Dear Everyone,
I'm going to try this blogging thing again, and try to do it more regularly so that you all know what's going on. I think part of the reason I didn't blog before is because I felt like everything I wrote would be one big complaint about my host parents. Now that I'm switching, I shouldn't have to worry about that anymore.
The main reasons that I'm switching I think is that they treat/ treated me like I'm 12 years old, and felt justified in doing so. Also our personalities didn't really match, so that I was constantly bothered by them and what they said and their opinions, so that it wasn't fun to spend time with them. They are also very nit-picky, and I could deal with that to a certain extent, but not after 3 months. I didn't feel happy or comfortable at home, we fought constantly. When I went away at Christmas I really enjoyed being in the company of people who were nice to be around. (that last sentence was very round about, but the meaning still stands) I didn't like that I felt really happy and relaxed to be away from my host family, and that I was dreading going back. So I decided to change. This has been very complicated, and it's looked a lot like a bad soap opera, but now things are settled and I'm going.
I'm moving in with my friend Hannes from school. His family owns the apartment building they live in, and are renovating it as well as living there. They live on the top floor, and Hannes and his brother have a unit in the 50 building, and his parents and sister live in the 56 unit. In between are several rooms, including 54, which was previously unfinished. Now we are finishing the room so that I can live there with them, "Cool, neh?" (as Hannes would say) Today we scraped plaster off the ceiling so that it's flat, chilseled the floor even, and put walls up.
tomorrow the work continues...
I'm already much happier with my new family, and I enjoy the work.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Bericht fuer Partnership Report for Partnership
Komplet auf deutsch (All in German)
Das ist was ich zu Partnership geschriben habe, ohne das Teil ueber meine Gastfamilien.
Freunde:
Am Anfang war es schwer fuer mich Freundschaften zu machen. Ich spreche nur deutsch in der Schule, und ich kann viel sagen, aber ich verstehe die Witze nicht. Ich habe keine Gastgeschwister die meine Alter sind, und sie gehen zu meine Schule nicht. Aber die Schule hat mich ein Paten gegeben, und er war behilflich. Ich habe ein Freund der Hannes heisst. Er ist sehr nett, und ist in manche von meine Unterrichten. Wenn gibt es eine Pause in der Schule, dann gehe ich meistens mit ihm zu Hause, weil ich in Pulheim wohne (Die Fahrt nach Schule dauert eine Stunde 22km weit) Ich gehe Morgen (Freitag Abend) in die Disko mit ihm und andere Freunde.
Schule:
Schule ist in manchen Klassen schwer, und manchen nicht. In Bio z.B. muss ich immer im Unterricht mitarbeiten. Meine Lehrerin hat Kopien aus einem englischen Universitaetslehrbuch zu mir gegeben, und ich lese den englischen und den deutschen Text fuer Bio. Ich habe wenig Matheunterricht gehabt, weil meine Lehrin ist auf Klassenfahrt gefahren. Jetzt, muss ich das Lehrbuch kaufen, und ich moechte wissen ob Partnership fuer das Buch bezahlen kann?
Ich spiele, im moment, keinen Sport und das ist nicht gut fuer mich. In Amerika habe ich Tennis gespielt, ich bin geschommen, und ich habe geklettert. Hier in Deutschland ich habe nur Sport Unterricht, und ich bin in der Volleyball AG. Volleyball ist nicht mein Lieblingssport, aber es ist trozdem gut. Marcel (Mikat) hat gefragt ob es gibts ein Verein zwischen die Schule und den Tennisklub, dann ich habe Nachgefragt, und es gibt's kein Antwort.
Deutsch lernen:
Deutsch lernen geht gut, aber meine Gedanken sind noch immer in englisch. Ich hoere Musik am Radio die nur in englisch ist mit manchmal ein deutsches Lied. Aber ich kann immer besser reden. Am Anfang ich habe sehr viel versteht, aber ich konnte nicht so gut reden.
