Dear Readers,
Yesterday I went to see Harry Potter in the movie theater. it was all in German with no subtitles. The movie itself was good and I really liked the plot and everything that happened. I will not go into many details for those of you reading this that havent watched it yet. I think the only reason I understood most of what was going on was because I read the book. Otherwise I think I would have been completely lost. The worst part about watching to movie was not hearing the voices I was used to. Harry didn't sound like Harry, Snape didn't have his usual creepy voice, and Ron didn't come off as funny without his normal voice. My host family has all of the Harry Potter movies in German so I think Jaque and I are going to Watch all of them start to end in German.
As most of you have probably already noticed 2010 is coming to end. This year was full of ups and downs. Many good times but also very difficult times. I have learned so much about me and life in general in this past year. I want to thank everyone that was a part of my life in the past year and I hope so have many more great times with all of you in the year to come. Tonight I am staying the night with a good friend. I am not sure what our plans are for the night. I think we are just going to do the whole sleep over thing, Stay up till midnight, watch movies, and have tons of fun.
Auf Wiedersehen,
Allysa Spear
Friday, December 31, 2010
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Bamberg
Dear Readers,
Yesterday Jaqueline and I went into the city to buy things that we were both needing like toothpaste, facewash, and make-up. We also stopped by the post office so I could send a package full of postcards home. There were also 2 bars of Milka. Hope everyone enjoys it. As I went up to the counter to ask for stamps and pay for my package I only spoke German. I answered the mans questions and then all of a sudden he spoke english with me. It was so strange. I was doing good, I thought, with my german. Everyone can tell I am not from Germany when I start speaking. My accent is terrible.
Today my host family took us to a neighboring town called Bamberg. It is very famous for its manger scenes. I have seen more of those today from every part of the world than I ever dreamed of seeing. They all portrayed the same thing but they were also very different at the same time. We were also in a Dom. It was over a thousand years old. At about one in the afternoon we went to a little restaurant. We were put in the way back corner with three other ladies. They finished their meals and then a couple joined us. It was kind of tight fitting everyone in but it was fun. After lunch Jaque and I got to go around town alone looking for shopping places. We had a map so we were pretty sure we wouldn't get lost. My days are all starting to run together and I am starting to not remember what happened on which day. I can't even remember if today is Monday or Tuesday. My mother informed me yesterday that I have not blogged enough in the months of November and December. So in my last few days of December I will try to blog everyday. I have plans for everyday so I don't think it will be to difficult for me. It also helps me with motivation to do my US History homework online.
Thanks for reading.
Allysa Spear
Yesterday Jaqueline and I went into the city to buy things that we were both needing like toothpaste, facewash, and make-up. We also stopped by the post office so I could send a package full of postcards home. There were also 2 bars of Milka. Hope everyone enjoys it. As I went up to the counter to ask for stamps and pay for my package I only spoke German. I answered the mans questions and then all of a sudden he spoke english with me. It was so strange. I was doing good, I thought, with my german. Everyone can tell I am not from Germany when I start speaking. My accent is terrible.
Today my host family took us to a neighboring town called Bamberg. It is very famous for its manger scenes. I have seen more of those today from every part of the world than I ever dreamed of seeing. They all portrayed the same thing but they were also very different at the same time. We were also in a Dom. It was over a thousand years old. At about one in the afternoon we went to a little restaurant. We were put in the way back corner with three other ladies. They finished their meals and then a couple joined us. It was kind of tight fitting everyone in but it was fun. After lunch Jaque and I got to go around town alone looking for shopping places. We had a map so we were pretty sure we wouldn't get lost. My days are all starting to run together and I am starting to not remember what happened on which day. I can't even remember if today is Monday or Tuesday. My mother informed me yesterday that I have not blogged enough in the months of November and December. So in my last few days of December I will try to blog everyday. I have plans for everyday so I don't think it will be to difficult for me. It also helps me with motivation to do my US History homework online.
Thanks for reading.
Allysa Spear
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Dear Santa
Dear Santa,
This year I got the chance to expierence Christmas abroad. I am so happy you found my new house. I always knew you made it all the way around the world in one night. You are truly an amazing guy. I loved being able to spend the holiday seasons with people that are very welcoming and caring for hosting 2 crazy teenage girls for most of the year. This year I didn't get to sleep with both of my brothers in the same bed waiting anxiously to hear you so we could catch you in the act, I didn't get to attempt to stay up all night and then fall asleep early in the morning, I didn't get to run to my parents room screaming "Santa was here, Santa was here" and then beg them to let my brothers and I just open our stockings as they got out of bed, and most importantly I didn't get to spend christmas morning, afternoon, or night with the people I love the most my family. However, I did get to go to church on Christmas Eve with my host family, I got to see my host sister play her musical instrument, I wrapped my presents with my host sister for our family, I had to sing christmas songs before anyone could open their gifts, I ate spaghetti with my host family and after dinner we all sat down and watched Mr. Bean, and last but not least I learned the things I truly miss about home and the things I took for granite. Oh and Sorry about not laying out the cookies and milk. Its not really a German thing as you may already know.
Love Always,
Allysa Spear
Today is the 26th of December. On christmas morning and day we didn't really celebrate because we did everything on the 24th. We did have goose for lunch and we watched Mama Mia at night. I have decided that the only thing more awkward than watching people kiss on TV with you parents is watching the same seen with your host parents and host sister who ist 13. I also got to play card games with my family. I lost terribly but it was my first time so I am ok with it. Today we had Pancakes for breakfast which is my favorite. Then we went Sledding. Here in Bayreuth they have giant hills where everyone in town can go. It was so much fun. I only fell off 3 times. Everyone else didn't fall off at all. It is just my luck. Thanks for reading my blog.
Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year. I hope everyone has a wonderful new year and you tell the people who mean the most to you that you love them.
Auf Wiedersehen,
Allysa Spear
This year I got the chance to expierence Christmas abroad. I am so happy you found my new house. I always knew you made it all the way around the world in one night. You are truly an amazing guy. I loved being able to spend the holiday seasons with people that are very welcoming and caring for hosting 2 crazy teenage girls for most of the year. This year I didn't get to sleep with both of my brothers in the same bed waiting anxiously to hear you so we could catch you in the act, I didn't get to attempt to stay up all night and then fall asleep early in the morning, I didn't get to run to my parents room screaming "Santa was here, Santa was here" and then beg them to let my brothers and I just open our stockings as they got out of bed, and most importantly I didn't get to spend christmas morning, afternoon, or night with the people I love the most my family. However, I did get to go to church on Christmas Eve with my host family, I got to see my host sister play her musical instrument, I wrapped my presents with my host sister for our family, I had to sing christmas songs before anyone could open their gifts, I ate spaghetti with my host family and after dinner we all sat down and watched Mr. Bean, and last but not least I learned the things I truly miss about home and the things I took for granite. Oh and Sorry about not laying out the cookies and milk. Its not really a German thing as you may already know.
Love Always,
Allysa Spear
Today is the 26th of December. On christmas morning and day we didn't really celebrate because we did everything on the 24th. We did have goose for lunch and we watched Mama Mia at night. I have decided that the only thing more awkward than watching people kiss on TV with you parents is watching the same seen with your host parents and host sister who ist 13. I also got to play card games with my family. I lost terribly but it was my first time so I am ok with it. Today we had Pancakes for breakfast which is my favorite. Then we went Sledding. Here in Bayreuth they have giant hills where everyone in town can go. It was so much fun. I only fell off 3 times. Everyone else didn't fall off at all. It is just my luck. Thanks for reading my blog.
Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year. I hope everyone has a wonderful new year and you tell the people who mean the most to you that you love them.
Auf Wiedersehen,
Allysa Spear
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Dear Readers,
Christmas is right around the corner. I can't believe my first 3 months have gone by so fast. Today was my last day in school before break. It was very different than in the US. Today we had the first 2 periods. The first class we played games but in the second one we had to do some math problems. After the first two periods the whole school had to go to church together. This was very different for me. We walked across town together and then went to a short church service. We sang 3 songs and then it was over.
I got my package from my family and friends today in the mail. It was so nice. I didn't open my christmas gifts. I am waiting to do it with the family and everyone tomorrow. It doesn't even feel like christmas to me. I think it is becuase I am away from my family and things are done differently here. I have not even seen my family's christmas tree. There are only lights on the market place buildings. I am finishing up writing all of the postcards and cards I will send back to my family. I am planning on skyping with my family on Christmas day.
I will post again after Christmas after I see what is different. I can't wait.
Merry Christmas and a healthy New Year.
Love Always,
Allysa Spear
Christmas is right around the corner. I can't believe my first 3 months have gone by so fast. Today was my last day in school before break. It was very different than in the US. Today we had the first 2 periods. The first class we played games but in the second one we had to do some math problems. After the first two periods the whole school had to go to church together. This was very different for me. We walked across town together and then went to a short church service. We sang 3 songs and then it was over.
I got my package from my family and friends today in the mail. It was so nice. I didn't open my christmas gifts. I am waiting to do it with the family and everyone tomorrow. It doesn't even feel like christmas to me. I think it is becuase I am away from my family and things are done differently here. I have not even seen my family's christmas tree. There are only lights on the market place buildings. I am finishing up writing all of the postcards and cards I will send back to my family. I am planning on skyping with my family on Christmas day.
I will post again after Christmas after I see what is different. I can't wait.
Merry Christmas and a healthy New Year.
Love Always,
Allysa Spear
Monday, December 20, 2010
Wolfsburg.
Hallo Readers,
On Friday I left for a very exciting but long trip. I experienced many things. It was only 3 days long but many things went on in those 3 days.
Starting with Friday, As always the 5 of us who live in Bayern have to travel the farthest for every trip with Rotary/ROTEX. This trip was to Wolfsburg in northern Germany. Jaqueline and I were suppose to meet with Marina and Vicky in our town at a little past nine. Well there was a huge snow storm over most of Germnay. Vicky missed her train in Nurnberg and the train was late to arrive in Bayreuth where Jaque and I live. We decided that we couldn't wait for the next train to ride together with Vicky because all of the train were running late and we had a long ways to go. The whole way there we had to wait at all of the train stations for the trains because of all the snow we were getting. We finally made it to Wolfsburg in 10 hours. Vicky arrived way later than we did because on her last train a part of it caught fire and she had to ride with a very nice family that spoke english and helped her get to where we were staying in Wolfsburg.
In Wolfsburg we met with 70 new echange students from another district. We had to sleep in a gym on the floor with sleeping bags. It was not ideal and with 90 kids in one gym we didn't get much sleep at all.
On Saturday we went to the VW museum. It was so cool. There were at least 5 different buildings that you could go into and learn about differnt cars and many things were interactive. It was one of the coolest museums I have been to. After spending 2 hours in the museum we went and ate lunch. This new district likes "Sandwich Bar". They set out bread, Ketchup, meat, cheese, and vegtables. Then all of the kids go through and make what they want and how they want it. Right after lunch we all went ice skating together. It was so much fun. I went really slow and skated with a good friend from USA. She helped me alot so I didn't fall down once. It was also really cold so I didn't skate the whole time. When everyone was done skating we went back to the school to just hang out with everyone. Later we ate Pizza for supper and we had to take another German test but it was super easy compared to our district. After the test we got all the information on the EuropaTour. It was just the places we are going to be traveling to. When we will have to switch our money over to another kind. Later that night we had a party and dancing. Once again I didn't sleep very well.
On Sunday we woke up and had breakfast. Then we all had to clean up the gym we were staying it. There were 10 kids that had to leave early before the rest of the others. They had to stay and do a nations for sale and talk all about where they come from. On our way home Jaque, Marina, Vicky and I got off in the wrong town on the last train. We took the next train to the next town we had to go to. Jaque and I got off before the others and when we were waiting for the train a man told us that our train was broke and we had to get on a big bus to go to Bayreuth. Well when we got the Bayreuth train station Jaque realized her phone was dead. We waited for a Taxi. We took the Taxi home.
