Today was my second day back at the International School. I will be there until my time in Germany is over. I am helping in a grades 3/4 class. I went into this class because the english teacher is very good and was recommended to me. So far I am really enjoying it. The class is a lot of fun because I helped some of them when I first volunteered back in March and then Yannic is in the class along with most of his friends all of which I know pretty well. When I first met the class they made me count up to ten in German I of course did it with out any problems. One of the things I am excited out by being here in this class is that I will hopefully become better at German because I will be speaking with kids all day and I find they use vocabulary that is easier for me to understand.
Not a lot of drama has happened with the kids seen as it is only their second day of being back. The only thing really to happen was today a boy in grade 4 locked himself in the boys bathroom and wouldn't come out. Finally he let some of his good friends come in who talked to him and convinced him to come out. His reasoning was because he had a bad music class and didn't get along with the teacher. I find it to be that boys at that age are a lot more emotional then girls and cause a lot more drama. Every time there is some sort of arguing or crying it always seems to be involving boys. Maybe it's just they need to get it out of their system so by the time they reach being a teenager they never cry and then its girl who take on having the issues.
Since summer is over everything is slowly getting back to normal in the house. I had to watch the boys on Wednesday evening . Every time I am left alone with them one of them always wants to test me, this time it was Yannic. Over the summer Yannic got an Ipod that he is obsessed with. He is always playing it and once he starts playing he won't stop. When he came home from school I let him play thinking it wasn't going to be that hard to get him to stop but i was wrong. I have been here for six months almost and not once has Yannic ever cried to me until that night. I took away his Ipod and he started crying and yelling at me because he was being chased by cops and now he is dead and has to start all over. I was thinking to myself why can't you just be like a girl and go play with barbies. It's funny to me the things boys cry over compared to girls. Us girls always have a good logic and reason to why we cry .... right ?
After that night Yannic got his Ipod taken away because he wasn't listening to me and then he hit Dominic in the face with a towel which caused Dominic to be upset and since we're best friends he asked me to lye with him in his bunk bed which made a good ending to the hectic night that it was. As for Yannic and I we're currently friends off.
xo
Friday, 24 August 2012
Wednesday, 22 August 2012
Adventure is out there!
It's been a while since I last wrote and since then a lot has happened. This summer has been a summer I will remember for ever.
The first stop on mine and Lucas's travels was the lovely city Barcelona. We loved Barcelona because it was hot and the city was really fun. One of my favourite things about Barcelona was the Gothic Quarter. It had small side streets with tons of little shops. On our second last day we decided to rent bikes because we thought it would be fun to bike in the Gothic Quarter and make it easier to get to all the things we wanted to see. We had the bikes for 24 hours. We took the bikes out at night which we enjoyed a lot because it was nice and quiet. We biked all the way to the magic fountain that was supposed to be covered in lights but when we got there it was dark and very anti climatic. We ended up climbing up these stairs where we got to see a really nice view of the whole city. The one thing we wish we did more of was go to the beach. We went and sat by the beach a couple times but not as much as we wished. I find it hard to do everything you want when you have so much to see in a city but aren't there for long but we saw and did as much as we could so in the end our Barcelona adventure was a success!
Next stop was Krakow. We went to Krakow specifically to see Auschwitz. The first day we arrived it was 8pm. We found our Hostel and then walked to find something to eat and since we had to get up early for the Auschwitz tour we just hung out back at the hostel. In the morning we left for the Auschwitz at 8 am where we did a five hour tour which included the hour ride there and hour ride back so in total we had a 3 hour tour of the Auschwitz. The Auschwitz was very sad however I found the way the set up the museum to be very well done. After the tour we went back to the city where we were just going to relax and hangout so we weren't to tired for our long train ride in the morning but being young that didn't happen. We went out on a pub crawl that was run by 2 girls and 2 guys. Where we went to meet them was in the city centre of Krakow and it was the coolest city centre I have seen so far I only got to see it for a few hours and so it's definitely a place i'd like to go back to. Anyways back to the pub crawl, on the pub crawl it ended up just being Lucas and I which was a lot of fun, it was so much fun the 12 hour train ride to Budapest the next morning was very interesting to say the least.
