I told a joke.

Okay so today I woke up (obviously) and I usually have to wait like 2 min before Tina is out of the bathroom. But today her door was closed, so at first I thought maybe she set through her alarm, and then I thought Tina never makes mistakes like that so I will just go ahead and take a shower. So I went into the bathroom and turned the shower on, I let it run for about ten minutes not kidding TEN minutes (very wasteful I know) and it never even got remotely warm, therefore I gave up on a shower and simply got ready, because there was no longer time to take a shower. While I was doing my make up my host sister knocks on the door and says she slept in. woops. I was wrong. she does make mistakes like that. Then we headed off to school on our bikes in the snow. when we got on the bus, Tina...okay so we need some background information first: I went to...actually I need to start even before that. Since I have been here Tina has found me in so many places and positions randomly sleeping, and has taken photos of these moments so far she has nine. Ok then last week I went to a birthday party, and while there "cotten-eye joe" was playing and when I started dancing the dance that you learn at church dances, which I discovered sadly nobody knew, well a friend of mine took a video....embarrassing. Then next morning, she took a picture of me sleeping, because she knew about Tina’s collection and said "now Im going to show Tina" just like she said after the video.argh. Which brings us back to the bus, where Tina flat out asked for the photo and I could do nothing about it, and my friend showed her the video too. so not cool.haha.
And then I got to school and figured out that I did not have music that morning so I had two free periods so all of my music class friends and I went to a cafe to drink hot chocolate and coffee. While there we ordered. I got hot chocolate (obviously) and was weirdly really tired after drinking it...anyway we...they...=) got talking about how when something weird happens or something goes wrong they blame it on Americans. haha The reason why they explained was because of stories like this one...a man or woman in America, in order to dry off the dog off that was wet, they stuck it in the microwave and now the dog is dead. And that is why they blame strange occurences on us. Later when we had gone outside, they made some more weird American jokes and then they made a joke on the fact that I have 13 siblings, and then I said "Ich hatte veirzehn aber wir haben ein in der Microwelle gesteckt" "I had 14 but we stuck one in the Microwave" I think it was the first successful joke Ive said in German and so I wanted to record it. =) then I went to English and gave a presentation on genetic engineering, which is really interesting actually, although in the middle of the presentation I said "warte" "wait" and everyone laughed because I accidentally spoke German. We then worked on stylistic devices (thank goodness Mrs.Good made me learn those). Then I had another free period where I talked with some girls about girly stuff the whole time in a secret room in the Hauptschule we found. Then I had Informatik which was basically boring ( I drew in my planner most of the time). And THEN I was supposed to go home, but instead I waited for an hour with Tina and talked because she had a free period, and no one to wait with.

The best told tales of Snow and Bikes do often go awry...

okay I don’t know if any of you are even following this anymore...but Im here to remind you that I am still alive and doing well. Two days ago I wished for snow and sure enough it came! the day I wished for it actually. I have still have yet to build a snowman, but I am hoping this will not be the last snowfall until Christmas for..."Im dreaming of a white Christmas..." I am pretty sure everyone at school thought I was insane at how ecstatic I was at the sight of snow ( I kept periodically looking out the window during Russian and squealing and the minute the bell rang I went running down the stairs). Everyone kept asking " What? do they not have snow in America?" and I was like "Come on practical sensible Germans, it only comes once a year. and after all I have never experienced German snow before." But even with its all its wonderfulness...there are downfalls. For example riding a bike home (BRRR) and riding your bike home, and falling off that bike...twice. No joke. it was done. My host sister has fallen off her bike twice, the first time she broke her foot, the second she almost got hit by a car. Mine were nothing so amazing, and I did not have the benefit of having them on two separate days. And until today I had spent my days making practical slide comments about her "sad" accidents. But nothing, sadly, is sadder then mine. I was in fact singing "Im dreaming of a white chrism-ahhhhhh" Tina thought I was just especially enthusiastic about the snow at the moment until she turned around and saw me laughing hysterically on the ground. Then the second time, well it was quite normal, just slipped, except this time instead of laughing hysterically I was wining "Why?!wahhaha" but my wonderful host sister (who is a little bit *cough cough* faster than me on a bicycle) came walking back and walked my bicycle back to the house (Oh wonderful warm house) where we listened to Christmas music, made ourselves tee and me Kinder Punsch...which brings me to another story...so they have a twisty nobby thing on there microwave to set the time so I just twist it and then wait until enough time has past, something about waiting until it beeps just tries my patience. But this time I put my nice mug of KinderPuncsh in the microwave and then ran upstairs to change into some dry clothes. When I came back to the kitchen, although it smelled great, the inside of the microwave looked like something exploded...mainly because something did. So a message to all of you do not put a drink in the microwave for an unknown amount of time and then leave the room=) The rest of the evening went peacefully, we decorated the kitchen for Christmas, watched the snow fall, listened to Christmas music, ate, Tina and I watched the 8th episode of glee (<3’d it) studied for our klausurs, and will now be heading off for bed. I am completely unprepared for my music klausur, so  have a complete night of unsuccessful sleep ahead of me. Wish me luck.
Alyssa

