German Mcdonalds

So today, School is getting increasingly frustrating. But it will be okay. Kathi and I met her friends at a resturant for happy hour today, after I finished my homework, weird to say because its July I shouldn't have homework, but what can you do... We went to a German Mcdonalds after happy hour, I had to. :] I got McNuggets to share with Kathi, and American Fries?

Their version of French Fries I suppose. They weren't very American, they were like breaded steak fries, served with sour cream? Everything tasted the same. I was amazed. The biggest difference I noticed besides the absolute cleanliness of the place, and the cool furniture, was that the drinks, like everything, had no ice, and no lid. I was about to get a ColaLight (Diet Coke) to go, and realized there was no ice and no lid and quickly changed my mind to a McSundae. I don't even really like Mcdonalds at home, but this was an experience worth having. Everything there is McSomething, or it's not real Mcdonalds, here's an example:

This place was supa sweet. I mean for a McDonalds, I mean really...

First Day of School

Today was the first day of language training and orientation. It was real boring, it was more of a "get-to-know-you" session. I am not looking forward to having Hausaufgabe (homework) in July, but it is necessary. I have school again in the morning and for the next month in Everswinkel, I actually really like it here, it's much cooler than I thought, I regretfully say. We went to Münster today, and saw some things, and shopped downtown, I almost bought shoes, but I'm almost out of Euro, It's weird not having my own money and always having to ask my mom, I can't work for my money here like I would in America. It's alright, I kinda like not spending my money :) Kathi und ich went to a Geburtstagfete for one of her friends (Birthday Party) and it was alot of fun, the girl was turning 18, so we had alot to relate to. It was a party with her extended family, like a typical grad party and America, but for the kids it was closer to a 21st birthday, with all the alcohol she had. So much different from America, and most of the kids are smart about drinking, that's also something I don't think is popular in the US. The kids try to learn English from me, asking specific grammar, and I learn German from them, this is the easiest way to learn a language. I like it alot here, and am already catching on. I have a picture from the party we went to today, and some from another YFU student's cats. I love them, so i took a picture :)

Burg Besuchen

We went to a castle today and saw a museum, I wasn't allowed to take any pictures in the actual museum, but there are some from the Outside and from the Cafe or Resturant. We ate ice cream and looked at the scenery. It is becoming harder for me to speak English, to write these entries. I never thought that would happen. I went to Germankirche (German Church) this morning, and understood very little, I brought along my bible, and read along with the pastor. We sang Hymns too. Contrary to popular belief, the people here are very nice, and helpful, weil (because) I don't speak German, so they help me, and speak Englisch. I miss everyone at home, and wish you all could be here with me, you would love it too! Until später (later). <3

Meine Familie

Deutschland
Soooo, I finally made it! I was super nervous,crazy,excited when I landed. Things eased up and I got over the jet-lag, which was supa killer, and I really tried to plan for it. I had a very stressful situation with the connection flight from Frankfurt to Münster, with the take-off from DC being delayed quite a bit. Anyways, I reallllllly love it here. It's so beautiful and the small town that I am in is very welcoming and helpful. They laugh at my "deutche-mistakes" and I help them with English. I decided after the first two weeks my familie can't speak Englisch to me anymore because I will never learn German at that rate. My family got their Host Gifts today and everything went well. Kati und ich, rode bikes today and Christoph introduced me to some of his friends and we went for a walk in the town riding with the dogs and went and got Eis from the local "Eisdealer" (Ice Cream Shop). It's much better than American Itialin Ice. My siblings are so helpful and generous. I drank my first mamosa at dinner. They offered it, to wake me up? I don't know, but they said a toast to my trip with champagne, mixed with orangensaft (OJ) for the 18 year olds. It was pretty good. I'm getting on the sleep patterns I need to be on. This is going to be a good trip. I have my own room, Kati gave it up for me, for the month that I am here. I have to get everything unpacked since I finally got my luggage because of course, it wasn't carried over from the flight from Frankfurt. I took pictures so you could see the sweet differences between American houses, and this German house. This is my room:

And everything else....

