eurotour in April!!! It's 950 euros, and I'm hoping it can be my Christmas present. Then we have a goodbye party in June :(

After that we had free time. It was raining so we didn't actually want to be outside. So we grabed ice cream, which is Jelado, like all ice cream in Germany, then we ran to the store again. We all waited outside the restaurant for an hour and finally the Rotarians came after we were soaked! We went in, got drinks and presented our countries. Then we had some more German food! It is seriously the best food in the world! Afterwards we got to dance! And it is seriously embarassing being American, because we can't dance like the Latin Americans can!! They are all so good and then we're all just awful, but it was a lot of fun and I'm hoping to take a salsa class soon with my friends from school. After dancing for a while we had to introduce ourselves....again! But it was sort of a good thing. We had to speak over the mic and say stuff. Normally when I stand up in front of people with a mic I get nervous and shake because I hate hearing an echo. But this time it was all good, and I spoke German! So I sort of realize now that my confidence is a million times better!!!

Well we left about midnight, and then went back to the hotel and partied a little bit more. I went to bed at 5 again, and got up a little later than the night before. It was the funnest night of my life!! Breakfast was very quiet though. Everyone was extremely tired from lack of sleep. After breakfast, we went upstairs, packed, put on our blazers, took more pictures, and then headed to the lobby to leave...we all got banners from the Neuruppin Rotary club to put on our jackets, and that was nice! The Neuruppin rotary club is extremely generous, and the one girl with the club should be very thankful for her club! It would be amazing to work with that group.

I left with practically the same group that I had come with, and we went to Haupbahnhof because we weren't quite ready to leave everyone. We had pizza from pizza hut! Everyone was happy except the Italian. Then we grabbed more Jelado and finally headed home. It took over an hour to get back because I had to switch to the tram and then walk, but it was good for some reajusting time. It is tough hanging out with these amazing people and then switching back to reality. I still love my school in Germany, and most of the people, but nothing beats exchange students! Whenever I'm with them it just feels like nothing else exists. I wish everyone could be like an exchange student!!!

Well this next couple of weeks are lame. I have no idea when I am going to post again. We have a normal week, then next week is project week in school. Then the next two weeks are vacation! I plan on taking a language course, but it is very expensive. I had emailed my YEO and asked if the Rotary Club could help pay for it. I hope they can because I really want to do this one! After the break we go to Paris so I get to miss even more school!!! Germany is great!

Well that is all, I will post as soon as anything exciting happens!

Tschüß!

Friday Night at the BonfireHanging out Friday NightPresenting the U.S.A.! Unfortunately we don't have a big flag yet...Saturday Night at the DiscoLeaving Sunday Morning :(

Almost a Month!

I would post on Saturday which would be the day of my official first month, but I think that I am going to be busy, so I'm just going to do it now...

Well life hasn't really been all that exciting since I last posted, I've just been living life day by day. Since the wild boar incident, I haven't seen another. I have however been hit by nearly evey car in Berlin, especially in my area. In the main parts there is cross walks, but where I live there isn't any, and it has been raining non-stop, so it gets tough to see sometimes. But my timing has been getting pretty good because of it. You have to move really fast here because there is just one car after another and people going every direction. I have also crashed my bike a lot too!

School has finally started to pick up here too! It is a lot different from America...you definitely don't get as much homework, but you have more tests, which makes it a lot harder to get a 1(A), especially being me. Unlike what I've heard from most exchange students, I have not been excused from a test! I have to attempt them, and normally what I end up doing is writing the English answer. I have failed 2 tests already, but one I almost got an A! and it was physics! I was pretty pumped. Even though my grades don't matter, I still really want to try because I still have to attend American high school next year, and there my grades DO matter! In English we have a student teacher from Virginia now! Another very exciting thing. She hardly speaks German, and doesn't understand the German accent clearly, she will ask me what people said because she has no idea! It is seriously amazing! But something that has sort of sucked is that now everyday in German class, my teacher makes me get up and read to the class! It is very embarrassing, especially because they all clap when it's over! But I realize now that I have all of the questions memorized, so I may get a 1 on my next test!