Average Day

Today I woke up, sick. I had a really bad cough and a runny nose, but I went to school. I got on the bus, and it was my friend Nina`s birthday (which I had forgotten=) but I LOVE bdays in Germany everyone gives you hugs even if you do not know them...and there is always cake involved. yum. Then my German teacher did not show up so I had two free periods, so two friends and I went to McDonalds=) "McSundae mit schoko bitte?" haha yum. Then math came...and I got thinking randomly, and got really sad...idk. and I started to cry. It was easy to hide, because I was sick and was pretending to focus really hard on my math book. But then my neighbor asked me a question.
And I had to look up=(
A girl asked me what was wrong. I told her I didnt really know (which I didnt) maybe it was a little bit of homesickness...they gave me hugs. I felt better.
Then I had Bio...ugh. that was a joke. And get this I need more space on my desk so I put a paper in my binder so that I could write and I got scolded at by the teacher in German and she asked me a question at the end...and I was like yea....what? Felt like one of those snaughty kids...but I didnt mean to. oh well.
But then I got on the bus and the friend that had asked me what was wrong, road the bus with me and we had a good chat, and are going to watch P.S. I love u on Friday together. It was cute she was telling me about the first day when I walked into bio her neighbour was like "Oh cool! an exchange student! we have to talk to her and figure out where she lives and yadayada." and she was like "oh cool an exchange student, whatever" and then she was like " now look at us?" haha. she never thought we would be friends. lol
Then I got home and ate food, went upstairs chatted on facebook, read MLIA.com (story of my life), started writing my little biography thingy for a year book some other friends are making for me=), then I sat on my bed to read my scriptures and fell asleep for three hours.oops. I went down to eat and get some cough drops, and then I came back up and am currently watching Americas next top Model. Yep its just as dramatic as Americas=) Well Gute Nacht.

Two truths and a Lie

Okay...I don´t even know what to say...I would start from the beginning but Id be on here for like five million years. So school has been great. I mean I do not understand most of what the teachers say, but its getting better everyday. Its crazy when I carry on a conversation with hardly any effort. Then I realize and im like what.just.happened. I mean the only time that happens is when we are talking about really simple things like music we like or something. But still. Ive met so many new people I cannot remember half of their names, mainly because they are all German names. Everyone has really reached out to me. Well mainly at first because "yay an american!" and its slowly waring off, but everyone is still nice. Everyone always says "oh sussss!!" "oh cute!!!" whenever I say anything. So far the only besties Ive made have been at language camp (aka other exchange students) but I see many friends coming along. Once I get past the language barrier=) Well today I got my first German binder and notebooks (which are different) they only have two holes not three, the germans thought my american binder was the funniest thing ever. haha. well now Im organized and all germaned out. well I wanted to make a list of things I have found that are different so far...

