My apologies that I have not updated my blog in well over month.
Since the last time I wrote, I've had my 'Springbreak' and since, I've become a 'world traveler'... well... kind of.
Over my break from school, I traveled to both London and Paris with my host father (he is a truck driver and had to drive there as his job... I just tagged along).
To get to London, we had to drive through the Netherlands, then go about 6 hours by ship to England, and then drive 2 hours or so to London.
My host father forgot to tell me I needed my passport however, I had brought it along anyway. The person who checked it in the Netherlands looked at it as if it was the most fascinating thing he had ever seen, apparently they don't often see Americans.
We had dinner and slept on the ship. I had to get up at about 5:45 in the morning for a small and fast breakfast and then all the trucks got ready to leave.... it was still very dark when we left the ship. When we unloaded, the passport control officer had to ask me a lot a questions about who I am and why I was with the person I was with. It was annoying however, I take comfort in the fact that they checked to make sure I wasn't there against my will and that it was safe for me to be with the person I was with.
When we got to London, we had to make the delivery and then we did some sight seeing for a few hours. I saw Buckingham Palace and many other important places.... I still don't know why they are important. I took some pictures and then my camera said the my memory was full which didn't make sense.... until I looked and found that I didn't have a memory card in my camera.... I went and bought some souvenirs and a new memory card.... that meant that we had to go back to all the places as before and retake all the pictures. After that, we had to leave for Belgium. We took a 1-2 hour ship ride to France and then drove 2 hours to Belgium where we slept in a hotel for the night.... everywhere else was closed so, I ate dry cereal for dinner.
I was in 5 countries in one 24 hour period: Germany, Netherlands, England, France, and Belgium.
The next day we made the deliveries and were back home by 9 at night.
The next week we drove to Paris. We got there really late and slept in the truck (he has a small living space with a fold out bunk bed).
The next day we made the delivery and then did some sight seeing. We had to take a train farther into Paris. We saw 'Notre Dame de Paris,' the very famous cathedral in Paris. From there we walked to the Eiffel Tower which was about 5 kilometers and lots of time away. It was a pain in the butt however, we saw many other Paris landmarks on the way.
Honestly, the Eiffel Tower is much larger than I had thought.
I bought some souvenirs and I heard many different languages throughout the day. There were tourists speaking German, English, French, Chinese.... and many other countries.
We then took the train back to where the truck was and drove straight through to Belgium.... it took about 4 hours. We arrived at about 8 at night and everything was already closed (it's common in Belgium so says my host father). We had dinner of German sausage cooked on a portable stove and then slept in the truck again. The next day we made deliveries and drove straight through home.
I have now been in 6 countries all for a somewhat significant amount of time and have eaten McDonald's in 5 of the 6 countries (we had a local burger in England).
I found Paris more interesting and I was able to see much more there... the weather was also much nicer when I was in Paris then when I was in London.
And now I know for certain that I will not be a truck driver. I found it boring to just sit there for hours and I developed some serious back pain from sitting for so long.
Still, it was an experience that no one else (or not many) have had and it gave me the opportunity to see what it's like in other places.
For pictures, check out my Facebook. I have enabled it so that friends of friends can see the Paris and London Albums. So, if you are friends with my parents but not me, you can still see the pics.
Now school has begun again and all is back to normal..... except that I have to ride a bike to school now (it's about 3.4 Kilometers according to Google maps).
According to my mother I have 67 days left before I am back on U.S. soil.
Love and greetings from Germany,
Madison Jeannine Wallace
Sunday, April 14, 2013
Sunday, March 3, 2013
German Carnival and Everyday Life
The long awaited update!
In this blog update I will be writing about the following: German carnival.
1. German carnival
When I think 'carnival' I imagine a with too many people compressed together in an area usually outside, expensive games that hardly anyone ever wins, and unhealthy food. This is not what German carnival is. There are too many people crammed together in a tent, no games but performances, and in place of unhealthy food there is beer.... lots and lots and lots of smoking and beer. It is an experience.
