The last week here in Hildesheim has been great.  I'll start with Sunday.  On Sunday, we went to the Marienborg castle, about 20 minutes from Sorsum, our village.  The castle is set in the middle of a heavily wooded area, halfway up a large hill.  We walked around in the courtyard for a while, and then got a tour of the inside.  Although the tour was in German, Uwe bought me a headset to listen to that was in English.  After the very educational tour, we climbed to the top of the castle, where we could admire the view.  Although it wasn't that high up, you could see for miles.  It was quite an experience.  

Monday-Thursday:  Nothing really happened during these days.  The only really interesting thing that happened was a fire drill that we had on Thursday.  

Friday:  Friday was a very fun day apart from school.  Arne and I got home from school at around 1, and then ate a wonderful lunch of Leberwurst and mashed potatoes.  I'm not sure if that's how you spell leberwurst, but it's a piece of meat that looks like a slice of bread, and then it's fried in a pan.  It's amazing.  Anyways, after lunch, I packed for the weekend that I would be spending in Hannover with Rotex.  Beate drove me to Hannover, which was nice, but I got there really early, and ended up waiting with only 2 other people for 1.5 hours until the rest of the people came from the main station.  After everyone arrived, we set our stuff in the gym where we were staying, and then had a potluck dinner.  It was a good chance for everyone to talk about their experiences in Germany so far.  After dinner, we broke up into small groups, and talked with former exchange students that were in our respected countries.  It was a good chance to talk with them about what we are going through, and to get support.  After a nice talk, we went back to the gym, where we hung out for the rest of the night.  There was loud music, and everyone was dancing.  Although the DJ was very very bad, it was still a lot of fun. At 2 am, the party finally ended, and we went to bed, only to be woken up 5.5 hours later the next morning.  

Saturday:  Like I said, we woke up at 730 on Saturday, and got ready for the day.  We ate a wonderful breakfast with hot brötchens, butterkäse, and meat.  Although it was nothing out of the ordinary, it was still good.  After breakfast, we played some group games, and then headed out to the city.  The first thing on the agenda was to go the town hall.  The town hall is a beautiful building that was partly rebuilt after being bombed in WW2.  At the town hall, we were able to talk with the city mayor about some of Hannover's history, which was very interesting.  After talking to the mayor for a while, we ventured down to the Machsee where we ate sandwiches on she shore.  Although the view was nice, it was extremely cold and windy, something that I was not prepared for.  We stayed there for about 2 hours, and then we went to the Stadium for a soccer match.  The match was between Hannover and Hoffenheim, and the crowd was clearly for Hannover.  People were waving large flags, chanting very loudly, and jumping.  People really got into it.  The match was somewhat boring, considering that the score was 1-0, but it was still fun.  Unfortunately, Hannover lost.  After the 90 minute game, we went to an Italian restaurant, where we had a wonderful meal of spaghetti with bread.  Although the food was good, the walk to the restaurant, and then back to the school was awful.  It rained the whole time, and was miserably cold.  Luckily, the walk wasn't too long, and within 20 minutes, we arrived back at the school, where we hung out for a while.  At 930, we all put on our ball themed clothes, and got back on the dance floor.  With all of us looking like we were going to prom, we lined up, and learned the waltz.  After the waltz, we learned another dance which was way to complicated for me.  I ended up just moving around, trying to fit in.  It worked out in the end.  After dancing for a while, we played some more games, and then danced some more.  Only this time, there wasn't organized dance moves.  We danced for a while longer,  and at a bout 2, we went to bed.  The next morning, we woke up at 9, ate breakfast, and then started cleaning. We had to clean the school, which was not very much fun, considering that we didn't have a broom to sweep anything up.  So if there was anything on the ground, you had to pick it up with your hands.  Once the school was moderately clean, we played another quick game, and then left.  Once I got home, I slept for 6 hours, and then had dinner, and then went back to bed for the night.  