It was a very exciting weekend. I met so many new friends. It was so cool. I am so excited to go on Euro Tour with everyone.
Much Love
Allysa Spear
On Friday I left for a very exciting but long trip. I experienced many things. It was only 3 days long but many things went on in those 3 days.
Starting with Friday, As always the 5 of us who live in Bayern have to travel the farthest for every trip with Rotary/ROTEX. This trip was to Wolfsburg in northern Germany. Jaqueline and I were suppose to meet with Marina and Vicky in our town at a little past nine. Well there was a huge snow storm over most of Germnay. Vicky missed her train in Nurnberg and the train was late to arrive in Bayreuth where Jaque and I live. We decided that we couldn't wait for the next train to ride together with Vicky because all of the train were running late and we had a long ways to go. The whole way there we had to wait at all of the train stations for the trains because of all the snow we were getting. We finally made it to Wolfsburg in 10 hours. Vicky arrived way later than we did because on her last train a part of it caught fire and she had to ride with a very nice family that spoke english and helped her get to where we were staying in Wolfsburg.
In Wolfsburg we met with 70 new echange students from another district. We had to sleep in a gym on the floor with sleeping bags. It was not ideal and with 90 kids in one gym we didn't get much sleep at all.
On Saturday we went to the VW museum. It was so cool. There were at least 5 different buildings that you could go into and learn about differnt cars and many things were interactive. It was one of the coolest museums I have been to. After spending 2 hours in the museum we went and ate lunch. This new district likes "Sandwich Bar". They set out bread, Ketchup, meat, cheese, and vegtables. Then all of the kids go through and make what they want and how they want it. Right after lunch we all went ice skating together. It was so much fun. I went really slow and skated with a good friend from USA. She helped me alot so I didn't fall down once. It was also really cold so I didn't skate the whole time. When everyone was done skating we went back to the school to just hang out with everyone. Later we ate Pizza for supper and we had to take another German test but it was super easy compared to our district. After the test we got all the information on the EuropaTour. It was just the places we are going to be traveling to. When we will have to switch our money over to another kind. Later that night we had a party and dancing. Once again I didn't sleep very well.
On Sunday we woke up and had breakfast. Then we all had to clean up the gym we were staying it. There were 10 kids that had to leave early before the rest of the others. They had to stay and do a nations for sale and talk all about where they come from. On our way home Jaque, Marina, Vicky and I got off in the wrong town on the last train. We took the next train to the next town we had to go to. Jaque and I got off before the others and when we were waiting for the train a man told us that our train was broke and we had to get on a big bus to go to Bayreuth. Well when we got the Bayreuth train station Jaque realized her phone was dead. We waited for a Taxi. We took the Taxi home.
It was a very exciting weekend. I met so many new friends. It was so cool. I am so excited to go on Euro Tour with everyone.
Much Love
Allysa Spear
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
That to-do list of mine...
Hallo Everyone,
As usual my list of things I need to get done in the next few days is slowly getting longer and longer. Yesterday I was not in School because I am getting a little bit sick. I really just needed a few more hours of sleep to get to feeling better. Today I was ready to take on the world.
Tomorrow in my German speaking course I have a test over the Grammatic that I have learned so far. I should really be studying right now but I am updating everyone on how I am doing.
On Friday I am going to Wolfsburg. This is in Northern Germany. I have to ride on the train all day on Friday. So tomorrow I have to start and finish packing. I have no idea how I am going to manage that. I also have to figure out my christmas package that I am sending back to my parents for Christmas. I feel as if it is going to have to be more of a seasons Greeting and show up in January. Also on Friday I am missing the final dance practice for the ball in January. My host parents are suppose to go but since I wont be there they aren't going. I have a partner for the ball so now all I have to do is show up and dance. I am also suppose to buy my partner something little. I have no idea what to get. I think I will talk with the other girls in the class and just get the same thing.
In Wolfsburg I get to meet tons of new exchange students that I will be going on Euro Tour with. I will also get to go Ice Skating but on the not so good side I have to take another German test. My brain is so full with everythings I cant believe it has not exploded already.
The weather here is not so nice. It sis so cold and always snowing. There is so much snow on the roads its crazy. We still have school everyday though. After next week we start Winter break. I am so ready to just relax and sleep in a little.
Thanks for reading and keeping up with me
Good luck to all the SEW sports in all your games, matches, competitions this month.
Much love
Allysa Spear.
As usual my list of things I need to get done in the next few days is slowly getting longer and longer. Yesterday I was not in School because I am getting a little bit sick. I really just needed a few more hours of sleep to get to feeling better. Today I was ready to take on the world.
Tomorrow in my German speaking course I have a test over the Grammatic that I have learned so far. I should really be studying right now but I am updating everyone on how I am doing.
On Friday I am going to Wolfsburg. This is in Northern Germany. I have to ride on the train all day on Friday. So tomorrow I have to start and finish packing. I have no idea how I am going to manage that. I also have to figure out my christmas package that I am sending back to my parents for Christmas. I feel as if it is going to have to be more of a seasons Greeting and show up in January. Also on Friday I am missing the final dance practice for the ball in January. My host parents are suppose to go but since I wont be there they aren't going. I have a partner for the ball so now all I have to do is show up and dance. I am also suppose to buy my partner something little. I have no idea what to get. I think I will talk with the other girls in the class and just get the same thing.
In Wolfsburg I get to meet tons of new exchange students that I will be going on Euro Tour with. I will also get to go Ice Skating but on the not so good side I have to take another German test. My brain is so full with everythings I cant believe it has not exploded already.
The weather here is not so nice. It sis so cold and always snowing. There is so much snow on the roads its crazy. We still have school everyday though. After next week we start Winter break. I am so ready to just relax and sleep in a little.
Thanks for reading and keeping up with me
Good luck to all the SEW sports in all your games, matches, competitions this month.
Much love
Allysa Spear.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Month Nummer 3
Dear Followers,
Today is the 13th of December. I have been in Germany for a good 3 months. I am starting to realize that after Christmas everything is going to go by so fast. I love all of the little moments. Like sitting in my host sister Jaque's room just talking. Doing little things around the house. Skyping when i get the chance. Not thinking about how bad things are or could be. Only laughing off the little things. I don't really have much to blog about but wanted to share what i was thinking about. I am sending a package to my family tomorrow. I am hoping it makes it for Christmas. I have heard about Flat Ally. I am a bit nervous because my mother told me I have been taking pictures in various places with various things.. My mother is already asking me about my return date. It is in about 8 months not sure when but my Visa expires in July. So sometime around then.
On Friday I am going to Northern Germany for an informational meeting about Euro tour. When I find out more I will let everyone know. I also have to take another German test. I am not as worried about this one. Tomorrow I am going ice Skating for the second time in my life and the first time in Jaque's life. It should be intersting. I will take tons of pictures and upload then as soon as I can. Thanks for everyone is supporting me or helping me in anyway. It means the world to me to have this oppurtunity.
Much Love
Allysa Spear
Today is the 13th of December. I have been in Germany for a good 3 months. I am starting to realize that after Christmas everything is going to go by so fast. I love all of the little moments. Like sitting in my host sister Jaque's room just talking. Doing little things around the house. Skyping when i get the chance. Not thinking about how bad things are or could be. Only laughing off the little things. I don't really have much to blog about but wanted to share what i was thinking about. I am sending a package to my family tomorrow. I am hoping it makes it for Christmas. I have heard about Flat Ally. I am a bit nervous because my mother told me I have been taking pictures in various places with various things.. My mother is already asking me about my return date. It is in about 8 months not sure when but my Visa expires in July. So sometime around then.
On Friday I am going to Northern Germany for an informational meeting about Euro tour. When I find out more I will let everyone know. I also have to take another German test. I am not as worried about this one. Tomorrow I am going ice Skating for the second time in my life and the first time in Jaque's life. It should be intersting. I will take tons of pictures and upload then as soon as I can. Thanks for everyone is supporting me or helping me in anyway. It means the world to me to have this oppurtunity.
Much Love
Allysa Spear
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
The Bright Side
Dear Fellow Exchange Students,
This letter is for anyone thinking about going on exchange anytime in their life. I am on an exchange from Iowa to Bayreuth, Germany. There are so many things I wish I would have been informed about or thought about during and before my year abroad. I have only been in Germany for 3 months but I am quickly figuring out that I was not fully ready for this. It is absolutely what I want but it is not at all what I was thinking it could be. When writing your application make sure to be specific about things that you do not like. Don't sugar coat anything becuase when you are here and there is a problem with something that you knew before you didn't like there is not much you can do. For example, If you don't want to live with smokers or you don't like animals. Make sure you put exactly that in your letter so that you will not get placed with a family that smokes in the house or has animals. Another thing make sure that you think about the countries you choose before you write them down. I am so happy to be in Germany but the language is difficult and I had no prior German before coming. One thing you will notice is that you don't get to choose your family and they won't be like your family at home. Things are going to be different. You will have to give and take. You will get asked weird and sometimes challenging questions. Sometimes you will have an answer and sometimes you won't. Don't pack all of your clothes you wont wear half of them anyway. Make sure to do some studying about your culture so you can really tell people about you life and the way things are done in your town or house. People will laugh at you for example, my first host family made me read the newspaper out loud. It had no German only few courses. So my pronounciation was not the best they sometimes laughed at me but you have to make sure to laugh with them. It is no big problem. Don't always sit in your room. Even if you are only reading a book sit in the kitchen or livingroom around your family. You will also have to invite yourself on things. Not everyone is going to come up to you and ask to hang out every weekend. You have to make the plans and find things to do on your own. Think about the common things too. When I was packing I only thought about the clothes and what I was going to wear. I brought gifts but I totally forgot the bathroom supplies. I didn't have deo, toothpaste, brush, razors, make up, fingernail polish and things like that. Also for the girls think about your girly things too. Ok well this is my advice after 3 months. I am ready for the next 8 months of my exchange. Remember always have an open mind and try everything. Its only one year not a lifetime. Don't put things off just do them.
Much love ,
Your fellow Exchanger Allysa Spear,
Auf Wiedersehen.
This letter is for anyone thinking about going on exchange anytime in their life. I am on an exchange from Iowa to Bayreuth, Germany. There are so many things I wish I would have been informed about or thought about during and before my year abroad. I have only been in Germany for 3 months but I am quickly figuring out that I was not fully ready for this. It is absolutely what I want but it is not at all what I was thinking it could be. When writing your application make sure to be specific about things that you do not like. Don't sugar coat anything becuase when you are here and there is a problem with something that you knew before you didn't like there is not much you can do. For example, If you don't want to live with smokers or you don't like animals. Make sure you put exactly that in your letter so that you will not get placed with a family that smokes in the house or has animals. Another thing make sure that you think about the countries you choose before you write them down. I am so happy to be in Germany but the language is difficult and I had no prior German before coming. One thing you will notice is that you don't get to choose your family and they won't be like your family at home. Things are going to be different. You will have to give and take. You will get asked weird and sometimes challenging questions. Sometimes you will have an answer and sometimes you won't. Don't pack all of your clothes you wont wear half of them anyway. Make sure to do some studying about your culture so you can really tell people about you life and the way things are done in your town or house. People will laugh at you for example, my first host family made me read the newspaper out loud. It had no German only few courses. So my pronounciation was not the best they sometimes laughed at me but you have to make sure to laugh with them. It is no big problem. Don't always sit in your room. Even if you are only reading a book sit in the kitchen or livingroom around your family. You will also have to invite yourself on things. Not everyone is going to come up to you and ask to hang out every weekend. You have to make the plans and find things to do on your own. Think about the common things too. When I was packing I only thought about the clothes and what I was going to wear. I brought gifts but I totally forgot the bathroom supplies. I didn't have deo, toothpaste, brush, razors, make up, fingernail polish and things like that. Also for the girls think about your girly things too. Ok well this is my advice after 3 months. I am ready for the next 8 months of my exchange. Remember always have an open mind and try everything. Its only one year not a lifetime. Don't put things off just do them.