Next stop Budapest. We arrived really late to Budapest so we found our hostel and just went to sleep. The next day we woke up and walked around the city which was very beautiful. The buildings that surround Budapest are so detailed and old but they have kept them all in good shape. It was very cheap in Budapest. We found an all you can eat buffet for 5 euros a person. Lucas was in heaven. Everyday he always ate there because it had pretty good food and you can beat 5 euros. I found it was more expensive to go to the bathroom then it was to buy a 1L bottle of water. My favourite part of Budapest was the Citadel. We walked up these stairs for a good 45 minutes i'd say and when you reach the top you get a 360 degree view of Budapest which was so very cool. Another thing i'd recommend doing if you go to Budapest is going to the bath houses and asking for a massage .... you will have quit the experience. To end our last night in Budapest we went on a Booze cruise along the Danube. They handed each person on the boat a full bottle of champagne ... long story short the next day was awful. I am never drinking champagne again.
Next stop Amsterdam. We flew into Eindhoven where we caught a bus that took us to Amsterdam. The bus ride was about an hour. When we arrived in Amsterdam we got a hotel because we were tired of hostels and wanted to have a nice relaxing last weekend away. We thought getting a hotel would be hard but it was really easy and not that expensive. Our first night we just relaxed . On our second day we walked threw the canal streets and did the Heineken experience. We got to see how Heineken beer was made and we got a lot of free beer. Amsterdam I found to be so unique and pretty. It was a good place to end our trip.
After two weeks of travelling we came back to Cologne where Lucas spent his last week. He hung out with me and the boys. We took the boys to the zoo and did a gondola ride across the Rhine which is Colognes main river. The boys grew to like Lucas very fast and enjoyed having him visit. They were just as sad as me when having to say good bye.
Two weeks after Lucas left the family gave me four days off because they were going on a trip with the boys to see some friends. I decided to end my summer by going to Rome. I had never gone anywhere alone and so this was a good test for me. Rome is very cool because it is filled with so much history. I found myself walking so much because I wanted to see as much as possible. My favourite place to be was the Trevi Fountain at night. It was so pretty and peaceful although very busy. I could sit and watch the fountain for hours. I ended up meeting a girl in my hostel. We spent most of our time together which was nice and I enjoyed her company. I was so nervous to go alone but in the end it turned out to be a really fun time which makes my future of travelling alone something to look forward to.
Summer,
Thanks for being so great, I will see you next year!
xo
The first stop on mine and Lucas's travels was the lovely city Barcelona. We loved Barcelona because it was hot and the city was really fun. One of my favourite things about Barcelona was the Gothic Quarter. It had small side streets with tons of little shops. On our second last day we decided to rent bikes because we thought it would be fun to bike in the Gothic Quarter and make it easier to get to all the things we wanted to see. We had the bikes for 24 hours. We took the bikes out at night which we enjoyed a lot because it was nice and quiet. We biked all the way to the magic fountain that was supposed to be covered in lights but when we got there it was dark and very anti climatic. We ended up climbing up these stairs where we got to see a really nice view of the whole city. The one thing we wish we did more of was go to the beach. We went and sat by the beach a couple times but not as much as we wished. I find it hard to do everything you want when you have so much to see in a city but aren't there for long but we saw and did as much as we could so in the end our Barcelona adventure was a success!
Next stop was Krakow. We went to Krakow specifically to see Auschwitz. The first day we arrived it was 8pm. We found our Hostel and then walked to find something to eat and since we had to get up early for the Auschwitz tour we just hung out back at the hostel. In the morning we left for the Auschwitz at 8 am where we did a five hour tour which included the hour ride there and hour ride back so in total we had a 3 hour tour of the Auschwitz. The Auschwitz was very sad however I found the way the set up the museum to be very well done. After the tour we went back to the city where we were just going to relax and hangout so we weren't to tired for our long train ride in the morning but being young that didn't happen. We went out on a pub crawl that was run by 2 girls and 2 guys. Where we went to meet them was in the city centre of Krakow and it was the coolest city centre I have seen so far I only got to see it for a few hours and so it's definitely a place i'd like to go back to. Anyways back to the pub crawl, on the pub crawl it ended up just being Lucas and I which was a lot of fun, it was so much fun the 12 hour train ride to Budapest the next morning was very interesting to say the least.
Next stop Budapest. We arrived really late to Budapest so we found our hostel and just went to sleep. The next day we woke up and walked around the city which was very beautiful. The buildings that surround Budapest are so detailed and old but they have kept them all in good shape. It was very cheap in Budapest. We found an all you can eat buffet for 5 euros a person. Lucas was in heaven. Everyday he always ate there because it had pretty good food and you can beat 5 euros. I found it was more expensive to go to the bathroom then it was to buy a 1L bottle of water. My favourite part of Budapest was the Citadel. We walked up these stairs for a good 45 minutes i'd say and when you reach the top you get a 360 degree view of Budapest which was so very cool. Another thing i'd recommend doing if you go to Budapest is going to the bath houses and asking for a massage .... you will have quit the experience. To end our last night in Budapest we went on a Booze cruise along the Danube. They handed each person on the boat a full bottle of champagne ... long story short the next day was awful. I am never drinking champagne again.