Also, this past weekend was very exciting! On Friday I hung out with some friends from school. We went bowling and just chilled. But afterwards, I came back to the tram station and my bike seat was stollen! I seriously don't get people. Then Saturday I met up with the other exchange students again, and there were a lot more than before. I got to meet pretty much all of the "oldies," and then some of the "newbies." It was a lot of fun, and I got to see more new things in Berlin! I'm pretty much pro by this point! Then while going home, some guy came up and sat next to me and said something in English, that I probably shouldn't repeat, and so I said,"No way! you speak enlgish?" So we ended up talking and he has been traveling the world for the past 8 months, and he has 2 months left. He has been out of college for 2 years and he gave me the name of the travel agency he used! I was very excited, and it sounds like a great adventure! Unfortunately I forgot to give him my card, because I really wouldn't of minded talking to him again. I told my mom about it too and she said "no way!" The next day I went to the movies with some friends from school, and we saw "Beilight" which is the German "Vampires Suck." I think it would've been really funny, too bad that I don't understand German!

Well this week was a little interesting too, I filled out my first monthly report! It was extremely easy and it felt good writing some stuff down. Also, I got my bike seat back! It makes no sense, but one day after school I arrived at the tram station and my seat was just there! Once again, people make no sense! Also, I think that my German is getting better!?!?! Everyone keeps telling me it, but I guess that I just don't realize. A lot of it is that I like to compare, and I realize that everyone's English is still better than my German. But now I can sort of carry on a conversation, and sometimes I don't even realize that I'm speaking German.

O! And I almost forgot that I had my first Rotary meeting this week! Well I left my host about 6, to go to the meeting that I thought was at 7, and I used the directions that I had found on the bvg(berlin transportation) website. They ended up being wrong and taking me way past where I needed to be. I called my host mom, and sort of freaked out a little, in English, because my German mind was not working! I ended up getting on the S-Bahn again at 7, and then passed a burning building, that hadn't been burning before! I arrived at the Best Western hotel at 7:15, and only two people were there! My YEO just wanted me to get there early...well it went well, I met a lot of nice people, I had to give a mini speech in English about myself. I realize that now I could've said it all in German!! I got a huge thing of Wiener Schnitzel and non-bubly water! So all in all it was a sucess! Then one of the Rotarians living by  me gave me a ride home, invited me over for dinner, and told me that he was going to bring up at next weeks rotary meeting, paying for my language course! I love Rotary!

Well this weekend I don't really have any big plans, even though it's my month anniversary. Guillermo is probably going to install a language program on my laptop, and I am going to hang out with a few friends! Next weekend I have my first conference in Neuruppin, Germany and I am extremely excited for that! I probably won't be blogging until after that! O, and sorry for the random order of this blog!!!

Tschüss

My Adventures with Wildschwein!

I still don't know a title for this post, as I go I'm sure I will think of one...well like I said, school has been amazing! I'm just happy all the time and I really love the people around me! I still can hardly speak German, but communicating has been getting a lot easier. Unfortunately taking the language course I wanted isn't going to work out, but I may be able to find a different one and hopefully even a better one. But still, now I will attempt to talk to people in German, they always notice my accent though, which is very frustrating because my German could be perfect, but they will speak to me in English because they know I'm American!

Well this weekend so far has been incredible! I finally got to go to a legit German party. It was a lot of fun, and it is surprising how responsible the people are here. It's another one of those things that is hard to explain. I just stayed the night at Guillermo's and Leon's because we were meeting up the next day anyway. We got up late, and we were like an hour late meeting everyone. We ended up going to the zoo, but it was pretty bad and they treated the animals horribly! But at the zoo, I finally had schnitzel which is amazing! We left early, met up with a few of our oldies, but they had a Rotary meeting so then we just went to Potsdamer Platz. Every time we go, we have intentions of making it to the Berlin wall, but it never happens. We ended up getting ice cream, and meeting up with the coolest group of kids ever! They were from Australia and we talked to them for like an hour and I believe that we have like 5 more kids that want to do an exchange through Rotary! We left, grabbed some stuff from Aldi and then attempted to get back to Guillermo's before Adrian missed her bus. We never made it to Guillermo's...

