Culture Shock

Culture shock should of been the title of my first blog when i was in germany but i never expierenced a culture shock when i went there..... but now that i am back I realize what a true culture shock is..

I missed my family and friends alot but i got so used to being in Germany that it felt like that was my life there. I will go over this later but lets begin with the trip back.

First I started off in Koln and said goodbye to my last host family as I walked through security. I than went to my terminal and than had to take a shuttle to my plane. As we pull up to this raggy plane that had propellers still and had burn marks down the side... I am already not a huge fan of flying and that just made it worse. On the trip to germany I was lucky having no turbelnce when i was in the planes.... well as the saying goes good things dont last, and it didnt. I was pretty much imprinting my hand on the back of someones seat and to make matters worse I had to use the bathroom BAD and all the shaking just made it worse..:S. My plane was late getting to Amsterdam and I had 5 minuets before my next plane left to Detroit. I ran in and all i could see was a bunch of glass so I went through the glass doors and I accidently got outside somehow... I was freaking out because I didnt know where I was and my plane was leaving... I ran back inside and went to the first girl I saw she was sort of helpful but never told me how to get in.... I than thought back to what Rotary told me to do if all else failed.... so I found the nearest Guy who worked there and put some tears on and said I dont know where I am and my plane is leaving and this guy pretty much ran me through everything... I was lucky that I didnt have to wait in line to get my Visa stamped either he just ran through stamped it and than ran me to my terminal... it was really nice... Lucky I made my plane before it left :D... the plane ride back was really long and I couldent get to sleep for the life of me... I knew mom said to sleep but I just couldent. After a long plane ride we were about to land, Well the plane was coming in really fast a little to fast and when he tryed to put his wheels down on the ground he only got the left side on the ground so the plane was sidewards and I looked out my windown and it looked like the wing was about to hit the light posts on the side of the runway... once again the guy infront of me probably got annoyed because I was gripping so hard on the back of it... but finally I was done. I got on my last plane to Denver and it was the home streatch. Once I went into the Air port... I ran out of the plane and almost starting crying when I went into the terminal.. I than realized that my family wasnt there I never told my family this little story but for a split second I actually thought they forgot about me.. I than look over and realize people are heading to a train, I than remember that you have to take a train in this airport. So I followed everyone and than I went through a second set of glass doors, and turned to my right and I once again didnt see anyone in my family... than all of a sudden I heard someone SCREAMING HANNAH, I turn and see the whole family waiting for me with Picket signs, balloons, and roses... I could barley make them out from all the tears coming out.. everyone welll almost everyone was crying :D... even my older brother and sister came down to pick me up from the Air port, and my older sister actually flew in that morning to come pick me up, you can just imagine how loved I felt. I began to told my family it was so weird being on the plane because even though i did speak english to Margy and Clint i never heard it from other people... and on the plane rides just to hear constant english was really shocking.... I started telling them alot of stories and gave out souvenirs at the hotel.. and than tried to sleep.

The next day we went indoor skydiving, and it was so much fun... we were in a tunnel thing that blowed air up from the bottom and you had on this suite that was to big for you and you just floated... it was actually alot harder than it looked. I never knew that it took more than just jumping out of a plane to sky dive. After that we went to the mall so I could find a graduation dress and than once we were done shopping we said goodbye to my oldersister dropped her off at the airport and went home. Halfway home someone called my new cell phone... oh yeah that was my coming home preasent a cell phone :D... i was very happy.. well anyway my best friend from my town called me.. I was so tired and felt bad that I barley talked I found out later that she felt like i didnt miss her,,, and that the whole time I have been gone that I am all she talkes about to her family and counted the days till I came back :D..

On Sunday we went to church and than had lunch with my sister Rachel and my older brother and his kids and his wife. I can hardly eat after being back I think I could literally just survive off of air because I am never hungry I think its probably just like when I went over to germany how I had no appetiite for weeks... well im learning to enjoy not being hungry because I know ill put on weight once I become hungry... huummph. After eating I went to a soccer game, and found out that I am signed up for soccer and am playing this thrusday that was a suprise. When I was at the soccer game some of my guy friends came up and it was just like old times talking to them... than we went to a movie and now im going to school this morning..

well about the Culture shock thing, its feels to me like I just woke up from being kocked out and all the people are the same but everything I once knew is differnt. Everyones taller, older, more mature, the signes have changed in Ogallala, knew people live here and I dont know anything and most of all everyone has stories that I can relate to because I was not there for them. Its differnt being back not just becaue of the english but because I really felt like I was going to live in germany my whole like.. I knew i wasnt but it felt like I was. Its like I am starting all over again or like I moved to a different town except for the fact that I know peoples names here... but I dont know them anymore as a person... it will. take me awhile to get into the swing of things and hopefully this weird feeling like being the new person will pass but I am happy to be able to see old family and friends,,, but than again I do miss my new family and friends over in Germany and I dont think I will ever forget them, or my exchange year that really just changed my life.

My Going Away Party

So I know i said my next one would be my last one... but I guess i still have a couple more blogs in me.

We got back from the germany tour and I realized that I hardly had anytime here and I wanted to be able to say goodbye to all my exchange student friends and what better way that to have a party. I looked online for places I could have it and saw that I could reserve a table online at the Haxenhaus. So I reserved a table to 50 people and for 9:00. Now it was just a matter of getting the word out. Luckly facebook has many powers and after trying to write everyone a letter I just posted my going away party as an event and told people to do that. I than thought that hardly anyone was going to show up to my party, and margy had to leave early because she had to wake up early in the morning. So I e-mailed the place again and this time asked if I could change the table from 50 to a 25 and the time to 8. Everything was all set than.

On the day of my party however was really stressing me out. What happed was my host mom left to Hamburg for the weekend and my host brother went and stayed with his dad. I asked the Arings if I could sleep at their house but they had to much to do that weekend. I than asked my friend and she said that I would be able to. Well after My host family already left my friend said that I wouldent be able to stay the night because she forgot she had to go to this birthday thing. So I was home alone but at least I had a key to get in the house... well back to the main point. The morning of my party my host familys parents came over to take care of the cats. The night before I set my key on the T.V so than I would be able to just quickly grab it. BUT my host familys mom took my key and locked me in the house. I dont know if it was on purpose or what... but you can imagine how mad I was that I was locked in this house and I had my going away party to get to.... I panicked for about 4 hours and than called Margy and she explained that there was a spare key... I Found the spare key and was out of there.

When we arrived in Koln and I mean we as in Margy, Heide, and I. We waited at the train station for some people to show up... but no one was there. We than went to the Haxenhaus and once again no one was there. I was sad because I thought no one was going to show up... and it sucked. I asked the manager if we could just sit at the table and he got it mixed up and when I asked to change the number and time... he just changed the number of people so I was reserved at 9... and margy had to leave at 10. I was thinking that this couldent possibly get worse. at 8:30 I kind of gave up hope and told Margy and Heide to wait at the Haxenaus and I would go to the train station and see if anyone needs help finding the place. I arrive at the train station and am just sitting there and all of a sudden my phone just starts going off... Margy is yelling( well speaking loudly over all the other people) on the phone telling me a group of people just showed up and where am I. Than Jessica and her boyfriend and friend showed up at the trainstaion so I took them to the place. It was all working great now... I reserved a table for 25 and at first there was only 20 people but the later the night got the more people showed up... by the end more than 50 people where here at my going away party...it was great. After 12:00 my time at the place was up and people were starting to head home. Jessica though asked if I would want to coem clubbing with them.....of course everyone knows what my answer was YES. So we go to this really really Awesome disco. It was 100 times better than any other I have seen but it was really strict to get in. They almost didnt let me in because of my shoes....huh. but I did get in and I was dancing and having fun the whole night. I will describe this disco a little bit to you. There was a movie screen up front than a HUGE disco ball above and there was a stage in the middle a dance floor around the dancing stage and than a stair case that went upstairs to another dancing floor that went around the outside. There was fog machines, and strobe lights, and lights, and great techno and house musick it was great. I was party with them until 4 in the morning and than we went to bonn to have some pizza and than I took a taxi and got home. It was a great going away party, and was more than I could of ever asked or hoped for.