I know it has been a long time since I have written last, but I have been very busy.  The past week has been pretty normal, waking up every morning for school, then coming home and doing whatever.  Thursday through Saturday, on the other hand, were very fun.  On Thursday, I went to school, came home, and then met up with the Todters.  Once I was at their house, Hendrik, Simon and I went to a friends Birthday party a few villages away.  I had fun, but it would have been a lot more fun if I would have been able to communicate with the people.  I guess it was just another way to motivate me to learn Deutsch.  After the party, I went to Hendrik's house, and we sat around with the family drinking German beer and talking about how Hendrik was leaving for Argentina for a year the following morning.  It was fun, but at the same time, somewhat sad.  The next day, was again, just a normal school day, but after school, Laurenz (my second host brother) and I went took a train to Hannover for dancing lessons! We met up with all the kids in the class, all of which were dressed to impress with their designer bags and double popped collared Polos.  It was quite the site to see.  At the dancing school, we learned some dances.  I'm not really sure which dances we learned because the class was taught in German, but it was a dance none the less.  After an hour of dancing with multiple partners, we went back to Hildesheim, and went to our respected domiciles.  The next day, Saturday, was EXTREMELY fun.  I woke up at 1045 to an empty house, and got ready for the day.  I ate a breakfast/lunch, then walked down to the bus station and caught the bus just in time.  The bus picked me up at 1216, and I had to be at the train station at 1.  Therefore, I had to wait alone in front of the train station until my friends showed up.  45 minutes later, Michelle and Maria showed up, and we hopped on a train to Hannover.  Once in Hannover, we went site seeing all around the city.  The first stop was the old opera house, which was built in 1845.  It was very big and beautiful.  We couldn't go in, but from the outside, it was very regal and nice.  After the opera house, we went to the city hall, where we went to the very top of the dome.  The dome was very nice, but the ride up there was a different story.  We rode up on an elevator that was on a slant and you had to hold on so that you wouldn't fall over.  It was quite an experience.  But once at the top, the view was magnificant.  You could see all of Hannover and even some of Hildesheim.  Although it is only 98 meters high, it was still pretty impressive.  We stayed up there for about 30 minutes, then went back down.  Once we were down, we went to a lake and rented a paddle boat for 30 minutes.  It was extremely fun, and tiring at the same time.  We got to see the whole lake and take lots of pictures.  Once our 30 minutes were up, we went back to the city square and got ice cream at this world famous Eis shop.  Although I thought it was good, I wouldn't say that it was world famous.  After getting some eis, Jari and I said goodbye to Michelle and Maria, and went on our way to the main station to catch a train.  But, on the way to the station, there were a bunch of guys walking together, and they were selling shots and glasses of beer.  So, Jari and I both bought shots of Snaps for 1 Euro from a guy in a hot pink bunny suit.  It was really funny.  Once at the train station, we got on our respected trains, and went home.  Once home, I had a pizza with Inga and Arne, went on a run, then went to bed.

The past 3 days have been really fun. Friday was just a typical day at school, and I only had four classes.  But after my classes, I met up with my 2nd host brother and went to his last class, religion.  After an hour of learning about God in German, we walked to the Freibat, where we met with my other host brother, Felix. We stayed there for about 2 hours, but it was very cold, so we left to go to their house.  We rode bikes, and they gave me a tour of Heinde, the village where they live.  After a nice afternoon at the house, I went back to the Schiedecks, and went to bed.

Saturday: The best day so far.  Saturday was a great day filled with fun adventures.  The first adventure of the day was riding a train for the first time.  I had to take a train to Gifhorn for a Rotary orientation.  The train ride to Hannover went smoothly and I got there without any problems.  On the train from Hannover to Gifhorn, there were a bunch of other exchange students, so we got to talk about our families, what we've been doing, etc.  When we arrived, we ate a delicious lunch of Spaghetti and meat sauce, something I truly miss.  After lunch, we went to hear E.J. Musick, the counselor for our district, talk about rules and such.  Once he finished talking, all of the exchange students exchanges pins for our blazers.  My blazer is starting to look quite ornate.  After a fun day with exchange students, I hopped back on a train to go back home.  The way back did not go as smoothly as the way there.  On the way back, I was supposed to get off at Lehrte, but we couldn't open the doors, leading to us not getting off.  Luckily, there was a train going to Hildesheim in Hannover, so it all worked out.  Once I got home, I was taken to my 3rd host brother's going away party.  He is going to Argentina for a year with Rotary, leaving August 21.  There were about 25 people at the party, and it was a lot of fun.  It was my first real German party, and it was a blast.  I could definitely get used to this.  The party ended at 2, so I just spent the night.  The next morning, I was driven back to the Schiedecks, and when I was getting out of the car, my third host mom gave me a hug, and it was so nice.  I never realized how much I missed hugs.  When I got home, Beate, Inga, and I went to church, which was a very strange experience.  The pastor led both the music and the sermon.  It was quite funny.  After church, we had a lunch of fish and french fries, which was amazing.  French fries are another thing that I miss.  After lunch, I bummed around the house for a while, until Tealo, Hendrik, Arne, and I went to the Freibat. After being there for a few hours, we left, and..................

...................went to MCDONALDS!!!!  It was so good.  Yet another thing that I miss.  After scarfing down my Coke, fries, and quarter pounder, I went to my room, and went to sleep.

