Monday, February 6, 2012

Did you miss me?

Hello friends!
       I realize it has been well over a month since I last posted.  So here I go!  Fast fill in!

       Christmas was a blast!  In Germany, they celebrate on Christmas Eve but we have to wait the entire day to open presents.  I must say, I prefer waking up and doing it better, even if ts a day later.  We had a goose for dinner with red cabbage and then headed to an afternoon church service in which I played Mary.  The 25th I called home and spent 3 hours on the phone while my family opened presents.  The 27th, Maxwell came for a week visit and was a hit with the family.  They asked when he'd be coming back.  Haha!  January weekends were busy, which was great.  I spent on in Frankfurt, one in Potsdam and one in Italy!  I gave a presentation about State College that went well and I'm glad to have it over with!  I got a Dirndl (the dress that is worn during Oktoberfest where guys wear liederhosen for those who don't know that that is) and I was very very excited when it arrived! I also spent a week and a half in an Elementary school that was so much fun!  January I went to the pool once a week followed by a trip to McDonald's.  I've eaten more McDonald's in Germany than in my entire life in America! On the 28th of February I flew to Milan, Italy for a week long visit with the Paynes.  I should say a week short visit because it went too fast.  I enjoyed a break from German food which is full of sandwiches, for every meal. (But Germans don't call them sandwiches, but bread.  Which I eat a lot of.  I really have had bread and water for dinner) I enjoyed Bacon, hot dogs, PB&J, Kraft Mac and Cheese, a Cheeseburger from Hard Rock Cafe, and home made Lasagna. We also had some handmade Raviolis and real Italian Pizza.  That's even a shortened list.  But (believe it or not) We did other things besides eat.   I slept in, watched movie IN ENGLISH, watched TV in ENGLISH, spoke ENGLISH, and visited Venice and Milan.   It was seriously the best week ever and gave me a wonderful break right in the middle of my exchange year.  I cried on the plane coming back because I just had SO MUCH FUN and didn't like that it ended so fast!  I still want to go back, and I got home two days ago.  Well, I'm halfway now.  If the second half goes as fast os the first, I'll be home in no time!  But its probably going to go faster seeing its a bit easier now that I'm fluent.  Alright, see you soon!
                         Emma