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.

A Hellish Sport and a Wonderful Day

Dienstag. Today allowed for lots of shopping. I brought shoes, ones actually meant for the cold. And also a jacket, that was on sale for like 30euro!!!! Lutz, Moni and I walked around the town center for a while. I must say it was a very pleasant day. Latter that evening Moni and I went to Kin-Ball. Now I'd never heard of Kin-Ball ( here's a link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kin-Ball ). Kin-Ball is some crazy ass game and I loved it. (here's a youtube clip of it being played http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sp-bxYtZIw ) 

Mittwoch. SNOW! It only laced the ground and was falling but I LOVED it!! My day began with seeing Monika's work place. It's a lovely church, and we met a group of lovely elderly ladies who were a part of a singing group. They sang an old folk song for me. It was amazing :D Shopping for today was done in Braunschweig! So the shopping center right, was a castle.... Just sayin. Later this afternoon I met Omar and Grandpa! (on Moni's side). They were the loveliest people ever. And so on I go.

The Church Moni works at with the snow on the ground :D

THE PARTY HAS ARRIVED

Finally after many hours of flying and many delays, I have arrived. With smiling faces and big hugs to greet me, it was the best feeling in the world. Lutz, Monika, Franz and Gaby were all there to see me walk out of the airport ( so was someone else but I forgot his name D: ). I slept a good 11 hours last night and today Lutz and I have been busy with my finalization of papers and what not. Tonight I have my first Rotary Meeting, gah I'm nervous. All this German is so hard to understand. Everyone speaks so quickly. But I'm sure I'll pick it up soon. So on with my new adventure I must go!

( I'm so short! )

Waiting, waiting and more waiting.

After the airport goodbyes at Brisbane, tears and all, a long flight awaited me. Now after that long ass flight, with screaming toddlers who had no reason to be crying ( I sure as hell could have given them one ) I have arrived in Singapore. With an interesting walk and train ride to the correct terminal, and after a much appreciated bathroom visit, the Germany bound exchange students found out that a 2 hour delay was to be expected. Yep, just what I needed. Only bonus there was the free food we recieved for the wait. Now as I'm abusing the free wifi available to us, I am talking with the other exchange kids and casually nodding at passer-bys and receiving weird looks. The joys.