We left, and I made it to my station. Normally I have my bike, but I didn't because my host mom had dropped me off instead. So I walked through the creepy forest that I had been warned about, I made it out safely and I was so glad that there were other people. Then I felt safe, and I walked down one street and didn't see anything, I got to my street and I was pretty close to my house, when I saw 3 Wild Boars! I had just passed a street connected to mine, and a mom with her 2 kids came running out. I'm assuming now that something scared them, but I am so relieved that she didn't see me and I am glad that I didn't run or scream either. If I would have been a few seconds slower, she would've seen me forsure and would've attacked me! I didn't really shake for too long, I was very nervous to walk the rest of the way because I didn't know what would be at the end. But I made it, closed the gate, I thought I saw one in my yard and I could hardly get the key in the door. But I made it and I was relieved.

Today I'm meeting up with people from school and we're going to Kreuzberg! It should be a lot of fun, and for people that don't know, this is the most famous area of Berlin. It is where the wall and checkpoint Charlie is at. Well I think it has the East Side Gallery, but I'm not sure. It is also like one of the most dangerous areas. It should be a lot of fun today!

Two Weeks!!!

Well tomorrow I will have been here for 2 weeks! I would've posted this tomorrow, but I go out of school 4 hours early because my German teacher wasn't here and everyone else still had school, so I figured I would blog.

It really feels like I've been here way longer that 2 weeks. But I've noticed that it has started to get going a lot faster. I know am very comfortable in school. If a random person talks to me and I don't understand, I don't look for my host mom or any of my friends, I will just tell them that I don't understand and why. I guess I just feel comfortable here. It doesn't really feel like a foreign country. I am definitely used to German, I just don't understand it. I think next week or soon I start language classes, which would really help!

I finally got to see most of the people I flew with. It was a lot of fun and so random. We were all supposed to meet at 10, except for Sierra, and we were going to meet her at 3. But I showed up at 10, then Adrian and her sisters showed up, but Guillermo never showed up! So we called his house and after an hour of waiting we left. We went, got food, look at some things, and shopped. We ended up going back at 3 and there was Guillermo ready to leave! It was the funniest thing! So then we went up met Sierra and we were on our way! We just sort of ended up places. We really didn't know anything. It is a lot more fun that way! I really can't wait to meet the rest of the exchange students either. I'm sure it'll be a lot more fun, and hopefully it is next weekend. But if not, we will be meeting up in Neuruppin at the end of September, which seems really far away.

Well, after 2 weeks I've actually lost 10 pounds! But I think that I'm going to gain it back now that I've got my appetite back. My favorite drink here is fanta! I know we have it in the U.S. but it's definitely not as common. I also love this one Turkish food, but I don't remember the name. But it is amazing, but I can only find it in one place, only in the mornings, and I'm never hungry in the morning!

Also, sorry about the spelling! My spellcheck is in German, so practically every word is wrong...

Just a little update....

Well everything has been going great! I have my little group at school, and for the most part the teachers are cutting me some slack. I managed to figure out the classes, and you stay with a group all day, so I don't get lost. Only once did I end up in the wrong class room and it ended up being the principal! She doesn't really like me anymore...she is the only teacher that won't help me out, or let others help me, and of course she teaches math. If we didn't have to do word problems it would make sense, but of course it isn't that simple. I can't even do the homework she assigned! I assumed that the principal would be the person going around telling the teachers all about how they need to go easy on me, but it's not like that at all! Wow! I really didn't even realize how irritated I was!

Well other than that everything has been going well. Everyone in school is so nice. Now that I actually had time to talk to people I did. There is like 20 people in the class, and everyone is in their own little groups. But everyone will still talk to everyone. I still haven't done anything with anyone in the class, I think I'm doing stuff with some people next week. This weekend I'm meeting up with my one friend that I flew with here, and hopefully Leon. We're going to try to get around Berlin and it should be interesting because all we had was one experince there. It's actually sort of difficult to get lost in Berlin because there is always some form of transportation within 50 feet of you, and it will say where you are at. Also, on Monday, I am finally applying for my visa. I have to get there myself, and the U.S. embassy is in the same place where I am meeting my friends, so it would be the best time to get lost! Then next weekend I believe that we are going to have our first Exchange party, and it should be a lot of fun! I'm excited to see everyone again, and meet a bunch of new people!

