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Sunday, April 14, 2013
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Lots of March Updates!!
Holy cow!! If I thought February went by in a blur, March was just as crazy! Went across the border into Switzerland for a bit of it even! I had so many fun adventures! I'm drafting up all the posts about everything, but until then, here are some pictures! Enjoy!
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
How Fast Did February Go?!
Ok- taking into account that February is the shortest month, the time went by at a nice and steady pace. It's a completely different feeling being here for 2 semesters, rather than 1, because many of the other international students have been slowly packing up and leaving Kassel to go back home. It's been a rocky, but great month!
February ended with a Political Seminar with the others from my scholarship group (that's how I've been referring to the VDAC to everyone here, it just makes things easier). We found ourselves in the beautiful, yet slightly remote, village of Lambrecht! It was GREAT to see everyone again! Having this group of people going through similar experiences as me is so comforting. We're able to pick up where we left off from the last seminar, joke with each other, and just have a good time!
We had a lecture filled schedule, but we still managed in a day trip to Osthofen, where there was a concentration camp from 1933 to 1934, it was a political prison where those that were held there stayed anywhere from 2 to 6 weeks. Those from the town denied for years that this facility existed, but because of efforts of many volunteers and former inmates, there is now a small museum and memorial.
Our second tour was of the city center of Worms. We got to go into the church that Martin Luther wasn't allowed into back at the Diet of Worms in the 1500s! Such an amazing history! We also saw the oldest Jewish cemetery in Europe. Thanks to some modern laser scanners, the oldest grave marker has been identified- from the 1060s! Amazing.
We ended the weekend with a wine tasting, trying 9 different kinds of wine from the Rhinland-Pfalz area of Germany, which is known for its wine. We learned the proper techniques of trying wine: to judge the color, aroma, how to swirl it in the glass, how to give it air when drinking it.. all that jazz! Was a great way to give us time to talk and just enjoy each others' company!
The next week, I decided to go visit Dan in Hamburg! We had a great day of meeting up with some of my friends and family and we went to the harbor! Hamburg is one of my favorite cities in Germany! I just love the water and the city atmosphere- so pretty! We lucked out with the weather- it was nice and sunny... We even went to the movies! Was a great way to spend a couple of days with him!
That pretty much ended my February! It was a great month, full of experiences and memories! <3
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| Lambrecht at night |
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| Osthofen |
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| Church in Worms |
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| Jewish Cemetery in Worms |
Our second tour was of the city center of Worms. We got to go into the church that Martin Luther wasn't allowed into back at the Diet of Worms in the 1500s! Such an amazing history! We also saw the oldest Jewish cemetery in Europe. Thanks to some modern laser scanners, the oldest grave marker has been identified- from the 1060s! Amazing.
We ended the weekend with a wine tasting, trying 9 different kinds of wine from the Rhinland-Pfalz area of Germany, which is known for its wine. We learned the proper techniques of trying wine: to judge the color, aroma, how to swirl it in the glass, how to give it air when drinking it.. all that jazz! Was a great way to give us time to talk and just enjoy each others' company!
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| Wine Tasting! |
The next week, I decided to go visit Dan in Hamburg! We had a great day of meeting up with some of my friends and family and we went to the harbor! Hamburg is one of my favorite cities in Germany! I just love the water and the city atmosphere- so pretty! We lucked out with the weather- it was nice and sunny... We even went to the movies! Was a great way to spend a couple of days with him!
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| Hamburg Harbor |
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| Hamburg Skyline |
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Valentine's Day Adventure
You would think that being 1000s of miles away from my "Valentine" would be a sad thing, but alas, I had such a great Valentine's Day Adventure with my friend Alice!
We had an "Adventure Afternoon" that started with meeting up at a bakery- getting both savory and sweet treats, and then we took a walk around one of the nicest areas in Kassel- at the Orangerie! Such a beautiful place and the park around it is a great place to walk about- I can't wait for the weather to be nice! I plan to go and read or knit (a new skill I've learned since being here!) or just spend time outside.