In the end I think I am really going to miss being here in Germany because I have made some really good friends, not only exchange students but people in my school to but this wont be the last time I see anyone I will definatly see them once more in my lifetime.

Deutsch Reise

My Germany tour latest only two weeks, but we did, and saw so many things that I couldent possibly write down every experience so instead I will write every where I was, and the things I did and ill of course add a couple fo experiences along the way.

April 4th-- we began out trip in Bonn where we went to the House of History, we than took a bus to Monschau where we went on a hill sledding track and than we stayed at a Hostel in Monschau.
April 5th-- we drove to Buessel in Beligium where I ate Belgium fries, and chocolate which are AMAZING, than we drove to Koblenz where we went to the Germany Corner where the Rhein and Mosel meet and after drove to St. Goar where we slept at a hostel.
April 6th-- we drove to Braubach, than Marksburg where we took a little city tour than carried on to Heidelberg where we visited a castle and than slept in Heildelber ( we slept everytime in a hostel)
April 7th-- we drove to Strassburg in france.. where once again I was not let down by some french hospitality meaning I got none. I once tried to ask a person where the bank was in french but they just simply walked even faster right by me... i found some preople really rude but I ran into a couple that were nice as well. In Strassburg we went inside the European Parlement building and than after that drove to Stuttgart where we toured the Mercedes buisiness, and that night we met some people from France and they we all really nice so I hung out with them that night.
April 8th-- we went to Dachau and went to the concentration camp there.... I have read about them, heard about them, but its an entirely differnt thing to see them. They of course were cleaned up and restored but the gas chambers and chimneys were all still as they were. After that we drove to Muenchen also known by us as Munich and visited another castle. Munich hostel also had a disco in the basement so I spent some time down there.
April 9th-- we visited a german museum and than went to the BMW factory and saw how they made their cars.
April 10th- we visited Neuschwanstein castle which was probably the best castle I have ever seen here even though it was not finished the rooms that were.. were beautiful. we than drove to Steingaden and went inside a church there.... by this time we have seen so many churches and castles that they all look the same. That night we went to the English garden and drank some beer, and I even got a 1 liter glass to take home... it was a really fun night :D
April 11th-- we drove to dreseden and we took a city tour... well every town we went to there was a city tour so I accidently well no I just usually slept through them :D.
April 12th-- was Easter Sunday so some people went to church and than we visited some more castles, and the Green Dome, and more museums.. but that night we went to a bar again and had some drinks.
April 13th-- we drove to Wittenberg and took a city tour there than drove on ttowards Berlin.
April 14th-- we took a city tour of Berlin this time I was awake and that night got to see Blue Man Group... which was awseome and I had an amazing seat I was in the 5th row in the middle so I got to see everything :D.
April 15th-- we finally got to see Check Point Charly which was the only thing for sure I wanted to see there that and the Berlin wall, and the Berlin door, and early that day we drove to Potsdam and visited another castle. But Berlin was amazing and I really liked seeing all the history and hearing all the stories that came with it.
April 16th-- we drove to Hamburg and took a tour of the Air bus... and I got to see how planes where made.
April 17th-- we took another city tour and than went to the Harbor and took a boat tour... which I was not able to see because I was a little freaked out on the boat so the best way to not think about it was to simply daze off and not look at the water or anything for that mater.
April 18th-- we drove back to Koln where we finally went home and the tour was over.

I was on alot of city tours, and probably saw a Museum for everything known to man-kind except there was not food museum.. even though it was sort of stressfull at time with the amount of kids in one bus,, it was still overall a pretty good trip.. and alot better than I thought it would be. I would have to say the Highlight would of been Berlin when I got to see all that history and Blue Man Group... it was alot of fun..

Well I guess this is my last blog until I get home... and than that will be my last post.. So thank you everyone for staying with me and reading first hand of some of the things I have expierenced here in Germany.l. I dont think I would ever trade this one year here for anything.

Kinopolis

Today I went with my new host family to the movies. This is the first time I have been to the movie theaters here in germany. When i first walked in a noticed just how many movies were playing. It wasnt what I was use to because in Ogallala there are only two movies there at a time.... here there were more than a dozen to choose from. We picked our movies and than went to get some snacks. I have been on a really strict diet for the last week or so, so I was just planning to getting something really small.

For christmas my counselor gave me a free snacks ticket for Kinopolis.. so I used that. I got Apfelshorle to drink and than they asked me if I wanted sweet or salty popcorn.. it was weird having a choice of what popcorn I am normally use to only having the choice of how much butter I was to pump onto it. Once I ordered they came with a huge back that looked like someone would order two large popcorns in america and stick them together thats just how big it was... and get this that was the normal size. My host family was sort of laughing because they knew I was on a strict diet and they wished me the best of luck with this giant popcorn. I also thought it was funny how they also sold beer at the movie theaters too..... I just cant escape it :D. Once we walked in I took my seat... each seat literally felt like an arm chair.. well without the leather.. it was not one of those crapy pull the seat down before you sit on them sort of thing.. and there was so much leg room no bumping into people when you walked by them to get to your seat or when you sat down you didnt have to bunch you feet underneath your chair... the only problem was there were no cup holders.... ohh how i missed the cup holders instead I had to hold my drink the entire movie.. The movie wasnt to bad im pretty sure if it was in english I would of hated it but it was nice because it was in german and I could understand it all because they talked so slowly.

Once again another story to add to the book of something new I did in germany!

Family trip here.

I have been counting down the days till part of my family comes up to see me and its funny how time works... how slow the days go but when they are here how fast they speed up. On the day they arrived I was like a kid at Christmas just waiting to open my presents. I was waiting in the airport when I spotted mom through the automatic doors. I started getting really impatient because the doors would open and than I would see them in the back and than the doors would close... they were the last ones out of the airport. I thought that I would not recognize them, or that because I havent seen them in so long there wouldent be anything to fill the awkward silence with.. but it wasnt like that at all. Actually it was like I never left them. We picked up right where we left off and jumped from one conovorsation to the next. There are alot of fun things we did so here is just a run down on some of them. On friday they arrived and we went back to my guest parents house and let abby and christine settle in while mom and doug were at the hotel doing the same. We all met here at my host families house for diner, and some wine. We stayed up pretty late... well i know abby christine and I did. The next day we got up early and headed down to a government bunker. Where if there was ever a nucleur war a select 3000 people would be able to sruvive a month down in thsi bunker. That was pretty cool to see, and than we ate lunch and had some more wine... well actually I forgot to mention it was my birthday so we had cake and champagne througout the day. Than on sunday it was a longer tour. We went down the Rhein and visited castles, forts, went to the point where the two rivers meet. We also visited the bridge of Reamagen. We saw alot of places that day. Than on Monday we went around Rheinbach and Meckenheim and everyone got to see my schools, and than later on went shopping and site seeing in Bonn. Than on Tuesday my host mom took us to the museum of history in bonn and than we went back to Rheinbach so they could meet my first host family. Finally on wednesday we went to Koln where doug and I climbed all the stairs to the top of the Koln Dom, we did some shopping again, and than everyone met my counselor and we went from a pub to a pub where we ate. It doesnt seem like we saw or visited alot by just writing it down but really we were everywhere. I was not lieing to the family either when I said they walk ALOT here. Abby and christines legs were both sore from all the walking. Mom was enjoying every minute of it while remembering back to when she lived here. Doug liked to see all the site seeing and was the only one up to walk all the stairs to the top of the dome. I am pretty sure you will all hear from them what they got to do. It would be a little to much to write down here.

