Because I can't sleep and its an important day.

The emotional blogger strikes again.
With a truly amazing Christmas behind me, now starts an awesome ski vacation in Austria! But before that can happen, I am being blessed with a sleepless night. Awesome. Getting up in four hours never sounded better.
In all seriousness, that was one of the most amazing Christmas's ever, certainly one I'll never forget. Its hard not to miss family during this time, so I called my grandmas up this evening and surprised them and it gave me the warm fuzzies inside :)
(We're just going to go through all the updates here in no particular order)
The 24th was not only Christmas, but also my boyfriend and I's one year anniversary! Woohoo! That was cool, I miss him so much!
Today (tomorrow?) The 27th was my Aunt Whitney's birthday. Its strange to think about how fast the time has passed since her passing... I miss her incredibly, but I'm thankful that all is good at home with her family and I can only hope for the best for them.

Everything here at the house is going well, we're all super ready for the much needed vacation. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that sleep deprivation and a bad cough won't keep me off the slopes (but honestly, what could keep me off the slopes.) I've missed mountains so much, it'll be so awesome being around that fresh air once again.

With my fifth month behind me, and six months ahead, Germany is now a completely normal place. My ears have gotten so used to the language, its strange being able to understand tv, but really cool at the same time.

Big awesome thanks to the Kless's for an amazing Christmas and an awesome opportunity! Thank you to my family back home for supporting me :)
And if anyone has nothing better to do with their time, send me a letter!!! I'll get one back to you!!!

Weihnachten!

Its Christmas!! When I was invited to go tree shopping and told that we would get the biggest tree, I thought to myself "Oh yeah, big tree woo!"

Little did I know, we really would get the biggest tree there. With glühwein in hand, my host dad Matt pointed to the biggest one right in front and asked me what I thought. I thought like, he was joking or so, and agreed it was an awesome tree. 

And now its in my living room. 

Truly a spectacular sight to behold and something completely unforgettable, this tree can only start to begin to symbolize how German's do Christmas. 

From awesome adventkalendars (thank you mutti!) and to St. Nickolastag, everything is decorated and celebrated! We've made tons of batches of cookies and the candy drawer is never ending. My peanut butter cookies have been a huge hit so far, next week we'll be making the third batch because they go by so quickly. 

School is zooming on, my German is zooming on at a slower pace, and suddenly we find ourselves already in December. After December, I'll have six months left. Somewhere in January is the halfway mark and I'm honestly astounded at how fast this has all gone. Suddenly I feel like I'll be left with no more time in my hands. Germany is becoming apart of me...its regular life for me now. And despite that I'm really glad that I feel like this, it will be strange to leave...

 Because we live life on the dangerous side here in prison.

 From the top of the stairs...

 My younger brother Tommy and I!

 I just had to put a picture in of my lovely gorgeous doggie, Arthos. Oooh mygoodness I love him!

Body Language and Peanutbutter Cookies

One of the biggest things I learned here so far is how to read body language. After such a time living in a foreign country where your speaking skills are limited, to begin to realize that body language says almost everything about a person. Germans all have a certain way of saying things, with a certain face or tone thats quite similar (as does the rest of the world). Being here for four months, I've learned what means what, and what I can just pass off as nothing and what I should actually pay attention to. I think its really important to notice those small things whilst living in a foreign country, it helps out a lot when you struggle with communication. 

Another thing I've learned is that peanut butter is so dang scarce here. I went to one store today and couldn't find any at all, and then went to a larger store and only found one small stock, which consisted of one brand, in the smallest bottle possible. For 2,50. This is a place where a large thing of nutella is around...3 euros or less. 

But anyways, I made peanut butter cookies today and mmm does that remind me of home or what. Those are horribly amazing, I don't know how well my weight is going to do over the month of December.......ohwell :D

I bought stamps today for the first time in a few months. The stack of letters was getting a bit too high which up-ed how guilty I was becoming by not sending them. So! A lucky 8 of you will be receiving a letter that should've been sent a month ago. I still love you. A lot. 

Turning 18 was wonderful. 

Oh and ps. I went the The XX concert and it basically changed my life. 

It was really incredible. I ended up crying in the arms of a Polish girl who didn't speak German, but she did speak English. I was right up in front, the xx really really knows how to put on a mind blowing concert. Big thanks to my parents for giving the ticket to me for my birthday! It was the best. 