I've only been here like 1 1/2 weeks, but it feels like much longer. But that is definitely not a bad thing. I am already used to Berlin, and it doesn't feel like I'm even in a forgein country. I'm used to German, but I'm still not used to not being able to understand. A group of little kids think it's funny that I don't understand, but that doesn't really bother me at all! I've already gotten a few questions for being American, of course I got asked if I like Obama and then a little Arabic boy asked me if I hated him because he's Muslim. It's very interesting what people think about Americans, but it doesn't bother me at all. I'm still proud to American.

First Day of School!

I have posted a lot lately, hopefully this one is short. Well I had my first day of school today....and it went really well! I did end up going by myself today, which was fine. I made it to the Tram and got on it without any other problems. I didn't talk to anyone on the tram becasue I was nervous. A big group of students got off at one stop, so I was worried that that was mine, but I decided to just stay on. I finally got to my stop and I followed some girl because I forgot how to get there. I think she was a little creeped out because she realized that I was following her. But I didn't know how to say what I wanted to tell her in German, so I just kept following her. I got to the school and I'm pretty sure every student and teacher were smoking. So I just went in, went to the secretary's office because it was open. Then she took me to the lady incharge of the 11th grade class, and she took me to where I needed to be. I only had to say like 2 words in German and they knew what I meant. So I just sat through the little introduction, and then my homeroom teacher called off our names. So I got up to follow her and they pulled me and another student aside. He had been an exchange student last year in the U.S. So we talked a little bit and he lived in Michigan! How weird is that?? I sat with him and a few other students who helped me fill out everything. I'm pretty sure that the students were mocking the teacher because everytime someone asked a question the class would laugh, and also no one knew what was going on. So everyone just went and saw the lady incharge of our grade after class which only lasted for about an hour. They had the former exchange student help me out, but he was new to the school too, so he had no clue what's going on. But it wasn't too bad, tomorrow is a full day, me and the one kid have like every class together, so we will be meeting new people together. I need to figure out the menu. They gave me a list and he couldn't even figure it out in English. But I'm sure everything will work out...

Saxony-Anhalt

Well, for yesterday and today we were in Saxony-Anhalt. I can't remeber the name of the towns, but it is the home for everyone in my family. We went to my host mom's parent's house for her mom and dad's birthday. At first it was sort of awkward because I just said hi to everyone and then just sat down for a while. I was sort of nervous to talk because if my German failed me, I didn't know if I could rely on English. My host mom's sister talked to me a little bit, and then some older couple that had lived in the U.S. and Canada a bit, but that was it at first. A tradition that I thought was weird was that we got there and had cake, which was amazing! We didn't sing or anything like in America, just had a toast and then ate.

After that we went outside and my host mom's brother-in-law and his dad started playing there instruments. They played Yankee Doodle and then they made me join in and sing other American songs, and of course I knew all of them...but it turned out to be a lot of fun, I even got to play the accordion. Then we walked to dinner, which was a lot of fun too. One lady made a reference that even though this is a short distance, in America we wouldn't have walked. But I didn't mind because it was true, it was about a half mile and we would have driven.

While there we had a buffet dinner, unfortunately there was no schnitzel. But it was still really good, and I finally got to use my European dinner ediqute, which turned out to be better than most peoples, which was a huge relief because it was really uncomfortable. Dinner was fun too, because my host mom would tell me things in German and then she would ask what it was in English. I've been asking a lot more questions lately which has really helped!

We walked back, and the same lady that had said the stuff earlier was speaking to me in German, and I was responding. It doesn't feel like I've even learned anything here, but now I can understand people way better, and I can normally respond, even if it is just yes or no. People finally began speaking to me in German too.

We hung out a little bit at her parent's house. I got to try a few different drinks, and then we were off again to the festival. Every state in Germany has their own day or weekend. Saxony-Anhalt's day just happened to occure while I was there. Me, my host family, and my host mom's sister's family all went. But when we got there, me, my host brother, and his cousin all left. The festival was pretty cool, but we wanted to go the little party thing instead. It was sort of like a club, but it was outside and they let 16 years olds in. When I showed the guard my I.D. he just laughed becasue it was American, but it doesn't really bother me.