Much love ,
Your fellow Exchanger Allysa Spear,
Auf Wiedersehen.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Where ever the road of life takes you
“You and I will meet again, When we're least expecting it, One day in some far off place, I will recognize your face, I won't say goodbye my friend, For you and I will meet again” Tom Petty
Hallo All,
Sorry I have not written in about 7 days. I have been moving house and trying to figure out all of the new rules and trying to find time for internet use. I am in a new house. Everthing is different. I have to figure out where all the dishes go and how to load the dishwasher correctly again. Saying goodbye to my first host family was probably one of the hardest things I have had to do since I have been here. They were so nice and I miss then so much. My new family is also very nice but I am having some troubles adjusting to a few things. My host family and I are going over the first night questionare tonight. It will be good for both of us.
Last weekend was a Rotary meeting. It was the last one for the Aussies. It was so hard to say goodbye to them not knowing when or if I will see them again. That is why I choose this quote. My life right now is all about meeting people and then saying goodbye. I have had the greatest oppurtunity to meets tons of lovely people. I have realized a few things this week
1. I am going to miss Katie so much at the next Roatry weekend.
2. I have made so many new friends already I don't know what I am going to do in a year.
3. I have no clue how I will fit everything into my suitcases to go back to Iowa.
4. Christmas is going to be the hardest time for homesickness
5. You don't get to choose how everything goes in your life and you have to deal with situations you are put in and make the best of it.
6. This letter has taken me 3x longer than it would normally because I am using a German keyboard and I can't type on it very well.
7. I actually know some German. I took at german test that I talked about in previous blogs and I got a 3,5 this is like a C+ so that is good. It was the hardest test I have ever taken
8. I love living with Jaque. She is the nicest sister and we have the most fun.
9. I can't build a snowman. I am terrible
10. I absolutely love my Family in Iowa. I don't know what I would do without all of you. I miss every aspect. There is not one thing that I would change about my life back home.
Thats all for now.
Auf Wiedersehen.
Hallo All,
Sorry I have not written in about 7 days. I have been moving house and trying to figure out all of the new rules and trying to find time for internet use. I am in a new house. Everthing is different. I have to figure out where all the dishes go and how to load the dishwasher correctly again. Saying goodbye to my first host family was probably one of the hardest things I have had to do since I have been here. They were so nice and I miss then so much. My new family is also very nice but I am having some troubles adjusting to a few things. My host family and I are going over the first night questionare tonight. It will be good for both of us.
Last weekend was a Rotary meeting. It was the last one for the Aussies. It was so hard to say goodbye to them not knowing when or if I will see them again. That is why I choose this quote. My life right now is all about meeting people and then saying goodbye. I have had the greatest oppurtunity to meets tons of lovely people. I have realized a few things this week
1. I am going to miss Katie so much at the next Roatry weekend.
2. I have made so many new friends already I don't know what I am going to do in a year.
3. I have no clue how I will fit everything into my suitcases to go back to Iowa.
4. Christmas is going to be the hardest time for homesickness
5. You don't get to choose how everything goes in your life and you have to deal with situations you are put in and make the best of it.
6. This letter has taken me 3x longer than it would normally because I am using a German keyboard and I can't type on it very well.
7. I actually know some German. I took at german test that I talked about in previous blogs and I got a 3,5 this is like a C+ so that is good. It was the hardest test I have ever taken
8. I love living with Jaque. She is the nicest sister and we have the most fun.
9. I can't build a snowman. I am terrible
10. I absolutely love my Family in Iowa. I don't know what I would do without all of you. I miss every aspect. There is not one thing that I would change about my life back home.
Thats all for now.
Auf Wiedersehen.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
It comes from the heart.
"We dance for laughter, we dance for tears, we dance for madness, we dance for fears, we dance for hopes, we dance for screams, we are the dancers, we create the dreams."-Anonymous
Dear Readers,
Today is the first of December is has been snowing mostly all day. It is a sure sign of winter. A very big tradition here in Germany are Advents Calenders. Each day you get a little candy or sweet until the 24th of December. Most of the people here celebrate Christmas on the 24th. I think this is so neat. Normally on the 24th I am begging my mom to let me and my brothers to pick out one small gift from under the tree to open. Here they are celebrating the whole thing. They also have a Nicklaus day. It is on the 6th of December. I don't really understand all of it but I do know that you have to set a boot (like a christmas stocking) outside of the door at night and the next day it will have oranges, apples, or sweets inside. This is something I am excited to take part in. I will upload pictures after this weekend.
I am in dance classes as you already know. I have mentioned a little about them but I don't think I hit everything. This week my SEW Aderenaline dance girls are taking dances to state. I wish them the best of luck and I know they will do great. I am involved in 2 different dance classes here in Bayreuth. One is a Hip-Hop class. I have gotten the chance to meet so many new girls in this class it is amazing. The dancing is fun too. You get to be yourself and mostly I am doing what I love to do. The other is a dance class with students my age from my school and the other 2 schools in Bayreuth. We are learning all kinds of ballroom dances. So of course you must dance with boys. This is strange for me. I am used to just shaking what I got and making sure I know all of the steps but when you have to make sure two of you are together it is a bit more of a challenge. As of right now I have no partner for the ball. I am hoping I will get asked. I have talked to some of the boys in my class and 2 don't have partners. I would ask them but I feel like I would be going against the grain for the girl to ask the boy to the ball. Call me old fashioned but it feels wrong. Everyone knows I don't have a partner and would more than happy to go with anyone.
Danke und Auf Wiedersehen.
Dear Readers,
Today is the first of December is has been snowing mostly all day. It is a sure sign of winter. A very big tradition here in Germany are Advents Calenders. Each day you get a little candy or sweet until the 24th of December. Most of the people here celebrate Christmas on the 24th. I think this is so neat. Normally on the 24th I am begging my mom to let me and my brothers to pick out one small gift from under the tree to open. Here they are celebrating the whole thing. They also have a Nicklaus day. It is on the 6th of December. I don't really understand all of it but I do know that you have to set a boot (like a christmas stocking) outside of the door at night and the next day it will have oranges, apples, or sweets inside. This is something I am excited to take part in. I will upload pictures after this weekend.
I am in dance classes as you already know. I have mentioned a little about them but I don't think I hit everything. This week my SEW Aderenaline dance girls are taking dances to state. I wish them the best of luck and I know they will do great. I am involved in 2 different dance classes here in Bayreuth. One is a Hip-Hop class. I have gotten the chance to meet so many new girls in this class it is amazing. The dancing is fun too. You get to be yourself and mostly I am doing what I love to do. The other is a dance class with students my age from my school and the other 2 schools in Bayreuth. We are learning all kinds of ballroom dances. So of course you must dance with boys. This is strange for me. I am used to just shaking what I got and making sure I know all of the steps but when you have to make sure two of you are together it is a bit more of a challenge. As of right now I have no partner for the ball. I am hoping I will get asked. I have talked to some of the boys in my class and 2 don't have partners. I would ask them but I feel like I would be going against the grain for the girl to ask the boy to the ball. Call me old fashioned but it feels wrong. Everyone knows I don't have a partner and would more than happy to go with anyone.
Danke und Auf Wiedersehen.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Cycles.
“Difficult times have helped me to understand better than before, how infinitely rich and beautiful life is in every way, and that so many things that one goes worrying about are of no importance whatsoever...”
The weather is slowing changin the rain has turned from a drizzle to beautiful snowflakes. Colors of red, orange, and yellow have slowly been covered up by the white flakes. The house is decorated with red and gold table clothes. Wreaths hung on the doors. Gold stars in the windows illuminate the dark rooms. The winter sweaters are out of the bottom of my closet and replaced with the shorts and flipflops. Many other things are changing not only the physical things and the things you can see but also whith in people and mostly myself. Through out this 3 months that I have been abroad I am discovering new insights into various things.
I put this quote on here because I feel like it is representing how I am feeling right now in this stage of the exchange. I want to talk about different things with my friends. The questions I want to ask are questions I would never have thought I would be intersted in. I am starting to see new oppurtunities on things I can do in my life to make it better. I want to travel to the rest of the world. I think I am going to try and find a charity group here in Bayreuth. Not sure how I will find it but even if it is scooping soup for homeless this season it will make me feel better. This Christmas season I am not thinking of the things I "need" but the things of others. My life is going down paths I never thought possible. Everything makes a cycle. It is the cycle of life. I am just trying to figure out where it is going to put me next.
Auf Wiedersehen.
<3 Me.
The weather is slowing changin the rain has turned from a drizzle to beautiful snowflakes. Colors of red, orange, and yellow have slowly been covered up by the white flakes. The house is decorated with red and gold table clothes. Wreaths hung on the doors. Gold stars in the windows illuminate the dark rooms. The winter sweaters are out of the bottom of my closet and replaced with the shorts and flipflops. Many other things are changing not only the physical things and the things you can see but also whith in people and mostly myself. Through out this 3 months that I have been abroad I am discovering new insights into various things.
I put this quote on here because I feel like it is representing how I am feeling right now in this stage of the exchange. I want to talk about different things with my friends. The questions I want to ask are questions I would never have thought I would be intersted in. I am starting to see new oppurtunities on things I can do in my life to make it better. I want to travel to the rest of the world. I think I am going to try and find a charity group here in Bayreuth. Not sure how I will find it but even if it is scooping soup for homeless this season it will make me feel better. This Christmas season I am not thinking of the things I "need" but the things of others. My life is going down paths I never thought possible. Everything makes a cycle. It is the cycle of life. I am just trying to figure out where it is going to put me next.
Auf Wiedersehen.
<3 Me.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Happy Turkey Day
Lovely Readers,
Happy Thanksgiving! This is my 3rd celebration/holiday abroad. Just like the first two everything is different. I am enjoying it. Tonight I am going to a Thanksgiving dinner. On Sunday I will be attempting to make a turkey. I will let all of you know exactly how that turns out for me.
Things I am thankfull for:
1. Life
2. My Family
3. Friends
4. Rotary
5. Being able to live in Germany for a year
6. The Ullmanns ( My host family)
7. That I am finally getting better in my German
8. All of the new people I am meeting
9. Skype makes it easy to keep in touch
10. The Woelkers( My counselor)
11. All of the things that I am experiencing right now
12. I get to eat TURKEY tonight (:
There are so many other things I am thankful for.
Thank you for everything everyone who has been a part of my life.
Much love
Allysa Spear
Happy Thanksgiving! This is my 3rd celebration/holiday abroad. Just like the first two everything is different. I am enjoying it. Tonight I am going to a Thanksgiving dinner. On Sunday I will be attempting to make a turkey. I will let all of you know exactly how that turns out for me.
Things I am thankfull for:
1. Life
2. My Family
3. Friends
4. Rotary
5. Being able to live in Germany for a year
6. The Ullmanns ( My host family)
7. That I am finally getting better in my German
8. All of the new people I am meeting
9. Skype makes it easy to keep in touch
10. The Woelkers( My counselor)
11. All of the things that I am experiencing right now
12. I get to eat TURKEY tonight (:
There are so many other things I am thankful for.
Thank you for everything everyone who has been a part of my life.
Much love
Allysa Spear
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
All about me
Hallo Readers,
In about an hour I have to go and give my first German speach to my hosting Rotary Club. I am kind of nervous for the German part. In my speech I have to talk about me, my family, where I am from, and my sponsoring Rotary club. I have probably went over the speech 200 times in my head I am sure I will do fine. I am pretty good at talking about myself. It only has to be 5 min or close to 5 min.
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. I am so excited for the dinner with my counselor I can barely contain myself. I will post again tomorrow about how it went and what it was like.
Thanks for reading.