Everything

So! Yesterday was indeed a fantastic day :)
I had a fabulous birthday, was blessed with many good wishes and songs and hugs and cookies and cakes, it was super awesome. If you are ever turn 18...turn 18 in Germany! I would highly recommend it to anyone. Seriously, I'm so glad I was able to spend such a monumental birthday with the Kless's, it really was magical for me :)

Now that I'm 18, I have suddenly earned a lot of rights. Facebook notified me of the most important changes to adulthood.

Not even a happy birthday wish, just a little present icon...
Next important thing is that I can buy lottery tickets. Woo, I have definitely been waiting all my life to do that.
Here in Germany, I can now buy cigarettes and alcohol, which is a bit different from the regular 21 (but German kids are aloud to buy beer at age 16 so its no big whoop)
Next off, I can go to strip clubs and any other type of club/disco/you name it! Woo! Another thing I've been waiting my whole life to do (not really......)
But that big 18 just feels....big. I feel like I've aged 5 years or something. Suddenly I have all these rights and responsibilities and my parents technically don't have to support me anymore and sadkf;js;dklfj;dslkjf;kldsf what is the next step!?
But, this is all for another day. I think I'll worry about growing up once I get back to Boise...

Another small thing/Germany difference I was thinking about today is distance. Germany is a bit small (about the size of Montana) and traveling to the other side of the country takes about 6-9 hours. Six to nine hours get me from Boise to the Oregon Coast or to Portland, where things are not really that different, but traveling from Northern Germany to Southern Germany is like going from Idaho to the deep South.
I was talking to a friend today and was telling him how it usually takes 10-20 minutes by car to get to a friends house. He was shocked, and it made me giggle. That's "far away" in a German mind set, but it me, I have friends that it takes like half an hour to get to their house. Here, all the cities are so close, sewn together by small strips of farmland. Getting to a friends house is usually just a 5-15 minute bike ride rather than actually needing to get in a car...

Annndd last but not least, its almost Christmas!!!! I already have gotten an awesome Advents Calendar from my host mom (oooh I'm so excited) and am going to celebrate the 6th of December Saint Nicholas Day!

Lots of good wishes to back home and family and friends and my ever-awesome boyfriend. I miss you all! But really, I'll be back before you know it and I don't want the time here to pass any faster than it already is. I honestly cannot believe that I only have seven months left now.
And lots of big loves to all my family and friends here in Germany :)

Birthday in one week....

18 already? How did I get this old?
I find myself wondering this often...how on earth did I make it to Germany? What would it be like if I hadn't come? What opportunities will Germany open up for me?
It's strange watching friends and family move on without me...but its taught me who and what is important in my life. Who I want to keep close and who I'll be able to let go. And letting go is strange...strangely easy.
And slowly I find myself wondering if family is a much bigger word than I thought. This past evening my host brother and I were talking about my home and siblings and dogs and it was so cool to me because he was telling me that he was my brother too. It touched my heart. Moving to another country to live with a "host" family doesn't mean you are simply a guest in the house. It means you have to give yourself up to the family. You have to be patient and learn your place. Its tough work, but completely worth it. Not only do I have three brothers back in Boise, but I'll always have my brother here as well. I am constantly feeling blessed to be here. Not only have I learned so much about Germany and its people, but I have also learned so much about love and what it means to be apart of a family. I can only hope to spread this newly found knowledge....
Hmm....
On another note, 18 was always the big age....OHMYGOSH 18. I mean, don't you remember when you were 14 or 15 thinking "ohmygoodness, when I'm 18 I'll be able to do anything! It will be so awesome!"
But honestly, 17 has been an excellent age. So I think I'm just going to stay 17 forever. Hah. Nobody can stop me either! Time is in the eye of the beholder! In fact, time isn't real. Its not a physical thing put in front of us. The only thing we have to prove that time is real is our withering bodies and the seasonal changes...but if time isn't real, than I can stay as young as I want. Muahahaha. But I am seriously excited for my birthday :) It shall certainly be one to remember.

Another Emotional Blog Post

Just a huge giant shout out to all those people who got me here and are supporting me here and from back home. I wake up every morning knowing that I'm so blessed to be able to be here. 