We got in, hung out until about 3 and then we were done for the night. Me and Hannes went back to his other grandparents and it was a really nice house too! There was a sauna in the room that we stayed in! But it was 3 so I was ready to pass out. I did watch some t.v. real quick and it was my first experience with late night European Television....It was a very interesting night.

Of course, the next day wasn't as exciting. We got up at about 10, then we had lunch before noon. It was very good, but I was not hungry at all! Then we said our good byes and we were off for the last time.

Well tomorrow is the start of school! I am extremely nervous especially because I think Berlin accents are much more difficult to understand. I get to sleep in tomorrow because my school doesn't start until 10! But I must ride my bike to the tram station, then take the tram until the end which is about 35 minutes, then I have to walk a few blocks. I think that my host mom is going to meet me there, but she wants me to figure it out the first day, especially because we have gone over it. My YEO and my counselor are going to be there as well. It should be an interesting day...

I Made It!

Well I figured I should probably post something now that it's been 3 days. I'm going to start back on Tuesday, which seems like forever ago! Well I got up Tuesday, got everything packed, and then went to 4-star with my family. It was really nice, but I only almost cried when I hugged my dad. Then I left, got my things, said bye to my cousins, and I was off to the airport. The car ride wasn't that sad either, it was moslty just nice and relaxing. When we got to the airport I was told that I could get on the earlier flight, but Serenity got there sort of late, so we had to wait. We finally said our good-byes and headed through security at noon. My stuff was searched because of my pins and the soaps for families. We got through security, and then waited for about a half hour, then we were off to Philly. The flight was nice and short. The flight attendent just seemed really angry at first, but she turned out to be fine. The lady next to me was really nice, and she gave me 2 silly-bandz. We got off the flight and then met up with another exchange student who had been waiting for a few minutes. I ended up leaving to get food, I ran into another exchange student who was going to Belgium, I invited him to join us, but he never showed up. Eventually a big group of students came. It was soooo much fun! After 5 hours we got on our plane to Frankfurt, and then when we got there we all got seperated.
Only 6 of us were going to Berlin. Three of us already had our tickets, so we went to customs, which was almost too easy. All he did was ask for my final destination, and then I was on my way. We went to a few stores, we also experienced our first bit of culture shock when we saw a section of nude books. We eventually went through security where the group of us met up again. I got searched once again, but this guy was a bit stranger, and he had me unwrap the stuff. After that we met up with some nice lady from Thailand, who gave us all pins. Then we headed to our gate. From there we left for Berlin! It was very sad leaving everyone, but at least the 6 of us get to see eachother. All of our luggage made it, and went out and met our host families. My host mom and older brother were waiting for me. I also said hi to Leon and some inbound students from South America who came there to meet me. Then I left for my new home. I was very confused at first. I liked it but at the same time I already wanted to leave because I was extremely tired, and I just wanted some comfort. I got home and unpacked, and from there I started to feel much better. Then me and my family had dinner, and eveything was turing out to be fine! My host family is extremely nice. After dinner, Hannes had me go with him to his friends where we watched A-Team in German. It was very confusing, and I was ready to pass out from Jet-Lag. I finally went home and got some rest!

The next day I got up, met my YEO and then I met up with my host mom's friend's daughter, who wanted to show me around Berlin. She was very nice, but talking with her was very difficult because she hardly knew English and I hardly know German. But her friend came and she knew perfect English. We went to the main part and saw all the good stuff in Berlin. It was actually a lot of fun traveling on the subways and the other things. Seeing Berlin was a lot of fun too. It was definitely the funnest thing that I had done so far.

Today wasn't very exciting. We went to the police station, so that I could get my alien card or whatever it is. Then I went to my school and got my schedule. It is so nice because the let me skip out on a lot of classes. I only have a full day on Thursday, and it is still a little shorter than American school. After that I got my Berlin transportation pass. Then I went home and didn't really do anything exciting.

I must say though, Germany is very different from the U.S., but similar at the same time. It is just one of those things that you would have to experience while you're here...