Viele Gruße,
Allysa Spear
In about an hour I have to go and give my first German speach to my hosting Rotary Club. I am kind of nervous for the German part. In my speech I have to talk about me, my family, where I am from, and my sponsoring Rotary club. I have probably went over the speech 200 times in my head I am sure I will do fine. I am pretty good at talking about myself. It only has to be 5 min or close to 5 min.
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. I am so excited for the dinner with my counselor I can barely contain myself. I will post again tomorrow about how it went and what it was like.
Thanks for reading.
Viele Gruße,
Allysa Spear
Monday, November 22, 2010
It is that time of year.
Dear Faithful Readers,
Today is November 22, 2010. It is officially snowing in Bayreuth. It feels so much like winter. All of the stores are putting out Christmas items. Throughout the city you see very festive sites. The mall has Christmas trees up in every corner. On the sidewalks town main street in the city are poles with gold and silver starts at the top. In the middle square the people are starting to set up for Christkindelsmarkt. Along with all of the pretty christmas things comes the busy times also. I have so many things to get accomplished in the next few weeks.
Monday: Hip-Hop dance ( Not to much)
Tuesday: Must send my German essay for my test, and German course
Wednesday: School, buy a turkey with my hostmom, and speech for my Rotary club (in German) little bit nervous for that one.
Thursday: THANKSGIVING! I have to go to school but in the afternoon I am going to a feast with my counselor, his wife, and Jaqueline.
Friday: School, dance class, meet with family in the city, print off picture for Rotary secret santa, buy gifts for christmas, get post cards, and finally Learn German as always. (:
Next weekend is my German test in Nurnberg. I am excited for it. I am starting to figure out my way threw a German conversation. I get lost a few times but I haven't ended up with a raw fish milkshake when asking when the bus comes.
Viele Gruße,
Allysa Spear
Today is November 22, 2010. It is officially snowing in Bayreuth. It feels so much like winter. All of the stores are putting out Christmas items. Throughout the city you see very festive sites. The mall has Christmas trees up in every corner. On the sidewalks town main street in the city are poles with gold and silver starts at the top. In the middle square the people are starting to set up for Christkindelsmarkt. Along with all of the pretty christmas things comes the busy times also. I have so many things to get accomplished in the next few weeks.
Monday: Hip-Hop dance ( Not to much)
Tuesday: Must send my German essay for my test, and German course
Wednesday: School, buy a turkey with my hostmom, and speech for my Rotary club (in German) little bit nervous for that one.
Thursday: THANKSGIVING! I have to go to school but in the afternoon I am going to a feast with my counselor, his wife, and Jaqueline.
Friday: School, dance class, meet with family in the city, print off picture for Rotary secret santa, buy gifts for christmas, get post cards, and finally Learn German as always. (:
Next weekend is my German test in Nurnberg. I am excited for it. I am starting to figure out my way threw a German conversation. I get lost a few times but I haven't ended up with a raw fish milkshake when asking when the bus comes.
Viele Gruße,
Allysa Spear
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Simply Pictures
My drawing of Jaqueline.
Jaqueline's drawing of me. We had some extra time during German class.
Sharlin is from Taiwan. She was performing a traditional fan dance for all of the exchange students.
One of the United States tables.
Hugo representing Mexico.
Molly, Me, Sharlin.
Plauen.
Olivia, Me, Teddy. All from the USA.
Oldest church in Plauen.
Inside the curch.
Rathaus.
Plauen from above.
A little village that was split right down the middle by the wall.
Experiences.
Hallo all,
Coming up next week I have to take a German test to see how much I am progressing. I am kind of nervous. I am sure I will do fine though. The test consists of 4 parts.
1. Essay. I have to write two pages in German about my experiences (good and bad) I have compiled a list of things that have happened to me so far. Well first off everything being new it is always fun. Oktoberfest was the first big thing I went to. It is not what typical Germans are like. Yes it is a typical German festival but people go way over the top when they know they are going to Oktoberfest. Everyone wears the old fashioned clothes and drinks way more than they would on a night out in the town.
The second thing I noticed was family life. The time of the meals is different and the portion sizes are also different. For instance a peice of bread with cheese and peperoni could easily be your breakfast.... With family life they also say Please and Thank you a lot more than we do in the U.S. Most of our meals here in Germany are home cooked. I have eaten out 2 times in almost 3 months its unbelieveable but I like this very much.
Host siblings! Not much else to say. I love having sisters and a little little brother. I have to switch families in about a week. It is such a bitter sweet feeling. I also got the chance to experience my birthday here. It was so much fun. My host families helped me get threw it without my real family.They all sang Happy Birthday to me and i cried. I also got to go out with my sister and her friends and see what kids would normally do on a birthday. :)
Ok now for public transportation. Well most people actually use it. Not very many people have cars or drive around in cars like we do in Iowa. I always get these infamous questions: Do you have a car? Can you drive? What kind of car do you have? How many cars do you own? Can we see your license?
Lots of people have bikes. It is the most convenient way to get around. I am not very good at riding my bike. I almost ran over 2 people on the road the other day.
Now for the not as possitive experiences.
A. Learning German.
It is so hard and stressful.
B. School
School is very difficult. It is a different system then I am used to. It is all in German and I have a super hard time paying attention in class. Last week one of my teachers just now figured out I was from the U.S. I then had to explain baseball to the class and him. It was interesting.
C. My German course on Tuesdays and Thurdays. I am in a class with tons of People from different backgrounds. I have been asked very difficult questions. Some I had no answer to. I don't look at it as a bad thing. I am simply just getting out and experiencing things I would never be able to get in small town Iowa. It is all a part of the exchange. I have friends from every corner of the world. I am growing way beyond my years.
Ok that is what my Essay is going to be about as for the other parts of the test. I have 100 questions over German government. I need to do some hardcore studying if I am going to pass that part.
I now enjoy riding the public busses to town and home becuase I always meet intersting people. Never a dull moment here.
Thanskgiving is coming up soon. It is not celebrated here so I am making my host family a turkey and a big meal like we would have in my house. I am so excited. On the 25th I am going with my counselor and Jaque to and an American German club here in Bayreuth. They have a man from the US and he will prepare a feast. It should be so much fun. I can't wait to share my cutlure with everyone. (:
Well sorry this is so long. I haven't been very good about blogging everyday. I will make it more of a habit.
Quote for the week: When life gives you Lemons, make Lemonade. <3
Auf Wiedersehen.
Coming up next week I have to take a German test to see how much I am progressing. I am kind of nervous. I am sure I will do fine though. The test consists of 4 parts.
1. Essay. I have to write two pages in German about my experiences (good and bad) I have compiled a list of things that have happened to me so far. Well first off everything being new it is always fun. Oktoberfest was the first big thing I went to. It is not what typical Germans are like. Yes it is a typical German festival but people go way over the top when they know they are going to Oktoberfest. Everyone wears the old fashioned clothes and drinks way more than they would on a night out in the town.
The second thing I noticed was family life. The time of the meals is different and the portion sizes are also different. For instance a peice of bread with cheese and peperoni could easily be your breakfast.... With family life they also say Please and Thank you a lot more than we do in the U.S. Most of our meals here in Germany are home cooked. I have eaten out 2 times in almost 3 months its unbelieveable but I like this very much.
Host siblings! Not much else to say. I love having sisters and a little little brother. I have to switch families in about a week. It is such a bitter sweet feeling. I also got the chance to experience my birthday here. It was so much fun. My host families helped me get threw it without my real family.They all sang Happy Birthday to me and i cried. I also got to go out with my sister and her friends and see what kids would normally do on a birthday. :)
Ok now for public transportation. Well most people actually use it. Not very many people have cars or drive around in cars like we do in Iowa. I always get these infamous questions: Do you have a car? Can you drive? What kind of car do you have? How many cars do you own? Can we see your license?
Lots of people have bikes. It is the most convenient way to get around. I am not very good at riding my bike. I almost ran over 2 people on the road the other day.
Now for the not as possitive experiences.
A. Learning German.
It is so hard and stressful.
B. School
School is very difficult. It is a different system then I am used to. It is all in German and I have a super hard time paying attention in class. Last week one of my teachers just now figured out I was from the U.S. I then had to explain baseball to the class and him. It was interesting.
C. My German course on Tuesdays and Thurdays. I am in a class with tons of People from different backgrounds. I have been asked very difficult questions. Some I had no answer to. I don't look at it as a bad thing. I am simply just getting out and experiencing things I would never be able to get in small town Iowa. It is all a part of the exchange. I have friends from every corner of the world. I am growing way beyond my years.
Ok that is what my Essay is going to be about as for the other parts of the test. I have 100 questions over German government. I need to do some hardcore studying if I am going to pass that part.
I now enjoy riding the public busses to town and home becuase I always meet intersting people. Never a dull moment here.
Thanskgiving is coming up soon. It is not celebrated here so I am making my host family a turkey and a big meal like we would have in my house. I am so excited. On the 25th I am going with my counselor and Jaque to and an American German club here in Bayreuth. They have a man from the US and he will prepare a feast. It should be so much fun. I can't wait to share my cutlure with everyone. (:
Well sorry this is so long. I haven't been very good about blogging everyday. I will make it more of a habit.
Quote for the week: When life gives you Lemons, make Lemonade. <3
Auf Wiedersehen.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Plauen
Hallo All,
This weekend I went on a Rotary weekend to Plauen. It is not to far from where I live. Jaque and I took the train. When we got to the second stop where we were suppose to meet up with the 2 other exchange students we always ride with we couldn't find them. Jaque and I were on the second part of the train and so we called them to see if they were on the first part. As Jaque was talking with one of them she lost the call. So me and Jaque decided that on the next stop we would get out fast and run to the first part of the train. Well as we are walking up and down the isle we don't see them. Turns out they got on another train and we headed to our town to pick us up but we had already left. We all have to worst luck with trains. Jaque and I had to pay for another train ticket. It was 17.50 Euro. Which is expensive in my opinion. WEll when we got to Plauen we met up with all of the students who are going abroad next year and all of the re-bounds who just got back. It was so much fun.
On Friday we had to sell our nation. There is 5 people from the US right now and 3 re-bounds who went to the US. One of them was Anni. She was in my district last year in Iowa. It was so nice to see her again. I didn't think I would meet up with her. We caught up and talked about our experiences.
On Saturday we walked our Plauen and had some free time to go shopping. We looked at old building and this cute little earth home place. I will put up pictures soon. They were house along this little creek and it was so cute. Then we played get to know each other games. It was interesting trying to speak in German. All the students gave it there best but most of the time they ended up explaining it in English. After the games we had a disco. We got to dance with everyone which was so cool. We listened to music from all over the world. I loved dancing.
On Sunday we went to a museum. It was a villege that when the wall was built it was split right down the middle. It was neat. I didn't really understand everything becuase it was in German but the looks were cool. I got an english brocheur that I will read to get info on it.
The train ride home was interesting. The train was packed full. The isles were full of people standing because they had nowhere to sit. Luckily Jaque and I didn't have to ride the train the whole way home. We got off and switched to another train. We were only on there for about 20 min.
Now I am home, unpacked, and blogging. I will try to blog again this week. (:
Much love <3 me
Auf wiedersehen.
This weekend I went on a Rotary weekend to Plauen. It is not to far from where I live. Jaque and I took the train. When we got to the second stop where we were suppose to meet up with the 2 other exchange students we always ride with we couldn't find them. Jaque and I were on the second part of the train and so we called them to see if they were on the first part. As Jaque was talking with one of them she lost the call. So me and Jaque decided that on the next stop we would get out fast and run to the first part of the train. Well as we are walking up and down the isle we don't see them. Turns out they got on another train and we headed to our town to pick us up but we had already left. We all have to worst luck with trains. Jaque and I had to pay for another train ticket. It was 17.50 Euro. Which is expensive in my opinion. WEll when we got to Plauen we met up with all of the students who are going abroad next year and all of the re-bounds who just got back. It was so much fun.