Heute bin ich zum Artzt gegangen wegen Kopfschmerzen. Ich habe meine Symptome gut erklaert, und alles hat geklapt, aber ich muss noch einmal fuer weitere Tests. Ich habe auch viel, fast alles, verstanden. Der Artzt meint das meine Kopfschmerzen sind wegen Spannung und zu wenig Schlaf, und dass ist auch meine Meinung.
Botschafter:
Als Botschafter es geht mir gut. Ich habe ein Paar Leute gesagt, dass "Nein, Amerika ist eigentlich nicht wie alle Flimen und TV Shows." Ich bin ueberrascht, wie viele Deutschen wollen nach Amerika gehen. Viele fragen mich: "Warum bist du nach Deutschland gekommen??" Ich sage immer dass ich will deutsch lernen, ich moechte eine Erfahrung haben, und ich mag europaeischen Kultur.
Ich versuche immer hoeflich zu sein, und die Leute zu Siezen, wenn ich sie nicht kenne. Ich sage oft dass ich aus Colorado komme, und dann ich bekomme immer "Oh Colorado! Schoen! wie Haribo."
Im allgemeinem Deutschland gefaellt mir. Viele stellen die Frage: "Wie findest du Deutschland?" oder "Was magst du an Deutschland?"
Ich mag die Leute, sie sind nett.
Deutsche Kultur gefaellt mir weil es viel Aelter als amerikanische Kultur ist.
Ich mag Nutella mit dem deutschen Brot.
Das ist was ich zu Partnership geschriben habe, ohne das Teil ueber meine Gastfamilien.
Freunde:
Am Anfang war es schwer fuer mich Freundschaften zu machen. Ich spreche nur deutsch in der Schule, und ich kann viel sagen, aber ich verstehe die Witze nicht. Ich habe keine Gastgeschwister die meine Alter sind, und sie gehen zu meine Schule nicht. Aber die Schule hat mich ein Paten gegeben, und er war behilflich. Ich habe ein Freund der Hannes heisst. Er ist sehr nett, und ist in manche von meine Unterrichten. Wenn gibt es eine Pause in der Schule, dann gehe ich meistens mit ihm zu Hause, weil ich in Pulheim wohne (Die Fahrt nach Schule dauert eine Stunde 22km weit) Ich gehe Morgen (Freitag Abend) in die Disko mit ihm und andere Freunde.
Schule:
Schule ist in manchen Klassen schwer, und manchen nicht. In Bio z.B. muss ich immer im Unterricht mitarbeiten. Meine Lehrerin hat Kopien aus einem englischen Universitaetslehrbuch zu mir gegeben, und ich lese den englischen und den deutschen Text fuer Bio. Ich habe wenig Matheunterricht gehabt, weil meine Lehrin ist auf Klassenfahrt gefahren. Jetzt, muss ich das Lehrbuch kaufen, und ich moechte wissen ob Partnership fuer das Buch bezahlen kann?
Ich spiele, im moment, keinen Sport und das ist nicht gut fuer mich. In Amerika habe ich Tennis gespielt, ich bin geschommen, und ich habe geklettert. Hier in Deutschland ich habe nur Sport Unterricht, und ich bin in der Volleyball AG. Volleyball ist nicht mein Lieblingssport, aber es ist trozdem gut. Marcel (Mikat) hat gefragt ob es gibts ein Verein zwischen die Schule und den Tennisklub, dann ich habe Nachgefragt, und es gibt's kein Antwort.
Deutsch lernen:
Deutsch lernen geht gut, aber meine Gedanken sind noch immer in englisch. Ich hoere Musik am Radio die nur in englisch ist mit manchmal ein deutsches Lied. Aber ich kann immer besser reden. Am Anfang ich habe sehr viel versteht, aber ich konnte nicht so gut reden.
Heute bin ich zum Artzt gegangen wegen Kopfschmerzen. Ich habe meine Symptome gut erklaert, und alles hat geklapt, aber ich muss noch einmal fuer weitere Tests. Ich habe auch viel, fast alles, verstanden. Der Artzt meint das meine Kopfschmerzen sind wegen Spannung und zu wenig Schlaf, und dass ist auch meine Meinung.