Tomorrow!!!

I seriously can't believe that I'm leaving tomorrow! It still hasn't really hit me either. I can't really sleep anymore, but that's only been going on for the past few days! But I am extremely excited! Yesterday was my going away party with my family, and it wasn't really all that sad, I think only two people cried, but it was really nice seeing everyone. Today I'm just getting ready, and later I think I'm going to the movies. It's not really going to be all that exciting of a last day here.

It also turns out that the two inbounds in Berlin that have already been there for a half year are meeting me at the airport! I was pretty excited when they told me that! I don't really think I'm doing anything exciting that day. But Thursday my host mom's friend's daughter wants to show me around Berlin, so that should be fun, and for the weekend I'm going to Saxony-Anhalt, because that is where my host mom's parents live. It should be very interesting. Then Monday I have school! I'm surprisingly excited now!

Well I hope everyone has a great year, and I will fill you all in when I get there!

Less than a week!

I leave for Berlin in 6 days now! It still seems really weird and I haven't really lost any sleep at all, and it just seems like time has been going faster. It really hasn't affected me at all. But it has been weird that about half of the people have already left. My host brother left for Argentina already too, so I won't get to meet him! But I think he's having an amazing time.

Well this week I've been hanging out with people everyday, because I didn't really have time to throw a party since I can't do anything this weekend. I think I'm going to try to do something Monday though. Sunday I have my family party, which will probably be the first time that I cry. I leave for the airport at 9:45 Tuesday morning, and my flight leaves for Philly at 1:33. There I meet up with like 30 exchange students, but like half of them head off to Brussels and Amsterdam. Then the rest of us go to Frankfurt, and then like 4 or 5 of us head to Berlin-Tegel! At Berlin, I think only my host mom will meet me, but also Leon will be there picking up his new brother! His is from California and I meet up with him in Philly. I just found that out and I was sooo excited!

Well I've got one bag packed, but I plan to finish the rest Monday because I need the rest of the clothes to wear. But I am pretty much done with everything else, and that is sooo relieving!

Only 7 more day until I'm there!

My and Safire's Article

Safire and I were in our local newspaper today for our departure, so here's the article...

http://www.thetimesherald.com/article/20100803/NEWS01/8030307/Local-students-ready-for-year-across-the-Atlantic

Hopefully you are able to view! The pictures were not really the greatest, but I must say the article was pretty good!

Official Itinerary

I finally got an email from my travel agent! Well the ticket was a little bit more that I wanted to be, but it was less than I expect by about $4. Here is my itinerary...

U.S. Airways

August 17th

Leave Detroit at 1:33 p.m.

Arrive in Philadelphia at 3:10 p.m.

August 17th-18th

Leave Philadelphia at 8:25 p.m.

Arrive in Frankfurt at 10:20 a.m.

August 18th

Leave Frankfurt at Noon

Arrive in Berlin at 1:05 p.m.!!!

I'm soooo excited now that I know exactly when I will be arriving! I also finally purchased my ticket, because I guess if I had waited any longer, the price would've gone up! I found out from my travel agent that I will be meeting up with one girl in Detroit, and then about 30 exchange students going to either Belgium or Germany in Philly. I did receive some bad news though, my host brother is leaving the 6th instead of the 20th so I won't ever get to meet him! It's good for him, but it is unfortunate for me! O well, only 3 more weeks!!

Less Than a Month!!

I still can't really picture myself in Germany!! It's even harder to believe that a month from today, I will actually be a couple days into my exchange. Everything about this is all just sort of weird. I'm not really nervous, but at the same time I'm not ridiculously excited either. I am basically just content. The two girls going to India have already been there for a few days and that's even hard to believe! I'm sure that as time comes I will begin to feel more nervous, but I have this feeling that I would actually realize that this is actually happening until I'm there!

Well I still don't know about my next couple of host families! My YEO hasn't emailed me back yet but hopefully soon. I also still have no clue about my ticket!! Some kids are leaving in 10 days for Germany and they still don't know! But it sounds like I'm going to Amsterdam first and then to Berlin! It will be kind of nice being able to take a break and actually being able to talk to my host mom on the phone before I meet her! She seems like the nicest lady in world....well I hope! But I'm sure me and her will get along fine.