My host family is a 'carnival family.' My host sister, Julia, her sister, Verena, and I all danced in the red guard. Her other sister, Sabrina, was our trainer. We made a 'show dance' which means that it was more like telling a story; our theme was 'circus.' My host mother was in the sewing group that made our show costumes. We performed four times but we had training every Tuesday and Sunday for three months.
Every performance began with a parade into the large show tent (I was not in the parade because I don't have a guard costume) and then there was a series of performances (the red guard is always toward the end because they are the older group.
On Rosensonntag (the Sunday before Ash Wednesday) there was a special church service for carnival and about carnival.
On Rosenmontag (the Monday before ash Wednesday) the red guard came over for soup and then there was a parade (I chose to stay at home for that because I was waiting for friends). Then some friends came over (we all dressed like hippies) and we went to the carnival tent where there was a DJ and we danced (it was realy crowded and someone kept stepping on my heels and elbowing me). It ended up that there were a lot of girls n my grade there so we all just stuck together.
That's pretty much carnival. It's a little bit like Halloween because there are costumes. There are late nights, crowded places, and lots of alcohol (I still did not drink any though, I think my host family was a little disappointed that I didn't even try any). And now.... some pictures:
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The red guard in our show costumes From left to right: Lydia, Mara, Sophie, Eva, Me, Sarah |
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| Julia is reading a poem that my host mother wrote and then the whole family gave him his present (a new bike). |
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| We created a circle around my host parents when they had their alone dance. |
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| There was A LOT of food. This is just some.... I peeled all the eggs for deviled eggs... also, we have been eating leftovers from it the entire week (the birthday was last Saturday) |
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| Kristina and I (Kristina is my host sister, Julia's, sister. |
The party was good, I called it a night at 12:30 but my host parents didn't go to bed until 5 am... It was a good time and everyone enjoyed themselves
Other than carnival and the birthday celebration, school has been normal except for my having to write an 8 to 12 page essay. I wrote it in English and my topic was 'Stereotypes: With Focus on Germans and United States' Americans.' My mom edited for me (my actual mom not my host mom). I think it ended up pretty good however, I did wait until last minute so, I'll just hve to wait and see what me English teacher thinks about it.
Nothing else to report right now. I have very little school on Monday and Tuesday because I don't have to write the tests and I am going to a birthday celebration next friday. I may also go see 'Les Miserables' with some friends next Saturday... apparently it's in English here with German subtitles because everything is sung.... I'm kind of excited to hear a little bit of English outside of my English class in school.
If you have any questions, please comment and I will try to get back to you as soon as possible.
Greetings and love from Germany,
Madison Jeannine Wallace
Friday, February 8, 2013
A Look Into My Thoughts... Was ich denke....
Es ist auch auf Deutsch nach die Englisch aber meine Englisch ist besser dann meine Deutsch. :)
Being an exchange student changes a person. It doesn't matter if you where you go, if you are the oldest, youngest, like your host family or don't... you will inevitably be changed in some way even if you, yourself, don't recognize it.
I would like to think that I have become more open to not being so serious, to try even when I get frustrated, and be open to change, which happens to be something I hate.... change that is.
If nothing else, I have learned to better appreciate the simple things, such as arguing with your best friend, having to rewrite an oration a thousand times, being bored at Thanksgiving, and having my mom try to 'cuddle' with me and me complaining about it. Okay, so all of the things I just listed sound like things you wouldn't miss because you didn't like them in the first place.... here's a look inside what I think about all of these now:
Arguing with your best friend means that you have a best friend around to argue with.
Rewriting an oration is always annoying.... but at least it's in English.
Being bored at Thanksgiving is okay when you're around family.... and get to eat lots of food.
Cuddling (and complaining about it) with my mom means that I am NOT hundreds/thousands of miles away from her for 10 months.
What I'm really saying is that, being away from my family and friends and being in a foreign country for 5/10 months so far, has made me okay with boring and annoying..... in moderation.
With all this in mind, I will think similar things again in 6 months after I've been home for a month and miss here.
Maybe all this means is that I should appreciate all the frustration and misunderstanding, perhaps even the annoyances that come with being in a different family, with different friends in a different culture?
Just a random look into my brain... and a blog update before my mom starts to bug me about one again.
Next post will be about Karneval but, it's not finished so, I'll wait until it ends to post about it.