Next stop Amsterdam. We flew into Eindhoven where we caught a bus that took us to Amsterdam. The bus ride was about an hour. When we arrived in Amsterdam we got a hotel because we were tired of hostels and wanted to have a nice relaxing last weekend away. We thought getting a hotel would be hard but it was really easy and not that expensive. Our first night we just relaxed . On our second day we walked threw the canal streets and did the Heineken experience. We got to see how Heineken beer was made and we got a lot of free beer. Amsterdam I found to be so unique and pretty. It was a good place to end our trip.
After two weeks of travelling we came back to Cologne where Lucas spent his last week. He hung out with me and the boys. We took the boys to the zoo and did a gondola ride across the Rhine which is Colognes main river. The boys grew to like Lucas very fast and enjoyed having him visit. They were just as sad as me when having to say good bye.
Two weeks after Lucas left the family gave me four days off because they were going on a trip with the boys to see some friends. I decided to end my summer by going to Rome. I had never gone anywhere alone and so this was a good test for me. Rome is very cool because it is filled with so much history. I found myself walking so much because I wanted to see as much as possible. My favourite place to be was the Trevi Fountain at night. It was so pretty and peaceful although very busy. I could sit and watch the fountain for hours. I ended up meeting a girl in my hostel. We spent most of our time together which was nice and I enjoyed her company. I was so nervous to go alone but in the end it turned out to be a really fun time which makes my future of travelling alone something to look forward to.
Summer,
Thanks for being so great, I will see you next year!
xo
Monday, 16 July 2012
To My Birthday Buddy!
Lucas and I are leaving today for our big adventure and I won't be able to write in my blog for a while so I am writing this early for someone special.
As you know my birthday is a very important time of year for me. Not just because of the presents or the fact I turn a year older because eventually I will begin to dislike how I am no longer young and people will eventually say " your to old for presents". I like this day because I get to share my birthday with someone who is very special to me my Papa aka D dog. My favourite memories are from when I was younger and every summer we would spend almost two months in Houghton Michigan with my Nana and Papa. Every summer my Papa and I would always have the same disagreement over which cake is better chocolate or pineapple upside down cake. Now the chocolate cake is not just any ordinary chocolate cake it is covered with m&m's,kit - kat bars and reese pieces. It is by far the most amazing cake I have ever had and my mom has made it every year for the last 19 years. She made me a birthday cake before I left so I wouldn't go a year without one because it is just that good. My Papa's favourite cake is pineapple upside down cake and for a while I could never understand why he would chose that cake over my chocolate cake but eventually I did try it and my Nana makes a good cake as well. If only I get cake sent in the mail ....
Papa,
Happy 39th Birthday! I truly love the fact that I get to share this day with you. I wouldn't want it any other way. You have taught me a lot in my life and we have shared a lot of laughs together. I am sad I won't be able to sit on your lap and open presents like the good old days but hey maybe next year ? I will be thinking of you all day and remember chocolate cake is still better then pineapple upside down cake.
I love you with all my heart,
Your birthday buddy!
xo
As you know my birthday is a very important time of year for me. Not just because of the presents or the fact I turn a year older because eventually I will begin to dislike how I am no longer young and people will eventually say " your to old for presents". I like this day because I get to share my birthday with someone who is very special to me my Papa aka D dog. My favourite memories are from when I was younger and every summer we would spend almost two months in Houghton Michigan with my Nana and Papa. Every summer my Papa and I would always have the same disagreement over which cake is better chocolate or pineapple upside down cake. Now the chocolate cake is not just any ordinary chocolate cake it is covered with m&m's,kit - kat bars and reese pieces. It is by far the most amazing cake I have ever had and my mom has made it every year for the last 19 years. She made me a birthday cake before I left so I wouldn't go a year without one because it is just that good. My Papa's favourite cake is pineapple upside down cake and for a while I could never understand why he would chose that cake over my chocolate cake but eventually I did try it and my Nana makes a good cake as well. If only I get cake sent in the mail ....
Papa,
Happy 39th Birthday! I truly love the fact that I get to share this day with you. I wouldn't want it any other way. You have taught me a lot in my life and we have shared a lot of laughs together. I am sad I won't be able to sit on your lap and open presents like the good old days but hey maybe next year ? I will be thinking of you all day and remember chocolate cake is still better then pineapple upside down cake.
I love you with all my heart,
Your birthday buddy!
xo
Tuesday, 10 July 2012
(Almost) Adventure Time!