So this morning I had to watch them as they left and it really didnt hit me until I was home that I was once again alone. I half wanted to jump on the next plane after them because I miss just having that closeness with my family again. I think I can survive one more month though and I am excited to see everyone when I get back :D

St. Joseph Gymnasium

I am one of those people who really enjoys old fashion. I think movies set during a different era, or place fascinate me more. I really enjoyed Pride and Prejudice, well I liked all the moves based on Jane Austen s novels. For those of you who have seen any of these kind of movies know what I am talking about when I say those wide victorian mansions... or the houses that should be considered a castle. Well thats exactly how my new school looks. I feel like I am entering someones home every time I go to school... and I swear that it could be used in any film.

When I thought of what my new school might look like I was thinking just a regular school... nothing speical just a place where kids have to go and learn, or in some cases sleep. As my host moms friend pulled up to the school I was looking at this old building that to me looked like some rich persons house.

You see right next to my school is another school and that is more recently built so when we pulled up I thought that the school which is actually the other school next to my school was the school i was attending ( say that 5 times fast ). My host mom pointed to the old building and said well theres your new school. I couldent believe it, I felt like I was in Pride and Prejudice like I just jupped into one of the pages of a book. The school is so beautiful on the outside and the inside as well. There are more stairs than I could possibly count, and all the floors are wooden, or marble. Every door is an old fashion door made out of a reddish wood, and even the bathrooms put to shame Shells gas station moto to have the cleanest bathrooms along the I-80. You cant tell by these pictures just how nice this school looks on the inside but as you can see from the front view of the school there is stained glass... thats because there is a church right inside the school... because most of my school is catholic we have religion class in that room. On a nice day the room shines with colors. Also in every room hangs the cross, and in every hallway. Each morning we have to say a prayer, and for each language class too...well mostly french. French is a little hard to pray with because we have to pray in french and I am not to good in french. Drawing the cross across my cheast will take some getting use to, at first I didnt know if after I touched my head if I was suppose to touch my left or my right shoulder first. Well of course now I know how to do it, but I have never done it before so it was difficult to pick of the first couple of times.

Its funny because I attend an all girls school, and everything about it is Romantic. It also looks just like any private school should look.... expensive. :D Well I am enjoying my fairy tale school, and I hope these pictures really grasp the full beauty of this school

The Worm

The only people who will know what I am talking about just by looking at the title would have to be two of my older sisters. I will tell you the first story so you will kind of get a background of where this story is leading to.

My sisters took me to the Imperial fair. Now anyone who knows me sisters know that they have a reputation for being the cool ones in school... well I do not have that reputation.
First we went into the dance and a up-beat song came on. People spread into a circle and started showing their moves. Everyone was doing something and than I saw a guy attempt to do The Worm... i thought to myself hey I can do that. So I got down and did the worm right in the middle of the circle not thinking that my sisters would be on the sidelines petrified at the sight of their younger sister embarrasing them. I never lived that story down, anyone my sisters could tell they did tell and still to this day laugh around the table as they bring up the story of me doing the worm at the fair.... after that my sisters made me promise I would never do that again. So I did promise...

so sadly I am sorry to them now that I have broken their promise. Before you start to judge a girl who is about to turn 18 and still preforms the worm hear my story out.

I had sport class today in my new school. I found out that we dance in sport class. They broke us off into two groups one were the ballet/ or more smooth moves so to speak.. and the other which i was in was more towards the hip-hop range and rap style dancing. We were suppose to get togehter with our groups and come up with some moves that everyone wanted to do. We started off with just popping, and doing some foot work.. but the girls wanted to throw in some other moves that they had to do on the ground. They first attempted the Coffee grinder, and some tried that move where you lay on your back and kick up your feet and land standing erect and that didnt work. Than they starting saying they wanted to do the welle... which is the wave. They were all on the groud trying to do the worm, and one girl asked if I could do it. I shyly said yes thinking back to the time of the fair. The girls than said oh show us show us... I said no no, but they were like oh please. Than the teacher came over and told me to show them so I felt like I had to. I did it for a split second and all the girls starting going OHH wow and applauding. At first I felt embarrased about doing the worm again but the reaction from the girls made me feel alot better about it. So I was trying to teach them the worm while the whole time I was laughing in my head at the sight of my sisters as they watched an entire class being taught by me how to do the worm :D.

After the class all the girls asked where I learned how to dance, and wanted to know how I can do that. So even though I did break my promise and me doing the worm is pretty much banned in the U.S.A at least I can show off my immature talent here in germany.

Thats right I am the master of The Worm in germany :D

History

I never expected today to be any different than any other day. I know people sometimes have moments in their life that change them forever. Just as I was changed when I first accepted Christ I never thought that my life would change so fast. You would think knowing that information that I would expect that one day an unexpected event would change my outlook on everything, but I was not prepared for what happend today.

It started off as any normal day, I was at Hollywood dancing club the night before so I didnt get up until around 12:00. By than it was already lunch time so I went downstairs to eat with my host family. Michael left to watch his team play in a field hockey match so he didnt eat with us. The convorsation was about the same things just what we plan to do when my family comes up, how school is going, and just about random things we each feel like talking about. After Lunch my host dad asked me if I wanted an Esspresso normally I say no, I only like them every once in awhile but I decided today was a beautiful day and I should take some time to sit down with my host family. So I did we drank the esspresso and I we got on the subject of where they have vacationed and where they have all been. They broke out the Atlas and started telling me stories of every where they have been, they opened up a map of the U.S and asked where all I have been so I showed them. By the time we were finished it had already been an hour so they went into the kitchen and got out some cake and offered me some coffee. Once again I said yes I would like so have some.
This is how we got onto the subject that would affect me in a way that I cant describe. I asked Jutta where I was going for my trip around Germany. She showed me place by place until she got to Munchen and said there is a concentration camp near there that we will visit. I have always been interested in the holocaust and I never really understood why it facinated me so much about the things that happend. I always thought I was crazy in a way because I liked to hear the stories about it... where most people try to forget it. As I thought about the concentratoin camps, they than got to the Berlin and told me I would see where the wall once was. Thats when I asked the question... Why was there a wall? I think they knew I was really interested in knowing the history of germany, and they may have been shocked that me an American wanted to know another countries history than just my own. They told me everything... from the Russians, to the French, to the British, and of course the Americans. I learned even about the Luftcreek which was when americans would fly into Berlin dropping supplies to feed the west part of Germany. I asked what would happend if someone tried to go over the wall, and they said that they would kill them... it was no mans land there, it didnt matter what side you were on the west would kill their own before having them cross over to the east. As I asked more questions my family got more in depth with the convorsation. I asked " what if people from the east had family in the west" my family responded that they were split and would never be able to see each other. They than told me of a Mother and her son who tried to escape towards the east by going down into the Check( cant spell ) republic. They took two vehicles one vehical had her son and the other the mother was in. The two vehicales got split up and the mother made it to the east, but her son didnt. They told me how the mother couldent go back to her son, and how her son couldent get to her... all because of the wall. I never knew how much of an impact one wall had on an entire country. How it not only split the country but families too. They than told me of all the troops in germnay... germany was completly overruned by military. My host father told me how he would see army tanks roaring down the street every morning and planes flying overhead. They than went back in time and showed me pictures of WorldWar2 itself.