Also, I have to write an essay for my english class about stereotypes of Americans and Germans.... if anyone can come up with stereotypes for either, please comment or email them to me.....
Greetings from abroad,
Madison Jeannine Wallace
Naturlich meine Deutsch ist nicht Perfekt aber ich hoffe das es ist verstandlich (und wann nicht dann Sie sollen es auf Englisch lesen):
Sein eine Austauschschülerin macht ein Mensch anders. Es ist egal wo Sie gehen, wann Sie sind die altest oder jungest Kind in Ihre Gastfamilie oder wann Sie mögen Ihre Gastfamilie oder nicht. Alle werden anders im den Ende sein... wenn Sie sehen es oder nicht.
I denke das ich habe gelernt dass ich soll immer probieren... wenn es macht mir frustriet oder nicht, und auch das ich bin jetzt besser mit Umanderung (und ich hasse Umanderung).
Und ich habe gelernt dass ich muss einfache Dingen schatzen. Bzw. Diskutieren mit meine best Freundin, schreiben ein Facharbeit und wiederholen und wiederholen, eine langweilig Thanksgiving haben, und meine Mutter unarmt mir (und ich mag das nicht oft). Okay, alle das ich habe gesagt ist was Man vermisst nicht.... aber das wie ich sehe es:
Diskutieren mit meine Freundin = meine Freundin ist da.
Schreiben und schreiben über und über = es ist auf Englisch
Eine langweilig Thanksgiving = ich bin mit Familie.... und da ist viele Essen.
Unarmung it meine Mutter = meine Mutter ist nicht Hunderten/Tausenden Miles für 10 Monaten weg.
Was ich bedeute, ist dassich habe gelernt dass ich bin okay mit langweilig und nervig..... in Mäßigkeit.
Ich glaube das ich werde alle das wieder im 6 Monate denken. Wann ich habe nach Hause für eine Monat sein.
Being an exchange student changes a person. It doesn't matter if you where you go, if you are the oldest, youngest, like your host family or don't... you will inevitably be changed in some way even if you, yourself, don't recognize it.
I would like to think that I have become more open to not being so serious, to try even when I get frustrated, and be open to change, which happens to be something I hate.... change that is.
If nothing else, I have learned to better appreciate the simple things, such as arguing with your best friend, having to rewrite an oration a thousand times, being bored at Thanksgiving, and having my mom try to 'cuddle' with me and me complaining about it. Okay, so all of the things I just listed sound like things you wouldn't miss because you didn't like them in the first place.... here's a look inside what I think about all of these now:
Arguing with your best friend means that you have a best friend around to argue with.
Rewriting an oration is always annoying.... but at least it's in English.
Being bored at Thanksgiving is okay when you're around family.... and get to eat lots of food.
Cuddling (and complaining about it) with my mom means that I am NOT hundreds/thousands of miles away from her for 10 months.
What I'm really saying is that, being away from my family and friends and being in a foreign country for 5/10 months so far, has made me okay with boring and annoying..... in moderation.
With all this in mind, I will think similar things again in 6 months after I've been home for a month and miss here.
Maybe all this means is that I should appreciate all the frustration and misunderstanding, perhaps even the annoyances that come with being in a different family, with different friends in a different culture?
Just a random look into my brain... and a blog update before my mom starts to bug me about one again.
Next post will be about Karneval but, it's not finished so, I'll wait until it ends to post about it.
Also, I have to write an essay for my english class about stereotypes of Americans and Germans.... if anyone can come up with stereotypes for either, please comment or email them to me.....
Greetings from abroad,
Madison Jeannine Wallace
Naturlich meine Deutsch ist nicht Perfekt aber ich hoffe das es ist verstandlich (und wann nicht dann Sie sollen es auf Englisch lesen):
Sein eine Austauschschülerin macht ein Mensch anders. Es ist egal wo Sie gehen, wann Sie sind die altest oder jungest Kind in Ihre Gastfamilie oder wann Sie mögen Ihre Gastfamilie oder nicht. Alle werden anders im den Ende sein... wenn Sie sehen es oder nicht.
