Well, about 8 months in and I'm still not satisfied with public transportation. It's one thing that I should probably stop expecting to get any better anytime soon. It wouldn't be so bad if it wasn't so cold at night, or so late, so maybe when it's warmer I'll stop being so crabby about my taxi being 15 minutes late and making me think that I don't have a way. Okay, breathing.
I guess a lot has happened in the past couple of months that I haven't had a chance to tell you yet, so I'll just try and sum up everything short and sweet. First of all, I went to a seminar in Cologne and met up with the other foreign exchange students for five days. While it was nice to see everybody, I didn't feel quite satisfied with it when it was over. Maybe my expectations were too high. I came in feeling lost and expecting to leave with an energy boost of good thoughts and optimism, but I came out feeling just as, if not more, lost. I guess I just expected all of my problems to be solved, but they weren't. By the way, my English isn't doing so well. I'm trying to correct mistakes as I go, but if I miss a few and spell sum as some, you'll know why.
Moving on a couple of weeks after that little low point after the seminar, things started to come together for me. I started to realize things about the culture here that I like, such as the common courtesy everybody has for eachother, well if you're going into somebody's house at least. The other day I was getting on the bus, and had entered from the back instead of from the front because I knew I already had a ticket and didn't think it was a problem. Anyways, I ended up being called to the front and yelled at by the bus driver because I didn't enter from the front, even after I showed him that I had a ticket. I told him I was American and still trying to figure out how things work, and he said it didn't interest him. Okay, lesson learned. Anyways, I mean there is a great amount of courtesy in more comfortable atmospheres. I have also recently gotten a hang of the language and prefer to speak it rather than English.
Things are also going well regarding the people here. I have made a lot of friends in school and am getting along great with my host family. During my low point I felt it hard to communicate with the people around me and I think I was introverting myself a little bit because of that. Now it's a lot easier to say what I need to to describe how I feel and why, so I'm being more social. I guess a language can do that to you. Looking back on it, I think that if I had known the german language better than I would have been better off at the start. However, on the other hand I feel like I made a lot of friends because I was forced to ask what was going on around us so it gave us a good ground to start off on, if that makes sense.
Something that I was told before I came here was to try and finish all of my stuff with college before I came here. What amazing advice that was. I don't know if having to deal with college while I was here could be avoided, but if it could have, I would have done it in a heartbeat. Trying to find the motivation to fill out applications, to contact people who needed to be contacted, to write essays, and to get everything done on time along with dealing with things here in Germany and trying to keep in contact with my friends in family back in the US was, and still is, incredibly difficult. It will be nice when it's over with.
So I figured I just give you a short update so you knew I was still alive. I'm alive! And besides being a little frustrated from public transportation, doing well. I love you all and will be back home in 3 or so months! I promise you'll receive a new update before then ;)
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Friday, January 6, 2012
Oh Tannenbaum, Oh Tannenbaum
Phase 2 of culture shock, meet phase 3.
I am now transitioning into the phase of culture shock in which I'm finally starting to come to terms with being in Germany, including its traditions, language, and culture. I am comfortable with pretty much everything, and more and more so as the days go by. I am on my way to a fantastic time here in Deutschland!
Holidays:
German weihnachten (Christmas) was actually on Christmas Eve, and was celebrated with the immediate family. Usually a typical german family will go to church and then come back home, open presents, and then eat dinner. My host family attempted to go to church, but we had thought it was an hour later than it actually was, so we went for a small walk instead. Then all of the children were sent upstairs into my host sister's room to "play" while the Christkind came (Christ child- something like an angel) and put all of the presents under the tree. Then my host parents called all of us down and said the Christkind had come! How wonderful! (Santa Clause = Nikolaus and he came on the 6th of December, called Nikolaus Tag, or Nikolaus day, where we receieved our stockings along with a small present). We proceeded to stand in front of the Tannenbaum (Christmas tree) and then all of the children repeated a christmas story or a christmas lied (song) and then we opened presents. Everything was so beautiful! My host family gave me 2 t-shirts and my mom sent many things such as shoes and scarves. I was so thankful for everything and felt a little silly for how greedy I felt I'd been previous Christmases, as germans don't receive much for Christmas, at least in my host family. Everybody was happy with what they'd gotten, and I was overjoyed. Next we ate fondue for dinner, which is also very typical for holiday dinners, then played monopoly for four hours, of which I lost and picked teams with my host mom against my oldest host sister and host dad. It was fantastic. The next day, the 25th, is the 2nd Christmas day in which most german families visit non-immediate families (we went to the Black Forest) and spend the day there. The 26th is the 3rd Christmas day in which germans have another excuse to have a party (oh how germans love to party!), however my host family and I just stayed home and relaxed on that day.
New Years Eve is celebrated pretty much the same as in America- drinking, eating, talking, partying until 12 midnight and later, with the exception of watching a ball drop. I did, however, see the film Happy New Years, which is New Years Eve in America, but because New Years Eve is actually called Silvester in German, they changed the name (they do have New Year- Neue Jahr). On the 3rd of January, we packed up all of the Christmas stuff and our holiday spirits along with it. It was very nice while it lasted.
