Last day

It's kind of a bummer when you have to leave all the people who you have just met and became friends with. It's a bit sad. But life is like that.
Last night I met up with two of my friends from Kapito and we out to the Aasee and chilled, then went to a bar where we met some Americans who were photographing all of the original manuscripts of the new testament. Apparently Münster is the world leader in new testament manuscript. I didn't know that, but now I do. I also went to the swimming pool again yesterday, it was a bit cold then it warmed up. I noticed that people here never just do one thing, like at the swimming pool, we swam, then tossed around a ball, then played Volleyball. Always active when the weather is nice. I think that's interesting.

Final Days

These past final days have been great. I've met a lot of new people. Hopefully we will stay in contact. I had a friend the other day move to Berlin, yesterday we had a get together for her to say goodbye. It was fun. I have 2 more days at Kapito, I wish I had more. It's really a lot of fun. My time in Germany has been great. It's an amazing beautiful country, I can't get enough of it.

Today, I went on a city tour with CYE. We went to a few churches, a museum, a botanic(al) garden, a castle, city hall, and just the city in general. It was really interesting, I already saw a lot of the things but even if I saw them, I still learned new things. First we went to the city musuem which was really cool. The musuem was in a timeline fashion, so we started at the earliest time which was like 2000years B.C. I think. Then it built up and stopped around the 1950s. It was interesting to see how the city has expanded and how new structures lie on top of the old ones. Then we went to some of the churches. At the main church (Domplatz), there is a astronomical clock. I have pictures of it up. Anyways, it went off while we were there. It was very cool. I also took some more pictures which are up. After the churches, we walked around Münster and got some ice cream. I think my life would be half as great if ice cream didn't exist. Then we went to the palace which is really pretty and big. It's located right next to the University, behind the palace is a Botantic(al) Garden. It is amazing. It is a part of the biology student's class to monitor the garden, that's intense. It was amazing, they had all different plants from different parts and climates of the world. After that we walked back to the Hauptbahnhof then departed.

My Final Week

So today was the last Monday at Kapito. Today starts the end of my homestay in Germany. Kind of depressing, the time has gone by so fast! I really like my host family, they are great! I'm really glad that CYE did a great job finding me a host family. I also have been thinking about my German speaking abilities. Even though they still aren't that good, I can speak a lot easier now. I guess that's been the purpose of this whole voyage. But as time approaches, I have to move forward. I am really excited for the next couple of weeks. I think this may be the most monumental summer for me.

Well now, story time. Yesterday I went to the public swimming pool. As I said, Germans are way more social people. I can't think of anyone who uses the public swimming pool in Florence. Everyone thinks it's just gross, I guess that's because everyone has their own pool... But in Germany, you go to the public swimming pool! It's a lot of fun, they have platforms, spring diving boards, slides, and a couple of pools. It costs 1,50€ to get in, so what 2 bucks for all day? That's a deal. But it was fun, there are a lot of more social things to do in Germany. I mean, there are a lot in America, but it has a different feel over here. It's hard to explain.
Oh, I don't think I have mentioned enough how amazing the weather is. It's amazing and beautiful. I'm glad I've had mainly good weather since I've been here. It's great.

Social

So the past couple of days, I've been experiencing the night life, festivals, and barbeques. I won't go into much detail about night life, but festivals & BBQs. Germans are all about some festivals, this weekend has been EuroCity Fest/Stadtfest. Its insane, there are a lot of stands and the streets are decorated with all different stands and rows of flaggs hang over the streets going building to building. It's so beautiful. There are also INSANE amounts of people. It's insane, that and the amount of beer is phenominal. It's insane.
Okay, so yesterday I went to another BBQ for the students in Germany who are coming to America for this coming school year. It was fun, we played some soccer for a while, ate, and played more soccer. I am pretty confident when I say that I love brotwurst. It's so delicious. Soccer is also a lot of fun, but I hate playing with people who are good, which is basically everyone in Germany, but me. It sucks! Oh well though.

Today, I went to a Catholic Church service. It was all in German, I didn't understand that much, it was huge. Not up to date acoustics, and they spoke really fast or in song. It was very interesting though to see an actual catholic church service in the area where the catholic church first became predominant. But it was long too, roughly a 2 hour service. Lots of standing then sitting then standing. But overall it was very interesting.

After that we went to an Italian restaurant. Whoever thought of Salami and Pizza is a genius in my book. I have eaten probably at least 4 times. Its so good. But food is so delicious here, I don't think I've tried anything I haven't liked. A very surprising change.

Oberservation.

So, I've been trying to be observant for stuff that is different. And I noticed something, usually in America things on weeknights die down around 8 or 8:30. Well things in Germany usually start around then, I think that could be considered a cultural thing. Night life starts later, but it wasn't only teenagers or college kids. It was middle-aged adults. They would be sitting outside a bar, having a beer. I kinda found that to be a bit odd, especially when it was 10:30 pm. Oh, another thing, everything outside is better. Eating, Sleeping, Hanging out. Most everything Ive done has been outside. I kinda like it, because the weather here isnt insanely hot or insanely cold like in Alabama. I like that aspect.
Oh, I think Germans are more social than Americans, not to just like everyone they see on the street, but with people they know such as their friends. Always in groups.

