hallo there, long time no see


We need to meet once again. We need to talk about the summer visit here. Let meet on Tuesday next week (Aug 21) in first break in conference room.

df

Truly Blessed

Today I was presented with some unbelievable news. Jelka and I have always talked about her coming back this summer to visit, I guess you could say dreamed about it. Today our dreams came true. My best friend is coming back for 20 days this summer. Just thinking about being re-united with somebody that means so much fills me with joy. It's so hard to say that last goodbye, but now knowing that I will get to see her soon makes everything better. GAPP has really impacted our lives, we've promised each other to be best friends for a lifetime. We're making this come true. This is a prime example of how impactful GAPP can be, it seems crazy that you can become best friends with somebody in just four weeks. But, it's even more crazy how you stay best friends with that person. I'm really looking forward to spending this time with my best friend, sister. There is no doubt that we won't enjoy every minute of it. This program really does great things. 

I came home and everything was there where i left it. It looked like I never left this place, but something is definitely different....I still try to figure out what. Perhaps it is English here in my lessons, which sounds different and not like that i would like to her again. Something changed and i guess it is just me.With new ambition I am looking forward too finally come back after school. The US is gonna be my destination after one and a half year hard work. And luckily i will have my driver license until then.

It is strange to come back to our german school after 4 weeks in an american. Now I realized how different both systems really are and I begin to miss nearly everthing of the american one.
Our breaks are feeling like an eternety because of the short breaks there so the whole day went slowlier here then in the USA. First I thought the 5 minutes breaks would not work but now I think it is even better! Everthing was so funny, intresting and relaxed in the lessons in Charles City and when we went back to our school there is the old stressful day with hard lessons where you need attention every second of the class.
Furthermore I am surprised about what the exchange did with me. For example sometimes I can not think of a german word and have to say it in english which is weird but funny at the same time. I also get used to get up late during the week because the house of my hostfamily was just about 5 minutes away from school and here I need about an hour to be at our Gymnasium in Walsrode. What a great life in America!

Now we are back in Germany for a few days and it's really hard. I'm still tired and a little bit sick. But we have to go to school and have to work hard that we know everything we missed as we were in the USA. And still I'm missing my host family and Heather :( . And I hope they will come and visit me and my family someday ( hopefully next summer :D ).

First day of school back in Germany

This post is for Monday, the 5th November 2012, the first day of school after the Gapp Exchange and vacation.
It feels weird to be back home. I'm happy to have my family back of course but it still feels different now. Now that I'm back in Germany I have to deal with all those "normal" problems again and I have to deal with a normal day again. Everything was a lot easier in America, it was like a whole new start with new people in a new country. No one knew me and they were just so happy to have me there! Then you come back here and everything is just like it has been before (except all the new stuff they did in school, now I have to work really hard!). As I expected it's very hard to come back to your everyday life.
Furthermore I really, really miss my host family. I knew I had a wonderful time with them and an amazing family but I think I really realized how lucky I was/am that I got to know them and that I was able to spent such wonderful four weeks in America when I came back home. Thank you so so so so much Sarah, Emily and Julie for making it possible! I love you!!
I still have a horrible Jetlag and am always trying not to fall asleep during class or just saying a proper sentence. But I'm sure this is going to be over soon, so it's not that bad.
I really, really want to go back to America some day and hopefully stay longer ;)

3. November 2012: the first day after our GAPP exchange. At this morning I slept a long time, because the sleep at the plain was very short and the whole flight back very exhausting. But I was so glad to be home, I have missed my family and my friends the last days very much.
While I unpacked my suitcase I thought about the last 30 days and reminded me on all the nice things I had experienced there and all the people who had welcomed me so heartly in their country! :) I thought also about the differents between America and Germany and I realized that there are so many, for example the food, the people, the environment, the school etc.
When I thought about the exchange I noticed that I changed myself too. I got much more self reliant and independent, because I stayed so a long time without my family. Besides I noticed the kindness from the American people, which is different to German people, so I changed my way of thinking and I think I got more friendly about strangers and other people.
I had a very great time there and I am happy that I got the chance to go to America; it was so wonderful!
So all in all I think everybody should go to America once in a lifetime to see it and make an own picture of the whole country. This is an exciting new experience for everyone!

November, 3 2012

My first day back home! I am happy to sleep in my own bed, but I am still sad that our time in the USA is  over now. All over the day I felt tired and do not want to do anything, but the everyday- life starts now, so I did some shopping and watched TV, that is all I could. I hope everybody is doing well in America, I wish I could stay longer. I do not feel ready at all to go back to school. I had some great experiences and I do not want to miss one of them. I definitely want to go back !!!

Heavy suitcases bring memories back home, 1st November

In the morning of the 1st November we closed our suitcases very early and we already put them into the bus but we didn't go to the airport yet. Before, we visited the Adler Planetarium and an aquarium.
The planetarium was very huge and we also watched a movie in which a man showed us the night sky with all its stars over Chicago.


a map of the huge planetarium

After our visit in the planetarium we had the last chance to take some photos of Chicago and to buy the last souvenirs for our families and friends. Then we went to the airport. We all were a bit worried about the weight of our suitcases because we all wanted to carry home so many things that our suitcases got heavier than they had been when we arrived four weeks ago.


