U-Bahn, S-Bahn, Bus...?!

I understand German Public Transportation! This really almost requires its own special blog, because it's such a big deal. But I mean I am the DB/HVV Queen, just for the record.

Today I helped the 8th graders get back to school, or to their station from the Theater in Altona. It was wonderful. I actually knew what I was talking about :]

Oh and the theater today was good too. We went to see Die Welle in a private theater. They did a good job.

Other than that I didn't have much else to say except, that I feel very accomplished because I know which way is up around here these days ♥

Halloween. Weihnachten. Thanksgiving. Xavie?!

So, I've missed quite alot. I figured there wasn't a whole lot going on, so what's to write about...? Yeah, Wrong. Alot happens end of October, November, and beginning of December. Especially if you happen to be an exchange student...

SO:

End of October

Halloween. We (Florin and I) went to a bowling thing through YFU, with all the other exchange students and siblings. Afterwards, My co-betreuerin, Nicola came over and hung out for a bit. Pretty Sweet.






November

I've started swimming. Like for exercise, Sport, and things. I figured it would be the lightest thing for my shoulder, but actually now, I'm not able to do much of anything anymore because I'm shoulder is all falling apart at the seems, which is pretty sweet. We're doing alot a praying, let's just leave it at that.

As far as school, I'm doing alot more the with 8th grade German class, because quite honestly it's my favorite class, the kids are super inquisitive and funny, and I just get more out of the class, as far as learning German. I am able to participate in class, and do the homework and everything. It's a good feeling. We're going to see Die Welle in the theater on Friday and some Christmas thing next Wednesday. That should be fun.

I also met with other exchange students a few weeks ago, from all over the place. We initially met at the YFU Fall Seminar, they are from all over the world, thus we have to speak German to each other because our native languages are all different. We speak such broken German, but in any case it's funny, and challenging. We all exchanged cell phone and home phone numbers, and facebook addresses and we keep in contact with each other and meet up every once in a while. The other students I usually see are from: Georgia (the country not the state), Finland, Sweden, Columbia, Mexico,and Belgium. So it's sweet to compare with all my international friends, how things are in their home countries.

I visited the Hamburger Dom and went ice skating a few weeks ago too with some friends from school, one of which was an exchange student last year, in Oklahoma, I get alot of funny stories from him to, about the differences between Oklahoma and Illinois and Germany.

So ice skating. SUCH a joke! ahhah, it was so funny. I was so slow, and we were outside, and it rained alittle bit... Alot different then ice skating at the Coliseum to say the least :] But it was still lots of fun, expensive, but fun.

The middle of November, I with my Host-Aunt to work. She works at an elementary school for kids with physical and mental handicaps, in the 2nd grade. It was such an eye-opening experience, and lots of fun. It was challenging though, because the kids obviously, well most of them, talk funny, and they speak German. So I had to try really hard to understand them, because they don't understand why I wouldn't be able to understand them. That was quite the challenge, super sweet kids though. At one point, we tried to explain that I was an exchange student from America, and etc etc, and one of the kids asked, "Well, where is America?" That was the highlight of my day for sure.

COOKING! So, one time in November for dinner, I made "American Breakfast for Dinner". French Toast and eggs. Now this doesn't sound all the complicated, but the problem always is: How do I cook for 5 people? and Are they going to absolutely hate it? Success #1. They loved it. Cooking Success #2: Thanksgiving Dinner! Mom sent me recipes, and I made it a success! That was definitely a big accomplishment. And my family loved it alot, that was wonderful. I made Turkey, Mashed Potatoes, Yams with Marshmellows, Gravy, and Baked Macaroni and Cheese Express. Express because, in Germany they do not have Velveeta, and that is the main ingredient in Baked Mac n Cheese, thus making it nearly impossible to make it. So, I bought two Kraft Mac n Cheese boxes and called it half done, then put it in a casserole dish, and baked the top like regular baked macaroni and cheese. We made it work ♥. So that was great.

Last week, I met with my regular betreuerin and her daughter Nina last weekend and we baked Plätchen, basically oatmeal-like cookies, and then I went to the ReeperBahn and the Dom with Nina and Nina's friend, Hanna. It was really fun. On our way home, we stopped into two clubs, it was so crazy, since obviously I've never been to anything like that before. And they checked my ID and everything. I felt legit.

