These Days..

My city, Goeppingen, is so pretty nowadays. They are starting to string lights over the main street in preparation for the Christmas markets! I love walking through it at night because it's so pretty with all the lights.

I took this while walking to my language course.

I have developed an addiction for Kinder Chocolate. It's so good. I don't understand why they banned Kinder eggs in the US! Because I mean the kid would have to have a really big mouth to choke on the thing containing the toy inside the egg. Honestly, how would you even be able to swallow that?? America doesn't make sense.

These Kinder eggs are bigger than my hand.

In Germany I find it hilarious how people can just bring their dogs anywhere. Out shopping, to a nice restaurant, to a little cafe in the city for coffee. It's not just little dogs they take places, they will bring their big dogs, to be honest they look more like a bears than dogs, out to public places! I'm not sure if you can even do that in America! But I tell ya, there is no way I would bring my dog to a restaurant. She would jump up and try to eat some stranger's food.

Dog just chilling while it's owner drinks some coffee.

This past weekend I took the train up to Heidenheim to visit my other exchange students friends and have a "party." There were only I think 13 people there. But hey, still counts. I love getting together with the others because that's when we can really let out our frustrations and I mean, who wouldn't want to hang out with a bunch of foreigns. I love listening to their accents too. When they speak they sound so cute. None of us are really that homesick. I mean we all have moments, but they pass fairly quickly. 

*NOT A PICTURE WITH OTHER EXCHANGE STUDENTS*

Picture with two of my classmates.

You Know You're an Exchange Student When..

You know you're an exchange student when..
-You have no idea what the meaning of "homework" is
-You have developed a rare talent enabling you to sleep any time and anywhere
-You have mastered the "smile and nod"
-You use your nationality as an excuse for anything and everything
-You have a secret stash of snacks in your room
-You count waking up in the morning as exercise
-You freak out when you hear your native language
-You spend a ridiculous amount of money on foreign candy
-Your hobbies include Nutella, Nutella, and.... oh yeah, Nutella
-You have pretended to understand your host language, and then said "yes" to a non yes or no question. For example, "What did you do yesterday?" "Yes!"
-You're scared to ask what the food is
-You find yourself avoiding conversations so you don't have to talk
-You never know what's going on
-You spend most of your time on the internet.. Stalking other exchange students
-Your "jam" is a song in your host language that you don't know the meaning of.. but you'll still sing it like you do
-You try to mix languages
-You are the only student who is allowed to sleep in class, because you're foreign so it's okay
-When you get packages from home that contain food, the food is gone within an hour(feel free to send me more goldfish)
-You spend money like it's Monopoly money
-People stare at you all the time, because you're foreign.. and fabulous.. Like Shakira
-You look down upon the 1 week long "exchange students"
-You feel bad about yourself when other exchange students speak the language better than you do
-You haven't spoken with another person from your home country in so long that your own accent is starting to sound weird to you
-You quote movies from your home country all the time but no one gets the quote so they just think you're super weird..
-Your oh so original nickname is your country/state
-You use "I'm not fat, I'm an exchange student" as a legitimate excuse
-You can relate to the song Talk Dirty to Me by Jason Derulo, "Been around the world, don't speak the language"(Except that's the only part of the song because Rotary says No Dating)
-You have given up all hope that someone will pronounce your name correctly

1 month!

                After 1 month is Germany, my language skills are pretty eh. I find myself hesitant to speak in German because I don't have the words to voice my thoughts and opinions yet. However, people seem to think that because I don't speak in German, I don't understand anything they say. Surprise, I do. I'm not saying I understand everything, but I understand a fair amount. So when people think they can talk about me and I won't know what they're saying... think again! I mean come on, you would be surprised how much body language conveys.. On occasion, if I'm really focusing, I can understand what is being said, or at least guess. I listen for the words that I do know and piece by piece I put together what is behind said. It is very helpful when people speak slowly and clearly.
                Before I got to Germany, I was unaware that I would be taking a German language course(on top of school). Although I am thankful for the opportunity to learn the basics of German, I find the class extremely painful. I die a little inside with each lesson. It is so boring. The teacher speaks very quickly at times and then I don't know what is going on and neither does anyone else in the class. The class is from 6:00-8:15 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I dread each class. I would love to skip class altogether, but I know that it is in my best interest to attend the lessons no matter how much I hate them.
                Last Saturday, the 4th, I celebrated my 1 month of being in country by going to Oktoberfest in Munich with the other exchange students in my Rotary district. It was not a Rotary sponsored event, we just all got in contact and planned it ourselves. It was s much fun! We were in a beer tent for 7 hours that day(to go in the beer tent you have to be at least 16). If you leave the beer yrny there is no way you're getting back into it. So that is why we were in it for so long. I learned a new Germany word, "Prost!" Prost=Cheers. I also me several other exchange students from other organizations. It was really cool to talk to them about their experiences so far. I had never seen so many people drunk before 12 pm. I guess that is normal at Oktoberfest?
               I have also attended my 1st soccer game! It was a game between Stuttgart and Hannover. At the stadium, I noticed a section of the stands were fenced off and filled with security. Confused, I asked my friends why. They explained that it was the seating for the fans of the opposite team(in this case Hannover) and the fences were put up to keep the fans of rival teams from beating each other up! These Germans really take their soccer seriously... The atmosphere reminded me a lot of a NASCAR race I went to in Alabama. So much drinking and smoking. It was quite the experience... By the way, Stuttgart won.