The past two weeks I haven't had any school, and therefore not much to do, so I pretty much sat around the house waiting for an opportunity of entertainment to come along. However, my host mom wasn't happy with us not doing anything, as most moms would be, and she sent us to a pool in the nearest city, which turned out to be extremely nice and relaxing. I have also started going on walks with the dog and that's a good way of relaxation.
That brings us to today, in which I went to Speyer with my host family to visit an old church, which was beautiful. There was a Christmas market still going on by the church and there was a clarinetist (?) playing along with beautiful lights and german christmas spirit. That's when I decided that I should start enjoying things here instead of waiting for time to go by (which I've gotten into the habit of) and when I finally realized that I loved everything that I've experienced so far in Germany. How wonderful that feeling was. Then to top it off, we went out to eat in a nice restaurant. What a great day today has been.
My German has come along pretty well and I can understand and speak 300 times better than I could in the beginning. I am starting to be able to not only get my point across but form my sentences correctly as I do so. Everyday it gets better and better, as well as with my host family. I've moved from not being my baby host sister's friend to being "her alex". I've become good friends with my oldest host sister, and my middle host sister and I get along very well. I can now steal my host mom's food from her plate and talk with my host dad about things such as maps and anything interesting about where we are in the moment. It's a good feeling.
Well, I think that satisfies the definition of a novel of an update. I'll try and be better and not send you one update per month... ;) Hope your holidays went as well as mine! Happy New Year everybody!
I am now transitioning into the phase of culture shock in which I'm finally starting to come to terms with being in Germany, including its traditions, language, and culture. I am comfortable with pretty much everything, and more and more so as the days go by. I am on my way to a fantastic time here in Deutschland!
Holidays:
German weihnachten (Christmas) was actually on Christmas Eve, and was celebrated with the immediate family. Usually a typical german family will go to church and then come back home, open presents, and then eat dinner. My host family attempted to go to church, but we had thought it was an hour later than it actually was, so we went for a small walk instead. Then all of the children were sent upstairs into my host sister's room to "play" while the Christkind came (Christ child- something like an angel) and put all of the presents under the tree. Then my host parents called all of us down and said the Christkind had come! How wonderful! (Santa Clause = Nikolaus and he came on the 6th of December, called Nikolaus Tag, or Nikolaus day, where we receieved our stockings along with a small present). We proceeded to stand in front of the Tannenbaum (Christmas tree) and then all of the children repeated a christmas story or a christmas lied (song) and then we opened presents. Everything was so beautiful! My host family gave me 2 t-shirts and my mom sent many things such as shoes and scarves. I was so thankful for everything and felt a little silly for how greedy I felt I'd been previous Christmases, as germans don't receive much for Christmas, at least in my host family. Everybody was happy with what they'd gotten, and I was overjoyed. Next we ate fondue for dinner, which is also very typical for holiday dinners, then played monopoly for four hours, of which I lost and picked teams with my host mom against my oldest host sister and host dad. It was fantastic. The next day, the 25th, is the 2nd Christmas day in which most german families visit non-immediate families (we went to the Black Forest) and spend the day there. The 26th is the 3rd Christmas day in which germans have another excuse to have a party (oh how germans love to party!), however my host family and I just stayed home and relaxed on that day.
New Years Eve is celebrated pretty much the same as in America- drinking, eating, talking, partying until 12 midnight and later, with the exception of watching a ball drop. I did, however, see the film Happy New Years, which is New Years Eve in America, but because New Years Eve is actually called Silvester in German, they changed the name (they do have New Year- Neue Jahr). On the 3rd of January, we packed up all of the Christmas stuff and our holiday spirits along with it. It was very nice while it lasted.
The past two weeks I haven't had any school, and therefore not much to do, so I pretty much sat around the house waiting for an opportunity of entertainment to come along. However, my host mom wasn't happy with us not doing anything, as most moms would be, and she sent us to a pool in the nearest city, which turned out to be extremely nice and relaxing. I have also started going on walks with the dog and that's a good way of relaxation.
That brings us to today, in which I went to Speyer with my host family to visit an old church, which was beautiful. There was a Christmas market still going on by the church and there was a clarinetist (?) playing along with beautiful lights and german christmas spirit. That's when I decided that I should start enjoying things here instead of waiting for time to go by (which I've gotten into the habit of) and when I finally realized that I loved everything that I've experienced so far in Germany. How wonderful that feeling was. Then to top it off, we went out to eat in a nice restaurant. What a great day today has been.
My German has come along pretty well and I can understand and speak 300 times better than I could in the beginning. I am starting to be able to not only get my point across but form my sentences correctly as I do so. Everyday it gets better and better, as well as with my host family. I've moved from not being my baby host sister's friend to being "her alex". I've become good friends with my oldest host sister, and my middle host sister and I get along very well. I can now steal my host mom's food from her plate and talk with my host dad about things such as maps and anything interesting about where we are in the moment. It's a good feeling.
Well, I think that satisfies the definition of a novel of an update. I'll try and be better and not send you one update per month... ;) Hope your holidays went as well as mine! Happy New Year everybody!