Botschafter:
Als Botschafter es geht mir gut. Ich habe ein Paar Leute gesagt, dass "Nein, Amerika ist eigentlich nicht wie alle Flimen und TV Shows." Ich bin ueberrascht, wie viele Deutschen wollen nach Amerika gehen. Viele fragen mich: "Warum bist du nach Deutschland gekommen??" Ich sage immer dass ich will deutsch lernen, ich moechte eine Erfahrung haben, und ich mag europaeischen Kultur.
Ich versuche immer hoeflich zu sein, und die Leute zu Siezen, wenn ich sie nicht kenne. Ich sage oft dass ich aus Colorado komme, und dann ich bekomme immer "Oh Colorado! Schoen! wie Haribo."
Im allgemeinem Deutschland gefaellt mir. Viele stellen die Frage: "Wie findest du Deutschland?" oder "Was magst du an Deutschland?"
Ich mag die Leute, sie sind nett.
Deutsche Kultur gefaellt mir weil es viel Aelter als amerikanische Kultur ist.
Ich mag Nutella mit dem deutschen Brot.
Das Fussball Turnier
(Actually Occured on Wednesday 2 September, and Sunday 6 September)
British English: The Football Tourney
American English: The Soccer Tournament
We have now had two soccer tournaments against the Germans here at language camp, both of which we have lost rather badly. Not that our playing was entirely bad, just that the Germans love their Fussball. There was an indoor tournament on Tuesday played in a gym which was really small, but still fun. Our team consists of Lyle- Keeper, Rocky- really good at soccer, Josh-plays for high school and club, Mickey-played lots of soccer earlier in highschool, and myself- played in elementary, then indoor with the Bros on team Manifest. Then we also had our America Team 2 players of Lucas-no previous soccer, Evan-good at running, but also no soccer, and Josh- sweet Ninja skillz that he uses to get the ball and throw himself in front of people thereby tripping and stopping them, but no soccer expirience. Mario is a young German man who organized the indoor tournament and played for the America 2 team for indoor, and the singular 'US boys'(has to be pronounced in a German accent) team for outdoor. The outdoor was much better, and we really held our own, but I played forward and didn't take shots when I needed to. Things went better the third game when others played forward and I played mid. I did have some pround moments though with holding onto the ball and a few good shots. No goals, and one assist overall.
I really enjoy soccer, and I like how it's a team effort unlike tennis where I felt let down by my partner in matches.
British English: The Football Tourney
American English: The Soccer Tournament
We have now had two soccer tournaments against the Germans here at language camp, both of which we have lost rather badly. Not that our playing was entirely bad, just that the Germans love their Fussball. There was an indoor tournament on Tuesday played in a gym which was really small, but still fun. Our team consists of Lyle- Keeper, Rocky- really good at soccer, Josh-plays for high school and club, Mickey-played lots of soccer earlier in highschool, and myself- played in elementary, then indoor with the Bros on team Manifest. Then we also had our America Team 2 players of Lucas-no previous soccer, Evan-good at running, but also no soccer, and Josh- sweet Ninja skillz that he uses to get the ball and throw himself in front of people thereby tripping and stopping them, but no soccer expirience. Mario is a young German man who organized the indoor tournament and played for the America 2 team for indoor, and the singular 'US boys'(has to be pronounced in a German accent) team for outdoor. The outdoor was much better, and we really held our own, but I played forward and didn't take shots when I needed to. Things went better the third game when others played forward and I played mid. I did have some pround moments though with holding onto the ball and a few good shots. No goals, and one assist overall.
I really enjoy soccer, and I like how it's a team effort unlike tennis where I felt let down by my partner in matches.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
The Pakistani and the German
International travel is always excellent and a step above ornary travel because of all the interesting people you get to meet and see. Ok well really any travel outside of the US is like that.
My immediate family and I (Al, Abby, my Mom) all drove from the beach condo in Ocean City Maryland to Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) and we arrived at around 1 or 1:30 in the afternoon in the airport, tried to check in my luggage but couldn't because you can only check luggage six hours before your flight leaves, adn also because it was overweight. I had two large suitcases, one that weighed about 54 pounds and the other 53 and a half. 50 pounds is the limit, so I ended up opening up the suitcases and handing stuff off to my family right there in the air port.
