I was doing homework... then I decided to write.
I have a song seriously stuck in my head right now. Parachute by Cheryl Cole. It's a really good music video too. I actually had to listen to it about 10 times before bed last night, I just couldn't sleep. So, reader, I think you should definately go listen to that. It's addicting.
The homework thing again. I memorized a poem for a vortrag! I must make a presentation to the class tomorrow where I recite the poem, it is all auf Deutsch (in German) and I am very excited. Mine is shorter than everyone elses, but it is okay because being an exchange student this year I don't get grades and rarely even show up on the attendance list. I wish I did.
Tomorrow we will make apple and pumpkin pies. It will turn out funny though because the pie pan things are not round, so it will look more like..... not pie.
It probably won't taste like pie either. I haven't made it alone before. I always just helped my mom. More like I'd take samples and talk with her while she or my dad cook.
I really don't know how to make any of these foods for Thanksgiving... I have all the recipies though and they are all translated, so we celebrate Saturday and we will see then if everything is edible.
This is the first thanksgiving I have spend away from my family, most people at school didn't even know what it was when I told them. It's been interesting. I miss home, naturally, but things like this usually hit harder. It was an okay day, nothing special happened. So far the most of my day had my mind on waiting for a reply on a text message from someone, but they haven't replied yet. I hate waiting.
The highlight of my day though will be talking to friends and family over skype before they celebrate thanksgiving. I just hope it doesn't make me homesick. I have only been seriously homesick about 3 times, it was no fun, so I really don't need it again.
School has been about the same as usual. There is a sort of friend that has a crush on me and I'm trying to just ignore it, because I really really don't like him at all like that. Other than that, we went to a Theater showing of 'A Christmas Carol' in Berlin with my class on Tuesday and it was in English. It was really boring. Everyone spoke so slow, but on the bright side I understood every word and the actors were all from USA as well, so their accents were understandable too.
After the play I met up with my friend, Mau (Mauricio, another exchanger from Mexico), and we went to the Christmas Market in Alexanderplatz. Christmas is beautiful here. I know it isn't Christmas time yet, but as it snowed Tuesday for the first time just little as we walked through the Christmas Market I can tell it is already hitting Winter. It was magical. Christmas here isn't even cheesy, they take it seriously and make everything beautiful, not fake things all over. They also have a 'christmas man' and you put something like insence inside his belly, then the smoke comes out his mouth or pipe. It is really cute and everyone here has them.
This Winter is supposed to hit -20º C. Apparently that's normal. No one here likes snow or ice or cold. I love it.
25 November 2010
20 November 2010
Month 3: mission accomplished
I have been here for 3 months now.
I've met amazing people I hope never to forget, and I have decided I don't want to leave.
It would be nice to just go to University in Berlin next year, I hear it is a great school too.
Having been in Germany a while there is not such a rush to do things anymore. Yesterday my Rotary councellor called me to tell me Dju and I could come with him to the mall and go shopping instead of going to school. It was fun, and offer I could not refuse. We were still trying to find out the real reason, it is too weird for him, as a Rotary person and as a teacher at our school to say something like that.
While shopping we spent way too much time in H&M. It is great, but I spent 85£ on a shirt, a pullover, a cozy jacket and a birthday present.Actually all in all it was totally worth it though. Now for the winter gear! I was told it will hit -20º C this year. That is -4º F! Negative 20º sounds way cooler though... silly USA still not using Metric.
Afterwords I took the train to Berlin and met up with Will, Ana, Anna, Masha, Marie, Jorge, Jens, and I hope I didn't forget someone. We met at McDonalds in Haubahnhoff, like always. I don't actually eat there because it is unhealthy, but unlike in USA the food is expencive and the bathrooms are free (one of the only places they are).
When everyone left to do the Bundestag, Jens and I walked around and found a Café. We ended up on Friedrichstraße in my favorite café that I went to one time with Juan. I ordered a white chocolate macchiato (however that is spelled) and he got a caramel something. It was delicious! I love that place!
We met up again with Dju and Will and Jessica and a couple people I didn't know (other exchangers: Kristoph from Hungary, and 2 others) but they all had to go soon because it was Jessica's host mom's birthday and Will and Dju were going to the Philharmonie together that evening. So Jens and I went to figure out trains and times and tried again to get him the Monatkarte für Zug (month long train ticket).
When I got to Fürstenwalde again I realized there were no more busses to my house, it was only 8:30 PM! Apparently Berlin and large cities are the only ones to sleep later. I walked a while after calling home to let them know, then Madalaine and Stefen drove by and gave me a ride. Next time either a bit earlier or stay the night probably.