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Jingle Bells Jingle Bells
It's now December and Weinachten (Christmas) is around the corner. This is going to be my 5th month here in Deutschland and only 7 left to go. Where has all of the time gone? Have I been sleeping these past 4 or so months? It still catches me off guard when I'm reading signs in stores in German or when I find myself understanding what the people around me are saying, and yet it's not in English. I'm feeling very sentimental at the moment, so I apologize ahead of time if this blog is a little too sappy for your liking. I promise it won't be every post! Unless you like that sort of thing ;)
To start off, I went to a disco party yesterday night (my first one!). It has absolutely nothing to do with the word disco, other than the fact that there are bright, moving lights and loud music. Everybody decided not to wear platform shoes and flare jeans with sparkle-embroidered jackets it seems. There was of course alchohol and a room full of people that made it almost impossible to squeeze through to where you wanted to go. It was fun nevertheless, despite the fact that I'm not much of a I-like-to-be-in-a-mob-of-people type girl. Then I spent the night at a new friend's house and that was also fun, although it just consisted of sleeping. However, I spoke with her parents the next morning about being here (since when, for how long, do you like it, etc.) and was very pleased to find out how nice they are. I'm always afraid of not pleasing my friend's parents, not sure why, and the fear increasing with my German friend's parents. My friend also suggested that I write my blog in German and then translate it so both Germans and Americans can read it- I think that might have to wait until I can form better sentences though. Coming soon: Alex's blog in both German and English! Oooh. Ahhhh.
I'm currently expecting my Heimweh (homesickness) to increase now that the holidays are around. So far it hasn't gotten much worse, just missing my cat or speaking English here and there. I'm trying to keep busy to distract myself, however when I do too much I find myself becoming overwhelmed, so I have yet to find a balance. I'm doing aerobic on Thursdays (which consists of me trying to figure out what the lady wants me to do the whole time, although lately I'm starting to fit some actual exercise in!) and choir on Wednesdays. I have Mittagschule (school in the afternoon) on Mondays and Tuesdays and then on Fridays I usually help my host mom bake cookies or a cake, or go out with some friends. Weekends are usually more relaxed though, but there are Weinachts Markt(s?) that I have to go to! Christmas Markets that is, if I haven't cleared that up before. Those consist of pretty lights, Gluehwein (hot, spiced wine), lots of people, and a happy Christmasy feeling. I love going to them and I'm going to be sad when they're taken down.
My host mom bakes these heart-shaped cookies with marmalade between and half dipped in chocolate, and they taste amazing. This last week I was sick and a little sad about everything, and I received one of those heart-shaped cookies first from my host mom in my lunch box with a note saying "alles wird gut!" (everything will be okay), then from my 11 year-old host sister that she left of my desk when I was sleeping, and then from my host dad who brought me one when I was making a lasagna. It made me feel so special and reminded me again how much I love being here. However, a fellow blogger and friend that is also here for the year pointed out how she tries her best to avoid conflicts and confrontations with her host family because they don't have to love you no matter what happens, and I realized how true that was. I'm always trying my best to please them and make sure that everything between us is okay that sometimes it gets a little exhausting. I love them to bits, but I wish I was at peace with the idea that I'm not going to have to move to another host family any time soon, or hopefully ever. That was my biggest fear in coming here.
Another thing that's happened lately is I'm starting to drift apart from my friends that I had in the beginning, and that's a little scary. I think we're a little different personality wise and it seems as if they're a little unhappy with me, although I've yet to find out why. It could just be the stress of school (Germans in the 11th grade are now taking tests that counts towards their Abitur, which is a huge test that they study years for and they must pass in order to graduate) or it could just be that I'm not talking very much, mostly because I can't seem to find the words I want in order to contribute to their conversations. Either way, it's teaching me to extend myself to new people and become a little more outgoing which I've always needed. I've found that I need to feel comfortable with people before I can become my normal self, and I'm hoping to overcome that, if it's even possible. However I'm hoping that I can stay friends with everybody, I definitely don't want to start any conflicts while I'm here. I want to enjoy everything to the fullest extent while I'm here!
Well I guess this blog post wasn't as sentimental as I thought it would be, so you're welcome for sparing your eyes ;) No worries though, it'll be sure to come one of these times!
Bis Bald (see you soon)!
To start off, I went to a disco party yesterday night (my first one!). It has absolutely nothing to do with the word disco, other than the fact that there are bright, moving lights and loud music. Everybody decided not to wear platform shoes and flare jeans with sparkle-embroidered jackets it seems. There was of course alchohol and a room full of people that made it almost impossible to squeeze through to where you wanted to go. It was fun nevertheless, despite the fact that I'm not much of a I-like-to-be-in-a-mob-of-people type girl. Then I spent the night at a new friend's house and that was also fun, although it just consisted of sleeping. However, I spoke with her parents the next morning about being here (since when, for how long, do you like it, etc.) and was very pleased to find out how nice they are. I'm always afraid of not pleasing my friend's parents, not sure why, and the fear increasing with my German friend's parents. My friend also suggested that I write my blog in German and then translate it so both Germans and Americans can read it- I think that might have to wait until I can form better sentences though. Coming soon: Alex's blog in both German and English! Oooh. Ahhhh.