Oh, I also met a guy from America, I hung out with him yesterday and some other people from Kapito. It was really cool, I kinda wish I was staying in Münster longer, but oh well..

Food.

For some reason, I can eat just about anything over here and like it. I can't do that back in America. Today I went and got some chinese food, I think it's safe to say it is my favorite food in all the world, and it was delicious. But it came with stuff like cabbage and green stuff that I usually don't eat. Well, I ate everything. I was thinking about, and I have tried that kind of stuff in America and it didn't really taste that good. I mean, it still wasn't the most delicious thing in the world, but it did taste a lot better. A lot more fresh. All of the fruits and vegetables in Germany taste a whole lot better. I think it's because they only use organic fertilizers or something, who knows. I just know it tastes a whole lot better.

It takes some time to grasp.

Sometimes, it takes a bit of time to realize how beautiful the world really is. Being here really has opened my eyes even more to the beauty in the world, it makes me want to see everything. I'm really anxious now to travel more.

Okay anyways, yesterday was fun. I went to a brunch at my language school, Kapito. Where I met a lot of new people who were from all over the world. I met people from Sweden, Israel, Colombia, Switzerland, and a couple of other countries. Very interesting. After that I met up with Jonas and we went to the library, I'm not big into books or libraries, but that was the nicest library I have ever seen in my entire life. It was very modern and up to date, not to mention HUGE. After the library, we walked around Münster. I thought I saw a lot of bikes last year, that was nothing compared to this. I saw more bikes than I have ever seen in my life. Saturday in the main part of Münster is so busy and there are so many people and bikes! It was incredible. Well, we went home after a while of walking around in the city. That night we had a BBQ, it was a lot of fun! There were a lot of people there, it was a lot of fun to hang out.

Today has been a bit slower. I woke up, helped clean the yard from the BBQ, slept, then went into the city with my host parents. In the city, we went to one of the churches. It was magnificient and old! It is 1,200 years old this year. It's incredible how old things are and still exist. After the church, we went on got some ice cream. One of my favorite dishes! It was delicious, I finally got to eat spaghetti eis again! Delicious! Well then we came back home, and I've been sitting around, relaxing. That's it for now. Bis spätter.

Todaaaaay

Today has been very good, it is just a good day. I went to school like normal, learned about some stuff, then Taka and I walked to the Mensa (University Lunch Room) to get some cheap food, I had 2 hot dogs, some french fries, and yogurt&blackberries for around 2,80€. Not to bad, fairly cheap and very good.

Okay, well yesterday I didn't get to post anything. So I'll summarize what I did. After school, Jonas and I met up with some friends at the library, Jonas had to get some books. After that we went to the store and bought some beer and went to the park and chilled and had a beer. After that we walked to a Dönner restaurant. Dönner is possibly one of the most delicious and cheap foods in this world, almost as good as Taco Bell. Almost. Then we went home around 10:30. Fun night.

Today is Friday! This week has soared by for me. I've been so busy adjusting to Germany that I haven't noticed how much time has gone by, but it's Friday! So we are going out on the town! I'm really excited, we're suppose to meet up with some friends and go somewhere, not sure where, but I'm sure it will be fun!

A much better day.

So today was much better. I feel much better, but I can still feel where the pressure was in my head. Anyways, today was a good day. I went to school like normal, I am understanding more and more everyday and speaking more and more German everyday. Even if I know my grammar is wrong, I still need to speak to better other parts of my speaking.

Okay so, I noticed something today. Aaron and I were walking around and we stopped at a Brotwurst stand for some chow. I ordered my food (in german) and aaron got the same thing I did, currywurst. So instead of having chairs and tables to sit and eat at. They just had like tables and a counter. This is very interesting because usually in America you eat sitting down, unless you are walking around and eating. Well, here you stand up at the counter or table, and chow down on your food. It's not a big deal, but I need to remember this for my class. It is a cultural difference... somehow.

Oh a tiny good story; after eating I went to catch the bus (Bus 9) so I see it and I get on. Not thinking of much I listen to my Zune and look out the window. Well after like 30 minutes, I have no idea where I am. So I decided just to wait it out and maybe we would go somewhere I recognize. Wrong. I got on the right bus, it was just going the other way. So I realize this, at the end of the route when I look at the bus schedule. So I go to my bus driver and ask him if he speaks English, which he didn't. So with my amazing German skills, I found out where I was and that I just had to ride the bus to the other side of town. I mean it only took like an hour and 20 minutes, not that bad. I was worn out though, I almost fell asleep on the bus.

Okay so, my day in a nutshell. I also added a link on the right column titled 'Pictures from Europe 2009'. Popular demand was some pictures, so I listened to the people. Enjoy.