On Friday we had to sell our nation. There is 5 people from the US right now and 3 re-bounds who went to the US. One of them was Anni. She was in my district last year in Iowa. It was so nice to see her again. I didn't think I would meet up with her. We caught up and talked about our experiences.
On Saturday we walked our Plauen and had some free time to go shopping. We looked at old building and this cute little earth home place. I will put up pictures soon. They were house along this little creek and it was so cute. Then we played get to know each other games. It was interesting trying to speak in German. All the students gave it there best but most of the time they ended up explaining it in English. After the games we had a disco. We got to dance with everyone which was so cool. We listened to music from all over the world. I loved dancing.
On Sunday we went to a museum. It was a villege that when the wall was built it was split right down the middle. It was neat. I didn't really understand everything becuase it was in German but the looks were cool. I got an english brocheur that I will read to get info on it.
The train ride home was interesting. The train was packed full. The isles were full of people standing because they had nowhere to sit. Luckily Jaque and I didn't have to ride the train the whole way home. We got off and switched to another train. We were only on there for about 20 min.
Now I am home, unpacked, and blogging. I will try to blog again this week. (:
Much love <3 me
Auf wiedersehen.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Sorry
Sorry I haven't written anything in a few days. I have been busy or just didn't have any motivation to type a blog. Well in the last few days nothing new has really happend. Except for today. I lost my cell phone on the bus. Don't know what I am suppose to do about that. I have to switch families in the beginning of December. It will be an experience. My host sisters and I went to see a scary movie. Needless to say I haven't got much sleep the last few nights. School is going great. My German is so so. I filled out papers for my euro tour. There are way to many students and not enough seats. I hope I make it. (:
Well here goes another list.
This time
RANDOMS:
1. I lost my phone ):
2. I got lost last week on my way to german class.
3. Lost seems like it is always in my Vocabb lately.
4. German course is going well.
5. I need a job or to win the German jackpot. Either will work.
6. It is getting cold here and I'm not digging it.
7. I love SKYPE
8. My brother needs to shave his beard. (:
9. I need to take more pictures here.
10. LEARN DEUTSCH!
WEll there is a little insight into my mind and what I am thinking.
Love me.
Auf Wiedersehen. <3
Well here goes another list.
This time
RANDOMS:
1. I lost my phone ):
2. I got lost last week on my way to german class.
3. Lost seems like it is always in my Vocabb lately.
4. German course is going well.
5. I need a job or to win the German jackpot. Either will work.
6. It is getting cold here and I'm not digging it.
7. I love SKYPE
8. My brother needs to shave his beard. (:
9. I need to take more pictures here.
10. LEARN DEUTSCH!
WEll there is a little insight into my mind and what I am thinking.
Love me.
Auf Wiedersehen. <3
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Herr Wölker
Herr Wölker is my counselor here in Germany. Me and Jaque had dinner with him and his wife yesterday. They are the cutest little couple I have ever seen. She is American and he of course is German. They only speak english in their house. They both know German but when they first got married they had seen each other in person for an amount of 10 days. Mr. Wölker was an exchange student in the US for a year. He stayed in Pittsburg. This is such an amazing thing to think about in itself. WWII had not even been over for 10 years when Walt came to the US. His father was still fighting among other people. His father told him that he should go out and see that other kids were hungry, needed shelter, and also needed money. I think this will stick with me for a while. Lynn and Walt actually met in Germany. They were on a tour together and something just clicked. After the tour they didn't see each other for a few years. Then Walt was coming back to the US for work. He ended up not having as much time as he thought to go and visit Lynn. He called her and asked if it was worth is to come just for one day.. Well what kind of question is that. Of course she said I want to see you. Well after the day was up Walt had to go to New York for a week to work. Lynn all of the sudden decided that she was going to pack her things and go with. She volunteered at the AFS building. They got married a short time after and on the night of their wedding day were off to Germany. This may sound a bit like a fairytale but it is all real. It was so charming to hear them both talk about their story. For dinner we had American hamburgers which by the way were amazing. We also ate baked potatoes with sour cream and butter. (: We talked about things that were different and things that we had to overcome.
This week I have also been working on my Europa Tour information. It is going good. I had to write a 250 word motivitation speech in German. It was quite the task but luckily my host dad was a great help. As I was writing it I had some new thoughts come into my brain. I wrote about how in both of my German courses I am the only person from the United States of America. So every other student is foriegn to me. In one class most of the students are from Iraq, Iran and one from Afgahnistan. Well to the US many of these places are not seen with the greatest views and I also didn't see them as humans. I saw these people as what was portrayed on TV. Turns out that I am quickly finding out that everyone is HUMAN. We are all the same. These men in my German course are very nice. I talk to them and we have no problems. You can't always believe everything you see and hear. Somethings you have to find out by doing.. This is also a part of what Rotary is trying to do. We can all be different but still get along.
Tonight I watched Matilda with my host sister and host mom. It was so nice. Everyday I feel as if I am becoming more and more a part of the family. My German is coming along. I feel like I am on the top of the plateau. Soon I will peak again. Well that is all for now.
Thanks for reading. I am truly enjoying myself here and soaking in as much information as I can. I hope to share all of my stories and experiences upon my arrival back in the states.
Auf Wiedersehen.
<3 Allsya Spear
This week I have also been working on my Europa Tour information. It is going good. I had to write a 250 word motivitation speech in German. It was quite the task but luckily my host dad was a great help. As I was writing it I had some new thoughts come into my brain. I wrote about how in both of my German courses I am the only person from the United States of America. So every other student is foriegn to me. In one class most of the students are from Iraq, Iran and one from Afgahnistan. Well to the US many of these places are not seen with the greatest views and I also didn't see them as humans. I saw these people as what was portrayed on TV. Turns out that I am quickly finding out that everyone is HUMAN. We are all the same. These men in my German course are very nice. I talk to them and we have no problems. You can't always believe everything you see and hear. Somethings you have to find out by doing.. This is also a part of what Rotary is trying to do. We can all be different but still get along.
Tonight I watched Matilda with my host sister and host mom. It was so nice. Everyday I feel as if I am becoming more and more a part of the family. My German is coming along. I feel like I am on the top of the plateau. Soon I will peak again. Well that is all for now.
Thanks for reading. I am truly enjoying myself here and soaking in as much information as I can. I hope to share all of my stories and experiences upon my arrival back in the states.
Auf Wiedersehen.
<3 Allsya Spear
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Halloween.
Well as you probably already know today is Halloween. Here in Germany it is not celebrated as big as in the US. My host sister said that we may or may not have any little trick-or-treaters. That is a weird thought. In my host family's house there is not a single Halloween decoration to be found. Yesterday there was a costume party but instead I went to a friends 18th birthday party. (: It was so much fun. Tomorrow is a holiday so nothing will be open and I don't have school. On Tuesday I go back to school but everyone else doesn't have school. Also on Tuesday Jaque and I are going to meet with our counselor and have dinner. His wife is American so I am hoping for a good American cooked meal. (:
Well that is all for now.
Auf Weidersehen. <3 me
Well that is all for now.
Auf Weidersehen. <3 me
Friday, October 29, 2010
Carving Pumpkins
Sorry for not blogging for a few days. I as usual have been pretty busy with dance, online class, and me new crash course German class.
Today I went to school just like normal. I had Physik first period. Usually the teacher doesn't say much to me and Jaque. Well he had some kind of revelation today and spoke to both of us. He asked me to explain baseball to the class. I was like ok I can do this. Baseball is my least favorite sport. I don't know everything but I did my best to explain as much as I could. Next week I think he is going to ask me about American football. I am going to have to do some studying up on that. I know a lot but I want to make sure I get everything. Then Jaque and I went to our German course. As I may or may not have mentioned we got moved up into the second class. The first one was way to easy and we already knew everything but, the second level is very difficult. We understand some things but not everything. We have homework and have to do activies in class a lot. Today we had to write about a family tree in the perspective of the grandmother. It was not to hard. We also had to write sentences about our childhood and things we were allowed and not allowed to do. After school I went home by bus really fast to ask my host mom if it was ok to go and eat with Jaque since she was the only one home. I arrived at home and my mother said yes of course but that I should take my bike since it was such a nice day. As I was walking out the door to leave my counselor's wife came to the door. She is American. We are having dinner with her on Tuesday. Before she left she gave me an American hug. Believe it or not German hugs just aren't the same. I almost cried but I kept it together. (: Then I was off on my bike to the Haupenthals' house. When I got there we had rice with real hamburger. It was so delicious. The I had to go to dance class. So Jaque and I got on our bikes and took off. We weren't really sure where we were going but we had some kind of idea. We got a little bit lost but we found our way. At dance class I learned the Waltz, Quickstep, Jive, and a few others. It was so much fun. Then I went back to the Haupenthals. I rang the door bell because Jaque left dance early. No answer. So I waited for 45 min when Mr. and Mrs. Haupenthal came home. Jaque was sleeping and didn't hear the bell. Oh well it was relaxing to just sit outside for a while. Then we carved pumpkins. Jaque has never done this before. It was so much fun to watch her. Jaque and Isa had normal orange pumpkins but I got was is called a pear pumpkin. It was so hard to carve. I managed though. After we were finished and the mess was cleaned we all sat down for dinner. We had soup with bread. It was good. Then I left and went home by bike. Now I am sitting here writing this since I haven't done so in a few days. I am so tired and I have a headache but I want to write so everyone can keep up with my busy life. Tomorrow I get to sleep in! (:
Auf Wiedersehen. Shlaft Gut.
<3 me
Today I went to school just like normal. I had Physik first period. Usually the teacher doesn't say much to me and Jaque. Well he had some kind of revelation today and spoke to both of us. He asked me to explain baseball to the class. I was like ok I can do this. Baseball is my least favorite sport. I don't know everything but I did my best to explain as much as I could. Next week I think he is going to ask me about American football. I am going to have to do some studying up on that. I know a lot but I want to make sure I get everything. Then Jaque and I went to our German course. As I may or may not have mentioned we got moved up into the second class. The first one was way to easy and we already knew everything but, the second level is very difficult. We understand some things but not everything. We have homework and have to do activies in class a lot. Today we had to write about a family tree in the perspective of the grandmother. It was not to hard. We also had to write sentences about our childhood and things we were allowed and not allowed to do. After school I went home by bus really fast to ask my host mom if it was ok to go and eat with Jaque since she was the only one home. I arrived at home and my mother said yes of course but that I should take my bike since it was such a nice day. As I was walking out the door to leave my counselor's wife came to the door. She is American. We are having dinner with her on Tuesday. Before she left she gave me an American hug. Believe it or not German hugs just aren't the same. I almost cried but I kept it together. (: Then I was off on my bike to the Haupenthals' house. When I got there we had rice with real hamburger. It was so delicious. The I had to go to dance class. So Jaque and I got on our bikes and took off. We weren't really sure where we were going but we had some kind of idea. We got a little bit lost but we found our way. At dance class I learned the Waltz, Quickstep, Jive, and a few others. It was so much fun. Then I went back to the Haupenthals. I rang the door bell because Jaque left dance early. No answer. So I waited for 45 min when Mr. and Mrs. Haupenthal came home. Jaque was sleeping and didn't hear the bell. Oh well it was relaxing to just sit outside for a while. Then we carved pumpkins. Jaque has never done this before. It was so much fun to watch her. Jaque and Isa had normal orange pumpkins but I got was is called a pear pumpkin. It was so hard to carve. I managed though. After we were finished and the mess was cleaned we all sat down for dinner. We had soup with bread. It was good. Then I left and went home by bike. Now I am sitting here writing this since I haven't done so in a few days. I am so tired and I have a headache but I want to write so everyone can keep up with my busy life. Tomorrow I get to sleep in! (:
Auf Wiedersehen. Shlaft Gut.
<3 me
Monday, October 25, 2010
Culture..