I'm currently expecting my Heimweh (homesickness) to increase now that the holidays are around. So far it hasn't gotten much worse, just missing my cat or speaking English here and there. I'm trying to keep busy to distract myself, however when I do too much I find myself becoming overwhelmed, so I have yet to find a balance. I'm doing aerobic on Thursdays (which consists of me trying to figure out what the lady wants me to do the whole time, although lately I'm starting to fit some actual exercise in!) and choir on Wednesdays. I have Mittagschule (school in the afternoon) on Mondays and Tuesdays and then on Fridays I usually help my host mom bake cookies or a cake, or go out with some friends. Weekends are usually more relaxed though, but there are Weinachts Markt(s?) that I have to go to! Christmas Markets that is, if I haven't cleared that up before. Those consist of pretty lights, Gluehwein (hot, spiced wine), lots of people, and a happy Christmasy feeling. I love going to them and I'm going to be sad when they're taken down.
My host mom bakes these heart-shaped cookies with marmalade between and half dipped in chocolate, and they taste amazing. This last week I was sick and a little sad about everything, and I received one of those heart-shaped cookies first from my host mom in my lunch box with a note saying "alles wird gut!" (everything will be okay), then from my 11 year-old host sister that she left of my desk when I was sleeping, and then from my host dad who brought me one when I was making a lasagna. It made me feel so special and reminded me again how much I love being here. However, a fellow blogger and friend that is also here for the year pointed out how she tries her best to avoid conflicts and confrontations with her host family because they don't have to love you no matter what happens, and I realized how true that was. I'm always trying my best to please them and make sure that everything between us is okay that sometimes it gets a little exhausting. I love them to bits, but I wish I was at peace with the idea that I'm not going to have to move to another host family any time soon, or hopefully ever. That was my biggest fear in coming here.
Another thing that's happened lately is I'm starting to drift apart from my friends that I had in the beginning, and that's a little scary. I think we're a little different personality wise and it seems as if they're a little unhappy with me, although I've yet to find out why. It could just be the stress of school (Germans in the 11th grade are now taking tests that counts towards their Abitur, which is a huge test that they study years for and they must pass in order to graduate) or it could just be that I'm not talking very much, mostly because I can't seem to find the words I want in order to contribute to their conversations. Either way, it's teaching me to extend myself to new people and become a little more outgoing which I've always needed. I've found that I need to feel comfortable with people before I can become my normal self, and I'm hoping to overcome that, if it's even possible. However I'm hoping that I can stay friends with everybody, I definitely don't want to start any conflicts while I'm here. I want to enjoy everything to the fullest extent while I'm here!
Well I guess this blog post wasn't as sentimental as I thought it would be, so you're welcome for sparing your eyes ;) No worries though, it'll be sure to come one of these times!
Bis Bald (see you soon)!
Friday, November 25, 2011
Turkey Day
Yesterday was the longest, yet most beautiful day I've had so far in Germany. I'm sure I don't need to tell you why, but just in case you were really doubtful of your guess, I took the opportunity and brought Thanksgiving to Germany. Well, to my host family and a few friends here.
It started out just an idea a couple of months ago- that we have a Thanksgiving dinner, and that I would be the one to cook it. Then a week ago I spent a couple of hours collecting different recipes and making a shopping list and started to get an idea of what I had really gotten myself in to. I was to cook for 16-18 people in total. I was generally okay with that thought- that is until the 17 pound turkey arrived from the butcher shop. After that I was completely nervous and anxious and having dreams about dropping the turkey as it came out of the oven, which it barely fit in in reality. How was I supposed to make all of these things that I've never made by myself before?!
On Wednesday, the cooking began. I made an apple pie and cherry cheesecake, as well as prepared the bread for the stuffing. As soon as I got home from school the next day, yesterday, I started on the sweet potato casserole, then the glazed carrots, mashed potatoes, peas, rolls, and the stuffing. After I hauled the turkey in the oven and everything else ready to cook, I took one look at the kitchen and decided it was just best to sit down. There was food everywhere and so were my thoughts. Needless to say, I was exhausted from spending quite a few hours on cooking. Where was help, might you ask? Well, I forbid it, at least from my host mom.
My host mom couldn't keep out of the kitchen and asked me several times if she was allowed to help. Several meaning at least once per five mintues. However, I wanted the dinner to be a thank-you for my host parents from me. That wouldn't work if I let her help! However after a couple of hours I gave in and let her cut the onions, but only because my eyes would be watering for hours if I had done it. Okay, maybe not for hours, but I had cooking to do and couldn't afford to waste any time crying over cut onions!
In Germany, it's very polite to bring a little something for somebody who invites you over for an event, so as people arrived I gladly accepted several boxes of chocolate. One thing that made the night extra special was that my neighbor decided to print out some information on Thanksgiving as nobody really knew what it was, so she explained a little bit about it as a sort of speech, including how Black Friday is perfect for women. The she turned to me and asked me what I'm thankful for, and I proceeded to thank everybody for making me feel like I have a home here in Germany. I also thanked my host family for how kind they've been and for allowing me to live with such wonderful people. They thanked me as well and all of them gave me a hug. Sounds cheesy, but it was absolutely perfect.