This morning I woke up early (8 on a Saturday) to eat breakfast with my host family and there was a bowl of raw hamburger meat on the table. My host dad ate it with his Brödschen and I tried a bit. It was weird. Just plain raw mean with salt and pepper. Only in Germany...
I've met amazing people I hope never to forget, and I have decided I don't want to leave.
It would be nice to just go to University in Berlin next year, I hear it is a great school too.
Having been in Germany a while there is not such a rush to do things anymore. Yesterday my Rotary councellor called me to tell me Dju and I could come with him to the mall and go shopping instead of going to school. It was fun, and offer I could not refuse. We were still trying to find out the real reason, it is too weird for him, as a Rotary person and as a teacher at our school to say something like that.
While shopping we spent way too much time in H&M. It is great, but I spent 85£ on a shirt, a pullover, a cozy jacket and a birthday present.Actually all in all it was totally worth it though. Now for the winter gear! I was told it will hit -20º C this year. That is -4º F! Negative 20º sounds way cooler though... silly USA still not using Metric.
Afterwords I took the train to Berlin and met up with Will, Ana, Anna, Masha, Marie, Jorge, Jens, and I hope I didn't forget someone. We met at McDonalds in Haubahnhoff, like always. I don't actually eat there because it is unhealthy, but unlike in USA the food is expencive and the bathrooms are free (one of the only places they are).
When everyone left to do the Bundestag, Jens and I walked around and found a Café. We ended up on Friedrichstraße in my favorite café that I went to one time with Juan. I ordered a white chocolate macchiato (however that is spelled) and he got a caramel something. It was delicious! I love that place!
We met up again with Dju and Will and Jessica and a couple people I didn't know (other exchangers: Kristoph from Hungary, and 2 others) but they all had to go soon because it was Jessica's host mom's birthday and Will and Dju were going to the Philharmonie together that evening. So Jens and I went to figure out trains and times and tried again to get him the Monatkarte für Zug (month long train ticket).
When I got to Fürstenwalde again I realized there were no more busses to my house, it was only 8:30 PM! Apparently Berlin and large cities are the only ones to sleep later. I walked a while after calling home to let them know, then Madalaine and Stefen drove by and gave me a ride. Next time either a bit earlier or stay the night probably.
This morning I woke up early (8 on a Saturday) to eat breakfast with my host family and there was a bowl of raw hamburger meat on the table. My host dad ate it with his Brödschen and I tried a bit. It was weird. Just plain raw mean with salt and pepper. Only in Germany...
10 November 2010
Second Host Family!
I arrived here Saturday morning after Frühstuck (breakfast).
I should probably first introduce everyone...
Solveig (host mom), René (host dad), Madelaine (host sister, 22), Laura (host sister, 16), Stefan (not technically part of the genetic family, but as Madelaine's boyfriend, he is also always around), and of course, Salem (the cat).
We first went to the wrong house, but once we found the right one, I immedietly felt welcome. It was a little rushed at first because I had to go to Theater practice within 30 minutes, so my new family, the Witschofskys offered to drop me off and pick me up, they were going shopping anyways.
After Theater practice, which is pretty fun, they picked me up and we went home, I unpacked a bit, then we went to IKEA!
That evening we ate a dinner at the resturaunt Hanny's with the whole family, aunts uncles, and even grandparents! Laura and I both ordered a double cheese burger. It was so Lecker (yummy)!
We went home with all full bellies and smiles. It was really nice.
The next morning I accidently woke up early and I didn't know what to do. Do I get up and just go downstairs? Do I wait in bed until someone gets me? I had no idea, so I waited, and soon enough Laura woke up and knocked on my door. I was up in a jiffy.
That day I went with Laura to her golf training. It was cold and wet and cold and wet, but trotzdem (none the less) fun.
When René und Solwieg came to pick us up they brought another pair of socks and shoes for me to wear because my feet were soaked. They bought me a hat in the little shop there, and now Laura and I have matching 'Arosa' hats; we are Doppelgängers!
After school on Monday I met Laura at her school (by bike, because we are really close) and I got to look at her school and meet all her friends! It's great there! Solwieg mentioned that maybe I should switch to that school if it was possible. I like the idea, but it is also scary. New people all over again, and I was just making friends. I am was actually invited to 2 school-friend's birthday parties this weekend, but I don't know if I will go because I just don't know how to ask to leave so often, I don't like having to choose! I really enjoy family time with here.
