Happy Thanksgiving!!!! ...What's that?

Ahh.. there´s always something going on!!! But that´s a good thing! Im having the time of my life:) 
Sooo letss see where did I leave off.. ok so Friday. the 18th. Stufenparty!! So the whole 11th grade had a party together. It was quite fun! Im sure you can all imagine what a German party is like haha! Saturday was all good. I got my sleep and then went to Ashvini´s for coffe and cake:) She´s a good cook! Sunday was good family bonding time. Bike rides and such


The next week was basically filled with getting up too early for me.. going to school. Going to arobics. and then BAM! I got mid-stay papers!!!! So let me explain. These papers let me go to another part of Germany for 2-3 weeks!!! And there were soo many options I didnt know what to choose or where to go! But I have to wait a while to see if im accepted and where Ill go. I´ll keep you updated! 



So you might be wondering how the big 'ole turkey day is celebrated here. it isnt. Let me explain. There were no Native Americans helping the Pilgrims in Germany. :) So instead.. I went to school from 7.40 til 5. buzzzzkilllll. I even said happy thanksgiving to everyone but no one understood. Many had heard of it but really had no idea. But thats ok because on Saturday night I hosted a thanksgiving for my family and a few friends!! Everything went good! No one was visibly sick or disgusted by the food. If they were they hid it well:) 


But the night before that I went to the opening ceremony for the Germershiem Weihnachtsmarkt! It was very small but very cute. All the decorations and such. I listened to Vanessa sing and drank some kinderpunch:) 


Over the weekend I learned a valuable lesson.. well kinda... ready for this..? sooo after Thanksgiving I let the 6 girls cut and dye my hair. Problem: Mahogony turned a little more red than I would have liked. But I really cant say anything because I had picked the color. But on the box it wasnt soo red. Good: they did a wonderful job on my haircut:) So lesson? A little red tint on the box = lots of red on your head. Hey! It rhymes!!


But anywaysss thats bout all I got to say. Oh!! I am thankful for those who read this:) Thank-you!! 


Tschüss!

Ellie


p.s.OMG!! George Strait Christmas music on the online radio right now!!!! best.thing.ever.

Just Like in the Movies.

Today. I literally ran to catch a train. I jumped on just as it went to take off. It was a perfect movie scene except it wasnt for anything special. Just to go and see Antigone, the play, in Ludwigshafen. I ended up not understanding anything except whether the actors were happy or sad. Wow. Well to start the day off we had one period of class then the whole 11th grade was to go to the main train station to catch the train to the theatre. Well I, along with some others, decided to take a train that went by the school to the main train station. It was all good except that one very important train... decided not to come. Leaving me and the others running to the train station. I ended up in a group of 4 who took the wrong way. By the time we got there we were last and we also made the train late. But all ended up ok. I made it home safe and sound. 

So as you may have noticed I finally had the patience to upload pictures. They are all out of order so pay no attention to that... Well this past week and couple days have been very wonderful! Friday was St. Martin´s Day. I went with Sarah and Wolfgang to her kindergarten where we met with all the others then walked a little around the neighborhood singing songs. All the kids had little lanterns. It was a very cultural experience to say the least! St. Martin... Ohhh I dont know how to explain him.. google him? He was a nice guy who gave his coat to  someone I think... After that though I went to Julia´s house for girls night! Fun!! Saturday I slept the whole day basically.. haha On Sunday I met with Vivian and we had a nice walk. And I skyped home!! Awwww my little boys are growing up:( Lane is walking and Parker´s favorite animal when I asked was Winn Poo:) I also found out Jeremy has made national news with his mayor election. Psh and they say nothing ever happens in a small town... 

So Tuesday. I got a story for ya. OK not really more like an adventure. Soo was out of school pretty early. like 11:30. So My host mom suggested I go to Speyer for the afternoon. So I did. I got a little shopping done.. (Hello new hat, gloves, scarves & jacket!!) I also got to see the beautiful Cathedral there! It was very nice. I only got lost once but a nice old lady got me back to where I needed to be. All in all it was very nice..:)

I CANT WAIT FOR CHRISTMAS!!!! In Speyer they were setting up for Weihnachtsmarkt. Christmas vendors galore. the street was filled but they werent open yet. That just gives me any excuse to go back:) Anyway Im listening to Christmas music noww!! Love it! But I have to get past Thanksgiving before I can get to much in the Holiday Spirit. This may be a challenge because.. I have an announcement... I am preparing Thanksgiving meal. Not completely alone. My host dad and mom will help but yess. A turkey adn all the finxins! Im excited!! 

Tomorrow.. Friday Friday.. Im going back to Speyer now that I think of it. Wolfgang is taking annina to horse riding lessons and I am going to shopping for Thanksgiving ingredients.:) And we also have Stufenparty. The whole 11th grade goes somewhere.. to a club for instance. Cant wait!! WooHOo! Ok wellll tschüss! Bis Später!