Next came the eating. The turkey came out wonderfully and didn't, thankfully, end up on the ground. Everybody complimented freely and told me how they liked everything. They're all such fantastic people and I felt obliged to cook for everybody. When I was eating, everything hit me. I'm in Germany! I'm sharing my culture! I just cooked a dinner for 18 people pretty much by myself! I also had invited one of the girls over who I had been speaking with a lot in my classes and she came! Everything was perfect. (Not completely actually- I forgot the gravy...)
To top it all off, I skyped my family after my night was over and was reminded how loved I am, what with my sister-in-law crying and everybody looking so thrilled with everything I said. It was really, honestly, a perfect day. I couldn't have asked for anything better.
It started out just an idea a couple of months ago- that we have a Thanksgiving dinner, and that I would be the one to cook it. Then a week ago I spent a couple of hours collecting different recipes and making a shopping list and started to get an idea of what I had really gotten myself in to. I was to cook for 16-18 people in total. I was generally okay with that thought- that is until the 17 pound turkey arrived from the butcher shop. After that I was completely nervous and anxious and having dreams about dropping the turkey as it came out of the oven, which it barely fit in in reality. How was I supposed to make all of these things that I've never made by myself before?!
On Wednesday, the cooking began. I made an apple pie and cherry cheesecake, as well as prepared the bread for the stuffing. As soon as I got home from school the next day, yesterday, I started on the sweet potato casserole, then the glazed carrots, mashed potatoes, peas, rolls, and the stuffing. After I hauled the turkey in the oven and everything else ready to cook, I took one look at the kitchen and decided it was just best to sit down. There was food everywhere and so were my thoughts. Needless to say, I was exhausted from spending quite a few hours on cooking. Where was help, might you ask? Well, I forbid it, at least from my host mom.
My host mom couldn't keep out of the kitchen and asked me several times if she was allowed to help. Several meaning at least once per five mintues. However, I wanted the dinner to be a thank-you for my host parents from me. That wouldn't work if I let her help! However after a couple of hours I gave in and let her cut the onions, but only because my eyes would be watering for hours if I had done it. Okay, maybe not for hours, but I had cooking to do and couldn't afford to waste any time crying over cut onions!
In Germany, it's very polite to bring a little something for somebody who invites you over for an event, so as people arrived I gladly accepted several boxes of chocolate. One thing that made the night extra special was that my neighbor decided to print out some information on Thanksgiving as nobody really knew what it was, so she explained a little bit about it as a sort of speech, including how Black Friday is perfect for women. The she turned to me and asked me what I'm thankful for, and I proceeded to thank everybody for making me feel like I have a home here in Germany. I also thanked my host family for how kind they've been and for allowing me to live with such wonderful people. They thanked me as well and all of them gave me a hug. Sounds cheesy, but it was absolutely perfect.
Next came the eating. The turkey came out wonderfully and didn't, thankfully, end up on the ground. Everybody complimented freely and told me how they liked everything. They're all such fantastic people and I felt obliged to cook for everybody. When I was eating, everything hit me. I'm in Germany! I'm sharing my culture! I just cooked a dinner for 18 people pretty much by myself! I also had invited one of the girls over who I had been speaking with a lot in my classes and she came! Everything was perfect. (Not completely actually- I forgot the gravy...)
To top it all off, I skyped my family after my night was over and was reminded how loved I am, what with my sister-in-law crying and everybody looking so thrilled with everything I said. It was really, honestly, a perfect day. I couldn't have asked for anything better.
17-lb Turkey
Sweet-Potato-Casserole
Stuffing!
Apple Pie
Advents Craft I made!
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Story Time!
I'm not sure why my thoughts brought me here, I don't really have a point in making this blog post. However, I had this strong urge to write, so here I am.
Since I've been here I've had horrible back pains, which I think have resulted from stress, or just bad posture that I can't quite seem to remember to fix throughout the day. I told my host parents about it a couple of weeks ago and they told me I should go to the doctor who's pretty good friends with them so she could look at it. Weird that I couldn't just go to a chiropractor right away, right? So, I went to the doctor, and of course she referred me to a specialist, but Krankengymnastic (phsyical therapy basically) instead of just a chiropractor. Yesterday was my 5th appointment with them, and it's been working for the most part, the lady who helps me just shows me some exercises to build up my upper back muscles.
While about to go to my physical therapy appointment yesterday (I ride my bike there, it's about a 15 minute ride), I look for the key to open the garage to get my bike, and it's not there. I went outside to double-check that it was closed, and it was. Next step: ask my host sister where the key is. We spent about 5 minutes looking for it, and my host sister ended up calling my host mom. After no luck of finding it, I ended up having to take the bus, which came the same time my appointment started. This is just one example of something that I very easily become stressed over. "Come on Alex, there's nothing you can do about it! Take the dang bus and stop being so stressed over everything!" came to my mind several times when I felt like I needed to cry. Nevertheless, the public transportation didn't fail my expectations and the bus came about 4 minutes late, and having to walk to physical therapy from the bus stop, I was about 15 minutes late for the 30 minute appointment.
