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!