Big huge giant loves and thanks to my Kless family, I can't love them enough. I really can't, being apart of this family has given me so much already. I can't explain the beauty of such a thing with words, I truly do feel at home here :)

Big huge giant loves n feels so my other exchange student friends, hold in there guys. Sometimes, I feel so desperately alone but then I remember you guys are probably feeling the same way and I just know I'm not in this alone. 

Large amounts of gratitude to people like my lovely Frau Burkholder, Miss Tinker, Kelly McLeoed and other teachers who helped me get here :) 

Big huge loves and cares to anyone and everyone helping me out with school. I need it. 

Big loves n kisses to all you guys back there at Boise High...You need it. I'm sure everything is completely different and horrible without me ;) (not really but surriously guys hold in there you're almost done)

Big huge kisses and loves to Nicko and the guys. Really honestly though, I only miss Hagrid. 

And the biggest hugs go to my siblings and my parents. I really do miss them terribly. Growing up is tough and I thank you mom and dad for every bit of love and support you've given me because I certainly would not make it without the confidence you put upon me. I miss Erik and Ian and Katie with all my heart and the doggies as well :(

Turning 18 in two weeks...

Where the time has gone, I have no idea.

Emotional blog post because I'm a sap

Not as formal and inviting as most of my blog posts...

But I'm feeling inspired tonight. 

First off, I love my German family. Its incredible the care and love they have given to me and I can only hope that I can give it in return by the time this year comes to an end. I really feel like fate put me here for amazing and beautiful reasons and I could not have asked for a better family. I'm so thankful I can be apart of the Kless house. 

Second thing on my mind is Boise. And more specifically, my boyfriend Nicko. Without him and his support, I would've given up a long time ago. Missing home is tough, but he's always there to remind me that I'm here for myself. To learn about myself and to give myself up to the German culture. And that only good can come out of going with the flow and enjoying my time here as much as possible. 

I miss him terribly and its tough being without him...

But I am ever thankful for his words and love. 

Third off is the election tomorrow. 

Just letting everyone know, over 90% of Germans are behind Obama. And while I'm don't really have political opinions, I'm with the Germans.
Its really weird watching this whole election play out from the other side of the world.

Tomorrow (November 6th) marks 100 days of being here, wowie has the time flown by. Its really strange. But I love it.
And I love it and everyone here :)

End of October!!

Another month gone by....
November 6th marks 100 days! One third of the way with my exchange year.
How the time flies...:(
Well today marks another wonderful weekend! Basketball game last night! Soccer game today! Leaves leaves, getting cold :)
I miss Boise in that weird "it's really not that fun there but its still home" way. What I don't miss is Boise High, the stagnant air, the laws, the big ugly cars, and the artificial food. But I miss my home dearly! My siblings are all grown up and stuff and my family is going on without me, how can they manage?! ;)
It's wonderful being here, it's wonderful being part of the family, it's wonderful experiencing the country in such a way, I would recommend it to anyone.
School is school. Somehow I suspected it to be different (well it is very different in the way it's set up) but I think high schools are generally all the same anywhere you go.
Aaahh, I love Germany, I do I do I do!
Sometimes, I really can't believe that I made it here. I get really caught up and have to remind myself what I did to get here. A dream of mine from the sixth grade came true!
Years go by fast. Last year many things were different. And a year from now will be even more different. Life moves pretty fast. I think the most important part is not thinking about the future too much, nor focusing on the past and the mistakes you've made. Just simply living as presently as possible. Being thankful for the opportunities and people who support you. Mistakes and problems and issues always occur...yes. Obviously. Granted, everyone has their own problems, but learning from them and not making drama out of them is so important.
Whoa, apologies for the deep emotional talk there. I think too much sometimes.
But yes, I love Germany :)

 I love my family:)

If you ever wish to be an exchange student...

