Well it's been a while since I last posted because I've been saving money, which generally results in long nights alone watching my favorite show Veronica Mars or reading...not really blog worthy. I've never had so much alone time in my life, and while it can be maddening, I'm learning to value it. Let's see though, what has happened this month. We've had some gorgeous days so Piet and I have finally played outside and I've helped Catrin in the garden a little. I've been running a good bit too, which makes me feel really good. Some days I feel like I fly and others I drag along, don't know why. Um, I went with my host family to a neighbor's house where we all sat around a fire pit. Felt a lot like hanging out with Madi and Tad, with one funny exception. Instead of hot dog weenies, Germans cook bread on a stick! They just stick some dough on it and practice extreme patience as it bakes. I like our cook it fast, eat it fast method, but this was nice too. Still, there's a business endeavor in there somewhere. Bratwurst + fire = Euros!! (maybe)
I guess the most festive activity this month was celebrating St. Patrick's day in the Irish pub. Elisa and I met up with some of her school friends and were later joined by Yvonne and her brother and it ended up being pretty fun. There was a nice band called "Arish" who played really well and because Elisa was bustling around the stage as they performed, they took note of us and even dedicated a song to me. I think it was a typical American song so it came my way. They played again that Friday, and considering the desperate nature of our social lives, we decided to act as their biggest fans to see them again. They seemed pleased to see us too and we played cards after the show. Although they deemed the game Bull (ahem) stupid, they were funny and nice to get to know. But, now they've returned to their land of Sweden and it's doubtful our paths will cross again. Who knows though, facebook has made the world a much smaller place.
Piet would give me a stern look if heard me claim St. Patrick's day as more fun than Monday. Because, after months and months (literally) of waiting, we finally journeyed to the much esteemed train restaurant!! To quote Ashley in "Junebug" it was "Better'n Christmas!" I have never seen him so excited. The trains were just like the video and brought all of our drinks and even our desserts right to our table. Piet was fully impressed when his mom asked for ketchup and before the question had left her lips, the train had arrived with a full bowl. He also loves ketchup, so really, he's been to heaven and back. The food was good for us though and it was a delight to see Piet so excited. Ah, youth.
Veggie cleaning continues to be a highlight of my weekly schedule. Sadly though, I got hit with some rough news there a few weeks back. One of my favorite fellows there was killed in a car wreck the second week in March. The lady who told me didn't speak English so it took me a few minutes to even know what she was saying, and it floored me. He's the smiley guy to my right in the picture below and that smile was the first thing anyone noticed when he walked into a room. He didn't speak English either, but he always gave me chocolates that I would save up and distribute to my German class. Oye, death even happens when I'm hiding in Germany. He will, most assuredly, be missed.
On a happier note, I got to see another smiley face this weekend for the first time in a while. Daniele has been the busy scientist that he is and between conferences in Britain and visits from other Italians, I hadn't seen him since my birthday trip. So finally this weekend we met up and went to an amazing Brazilian restaurant in Oldenburg. They have this awesome deal where you sit with an empty plate and the servers bring big portions of vegetables and meat and just keep filling up your plate throughout the night. They had steaks and lamb on skewers and cut it fresh in front of you. Oh my gosh, it was delicious. I was so full when we left that laughing caused me great pain. Didn't stop Daniele from making jokes though. He is definitely my comic relief in this zany experience.
So, today Jorn's parents came over which was lovely as always. Piet had two more sets of ears to hear the wonders of the train restaurant and we had a valid reason to eat apple walnut cake. I am so insanely spoiled with food here. When/if I get to grad school next year, these days of over eating delicious, free food prepared by other people will be sorely missed. I'm trying to run enough just to break even. I plan to take a break from fine dining in the next week while I spend a cheap-as-possible trip to LONDON!! Yep, leaving tomorrow night from Bremen. Julie and I will get to Bremen early in the afternoon so we can chill and have dinner with my buddies Andre and Martin and then we'll be flying out! We've got all our accommodations set and I've composed a list of must sees, but other than that we'll be playing it by ear. I'm just excited to speak English to anyone and everyone again. It's hard to explain how psychologically restricting a language barrier is when you have to live within it day after day, and although I'm learning and managing, I'll be so happy for a break. I can speak to the waitresses! I can communicate with the bus drivers! I can talk to strangers! (Just Kidding :) So yeah, long blog will be due after that.
