The First of Many

So the at the end of April I, the clumsy person I am, got injured in a game of soccor. And no, not one of the fakies the professionals pull, a real injury. I just so happened to tear the meniscus and ACL in my left knee which ultimately left me operation bound.  Honestly I didn't think my injury was so bad, I was still walking, albeit limping but walking no less. Now as most of you out there could imagine,of course that is if you knew me, I was pretty dang upset. After 3 fantastic months abroad I had finally had a bump in the road.

After long discussions to my new host parents, Dirk and Helga, whom I could not be more grateful to, and discussions to my own parents back home, my Mum jumped on a plane and touched down in Germany on the 7th of May. Tear were present, I mean honestly how could there not be, my mother and I are both massive sooks when it comes to emotions. Lucky for her she had a good rights rest and then at a bright and early 6:30am we were off to hospital the very next day.

The surgery itself I'd say went pretty well. I was pretty groggy after and couldn't stomach much. I was unfortunately cranky and tired and still very stressed. I didn't sleep well 4 out the 5 nights I was there but one good thing I did find at 3am was reruns of McLeod's Daughters in German. It was the funniest thing I'd ever heard. And finally on the Monday I was released and came home. 

Yes, I know I'm looking pretty fly.... NOT.

However I do wish to say one HUGH thank you to those who visited me and wished me well.

I did get one peaceful night at home before the physio therapy started up. Currently I'm walking on crutches, what a pain it is. But I'm up and about and that's the main thing. Before the morning sessions of physio Mum and I made a visit to Back Werk, a cafe, to have ourselves a little treat. Well deserved I think.

Hot chocolates and chocolate croissants, what more could you ask for.

 This incident is what I have come to think of a the first of many bumps in the road and in all honesty you can't take the bad without the good and 3 months of EPIC certainly has to be balanced out. I'm not saying I wish bad on me, I'm not crazy, but I've simply accepted that not everything is perfect. Also Mum, this is for you. Without your help, support and endless nagging I probably wouldn't have recovered to the point that I am currently at. Your visit was the greatest thing in the world and although it was under these circumstances I know you enjoyed your time here. So Thank you Mum and I love you.

The oh-so-traditional selfie.

A Visit from South Africa

Just to clarify, South Africa is my friend Cat. So on Wednesday the 16th Cat arrived in Wolfenbüttle to spend the next four days with me. After taking her home to be fed we headed back into town to explore. We walked about town, she took photos and we ate. Exchange students are always eating, there is not one activity or outing where we are not eating. So we headed back for the night and relaxed.

The archway we found... Breathtaking.

Thursday saw us in Braunschweig for a day of shopping! We walked and talked and walked some more. We were in and out of shops for the better part of the day before coming home to a magnificent night of Disney movies. We giggled together at the hidden jokes, good ol' Disney.

Friday was unfortunately rainy. We did want to go to Mini Golf but it was closed so we ended up playing Rummikub with Moni, Lutz, Tessa and Marc. After we headed out into the rain and over to Tabea's to give her her birthday presents.

 The walk in the rain. (Umbrella by Rhianna was playing in my head the whole way...)

Tabea looked amazing in her Elvin costume. Complete with ears and blue contacts. OH HOT DAMN!

The walk to and from Tabea's was spent talking, dancing, singing, impersonating people and uncontrollable laughter. The night again saw us watching movies, YouTube videos and talking. And then today being Saturday was Departure day and also being 3 months of us being on Exchange here in Germany.

Also tomorrow is Easter Sunday and I just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Easter. To my family back home, I hope you enjoy yourselves and I'm thinking of you. Ellie, you better eat enough chocolate for the both of us and then run it off at training!

All my love.

School Holidays RULE!

I think every person who has ever attended school can honestly say that school holidays was the most looked forward to thing. The appeal of those late nights (better yet early mornings), sleeping in until heaven knows what hour, seeing friends and just not having to go to that hell which is school. April has seen me into the school holidays and by God has it been wonderful.