I expected to walk in there and somebody tell me, "Forget it, you're completely late for your appointment. You don't get another one, go home." Walking in there cringing, my mouth already open to explain why I was so late, I was greeted with smiling faces from the receptionist and my Physical Therapist saying "Ah da bist du!" (There you are!). They explained that they had called my house wondering where I was and my host sister had told them what was going on. They could tell I was stressed, probably from my constant furrowed brow, and turned immediately into my counselors and kept telling me everything was okay. We used the remaining amount of time to go over another exercise. At the end, I was talking with the receptionist to apologize and tell her I needed to reschedule my next appointment (we're going to the Black Forest again and I wouldn't be here), and she asked me how long I'd been speaking German. I told her three months, and she was astonished- more enthusiastic then the other people's responses had been when I told them. She continued to tell me that I speak fantastic German (which I've still yet to believe) and that WAIT... I don't have an accent!! That was the first time I've heard it, and I completely and sincerely hope it's true. That immediately made all of my stress go away. No accent!!
Then, to top it all off, some random guy who was waiting for his appointment also commented on my German and helped me put my jacket on- how sweet! Needless to say, yesterday night was an improvement. I think it's so funny how when things are going wonderfully I forget how it is to feel so upset over something. For example, just the other day I was submitting my honors application for the college I want to go to. It wouldn't submit, and that was the last day I could turn it in. It wanted me to select a major when it wouldn't give me a major to select. After about 5 hours of randomly crying, screaming at my computer (which I've sworn off of because of how pointless it is- which shows you how seriously upset I was over this thing), and just about giving up, my mom ended up calling them and leaving them a message to tell them that it wouldn't let me submit it. It was about 3:30 in the morning when I ended up going to bed (bad Alex). I was so completely frustrated over this only to find out the next day that because I'm a nursing major, I have to wait for the school to actually accept me as a nursing major before I can confirm it and before it can appear on the application. There's a special honors committee that reviews this handful of applications in January, and the guy emailed me this and told me that he'd put me on the list. It was nice of them to tell me this before I worried so much over it... anyways. Stress = gone.
Now, when I've had such a good day and could just stay home and relax, I've forgotten completely what it feels like to be so stressed out. Admittedly, I can be a little silly sometimes.
Well, that's all that's really been going on so far! Besides the fact that one of my good friends from this program is going back to America tomorrow, which I'm sad about. However I think it's for the best for him, I won't go into too much detail about that.
Gute Nacht Leser(in)s! (Goodnight readers!)
Since I've been here I've had horrible back pains, which I think have resulted from stress, or just bad posture that I can't quite seem to remember to fix throughout the day. I told my host parents about it a couple of weeks ago and they told me I should go to the doctor who's pretty good friends with them so she could look at it. Weird that I couldn't just go to a chiropractor right away, right? So, I went to the doctor, and of course she referred me to a specialist, but Krankengymnastic (phsyical therapy basically) instead of just a chiropractor. Yesterday was my 5th appointment with them, and it's been working for the most part, the lady who helps me just shows me some exercises to build up my upper back muscles.
While about to go to my physical therapy appointment yesterday (I ride my bike there, it's about a 15 minute ride), I look for the key to open the garage to get my bike, and it's not there. I went outside to double-check that it was closed, and it was. Next step: ask my host sister where the key is. We spent about 5 minutes looking for it, and my host sister ended up calling my host mom. After no luck of finding it, I ended up having to take the bus, which came the same time my appointment started. This is just one example of something that I very easily become stressed over. "Come on Alex, there's nothing you can do about it! Take the dang bus and stop being so stressed over everything!" came to my mind several times when I felt like I needed to cry. Nevertheless, the public transportation didn't fail my expectations and the bus came about 4 minutes late, and having to walk to physical therapy from the bus stop, I was about 15 minutes late for the 30 minute appointment.
I expected to walk in there and somebody tell me, "Forget it, you're completely late for your appointment. You don't get another one, go home." Walking in there cringing, my mouth already open to explain why I was so late, I was greeted with smiling faces from the receptionist and my Physical Therapist saying "Ah da bist du!" (There you are!). They explained that they had called my house wondering where I was and my host sister had told them what was going on. They could tell I was stressed, probably from my constant furrowed brow, and turned immediately into my counselors and kept telling me everything was okay. We used the remaining amount of time to go over another exercise. At the end, I was talking with the receptionist to apologize and tell her I needed to reschedule my next appointment (we're going to the Black Forest again and I wouldn't be here), and she asked me how long I'd been speaking German. I told her three months, and she was astonished- more enthusiastic then the other people's responses had been when I told them. She continued to tell me that I speak fantastic German (which I've still yet to believe) and that WAIT... I don't have an accent!! That was the first time I've heard it, and I completely and sincerely hope it's true. That immediately made all of my stress go away. No accent!!
Then, to top it all off, some random guy who was waiting for his appointment also commented on my German and helped me put my jacket on- how sweet! Needless to say, yesterday night was an improvement. I think it's so funny how when things are going wonderfully I forget how it is to feel so upset over something. For example, just the other day I was submitting my honors application for the college I want to go to. It wouldn't submit, and that was the last day I could turn it in. It wanted me to select a major when it wouldn't give me a major to select. After about 5 hours of randomly crying, screaming at my computer (which I've sworn off of because of how pointless it is- which shows you how seriously upset I was over this thing), and just about giving up, my mom ended up calling them and leaving them a message to tell them that it wouldn't let me submit it. It was about 3:30 in the morning when I ended up going to bed (bad Alex). I was so completely frustrated over this only to find out the next day that because I'm a nursing major, I have to wait for the school to actually accept me as a nursing major before I can confirm it and before it can appear on the application. There's a special honors committee that reviews this handful of applications in January, and the guy emailed me this and told me that he'd put me on the list. It was nice of them to tell me this before I worried so much over it... anyways. Stress = gone.