They showed me pictures of cities that were bombed, and it was hard to believe than America was invovled in it. Picture after picture I saw beautiful cities that were turned into rubble. We came to this one picture. It wasnt of people, it wasnt of planes, or tanks... it was a church. My host fathers hands got shaky and his eyes turned red. At first I though he was getting mad but than I saw that he was crying. He told me of this church.... where the people stood outside of it white flag on the cross on top trying to save it. They were begging for the planes to not destroy this church. I still dont know why this one church was so speical. My host dad than began to cry even harder and he said while the flag was flying and the people where outside they bombed the church. He than began thinking to himself and was still speaking out loud. He said white flag on the cross. I couldent believe that than he was apologizing for crying. Just as soon as he started to cry he forced himself to stop and resumed telling me the stories. He told me of the Koln Dom being bombed and how the 500 year old glass was shattered. I could hear all the pain in each word he was telling me. We than went forward again to the wall where we started and he told me of check point Charlie, and where the wall was as he traced his hands along the map. He than flipped the page towards a picture of millions of people in the Check republic hoping to get accross the wall towards their families. I saw little kids crying as mothers held their hands through the bars. I saw a line of german police on one side and Check police on the other were pulling people off the bars. My host dad began to sob again when we got to this one picture of what appeared to be two sisters holding hands while the bars split them apart and in the background a police man coming. He quickly turned the picture and said he was sorry that he was so emotional. He said that its hard to think of all the thigns that happend. The history that was forced upon him. Not everyone choose to follow in Hitlers foot steps and just like in every other country you have bad people and you have good. He than told me of a story while he was in Norway studing in college how a man came to him and said you are a german boy yes... my host dad replied with a yes. The man than said I was in a concentration camp, my host dad didnt know how to reply to that question. Here was a man who only saw my host dad as a Nazi when really he never wanted any part in such things.

There were alot of other stories that I heard and it makes me sad to think that all this time I was upset because people in Germany dont like me because I am an american... but really they dont like me because they think I just think they are Nazis. I can understand how they feel because alot of people ask if I am racist because of the things that happend in the civil war. Somehting that I had no part in but that the history was thrust upon me. No matter where anyone one goes not a single country has a perfect history, there are good people and bad people no matter where you go.

I feel so bad for things that I had no part in.
I have been so changed today that I dont know who that person was when I was living in Ogallala.
I have to admit that I had the same thought of most people that germans were hostile and mean. That everyone could be associated with a Nazi in one way or another, and all my intrest in the holocaust lead me to believe that everyone had a part in it... which is untrue in every way. It wasnt everyone, but it all began with one mans desire for power. You could ask alot of people about Hitler and most would say they were ashamed of him, and what had happened.. I wish everyone could of seen the pictures, and heard the stories I heard today because I know everyone would of been changed too. There have been very few times in my life where I have seen a grown man cry, seeing my host dad cry made me want to cry too for ever thinking the way I did. I use to joke about being born in germany telling my friends that I guess im a Nazi, if anyone heard me say those things here I would never be able to live with myself because I didnt know anything about what they went through. I hope I can keep on learning as much as I can about the world so than I can have a better understanding of why thigns are the way they are.

My host dad said people dont forget history, but just because it happend doesnt mean everyone was a part in it.

So now I am done saying in breif parts of the convorsation I had today. I could go into more depth but I dont think anyone would have that much time to read it. I am glad that I sat down today of all days and took my host family up on their offer of coffee and cake. I hope even though I am not a very good story teller or not very good with words, and that I dont know everything about the thigns that happend that I may have changed at least one persons outlook by writing this today.

3rd times a charm

So for those of you who know me, and have been talking to me throughout this process... know the constant stress that has come to me with school. When I was in the 11th grade the classes were really hard and at that time I had no german so I had no chance of learning anything. I was than moved on to the 9th grade where the classes were good but the students were all going through what I like to call the "growing up phase" so they were all sort of connected at the hip and not really wanting me there. I guess the days just sort wore me down, and each day it was worse.

Normally when you get a new kid in school... at first people are intrested in this kid , than the kid feels out of place sort of because they are in a new enviroment but eventually this feeling wears down and the kids just accept this new kid and things to back to normal... well not for me I went through all the phases I just never went back to normal. At first kids showed some intrest in me talking to me every once in awhile and than they lost interest and thats when they pretty much discovered they just didnt want me there. I have friends in the 11th grade but I never get to see them until breaks and even than its only for 20 minutes or so and than back to class. I felt hopeless because I talked to everyone about it... family, my host family, my friends here, exchange students, and I was asking them all for advice. I talked to the rotary programm here and at first they just made things worse, I than talked to the one at home but they were at a loss because they couldnet help me. It felt like I was alone and I would always be stuck in the same situatoin. I got to the point where I was one conformation e-mail away from going home in 2 weeks. I than changed my mind... well more as found something to be more upset at ( dont worry (person) I forgive you for being harsh).

This Monday I finally came to my breaking point. After settign my stuff down in my seat and leaving the class room for two mintues. I came back in and found that not only had my stuff been moved but some of it was on the floor just thrown over the table... and there were no chairs... and I was not standing during a lesson. Thats when I pretty much went off the hook. Have you ever seen those Beta fish that are so pretty and nice and calm but as soon as you stick one beta bowl next to another both fish instantly puff up... well thats how I was. I didnt puff up but I was a pretty mad beta. I left the class and walked down to my counselor of Rotarys work. My counselor told me I could always talk to him and so I took him up on his offer. I went down there and told him everything that happend and finally stated that I was not going back to that school.. I half expected a Fine than go home response which would of been fine too but no all he said was. I know how you feel, and told me he would change me into a differnt school... A Different School,, I have been trying to change schools for the longest time, I have went to everyone and no one did aything for me and the one person I should of gone too was my counselor and he was changing schools for me. I could of almost jumped out of my seat because I was so happy. What was the worst day ended up taking every stress.. every problem and lifting it off my shoulders.

I just found out today that I will be in a differnt school Thursday. I am going to St. Josephs gymnasium. Its an all girls school,,, I know, I know I thought the same thing too an all girls school how boring. But the more I think about it... I wont have to worry about my hair, or makeup, or even fashion really I wont need to impress anyone there because the only reason I go through all that stuff is because there are guys in the school but girls... pshhh no way I need to get all pampered up for them. It could be a really good thing going to an all girls school..... I know Abby is probably cringing at the idea of no boys in school, but I dont think it will be to bad.