In three days I will be seeing my boyfriend who I haven't seen in almost four in a half months. Let me tell you it has been a long four in a half months. When he arrives we will spend two days in Colonge and then on Monday, July 16th we will set out to start our two week adventure. I cannot wait!
Since my birthday is on July 20th and I happen to be turning 20 years old this means only one thing it's the year of my golden birthday. My goal for my 20th birthday was to be in a country I had never been to before and party. On my 20th birthday that is on July 20th I will be in Barcelona. From Barcelona we hit Poland ,Budapest and then Amsterdam. These are all places Lucas and I have wanted to go to and now we're finally getting the chance. I am looking forward to getting time away from my duties back in Cologne and focusing on the world around me.
xo
Since my birthday is on July 20th and I happen to be turning 20 years old this means only one thing it's the year of my golden birthday. My goal for my 20th birthday was to be in a country I had never been to before and party. On my 20th birthday that is on July 20th I will be in Barcelona. From Barcelona we hit Poland ,Budapest and then Amsterdam. These are all places Lucas and I have wanted to go to and now we're finally getting the chance. I am looking forward to getting time away from my duties back in Cologne and focusing on the world around me.
xo
Tuesday, 3 July 2012
I can speak German!
After three very difficult months my German class is finally coming to end. If you're wondering what I learned well don't because I couldn't tell you. I am sure I am the only person who comes out of a three month class not even knowing what happened. Okay, I am not that stupid. I know how to say Hello which is Hallo and I also can tell you I don't speak German ... Ich spreche kein Deutsch. I say this sentence at least once a day. My favourite German word I have learned is egal which means whatever. I do see an improvement from when I first started the class to now. I can do my homework by myself and I can understand the boys more which is making things a lot more fun. With more time and effort hopefully I will keep seeing more improvements.
I would also just like to point out to my family that we are in the month of July which means mine and Papa's BIRTHDAY is coming. For an address to send me presents please e - mail me .... I am only kidding. I just hope it is marked on your calendar if you forget it's July 20th.
xo
Friday, 15 June 2012
Would You Like Some Tomato Soup With Those Onions ?
Today I had to get up and help make homemade tomato soup for a party the family is throwing tomorrow. I actually found it to be very fun and really easy. It was so easy I already have it memorized and so when I go home the one thing I am making everyone is homemade tomato soup. I will have gone from only being able to make cereal to making homemade tomato soup .... I mean that is impressive. Since we have to make the soup for about 60 people there was a lot of tomato's obviously and there was a lot of onions. When it comes to onions and cutting them well I am just going to be honest ... I am horrible. I really didn't think I was that horrible until Ivetta gave me a step by step printed out sheet on how to cut onions. In my mind I was like okay so it has just be clarified that I really do suck at cutting onions and it's not just in my head. Ivetta said by the end of my year here I will be a professional onion cutter which means I am really not going to go far in life. I found the soup to be pretty tasty and so let's just hope everyone else enjoys it and most importantly they all enjoy the large quantity of onions.
XO
XO
Friday, 1 June 2012
Three Months!
I can't believe I have been away from home three months. Time is just flying by. In these last three months I have travelled, gone out of my comfort zone more than a dozen times and I am so proud of myself. I have days that are better than others but I try and take the bad days a learn from them. So far I have learned that if I want to do something I just have to do it and not think about it. This is my time to experience everything and grow as much as I can. The thing I am most proud of is going out of my comfort zone because I am a shy person and for me putting myself in a group of people I don't know trying to make friends really scared me but I knew that I had to suck it up and so I did. I have met some really great people that make my time here in Colonge a lot of fun. If I hadn't gone out of my comfort zone I never would have experienced what I have experienced so far.
From when I first got here to now my German has improved tremendously. I do some German everyday and I can understand a little. I have days where I find German harder than math and I just want to give up but then I realize how much I have improved and how much more I am going to improve. I have come to realize that if everything in life was easy then I would never grow or be able to challenge myself and thats what this whole experience is about. I can't wait for what the next nine months to come especially July!!
xo
P.s I wish my sweet mother a safe flight tomorrow. Enjoy your time and most important have fun and also remember I love you a lot
From when I first got here to now my German has improved tremendously. I do some German everyday and I can understand a little. I have days where I find German harder than math and I just want to give up but then I realize how much I have improved and how much more I am going to improve. I have come to realize that if everything in life was easy then I would never grow or be able to challenge myself and thats what this whole experience is about. I can't wait for what the next nine months to come especially July!!
xo
P.s I wish my sweet mother a safe flight tomorrow. Enjoy your time and most important have fun and also remember I love you a lot
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