Today in German course our teacher was sick so we had a sub. The first thing she told us to do was close our eyes and imagine you are a fish. Imagine: the size, shape, color, where you are, are there other fish, what you are doing, the things that surround you. Then she told us to open our eyes and asked us what we saw. She asked who all was in an Ocean. I raised my hand with a few others. Then she asked about a Sea two people raised there hands. Then a river no one. Jaqueline didn't raise her hand for any of them so the teacher asked her wher she was at. She replied I was in an aquarium in my room.. I found this very different but it was part of what the teacher was trying to get across. After we talked about our fish she put a quote up on the board it read" A fish will be last to discover water". Meaning that you are the last one to notice your own culture and some of the things that you do. We talked about how we see culture and that you are influenced by your own culture and many people see things very differently. The class talked about customs and things that were different from culture to culture. After we finished the teacher told us that we are never to change our own culture to be like another but rather except the differences and notice them. Pay attention and be aware of things. It was really eye opening to see how others saw things.
During our break Jaqueline asked me a question and I have been thinking a lot about it. She said "Why do you not call me an American"?.. I answered well because your aren't American. Then she pointed out the fact that America is the continent including both South and North America. She has a very good point. I have no answer to this question.. I honestly don't know. No one ever questions it though. When you say I'm American most people automatically think North America. The whole time I have been in Germany I have only had one man ask me North or South when I said I am from America.. I answered Midwest thinking he meant in the United States. This is a very interestion point and if anyone could give me some insite I would love to hear it.
Danke
Auf Wiedersehen. <3
Love me!
During our break Jaqueline asked me a question and I have been thinking a lot about it. She said "Why do you not call me an American"?.. I answered well because your aren't American. Then she pointed out the fact that America is the continent including both South and North America. She has a very good point. I have no answer to this question.. I honestly don't know. No one ever questions it though. When you say I'm American most people automatically think North America. The whole time I have been in Germany I have only had one man ask me North or South when I said I am from America.. I answered Midwest thinking he meant in the United States. This is a very interestion point and if anyone could give me some insite I would love to hear it.
Danke
Auf Wiedersehen. <3
Love me!
Berlin Tour..
Warning: This is going to take a long time to look at. I was in Berlin for 4 days and I got to see a lot of neat things and now I am going to blog about it. Sorry I didn't have time to write while I was traveling. I am also going to upload a few pics. I might have to break this up into two posts... Sorry.
Wednesday Ocktober 20th. Jaqueline and I got on the train in Bayreuth at 10:20. Marina, Leo, and Vicky were already on the train. We are the 5 from Bavaria. Everyone else lives in Saxony so it takes us quite a while to get to meet everyone. We were on the train for about 6 hours. We heard Berlin over the speaker and were so excited we got out of the train ready to great all of the other exchange students. We didn't see anyone when we got out so we figured oh they are waiting out front for us. We called the other students and they said they were at Mc Donalds. So us 5 went to the Mc Donalds in the Banhof. No one to be seen so after about 25 min of waiting we figured out that we got out at the wrong train station. We were suppose to wait 2 more stops till the main station in Berlin. We made it to the other students and greeted everyone. After we all greeted each other we were off for the next four days full of excitedment. First thing we did was take a train to our Hostel. That is like hotel but you stay longer and I really enjoyed it.
Thursday Oktober 21. In the morning we got up and were off to a full day of site seeing around Berlin.. All on foot of course. Talk about a long tiring day. We went and saw so many places I cannot remember all of the names but I will try my best to recall them. First off was the what I would call the White house of Berlin except it is a little different about who lives there. I didn't really understand how the whole government works. We saw the TV tower, the university, museum island, a very large beautiful church, a library monument for all of the books Hitler burned, a section of the Berlin wall with facts about it, and Alexandaplaz. Alexandarplazt is a huge area with a big mall and lots of places to shop. It also has a big clock with all of the time zones which was neat to see everyones time zone since most of the exchange students have a different one. For supper that night we ate at a place very close to the Hostile. I had a traditional meal called Doner. It was so good. I am going to eat it more now. Everyone that night after getting back to the hostile stayed up late chit chatting and getting caught up from our several weeks away from each other.
Friday Oktober 22nd. in the morning we had breakfast in the hotel. I had cereal with bread and Nutella. Then we were off for another full day of excitement and learning. We had to make the train to the concentration camp Sauchenhausen on time. It only comes every hour. We missed it but everything worked out we found another train that took a little bit but it was all worth it. The camp was such an experience and something I will never forget. You started by listen to a video about when the camp started who was incharge and what kinds of people were there. Then we walked to the gate. It was called tower A. On the gate inside it said "Arbeit Mach Frei" meaning work for freedom. This can be interpreted many ways. Then after you got threw the gate all you saw was a big open area with a wall where the buildings would have been standing. Not every building was original. They had a few left that we got to see one being bunk 38. It was original. I got see the bunks people would have slept in. the bathroom and the eating place. Everything was very simple. After the bunk room we went to the kitchen area. They had an exhibition going on. It showed various pictures about propaganda and torture tools. Then the last building we saw was the creamatorium. They had a sculpture for all of the people lost. It was a memorial and peoples loved one could come and pay their respects so it was very immotional to even be in the building. After we got back to Berlin we went on a night boat tour ride. We saw all of the city from the river. Everything was lit up special colors because there was a light show going on. We ate on the boat.
Saturday Oktober 23rd. Breakfast in the hostile again. Still delicious... (: After that we had an appointment at the Bunderstag. It is a very important government building. I also don't know much about it. We had a 45 min talk about it but it was unfortunately in German and I understood nothing. At the top of the building was a glass dome. At the top you could see all of Berlin. It was simply beautiful. After that we got to choose between 4 museums. I choose the history museum. In it I went to two parts. One about castles and ancient time the other was about the reunification of Germany. They had pictures of people crossing over of the wall and peoples stories of their lives. It was very interestion. That night we had Indian food for supper. It was kind of spicy but very good. We again stayed up very late to chit chat..
Sunday Oktober 24th. We got up and walked to the East Side Gallery. It is a stretch of 30 km pieces of the old wall sperating East and West Germany. There were painting from people all over the world. They had many different painting with all different meanings and different views about the wall. It was very neat to see. It was also very hard to think that there was a concrete wall seperating one country and knowing that it was so different and that people broke those barriers down. After we walked the whole lenght of the remaining wall we were off the the trainstation to depart back to Bavaria. Leo, Vicky, Marina, Jaqueline, and I had to leave at noon. We were the first to leave and last to get home. The train ride was so long. On the way we had to wait one hour at a staion outside. It started to hail. The other had never seen this being from a hot climate. It was cool to see their faces. (:
Well in a nutshell my trip was everything I could have hoped for. I tried to make that as short as possible without leaving anything out. Thanks for taking time out of your day to read this long post. Ill be writing again soon. I started new German course.
Auf Wiedersehen. <3 me
Wednesday Ocktober 20th. Jaqueline and I got on the train in Bayreuth at 10:20. Marina, Leo, and Vicky were already on the train. We are the 5 from Bavaria. Everyone else lives in Saxony so it takes us quite a while to get to meet everyone. We were on the train for about 6 hours. We heard Berlin over the speaker and were so excited we got out of the train ready to great all of the other exchange students. We didn't see anyone when we got out so we figured oh they are waiting out front for us. We called the other students and they said they were at Mc Donalds. So us 5 went to the Mc Donalds in the Banhof. No one to be seen so after about 25 min of waiting we figured out that we got out at the wrong train station. We were suppose to wait 2 more stops till the main station in Berlin. We made it to the other students and greeted everyone. After we all greeted each other we were off for the next four days full of excitedment. First thing we did was take a train to our Hostel. That is like hotel but you stay longer and I really enjoyed it.
Thursday Oktober 21. In the morning we got up and were off to a full day of site seeing around Berlin.. All on foot of course. Talk about a long tiring day. We went and saw so many places I cannot remember all of the names but I will try my best to recall them. First off was the what I would call the White house of Berlin except it is a little different about who lives there. I didn't really understand how the whole government works. We saw the TV tower, the university, museum island, a very large beautiful church, a library monument for all of the books Hitler burned, a section of the Berlin wall with facts about it, and Alexandaplaz. Alexandarplazt is a huge area with a big mall and lots of places to shop. It also has a big clock with all of the time zones which was neat to see everyones time zone since most of the exchange students have a different one. For supper that night we ate at a place very close to the Hostile. I had a traditional meal called Doner. It was so good. I am going to eat it more now. Everyone that night after getting back to the hostile stayed up late chit chatting and getting caught up from our several weeks away from each other.
Friday Oktober 22nd. in the morning we had breakfast in the hotel. I had cereal with bread and Nutella. Then we were off for another full day of excitement and learning. We had to make the train to the concentration camp Sauchenhausen on time. It only comes every hour. We missed it but everything worked out we found another train that took a little bit but it was all worth it. The camp was such an experience and something I will never forget. You started by listen to a video about when the camp started who was incharge and what kinds of people were there. Then we walked to the gate. It was called tower A. On the gate inside it said "Arbeit Mach Frei" meaning work for freedom. This can be interpreted many ways. Then after you got threw the gate all you saw was a big open area with a wall where the buildings would have been standing. Not every building was original. They had a few left that we got to see one being bunk 38. It was original. I got see the bunks people would have slept in. the bathroom and the eating place. Everything was very simple. After the bunk room we went to the kitchen area. They had an exhibition going on. It showed various pictures about propaganda and torture tools. Then the last building we saw was the creamatorium. They had a sculpture for all of the people lost. It was a memorial and peoples loved one could come and pay their respects so it was very immotional to even be in the building. After we got back to Berlin we went on a night boat tour ride. We saw all of the city from the river. Everything was lit up special colors because there was a light show going on. We ate on the boat.
Saturday Oktober 23rd. Breakfast in the hostile again. Still delicious... (: After that we had an appointment at the Bunderstag. It is a very important government building. I also don't know much about it. We had a 45 min talk about it but it was unfortunately in German and I understood nothing. At the top of the building was a glass dome. At the top you could see all of Berlin. It was simply beautiful. After that we got to choose between 4 museums. I choose the history museum. In it I went to two parts. One about castles and ancient time the other was about the reunification of Germany. They had pictures of people crossing over of the wall and peoples stories of their lives. It was very interestion. That night we had Indian food for supper. It was kind of spicy but very good. We again stayed up very late to chit chat..
Sunday Oktober 24th. We got up and walked to the East Side Gallery. It is a stretch of 30 km pieces of the old wall sperating East and West Germany. There were painting from people all over the world. They had many different painting with all different meanings and different views about the wall. It was very neat to see. It was also very hard to think that there was a concrete wall seperating one country and knowing that it was so different and that people broke those barriers down. After we walked the whole lenght of the remaining wall we were off the the trainstation to depart back to Bavaria. Leo, Vicky, Marina, Jaqueline, and I had to leave at noon. We were the first to leave and last to get home. The train ride was so long. On the way we had to wait one hour at a staion outside. It started to hail. The other had never seen this being from a hot climate. It was cool to see their faces. (:
Well in a nutshell my trip was everything I could have hoped for. I tried to make that as short as possible without leaving anything out. Thanks for taking time out of your day to read this long post. Ill be writing again soon. I started new German course.
Auf Wiedersehen. <3 me
Pics from Berlin Tour
The first night in Berlin eating with everyone.
Me infront of the Bunderstag. 
Me and Libby at the big gate. 
This was at the museum for all jew killed. This is a picture of a family portrait. The man who is cut out had to use his picture as an ID and had no other picture to use. In this museum they had stories of real peopl and families and what happened to them. It was very moving. 
Map of all concentration and extermination camps. 
Berlin.
Me with a man stamping passports like you would have had to get to get on the other side of the wall. 
An old church.
Friends infront of a bear. Berlin has these bears all around the city painted differently.
TV tower.
Map of Sachenhausen.
Work for Freedom. On the gate to enter the concentration camp. 
The beds many slept in. 
The wall with facts about the camp. 
This is the execution area. 