I felt so happy about my change that I almost forgot that I am leaving the two exchange students back at my old school. Filipe is okay with anything, I barely see him that much in school and we can always hang out after... but poor Jordan is going through the exact same thing I am. Not to such a full extent as me but still.

I hope that everything goes okay with this one... I mean hey 3rd times a charm right? :/

Day 5 and 6

Day 5.. I took another day off and just hung out with my host family, and than I hung out with Margy for a little bit.

Day 6.. I went to the parade in Rheinbach, I was with Jordan, and Clint... Clint was taking pictures while I was collecting candy. I felt like a little kid yelling for candy.. and the funny thing was that instead of getting candy people would come around with free beer, and shots. I cant complain it was free after all. I did end up with a wide sack of candy though, and I think clint got alot of good photos. Jordan was probably just glad to get out of the house, and I was just glad to be busy.

To bad today was my last day in Karneval, I really like just being able to wake up in the morning... put on my costume head out the door, and always having something to do. It was such a good expierence being here for Karneval, I cant imagine going back to america and not having holidays like this there. True we have alot of other holidays that we celebrate, like halloween, valentines day, st. patricks day, but they have really traditional holidays that not just a handful of people celebreat... everyone celebrates them too. Such as St. Martins day when kids walk aroudn with lamps, or the well known Oktoberfest, now they have Karneval. Im sure there are other holdiays that I have missed out on but I think its great to be able to be here to see and be a part of all of this. When weeks like this go so well its sad to think I will be leaving in 2 months. But I am really glad that I can see the end. Its funny how slowly I am changing, I seen anyone from home for so long, and even though I miss everyone so much its not the end of the world anymore. At first I was thinking how would i be able to do it.. since our family is so close and so big that there are always people there, but its sort of nice being able to step on my own, and do things that no one else has done and in that way by doing them myself.. i feel like ive accomplished more.

Karneval was great, and its sad that its over... I guess whats next is for some of the family to come and visit... which is the next thing I am looking forward to.

4th Day

Today was going to be another day of rest for me. I woke up this morning feeling like my gut was eating itself, i felt sick to my stomache and didnt want to have another drink for a LONG time. Leave it to my guest family to keep the party going.

I woke up this morning to a great breakfast. My host mom had out all the good stuff to eat. I didnt wake up until 10 so I ate a little for breakfast and an hour later my host dad was popping open the sect. I didnt want to upset my family so I drank it. I drank it as fast as I could so than I didnt have to longate the process of my stomach hurting, but than I guess since I drank my the fastest I won. What did I win another glass full of sect. I was glad when I heard the drums starting for the parade to start... that meant no more alchole for me.

I went with my host brother and his friends and we were walking down the street. They were playing all the traditional Karneval songs and people were dancing in the street and people were giving away beer... literally. The parade started and everyone was in costume, the people in the crowds were also wearing costumes too, the people in the parade were throwing out candy on every float... not just once piece here and there so kids could fight over it.. They were literally throwing buckets out. I had to cover my head because candy was being dumped right out the sides the the floats. My host family and I collected so much candy, it was every kids fantasy to get as much candy as we did. My host mom told me that if I didnt like the candy just to throw it at the kids...haha no i didnt hit the kids I would just toss it so they would get it. Kind of like fetch but with children and candy and they never brought it back. Some of the people in the parades were giving out beer to, and every other float people would hand out plastic shot glasses and give everyone a shot of some kind of liqour. I thought it was funny because I could just imagine being in Ogallala and having the people pass out beer, and shots. Everyone would think they were crazy or would look down apon them, but here everyone was okay with it.

The weather was not so good either so people were dacing and drinking in the rain. My host family made the comment that people in germany drink in bad weather, and its true. All the drinking holidays are when there is bad weather. The parade was great and I wish I would of had a camera to take photos of it because it was really fun to watch. Normally when I go to parades Im just waiting for the end of them, I never really cared to much for them but here parades werent just for the kids, adults were yelling for candy just as much as the kids were.
Once the parade was over we headed back to the house... where my host family popped open another bottle of sect. Luckly this time though I drank it so slow that the whole bottle was gone before I finsihed mine.

Tomorrow I will be going to a even bigger parade in Koln, and than maybe bonn and there are usually a million people watching these parades so it will be like twice the size of omahas parade..:D it will be great.

3rd Day

I was invited to three parties and had to choose which one to go to. It was kind of hard choosing because the party in Rheinbach had a lot of the girls from school I hang out with. The party in a small dorf outside of Rheinbach had some more of the girls I hang out with, and than a party in berg with the guys I hang out with. Filipe the other exchange student was going to berg so I decided I was going to go there with him because than I would have at least one person if everything went wrong to hang out with. The problem was finding a ride to berg. Its not like in America whre all your friends can already drive and they are willing to drive you as long as you pitch in for the gas money. Here you cant drive till 18 and when your going with the 11th class who mostly everyone is 17 its a little tricky finding a ride.

Lucky for me though that on thursday I danced with this guy who invited me to go to Berg too. Him and I met up about 11:30 and hung out all day. He asked me if I was going to the party and I said I wanted to but I didnt have a ride... well in about three minutes after he called some people I know had a ride there. I was pretty happy to be going to antother party and it was really cool that I got invited to alot of them so if i couldent get a ride I could always go to a party that was a little closer to me. The hardest part of the day was finding a costume, the costuem I bought for thursday was already in pretty bad shape, so I decided to take everything that looked really coloful out of my wardrobe which included. PJ bottoms, A bright purple shirt, and a pink tank-top. I didnt know really what look I was going for but decided people could try to imagine what I was. Once I got there to berg I already had made some new girl friends. Its amazing how sometimes when I go places even though im going with guy friends I end up with some more girls who are friends. At first there were not alot of people there so I just got my ticket so I could buy drinks there. Shortly after a half-an-hour alot of the guys came from my school. They were already jumping and dancing before the music even started to get good, and Filipe and I were normally caught right in the middle. The tent where the party was at was pretty cool to. When you were standing outside you could see the lazer lights shining through the tent towards the sky, and when you got in there were bar tables set up all around the sides of the tent so you pretty much walked into the center of a bar. On one half of the tent there were the bars, and the dancing floors, and the DJ.. On the other side there was like a cafeteria for food, and where you could hangup you coats. I had alot of fun dancing with the guys from my school and talking with the girls. Towards the end of the night some girls came from my school so that made things all the better. I dont know what it is about the parties here but it sort of bring everyone together and out of their shell. Some people I had never talked to were talking to me and dancing. Although this party was not quite as amazing as the Thursday party it was still up there on the top party list. But like all things once the older poeple started coming in... and by old I mean grand-pa wise.. things sort of died down and we all went home.

