Birthday

It really is difficult for me to keep consistant now that I am back home! While I was telling many a person that Germany was not a vacation, it indeed seems like one now that I am back to real life. I haven't taken that long of a break from life ages it seems, and I'm reluctant to rejoin my regular schedule because it now seems like an overload. The flight back from Germany was very long! One student in my group described it as the longest day of her life. It seemed shorter on the way to Germany, but I did sleep the majority of the way. I was so, so happy to land on American soil. Refreshing and nostalgic. I was so glad to talk to english speaking people and read english. You grow a large appreciation for a home. Not that I disliked Germany, I loved it! It's just good to be home.
I've started the new semester, and am really loving being in school--that is American school. I'm of course extremely grateful for my German experience, I'm just glad to be learning more than just German. I'm taking American Civilization, Modern Art 1970-present, Business Thought, and Intermediate German. I'm sure anyone can guess my favorite class--Modern Art. I'm very excited to start this course, although unfortunately it only meets once a week, for three hours...I wish it were more.
Work has been keeping me busy as well. I returned and I didn't quite know anyone! I was pretty surprised, but whatever, everyone is nice enough.
I had my Birthday last week and that was wonderful as well. Thanks to Brent for getting me a memory foam pillow, even though I know that foam has formaldehyde in it and gives off gasses that will give me a headache for the next week or so. I guess my health is the price for comfort :) Ashley bought me clothes from one of my favorite stores. I went out with my family at PF Changs, and Brent took me to my favorite--Sushi! It was a good birthday even though certain people didn't call me...you know who you are! I feel older, and oh so much wiser now that I am 22 yahr alt.

Opera and Eutin

Oi! I feel like it has been a while since I have posted anything, but I suppose that I have been so busy. I can't believe that I only have 4 days left here in Germany! Time has really gone by so fast, and now I am just getting used to it. Brent asked me if I had the opportunity to stay would I, and I couldn't help but say yes because I feel that a month is only just a time period in which you may become acquainted with something/place. I feel that I have only skimmed the culture and language. So for those who are expecting me to be utterly fluent in the language when I return, please don't get your hopes up. I'm not amazing, but I will be coming home with a much better understanding of the language, and feel that I will be able to advance easier in my other Intermediate courses.

The past weekend was great! It was relaxing and fun. It is funny because while I may feel the need to travel and visit every facet of Germany, I also had to realize that this is also a vacation away from my everyday life, and that being the case I decided to do nothing whatsoever on the weekend. No set plans. People were travelling to Amsterdam, Hamburg, etc. But I really just needed to take a breather from any stressful plans. On Thursday night I was able to go to Eutin to see the opera "A Night in Venice" by Johann Strauss, auf Deutsch of course. There was also a wonderful palace located there which hadn't been touched by the war really. Which was surprising since there were war refugees that had to stay in it. Even the hand-painted wallpaper from the 16th c. was intact! You really have to compliment the people that were refugees staying there for treating it as they did in such a difficult time. Practically nothing was restored. The opera was (unfortunately on this night) held in an open air theatre. It rained. I was very proud of myself though because I was dressed for January. People made fun of me, yes, but they couldn't say anything when they saw my pristine, un-wet skin and clothes when I was able to shed my coat and gloves. I enjoyed the opera eminsely, and quickly gained a gratitude for English subtitles given out at ours. I understood the majority of it, but still, subtitles would have been nice. It is funny how very close operas are to soap operas on television.

I had my online test on Friday and then went out to one of the local hang outs here with some of my co-students. It was fun and as usual, the food was outstanding! I slept in Saturday, and went to brunch and walked around the city a bit, then called it a day. On Sunday, I had the opportunity to go to the beach. Sunday was pretty much the first day that I have been out here in Kiel where I saw the sun. It was a warm, beautiful day, and I actually ran into one of my friends Eva, on the bus there, so I didn't have to be alone. The wonderful thing about the beaches here is that they are northern, so the water is frigid, but still refreshing. I just laid out and read and watched all of the people on the beach (they are a bit different than the people on our beaches). It was a wonderful day and I don't think that anything could have ruined it. I went back to my dormitory relaxed and ready to sleep!