#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.