Things I have Learned as an Exchange Student

• Washing your whites and darks together in the washing machine will not kill you.
• You only truly need 3 pairs of shoes.
• That strange foreign food that looks extremely questionable will not give you food poisoning.
• Frequent contact with your family will not cause you to lose touch with your life on exchange
• Being an exchange student doesn't make you feel any different, you're still you, just living in a different country.
• Unfortunately, you will not have best friends within 2 weeks. Not even 3 weeks.
• Accept the weight gain, it is inevitable.
• Riding the train and bus alone is no big deal.
• You can't always do things according to your schedule. Other people have plans too.
• Sometimes you must do things that you dislike in order to benefit you in the long run.
• Sometimes you have more in common with a group of adult immigrants who are from all over the world than you do with people your own age.
• The United States education system needs to step it up. Every student in Europe can speak at least 2 languages.
• Defining a culture is impossible. You can't fully understand until you live it.
• Take every opportunity. You never know what doors it might open up.
• If you think everything will be taken care of for you, you need to step into reality and accept responsibility for what needs to be done. Your Mommy will not always be there to make sure everything gets done.
• Exchange is what you make it. You can make it the best year of your life, or the worst. 

The Trials and Tribulations of Learning a Language

Language will always be a mind boggling concept to me. The fact that a different series of sounds can mean something to one group of people and then mean something entirely different to another is fascinating. Often times when I am sitting in class, I will listen to everyone speak and at first it will sound like they are having a conversation, but then as I focus more on the sounds they are making, I understand everything! Just kidding. I wish. In reality, to me they sound like they are crazy and just making random noises. But then, on very rare occasion, I actually understand what they are saying! The feeling of actually hearing a conversation between other people is extremely comforting. It doesn't matter if it is a simple, "It is so cold in here!" Just the fact that I am starting to comprehend the language makes me feel better. It is like I am finally being let in on a big secret that everyone else knows. I can not wait to be able to understand more of the puzzle that is called German. 

The Little Things..

It's strange what you miss when you leave home. For me it's the small things. I miss arguing with my parents, holding my dog hostage in my bed, my brothers eating the rest of my food when I can't finish it, hugs, my Mom's cooking, and even my older brother's painstakingly slow driving. When you leave home you would never guess that you would miss arguing with your family. I mean who in their right mind thinks, "I will miss yelling about stupid things that don't matter in the long run!" So far, this exchange is teaching me to appreciate the small things in life. I know this isn't a super upbeat post, but I just thought it was interesting what I actually have ended up missing the most. Also, no, nothing is wrong, I am still having the time of my life in Germany. I am just a little homesick.

Just Another Day..

I have been in Germany for almost two weeks now and I am head over heels in love with my life here. No, not everything goes perfectly, but I wouldn't change where I am for all the wealth in the world. I don't know how I will be able to leave here.. For those of you who were worried about the age difference between my classmates and I(Mom), it has not been a problem. Everyone in my class is super nice. Today Cedric took me out for lunch (I had classes from 8-12:10, then more classes from 2-5:15) and we met up with a bunch of guys from class at an outdoor restaurant. The restaurant was called "The Rock." At this restaurant you can order food named after famous singers such as Jennifer Lopez and Greenday. I personally ordered the Conchita Wurst. For those of you who don't know, Conchita is a singer. He/She/It won Eurovision last year. Eurovision is a singing contest that is really popular in Europe. The Conchita Wurst was actually very good! It was chicken, cheese, tomato, and bbq sauce wrapped in a toasted tortilla. Although I have only really talked to guys here(Dad I know you're reading this and please don't have a heart attack), it's all good. I've only been in school for 3 days. I have a whole year to make friends. For gym class today (we have it once a week and it is the last class of the day) I chose football(soccer for all the Americans reading this). I was THE ONLY girl in the entire class. I don't think any of the guys had ever even seen a girl before. The teacher made us run in the forest and it was awful. But I needed the exercise, as Cedric said(he's in the class)I worked off that Conchita Wurst. After running we played a mini football game. I am absolutely awful. I have the skills of a 2 year old. It's okay though because I'm foreign. Anyways, I am having a great time here.

Love living in "Farmville"

Lunch today

Selfie with Conchita Wurst (featuring the guys in my class)

This is Conchita