December

Now, for the biggest news basically of anything. CONCERT YESTERDAY! I got to see Xavier Naidoo in concert! Alles kann besser werden Tour 2009 in Hamburg Color Line Arena. It was amazinnnnng! I never thought I would be able to see him in concert, 1. b/c he plays normally just in Germany or Europe and 2. b/c it's ridiculous expensive. But, Gramma and Mom gave me money so I could buy the ticket, and that was basically the best Christmas present ever. I was so happy. And the concert was great, we had to stand the whole time, because that's the tickets that we bought, but that way, we got closer to the stage. I went with a friend from school, and her sister. I bought like one of everything there was to buy. But I'm allowed to do that, it's Christmas ;]





Countdown to Chris: 15 Days.

das Ende der Ferien

So, leider (unfortunately), Ferien is overrr.. But I can't say I didn't love it. I visited Kathi last week. Monday-Thursday. It was great. I bought boots, and Kathi and I dressed up like international twins, her clothes were all from Germany and mine were all from the US, and most everything matched, it was cute.

I made it on the train alone! I don't care if anyone else but me wants to celebrate this victory, it was amazing. I mean despite the fact that I almost got off a station early, the un-perks of living in a big city with several stops. And the conductor man talked so fast and over the radio thing is sounded like Charlie Brown's teacher... But somehow I made it, all the way home. Alone. Das wegen, I have a completely different outlook on traveling, and public transportation... I had to handle my luggage alone, yeah okay whatever. It was kinda bad because of my shoulder, but the seriously complicated part was shuffling myself around the U-Bahn to get home from the train. The train was the easy part, the lugging myself all over central station trying to figure out which way was up. Oh that was something. But I Did It.

In response to my previous Sub-Blog: Germany makes me Fat. I'm taking a stand! PS, this is the best example of why I feel this way about Germany and zunehmen...

This is obviously God's gift to man. And who would I be to say no to ice cream...
So anyways, about my stance. I was planning on taking Dance and Swimming, fun easyish ways to stay in shape. WRONG, well right. but TEUER. So after long hard weeks of throwing ideas around I decided offish on swimming. I bought a one piece, seemingly flattering-ish. Goggles, and a cap. I'm set. Today I bought a discount card that gets me 18% (what a weird number) off like a billion different swimmingpools. It's a sweet deal. But OH, this swim cap idea. OHHHHH is this the topic of discussion... First person I told: Pops. Annddddd, man did he find this so funny. He laughed for a solid 3 minutes. And continuted to laugh while explaining why he was so hysterical. "Only Omas wear Swim Caps, with Blumchen drin." hahhaha (only grammas wear swim caps, and they have little flowers all over, and they're PINK!) RUDE. So this has been the haha for the last two weeks. Mir Egal.I want to swim and keep my hair. So I started today, and I think I'm gonna start going to the old lady classes too - i.e H2O Bauch Bein und Po, I mean I'm actually excited... ♥

Here is the main issue I have here. I can't afford to do everything I want, this whole not working thing is killllling me. Stupid as that sounds, I hate not being able to provide for myself, and only being able to ask mom for money is ridic. Sure I knew I couldn't work before I got here, but man. So I'm trying to con ways around this whole, "you-don't-have-a-visa-you-can't-work-here" thing. Because I have friends, and they have connections. I feel like my family thinks I live in a box in America, because whenever they suggest something fun I might like to do, or something I could buy, or may want to buy, I ask "Oh cool,...How much does it cost?" or "Oh! ...Was that expensive?.." It's great.

School tomorrow. GET PUMPED!

Chris comes in 53ish days, for Christmas. Not sure if I've shared that? If not, there's the big news! He's coming for two weeks, and staying with us. Maybe to better his German...? hahahha. I think it's gonna be a funny two weeks. He knows NO German. Hopefully mine will be up to par by then, but who can know.. And I said to my host family that I would just sit there and talk German to everyone, or German to them and English to Chris but not translate. I'm so mean. But really, I'm looking forward to it. They say Christmas is the worst time to have vistors, but I mean, if I'm gonna be homesick anyways, might as well have some relief :]

We were in Lüdbeck last weekend, here's some pictures. We travel so much, since Germany's like the size of Rhode Island, we can do that. I love it.
OHHH and Money♥

Einfach Fotos

It's so beautiful here.



hahaha, funny restaurant name, well if it had another 'g'



first alcohol purchase in germany, for le familie! relax, i'm allowed.



How i'm starting to feel in germany.



How i've been feeling the past 3+ months...

♥♥♥

I'm actually not dead believe it or not...