Please keep us in your prayers this week though. Traveling reminds me that a billion million things can go wrong, and while using your brain helps the odds, you need the Big Man to have a smooth, enjoyable trip. Also, I'm still waiting to hear from Boston. I've had to fuss to get some of my paper work in, but it's all there. I called today to confirm this and asked if applicants would still find out in the next days, but the lady said they expect it will be the end of April. Can you believe that!?! I really really really hope I find out sooner because I want to start working on a backup plan if it falls through, but I also just want to know where the next phase of my life will be taking me. Limbo is a strange, uncomfortable place. But when was a long awaited deadline not extended? I half expected this, but I'm still impatient. Let me in your school, Boston University!!
Alright, rant over. I'm going to call Mamma and Daddy and then get some sleep. Hey, we've hit the 6 month mark now. I'll be home before you know it. Love you!
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Geburtstag!!!
http://www.nwzonline.de/index_portal_ammerlaenderwoche.php?ausgabe=aHR0cDovL3d3dy5ud3pvbmxpbmUuZGUvbnd6L21vZHVsZS9Tb25kZXJ0aGVtZW4vZmxpcGJvb2tzLzEyNjc2MjA5MzdiaW5kZXIxX3BkZl9mL0RlZmF1bHQucGhw
Hopefully you can access the above link and see the article. Click the right arrow to the second page and use the magnifying glass to zoom in and give your best guesses at the crazy German words. The reporter has assured me that he didn't write me as an axe murderer, so we can all rest easy : ) Actually, I think I understand most of it, and it's basically saying what you already know about me. I'm in Edewecht to take care of Piet, but I want to be involved while I'm here so I'm volunteering at the vegetable place. Mentions that I've studied social work and I hope to study in Boston this fall. I'm really hoping that I haven't jinxed myself by blabbing about that, but we'll see. It also brings up my birthday, and quotes me saying that in America you never plan your own birthday parties. I guess that's not entirely true, but here your colleagues expect you to bring them cake as a thank you for celebrating it with you. Backwards? I think so. Regardless, I planned to make a cake last week for the people at the vegetable place, but my host mom said it's rude to ask people to celebrate before the actual day, even if it's the day before. So, even though it's a little strange to me, I'll be making a cake in the morning for my lovely vegetable cohorts. I'm glad that they could read the article actually, because they really don't know much about me otherwise. Since my German is so limited, I spend most of my time there just doing the work and grinning when I think somebody has made a joke. They're all really kind, but I can tell it bothers them that they can't really ask me questions, so this is a great way for them to know who this weird girl that grins a lot actually is.
So the newspaper thing was cool, but in fact, my host dad stole my thunder by making it into newspapers all over Germany. Jorn managed to earn around 12,500 euros for the economic department at his school by explaining in a video contest what their department does. He's been giddy all week, and we're all really proud of him. He's been in tons of newspapers and totally trumped me by even getting to do a tv special this Friday. I'll have to come up with some spectacular plan now to beat that. Suggestions? : )
So, my birthday was absolutely fabulous. First off, I received a crazy amount of facebook messages and emails, and boy, did I feel the love. Kelsey sent me ten really cheesy e-cards which made me start the day giggling, and my host family went above and beyond. I woke up to a train (to Piet's delight) around my breakfast plate that had candles and 23 on train car. There was also a pretty sherbet colored rose, a headband to keep my ears warm, and a sweet card. They also bought me tasty special bread so I could start the day right with the buttery honey and molasses spreads I love so very much. I spent the morning gloating over facebook and went for a short run to the pretty lake I've discovered in Edewecht. I was blessed with one of the most beautiful days we've had here so I just took it all in beside the lake and thanked the good Lord above for giving me such a great family at home and a loving host family here. The goodness continued when Piet came home and sang Happy Birthday to me and then we had a delectable steak lunch. Mmmm. That afternoon Elisa came over and we all enjoyed chocolate cake. The cake was meant to be a surprise, but when Piet and his mom made it the day before, he came to me grinning with chocolate all over his face and whispered that they were make a surprise, so I put two and two together and chuckled. Cutie. So Elisa and I spent the afternoon riding bikes with Piet and then went to Yvonne's house for the cake that Elisa had made for me the day before. As you can imagine, I was well stuffed at this point, but she made a quite delicious carrot cake and I just couldn't say no. We took the cake to a cafe in Edewecht which was empty aside from a table of old men playing cards and the lady who worked there. We showed her the cake and asked if it was okay to eat it there, and she quite grumpily agreed. We ordered coffees quickly so she'd know she'd get some business and then Elisa pulled out 2 and 3 candles and stuck them into the cake. She and Yvonne started singing Happy Birthday and soon the gentlemen chimed in and even the old lady contributed. We cut the cake, and as we distributed it, a few of the men recognized me from the paper as the Beineke's au pair and happily shook my hand. I was a bit embarrassed, but it was nice of them. I was pleased to observe that after we offered her cake, the woman working at the cafe started to like us and even gave us birthday champagne on the house. She and Elisa exchanged cake recipes and when we left, she invited us to come back whenever we want. Ah, the diplomatic power of cake.