Then we had Abby's birthday as a supprise in the airport, which was cool. Then we said good bye, and I had a good amount of time before check in. While I was waiting in front of baggage check in sitting on the air conditioning vent, a man came over and sat next to me. There was really good people watching there because everyone would show up with their two suit cases then weigh then only to find out that they were overweight. We could both see the scale at different times, and when one of us couldn't see, we would report the weight to the other. Then we got to talking and I told him that I was doing an exchange year in Germany, and he said that he was a pilot for the Pakistani Navy. We talked about all sorts of things, like his family, flying, international affairs, Pakistani vs. American culture. He was visiting a friend in New York for the weekend, then flying back home. I want an international profession!
Later on, on the connecting flight from Frankfurt to Leipzig I sat nest to a fairly young German probably in his late 20s who had impeccable English. He was also extremely personable and friendly; it figures that he would be a flight attendant. He was himself a flight attendant for Lufthansa, which was the airline that we were currently flying on. He flies all over the globe and grew up in Halle. We had a really good conversation, mostly in German because he knew that I needed the practice, and we talked about langauges, and musicals, and foreign languages, he told me about where to go clubbing in Leipzig and where to stay. He had also just passed an exam proving that he knew enough Japanese to be a flight attendant on flights to and from Japan. Once while he was flying back from Japan, he was part of the crew for a private flight for Lady Gaga. Ridiculous. He had pictures of himself with her on his iPhone.
He's probably the nicest guy I ever met while traveling, although the Pakistani guy could give him a run for his money. Both were in the airline industry.
My immediate family and I (Al, Abby, my Mom) all drove from the beach condo in Ocean City Maryland to Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) and we arrived at around 1 or 1:30 in the afternoon in the airport, tried to check in my luggage but couldn't because you can only check luggage six hours before your flight leaves, adn also because it was overweight. I had two large suitcases, one that weighed about 54 pounds and the other 53 and a half. 50 pounds is the limit, so I ended up opening up the suitcases and handing stuff off to my family right there in the air port.
Then we had Abby's birthday as a supprise in the airport, which was cool. Then we said good bye, and I had a good amount of time before check in. While I was waiting in front of baggage check in sitting on the air conditioning vent, a man came over and sat next to me. There was really good people watching there because everyone would show up with their two suit cases then weigh then only to find out that they were overweight. We could both see the scale at different times, and when one of us couldn't see, we would report the weight to the other. Then we got to talking and I told him that I was doing an exchange year in Germany, and he said that he was a pilot for the Pakistani Navy. We talked about all sorts of things, like his family, flying, international affairs, Pakistani vs. American culture. He was visiting a friend in New York for the weekend, then flying back home. I want an international profession!
Later on, on the connecting flight from Frankfurt to Leipzig I sat nest to a fairly young German probably in his late 20s who had impeccable English. He was also extremely personable and friendly; it figures that he would be a flight attendant. He was himself a flight attendant for Lufthansa, which was the airline that we were currently flying on. He flies all over the globe and grew up in Halle. We had a really good conversation, mostly in German because he knew that I needed the practice, and we talked about langauges, and musicals, and foreign languages, he told me about where to go clubbing in Leipzig and where to stay. He had also just passed an exam proving that he knew enough Japanese to be a flight attendant on flights to and from Japan. Once while he was flying back from Japan, he was part of the crew for a private flight for Lady Gaga. Ridiculous. He had pictures of himself with her on his iPhone.
He's probably the nicest guy I ever met while traveling, although the Pakistani guy could give him a run for his money. Both were in the airline industry.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Crazy Realization
I just realized that Congress-Bundestag encompasses all of the US and is much bigger than just my little section. I was selected out of my region whose organization is called AYUSA. There are 45 students going from AYUSA to the language camp in Hedersleben. Congress Bundestag Youth Exchange Program however is made up of all the different regions put together, and 250 students are going all togher from the US.
AYUSA encompasses only Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Southern California, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas.
There are 5 total regional organizations including AYUSA that the country is divided up into.