On the 7th of April I happily attended the Jägermeister Tour. First we were taken about town looking at historical buildings and interesting things. My school being one and then we had a delicious lunch at a Pizzeria. Not saying the food was bad, in fact it was simply divine but being a pizzeria I had thought there might actually be pizza... I was wrong. After we walked to the Jäger factory and just a little bit of information for you all, Jägermeister is only produced here in Wolfenbüttle and no where else in the world! Pretty cool if you think about it.

 My Host Father Lutz. Asian Tourist Pose!!

 Wolfenbüttle's very own love bridge!

THE JÄGERMEISTER FACTORY

Now after a day full of walking, who decides to go on an adventure the very next day? Yours truly does. God I was an idiot but honestly I think going to Heidepark (a theme park) in Soltau was worth it. Eliana, Carolina and Myself set off nice and early for 4 hours of travel to Soltau and then 5 hours in the close to empty park (due to the weather). The wait in the lines was short if there was one at all and I'm sure we rode one ride 4 times in a row at one point. Now don't get me wrong, I love roller coasters, but when you ask me to get on one that's made of wood I will quickly board the train to Nopeville in the land of Iamnevergoingonthat. So eventually the girls got me on the Colossus and yes I screamed louder then ever before. By the end of the ride I had a huge smile plastered on my face and we quickly got back into line. Now the second time round it started to rain and it felt like the rain was carving up our faces, so naturally I began to cackle evilly. It was just my natural response and after we got off I had a random stranger approach me and say that whilst he was not afraid of the ride itself, my laugh terrified him. My proudest moment right there.

So after a rather exhausting day we then made the 4 hours of travel back to Wolfenbüttle and I slept like a dead person that night. The first week of holidays was hectic and rushed and went too fast for my liking.

März

Oh hot damn, would you look at that. March has pretty much come and gone and I haven't posted anything. SORRY!!!

So what can I say about March... Other then the fact that the weather is beautiful, the sun is coming out a bit more (even though it's weak, well compared to Australian sun that is) But lets have a quick run through of month shall we.

I have been to a wedding on the 8th of March, it was held in a quaint little Church and was a lovely ceremony. Although at one point I did find it quite amusing when the quests sang a song and throughout it you had to stand up and sit down quickly. But over all my favorite part was the releasing of the balloons at the end.

On the 12th I spent the afternoon with Nola (American), Jose (Venezuelan), Nick (Taiwanese), Carolina (Brazilian) and Simo (Finnish). We had a (yes, only one for the Rotarian's reading this. I only had one) beer at the coffee shop (most coffee shops also sell beer, strange) We ate ice-cream in a part while playing on the gym equipment like children. It was probably one of the best days I've had on my exchange yet.

The 15th lead to a day in the Harz (or hills). Moni and Lutz tookme up on the Sunday and we went to the Glasmanufaktur Harzkristall (if you can't guess from the nameis was a glass manufacturing place). We went on a tour and got to see the different styles from over the centuries and a demonstration at the end.  Then after that we went to Hermannshöhle, a cave. We also took a tour of the cave and it was pretty cool :D

 The Harz were eerily beautiful and I learned that they are the center for many of the witch myths that surround the area.

On the 18th I finally made it to Hanover! I met up with an other exchange student from Brazil, Gabriel. He took me around Hanover, showing me the different things there. We ate and then met up with more exchangers! It was a hilarous afternoon at H&M shoppingwith the boys, I swear they were worse then the girls combined. Hahahah but what a day it was :)

The 21st found my class at the Bowling ally after school. It was a very competitive afternoon, yes Tabea I'm talking to you (I will always win). Which was then followed by Opa's birthday party and then Marc's (Tessa's boyfriend) surprise party. Marc's party was very entertaining with one of his friends dressing up as an escort for him and there were many family members and friends in attendance. Lets just say it was a very 'festive' evening.