So the birthday madness continued Saturday when we awoke insanely early (for me) to get the train to a tiny town called Wernigerode. I wanted to go somewhere cool for my birthday, but cheap, so my friend Andre suggested we check out the mountains. I can't say that the mountains blew me away, or the town either, but there was a pretty castle and an all you can eat Chinese buffet, so I'm not complaining. Oh, I forgot to mention that Germany got hit with more snow. Yep, it came down Friday and it's still here. This allowed for many snowball fights and silliness throughout the trip, which reminded me that snow isn't all bad. We stayed there Saturday night and then planned to make several stops on the way home Sunday. First we stopped in a nearby city called Gaslor, which probably would have been nicer to stay in on Saturday night, but it was more expensive. I'm glad we saw it though because the buildings were all really old and much more traditional German than I see in Edewecht. It was really sunny that afternoon so we found a bench in a market place and just soaked it up. Really nice. After Gaslor we stopped in Hanover for some ice cream and then we dropped Andre off in Bremen where he walked us to a big hotel where a relatively famous soccer player lives (sounded more impressive when he described it). So the trip didn't have any wowing moments, but it was really fun to be away with a group of people I like so much. We had heated games of Uno and Bull (ahem) Shiz, and we worked pretty well as a traveling team. So yeah, good stuff.
This week I've been feeling a little bogged down with allergies, but my spirits are up. To be quite honest, before my birthday last week I hit an emotional low after I revisited an ugly falling out I had with a friend last year. After some nasty emails that cut me deep, I gave up and sent the whole thing up to heaven,along with my whole life. I listened to a great podcast by a preacher in Atlanta named Andy Stanley, and after praying I sent a simple apology back to my friend, and just like that, she gave me a sincere, understanding explanation and apology for her actions last year. So yeah, after over a year of bitter disagreement, Jesus cleared it up in minutes. Crazy, huh? Since all of that I've finally been able to find peace in my heart here. Before I've spent night after night reliving and regretting the past, and now I'm just happy. Too much info for a blog? Maybe. But that's where I am and I'm glad about it.
So I'm happy here but eager to know where I'm going. March is fading fast and it's not long until I hear from Boston University and can start nailing down some plans for the fall. If I don't get in, I guess I'm just going to have to bum a couch for a while. Any takers? I clean well and can build a mean train!! : ) It'll work out though, I'm certain. Hope everyone at home is enjoying the enviable 70 degree weather. Don't forget to give Madi a birthday hug on the 16th and enjoy St. Patrick's day if I don't post before then. Later taters!
Hopefully you can access the above link and see the article. Click the right arrow to the second page and use the magnifying glass to zoom in and give your best guesses at the crazy German words. The reporter has assured me that he didn't write me as an axe murderer, so we can all rest easy : ) Actually, I think I understand most of it, and it's basically saying what you already know about me. I'm in Edewecht to take care of Piet, but I want to be involved while I'm here so I'm volunteering at the vegetable place. Mentions that I've studied social work and I hope to study in Boston this fall. I'm really hoping that I haven't jinxed myself by blabbing about that, but we'll see. It also brings up my birthday, and quotes me saying that in America you never plan your own birthday parties. I guess that's not entirely true, but here your colleagues expect you to bring them cake as a thank you for celebrating it with you. Backwards? I think so. Regardless, I planned to make a cake last week for the people at the vegetable place, but my host mom said it's rude to ask people to celebrate before the actual day, even if it's the day before. So, even though it's a little strange to me, I'll be making a cake in the morning for my lovely vegetable cohorts. I'm glad that they could read the article actually, because they really don't know much about me otherwise. Since my German is so limited, I spend most of my time there just doing the work and grinning when I think somebody has made a joke. They're all really kind, but I can tell it bothers them that they can't really ask me questions, so this is a great way for them to know who this weird girl that grins a lot actually is.