It seems that they are eating alllll the time, but they dont get fat!

They either walk, drive bikes, or public transportation to get around (usually)

School: u have a different schedule everyday and u take 10 or more classes at once.

Music: they are very into techno and old songs. next to no pop.

Bread and cheese everynight

they are very organized, even the kids

very punktual

you dont turn in homework u only get graded on tests and participation

you can buy beer when ur 16

80% of the young population smoke 

They drink carbonated water.

They dont have ice water.

I cant remember all the rest at the moment but I will make sure to write them when I think of them. But now I want to explain the rumors that are not true.

Germans are NOT mean. They are honest however.

The girls do shave.

They do open windows and let in cool breezes in the car.

If u have any other rumors that u hear and would like to know the truth about, dont hesitate to ask=) well Ive have homework to do. Thanks for reading. Ill get better at this with time. I promise. and I may even get fancy and start posting pictures=p

First week of School

Well I arrive in Gescher on Saturday after a wonderful day of shopping=) Right after I arrived I went to my first party...or disco rather. My guest sister had to work there that night, and so naturally I came along. It was fun, but lasted until 4 am so I was very tired. A friend of my sisters kept teasing me and saying that little girls my age shouldn´t stay out so late...and I would have to agree. haha jk. But the next day I slept until noon and then I dont remember what we did the rest of the day...we might have went to our neighbours house and had cake....anyway the next day was my first day of school!!!! My sister Tina and I road our bikes to the bus station. And ok you must know that Tina has super long legs and they must not have noticed that my entire body is like up to her knee. haha so the seat was very high and I could not touch the ground...stopping was a pain. Then when we got on the bus I opened my water, because I was thirsty and had just eaten a banana. But the water is sparkling water and so it exploded allll over me! and I just thought and said "of course!" my first day in German school something had to go wrong haha good thing it was only water and it dried before I got to school. Then I had to get to class, and lucky me Tina has lots of nice friends that walked me to my class, where I had orientation with the 10th class, where we got our Stundenplans, but then I didnt have one so i went to the office and there I learned my classes, which are all great, but everytime I show someone they all look at it like "aw u poor thing" apparently I have all the awful teachers=) again of course. But I would have to say so far English is my favorite..haha because 1. everyone wants to be my friend in that class so i can help them with their hw haha and 2. I can understand whats going on 3. and I made friends in that class haha..Then history is a nightmare! haha my teacher has already assigned a chapter to read and a paper to write...well I think..if I understood correctly which Im kind of hoping I didnt=) and then Im taking Russian! random! I know and super hard since its two languages in one class I dont understand, so I have to translate from Russian to German to English. But on the bright side I have music and Art as well, which I believe I will enjoy. Oh and might be able to learn to dance here! yay...although it may not be the kind I wanted...but I dont mind I just want to learn to dance=)...I do not think I have anymore interesting stories, well not yet anyway...oh! one of Tinas friends told me that it is tradition that the exchange students must get married while they are here...haha so if I have a ring on my finger when I come home...have no fear...its tradition! haha lol. well I will write later...Im hoping I get better with this whole writing thing with time. lol. but Gue nacht! bis später!
Alyssa

First Week and some odd Days in Germany=)