I still have so much more to do before I leave! Hopefully I can bring in some more money too!

Grand Rapids!!

Grand Rapids was amazing!! It was one of the best weekend of my life, but at the same time it was one of the saddest. I met so many people, and had a lot of fun, but it was the last time that I will get to see a lot of the people I have gotten to know so well over this past year. I have found these people easier to talk to relate to than even my own friends. I hope that I am able to find friends like this is Berlin.

Back to Grand Rapids, there were a few boring speakers, but for the most part there were a lot of really good ones. The opening ceremonies were incredible, and there were a lot of random people singing, which made it much better! I was bummed out that there was no one going to Berlin. There are a few people in my district, but no one close to Berlin. I also met a rebound from Berlin who I have been talking to, and an inbound. Unfortunately I didn't have cards, and neither did she, So we will never meet.

The food wasn't very good there. But what did you expect from a college? It's sort of funny because that food will probably be 10 times better than some of the food that some students will eat on their exchange. There really isn't too much to talk about, we just hung out with everyone for the last time, and there were a lot of tears! I feel bad for all the inbounds, as our journeys begin, theirs are just ending. I'm going to miss all of them, but fortunately a lot of them were already planning on coming to Berlin to see the inbound from Berlin.

I honestly don't think that I will ever have a weekend like this ever again. It won't be the same next year because no everyone will be there. Hopefully we can all get together sometime before we leave. It is crazy to believe that two people are leaving tomorrow! Both of the people are leaving for India, and I am extremely jealous that they get to leave tomorrow. I leave 5 weeks from today! They will be there well over a month before I arrive! But I am glad that I get a few weeks to say bye to my friends and family! It is still hard to believe that I am leaving! I am excited, but extremely nervous at the same time. I'm sure that things will get more and more weird as time gets closer.

1st Host Family

Well it seems like everything just keeps getting better and better! I've been talking to my 1st host family, and they are great! I have a mom, and two brothers. One is older, and one is my age. Unfortunately the one my age is leaving for Argentina 3 days after I arrive, and I have been talking to him the most. But he told me for those 3 days before he leaves, he is going to show me all of Berlin, and the day that he leaves we are going to Frankfurt for him to catch his flight. Hopefully we go early! Other good things, I received my guarantee forms! Also, I finally finished my essay! I wrote 17 pages total, and I was glad that it was done. I also made my business cards to give to Rotarians and I bought my pins. They are pretty boring, but I'm passing out the wrist things as well. There really isn't too much more exciting things to talk about. It has been extremely nice actually being able to tell people where I am going! And I also don't have to explain them where it is at. The question that I get now is,"What side are you on?" I really don't mind that question though. At least I can tell people are interested too. It is going to be really weird going to such a big city! I feel like I'm in the smallest city in America, and then I am going to the biggest city in Germany.

There is exactly 7 more weeks until I leave! I will post more when I find out more. The central states conference in Grand Rapids is in two weeks! I am sooo excited for that.

Berlin!

I finally got an email about where I am going! I received an email from the travel agent saying that they had received a bunch of stuff, and they listed it, and one of the things was my guarantee forms, received 3 days ago!! So I emailed the correspondent for Germany, and sure enough she had received my guarantee forms. She sent me the name of the club and my district! I was so confused because I plugged the name of my club into google and nothing was popping up. So I went to the District 1940 website and sure enough, it was a club in Berlin!!!! My club name is Berlin-Schloss-Köpenick. It is located in Southeast Berlin. For now that is all that I know. My forms were sent to Canada, so I still won't have a contact for about a week. Hopefully they contact me first. I really want to know my family and my school. Hopefully I receive the information on the trips soon too. But I already kind of have an idea about that. I am so relieved that I have finally received some information! Now I can finally calm down and just be content with the information that I have this far. It will be weird going from what feels like the smallest town in America to one of the biggest in Europe. But it will be a great experience.

This is one of the oldest areas in Berlin. This building specifically is what my club is named after. It is a castle was built in 1558, it is one of the oldest landmarks in Berlin because most of it was destroyed in World War II.