So much for regularly updating. Kein Lust mehr, i guess. Anyways, How've things been?...

Well, school's alot easier now, mostly because I've taken the liberty to lighten it :] Now, I know just about every time I write here, I've updated my schedule or quit school altogether, but now I'm pretty sure it's as manageable as it's gonna get...
Monday
8-9:30 English
10-11:30 Math
11:30-1:25 Free
1:25-3 Dance
♦♦♦
Tuesday
8-9:30 Religion
10-11:30 Robots
♦♦♦
Wednesday
10-11:30 English
11:50-1:25 Geography
1:25-3:15 German
♦♦♦
Thursday
8-8:45 German(8th grade) *Don't wanna talk about it...*
8:45-10 Free
10-11:30 Robots
♦♦♦
Friday
8-9:30 German
10-11:30 Art
11:50-1:25 Math

So obviously I can't complain. And yes I said I was in 8th grade German, it's so I get a handle on the grammar a little better. But honestly, it's one of my favorite classes, the kids are so nice, and inquisitive. I love it. So school's whatever.

Life. I met with my Betreuerin, YFU (exchange program) counselor. She's awesome, well, she's the co-one, because my other one's old. She's 18. It's great to have a friend my age, and she was in Texas last year for an exchange year, so she's awesome to relate to. We hang out every so often.

I realized why it's been so long since I've written, I had like the Swine Flu a few weeks ago, I was sick for alittle over 10 days and missed 6 days of school. ew. But, I'm all healthy now. Sweet story about being sick though... So I went to the doctor and I was with my host mom. We walked in and there were tons of people in the waiting room, I'm thinkin, DOOOD I don't wanna wait this long, I already feel like my head's going to explode. We give my insurance card to the reception lady - who is busy as all get out because there's only one of her, running everything - and she's was like, OHH you have private insurance? I was like yup, thinking who doesn't... Mind you, most people have government insurance, because that's actually a thing here. And she took me straight back, into the "private insurance room. I was like, how sweet is that?! no waiting just because I supposedly pay more for my insurance...

Another highlight, we went to the Opera as a class sometime two weeks and it was the coolest thing ever. They used no microphones and sounded amazing. I was amazed. That's true talent... I totally wanna go again, maybe even in America. I actually felt like for the first time everyone was on my level, because the opera is sung in Italian, but then at intermission my friends asked if I understood what was going on. And I said, alittle, because I was trying to pay attention to the acting, but of course I didn't understand the language. She was like, oh you couldn't read it either? I said, "READ IT?!" She was like, yeah, the white screen above the stage, it's all translated, what they're singing, into German. AWESOME. That's my life.. Another day as the stupid exchange student. Of course, that was the topic of discussion in class the next day.. whatever. It was trotzdem cool.

My family and I on the 3rd, went to a swimming pool, indoor pool obviously. Well, actually there's a part that goes from inside to outside, I would call it the Hypothermia pool, because I'm in coldish,warmish water, and my hair's FREEZING. But anyways, that's not the weird thing here. So I thought it was interesting at the beach, for people to be topless, and change actually ON the beach. But let me explain to you about German Saunas...
I was there, with pops and lil bit. We walk upstairs, to the Sauna level. We walk into this massive co-ed changing room, there were lots of bags and lots of naked people. Sister and Dad start also undressing, I'm standing there in my swimmingsuit and towel... Talk about culture shock. Then we walk farther to the "naked sitting area" because clothing was obviously optional. I would have taken pictures of this komisch thing, but I would consider that porn of sorts... So we're sitting snacking on pretzels and water, in our towels (me still dressed) and my host dad was like, umm you have to take off your swimsuit in the sauna, or the Bademeister will yell at you. JOY. So I did and put my towel right back on. And it didn't come off till I got weider dressed. Take that Bademeister. Overall interesting. I couldn't help but stare, I think I learned more about the human anatomy then nursing school will ever teach me...

So, now. We're on fall break! 2 Weeks. So solid. I love it. I hung out with friends, got to know the U-Bahn a little better, and next week I'm going to visit my old host family for a few days. YAY!

So now, God's love stories! ♥ Okay so starting with last weekend, beginning of Ferien. I went to church, youth church on Saturday night, thinking it would be like every other night at church and I would have to translate and etc etc. I had my translator with me, my note book, and a german and english bible. Little did I know the big man upstairs had other plans for me. He sent this sa-weet group from Australia called Island Breeze to blizz-ess me. It was so awesome, and all in ENGLISH! Amazing. Answered Prayers, I talked to them alittle after the service and got to know them alittle, great people, travelling all over the world for Jesus. I was so jealous.