I denke das ich habe gelernt dass ich soll immer probieren... wenn es macht mir frustriet oder nicht, und auch das ich bin jetzt besser mit Umanderung (und ich hasse Umanderung).
Und ich habe gelernt dass ich muss einfache Dingen schatzen. Bzw. Diskutieren mit meine best Freundin, schreiben ein Facharbeit und wiederholen und wiederholen, eine langweilig Thanksgiving haben, und meine Mutter unarmt mir (und ich mag das nicht oft). Okay, alle das ich habe gesagt ist was Man vermisst nicht.... aber das wie ich sehe es:
Diskutieren mit meine Freundin = meine Freundin ist da.
Schreiben und schreiben über und über = es ist auf Englisch
Eine langweilig Thanksgiving = ich bin mit Familie.... und da ist viele Essen.
Unarmung it meine Mutter = meine Mutter ist nicht Hunderten/Tausenden Miles für 10 Monaten weg.
Was ich bedeute, ist dassich habe gelernt dass ich bin okay mit langweilig und nervig..... in Mäßigkeit.
Ich glaube das ich werde alle das wieder im 6 Monate denken. Wann ich habe nach Hause für eine Monat sein.
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Mid-Year Seminar
So, for the last four days, I've been at the mid-year seminar for the CBYX program with the other 48 people from my region.
Honestly, the seminar was BORING and almost completly purposeless. We only spoke about June and when we're in Berlin.
Basically, the only thing we accomplished was continuously fighting over what we were going to do as a presentation for the German Bundestag in June... We got some stuff accomplished but only because one person decided to make a decision and take shit from people who didn't like it....
Though seminar was for the most part unneccessary, the trips we took were very interesting and fun.
The first full day we were there, we went to Bonn for the day. Bonn, for those of you who don't know, was the Capitol of Germany throughout the time of the Berlin Wall. In Bonn we got our picture taken in front of the old parliament building and then had an abundance of free time.
My group of people visited the Beethoven museum, a small church we happened across, and the Bonn dom (cathedral). We then ate street food (currywurst and pommes (Currywurst is a german food and pommes are french fries) ) Then we did a very German thing... we found a bakery, ordered cake and a drink, and then continued to stay and talk even when our food was gone. It was a lot of fun. After free time, we went a had a guided tour of the history museum in Cologne. It was REALLY cool. We have gone to one just like it before in Leipzig in our first month but, what made this SO MUCH COOLER is that we had the tour in German and not English this time.... and I understood most of it!!
The next day we were in Cologne. We walked along the Rhein until we got to the Cologne Dom (Cathedral). It was VERY pretty. Then, my group of friends and I went to the chocolate museum in Cologne.... we even designed our own chocolate!! Unfortunatley, we didn't get to stay in Cologne for very long and had to be back at the hostel by lunch.
On Sunday, we had no plans until Seminar after lunch, and then after 5 ot 6 we were told that we were aloud to leave the Hostel for the evening (after the mandatory dinner). This was rare because usually we have seminar and curfew... so my group went to a movie.... in English.... but also with German subtitiles... the movie was okay. We saw the Dom at night and bought Starbucks at the train station (the train station and movie theaters are the only places open on Sunday)
When we got back, I almost died. So, outside of our window there is the roof... we were only on the second floor so, it was kind of like a balcony... except you aren't supposed to go out there (but, there was no sign saying not to), so my roomates, Robert, and I went out and built a snowman and then... everyone else was making footprints on the edge and so I tried to, too. Only, they had done one foot at a times so that they wouldn't risk sliiping... I didn't... and I slipped... fortunatley Laurah instictevly wrapped her arms around me to keep from falling. So, no worries, I'm alive.
Later, everyone went for walk.... I stayed behind and played a card game with Charles and listened to Wyatt read a fanfiction that he wrote... Of course, when everyone got back at about 1am, we played cards.
Pretty much we just spent a lot of time together, spoke more English than we should have, played LOTS of cards, and (at least my roommates and I) stayed up until 2-4:30 every night.
It was really cool and it was nice getting to see my friends from language camp AND get to speak English for a little while...
Some pictures from Mid-Year:
Greetings and love from Germany,
Madison Jeannine Wallace
Honestly, the seminar was BORING and almost completly purposeless. We only spoke about June and when we're in Berlin.