Olympia Staduim. 
People in the middle of the halftime during the soccer game. Not really sure what they are doing. Sunday, October 17, 2010
Groupies
Heyyyyyy Everyone, I am just getting back from the movies with Annika. My host sister. It was awesome. Yes the whole movie was in German but i understood most of it only because of the actors and their actions. I loved it. I am pretty sure the movie is my new Fav (:
Great things that happened this weekend.
1. I got to see a movie in Germany. How cool is that
2. I went to Nurnberg with my family. I saw an old castel and we went shopping. I didn't buy anything
3. Party Party Party I went to a party for school and got to dance with a lot of people. It was so much fun.
4. I got to sleep in.. Nothing beats that. (:
5. SKYPE.. It is amazing. You can talk to people clear across the world like you are sitting in the same room.
6. I am a whole week closer to BERLIN.. Which by the way is in 3 days and counting.
7. I can't think of anymore.. But I am sure there were other things too.
Ok well I am going to see if I can still get a peice of Cheese cake my host mom made. I am sure its amazing.
Auf Wiedersehen. <3
Great things that happened this weekend.
1. I got to see a movie in Germany. How cool is that
2. I went to Nurnberg with my family. I saw an old castel and we went shopping. I didn't buy anything
3. Party Party Party I went to a party for school and got to dance with a lot of people. It was so much fun.
4. I got to sleep in.. Nothing beats that. (:
5. SKYPE.. It is amazing. You can talk to people clear across the world like you are sitting in the same room.
6. I am a whole week closer to BERLIN.. Which by the way is in 3 days and counting.
7. I can't think of anymore.. But I am sure there were other things too.
Ok well I am going to see if I can still get a peice of Cheese cake my host mom made. I am sure its amazing.
Auf Wiedersehen. <3
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Sleep overs.
Yesterday, Friday Oktober 15th, I stayed at a friends house from school. Well actually first I went to school and it turned out I only had one period then me and Jaqueline went to the mall to get some facewash. After that I came home and waited for it to be 1:30 so I could go to ballroom dance class. Which by the way is amazing. We had to dance with partners this week. Everytime we learned something new we switched partners. So I got to talk to a lot of new people. Tonight they are having a newcommer party. Not really sure what it is but I am going. (:
After dance I came home then I went over to Brinda's house ( the friend from school) We stayed up really late, ate junk food, and danced the night away. It was so much fun. There was about 8 or 9 girls. This morning we had some really good roll things with Nutella. Which is by the way my new favorite topping. (:
Well today I am going to Nurnberg with my family to go shopping but I am just looking because I need to save my money for Berlin which is in about 4 days!!!!!!!!! CAn't wait..
Ok that is my terrible rambling about my life..
Love me
Auf Wiedersehen.
After dance I came home then I went over to Brinda's house ( the friend from school) We stayed up really late, ate junk food, and danced the night away. It was so much fun. There was about 8 or 9 girls. This morning we had some really good roll things with Nutella. Which is by the way my new favorite topping. (:
Well today I am going to Nurnberg with my family to go shopping but I am just looking because I need to save my money for Berlin which is in about 4 days!!!!!!!!! CAn't wait..
Ok that is my terrible rambling about my life..
Love me
Auf Wiedersehen.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Ice Cream
Today during lunch break Jaqueline and I went to the mall to get some ice cream. I was ordering mine while Jaqueline was getting her money out of her backpack. I got my cone and when I turnded around there was a German woman talking really fast with Jaqueline. She looked terrified. I walked over there maybe being able to help or understand her English. Nope, this woman had terrible English and we couldn't understand enough of her German to get what she was trying to tell us. She started walking up to people and asking if they knew english. We found two girls who spoke spanish. Jaqueline understood them. The lady was trying to tell us not to set our bags down because something about someone might think that it was bomb and call the police.
My host mom no longer speaks english with me. It is difficult sometimes but I am learning.
I am really tired its about 11:30 at night my time 4:30 your time.
Auf Wiedersehen.
My host mom no longer speaks english with me. It is difficult sometimes but I am learning.
I am really tired its about 11:30 at night my time 4:30 your time.
Auf Wiedersehen.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Just another day in Paradise.
Today is just going to be a rambling blog because nothing to special has happened. One of the kids in my class moved by me so we ride the same bus.. Today in English I got asked why we us Past tense for something. I am terrible at grammar and I don't know why I say the things I say. I ate pudding and a cold meat sandwhich for lunch today. It was delicious. When I got to school my first to classes were cancelled. Sweet. Then we got out early because one of our teachers was sick. I have German class tonight. Tomorrow School. Thurday school and German. Friday I have ballroom dancing and then maybe going out with friends.(:
Well that is everything that was eventful in my life today. Sorry for the grammar mistakes.
Missing everyone. <3 Me
Well that is everything that was eventful in my life today. Sorry for the grammar mistakes.
Missing everyone. <3 Me
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Birthday Pics
Birthday Abroad.
On Saturday I turned 17. To celebrate my sister, her boyfriend, Jaqueline, and two other friends took me out to the disco. We danced until Midnight and then everyone under 18 had to leave. It was really fun. They had techno music and we just danced and talked the night away. The next morning I had a huge breakfast with both of my host families.I had to make pancakes. (: They turned out good and eveyone loved them. I got presents from everyone. I also got to open all of the cards that were sent in my package last week. When we got ready to sit down and eat everyone sang Happy birthday to me. I cried. (: It was a very nice morning. That afternoon I went with Annika my host sister to get my nails done. It cost 10 Euro (for those who don't know that is super cheap.. ) After that we went home. I was skyping with my brother and Skylar when my host sister yelled for me to come upstairs. I was wondering what was going on. When I got to the top of the stairs 4 of my classmates from school started to sing Happy Birthday. They had a chocolate cake with my name spelled in M&Ms. They asked if I wanted to go out to eat with them We went to a little resteraunt with about 15 people from the upperclasses. It was so nice everyone said happy birthday and then we just sat around and talked for hours. We then went to another pub kind of place. It was American. (: One of the girls bought me a Reeses peanut butter cup.. Yummy .. I also had a hot dog.. American style. After that my host sisters met me and we all rode the bust back home together. This morning I had to blow out my candles on my cake. As we were eating I saw a huge spider crawl across the floor. It was disgusting. My host sisters and I jumped up and went into the kitched while my host dad killed it.. ! Today I have to do my homework and hopefully I get to sleep some. Since I have got here it has been run run run. I am having so much fun. Just a few seconds ago I got a video from everyone in my school wishing me Happy Birthday. I didn't cry but I was close. I loved it (: Thanks to everyone.
Well that was my rambling about my birthday here in Germany.
Thanks for reading.
Auf Wiedersehen
<3 Me
Well that was my rambling about my birthday here in Germany.
Thanks for reading.
Auf Wiedersehen
<3 Me
Friday, October 8, 2010
Making the bed.
Today at school I only had 2 classes. They were both only a half hour. Talk about an awesome day of school. When I got home I had to clean up my room because we are having company over for my birthday tomorrow. My host mom layed out sheets and a pillowcase for my bed. Well first I threw everything off the bed. I took off the sheet and it was normal sheet. When I opened the new sheet it looked like a pillowcase. I am not really sure if it was actually a sheet or not. It doesn't quite go all the way on my bed. Oh well it all sleeps the same. I think I will have my host mom help me when she gets home.
Sorry if this not to interesting and the I am just rambling.
I also had to take out the trash and clean my closet mirror. There is a plummer in the house and he is making tons of noise and I really need to use the restroom but I am not sure if that is ok?..:/ Tonight I am going out with Franzi, Annika, Archie, and Jaqueline for my birthday. I am super excited. I will be 17!
The Dilemmas of my week:
1. My credit card doesn't work at everybank
2. I have to figure out how to make pancakes for 13 people
3. I need more tape
4. I can't say Oliver correctly in German
5. My English is getting worse and sadly my German is getting better ?
6. Today I got hit with the bus door.
7. I will never be able to play handball(like soccer and basketball mixed)
8. I don't think I could be a professional bed maker
9. School is super hard
10. I am thinking about how in the world I am going to get everything back into my suitcases to make it to my second host families house.
11. Bikes just may be the death of me
Well I am super tired. I am going to go and lay down for a litte snooze. :)
Oh and sorry for any grammar or spelling mistakes. I am not going to re-read this before I post it.
Ill write again tomorrow.
Thanks for reading
Auf Wiedersehen <3
Sorry if this not to interesting and the I am just rambling.
I also had to take out the trash and clean my closet mirror. There is a plummer in the house and he is making tons of noise and I really need to use the restroom but I am not sure if that is ok?..:/ Tonight I am going out with Franzi, Annika, Archie, and Jaqueline for my birthday. I am super excited. I will be 17!
The Dilemmas of my week:
1. My credit card doesn't work at everybank
2. I have to figure out how to make pancakes for 13 people
3. I need more tape
4. I can't say Oliver correctly in German
5. My English is getting worse and sadly my German is getting better ?
6. Today I got hit with the bus door.
7. I will never be able to play handball(like soccer and basketball mixed)
8. I don't think I could be a professional bed maker
9. School is super hard
10. I am thinking about how in the world I am going to get everything back into my suitcases to make it to my second host families house.
11. Bikes just may be the death of me
Well I am super tired. I am going to go and lay down for a litte snooze. :)
Oh and sorry for any grammar or spelling mistakes. I am not going to re-read this before I post it.
Ill write again tomorrow.
Thanks for reading
Auf Wiedersehen <3
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
One month down.. (:
Well on Saturday I will have been in Germany for one month! It feels like its the first week I got here. I am in dance classes every Monday,Wednesday, and Friday. It is not what I am used to but it is so much fun and all of the girls are so nice (:
Nothing new or interesting has really happened in the past few days other than starting dance. School is still school and will always be school. The first week of November we get off from school. I am so excited about that. I really want to go and take a train to see Felix who was in Indianola as an exchange student last year. It is his brithday party also. I still have to talk to my host parents on that one. I am starting to figure out my way around town.
Tonight I talked with one of my friends she is going to help me with my German. She is so nice. She is also in my dance classes with me. (:
On Friday I am going to be going to a ballroom class. Should be interesting.
I am starting to get a cold but that isnt really surprising to me.
Well that is all for now.
Auf Wiedersehen <3
Nothing new or interesting has really happened in the past few days other than starting dance. School is still school and will always be school. The first week of November we get off from school. I am so excited about that. I really want to go and take a train to see Felix who was in Indianola as an exchange student last year. It is his brithday party also. I still have to talk to my host parents on that one. I am starting to figure out my way around town.
Tonight I talked with one of my friends she is going to help me with my German. She is so nice. She is also in my dance classes with me. (:
On Friday I am going to be going to a ballroom class. Should be interesting.
I am starting to get a cold but that isnt really surprising to me.
Well that is all for now.
Auf Wiedersehen <3
Monday, October 4, 2010
Nebra
This week I went to Nebra with my hosting Rotary club. On Saturday I got up at 6:30 in the morning. I met all of the Rotary club and we got on a big bus. It was a 2 hour bus trip to get to Nebra. Once we got there we went to a museum. It was about a skydisk that was found while a few people were digging illegally on graves. On this disk is a moon, sun, stars, and three crescent shaped peices on the edges. Well as they did some searching on this disk it told way more about the seasons, how the earth moves, and insides on when to plant their crops at the right times. The disk is over thousands of years old. In the museum they had quite a few interactive activities. At the end they had a movie about the disk and how it works and why the objects were placed in the spots they were. The movie was in a dome theater so you had to lay back and it felt like you were actually in space staring at the stars and sun. After the museum we went into town to tour it. They had tons of vinyards. This town is know for their wine. They also have old buildings and castle walls still remaining. Nebra is in former east Germany. My host mom showed me the buildings of the people who didn't have money to update their houses. It was cool to see what it would have been like back in those days. That night we went to a wine testing. We got 6 wines I tried all of them but it was terrible. I gave my host dad all of the rest of my glass on all of them. We stayed in a very fancy hotel. On Sunday we went to a town about 30 min by bus away. They had more castle walls. We also got to go into a very old church. There was so much information. We also got to listen to a Organ concert. After we toured the city we went to shampange factory. We again go to test the sparkling wine. I didn't like any of it.. My host dad again got all of mine. (:
When I came home from my amazing trip I had a package waiting on my bed. It was from my friends and family back in Iowa. It was good to get everything. I got a bunch of birthday cards but my host mom is not letting me open them until Saturday.. Which I am having both of my host families over and I have to make them american pancakes (:
That is everything from my eventfull weekend.. (:
Thanks to everyone reading my blog
I love all of you.