Then the following Tuesday, we went to the ReeperBahn to pray for/with prostitutes. If you don't know what the Reeper Bahn is, google it... Anyways, as extreme as it sounds, to pray with prostitutes, and dangerous etc. etc. it was life changing. The stories, the language barrier, it was great. We gave them little snacks and warm drinks and it was great. Inspirational to an extent.

Another Jesus story. As hard as it is to do all my college stuff from here, I gotta. And a few weeks ago, I came across an amazing opportunity to do great things with Jesus next year. The Fuel House. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udMDtzRZVm0) That's the promo video, to give more information. But it's like a sorority, that I've always wanted to be in, but with Christian values. I had to apply from here, and did my interview also online, first time for everything :), and I found out today that I got in. I'm so excited about what God wants to do in my life next year, and in college and on campus in general. I will have 8 roommates, I will hopefully get to know soon. The time change and country differences, are kind of an issue now. But I'm so excited! God does things all around the world, and I think he put me here to realize that.

That's about all for a summary. I think I covered everything, OHHH and I'm coming home earlier than July. minor detail :] Till Later ♥

Freunde!

I know I haven't really showed pictures of my friends, except the one from the party, but German's really aren't as fond of pictures as Americans are. Quote from one of my friends:
Me: "Let's take pictures!"
Him: "Germans really don't like pictures."
Me: "Nooo, you just don't like pictures."
Him: "Nope, Germans in general, Americans are always like *snap snap snap* Germans just stand."
hahhaha, so that explains why I don't have many pictures... But this was us on our way to the theater the other day for a field trip.





Oh, and that is Bailey's hot chocolate and Strawberry Torte, oh it was all so good.

Month Two Report Card "The Perks of being Blöd."

Funny Sign, translated it says: Perfect Pair, for a beautiful butt, it's a Reebok ad. It's just funny. PS when you want to see the pictures bigger, just click on them.

Today, a party. One Month in Hamburg, officially, and two months in Germany. I hesitate to say, "I've loved every minute of it". I've loved maybe every other day, or a week on, a day off, of it. At this point I'm frustrated, simply put (einfach). But, that's to be expected and I can't let it really get me down. My German is exponentially better than when I left Everswinkel a month ago, and that makes me really happy.

School is still a joke, a really bad joke. And this is where the Perks of being Blöd (Dumb) comes into play. Now, normally on a regular day at Kurt Körber, I understand gar nichts (absolutely nothing). -except math the other day, that was really exciting- Anyways, now it sucks to sit in all my classes for 90 minutes and understand nothing, I mean get real, we all know how bad my ADD is, and this is just a cake topper. But I've been getting through it and piecing some of the Unttericht (lessons) together, I'll figure it all out eventually. But I notice, that me not knowing anything is a God-send sometimes, because when I don't understand what's going on, I don't know when the class is getting yelled at, or I can pretend not to know when for example, my German teacher would be yelling at the class and pointing me out, I can simply say, "Wie Bitte?" (Pardon?), like I understood nothing. And at that point the teacher's so heated, it never gets "explained to me". hahah oh well. ♥
Along with school, I'm gonna do another breakdown of how these classes are going:

English.
Naturally, an easy class. But I don't like being asked so many questions about America. (i.e. American History) I hated American History, or history in general before I left, and haven't gotten any sudden desire since I've been here. And when they ask, what's typical for your family, I don't really know what "typical American food" and things are. Like, my family eats pasta, that's Italian, we eat hamburgers sometimes, I guess that's American, if you asked Chris, he would say we eat hot dogs everyday, but really "Wurstchen" is German. America's such a 'melting pot' I don't know if we have any real things to ourselves.

Math.
I'm starting to understand with the help of Wikipedia, another exchange student, a German that was an exchange student in America last year, and friends from home. It's not so bad, I just have to learn the vocabulary more than anything.

Chemistry.
I quit. I don't mean that figuratively, I really dropped the class, no point in stressing myself out.

Dance.
I love it, the teacher's really funny. But we choreograph our own dances, and learn things, it's so much different than Dance Fitness at west, we actually dance. And let me tell you, these German girls have rhythm like I've never seen before.

Religion.
Every interesting. This class is like a constant debate. So many different kinds of people, Muslim, Christian, Atheist. And the all have strong opinions and are ready to voice them.