Basically, the only thing we accomplished was continuously fighting over what we were going to do as a presentation for the German Bundestag in June... We got some stuff accomplished but only because one person decided to make a decision and take shit from people who didn't like it....
Though seminar was for the most part unneccessary, the trips we took were very interesting and fun.
The first full day we were there, we went to Bonn for the day. Bonn, for those of you who don't know, was the Capitol of Germany throughout the time of the Berlin Wall. In Bonn we got our picture taken in front of the old parliament building and then had an abundance of free time.
My group of people visited the Beethoven museum, a small church we happened across, and the Bonn dom (cathedral). We then ate street food (currywurst and pommes (Currywurst is a german food and pommes are french fries) ) Then we did a very German thing... we found a bakery, ordered cake and a drink, and then continued to stay and talk even when our food was gone. It was a lot of fun. After free time, we went a had a guided tour of the history museum in Cologne. It was REALLY cool. We have gone to one just like it before in Leipzig in our first month but, what made this SO MUCH COOLER is that we had the tour in German and not English this time.... and I understood most of it!!
The next day we were in Cologne. We walked along the Rhein until we got to the Cologne Dom (Cathedral). It was VERY pretty. Then, my group of friends and I went to the chocolate museum in Cologne.... we even designed our own chocolate!! Unfortunatley, we didn't get to stay in Cologne for very long and had to be back at the hostel by lunch.
On Sunday, we had no plans until Seminar after lunch, and then after 5 ot 6 we were told that we were aloud to leave the Hostel for the evening (after the mandatory dinner). This was rare because usually we have seminar and curfew... so my group went to a movie.... in English.... but also with German subtitiles... the movie was okay. We saw the Dom at night and bought Starbucks at the train station (the train station and movie theaters are the only places open on Sunday)
When we got back, I almost died. So, outside of our window there is the roof... we were only on the second floor so, it was kind of like a balcony... except you aren't supposed to go out there (but, there was no sign saying not to), so my roomates, Robert, and I went out and built a snowman and then... everyone else was making footprints on the edge and so I tried to, too. Only, they had done one foot at a times so that they wouldn't risk sliiping... I didn't... and I slipped... fortunatley Laurah instictevly wrapped her arms around me to keep from falling. So, no worries, I'm alive.
Later, everyone went for walk.... I stayed behind and played a card game with Charles and listened to Wyatt read a fanfiction that he wrote... Of course, when everyone got back at about 1am, we played cards.
Pretty much we just spent a lot of time together, spoke more English than we should have, played LOTS of cards, and (at least my roommates and I) stayed up until 2-4:30 every night.
It was really cool and it was nice getting to see my friends from language camp AND get to speak English for a little while...
Some pictures from Mid-Year:
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| Tessa, Laurah, Olivia and I (we were in front of the Bonn parliament building) |
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| The Cologne Cathedral (It's HUGE) |
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| Olivia, me. Stephanie, Laurah, Robert, and Tessa with the chocolate we designed |
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| Robert, Olivia, Laurah, and I before I almost died on the roof (we had someone take it from inside take it out their window) |
Greetings and love from Germany,
Madison Jeannine Wallace
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Some Other Stuff I've Done... Complete with Pictures
So, right after I posted my last post, I remembered things I didn't post but maybe should have.... so...
1. I read in my school mass (I go to a catholic school but we don't wear uniforms)(Or course, they asked me read in English so it wasn't so difficult)
2. I sort of kind of learned to sew using a sewing machine.... but I wasn't very good I don't think.... still.... learning new skills!
3. I baked the cookies that my dad always makes for Christmas in the U.S. .... my host family LOVED it so... I forsee having to send them ingredients next year (and unlike my chocolate chip cookies.... these came out completley the same as they are in the U.S.... I'm not quite sure how I did it.)
4. I realized that I talked about baking German Christmas treats but never showed a pic of them so...
I hope this was somewhat enjoyable and informational to you.
