Sunday, October 26, 2014

#8 10/26/14 Oktoberfest +

Hi everyone. I've now been in Germany over 7 weeks, and I left my old life in Norwin 2 months ago. It's really crazy to think about. Everything is going really well here. My German is getting better day by day, I started reading Die Hütte (The Shack), and I actually understand a lot of it. I also started the seond Harry Potter book. Reading and watching movies in German is an easy way for me to better my German. I have also started playing the guitar, which is a lot harder than I ever thought it would be. I also started playing the piano a little bit again. My host family here all plays instruments which I think is really cool.

As for school it is going well. I don't have private German lessons anymore so my school days are normal now. A few days ago I attempted to take a Mathe Klausur ( a 90 minute math test that is very important) I most definitely failed it, but either way it is good that I tried. School is getting easier, and harder at the same time. I understand more and more each day, but trying to figure out how to do all the assignments takes awhile and is hard. All and all school is good.

I recently also have went to Oktoberfest. Not the Oktoberfest in München that is giant, but a small one my town had. In the US, there is really nothing I can compare Oktoberfest too. I can describe it for you though, and show you pictures. Oktoberfest is a giant tent filled with people, a band, dance floor, and with tables and benches (everyone stands on the benches most of the time), and of course beer. A lot of beer. I can say I was thoroughly impressed with the coordinatioon of drunken Germans. Somehow they can balance on a bench that is not very wide, holding a beer while being intoxicated, and jump up and down and dance all at the same time without falling for the most part. Everyone in awhile a bench would tip and people would go flying, but they just got back up and continues dancing. Also there were people of all ages there. From 16-70 I would say, all dressed in Lederhosen and Dirndls! I thought that was also pretty cool. Oktoberfest was really fun, I'm definitley going to have to come back and go to the one in München. 


Here are some pictures from Oktoberfest, and also some pictures from around the town I live in.













Wednesday, October 15, 2014

#7 10/15/14 One month +


Hello all! I guess a lot has happened since the last time I decided to update! I've been here in Reken for over a month! That's crazy. I feel like I have been here a long time but also feel like I just got here. I think that is a good thing. At school I have my own schedule now which is good. My German is also improving a lot. No I am not fluent but I am a pro at speaking Denglish (a mix of German and English). It is hard to always speak German when I know I can speak English much easier and still be understood. I try though to use German and fill in the words I don't know with the English word. I feel at home here which is good and things are getting more and more normal everyday. Right now I am on a 2 week fall holiday. Whoop for German school! They have a 2 week fall, winter, and spring break and 6 weeks for summer. I like this much better than the way American schools do it. Since last time I wrote I have done a lot here.

- attended a German party
-completed the first Harry Potter book (in German of course) and understood it
-had a little welcome party with people from my school and host sister :)
-had a welcome party with my host family :) :)
-attended a AFS meeting where all the rules were told to us...again
-went shopping (muliple times) ;)
         there is a giant shopping center Oberhausen and it is giant.... google it!
-went to Essen and Coesfeld
-went to Tetraedor
-went to Tretbecken, you walk in water that is up to your knee, the water is super cold but it is good for your veins and circulation
-got my residence permit and am now offical in Germany :))
- went to Schoß Lembeck which is a really pretty castle surronded by water

 Things are going really well here and time is going so fast! I will try to update again soon but I cannot make promises. If you want to see pictures ( I know you do ) add me on Facebook, I have an albumn on there of everything :) Also if you have any questions just message me on Facebook or leave a comment and I can answer. 

Also the application just came out for 2015-2016 CBYX,  if you are applying and have any questions about the application, essays, or interview feel free to ask me and I will be glad to help. 

In Liebe, 
Jess

Schloß Lembeck




Tetraedor 




My host sister Lisa and I. 


Yuka (from Japan) and her host sister, and then Lisa and myself.


German welcome party.