Halfway through the first week

I guess this is what? Day 4? That feels about right, okay so today has been a bit different. It was a very pretty day today, but I have had a killer headache all day. It was horrible during class, my teacher speaks very loud in order for us to hear the correct pronunciation. My head was throbbing the entire class, I almost felt like throwing up. It hurt very bad. So I went immediately home right after class was done and layed down in my bed for a while. After a while my host mother came home, I told her I was feeling that well and I took some medicine, and it was not helping that much. After we ate, she advised me to go outside and lay in the hammock because fresh air and a nap would make me feel better. This did work a little, but it was windy today and COLD to me at least. So I woke up freezing came inside and took another nap, which helped out a bit. So I've been very lazy today at least it was with good intentions. So I do feel a bit better now, but earlier, I went with my host family to the grocery store, I dont know why but I love foreign grocery stores. We went and bought some stuff, and we had a conversation in German about the differences in the stores and what I like and don't like. I really want a grilled cheese and a bowl of chicken noodle soup right now, but I need to adapt. But man, that sounds so good right now.

Day 3

Okay so, there will be many post in this just to let everyone know. The reason: This is my log of my trip for the course I am taking at UNA. It is very important for me to write down everything I do, because that is how I get credit.

Anyways, today was very interesting. It was my first day of school at Kapito Sprachschule. First when I got there I had to take a placement test (to see how bad my german is). Well after that I was placed in a classroom, where everyone was speaking german, man I felt out of place, but as the class progressed I got more into the groove and picked up on it. There are 10 people in my class, excluding the teacher. People from literally all of the world are in there; South America, India, Central America, North America, Southeast Asia, a lot of places. Well I have class Monday through Friday 9-10:30 and 11-12:30 or something like that. I hope it will drastically improve my german. I need it to get better really quick. Okay so after school, Taka, Aaron, and I walked around Münster for a bit. Since it was lunch time, we went to eat. Where after almost a year of waiting I finally got to eat one of my favorite foods in the world, Dönner Kebob. Delicious is an understatement. I could go on, but I need to progress. We went into the train station to get Aaron a bus ticket for the month, I used a bit of my german to talk to the guy. It feels really cool when I talk to someone in german, I love the feeling I get. I hope I can be able to have conversations in German one day. Okay so Aaron left and Taka and I walked around the city for a bit, then I headed home by bus. I also rode the bus to school that morning. Anyways, my genius being got off at the wrong bus stop, so I had to walk about 2km to get home, I need the exercise though. But then finally I was home where I chilled out for a little bit, we ate dinner, then I went back to Kapito for a movie. Kapito offers a lot of extra activities to help learn German so I thought I would take advantage of it. It has been a long day, tomorrow I hope that my German will improve, which I am sure it will the more I use it, which I need to do more.

Day 2

So today, very long day indeed. I woke up at around 10AM for breakfast, which I had my favorite German breakfast, brötchen and käse (breakfast roll and cheese). Then we proceeded to the hauptbahnhof (main train station) to purchase a bus pass, which enables me to ride on the bus anytime, anyday. It will come in handy, then we walked around for a bit and I was shown where I am suppose to go to school starting Monday at 9AM. After we went home, at about 4PM we went to Jonas´s friends house for a BBQ. It was a lot of fun, I met several people. They´re all cool guys. We talked about America and Germany and such. Good food, good conversation. After the BBQ we came back to the house and chilled until we went to play some basketball. Well, after 3 games of 21, I am pretty much dead. The most exercise I get in America is walking to my car to and from UNA. I should have taken my own advice and done some running before I came here, I am feeling the reprocussions of my actions, well lack of actions I guess.

In Münster

After an agonizing 3 hour flight to Denver then a rigorous 9 hour flight to Frankfurt then a not so bad 1hour flight to Münster, I finally arrived. Luckily I was able to catch some Zs on the plane so I dont really have much jetlag. I have noticed quite a few differences between Germany and the US, such as the way the streets are (more narrow, crowded), bike lanes including bike stoplights, house - store - house - house - house - restaurant -house or a similar layout pattern.

Oh anyways, my host family is composed of 4 people. Jonas (host brother), Eva (host sister), Monika & Otto (Host Parents). Monika is currently away, but she should be home tomorrow so I will meet her then.

Today, after being picked up from the airpot, I was given a tour of the house. A very nice house, then I was shown my room and they gave me a bit of time to unpack my things. Then we had a small bowl of something that was delicious, dont ask what it was because Im not sure. After that, Jonas and I went to a street festival (Straßenfest). We walked around for a bit, it was very interesting I saw all of the different kinds of booths that they had, always trying to sell something, I guess thats universal. We meet up with some of Jonas' friends and went to Burger King, americanization, where I did order in German. Then we came back to the house and chilled. That's pretty much all Ive done today. Oh for dinner, we had pizza. Even if some food is in America, it still tastes different when it is somewhere else. It tasted more fresh than regular american delivery pizza. It was good.

I dont have any pictures yet, but I will put some up whenever I take some.

Today begins my 7 week adventure.