These are things that I wish I knew before I made my decision. (best decision of my life though) :D
1. If you have huge issues with leaving home, go on a six month exchange. It will go by quick, but you'll be able to fit a lot in and not worry to much about school, relationships, your family (both families) in such a long term way. If you want a challenge, if you want to cure your home sickness problem, go for a year. Its tough, lots of heart ache and tears, but very very very very worth it.
2. You will eat more. Be prepared to gain a bit of weight. Not only will the food be better in whatever country you're going to, but out of instinctive ways, your body will deal with the change by thinking that you're going to die soon and wish to stalk up on fat to keep you warm and alive. Seriously, when you make a big change, such as moving to a new country, your body freaks out because it knows. Your hair and nails grow faster, you gain weight easily, and your sleep will be messed up for awhile. Just be on the look out. Plus, its a GREAT time to start working out. I've been running (what torey runs, i didnt even know her legs were long enough to do such things) when I can, and its been amazing.
3. Don't let the language barriers stop you from going on an exchange. I had two years of German before I came here, and as strange as it sounds, it seemed to have disappeared the second I got here. It felt like the reset button had been hit and I had to start over with knowing nothing. But no worries! It gets better, and after hearing the language for so long, it simply starts to click. But, if you are uncomfortable with not knowing what people are saying about you all the time, chose a English country. (Australia, New Zealand.... I hear UK exchanges are hard to get though)
And if you go to Germany not knowing any German, its nice because almost everyone around you speaks decent English and will be willing to help you.
4. School will be frustrating. Schools are different everywhere and will not always be as inviting as American schools are. Be prepared for a bit of time by yourself, and a lot of confusing lessons. Also, be aware that getting grades in a foreign country is a bit difficult and may not be worth it. Even if you can get credit for it, it'll be hard to keep your grades up. I'll for certain be returning to high school next year to finish up my credits.
5. Try to focus on being in the present as much as you possibly can. I find myself worrying a lot about what will happen when I get back to America and its time consuming and mentally time consuming as well! The best thing to do is enjoy your time as much as possible because it will be up before you know it!
(I have a hard time with this myself, but I'm getting there, small steps)

If you want to come to Germany, I seriously seriously recommend looking into this scholarship because its amazing and you (especially if you are in Idaho) have a huge chance of making it. A full ride, year long scholarship is hard to come by. Go for it!!!!

Herbstferien (Traveler Guide Part 3)

I apologize for not taking as many pictures as I should, but honestly, I think if you really want to know what its like here, you simply have to come here. Its an experience thats hard to portray through just pictures and words. You have to hear it and see it and feel how cold its getting to get an idea of what its like here in northern Germany :)
I'm on fall break right now, which started on October 3rd, which is a national holiday here because its the reunification date. And so last week and this week I have off of school :)

This is just a small compilation of different things that I've noticed throughout the last months.

1. Food! Grocery shopping happens at least once a week, which means food seems to be a lot fresher an healthier. The main meal that can be had at any time of the day is bread and cheese or meat. Waffles and pancakes are more of a desert than a breakfast, and breakfast (on weekdays) is usually just cereal. On the weekends, big breakfasts with brötchen and cheese and marmalade and nutella and all sorts of stuff is had. Its wonderful :)
2. Germans are dog people. They love and cherish their dogs and cats are not as common it seems as it would be in America.
Ohmygosh, but my dog is totally the best, Arthos is so amazing and cute!
3. German TV has a lot of American shows on it (Scrubs, How I Met Your Mother, Grey's Anatomy, The Dog Whisperer, Malcolm in the Middle, Desperate Housewives, One and a Half Men, etc...)
And German TV is odd...like there is this show called Mitten in Leben that I think is people acting out real live situations (like being cheated on, or having a crazy father, and other weird things) and doing it really badly. I don't know if its serious or not! But shows like Guten Zeit und Schleten Zeit is an interesting equivalent to something inbetween Days of Our Lives and 91210. There is also the Disney channel here, featuring all American shows dubbed.
4. The school system is very different from America's. Here, you are in Kindegarten or nursury school until from about 3-6 and then on to Grundschule, which lasts until 4th grade. From 5th grade on, you have a few different paths.
The first choice is Hauptschule, which lasts usually until ninth grade. This teaches regular subjects at a slow pace and with more vocational oriented subjects. This leads to a part time apprenticeship and vocational school until you are 18.
The second way is Realschule going to about the tenth grade. This leads to part time vocational school and here you are focusing on looking for a career and studying a broader range of things. Its possible to transfer to Gymnasium from here if you wish.
The last one is Gymnasium. (the one I'm in) This lasts until 13th grade, and at the end, you take a big test called the Abitur. This is a diploma thats going to get you into University. This seems to be the more educational way to go.
Teachers will suggest to parents what school to put their kids in, but its ultimately up to the parents to decide.
Tuition for University are low cost or possibly free, but you have to be proving that you can do it with high scores to stay in.
It seems that in my classes, grades are heavily based on participation and test scores, not on homework.
In Gymnasium, you are in a regular, highschool like schedule until 11th grade in which you separate off into tracks. Biology, history  language, and math (I believe) are the four ones that you can go into. This means that that specific class is going to be tougher and you have it twice a week, instead of once. I am in the history track as of now.