I'm kind of bummed that I won't be with people from all over the US. Students from South Western states are more likely to live like me and be less different, which is too bad. I was excited to meet all the different people.
I got confused with the conference calls, thinking that they were for every time zone, but none of them were in Eastern time, only Central, Mountain, and Pacific time zones.
Here's the CBYX website with the map: http://www.usagermanyscholarship.org/secondary.html
AYUSA encompasses only Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Southern California, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas.
There are 5 total regional organizations including AYUSA that the country is divided up into.
I'm kind of bummed that I won't be with people from all over the US. Students from South Western states are more likely to live like me and be less different, which is too bad. I was excited to meet all the different people.
I got confused with the conference calls, thinking that they were for every time zone, but none of them were in Eastern time, only Central, Mountain, and Pacific time zones.
Here's the CBYX website with the map: http://www.usagermanyscholarship.org/secondary.html
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Arriving at Fraport
Perhaps I should have blogged about my initial two week trip to Germany while I was still there, but oh well. It was amazing, and so far I love it, not that there is any chance that I won't love it later. First I flew into Frankfurt International Airport, and all the employees there where the logo with "Fraport" written under it.
And speaking of employees, when I first got there, I had lots of time to kill so I wandered around looked for a quiet place to eat, and went up an escalator, and found a bank up there. Actually I found two banks, a bank and einen Bank (a bench). I also found an ATM (Geldautomat) and wanted to get money out, but wanted to know if there would be any fee for my American credit card. So I went up to the bank guard standing there and asked him if he spoke English (in German) and he said no, German. So I asked him in shaky German if it would cost more to use the machine with my card, and he said he didn't know and I should go ask someone else.
I learned an important lesson from this, that I shouldn't ask people if they speak English right away, and should attempt in German, and that's the whole point of it anyway. Just thinking that due to the technical nature of my question, his English might be better than my German...oh well.
Then Antonia and her family, and we were reunited. We all had Starbucks coffee in the airport, which was a bit surreal because you don't expect a Starbucks in Germany, and you also don't expect them to speak German inside. (but of course they did) Then Antonia's mother, brother grew wings and flew away.
No they flew away on a plane, and we drove to Weissenfels (White Stone when directly translated) with Antonia's grandparents.
And speaking of employees, when I first got there, I had lots of time to kill so I wandered around looked for a quiet place to eat, and went up an escalator, and found a bank up there. Actually I found two banks, a bank and einen Bank (a bench). I also found an ATM (Geldautomat) and wanted to get money out, but wanted to know if there would be any fee for my American credit card. So I went up to the bank guard standing there and asked him if he spoke English (in German) and he said no, German. So I asked him in shaky German if it would cost more to use the machine with my card, and he said he didn't know and I should go ask someone else.
I learned an important lesson from this, that I shouldn't ask people if they speak English right away, and should attempt in German, and that's the whole point of it anyway. Just thinking that due to the technical nature of my question, his English might be better than my German...oh well.
Then Antonia and her family, and we were reunited. We all had Starbucks coffee in the airport, which was a bit surreal because you don't expect a Starbucks in Germany, and you also don't expect them to speak German inside. (but of course they did) Then Antonia's mother, brother grew wings and flew away.
No they flew away on a plane, and we drove to Weissenfels (White Stone when directly translated) with Antonia's grandparents.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Nick's First Trip to Germany- Charlotte Airport
I'm really, really excited about this trip :) It's the first time I've flown alone, my first time out of the country, and my first time going to Germany. (And my first time blogging) Oh and my first time seeing Antonia in a month. Right now I'm playing the "Who's German game", trying to figure out who is German just by looking at them here in Charlotte airport, and I'm realizing that it's pretty much a useless game, because Germans and Americans pretty much dress a like, and look alike.
The flight over here was pretty cool, lots of farm fields, and interesting scenery. I had the window seat which was awesome, and I think I get it again all the way to Germany. I hope I can see the ocean from the plane since I have never been over seas (literally) before.
The flight over here was pretty cool, lots of farm fields, and interesting scenery. I had the window seat which was awesome, and I think I get it again all the way to Germany. I hope I can see the ocean from the plane since I have never been over seas (literally) before.
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