Today was a rather uneventful day in Hildesheim.  The only real fun part was Sport, where we ran around a lake for 20 minutes.  School today was extra long.  Instead of having 4 classes, we had 6, and didn't get out of school until 3:20.  After school, we met up with some friends at an ice cream shop, then met with Uwe to go to the bank to get my German credit card.  After the bank, Arne and I went to the train station and bought my train ticket to Gifhorn on Saturday for a Rotary meeting.  After a very long process, we got the ticket, then hopped on a bus and went home.  Later, Arne and I played chess, and he beat me, like usual.

Today I woke up at 11 again, which was very nice.  After eating some toast and nesquik, i got ready for the day.  Uwe and I left at 1145 for my first Rotex meeting in this barn in the middle of nowhere.  After driving for an hour and a half, we arrived at this beautiful property where a bunch of people were standing around socializing.  My third host family was there, so we talked to them for a while.  The meeting started....in German, so I didn't understand much, but Uwe explained everything to me later.  After this meeting, all of the inbounds met with some rotex to talk about our exchange so far.  We then played some games and then met up for a picture.  After this meeting, Uwe and I went back home.  Once home, I got ready to go to the freibat, or pool area with Arne, Tealo, and Hendrik.  We jumped from the 5m diving platform for a while, and then we went down the slide, and got yelled at by the lifeguards for standing in it.  anyways, we got picked up at 7 by Beate, and then went to this very good Bavarian restaurant where I had my first serving of real German sauerkraut.  It was amazing.  After dinner, we went back home and went to bed.  

I have been here a week already, and I already feel like I am fitting in.  I have already made friends, learned my way around the town and the bus system, and I am starting to feel like a real German.  At times I feel homesick, and at other times I feel like it's just a dream, but it's not, it's my life.  

Today I woke up at 11 on my own, which was awesome.  It was the first time that I got to sleep in since I arrived.  When I woke up, Beate and Uwe were gone visiting Beate's mother, and Arne was about to leave for soccer practice.  After making myself a delicious gouda, salami, and wurst sandwich, I got ready for the day, and then worked on online classes.  At around 3, the Tebbenjohanns came and picked me up to go to an afternoon tea party.  The tea party was for the people in the dance class that I will be taking with Laurenz Tebbenjohanns every Friday.  The people that were at the party were the definition of preppy.  From popped collared Polos to Sperrys, everything about them was preppy and upper class.  The event was rather uneventful, although when the girls found out that I was from America, they almost flipped their bicycle. They kept on asking me questions and then whispering to each other while still looking at me.  It was most peculiar.  After 3 hours of being at this party, we left, and the Tebbenjohanns took me back home.  Once home, I went downstairs to watch a soccer match with Uwe and Arne.  The match was Hoffenheim (the team that I am going to see live in the end of August) against Munich, Arne and Uwe's favorite team.  After watching 45 minutes of that, we got ready and went to a friends house for a bar-b-que.  In Germany, if you ever eat grilled food for dinner, you are having a "bar-b-que."  Its a very loose term to say the least.  After getting a good serving of meat, bread, and salad, we talked for a long time about  random things.  It was especially fun because all of the adults were slightly tipsy, thus making it all the more interesting.  After a few hours, I went back home due to me being mude, or tired. I then had a nice skype conversation with my parents, then went to bed.    

First Week

I have been in Germany now for 6 days and I already love it.  From the weather to the people, everything is great.  I arrived at 10am on Sunday after 18 hours of traveling, and was welcomed by my first host family, the Schiedecks and my third host family, the Todters.  We then drove to Sorsum, a village right outside of Hildesheim.  Sorsum is a small village of about 3000 people where I will be living for the next 4 months.  My first day here, I slept for 7 hours, but was woken for my welcome bar-b-que with the Schiedecks best friends. I got to experience some good German food and meet some new friends, Tealo and Hendrik.  

The next day, I was woken at 815 for breakfast.  Although it was entirely too early, breakfast was very good.  It was toast with wurst and cheese.  After breakfast, Arne, my host brother and I, went to the shop to get some things, then we hung out with Tealo and Hendrik.  After lunch, I went downtown for the first time, which was really fun. I got to see the historical square where there are a bunch of beautiful buildings that were rebuilt after they were bombed in WW2.  After the mall, we went home, ate a dinner very similar to breakfast, and then we went to bed. 

The next day, Tuesday, I was woken at 815 again for breakfast.  After a nice breakfast and a walk with Lolle, the Bernese Mountain dog, my host mom and sister went downtown to get stuff for school.  It was pretty uneventful.  Once all of our errands were completed, we went home, where Uwe, my host dad, picked me up in his brand new Porsche Carrera 4S, and we went to my first Rotary meeting.  The food was the only good part about it.  It was all in German, so I couldn't understand anything.  And even if it was in English, I wouldn't have enjoyed it, because it was a guy talking about support groups in the 19th century.  After 2 hours, we left to go downtown again........where i became an official Hildesheim resident! After this wonderful experience, we Beate, Arne, Inga and I went to Uwe's parent's house to celebrate his dad's birthday. There were 3 different cakes to choose from: Nesquik, Cheese, and Sugar. After cake, we had dinner, where I had my first brottchen, or little bread.  It was amazing. After diner, Uwe, Arne, and I went to a soccer match.  The game was very boring, and the team that we were rooting for lost. 