Yesterday I went with my host parents to the place to get where I live legal with the police, and to fix my bank card. Turns out they lost my card or account or something somehow, but we got a new one, no problem. They lady at the counter even gave me chocolate and a calender. It was pretty nice.
Today, Wednesday, I had only 2 classes: the 4-5. Rene drove me to school just in time for my 11 o'clock class, and I took the bus home after. In school today I wrote a poem. Here...
Kälte, Ende der Träume, Tau
Leben erfachtet,
Nebel, müde, blau,
die Dunkelheit verschwindet,
viele Möglichkeit,
das ist die Zwischenzeit.
It was supposed to be about Zwischenzeit, or, the time between night and day. I read it to the class and I thought it went well. I accidently wrote Nabel instead of Nebel the first time, but then my teacher told me Nabel is bellybutton, while Nebel is fog or mist.
After school today I got home early, took a jog, showered, and made cookies. Laura, Stefan, Madelaine, Johannes, and I all sat around the kitchen for 2 hours eating cookies and talking.
Then later Laura's friend Anna came over and I helped them tone their hair. It was fun.
The rest of the evening was just relaxing and watching a movie.
Now I'm going to bed, that's enough thinking for today!
I really hope I don't have homework!
Goodnight!
I should probably first introduce everyone...
Solveig (host mom), René (host dad), Madelaine (host sister, 22), Laura (host sister, 16), Stefan (not technically part of the genetic family, but as Madelaine's boyfriend, he is also always around), and of course, Salem (the cat).
We first went to the wrong house, but once we found the right one, I immedietly felt welcome. It was a little rushed at first because I had to go to Theater practice within 30 minutes, so my new family, the Witschofskys offered to drop me off and pick me up, they were going shopping anyways.
After Theater practice, which is pretty fun, they picked me up and we went home, I unpacked a bit, then we went to IKEA!
That evening we ate a dinner at the resturaunt Hanny's with the whole family, aunts uncles, and even grandparents! Laura and I both ordered a double cheese burger. It was so Lecker (yummy)!
We went home with all full bellies and smiles. It was really nice.
The next morning I accidently woke up early and I didn't know what to do. Do I get up and just go downstairs? Do I wait in bed until someone gets me? I had no idea, so I waited, and soon enough Laura woke up and knocked on my door. I was up in a jiffy.
That day I went with Laura to her golf training. It was cold and wet and cold and wet, but trotzdem (none the less) fun.
When René und Solwieg came to pick us up they brought another pair of socks and shoes for me to wear because my feet were soaked. They bought me a hat in the little shop there, and now Laura and I have matching 'Arosa' hats; we are Doppelgängers!
After school on Monday I met Laura at her school (by bike, because we are really close) and I got to look at her school and meet all her friends! It's great there! Solwieg mentioned that maybe I should switch to that school if it was possible. I like the idea, but it is also scary. New people all over again, and I was just making friends. I am was actually invited to 2 school-friend's birthday parties this weekend, but I don't know if I will go because I just don't know how to ask to leave so often, I don't like having to choose! I really enjoy family time with here.
 |
| Bionade. Its like lemonade, but different. |
Yesterday I went with my host parents to the place to get where I live legal with the police, and to fix my bank card. Turns out they lost my card or account or something somehow, but we got a new one, no problem. They lady at the counter even gave me chocolate and a calender. It was pretty nice.
Today, Wednesday, I had only 2 classes: the 4-5. Rene drove me to school just in time for my 11 o'clock class, and I took the bus home after. In school today I wrote a poem. Here...
Kälte, Ende der Träume, Tau
Leben erfachtet,
Nebel, müde, blau,
die Dunkelheit verschwindet,
viele Möglichkeit,
das ist die Zwischenzeit.
It was supposed to be about Zwischenzeit, or, the time between night and day. I read it to the class and I thought it went well. I accidently wrote Nabel instead of Nebel the first time, but then my teacher told me Nabel is bellybutton, while Nebel is fog or mist.
After school today I got home early, took a jog, showered, and made cookies. Laura, Stefan, Madelaine, Johannes, and I all sat around the kitchen for 2 hours eating cookies and talking.
Then later Laura's friend Anna came over and I helped them tone their hair. It was fun.
The rest of the evening was just relaxing and watching a movie.
Now I'm going to bed, that's enough thinking for today!
I really hope I don't have homework!
Goodnight!
04 November 2010
This week... so far
Today my music teacher brought me Marzipan chocolates. It was super nice and he really is my favorite teacher. He had asked me if I had ever tried (some crazy German word) before, and I said no, not yet, so he said 'Okay, I'll bring you some tomorrow!' And he did! It was sehr lecker (really tasty), but when Dju took a bite she cringed She thinks Marzipan tastes like cockroaches!