When I was there, I noticed how interesting it is- to have this piece of history, basically in them middle of the city. When looking through the pictures, you can see the different apartment or office buildings in the background, such a contrast! (Ok, maybe not the pictures I took this time around, but I'll be adding more when I go there next time!)
Our afternoon ended with us coming back to my apartment, having a nice dinner and knitting together!
So, although I couldn't be with my special guy back home, I had a great adventure here in Kassel- I even had my own Titanic moment! :)
We had an "Adventure Afternoon" that started with meeting up at a bakery- getting both savory and sweet treats, and then we took a walk around one of the nicest areas in Kassel- at the Orangerie! Such a beautiful place and the park around it is a great place to walk about- I can't wait for the weather to be nice! I plan to go and read or knit (a new skill I've learned since being here!) or just spend time outside.
When I was there, I noticed how interesting it is- to have this piece of history, basically in them middle of the city. When looking through the pictures, you can see the different apartment or office buildings in the background, such a contrast! (Ok, maybe not the pictures I took this time around, but I'll be adding more when I go there next time!)
Our afternoon ended with us coming back to my apartment, having a nice dinner and knitting together!
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| Just a little look "over my shoulder"- I still can't believe I'm in Germany sometimes! |
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| So pretty! |
Friday, February 8, 2013
I Don't Think I Could Have Said It Any Better Myself...
What Happens When You Live Abroad
This line of thought is truly amazing- and as I'm nearing the "middle-point" of my experience here (if I haven't already?) it's so true. This experience- 10 months of living in another country- it changes "you," in this case, "me."
But that word, change, doesn't have to mean something negative. We often hear it as something bad, as in "YOU'VE CHANGED." It doesn't have to be that way. I'm thankful for this change- it brings new perspectives to the table, it allows me to give others new ideas or inspirations, and it opens my eyes up to the world around me. It's my motivation to continue to pursue a teaching career, after all!
So- if you're thinking about traveling abroad- do it. There is no better time than now. The rest will all fall into place.
Here's a good follow-up article. Some food for thought..
Why You Should Travel Young
This line of thought is truly amazing- and as I'm nearing the "middle-point" of my experience here (if I haven't already?) it's so true. This experience- 10 months of living in another country- it changes "you," in this case, "me."
But that word, change, doesn't have to mean something negative. We often hear it as something bad, as in "YOU'VE CHANGED." It doesn't have to be that way. I'm thankful for this change- it brings new perspectives to the table, it allows me to give others new ideas or inspirations, and it opens my eyes up to the world around me. It's my motivation to continue to pursue a teaching career, after all!
So- if you're thinking about traveling abroad- do it. There is no better time than now. The rest will all fall into place.
Here's a good follow-up article. Some food for thought..
Why You Should Travel Young
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| In Frankfurt, Germany |
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
"Maybe this is a stupid question..."
"...but what does it feel like to be SOOOO FARRRR away from home?"
I got asked this question today by someone in one of my seminars. It really made me stop and think about it- I guess I haven't realized that I'm "so far" away from home, but I guess, when looking at the globe or a map, I am a bit of a way's away, aren't I?
I tried to formulate an answer that made any sense, and these are some things I came up with:
*It truly doesn't feel like I'm so far away from home because I have the support of my friends, family, boyfriend, professors, even strangers back home as well as those that are here with me in Germany from the VDAC, the ERASMUS students, the Ladies Club here in Kassel, and those that I've met through the university. I think it's really important to know that others believe in you, even when you're not really believing in yourself everyday.
*I haven't really noticed the distance in my day to day because I've developed my own routine here. I know when I have to be at class, when I've got some down time, and I can make my way around on my own.
*I'm comfortable in my surroundings- I know where I have to go to get groceries-even if it always gives me a bit of a panic attack (I don't understand why they have to scan all of my items so fast when I'm expected to bag my own things at the same time as paying!), the best baked goods, wool for knitting (even though I'm still struggling with this skill), clothes, and even craft supplies. I've figured out the wonders of the post office, "aliens department," International Office, and the various secretaries on campus. This has helped me to feel like I've found a 2nd home (again) here in Germany.
*It's easy to not notice the distance when I feel like those that I care about and those that care about me back home haven't "forgotten" about me. I don't feel like I've been sent off to some foreign land and forgotten about until I'm back home.