Now lets see what day 4 has in store for me

2nd Day

I started my day off really early leaving to Rheinbach so I could get some money out for the day. I called up Jordan who is the guy from New Zealand and asked if he wanted to go to Pizza Hut and so we went on the train and headed to Bonn. The weather was not very good so there was not alot that we could do outside. While we were in Bonn Filipe the other exchange student from Columbia gave us a call and said he wanted to come to Bonn to. Once Filipe got there we decided to go shopping. Im use to shopping with alot of girls so this was the first time I went shopping with all guys. Filipe said that he likes to shop with girls because they can tell him what looks good on him or not, so I was pretty much the person outside the changing rooms sorta thing telling him if the clothes looked good or not and I was helping him find some clothes to. After awhile two people from germany met with us to Tomas and Lisa. Lisa and I split off from the guys and went looking around the stores. Bonn never ceases to amaze me because everytime I go there it seems to get just a little bit bigger and I discover more and more places to go. It was sort of a day of rest for everyone because of the day before, so we didnt do anything extreme. We picked up a beer but only drank one while we were going through the streets. I dont know how we managed to stay 6 hours wakling around in Bonn but somehow we managed. I did need to find a new costume though because my was ripped. My costume wasnt made out of the best material so it ripped pretty easly when i was taking it off. I decided to just buy a few things and make my own costume instead of spending all the money on a new one. Later that night I was going to go to a Party but pretty much crashed after I got home and I really didnt bother getting back up. I thought that I could spare one night of just sleeping.
Well lets see what happens tomorrow... so far my plans are really random to spend my saturday night, I wish I could be in three places at once so than I could go to all the parties I was invited to but I have to pick one and im trying to pick one that I think I would have more fun at. I still think Karneval is great and I dont see how some people here in Germany dont like Karneval but I guess its like us in halloween some people like it while others dont.

Overal though I had a very restful 2nd day

1st Day

Today I woke up and right away I had to start getting ready for my first Karneval day... I put on my cowgirl outfit and headed out the door in some heels ( ya ill get back to that later).. I went to Koln and the train there was SO FULL... i was pressed up against the glass and there was no room to even turn around. Each stop more and more people came on leaving barley enough space to breath but finally my stop came up and I got out. Once I stepped out of the train station which is rigth by the Koln Dom... I saw so many people in costumes. It was like a maze getting up the stairs and there were camera crews everywhere taping the event. The streets were full of people singing and laughing and dancing. It was hard not to think of it as one of the Happiest days. I decieded to go to a small concert where there was a band all dressed up and than there was a band dressed up as clowns... another dressed up in british suites. They were all so good... and on every corner there were baloons beign sold, and beer sold by the crates.. which means 12 beers for one crate.. and so on... after being there for a couple hours I headed back to Rheinbach to meet up with some friends before going to another party. I was still in my heels and by this time they were really starting to hurt.. but i bite through the pain and walked to the party.

Only 100 people can get into this party so you have to get there really early if you dont have a ticket.. I didnt have a ticket and the line was so huge I though I would never get in.. but as soon as I got there I heard a bunch of people going AHHH HANNAH its HANNAH... and I flew right into the front of the line. The people were saying somethign and all I hear are all my friends saying shes american let her in.. and so they did :D.. as soon as i got in I gave them my liscese so I could have a wrist band. The people couldent read my wrist band and they gave me a purple wrist band.. for under 16 there is pink, for 16-18 there is orange and for over 18 there is purple. Everyone was laughing and saying ahh your not over 18, and other things too. Being 18 here in Germany is like being 21 in america you can get EVERYTHING you want. As soon as I got there I settled down with some friends and everyone was saying Hi to me and giving me hugs, and as soon as the dancing hall opened I was draged into their and just starting dancing the night away. The dancing hall was filled with decorations and stobe lights and amazing music was on.. they even had a DJ at one point and some Host guy. I had so much fun and I was taking so many photos of all my friends and of all the costumes and of course ME... At some point though which was the worst of the night my camera went missing... at first I thought i had my credit cards in there so I was flipping out and my liscense too.. I even had the tags for my coats to get later which I lost.. a guy friend of mine was so helpful though and was able to talk to the people and pretty soon I went behind and was able to find my coat and bag.. as soon as I looked into my coat I saw that there were my liscnse and all my credit cards... I was so happy and than took of dancing again.

It was such an amazing night I dont know how to explain everything that went on but it sure put everything I have ever seen or been to in my life to shame

What a 1st day of Karneval

Prepare yourself

so Everyone be prepared for alot of blogs coming your way. My original plan was to write about everything I did in one blog once this week was over but now I dont think I will be able to fit everything into on blog so I will be writing them as I expierence them which means ALOT of blogs for you... I will hopefully also post alot of photos so everyone can see what I was doing and when.

so Be prepared

Karneval

Karneval is a huge fest here in Germany. It's like Halloween except that it lasts all week, you get free beer, you dance in the street, you have parades, and you go to parties... all in your costume. Everyone is suprised that we dont know what Karneval is in America but than again some people dont even know about karneval in germany. All I can say is that I cant wait for tomorrow to start. Ever since I first got here people asked me if I was going to be here for Karneval and they would tell me all the great things about it... the only bad thing I have heard about it is that everyone gets sick, well i think ill take my chances. A month ago I was already purchansing things for my costume. I bet everyone can guess what I am going as... yeah a Cowgirl. I even have a little pistol that goes with it :D.

Today going to school I was a little sceptic because Karneval is tomorrow and I still had no idea what I was going to do for it.. but as soon as I went out for break and joined the 11th class I started getting invitations to everywhere. Such as tomorrow I am going to a party, friday i was invited to go clubbing ( which is pretty normal for a friday now a days :D ) saturday I am meeting up with the exchange students in Koln which is known to be the biggest for Karnval and than later that night I am going to a party in a little dorf ( village ) Sunday I get my break where I can sleep and re-fuel for the next days where I am going to see the little parades.. which really arent a huge parade fest but more of a little train that runs through and throws out candy. Tuesday I am meeting up with freinds and going to the parade in another town, and than wendesday I can sleep before going back to school on Thursday.. So I guess you can say I am going to be pretty busy but having all those plans made in just one day is pretty good.. and not to mention all the other people who wanted my phone number so they could call me when something else came up and they want me to come :D. I wish I could show you pictures now of Karneval but I havent really expiernced it yet. I am pretty glad I have the family that I do now because my host mom is giving me the run down on all the songs in Karneval that I should learn how to sing. Its alot of fun sitting in the kitchen trying to sing these songs though but I'm pretty sure after this week I will have them all down to the point where I can sing it off the top of my head without even thinking.

Today also in school I was able to see the princess of Karneval for this year in Rheinbach. Its amazing how nice some of the costumes are... they really go all out here on what to wear. It will definatly be somehting I will have never seen or expierenced yet.

Da simmer dabei das ist prima, Viva Colonia. Wir lieben das Leben, die Liebe und die Lust, wir glauben an den lieben Gott und haben auch immer Durst.--- try singing that 5 times really fast.

I'm Not Alone

The whole time I have been here I have been alone... no not meaning I have no friends, or family ect... or people who care, I mean alone as in the only exchange student in my school. Alot of people dont realize how out of place they would feel if they were the only one of something in their enviroment. Although I have people do talk to in school, I still felt alone... because they would never understand on the same level what I am going through. Even past exchange students cant help you because this is a differnt culture to you, and the culture they went to was also differnt. Sure they can share some of the same difficulties but they are all at differnt levels.

