Wanderlust: Sonstiges

Everyday I become a little bit more German.
From trying raw hamburger meat (called Mett), to FINALLY opening a beer bottle with a flashlight and a marker, I am beginning to shed my American skin.
Last week I spent on the North Sea on an island called Langeoog. It was a beautiful island, very isolated and tranquil. There were no cars on the island, so I got to make good use of my not so great bike riding skills! Overall the trip was very great, allowing me to see another part of Germany and meet many fantastic people.
Before vacation started I had a pretty eventful week of school. First I met another AFS student from Chile and helped him to find his way around the school. It really made me realize how far I have come in being able to communicate and find my way around since my first day of school. There is nothing I love more than helping people who I know could totally use the help in such a hard transition. The language thing was a bit of a struggle, me wrestling between Spanish and German and then just resorting to English. Overall I think it is very comforting to help other exchange students, which further convinces me of the idea of becoming an AFS Volunteer and a host sister when I go back to America.

Also at school, I recieved a 1+ in my gym class! It's good to know that I am excelling in at least one class I am taking. As for my other classes, learning the content is a very slow and agonizing process.

I did become a bit more involved last week as I went to my first swim practice. It was a great workout and reminded me of how much happiness I can find through endorphins. I am hoping to further pursue swimming in my year here.

After 2 months away from my doggy I have been very deprived of my daily dog cuddle time. Although nothing can compare to my wonderful Jilly, I did find a dog I could walk in the neighborhood. She is a Dachshund and is named Lucy :). I am very excited to have a real dog to spend time with. I also received a stuffed animal from my host family that looks just like Jilly, so that was a very thoughtful gesture.

As I talked to my wonderful, inspiring, mother she said, "This is a marathon not a sprint. You are at mile 2". As a short distance runner, it made me realize how much I rush things and how quickly I expect things to fall into place. I am not the kind of person who likes to take my time in doing things, or who likes to run more than 1 mile before being done with it. But it is true, that all things fall into place with time. Now, not only am I taking my time with learning the language and figuring out my life here, but I am also trying to go for that marathon and not just the sprint--figuratively and literally. I run a bit farther everyday and someday I know I will be running that marathon.

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