Now, when I've had such a good day and could just stay home and relax, I've forgotten completely what it feels like to be so stressed out. Admittedly, I can be a little silly sometimes.
Well, that's all that's really been going on so far! Besides the fact that one of my good friends from this program is going back to America tomorrow, which I'm sad about. However I think it's for the best for him, I won't go into too much detail about that.
Gute Nacht Leser(in)s! (Goodnight readers!)
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Entschuldigung
Entschuldigung (en-chool-dee-gung) - excuse me. I need to work on writing more often.
That word will start us off with today's culture lesson. You can use this oh-so-polite word in many different sitatuations, the main ones being:
A) When you burp or provide other natural bodily functions that aren't accepted in public.
B) When you run into somebody, step on their toes, kick them in the shin, etc.
C) When you come late to class. The teachers find it very rude when you don't say entschuldigung when you come to class with the door already shut, which marks the beginning of the period.
Seems pretty simple and close to the American culture, however you can't use this word when you want somebody to move. It won't work, trust me, I've tried. You have to say something like "get out of my way" with or without a bitte (bit-ta) - please- on the end. I've found the language to be very blunt here and straight to the point, which isn't always the best feelings-saver but at least you know what everybody's thinking about you. For example, a couple of weeks ago my host dad told me that I should paint my nails a different way because he thought it would look better. Needless to say, I took his advice, I just thought it was funny that he suggested it.
Sprache Zeit (sprack-ah tsite):
Language time.
Lately I've caught myself understanding what people are saying, and then being so surprised that I'm actually understanding that I wonder how it's even possible. German just seems to be this completely different world of a language to me, and I think I've learned so much without realizing it that when I can say something that I initially thought I couldn't, or understand what my host family is saying, my mind is blown away.
This is not to say that I'm bilingual, or even close. I still don't know half the things that are going on or what joke I'm expected to get when people look at me and laugh, which I find happens often. However, the best response is always to laugh along, smile, and change the subject to the weather which I think everybody can relate to, and I can understand.
How It's Going:
Just about how it should at the moment. I have a great host family, I'm making some good friends, and I'm able to do a little bit of my homework, nevermind that it's mostly just my english homework, I still feel proud of myself. I'm also starting to appreciate more things about the culture here, like how Germans love to decorate their houses with cute mushrooms or other random things that they make by themselves. It hasn't snowed yet but I'm sure I'll appreciate that when it comes around.
I can't quite think in German but I think I'm at least dreaming a little bit in German because it's not so hard to wake up and speak German right away like it used to be.
I'm still missing things like my family and my friends and the movies (which they have here but it's not quite the same), but I'm trying to keep in mind that I'll end up missing all of the things here too when I come back to America, so I'd better take advantage of it all.
Well, hopefully next time I blog it will be soon, and hopefully I'll have seen some snow by then. Or maybe not, I think I have to buy a new jacket and some shoes which I'm trying to avoid. I'm secretly hoping it doesn't get any colder than this.
Thanks for reading and allowing me to speak English!
That word will start us off with today's culture lesson. You can use this oh-so-polite word in many different sitatuations, the main ones being:
A) When you burp or provide other natural bodily functions that aren't accepted in public.
B) When you run into somebody, step on their toes, kick them in the shin, etc.
C) When you come late to class. The teachers find it very rude when you don't say entschuldigung when you come to class with the door already shut, which marks the beginning of the period.
Seems pretty simple and close to the American culture, however you can't use this word when you want somebody to move. It won't work, trust me, I've tried. You have to say something like "get out of my way" with or without a bitte (bit-ta) - please- on the end. I've found the language to be very blunt here and straight to the point, which isn't always the best feelings-saver but at least you know what everybody's thinking about you. For example, a couple of weeks ago my host dad told me that I should paint my nails a different way because he thought it would look better. Needless to say, I took his advice, I just thought it was funny that he suggested it.
Sprache Zeit (sprack-ah tsite):
Language time.
Lately I've caught myself understanding what people are saying, and then being so surprised that I'm actually understanding that I wonder how it's even possible. German just seems to be this completely different world of a language to me, and I think I've learned so much without realizing it that when I can say something that I initially thought I couldn't, or understand what my host family is saying, my mind is blown away.
This is not to say that I'm bilingual, or even close. I still don't know half the things that are going on or what joke I'm expected to get when people look at me and laugh, which I find happens often. However, the best response is always to laugh along, smile, and change the subject to the weather which I think everybody can relate to, and I can understand.
How It's Going:
Just about how it should at the moment. I have a great host family, I'm making some good friends, and I'm able to do a little bit of my homework, nevermind that it's mostly just my english homework, I still feel proud of myself. I'm also starting to appreciate more things about the culture here, like how Germans love to decorate their houses with cute mushrooms or other random things that they make by themselves. It hasn't snowed yet but I'm sure I'll appreciate that when it comes around.