Torey's Funky Travelers Guide to Germany (part 2!)

1. Germans are odd drivers. On the weekend, they're slow and frustrating because they take their sweet time. On Monday morning though...better watch out. For the rest of the regular week, they are speedy and make quick jerks and as;dfkljasd;klfjasd its kind of stressful. The thing about Wedel (and probably all other German towns) is that the streets are narrow and curvy, making it hard for the average driver to navigate when everyone else is too. Its kind of scary and I'm really happy that I'm not allowed to drive here.
2. Saying "I don't care" really isn't polite at all. Me, being the passive person I am, use the phrase quite frequently, but here its basically the equivalent to saying "I don't give a sh!t" so watch out! Be decisive!
3. The radio is chock full of American music. I have been listening to "Call Me Maybe" ever since I got there. I thought I escaped this stuff. ads;fkjsdf;asklj;fkldfj.
4. As you may know, its typical to see nudity on the TV, especially on commercials and such. I like this. Not in a creepy way, but in a way that I think Americans love to censor the human body. What if a child sees boobies?! OH NO. ITS NOT LIKE IT HAS A MOTHER OR ANYTHING THAT FED IT FROM HER TITS. GOODNESS FORBID.
I like that about German TV. I also like that the news protects peoples identity a lot. If a witness is commenting on a story, usually their voice is garbled and the face is censored. That's smart, and appropriate. America is...not as nice.
5. Interesting fact, when American movies are dubbed in German, its typical that the title of said movie is changed. Get Him to the Greek? Its known as Männertrip. Or Man Trip. I think things like this are really silly  and cute and German.
6. Team sports are not really done through the school at all... I miss this in a way. While I'm not super supportive of my home team (Braves!) I still miss how it brings the school together with pride. Here, you join a club and that's where you go for sports.
7. German teenagers are not getting their license till their 18, and even then, its upwards of $1000 to buy one. They live on their bikes, and especially in towns like Wedel, its easy to get anywhere on your bike.
8. Internet restrictions are crazy. Tons of youtube videos are unsee-able because of the GEMA laws. Remember SOPA and ACTA? Same thing.

More September!

More and more September! The first month of school is almost over, and the week after next is the first fall break :)
Lots of birthdays goin' on, lots of love and dressing up and having fun and being in school of course :)

Fidypuss :)

Und Juliepuss :D

We are so cool over here.

Die Holmersandberge

Mein Feini oowwwaahh

The name Daddy Long Legs is so foreign here...

I love it here in Wedel, you'll be in the city and suddenly take a turn on a road and you're in the middle of a forest. It reminds me of home in the best way possible :)

Lisa did my haiirrr :) This was before Julie's party, which was super fun :) I wish her the best 21st year of her life ever!!! (because I'm in it) 

The Coolest Julie party ever! My sister, Julie, turned 21 this last weekend :)

And my pictures are all messed up

But we sure know how to party it up ;) Germans do it best.

Mattias (mein Gastvater) und ich!

And Toddyman with Armin and Lisa!!


So next Thursday marks my two months being here. Its incredible how much time I have left and how much time has gone by. I'm finally getting a bit homesick, but its becoming much easier since I'm more integrated. My German has yet to improve, I'm understanding most conversational phrases and house and school phrases, but its taken me awhile to stop being so shy about talking with natives. I think these within these next two or three months I'll make the most improvement language wise.
Wishing the best back home to my family :) To Jake, to Nicko, to both my grammas and my grandpa! I hope school is going well for everyone and I wish the best to anyone who is reading my blog :)
To a great September! And even a greater fall break!