 -Ellie

Picturesss. Finally.

The Alps. I hiked up there. Soo worth it:)

Medieval canon. nbd.

Soo... those are all vineyards. simply fantastic.

The Girls!! These are a few of the other foreign exchange students in the area! Left to right: Eris (Turkey), Elena (Italy) me, and Ashvini (Malaysia). These girls have been great! Ive had some great times with them!:)

Well this is before I left. In the hotel where our orientation was. Now all these ladies are scattered acoss Germany!

Caroline & Amy!

In Stuttgart with my new friends:) Angela, Isabella, Sophie, me, Jana & Eileen!!

My Host sisters Annina (older) & Sarah (younger)

Schloss Neuschwanstein. still not 100% on the spelling but its still beautiful!

And the World Keeps goin ´round

well well well, what do we have here... Just another post:) so. I know its been two weeks but hey. Things are slowing down. Im getting into a routine and honestly. I bore myself reading some of my posts. So too eliminate that just skipped a week. ok. 

so fact number 1 about the last two weeks. I kinda want to get a tattoo. Ya know just a small one maybe on my foot? Ill have to convince mom and dad... Just something to say Hey! remember that one time you were in germany?! I still need to think on that. Tessa once told me "Don´t do anything I wouldn´t" WelllI  I have definitely debated and asked myself would she... I dont know Tess Would you?! 
Ok
fact numba 2. I like to sing. Bahaha that sounds so weird for me.Ok so not all songs the half Latin / Italian song isnt my favorite but White Christmas is pretty chill. Even though I barely sing it isnt too bad.. maybe I´ll join choir when I get back.
okie dokie smokie
Fact nummer 3. My host sister Sarah likes to eat my clothes?! She runs up like shes gonna give me a bear hug and then I look down and she is suck on the sleeve of my sweatshirt. Hmm... Good thing I figured out how to properly use the washing machine! ( I wrote down the directions so I wont forget:)) But I really do enjoy having Sarah and Annina around. Im still not entirely sure what being the Big Sis really means and all I am supposed to do but the job hasnt been taken from me yet:) So I guess thats good.
Okeyyyy(insert liz hilsman´s voice)
factual fact number four. I really like the people here. Especially the ones who make school worth going to. Even though the level of my understanding is barely above the ground in some classes... I do enjoy them.  English class: the teacher has probably been studying English longer than I have been alive. So naturally she should know more English. Right?! Well thats probably the most humiliating thing. When she asks me what words mean or something about sentence and I dont know.  Ouch. But what can I say?! Im not a walking dictionary!! Anyway. I have read other blogs and the students are doing great in English. Naturally. Not here. Im actually just average. Not the worst thankfully but not the best. I should get an English credit. I think Ive said that before... Sorry!!!
Fact 5. Hiking is good. Actually I think its just being in a forest that is so great. When you drive here you are out of a town for what... 2 -5 mins? and you are in another town. And I thought Latimer was really close. three towns would fit in between Hampton and Latimer. 
#6. This blog is now finished.


Nawwww... Im joking I wouldnt leave you, my reader, just like that. But really.. Not much more to say. Everything is good. Life is good. Im having the time of my life here. Not that I dont miss home. I do. Really. But Ill be back in 8 months because....
the most wonderful fact #7. Today is November 8th. I have been away for exactly 2 months!!! exactly.:) 
So Tschüssss!!!! 
ellie:)

This Wont Take Too Long to Read.

Well Im sorry to say I dont have a whole lot to say. Things are good. And I really dont want to bore you with all the today I dids.. and I think.. I mean Ill let ya in on the major things but things are pretty chill right now. School is good. Thank goodness I have at least one English class a day. And the others.. Come on. I mean even the other students dont understand. So I dont have to.. Right?! But besides frustrating classes at school Im doing just fine. I went to Footloose with Julia. Loved it! Great movie. Will be purchasing it when I get home. Im not even a musical loving person but I did like this one. Ha I joined choir?! Think I already said that but I had my first class on Friday!! I just sat down by Julia and now im singing soprano. Lord Help Me. haha I find it amusing.. :) Today I learned a VERY important lesson. Dont ride a bike with a skirt. Bad idea. There were construction workers on my route to school. They were hollorin when I went by.. awkward. With that said.. coming home I took a different route...  On Saturday I got to have some wonderful time with Elena and Eris (other foreigns in the area) In Landau. I also made some chocolate chip cookies yesterday! yumm. (but dont tell my family I took a nice portion of the dough and hid it in the freezer for my future use:)) Well LIke I said I dont have much to say so Peace!! I`ll go pick up little Sarah from Kindergarten now! 

Tschüss!

Bis Später.. Ellie!

I Love Lions!!