I can't quite think in German but I think I'm at least dreaming a little bit in German because it's not so hard to wake up and speak German right away like it used to be.
I'm still missing things like my family and my friends and the movies (which they have here but it's not quite the same), but I'm trying to keep in mind that I'll end up missing all of the things here too when I come back to America, so I'd better take advantage of it all.
Well, hopefully next time I blog it will be soon, and hopefully I'll have seen some snow by then. Or maybe not, I think I have to buy a new jacket and some shoes which I'm trying to avoid. I'm secretly hoping it doesn't get any colder than this.
Thanks for reading and allowing me to speak English!
Friday, October 28, 2011
In Love
It is now about my fourth Monat (month) in Deutschland.
How It's Going:
Roller-Coaster-like. Some days I'll find myself completely content with where I am and all that's around me. I'll catch myself smiling for no apparent reason and wanting to go dance around my room to songs on the radio (which are the popular songs on our radios in America). That's right, I'm in love with Germany!
Then of course, there are some days where I feel traurig (sad) as well as completely overwhelmed with this new language constantly surrounding me. Most of the time my feelings vary by moment rather than day.
Schule (school) is pretty tough, but I'm starting to understand so much more than I could at the beginning of this journey. It's fantastic when I can sit there and listen to the teacher, and when he/she is done talking my friend will turn to me, about to explain in English what was happening, and I'll turn to her with a smile on my face and repeat a summarized version in German. Of course, it's not every day or every class that I can do that, but when I can I feel like I'm on top of the world.
My host family is still as wonderful as the beginning. I'm staring to feel more comfortable in the house and being around them. It's good to feel like I have a home to go to. I'm becoming fairly close with my host sisters, in the way that close sisters are, what with tickling, pinching, and messing around with each other. My baby host sister is starting to ask for my help for things that in the beginning she wouldn't let me touch, like pouring her a drink or reading her a book. I find it so sweet.
From the last episode, I still haven't begun to fancy public transportation any more, however nothing of the sort has happened since thankfully.
About the Culture:
A week or so ago, I was with a group of friends during a free period. The bell had just rung and I was saying goodbye to everybody. One of the boys was about to hug me, and seemed very hesitant to. Me, being willing to hug anybody that comes within a foot of me, gave him a hug and said goodbye. Later on, my friend asked me if I had "liked" him. I was immediately taken back by the thought of it, said no, and asked her why she would think so. She told me that she only really hugged the people that she "liked". I checked this later on with my CR, and she said that she too only really hugged people that she liked as more than a friend, although she explained it more as a "good" hug type of hug for those people. People here aren't as open to others as much as Americans are. It's very interesting to observe.
I'm very sorry that my posts have been on the slow side. I hope that once everything becomes a bit easier I can post more often!
I'm going to the Schwarz Wald (Black Forest) this weekend with my host family. I'll let you know how it goes!
-Alexandra
How It's Going:
Roller-Coaster-like. Some days I'll find myself completely content with where I am and all that's around me. I'll catch myself smiling for no apparent reason and wanting to go dance around my room to songs on the radio (which are the popular songs on our radios in America). That's right, I'm in love with Germany!
Then of course, there are some days where I feel traurig (sad) as well as completely overwhelmed with this new language constantly surrounding me. Most of the time my feelings vary by moment rather than day.
Schule (school) is pretty tough, but I'm starting to understand so much more than I could at the beginning of this journey. It's fantastic when I can sit there and listen to the teacher, and when he/she is done talking my friend will turn to me, about to explain in English what was happening, and I'll turn to her with a smile on my face and repeat a summarized version in German. Of course, it's not every day or every class that I can do that, but when I can I feel like I'm on top of the world.
My host family is still as wonderful as the beginning. I'm staring to feel more comfortable in the house and being around them. It's good to feel like I have a home to go to. I'm becoming fairly close with my host sisters, in the way that close sisters are, what with tickling, pinching, and messing around with each other. My baby host sister is starting to ask for my help for things that in the beginning she wouldn't let me touch, like pouring her a drink or reading her a book. I find it so sweet.
From the last episode, I still haven't begun to fancy public transportation any more, however nothing of the sort has happened since thankfully.
About the Culture:
A week or so ago, I was with a group of friends during a free period. The bell had just rung and I was saying goodbye to everybody. One of the boys was about to hug me, and seemed very hesitant to. Me, being willing to hug anybody that comes within a foot of me, gave him a hug and said goodbye. Later on, my friend asked me if I had "liked" him. I was immediately taken back by the thought of it, said no, and asked her why she would think so. She told me that she only really hugged the people that she "liked". I checked this later on with my CR, and she said that she too only really hugged people that she liked as more than a friend, although she explained it more as a "good" hug type of hug for those people. People here aren't as open to others as much as Americans are. It's very interesting to observe.
I'm very sorry that my posts have been on the slow side. I hope that once everything becomes a bit easier I can post more often!
I'm going to the Schwarz Wald (Black Forest) this weekend with my host family. I'll let you know how it goes!
-Alexandra
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