*The amounts of adventures everyday, every week, every month have kept my spirits high, which makes it really easy to not think about home as much. Will I have another birthday where I spend it at the Frankfurter Zoo with Alice? Probably not. It's taking each day for what it's worth and making the best out of it. I don't leave myself much time and space to get bogged down with the thoughts of missing home.
So- I don't think it's a stupid question at all, in fact- it's a question that has really gotten me to think about everything- putting it all in a great perspective. Even though I'm thousands of miles away from home, it certainly doesn't feel like it.
I got asked this question today by someone in one of my seminars. It really made me stop and think about it- I guess I haven't realized that I'm "so far" away from home, but I guess, when looking at the globe or a map, I am a bit of a way's away, aren't I?
I tried to formulate an answer that made any sense, and these are some things I came up with:
*It truly doesn't feel like I'm so far away from home because I have the support of my friends, family, boyfriend, professors, even strangers back home as well as those that are here with me in Germany from the VDAC, the ERASMUS students, the Ladies Club here in Kassel, and those that I've met through the university. I think it's really important to know that others believe in you, even when you're not really believing in yourself everyday.
*I haven't really noticed the distance in my day to day because I've developed my own routine here. I know when I have to be at class, when I've got some down time, and I can make my way around on my own.
*I'm comfortable in my surroundings- I know where I have to go to get groceries-even if it always gives me a bit of a panic attack (I don't understand why they have to scan all of my items so fast when I'm expected to bag my own things at the same time as paying!), the best baked goods, wool for knitting (even though I'm still struggling with this skill), clothes, and even craft supplies. I've figured out the wonders of the post office, "aliens department," International Office, and the various secretaries on campus. This has helped me to feel like I've found a 2nd home (again) here in Germany.
*It's easy to not notice the distance when I feel like those that I care about and those that care about me back home haven't "forgotten" about me. I don't feel like I've been sent off to some foreign land and forgotten about until I'm back home.
*The amounts of adventures everyday, every week, every month have kept my spirits high, which makes it really easy to not think about home as much. Will I have another birthday where I spend it at the Frankfurter Zoo with Alice? Probably not. It's taking each day for what it's worth and making the best out of it. I don't leave myself much time and space to get bogged down with the thoughts of missing home.
So- I don't think it's a stupid question at all, in fact- it's a question that has really gotten me to think about everything- putting it all in a great perspective. Even though I'm thousands of miles away from home, it certainly doesn't feel like it.
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| A View of Kassel on a Walk |
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
HAPPY 23rd BIRTHDAY... to Me!
On Sunday, February 3rd (known as Super Bowl Sunday to most of the US...and around the world!) was my 23rd birthday! Yay!
To celebrate, my friend Alice (from England) and I went to Frankfurt! We started the trip from Kassel with a Starbucks and some Brötchen (bread rolls) and we arrived to Frankfurt just after noon! We made our way through the underground to the Zoo. I was so excited to see the different animals and it was such a fun way to celebrate my birthday! We ended the day with a great dinner and got a piece of chocolate cake from Starbucks for the train ride home.
After getting back to my apartment, we had some tea and watched Bridesmaids- the perfect end to the day! I got to talk to my parents and Nathan- making this birthday girl feel special!
While it wasn't some big party with lots of drinks and people, I truly enjoyed my birthday and feel so lucky to have spent it with Alice. :)
To celebrate, my friend Alice (from England) and I went to Frankfurt! We started the trip from Kassel with a Starbucks and some Brötchen (bread rolls) and we arrived to Frankfurt just after noon! We made our way through the underground to the Zoo. I was so excited to see the different animals and it was such a fun way to celebrate my birthday! We ended the day with a great dinner and got a piece of chocolate cake from Starbucks for the train ride home.
After getting back to my apartment, we had some tea and watched Bridesmaids- the perfect end to the day! I got to talk to my parents and Nathan- making this birthday girl feel special!
While it wasn't some big party with lots of drinks and people, I truly enjoyed my birthday and feel so lucky to have spent it with Alice. :)
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