  But luckily nobody's suitcase was too heavy and we all were able to check in without any big problems.
Around five o'clock we checked in at the airport and had to wait some hours for our flight. Most of us used this time to read the last few pages of the books we had to read for school at home.

 

 

Goodbye Chicago!

So I am back home for three days now. I miss America, especially my host family and the independence a lot. It is strange that I have to ask people for driving me and not driving with Lexy everywhere we want.
On Saturday i was reminded again on my great time in America. I was driving with my sister and it was like driving with Lexy. We had been singing loud and just drove where we wanted to. To McDonalds like Lexy and me did it sometimes. That made me cry because I miss her so much and that day was completely like a day we could had have together.
The first day at school was terrible. I was not just tired, I was sick, too. I hope tomorrow will be a better day!!

Wednesday 24th October, 2012

On Wednesday all German students of St. Ansgar went  to a Menonite school in the first two classes. The Menonites sang some songs for us and we also sang one for them. After that we asked them a lot of questions about their life and found out that they have to work after school at home. But they get no homework from the school. In school they have got all classes with all Menonites together who are in different grades.
Afterwards we went back to the high school and had a meeting with a nice couple who lived for about six years in Walsrode (Germany). It was very interesting to hear their thoughts about Germany. In our last class two of our German students went with some American students (learning german) to the elementary school and taught them some basic German words. When I came home, Olivia and me began to bake a cake for the German café on thursday(25th october). In the evening we wen to a volleyball game and there was a "kiss the pig contest". We had a lot of fun!

First day in Chicago

This was our first day in Chicago, we visited the Museum of Science and Industry. The museum was very interesting and it made a lot of fun in there. Afterwards we went into the city of Chicago for shopping and sight seeing on our own. There we searched for a special store and had to ask almost thousand people I think to find it. In the evening we stayed in our Hotel which is a bit outside of town and we did what ever we wanted to, that means e.g. watching movies.

Leaving is always hard, but leaving with the thought that you wont see eachother again is really hard.
Yesterday in the morning, we left Charles City and Saint Ansgar under lots of tears, hugs and the hope that we wont lose the connections and friendships that we have made up.
For me, it was a great time and one of the best experiences I have ever made. My hostfamily is great and they made me feel like I was at home. All the other students, if GAPP or not, were nice, open-minded and I will never forget them and the friendships that I have made here.
To bring our exchange to an end, we will spend the last days in Chicago. Yesterday, we left our second homes by bus and drove about six hours through the country, had a short stop in Dubuque where we went up a hill and had a great view over the Mississippi.
The second great view we had after our arrival in Chiago. The group visited the Willis Tower, one of the highest buildings in the world, went up over 90 levels with an elevator and got the chance to see Chicago by night from I high plattform. A short hint: If you ever got the chance to come to Chicago, go there by night ! The lights and the shining, skyreaching buildings next to the lake are amazing !
Although I will miss the Charles City Guys and I am sad that we had to leave them, I am happy that we get the chance to visit such a big city as Chicago and I look forward to the next two days !

Goodbyes don't have to last forever

Wow, It has been such a long time since I was last able to blog! I was having such a wonderful time these past 3 weeks with Luise, that there just wasn't any time to write.

I have learned so many things from Luise while she was here these past 3 weeks. I found it very interesting listening to her describe the differences and similarities between German and American culture. I also believe that my German speaking abilities have improved. I still have much to work on, but I hope someday to be able to communicate well in German. Maybe someday I could study abroad in Germany. I think this would be a wonderful way to use this language.

As I said earlier, our past 3 weeks were wonderful. We didn't let any of our time together go to waste. We were always doing something together. Some of my favorite memories together included ice-skating, teaching her how to make my family's secret pancakes, helping each other improve in each other's languages, carving pumpkins (we carved 4!!!!), shopping in the Mall of America, and just enjoying each other's company. Honestly, I loved spending time with her. I didn't really care about what were doing, but that we were just doing something together while she was here.

Ice-Skating!

I loved having these girls in my Lost Wax Cast Jewelry class!

Part of the family :)

Today, Luise and the rest of the GAPP group left for Chicago. It was not easy saying goodbye to everyone because I have made so many friends. It was especially hard to say goodbye to Luise. In just 3 weeks she has become my sister. I miss her as I am typing this, but I know that we will see each other again soon this summer. I'm so excited to come and visit her in Germany, as well as my other German sister from last year's exchange. Knowing that I will see her again in person soon makes it easier to not be so sad. I am also hoping to stay in contact with everyone else too. So lets not allow for goodbye to last, and that we will meet again soon!

Although the morning was filled with tears, this exchange was the best! So, let's not say goodbye, because a goodbye lasts forever. Instead let's say see ya later. Usually, it's the Germans thanking the Americans for the excellent time. But, I want to thank Jelka so so so much for the great time. It was your great personality and warming smile that made it so great, really! Although, this time we had together is over I will never forget you. I never knew that I could create such a good friendship in such little time. The picture above definitely shows one of the wonderful times we spent together and the humor we share. You've now became apart of me, apart of my family and apart of my life. I'm looking forward to reflecting on this experience, and am going to use it to encourage others to get involved in GAPP.