2 Days.

We offically have a day and a half before I get on that plane and fly for 7 hours and 55 minutes. Today was full of getting to know the other people on this trip, and getting ready for all that's to come. We did some activities to help us with German culture, and help us figure out how American (or nonAmerican) we are. We have some meetings with our respective Congress members and we're going to the State Department and to visit the German Embassy before we take off. I'm worried about all my luggage fitting back into it's original place,I'm already having luggage malfunction. My bodywash exploded all over alot of my toilettries, so that was a good start to the festivities today, thus forcing me to purchase things I wanted to have prepared in Germany. Overall, a good day, alot to do, and alot ahead. I'll try and stay in touch. I leave at 5:15 (DC time) on Thursday and land the following morning at about 1am (central time). Not looking foward to lugging all that luggage, and carry-on's. But this should work out well. I already miss everyone. I'll try and stay in touch and update this as soon as I can. Love you all!

Less than 2 weeks... *contact info*

11 days and counting. I've been talking to my Germany family(ies) and everything seems to be set on their end(s). I'm excited, anxious, nervous.. all to be expected I guess. I fly out Tuesday morning (July 21st) to DC and after oreintation there for 2days, I fly to Frankfurt on the 24th. I wish I didn't have so much to do right about now, these next couple weeks are the last times I have to see all my friends and family, and I'm stuck trying to learn German, and the culture, and pack, and sort, and purchase... it will all pay off, I'm just waiting for it. I'm all signed up for Skype now (Skype ID: Xo. Racquel), so I just have to get my webcam and I should be set. If you all want to e-mail me, that will be the best way to contact me, or facebook, because live chatting requires alot of scheduling or alot of luck. My e-mail is:
Xo.Racquel@gmail.com
I'll check it as much as I can, I should have internet access everynight, and I'm attached to my computer at the hip, so it should work out, but I'll still take a few days to get back to you I would imagine. Don't expect a whole lot of contact with me during the first month or so, I heard I'll be in some serious culture shock, and won't want to have a lot of contact with America, so don't take it personal. I also thought I'd include my German contact information, in case snail-mail is more your forte.
For the first month, I'll be in Everswinkel, Germany and commuting to Warendorf, Germany for "intense culture-and-language training" (to decrease the cultureshock), for 6 hour a day classes for 25ish days. And after that I'll be moving to my permanent family, some miles away. From July 24th - August 20th 2009 my contact info will be as follows:

Address: ME
Kamenzstraße 10
Everswinkel, Germany 48351
*Keep in mind that travel time for international mail can be up to a week, so don't send anything past August 10th or so to this address. - your best bet will almost always be electronic communication*

Their home phone number is 49-2582-9819 - I wouldn't suggest calling it though, especially without looking at your phone contract before dialing out. I'll call when I can, and when it's not like 4am your time. I'm roughly 7 hours ahead (from Central Time).
Once I get my cell phone there I'll share the number with everyone, but I don't know yet how international calling costs will work from my German cell phone, to your American one, so again computer talk will be the easiest and cheapest. I don't think I'm worth $80 for a 5 minute phone call.
This website tells you how to call to Germany from the US:
http://www.howtocallabroad.com/germany/
I'll be with 3 Kids in my first home, along with a mother, father and grandmother. My host siblings are close to my age: Kati (18), Chrisoph (16), and Livia (11).

After August 22, my permanent family will come get me and take me to Hamburg, Germany, more north than Everswinkel (aka colder, which i'm not looking forward too...). And I will be with this family from August 22nd-?whenever I come home. That date is to be decided. The first week I believe we are going on vacation, camping by the See (ocean in German) for a week. So I will most likely be unavailable then. My contact info for this home is:

Address: ME again duh
Landjaegerstieg 16A
Hamburg, Germany 22117

By this time I should have a cell phone, or this will be the family to help me get one. So by September, that should be up and running. Their home phone is: 40-7100-8566, but again, I wouldn't call that, they don't speak much english, you'll have a hard time I can promise that. And I'll just sit behind them laughing at your confusion.
I'll have two host siblings here, Florin, my brother (15) and Julia (12), and a Mother and Father of course, no extended family though.

That's all the information I have for now, but should answer alot of questions. I'll miss everyone alot, and hope to see you before I leave!