But I am not alone anymore :D

I went to school on Monday and expecting a normal day, go to class do homework in the class, go to pauses talk, go to the caffeteria back to class, back to pause, than home. Monday was differnt though.. some of my friends were asking each other questions such as who is he? where is he from? where is he now? I of coursed ask who... they told me there was a new exchange student. I was so happy I quickly set out to search for this person. I kept on thinking maybe hes only here for a week, but still I persisted on finding him. I had no luck finding him on Monday, and I tried again on Tuesday... with still no luck. Than someone told me hey there are two exchange students, at first I thought that they were talking about me but than my friend said that another exchange student is here.... I thought to myself MAN I HAVE TO FIND THEM.. Finaly on wendesday i got my break, I noticed a guy whom i never seen before standing with some people from the 11th class, they go into the cafeteria and I follow...( yeah I guess I was kind of being a stalker), I saw him in the line and tapped him on the shoulder and asked if he was an exchange student. I was half embarrased for asking a random person because if he wasnt an exchange student he might be offended but luckly i tapped the right person. I almost jumped I was so happy, than he points to another guy next to him and says hes an exchange student too. Than I noticed something Oh their talking in english, I almost jumped again.

I get to speak alot of english with Margy and Clint but other than that I really cant have a full conversation with anyone else. The first guy began to tell me who he was and where he was from. His name is Jordan and He comes from New Zeland, and the other guy said in a spanish accent that his name is Filipe and hes from Columbia. This was their first week here so I knew they really didnt know what to expect so I tried filling them in on as much as I could in 5 minutes. I may have been a little to forward but now thinking back on it I would of loved someone coming up to me the first week and talking to me about some of the things that are going on and just get a better feel of being an exchange student.

Its so nice to finally have another exchange student in my school so that when I really just want to have a nice long convorsation I can go and talk to them, its a little hard talking to Filipe because he speaks spanish ( which I am now regretting that I never rememberd) but he speaks pretty good english I just feel bad because I know I like it when I get to speak english because sometimes I just get so sick of speaking in german somedays because it takes alot of effort sometimes but at least people here can speak some english but not alot can speak any spanish. Jordan speaks really proper english so I can have a conversation with him. I know that it may seem like its not a big thing for alot of people having another exchange student with them but sometimes it a little refreshing knowing that there are other people in your school knowing exactly how it is an feels. I am pretty happy that I am not alone in school anymore ( exchange student wise) and I really hope that I can give them a good start in their exchange.

This Weekend

So alot has gone on this week and this weekend. First Clint the other american fell down some stairs running to catch the train. He has a pretty deep cut that should of had stiches but now he just has butterflies on it. He thought the problem was the cut because didnt have alot of feeling in his leg... but three doctors later he found out he tore his legeiment in his leg. But in his words its okay... he made the train. That same day that he got hurt all of us went to a basketball game.

Now I thought fans were crazy in america but you have no idea how they are here. They were singing standing and yelling the whole game, and basketball is not even a big sport here. It was a really good expierence going to a basketball game though because I have never been to a basketball game except for high school ones.

Than comes friday and we have a rotary meeting. I got to see the biggest satelite dish, that sends and recieves imagines from the stalites...This thing was huge... of course i asked if it were hooked up to a T.V would I get every channel... I know I know how american but if you saw this dish you would of asked the same thing. The Rotary meeting was pretty boring up until that part, and after it was too, but I understand why Rotary takes us to these things so we can get a better understanding of the world... but I wish sometimes they would bring us to places we actually want to go.

So Saturday rolls around and we hang out with Maxell a kid who just came back from Nebraska. He lived in Beatrice im not sure if i spelt that right, and his favorite things about nebraska were..... the guns. I had to laugh because I forgot that they arent here, and he said its the best thign ever because no one tries to jump anyone because even the smallest person can have a gun, and he said that the houses didnt need to be locked because of guns, and the people were more happy and welcoming because they had guns... i dont know exactly what guns have to do with it, but I do know people are more welcoming to forgeiners in america than they are here. Than we went to a small party where we watched some horror movies. Normally I am not one for horror movies but I couldent understand the movie at all so it was actually not even scary I never realized that the reason horror movies are so scary is because you can understand what is going to happen, and relate to it, so that was a new discovery so next time when i watch a scary movie in america ill just not even try to understand the plot of anything about the movie and than it wont be scary :D.

Than comes the topping of the week, my new host mother cooked all of us Steaks. I miss meat let alone steak. It tasted so good, and for the first time in a long time I was full to the point where I couldent eat anymore. The salade was also amazing. I think she was flattered by all of us going mmmhhh this is so good, but if you go for 6 months with no steak, hardly any meat than you would think that steak is the greatest food. my mouth still waters when I think about her steak. The thing I really like about my host mom is that she wants an exchange student, most of the families here dont want an exchange student but they have to host one since their child is one.... so all of us agreed that she would get the best host mom award. I also really enjoy my new family because they really go out of their way to make me feel at home, or keep me out of my room, and they always let me go places with friends and I can get out of the hosue alot more. Today my host mom took Margy and I hiking..... I am still not one for hiking but it wasnt as bad because there was a treat right in the middle. She said we walk through the forest and than eat cake and drink coffee and than walk back. It was kind of nicce how she planed it in teh middle because than it was a reward for hiking but than you worked it off when you came back.


Well I know my posts are becoming more rare but thats really because I have done just about everything here, and really dont know what to write about anymore. I do things every week, and yeah sometimes I do things I havent done before, but I am really enjoying my stay here, and I am extremly happy with my new host family. Well now the weekend is over, and I have school in the morning. So That is pretty much everything I have done this weekend

Practikum/ presentation the american way.

For the last couple days I have been in a program with my school that lets me go to work for a business for two weeks. I can choose where I want to work, and normally students pick businesses they are intrested in going into some day. I went into the medical field, and I work for a clinic. The last couple of days have been really great. I was actually lucky to be able to work here because I dont think it is normal for a student to be allowed to work in a doctors office here. Luckley Rotary once again had a connection.... or actually I had the connection. My counselor for rotary is an Ear, Nose, and Throat doctor and works in Rheinbach. When I asked him if i could do my Practikum at his business he was more than happy to have me there. The first thing I needed to do was buy white pants, and a white shirt. I leave all my white things at the doctors office so I dont get them dirty which was a great idea because than I dont have to spend money buying any more than just one pair. My first day all the nurses really made me feel helpful and that I was doing something. They let me watch all the tests they ran, and the first day I got to see someone getting there ear drum checked by electrical currents. It was actually rally cool to watch all those little electical wires popped on the patients face.... keep in mind that no one is hurt during this process :D. Than I got to see how they clean the ear... dont worry I never see the actual ear wax stuff I just see a long hose like instrument spray water into the persons ear. Than I also get to watch the machines that are used for hearing test.. I saw someone having there nose checked... not very exciting to watch for the average person but it is interesting to see how everything is done behind the curtain. Than I also get to see people get allergy shots, and tested for allergies... which is something I know a little about.. I pretty much get to see everything that goes on. The next day I spent the whole morning watching operations be done. I saw an Ear operation and to my amazment they actually dont cut the ear off... I also thought that that is how it was doen but actually it just involves a really well lit light, binoculars, and small medical instruments. Than I got to see a Nose operation where they cut the tissue back to clear out the airways. Than I go to see a Sinus operation... which was the fist time I have ever heard or seen someone break someones bone. The doctor told me to come over and look inside which is normal because I did the same thing to all the others and than he picks up a long instrument and I was thinking to myself there is no way thats going to fit up his nose without hitting his brain and all of a sudden usuing it as a crow bar he breaks the nose bone....if you have ever heard a knuckle being cracked or someones back think of that except with a distinct crakling noise.... ughhh. I was actually suprised because I thought throught the whole day that I was going to get sick or something because thats what normally happens when I get a shot but I actually didnt feel the least bit quesy and if after I saw all the shots, the blood, other nasty things, and bones being broke I still did not feel weak or sick to my stomache. It was actually a really great experience that not alot of people will have seen. I also got to see how the sleeping gas works, and all of the other things. Today I went once again but this time I was with my friend clint who is going scuba diving with margy today and he needed to get checked out to see if it was okay if he went. I was able to give him the hearing test, and he got to see a little bit of what I do during my mornings now. So tomorrow I dont know whats going to happen I hear there is another oporation, and the Dr. said that I will be in for something interesting tomorrow, so who knows maybe ill be the one breaking peoples noses....... although I hope not.