Most of my other teachers are also very nice, but then again there is also one that pretends I don't exist. I'm not on the attendance and she never says anything about what I should do at all, and she does not give me grades. In a way it is nice because I am not the exchange student being made fun of (no kidding, we have an Aussie in my school that people kind of do make fun of because is is rude and really anti social). I still don't do any homework here. I took a Klausieur (big test) though and it went fine, that time the teacher told me to just restate what I understood of the story instead of analyzing a character. It was interesting and actually really occupied me for the 2 hours. Certainly better than some other classes though, reading just puts me to sleep.
Yesterday on the bus ride to school, it was a Wednesday so I start school later, I saw a man already drinking a beer! It wasn't even 9 o'clock yet! Some people just really start early. Same with smoking, there's a guy at my bus stop that smokes most mornings before school. That's at 6:30 in the morning, and personally I would much rather be sleeping.
That and the way Europeans smoke is getting more regular; but the smoking does bother me a bit still. It's okay if someone wants to smoke, it's their life, and sometimes it really doesn't sound all that bad. What I really don't like though is how they all smoke around other people and then I end up smelling like smoke when I really hate the smell! It smells like stinky old socks! Mensch! (Man!) Cigars on the other hand...
At Marcus' birthday party so many people smoked, not all that bad, but this time it was the bonfire that got me. I sat near it to keep warm (It gets really cold that late), and then all the smoke just drifts towards me and sticks. Even after a serious shower the next day I couldn't stop smelling the smoke.
Tomorrow is my last day in my first host family. I'm excited and nervous and all this stuff jumbled up! This means tomorrow is my last day with 3 hours on a bus, the last day with a cell phone, and the last day waking up at 5:45. I don't really feel like packing though. Tomorrow I will also be making them Burritos for dinner! They have no idea what they are in for... problem is they don't like much of the ingridients or anything spicy, they still want to try this though, so we'll give it a shot. I can't wait!
Such is the life of an exchange student: saying goodbye.
There are so many goodbyes and it is still the beginning. Goodbye to my first host family, and after the last Rotary trip to Paris there were goodbyes to the oldies, because we don't know if or when we will see each other again. I like 'hello' better than 'goodbye'.
Most of my other teachers are also very nice, but then again there is also one that pretends I don't exist. I'm not on the attendance and she never says anything about what I should do at all, and she does not give me grades. In a way it is nice because I am not the exchange student being made fun of (no kidding, we have an Aussie in my school that people kind of do make fun of because is is rude and really anti social). I still don't do any homework here. I took a Klausieur (big test) though and it went fine, that time the teacher told me to just restate what I understood of the story instead of analyzing a character. It was interesting and actually really occupied me for the 2 hours. Certainly better than some other classes though, reading just puts me to sleep.
Yesterday on the bus ride to school, it was a Wednesday so I start school later, I saw a man already drinking a beer! It wasn't even 9 o'clock yet! Some people just really start early. Same with smoking, there's a guy at my bus stop that smokes most mornings before school. That's at 6:30 in the morning, and personally I would much rather be sleeping.
That and the way Europeans smoke is getting more regular; but the smoking does bother me a bit still. It's okay if someone wants to smoke, it's their life, and sometimes it really doesn't sound all that bad. What I really don't like though is how they all smoke around other people and then I end up smelling like smoke when I really hate the smell! It smells like stinky old socks! Mensch! (Man!) Cigars on the other hand...
At Marcus' birthday party so many people smoked, not all that bad, but this time it was the bonfire that got me. I sat near it to keep warm (It gets really cold that late), and then all the smoke just drifts towards me and sticks. Even after a serious shower the next day I couldn't stop smelling the smoke.
Tomorrow is my last day in my first host family. I'm excited and nervous and all this stuff jumbled up! This means tomorrow is my last day with 3 hours on a bus, the last day with a cell phone, and the last day waking up at 5:45. I don't really feel like packing though. Tomorrow I will also be making them Burritos for dinner! They have no idea what they are in for... problem is they don't like much of the ingridients or anything spicy, they still want to try this though, so we'll give it a shot. I can't wait!
Such is the life of an exchange student: saying goodbye.
There are so many goodbyes and it is still the beginning. Goodbye to my first host family, and after the last Rotary trip to Paris there were goodbyes to the oldies, because we don't know if or when we will see each other again. I like 'hello' better than 'goodbye'.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)