I wasn't sure that I could make such a good friend in the short time Sara and I had together. Sara taught me many things. Not only with learning about Germany, their culture and language. She taught me to be more open with people and to be more confident in myself. She taught me to be a little silly sometimes and I'm grateful for the time we got to have together
I have made so many good friends through GAPP and I am so happy that Madi got to become better friends through hosting together. It is sad to see them go, but I am also excited to have good friends from far away. I can't wait to send and receive packages from each other, skype, email, share new adventures and to see how our lives progress. I am happy that I now get to be apart of a few amazing people's lives.
No matter how many times I say it, I can't say it enough. Thank you for being good people and being open-minded to every experience you were offered.
My door is always open to any of you that want to come back. :) (Sara, come back SOON!)

I LOVED your Squirrel video and was almost in tears with the goodbyes! Last night was hard. It hasn't hit me yet that you are all gone. To keep our mind off GAPP leaving we all carved pumpkins together after the Farewell Dinner. That was great! It was funny to see their reactions to the inside of pumpkins. I sent baked seeds with Sara this morning and I hope you all got to try some. I forced her to try pumpkin pie, which she loved. (Told you.:)) We had a cuddle puddle (see picture) and talked about some of her favorite times here.

I hope you have a safe trip back and I am SO EXCITED to hear about your lives in Germany after the exchange and if they have changed at all!

I can not believe that we are leaving tomorrow! I feel so sad about that. Today morning Lexy, her mum and me were sitting at the table, crying and laughing together. That was one of the most emotional moments in my life. Lexy is like a sister for me. We laughed, cryed, fought, relaxed,...together! And now I am gonna leave her. Not sure when I will see her again! That makes me cry!
I had the time of my life staying with her and her familie!! I felt immediately home when I arrived.
I want to say thank you again for everything. For the love you gave me, for the food and everything else!! I will never forget you and my time here! I will miss you sooooo much!!!!!
I love you! :)

Unfortunately that was our last evening spending in Charles City. We had a big pottlock this evening with all the families together. Of course the teachers and the principal were there as well.  We ate together our last supper and there were e few emotional speeches.  

The principal told us he is very happy that we were here and like Mr. Denefleh and Mrs. Humrich he said that everybody should support the program because it is a great opportunity for all of the students. Also the German students planned a small program with a video where every German tries to say the word "squerrel". And it was very funny for us and for the americans to see this because nearly nobody could pronounce it right (except Mr. Denefleh and Mrs. Humrich ) and you could see a few situations during the presentation where everybody is laughing because it sounds so great. 

Furthermore we made a power point presentation where every student has had a page and said a few words for saying goodbye to their family. Some students were very emotional and others made it in a funny way that everybody need to laugh.  But  I could not really enjoy it because in my head I just thought about leaving tomorrow, saying goodbye personally and crying when we have to make our final step into the bus tomorrow and wave our hands a last time. 

That is an awful imagination but hopefully we (my hostfamily and me) will meet in Germany or maybe somewhere over here again.

My name is Lexy Sliger. I am Anna's host. Anna was not living with us at first, but was soon moved to us. My family was not able to spend the first week with Anna, but when we found out she would be staying with us we were so excited. We spent a few days getting to know each other, then we had to send her off to South Dakota.

This past few weeks have been the time of my life, as well as hers I hope! We have been very busy with each other!! we have spent a great amount of time with Elisa and Kendra, her host. The first night Anna stayed with us we went to Paradise Pizza. We have gone to numerous volleyball games, football games, even UNI Homecoming football game. We spent a whole Saturday shopping at Mall of America with the group! That was a lot of fun even though not all of us bought a whole lot. Yesterday we started our day of somewhat early and went to Mason City to Buffalo Wild Wings!! That would be the second time Anna had that. She loves it (: Then, we were sent on a mission to find discount tickets to Valleyscare, AKA Valleyfair, our amusement park. We didn't find any in Mason, so we were on our way to Shakopee Minnesota. We met some really nice new friends from that area at Valleyscare. They showed us all the great haunted houses and around the park.

Today is our last day together...we both woke up really late this morning. Tired! We sat around the dinning room table and shared some laughs and tears..It was great. I will miss Anna so much. She is the sister I never had. And I'm so grateful to have her as a part of my life!

Today we will be resting for the first part of the day, our whole family has a slight cold, including Anna, which we are so sorry!! Then we will all be loading up the car and heading over to the Church in Charles City for the goodbye potluck.

I am going to miss all of the new German students I have met! Especially Anna!! We loved it! Thanks for sharing your students with us (: and thanks for reading! Have a safe trip home!

It makes me sad.We had that a great time here in CC and i still wanna stay, but finally there are no options to do so. If i look back at my family, our trips and the school, i just wish to come back one time and stay much longer probably as an au pair or something like that. This whole time here just passed by way too fast,but while being here i really enjoyed it and of course increased my english skills. Let's hope we will meet again.