Well...where to begin, everything has just been wonderful. So it all began in Gescher with my hmom, hdad, two little hbrothers and host little sister. They are all wonderful. The kids are a blast and made me feel right at home when I got there. They absolutely loved it when I gave them Starbursts tho=) I watched my first German movie called Vater noch Vier? I think...but it was hilarious! even tho I didnt know what they were saying. Then for the next three days I slept until 10 or 11 ate until 9 or 10 ( it feels like we are ALWAYS eating! must be a past time here=) and in between that I smiled and nodded as people looked at me and moved their lips and said a lot of  "Danke"s. I kept wondering not what should I say, but what could I say...and so it came "Was ist dein lieblings Farbe?" (what is your favorite color?) in a lull in the conversation, and similar questions. But Alas! Monday came and I was at Language Camp with similar sufferers=) Many said they had stayed in there rooms, sat on facebook, at Nutella or sat in fly on the wall silence to avoid the awkward moments of not-being-able-to-talk-to-your-family lifestyle. Language camp began and I found myself living with my families Oma, who is awesome and very helpful. But the other day I seriously decided she is awesome, we listened to all of Phantom of the Opera in German while talking about Shakespeare, and she said she would take me to a concert!!! Not to sound like a super artsy nerd...actually yes to sound like a super artsy nerd...AWESOME! and she told me about this place where I could learn how to play guitar or the violin! Sweet!...anyway...language camp was cool for the first two days, when we were playing the whats-your-neighbours-name games=) and then...they split the classes!!! so there is the beginners german class and the know-a-little-bit-more german class. We had to start learning. Yipee! So a few days past full of German grammer. Dative, Accusative, der,die, das, who-sits and whats-its going before and after the verb and so on. But I have a great class and great teacher and so I cant complain. Anyway and meanwhile friends were found and made and I went to a sleepover at one of the other exchange students houses. SO FUN! we tried to explain to them the phrase and motion of "awkward turtle" which do you guys even know? and other phrases in English (u american teenagers should know which one Im talking about=) it was hilarious...there were some germans there that started dancing to Soldier Boy (is that how u spell that?) it was great!and we watched shooting stars on the trampoline we saw atleast 14 before the clouds rudely interuppted. Then today I went to a Klettergarten which is like a climbing/zipline/obstacle course thingy in the trees=) it was great and when I got home I got icecream and watched tv, its been a great day=)
Bis später folks!

Orientation

I have been on the computer for awhile and so I need to make this short so they dont think I am getting homesick or something. Well the last few days have been orientation and they have been freaking amazing everyone is so nice and I wish everyone had this oppurtunity. I got the chance to see the White House, the Library of congress, Arlington, I got to visit the washington senator, I have just had an amazing trip. I will tell you on my next blog about my first week in Germany. But it was a 7-8 hour flight and I slept in every position imaginable except upside down...the poor people sitting next to me had (sorry Leanne and nice German lady) me sprawled all over them. But when I did wake up I was so hyper and was in that dilerious state of happiness where everything is funny. Well I got off the plane and we had to wait about3 hours for our train to Dusseldorf, which was an hour and a half. Then I met my family! and when I met them I accidentally spoke English, and then German and then I just went silent..but theey are great people!!! I also descovered that Germans drink carbonated water, Mary Loving told us not to write anything negative on our blogs, but it is going to take a while to get used to, thats all I have to say. But until next time my good friends! Aufwiedersehen!

I leave for Germany in exactly twelve days and now is the time my brain chooses to  feel absolutely terrified, I was so ready for this experience like three months ago?! Now I am thinking about all the things I don't know, the language for example? But have no fear I am beyond excited as well, I mean how can you not be?
Not to mention I keep hearing these things (that may or may not be rumors) about the German culture, for example:
         *The girls don't shave (well I can just mark shaver off my list)
         *They think ice and cold breezes will kill their kidneys or something ( goodbye refreshing water and air conditioning I will never forget you :( )
         * Their mean and blunt ( like if you look like crap you'll know it)
         *They don't have chocolate chips or oreos! (that was almost a deal breaker for me) lol
         *I have been told that carbs will become my new vegetable

          So all of the above concludes that I will return a fat, hairy, dehydrated, rude, german speaking deprived-of-sugar 18 year old. Oh! I can hardly wait!
          I am really excited, don't get me wrong, and I have no doubt that I will learn a lot and grow as a person. There will be a great deal of differences and changes between the cultures. But in the words of Roberts C. Gallagher:

"Change is inevitable-except from a vending machine." 

         I will try and keep this updated, if nothing else, weekly.
         Days until Washington D.C.: 7 Days
         Days until Germany: 12