Presentating the american way.

Margy, Clint, and I all had to make a presentation for Rotary, unlike normally we had to make it all in German. After being in Mock Trail and Speech I dont mind making the presentations but I am not a fan of being infront of people. I played it cool though and acted like I wasnt scared to be infront of a bunch of rich, and known people but I really was. Margy decided she wanted to go first and clint plugged in her computer. Now think of this normally when germans think of americans they think of war wanting people.... well now they probably think that more. Margy, Clint, and I all like southpark.... but as we all know southpark can be a little grussem sometimes. Well when clint plugged in her computer sure enough what flases on the screen is a picture of Butters( one of the characters ) with a ninja throwing star in his eye. Me and Margy were laughing because the picture really didnt tell the story of this south park episode but we were in a room full of alot of elder and.... well it was just funny. So margy gave her speech she got some laughs, and than I went on and gave mine which was full of pictures because I didnt put any text on it and I was on and off before anyone knew it. Than the southpark photo popps up again and once again we are laughing. Finally clint takes margy's computer off and pluggs in his..... now if the first photo didnt leave the germans believing we love violence clints would. When his popped up on the screen the picture was... well I dont know what it was but on the bottom it said Destroy. I was laughing once again, and I dont think the germans were very happy about the photos.... but after being there for 2 hours or so, we were really tired and quite frankley didnt care to much what they thought. We all gave our presentations and even though they were not as long or funny as the germans presentations we did the best we could for what we knew. And all of us at least got some laughs so we must of done somehting right.

At the end my host mom comes up to me and Margy puts our arms around us and says that she thinks we did better than the german re-bounds, and did way better than last years exchange students. So even though we only put in a days work into those presentations... well Margy and I put in a days work.... it still gave us the satisfaction of not only doing good... but being better than last years.... You can take the americans out of america but no matter what we still love the feeling of being better :D. Oh and just so not everyone who reads this feels that we are not doing our job even though we did have some violence, we got alot of "good jobs" from the Rotary club, and they even invited us back to go to Rotary meetings once a month... im not sure if thats a reward but we'll take it... but until then Margy, Clint, and Me of course are just going to keep presenting the american way......( excluding the photos :D)

Meine Neu Familie

My New Family.

Now I have come to the second part of my journey as an exchange student and that is switching families. I lived with my first host family for 5 months and after 5 months you normally wear out your welcome. I think I switched host families at a good time, so than I can begin a new year fresh with everything.

My new host family lives in Meckenheim which is a town right next to Rheinbach where I last lived. I have a host dad named Juergen, a host mom named Judda, and a host brother whos name is Michael. Their Son is an exchange studnet in Ohio. Right away the family made me feel at home giving me a welcoming diner, giving me the password to the Internet( very important :D) showing me a little bit around town, giving me a card for the bus in the morning, and of course showing me my new room. Although the only thing that stands between my room and the Office is a certain I get to have the whole upstairs. My bathroom is upstairs, and I can put all of my bathroom things in their instead of keeping them in my room. I have a dresser thats inside my room which makes things alot easier, and I also have a desk and drawers I can put everything in. I feel a little more comfortable going downstairs into the living room and kitchen because everything doesnt look so untouchable or breakable and its nice having that homey feeling right away. My host dad plays volleyball like me and he also likes to talk about his visits to the US and tells me all the places I should see in Germany and tells me alot of stories which keep me entertained. I even got to watch T.V for the first time since I have been here. I mean actually watch it. At my first host families house I coudlent figure out the T.V and never really wanted to sit downstairs and watch T.V. But now I have one in my own room well in the Office which is right next to my Room, or I go downstairs and watch T.V with Michael who is abby's age 15. Having someone who is the same age as my sister and closer to my age makes it easier to talk to him. He also shares my liking for the Simpsons and watching Movies everynight. He is a really laid back kid and does a great job of making me feel like I belong here and than I am family and not just a guest. My host mom reminds me alot of my mom so it makes me not miss home as much sometimes. She is really nice and is always willing to help me no matter what she is doing at the time. I really enjoy being with my second family not just because they are nice but because its now a stepping stone that I have passed in my Journey as an Exchange student. Even though it was hard packing all of my stuff again and having to think of the memories that I last packed at my house and now I have to be off into another unfamilier territory, it was worth it. I hope that I will have alot more things to write about as I get further into my stay with meine nuw Familie

Christmas/New Years

It never seemed like Christmas, I guess it just never really hit me that it was there. I was actually glad that it didnt because than it would of made me feel sad, or depressed, which for an exchange student is not a good feeling to get because you have that plane ticket home starring you right back in the face. My Christmas break was fun though, and I think my host family was trying to put alot of activities so it kept my mind off of home. We drove to see their family and friends, and I had to laugh when I got my presents because normally Im use to my family knowing what I need or want, but this year I just got alot of chocolate, and candy. I did get a book too, and some movie tickets from rotary. The day after christmas we went to this lake where you can wake board or ski the day after christmas, it was freezing and the water was even colder. It was cool how it was set up though because there were no boats pulling the lines there was a pully system hooked

up that would take you around the whole lake. I didnt go wake boarding but I did get to see some pretty cool stunts that people could do. It sorta looked easier with this than it would be with a boat because it pulls from up top and stays at a cosistant speed.

After visting family we drove to friends who lived outside of Berlin. When we got there the first thing we did was go to a Weinachtsmarkt which was Huge, and than went ice skating and I even got to see a little bit of a concert on Ice. I also went to the zoo where I finally caught a monkey in action throwing its poo and than eating it I was grossed out but still thought it was funny that I caught the monkey doing it. I also went shopping alot while I was there and saw the most amazing mall that would put the mall of america to shame. At first when I was walking up to it I asked if we were going to a museum the girls just started to laugh and said no thats a mall. It was the coolest looking mall ever because it looked so old on the outside but inside was amazing with light up elevators and glass everywhere and lots and lots of fountains. Finally it was new years and my family took me to a party where we stayed up and played Wii, and another game called the buzz game and than of course phase 10 which is a great game. Right when it struck 12 everyone toasted with their glasses of champagne and than we went out side and the sky was light up with fireworks, I have to seen so many fireworks going off in the streets like I did then, I think its because its the only tiem of year people can buy and blow them off. I of course stuck with the sparklers... i still have not gotten around to lighting the actual fireworks off yet, but the little kids were amazed at my ability to hold five large sparklers at a time all being lit. Finally someone sees my natural sparkler talent. Well if I havent told you Merry Be-lated Christmas, and a Happy New Year