The next day, Wednesday, was very eventful and fun.  The best part was that I got to wake up at 10! After a good night of sleep, Arne, Tealo, Hendrik and I went to the Andreas church to watch Arne practice for his school's opening service the following day.  Once that was over, we went downtown for a few minutes, then we headed to the freibat, or outside pools.  At this strange place, there are many pools, a 5meter diving platform, an olympic sized pool, and a lake. We spent a lot of time there, relaxing, swimming, etc.  On the way there, we were riding our bikes, and there was this lady in front of me.  So as I was coming up near her, I rang my bike bell, and when i passed her, she whipped me with her jacket.  I was very taken aback, but I kept my cool.  Arne, on the other hand, called her an arschloch, or ass hole.  anyways, after the freibat, we went home, ate dinner, and then went to bed.

Thursday:  The worst day so far.  I had to wake up at 620 in the morning for my first day of school.  I went into the dining room, and on my plate was a schultute.  A schultute is a cone filled with gifts that you get on your first day of school.  In mine, I got shampoo, soap, mentos, gum, a keychain, and a pencil.  After getting ready and then sitting around for a while due to the hour and a half that was alotted to getting ready, Arne and I hopped on our extremely uncomfortable bikes and rode 4 miles to the church where the service was.  I had to sit through both services because my class was the one that put it on.  Once both services were finished, we went to school, Andreanum Gymnasium, to start class.  School in Germany is completely different.  Instead of the students moving from class to class, the teachers move.  This system is completely flawed because it leaves no room for people to make friends outside of the kids in their class.  And its not like they switch classes every year.  they are with the same group for all middle and high school.  Anyways, we only had 2 classes Thursday, History and German, both of which I had no idea what was going on.  The reason school was so bad was because I made no friends and i felt hopeless.  Like life wasnt going to get better, like i wasnt going to make friends, and that i was a lost cause.  In fact, after school, i came home and bawled my eyes out because i was so homesick.  I cried for a while, but then i realized something:  there is no going back.  Im here for a year, so i might as well make the best of it, no matter how shitty it gets.  And once i had that epiphany, i stopped crying and went and hungout with my family.  I went on a very long walk with Lolle, Beate, and Inga, and I had a great time.  

Friday:  My BIRTHDAY!!  I turned 16 today, which was quite the experience.  I was woken at 6 and was brought into the dining room.  on the table were two wrapped gifts and a few bags of candy.  I opened the first gift, and it was a book about hildesheim.  Then, i opened my next gift......a Fossil Watch!!  It was a very nice stainless steel watch with a black face.  Although my gifts were great, I was shocked that I had opened my gifts that early in the morning.  After opening my presents, we ate breakfast, nothing special, and then left for school.  We rode with Tealo and Hendrik, and got to school at 740.  School starts at 750, so we just hung out for 10 minutes.  once the first bell rang, the english teacher came into the room, Frau Heidkamp, and we began our lesson.  We had to interview eachother about our hopes, worries, and expectations for this school year.  It was nice when people asked me how to say stuff.  An hour later, we had German, where I couldn't understand anything.  After German, we had a 25 minute break, where Arne gave me a tour of the school, and I saw my second host sister.  She was very tan and blond and seemed very nice.  After the break, we had politics with this really weird teacher that sounded like she was dying when she talked.  After politics, we had math, and then we went home.  School got out at 1230 today, so that was very nice. After school, Arne and I went to the store where he got my watch, and the jeweler made it smaller.  After that, we went home, I changed into my swimsuit, then I hopped on a bus and headed for downtown to meet with my new friends: Lukas, Jarie, Maria, Helen, Michelle, and Joana.  Lukas, Jarie, and Maria all went together and bought me a 10 euro gift certificate to a nearby coffee shop.  We then took another bus to the freibat, where we laid by the lake, talked, and just had a good time.  I really like my new friends, and am glad that I am starting to fit in.  Once it was time to go, we hopped on a bus and went home.  For dinner, we had pizza, which was amazing.  Then, we talked for a long time, and had birthday cake, which Arne made.  It was very good.  After talking for a long time, the parents and Inga went to bed, and Arne and I hung out and talked in his room for a while.  After a nice conversation, I went to bed, excited to be able to sleep in tomorrow.  Tchuss