This post has absolutely nothing to do with Lions. At all. I just really love them and wanted to dedicate one post to them... :) 

I think fall break is wonderful! 2 weeks off in fall. No reason. Just because. And I also like the open campus policy! My schedule is also pretty awesome. Today is Tuesday. I have class until 1 and tomorrow until 1:30!! Pretty legit. yupp. You wanna know the saddest thing!? I took an English test. I had 12 spelling mistakes. Pathetic. If someone invents a pencil with spellcheck I would love them forever. I was rather embarrassed when people asked how I did. And it wasn't a spelling test. We had to write an essay. They are so smart here.  I think I might actually understand something in Math. It makes me feel good. Sitting in class with no idea of what is going on is terrible. Even more so when it is a 2 hour class. Ugh. Reading the dictionary is a little bit boring at times also. I purchased a couple books in German and by golly they are hard! I have to read each chapter almost three times to understand. Sad Life. Other than that school is going pretty good! The people here are so nice to me its wonderful. They always help when I need it. I went shopping with them this past week. They are so much fun! Speaking of shopping. It's a little expensive here. I bought a few things, I mean honestly which girl wouldn't! But If you ever decide to come to Germany packing a little heavy would be a good idea! And skinny jeans. Everywhere. No one in my school ever wheres regular jeans. So. Just to be on the safe side pack a few extra pair of those! So yea. WooHoo! I really like it here. I miss home and everyone there but it's nice here, I am enjoying everything. There is always something going on in my host family. My host sisters are so fun to have. It is weird being the older sister. And with no brothers. Yes Frank & Charlie I even miss you! 


Since the last post not much has happened. I have been keeping busy meeting neighbors and such. I have gone shopping multiple times with very bad luck. But other than that all is good. I keep thinking this can't be real I should be having problems with people and problems adjusting but truth is I'm doing just fine! I just chill. :) Its Time for my 4 O'Clock coffee!!!! so sxcited!!!


Tschüss! Bis Später!

Food.

Ok So half of you reading this were probably drawn to the fact that the title is Food. Honestly if I wasn´t writing it, I would click the link too. If there is food, everyone is there. Ok well moving on. The food here is good. People dont exagerate about German Chocolate. Chicken Schnitzel, I have had one. It didnt taste too bad. Also Flammkuchen. Delicious. Its like a messed up pizza. Its a thin crust like flatbread with a special sauce, kinda like cream cheese and sour cream but  different. Its called quark I think. Then on top there is bacon or onions or ham or more cheese. Well anyway its pretty darn good. But a big juicy steak takes the cake in my mind still. Speaking of steak.. I haven´t had one since I´ve been here. Sad life. I also haven´t heard the humm of a big ole´ diesel truck. I haven´t even seen a truck! And the semis. Mercedes Benz. Yupp. No Peterbilt up in here!!! Well yea I find that interesting. I also think its funny how I think of steak and end up talking about trucks. In my world they go hand-in-hand. Back to food. Im getting sidetracked. Too much coffee. My brain can´t handle it..OK food. Italian Ice Cream. HUGE here. Every town has multiple cafes for it. But I will say its pretty good. The tirimisu kind is great. :) And these Germans!! They eat like crazy! Always eating! For breakfast we have almost a full meal with bread and cold cut sandwiches. And coffee! always coffee. Then lunch is usually warm. And if you are home we eat together if we can. Supper is the same, If everyone isnt home for lunch we then have a hot supper too. But sometimes we have sandwhiches too. With all this eating I need to start running. A lot. I dont understand how everyone is soo skinny when they eat constantly! Yes.. there are few exeptions but nothing like back in America. Im sorry America but we have earned our reputation. Well I think that is enough about food for now...

So what have I been doing since last week..? Well on Wednesday I went to a Kletterpark with other afs students in the area. It like an obstacle course in the trees. Zip lining and climbing. It was fun!! Then after I went to Landau were I met with Ashvini (From Malaysia), and two other students from Brazil. The next day Ashvini and I went to meet Elena (Italy) in here host town. I also bought some shoes! they are grayish brown and are little ankle boots.... And back to Landau..... we were meeting with some more people for supper but my cold was getting bad and I didnt feel good so I went back home. In the next couple days I didnt do much mainly because I was sick and because I have no school! :) I watched a couple episodes of Little Britain. British humor. Hilarious. I met up with a girl in the neighborhood and we had a nice walk and chat which I did in almost complete German!! WooHooo! Sunday we went hiking again with another family in the neighborhood. There is a girl my age so it was nice to visit with her. I also went shopping with her yesterday. One of those days I made Apple Crisp for my family... I couldnt tell you which one though haha the joy of being busy. thankfully today was a nice chillaxing day. Not too much goin on. I think Ill go drink some hot lemon. Fresh sqeezed lemon in boiling hot water cures all cold and clear ya up with one cup. But I do suggest you add a little sugar or honey. Plain is ok but not that enjoyable!:) 

Tschüss Alle!!

ellie