Robots.
It's really as difficult as it sounds, we're doing Lego robots right now. And I don't mean the legos that your 2 year old brother is playing with I mean like a robot robot, from scratch, and now we're writing a program for it. Luckily the program is in English, so I can actually contribute with my group, finding websites and cheat codes :]

Biology.
I think I'm quitting. It's really hard, same situation as Chemistry. all this vocabulary that I don't know at all, it's just not worth all the work and stress, I'm basically here to learn German, and these words gefällt mir nicht.

Geography.
I understand absolutely nothing. I hope to start understanding because I really need to learn Geography, I don't know anything, at all. I'm so sheltered.

German.
I sit and tittle my thumbs, and pray that "Old German" naturally comes to me, and that no, I don't really have to focus, like I do to learn "Old English"...

Spanish.
Probably in theory my hardest class, or at least my busiest class, I don't really know how to put it. All I know is that all of this translating gives me a headache. For homework, I have to translate it from Spanish to German, because my tests are Spanish/German, then German to English. Then to answer the questions, back to Spanish, generally. It's a challenge, but I'm up for it. Foreign Languages above all else, is what I'm passionate about, obviously, hence the whole, moving to a foreign country thing.

Art.
Of Course I had lower expectations for this class, meaning I wanted us to solely finger paint. We do sketches, and take turns being the model, and stand funny and have people draw us, it's almost fun, except I really can't draw to save my life. And yeah, I know, Why take art then, if you can't draw? Well, 1)Because I am creative, and I like to think that helps alot, so if the picture doesn't look like it should, my creativity comes into play. and 2)Because it was that, or Theater, which would be okay in English, but I can't memorize lines in German, I can hardly do that in English, and I hardly speak German...

Overall school is frustrating because I want so much to understand more, but honestly in the last week, I would say my German's really getting better and my English, is all over the place. But even if my German's alittle better, I can get more help from friends, because they don't have to stumble through English to try and explain something to me, they can do it in German. That's a good feeling. I'm doing better not relying on English as much with my friends, which is hard, because so many of them understand so much English, especially at my level, because they've had it for so long. But in my opinion, if they have to have English 4 hours a week, and struggle through English to talk to me, who am I to only speak my Muttersprache with them...?

I've also been able to ween myself away from the computer a bit, I play FarmVille and Sorority Life on Facebook, when my friends aren't there, but I'm using SchülerVZ more and more, it's like German facebook, so I can do what I love, be on the computer, and communicate in German, which is really good for me to learn. It also helps so I don't speak so proper, because that makes me really stick out, when I'm speaking Book German.

Germany Makes me Fat
This is a sub-blog. I have had my own issues with gaining weight in Germany, I expected it, but it's the last thing I wanted, I've only gained like 3 pounds, I say that so simply because it's been 2 months already, and that makes me happier than the potential 20ish for other German exchange students I've heard of. So to get on top of all this, I made a diet plan, not so specific, but daily guildelines, and I run with my host dad every Saturday morning, and that's the motivation I needed. We did the 5k last weekend, and I ran and walked. Probably half and half, but I was proud since I really haven't done much physical activity since I've been here, and the times leading up to me leaving. But, on a lighter note, I feel alittle less American everyday because I'm walking everywhere and not complaining about it. If you know anything about me, you'll understand this is a big deal. I walk everywhere, and it doesn't phase me. I know walking's not really a big deal, but it takes away the "Bri drives everywhere" part of me, and college campus walking won't be life and death. I say that now, but when winter hits, I'm almost positive I'll be praying for a personal portable heater.

On the health note, for all of those who have been worrying about my shoulder: My host mom, real mom, real mom's small group and I have been praying, and the pain is manageable, I don't think I'm dying anymore. Hallelujah ♥

And for those of you who haven't heard my wonderful Language Blooper to celebrate my One Month being a Coleman-Milla:
Eltern: Bri, wie weit ist das von hier?
Bri: Um, ich glaube drei Monate in das Auto."
Eltern: Drei Monate? Wohnt sie in Australien...?
hahhahhahaah.. so funny, and for those of you who aren't so good with Deutsch:
Host-Parents: How far away from here does she live?
Me: Um, I think 3 Months, by car.
Host-Parents: 3 Months?! Where does she live, Australia...?
hahhaha, oooops, I totally meant 30 minutes, but couldn't explain until I stopped laughing...

great time.


Your Local Bike Shop, like one second from my house, I pass it everyday, just thought I would share, these things are like McDonald's in America.