Greetings fro Germany,
Madison Jeannine Wallace
1. I read in my school mass (I go to a catholic school but we don't wear uniforms)(Or course, they asked me read in English so it wasn't so difficult)
2. I sort of kind of learned to sew using a sewing machine.... but I wasn't very good I don't think.... still.... learning new skills!
3. I baked the cookies that my dad always makes for Christmas in the U.S. .... my host family LOVED it so... I forsee having to send them ingredients next year (and unlike my chocolate chip cookies.... these came out completley the same as they are in the U.S.... I'm not quite sure how I did it.)
4. I realized that I talked about baking German Christmas treats but never showed a pic of them so...
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| This is my host family's favorite....it's made with finely chopped nuts and apricot jam and then baked and dipped in chocolate. |
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| This is my host family's other favorite... I have no idea what's in it but, I think it's pretty much a waffle cone.... A little thinner and my host family just eats it plain and with nothing else.... I don't really like them... but I don't like waffle cones either so... |
Okay... so I think that's the end....I hope this was somewhat enjoyable and informational to you.
Greetings fro Germany,
Madison Jeannine Wallace
Christmas, Shopping, HAPPY NEW YEAR!
I would like to begin by wishing everyone a happy and healthy new year. I hope you find joy in all of your indeavours, old and new. Also, a very late happy holidays whether that's Christmas or another winter celebration.
Now this post will cover quite a bit so, I hope I haven't let anything out... if you have any questions about it send me an email or a comment. :)
Christmas here wasn’t SO different from my Christmas in the
US. Christmas with my host family began with a late breakfast (11am) with 6/14
of the family, then after that, we have cake. Later we (10/14) ate dinner.
Later, we exchange gifts, but you have to roll a 6 before you are given a gift.
Everyone buys gifts for one person…. Like a secret Santa exchange except that
they are given a list of what the person wants (I got a ‘the Hunger Games’ book
in German, a Ballerina jewelry stand, dance shoes for Karneval, a small wooden
elephant statue, and the new Taylor Swift CD). The ‘celebration,’ honestly,
wasn’t anything special or different from what people do in the U.S. Then, we
played the game were you have a name of a person on your forehead and you have
to ask questions and guess who it is…. And Uno. Then, I went and skyped with
the family (my mom’s side). Then, I went to sleep on Christmas Eve in my traditional new pair of pajamas sent all the way from Kansas.
Now this post will cover quite a bit so, I hope I haven't let anything out... if you have any questions about it send me an email or a comment. :)
I can now say a few things that most people may age probably
can’t…. probably most people in general actually…. I have celebrated both
Christmas and the new year in Germany. This post will be about the following:
-
Celebrate Christmas in a foreign country (Germany,
of course)
-
Going shopping with two friends in another city
-
Beginning and celebrating a new year in a
foreign country (again, Germany, of course)
On the 25th we visit the Grandma in a rehab
center for people who need taken care of after surgery or just in general. Then
when we got home, we ate leftovers from the day before and played Uno and the
other game again and then I (again) skyped with the with family (but, it was my
dad’s side this time).
On the 26th (it’s considered a Christmas day
here), we visited my host mom’s sister and I played monopoly with Sarah and ate
a Dӧner (which is a German-Turkish wrappish thing… can’t really explain it… it’s
huge and delicious and not American… if you ever go to Germany, you must eat
one)
And that was my
Christmas.
The next day, I went to Dortmund with two friends and went
shopping. Luckily, the train wasn’t full this time and we had seats on the way
there and back…. We shopped at Primark (which I have identified as the best
store because all the clothes are sorted and inexpensive unlike TJ Max and
other stores that are cheap and everything is just mixed together and you have
to dig through to find what you want and in the right size)(imagine I’m saying that last sentency thing because in my
mind I’m speaking super fast and rambling on and on) (just want you guys to get
the full effect)
I bought some nice clothes but the store was FULL. It was
difficult to navigate through and the line for the dressing rooms were so long
that once you were finished with eight and you had more you had to go to the
end of the line… that was not fun.
Then we ate lunch…. The food court seriously had 4 out of 8
restaurants being Asian food… but it was the first time I had really seen Asian
food here so we ate that…. It was disappointing.