Auf Wiedersehen <3
When I came home from my amazing trip I had a package waiting on my bed. It was from my friends and family back in Iowa. It was good to get everything. I got a bunch of birthday cards but my host mom is not letting me open them until Saturday.. Which I am having both of my host families over and I have to make them american pancakes (:
That is everything from my eventfull weekend.. (:
Thanks to everyone reading my blog
I love all of you.
Auf Wiedersehen <3
Friday, October 1, 2010
Fridays
So somethings will never change about the school week:
1. Mondays are the hardest to wake up and pay attention
2. Tuesday is just another day
3. Wednesday you are almost through the week so it makes it easier to make it to the end of school
4. Thurday well after that is is Frida
5. FRIDAY. Well in Iowa Friday was always football friday or we had some activity going on to look forward to. Now that I am in Germany fridays are even better. I go to school for 3 hours max then its the weekend. You can't really beat that.
Today was a good day. I went to school and then I bought a postcard at the book store. When I got home I had to write a letter to my second host family inviting them to my birthday breakfast on Saturday. I thought that would be an easy task until my host mom told me that I had to write it in German. She helped me and I got the card wrote...(:
After eating lunch my host mom and sister took me to the dance studio in town. They were learning the Waltz. I can't wait to go. I am looking forward to it so much. I start next monday. I will let everyone know how it goes.
Tomorrow bright and early I am off with Rotary for another trip. I am going to Nebra. Not sure what I am going to do yet but it should as always be amazing.
Nothing too exciting happened today so I will leave it at that. I will blog again on Sunday after my Rotary trip.
Thanks for reading.
Auf Wiedersehen. <3
1. Mondays are the hardest to wake up and pay attention
2. Tuesday is just another day
3. Wednesday you are almost through the week so it makes it easier to make it to the end of school
4. Thurday well after that is is Frida
5. FRIDAY. Well in Iowa Friday was always football friday or we had some activity going on to look forward to. Now that I am in Germany fridays are even better. I go to school for 3 hours max then its the weekend. You can't really beat that.
Today was a good day. I went to school and then I bought a postcard at the book store. When I got home I had to write a letter to my second host family inviting them to my birthday breakfast on Saturday. I thought that would be an easy task until my host mom told me that I had to write it in German. She helped me and I got the card wrote...(:
After eating lunch my host mom and sister took me to the dance studio in town. They were learning the Waltz. I can't wait to go. I am looking forward to it so much. I start next monday. I will let everyone know how it goes.
Tomorrow bright and early I am off with Rotary for another trip. I am going to Nebra. Not sure what I am going to do yet but it should as always be amazing.
Nothing too exciting happened today so I will leave it at that. I will blog again on Sunday after my Rotary trip.
Thanks for reading.
Auf Wiedersehen. <3
Thursday, September 30, 2010
pickles.. :/
Well today I didn't have to be at school until 9:35 it was nice to get to sleep in on a Thursday. When I got to school I had English class. I have discovered that everyone here thinks I know every town in the states, oh and that I know every grammar rule in the book. They are sadly mistaken if they are counting on me for grammar lessons.. :/ I had to read a paragraph infront of the class. I also now know why every german thinks American drink Whiskey all the time. Every picture in our english book about drinking as a bottle of Whiskey in it.. After english I had Chemisty, History, and then Spainsh. I am starting to understand more and more but still not enough to participate in class.
So I named this blog pickles because after school I went into the city with Jaqueline. We wanted to eat at Burger King. I orderd mine and said I wanted everything because that was easier. Jaqueline went to order her meal but she didn't want pickles. Well the cashier didn't speak english and we don't speak German.. :/ Problem..
I tried to explain to Jaqueline that you could just pick them off but my English was not making sense. So I described a pickle to the man and he just looked at me like I was so dumb.. He then proceeded to yell for another man in the back working. He came up and I simply said No Pickles.. He goes ok and hits one button.. (: After that we paid and were on our way..
This story really has no point but nothing else exciting went on today.. I rode the bus home with my sister and now I am blogging. I got a new sweater today and some heels.. (:
Tomorrow I think I am going to go to the movies with my sister. Should be fun translating all of that..
Thank you for taking the time to read about my life.. <3
Auf Wiedersehen..
So I named this blog pickles because after school I went into the city with Jaqueline. We wanted to eat at Burger King. I orderd mine and said I wanted everything because that was easier. Jaqueline went to order her meal but she didn't want pickles. Well the cashier didn't speak english and we don't speak German.. :/ Problem..
I tried to explain to Jaqueline that you could just pick them off but my English was not making sense. So I described a pickle to the man and he just looked at me like I was so dumb.. He then proceeded to yell for another man in the back working. He came up and I simply said No Pickles.. He goes ok and hits one button.. (: After that we paid and were on our way..
This story really has no point but nothing else exciting went on today.. I rode the bus home with my sister and now I am blogging. I got a new sweater today and some heels.. (:
Tomorrow I think I am going to go to the movies with my sister. Should be fun translating all of that..
Thank you for taking the time to read about my life.. <3
Auf Wiedersehen..
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Busy Busy Busy
Sorry for not blogging yesterday and not today until now. I have been busy with school and going places with my family. Yesterday, School was School. In English my teacher made me stand up and talk about Iowa.. Of course I said it was the place to be. Then I didn't really have anything else so every student got to ask me a question. I got asked the typicals: Do you have sibling, What does your house look like, can you drive, do you have your own car, what are your hobbies...It was fun. My teacher tought me how to Waltz infront of the class. (: Oh yeah, I also got asked if I live on a farm. I said yes then I got asked my dad or grandpa were cowboys.. Then someone asked if I was a cowgirl. My English teacher asked me why I drive everyday to school instead of taking the bus.. I didn't really have an answer to that one. He told me its because Americans don't think about the environment but I think we are getting better at it. Not really sure though. In my free period there was a girl doing here English homework she was suppose to write deffinitons down. She asked me what Frankly meant.. I don't think I have ever used that in a normal conversation. Then when I got home I found a girl my age who rides my bike she wants to hang out so the friend situation is getting better. I do miss walking down the hallways and getting hugs. Here I don't hug anyone. It is weird. I mean I probably could if I wanted but then it would be super awkward.. (: German class yesterday was awesome I am learning to much.. I am starting to understand sentences instead of just words.
Today... well I went to school. I only had a few classes beacause our Geography teacher was sick and we got out at noon because the teachers had a conference. When I got home my host mom made hamburgers for lunch. They were pig meat but still amazing and pretty close to good ol' Iowa hamburgers. After that my host mom and I went to get Nicoli from tennis practice. He is always doing something. Once we got him from practice we went to a zoo type of park where you could walk around but they also had animals to pet. I tried to feed a Llama but another animal with a beak came up and snatched it out of my hand.I screamed.. (: It was fun. I was not feeling to well after getting home and my sister needed to go to the store so I said I would go with her. She bought a new pair of shoes and we looked for a cable to our computers instead of sharing every night. No luck. Maybe on the internet. While we were in the supermarket we saw a girl who looked very American. Her and her friend were speaking english. So after about 10 min of debating if I was going to ask her I walked up to her and asked if she was from Germany. She answered No I am from Australia. So there is another English speaker in my town. She is leaving on Saturday. She has been here for 3 weeks for school.. (:
Well I am going to call it an early night so I can get up on time and shower..
Auf Wiedersehen..<3
Today... well I went to school. I only had a few classes beacause our Geography teacher was sick and we got out at noon because the teachers had a conference. When I got home my host mom made hamburgers for lunch. They were pig meat but still amazing and pretty close to good ol' Iowa hamburgers. After that my host mom and I went to get Nicoli from tennis practice. He is always doing something. Once we got him from practice we went to a zoo type of park where you could walk around but they also had animals to pet. I tried to feed a Llama but another animal with a beak came up and snatched it out of my hand.I screamed.. (: It was fun. I was not feeling to well after getting home and my sister needed to go to the store so I said I would go with her. She bought a new pair of shoes and we looked for a cable to our computers instead of sharing every night. No luck. Maybe on the internet. While we were in the supermarket we saw a girl who looked very American. Her and her friend were speaking english. So after about 10 min of debating if I was going to ask her I walked up to her and asked if she was from Germany. She answered No I am from Australia. So there is another English speaker in my town. She is leaving on Saturday. She has been here for 3 weeks for school.. (:
Well I am going to call it an early night so I can get up on time and shower..
Auf Wiedersehen..<3
Monday, September 27, 2010
Routine.
Hey all,
I am starting to get into a routine. It isn't as hard to get up in the mornings anymore. School is just school again. Not oh my goodness I get to meet tons of new people and a new building, ride a new bus. So I am not really sure what I am suppose to blog about if nothing happens. I don't really want to be boring to everyone saying the same old same old. Yesterday I went with my family to the Erimatage. It is a beautiful place and everything is so old. They have their own water so its free and cheap for them to run their fountains. They also have a castle there but it is really small. I got to go inside of it. I posted pictures on here yesterday of it. I really enjoyed looking at the inside.
It is starting to get kind of cold here. I no longer walk or ride my bike to school. I take the bus to and home from school. I am starting to get that winter cold. I am not looking forward to it at all. My room is freezing I have gloves on as I am typing this. I really want it to be warmer out again. My host sister from Brazil has never seen the snow so this winter I am going to build a snowman and go sledding with her. I am super excited. (:
Tuesday and Wednesday I have afternoon classes that I am not looking forward to. Tuesday I have German lessons and on Wednesday I am going to dance classes. I talked to a girl in my class today her name is Brenda. In December or January she is going to New Zealand for 2 months on an exchange and another pupil is coming to our class. The exchange students are slowly taking over... (:
This weekend I am going on another Rotary trip with my club. I don't know where but it is two days and its with Rotary so it can be nothing less than amazing.
Well that is all for today.
Auf Wiedersehen.
I am starting to get into a routine. It isn't as hard to get up in the mornings anymore. School is just school again. Not oh my goodness I get to meet tons of new people and a new building, ride a new bus. So I am not really sure what I am suppose to blog about if nothing happens. I don't really want to be boring to everyone saying the same old same old. Yesterday I went with my family to the Erimatage. It is a beautiful place and everything is so old. They have their own water so its free and cheap for them to run their fountains. They also have a castle there but it is really small. I got to go inside of it. I posted pictures on here yesterday of it. I really enjoyed looking at the inside.
It is starting to get kind of cold here. I no longer walk or ride my bike to school. I take the bus to and home from school. I am starting to get that winter cold. I am not looking forward to it at all. My room is freezing I have gloves on as I am typing this. I really want it to be warmer out again. My host sister from Brazil has never seen the snow so this winter I am going to build a snowman and go sledding with her. I am super excited. (:
Tuesday and Wednesday I have afternoon classes that I am not looking forward to. Tuesday I have German lessons and on Wednesday I am going to dance classes. I talked to a girl in my class today her name is Brenda. In December or January she is going to New Zealand for 2 months on an exchange and another pupil is coming to our class. The exchange students are slowly taking over... (:
This weekend I am going on another Rotary trip with my club. I don't know where but it is two days and its with Rotary so it can be nothing less than amazing.
Well that is all for today.
Auf Wiedersehen.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)