So yes I have just uploaded a lot of photos in one block but a lot went on that day. And Mum I though you might the two of Tabea and myself, I know how you love the faces I pull. (please don't kill me)

Monday the 24th, well lets just say exciting doesn't quite cover how I was feeling. I went to the Volkswagen factory in Salzgitter with my Rotary Club and it was AWESOME. We had a tour of only one of the sheds of the factory, it was the smallest, and we didn't even see half. That's how big the place is. Overall the entire place covers just over 340 football fields. They even fed us afterwards and every exchange student can agree with me when I say that food is definitely high on our list of priorities.

 

  In between these events I've spent afternoons with friends, gone to Braunschweig, played Kinball and slept a lot. So March has been a pretty busy month, but I expect it to only be busier. But that's what makes it so exciting.  

Februar

Well February has pretty much come and gone. Like seriously February, what happened? I have now been in the beautiful Deutschland for 5 weeks! I don't even know where the time is going. But recently I went to the theatre to see "Die Kliene Tag", The little day. It was great, so many flashing colourful lights. And yes that is what I focused on due to my lacking German vocabulary. But I still enjoyed the night. School is slowly getting better for me, not that it was ever bad, it just took a lot of concentration and willpower to stay awake. My brother Joel, now 16, just had his birthday. Congratulations little brother!

And just a quick announcement, I cooked meat pie today! To all you Australian's out there that have travelled or are currently in a country that has no clue what a meat pie is, I feel your pain. Seriously, I felt pain. So I cooked one today. It was square.... It was so strange, but it's what I had to work with. And the results my friends, were delicious.  

Meat Pie and wedges. There's nothing greater.

And for those of you on an Exchange or something like it, and there's a special day back home. (Like a birthday) Just talk to the other exchangers. They know what you're feeling. And if that's not your thing, turn to Harry Potter, Harry Potter always helps.

Oh How Time Goes.

Happy Valentine's Day! (well for two days ago) Let's just say that Friday the 14th of February was, for the singles out there a somewhat depressing day, but it was also the start of a wonderful weekend. I had my first Rotex weekend! And I must say it was absolutely fantastic. I had never thought I'd meet such interesting and amazing people all under one roof. With games and tours of historic points this weekend was simply wonderful. And if i ever hear 'Beso' being chanted I'll know to run and hide ahaha. As a Newbie everyone just wanted to meet and greet you and see where you're from and just talk to you. As overwhelming as it was I wouldn't have it any other way. And Mum if you read this you'll be proud to know that you're daughters voice will be a part of the Rotex convention as a voice over on a presentation. Pretty proud of myself actually. Oh and the dancing! The dancing went well into the hours of the morning and being next to all the South American's, I have officially decided that I am too white to dance so swaying in the background seems like a good way to go. Until you're swamped by the boys and dragged into the middle of the circle. Oh yes, thank you for that -.- We partied and one night it was a themed party, "Carnival" to be exact. Really it was just dress up however you wanted, so this ginger became pooh bear. The girls were just in love with it taking photo's and hugging me. It was rather strange but that's just how Excahnge students are. Overall this weekend and my last few weeks have been amazing and on Tuesday I will have officially been in Deutschland for one month. It feels like 2 weeks, time is most definitely getting away from me. 

 Josemaria!

 This Pooh Bear has a bit of sass going on!

 Decklan! Now everyone knows you held the New Zealand Flag and not the Australian!

Onwards!

Quick Catchup;
So on the 26th of January, like all good Aussie's, I celebrated Australia Day with the Isensee's. I cooked a Pavlova, and I must say it was delicious. I put the Australian Flag up in the dinning room and little flags in the Pav. Also I've started school at Gymnasium im Schloss. The school is literally a castle..... WHAT OF IT :P

Alas it is February already. And so far I have had my Orientation in Magdeburg. We went on a tour and saw the "Grune Zitadelle" (named so for the trees that grow out of it and the grass covering the rooftop(should have been called the Pink Zitadelle instead)). It's just amazing to walk through.

And we also visit the Dom (Dome). In its beauty I was stunned. This Church was over 400 years old (pretty sure that's what the dude said).

And so on my adventure goes.