So the newspaper thing was cool, but in fact, my host dad stole my thunder by making it into newspapers all over Germany. Jorn managed to earn around 12,500 euros for the economic department at his school by explaining in a video contest what their department does. He's been giddy all week, and we're all really proud of him. He's been in tons of newspapers and totally trumped me by even getting to do a tv special this Friday. I'll have to come up with some spectacular plan now to beat that. Suggestions? : )
So, my birthday was absolutely fabulous. First off, I received a crazy amount of facebook messages and emails, and boy, did I feel the love. Kelsey sent me ten really cheesy e-cards which made me start the day giggling, and my host family went above and beyond. I woke up to a train (to Piet's delight) around my breakfast plate that had candles and 23 on train car. There was also a pretty sherbet colored rose, a headband to keep my ears warm, and a sweet card. They also bought me tasty special bread so I could start the day right with the buttery honey and molasses spreads I love so very much. I spent the morning gloating over facebook and went for a short run to the pretty lake I've discovered in Edewecht. I was blessed with one of the most beautiful days we've had here so I just took it all in beside the lake and thanked the good Lord above for giving me such a great family at home and a loving host family here. The goodness continued when Piet came home and sang Happy Birthday to me and then we had a delectable steak lunch. Mmmm. That afternoon Elisa came over and we all enjoyed chocolate cake. The cake was meant to be a surprise, but when Piet and his mom made it the day before, he came to me grinning with chocolate all over his face and whispered that they were make a surprise, so I put two and two together and chuckled. Cutie. So Elisa and I spent the afternoon riding bikes with Piet and then went to Yvonne's house for the cake that Elisa had made for me the day before. As you can imagine, I was well stuffed at this point, but she made a quite delicious carrot cake and I just couldn't say no. We took the cake to a cafe in Edewecht which was empty aside from a table of old men playing cards and the lady who worked there. We showed her the cake and asked if it was okay to eat it there, and she quite grumpily agreed. We ordered coffees quickly so she'd know she'd get some business and then Elisa pulled out 2 and 3 candles and stuck them into the cake. She and Yvonne started singing Happy Birthday and soon the gentlemen chimed in and even the old lady contributed. We cut the cake, and as we distributed it, a few of the men recognized me from the paper as the Beineke's au pair and happily shook my hand. I was a bit embarrassed, but it was nice of them. I was pleased to observe that after we offered her cake, the woman working at the cafe started to like us and even gave us birthday champagne on the house. She and Elisa exchanged cake recipes and when we left, she invited us to come back whenever we want. Ah, the diplomatic power of cake.
So the birthday madness continued Saturday when we awoke insanely early (for me) to get the train to a tiny town called Wernigerode. I wanted to go somewhere cool for my birthday, but cheap, so my friend Andre suggested we check out the mountains. I can't say that the mountains blew me away, or the town either, but there was a pretty castle and an all you can eat Chinese buffet, so I'm not complaining. Oh, I forgot to mention that Germany got hit with more snow. Yep, it came down Friday and it's still here. This allowed for many snowball fights and silliness throughout the trip, which reminded me that snow isn't all bad. We stayed there Saturday night and then planned to make several stops on the way home Sunday. First we stopped in a nearby city called Gaslor, which probably would have been nicer to stay in on Saturday night, but it was more expensive. I'm glad we saw it though because the buildings were all really old and much more traditional German than I see in Edewecht. It was really sunny that afternoon so we found a bench in a market place and just soaked it up. Really nice. After Gaslor we stopped in Hanover for some ice cream and then we dropped Andre off in Bremen where he walked us to a big hotel where a relatively famous soccer player lives (sounded more impressive when he described it). So the trip didn't have any wowing moments, but it was really fun to be away with a group of people I like so much. We had heated games of Uno and Bull (ahem) Shiz, and we worked pretty well as a traveling team. So yeah, good stuff.
This week I've been feeling a little bogged down with allergies, but my spirits are up. To be quite honest, before my birthday last week I hit an emotional low after I revisited an ugly falling out I had with a friend last year. After some nasty emails that cut me deep, I gave up and sent the whole thing up to heaven,along with my whole life. I listened to a great podcast by a preacher in Atlanta named Andy Stanley, and after praying I sent a simple apology back to my friend, and just like that, she gave me a sincere, understanding explanation and apology for her actions last year. So yeah, after over a year of bitter disagreement, Jesus cleared it up in minutes. Crazy, huh? Since all of that I've finally been able to find peace in my heart here. Before I've spent night after night reliving and regretting the past, and now I'm just happy. Too much info for a blog? Maybe. But that's where I am and I'm glad about it.
So I'm happy here but eager to know where I'm going. March is fading fast and it's not long until I hear from Boston University and can start nailing down some plans for the fall. If I don't get in, I guess I'm just going to have to bum a couch for a while. Any takers? I clean well and can build a mean train!! : ) It'll work out though, I'm certain. Hope everyone at home is enjoying the enviable 70 degree weather. Don't forget to give Madi a birthday hug on the 16th and enjoy St. Patrick's day if I don't post before then. Later taters!
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