So, more shopping… I tried on this dress and it was too
tight so I wasn’t go to buy it… only problem, how was I going to get it off? I think like almost every woman/girl has had a
time where they couldn’t get a piece of clothing off alone. Luckily, Sarah and
Sophie were waiting for me right outside the room so, Sarah helped. But , the
doors were those curtains and not real doors and the room was SUPER small. So
she ‘s trying to get the dress off me without ripping it (because I don’t want
to have to buy it) and at the same time I am trying to keep the curtain from
opening on a side… it was difficult but after five minutes (no exaggeration) there
was success.
So, our feet hurt, we have tons of bags, it’s raining, and
we have just enough time to catch the next train. We step outside and… rip… all
of the Primark bag’s handles (being that they’re paper and it’s raining) have
just ripped off. And, we had to carry the bags to the train after trying to
stuff as much clothes into the other bags as possible… but, we did NOT miss the
train so, I think the day was a success.
So, I have just rambled on and on abut shopping because…
well, I think it’s funny but, if you don’t… whatever.
New Years Eve wasn’t SUPER exciting. I hung out with Sarah,
Dana, und Danielle. We listened to music, played twister outside where it was
cold and wet, played darts (I won J),
watched fireworks, and played with fire (like seriously… we played with the
lighters… it was fun) And, then went
home and slept….
Nothing super different or exciting happened here that
didn’t also happen in the U.S.
So, Happy New Year!!
I hope everyone has an amazing 2013. Sorry, I posted so late
but we haven’t had internet for over a week.
The redhead Kansan in Germany,
Madison Jeannine Wallace
Saturday, December 8, 2012
Christmas Time / Weihnachtszeit
Christmas, christmas time is here. Time for fun and time for cheer!
So Christmas time is upon us. In Germany, I have found that means advents calenders, lots of sweets and chocolate, Christmas Markets, and more traditions (some I have learned and some I will).
Advents Calenders are common here. They are sold in everystore, can be bought with anything inside and are just plain fun. For example, you can buy an advents calender with a different beer for everyday or a different perfume.... the most common (and delicious) contains chocolate. For everyday of December until the 25th, you open up the calender to a new day and you find a new treat.
My host mother and I have begun making sweets for Christmas time. We have made plätzchen (they're christmas cookies). I have not yet made Peanut Blossoms (my family's holiday cookie).
So, I went to my first Christmas market yesterday in Münster. I didn't really do anything Christmasy but I drank hot chocolate and met my community representative (she drank the traditional alcoholic German Christmas drink, Blühwein).
While we were at the chrismas market, there was a flashmob dancing to Gangnam style... it was pretty funny.
We walked the wrong direction when we were trying to get to the train station and ended up missing the train and having to take a later one. When we got on the train, there was no room to breath and not enough seats. I just stood and had this guy coughing on me and accidently touching my thigh and buttall the time.... it was an experience. All in all, it was a good experience and lots of fun. I even got a cool new hat (I'm wearing it in the picture above) and some new warm boots.
Everything here gets better (not as difficult) every day... except for math, and history, and german class, and well.... maybe school doesn't get better.... but I'm hanging out with people more and experiencing things that are German....
Things are going pretty well.
Sending love and greetings from German.
Madison Wallace
Weihnachtszeit ist hier. In Deutschland Weihnachts ist Adventskalender, Süßigkeit, Weihnachtsmarkt, und viele mehr Tradition (etwas habe ich gelernt und etwas nicht).
Adventskalenders sind in Deutschland gemeinsam. Sie sind in jeden Laden verkauft, haben viele anderes Ordnung, und sind sehr spaß. Sie koennen mit eine anderes Bier für jedentag oder anderes Parfume kaufen. Die meist gemeinsam (und lecker) adventskalender ist mit Schokolade. Für jedentag von Dezember bis 25. Dezember, da ist ein neue Hochgenuß.
Meine Gast Mutter und ich haben Süßigkeit für Weihnachtszeit backen beginninen. Wir haben Plätschen (Weihnachts Keks) gebackt. Ich habe nicht Erdnuss Blossom Keks (Die Weihnachts Kek von meine Familie) gemacht.
Ich bin zu meine erst Weihnachtsmartkt gestern im Münster gegangen. Ich habe nich viel Weihnachts gemacht aber ich habe Kakao getrunken und hat mit meine Betreurin getreffen (sie hat ein Tradition Deutsch Trink mit Alkohol getrunken (Glühwein)).
So Christmas time is upon us. In Germany, I have found that means advents calenders, lots of sweets and chocolate, Christmas Markets, and more traditions (some I have learned and some I will).
Advents Calenders are common here. They are sold in everystore, can be bought with anything inside and are just plain fun. For example, you can buy an advents calender with a different beer for everyday or a different perfume.... the most common (and delicious) contains chocolate. For everyday of December until the 25th, you open up the calender to a new day and you find a new treat.
My host mother and I have begun making sweets for Christmas time. We have made plätzchen (they're christmas cookies). I have not yet made Peanut Blossoms (my family's holiday cookie).
So, I went to my first Christmas market yesterday in Münster. I didn't really do anything Christmasy but I drank hot chocolate and met my community representative (she drank the traditional alcoholic German Christmas drink, Blühwein).
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| My community representative, Leonie, and I. Meine Betreuerin, Leonie, und ich. |
I went to another Christmas Market today. This one was in Dortmund and was much larger.
There were different crafts, jewelry, scarves, food and much more. Dortmund has the largest Christmas tree in Germany.
We walked the wrong direction when we were trying to get to the train station and ended up missing the train and having to take a later one. When we got on the train, there was no room to breath and not enough seats. I just stood and had this guy coughing on me and accidently touching my thigh and buttall the time.... it was an experience. All in all, it was a good experience and lots of fun. I even got a cool new hat (I'm wearing it in the picture above) and some new warm boots.
Everything here gets better (not as difficult) every day... except for math, and history, and german class, and well.... maybe school doesn't get better.... but I'm hanging out with people more and experiencing things that are German....
Things are going pretty well.
Sending love and greetings from German.
Madison Wallace
Weihnachtszeit ist hier. In Deutschland Weihnachts ist Adventskalender, Süßigkeit, Weihnachtsmarkt, und viele mehr Tradition (etwas habe ich gelernt und etwas nicht).
Adventskalenders sind in Deutschland gemeinsam. Sie sind in jeden Laden verkauft, haben viele anderes Ordnung, und sind sehr spaß. Sie koennen mit eine anderes Bier für jedentag oder anderes Parfume kaufen. Die meist gemeinsam (und lecker) adventskalender ist mit Schokolade. Für jedentag von Dezember bis 25. Dezember, da ist ein neue Hochgenuß.
Meine Gast Mutter und ich haben Süßigkeit für Weihnachtszeit backen beginninen. Wir haben Plätschen (Weihnachts Keks) gebackt. Ich habe nicht Erdnuss Blossom Keks (Die Weihnachts Kek von meine Familie) gemacht.
Ich bin zu meine erst Weihnachtsmartkt gestern im Münster gegangen. Ich habe nich viel Weihnachts gemacht aber ich habe Kakao getrunken und hat mit meine Betreurin getreffen (sie hat ein Tradition Deutsch Trink mit Alkohol getrunken (Glühwein)).
(Erst Foto hier)
Ich bin zu ein andere Weihnachtsmarkt heute gegangen. Es war in Dortmund und ist sehr groß. Da war andere Basteln, Schmuck, Schallen, Essen, und mehr. Dortmund hat die großess Weihnachtsbaum im Deutschland.
(Zweiten Foto hier)
Da war eine FlashMob in die Weihnachtsmarkt zu 'Gangnam Style' tanzen.... ich habe es lustig gefunden.
Wir sind die falsch weg zu die Bahnhof Station gegangen und haben die Zug vermisst. Wir haben die nächste Zug genimmt. Da war kein Patze und nicht viel Sitzen an die Zug.... Es war interessant.
Alle heir ist besser (nicht so Schwer) jeden Tag.... aber nicht Mathe, oder Geschichte, oder Deutsch Klasse.... vieleicht Schule ist nicht besser... aber ich chille mit Freunden mehr und mache mehr Deutsch Tradition.
Alle ist gut mit mir.
Liebe und Gruße von Deutschland,
Madison Wallace
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