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P.S. Any relatives looking at this, disregard the bold text. I should have some more entries up soon. they are all handwritten, I’m just too lazy to type them :p

Du bist mein Reim internen,

Aus dem es Kein Entfernen,

Ihre Gedichte Strom aus mir heraus,

Es haelt mich mit Ihnen jahraus und raus,

Selbst wenn Sie nie verlassen,

Ihr Lied wird nicht niederlassen,

Es wird immer ein Teil von mir sein,

Gerade in dieser Alleinsein,

Die Texte schreien auf dieser seite,

Ohne Einzel Schrittweite,

Sie sagte: “Ich liebe dich”,

Was bedeutet das eigentlich?

Du hast mich hier in Stuecke fallen,

Bitte nicht wegfallen

Nichts ist richtig ohne dich,

Seien sie mit mir, wie man eigentlich,

Denn am Ende zaehlt nichts,

Und es gibt Kein Licht,

Ohne dich singen mich im Schlaf,

Ihre Faust, und mein Herz traf.

The weekend was really great. School on Friday was hard to understand and boring as usual, but it doesn’t feel as long anymore because I’m getting into the schedule. After school on Friday, Kristin and I had the choice to go out for dinner and drink with friends from school or stay in for a movie night with friends from the Athletics team. We opted for hanging out with the Athletics team because I wanted to save money and there would be much less talking in German, so I wouldn’t be as bored. I was right, I had a much better time because we watched the movies in German with English subtitles and it made it very easy to understand. After both movies were over, I was absolutely exhausted, but everyone kept talking, because I didn’t understand anything I just wanted to go home, but I had to wait for what felt like forever. I talked to Jersson before I went to bed for a little, but he couldn’t really talk for long because he was going to his friends’ house. I wanted to talk to him more, but I understand that he needs to see his friends, so I would never be mad or upset. The next day, Kristin, Pawel, our friend from Athletics, and I went to the Allstadtfest in Lingen from 3 pm to the last train at 11. When we got there we walked around for a little and watched the young singers perform (so cute!), then I saw Ju and Ethan walking by so I joined them. Then the day officially began. It was boring at first because you basically see the same things over and over (Lingen is not that big), but then we met up with some people that go to school in Lingen with Ju and Ethan. We walked around some more, then headed to the supermarket to buy champagne for later that night (because we can! legally!). After, we all danced and drank watching the punk rock concert. It was loud and sweaty, but really fun. I wish I didn’t have my huge bag though. The rest of the night was sent walking around at the concert, but it was my favorite night in Germany so far. I loved the atmosphere, everybody drinking and having fun, just outgoing all together. The only bad part was that we needed to rush home because we were in trouble with my host mom. Kristin said we would take the 9:00 train home, but since no parents were supposed to be home we decided to take the 11 pm train home. They were supposed to be going to a birthday party somewhere far away so they wouldn’t be home until the early morning, but due to heavy traffic, they turned around, didn’t go, and came home early only to find us not there. We were in trouble. I really didn’t know what to expect because I haven’t been in trouble with them before, but ll she said is that next weekend while they are in Brazil we should probably stay home. It is a lot of trust leaving us home for a week without parents, the only thing I can do is just try to be on my best behavior and to not lose her trust. I only chatted with Jersson for a little because we lost connection, but there is nothing I can do. I love him so much and whether we talk or not I always will. The next day we had a late breakfast, and after  rest Kristin, Inge, and I went to this kids park a few towns away, but it was actually a lot of fun.  There was a big outdoor part with a lot of old and probably dangerous things to play with a do like funny bikes, big hamster wheels, zip lines, different slides, and big swings. There was also an indoor part with a lot of things to climb on and bumper cars and things. Being at this place made me really feel like a kid again because we were getting so much enjoyment out of such simple things like funny bikes. In a way it sounds kind of stupid, but it really is fun when you try it, no matter how serious of a person you are. Another thing was that when we got home you could tell that Inge and Alwin were still so happy with each other. In a way that makes me happy and sad. I’m happy because I’m in a family with such love and it gives me hope that in the future you can stay happy with a person. It makes me sad to think that I don’t have that back at home. My house is not a happy place to be. Hopefully that will change by the time I come back, but I’ll have to see. By now, I’m used to the idea of my parents not being together and I rarely get upset over it anymore, but being in this family makes me realize how much I miss my parents being together. In general, there really isn’t that much love between any member in my family and to be honest I don’t miss being in that unhappy, negative environment at all. Is it sad that I already like this family better than my own? Probably, but it really is the truth. The only things I look forward to come back to is the beach, Brayden, my old friends, and Jersson. Speaking of, Jersson and I talked for like 5 hours, but he’s been acting depressed lately and I don’t know why…we got into a little argument. I don’t even know what’s going on with him, to be honest. Maybe its just that we haven’t been able to talk as much, but I feel like all of our conversations have been negative lately. I know it will soon go back to normal, all I need to do is to give him a little time to get over what he is depressed about and just deal with the sad conversations for now. Its hard for the both of us with me being so far.

After another long day at school, I was so excited to come home knowing I had an exciting weekend ahead of me. First of Friday, I did not go to training because I was very sore and tired from my first week here. I didn’t do much until Lennart came home and invited me to go to dinner with him and Alexia, his girlfriend. I really like Lennarts girlfriend, she’s very sweet and easy to talk to and we have some things in common. After, I got ready because Mattes was having a party that night. I guess I got my expectations up thinking about the parties that I go to in America, but somehow, I forgot all about the language barrier. It was a little boring since I don’t really like to drink and I couldn’t understand anyone unless it was in English, even then it was questionable. I ended up going to bed around midnight (I had to get up early the next day). I liked Mattes’ friends they were all very inviting and interested in my living in New York, but it was nothing like hw excited or interested people were on Saturday. I got up early to attend a Rotary Orientation/Sleepover, which I was very excited about because I got to meet all the exchange students in the district from all over the world. At first it was awkward because it seemed like everyone knew each other already and many just separated by country and language. I didn’t like too many of the Americans though and I really wanted to talk to people from other countries, but everyone insisted on segregating themselves. I also wrote my opinions on a few specific people, but I’m not putting that on the Internet. I met a lot of cool people there though and hopefully I get to see a few of them more, even though a lot of them live far away. The day after the sleepover, I went to Lingen with Ethan, a boy from Taiwan, Jakub, a boy from Chicago, and Ju, a girl from Brazil. I really like all of them and I think that we will get along very well this coming year. Overall, it was a very busy weekend filled with a lot of fun, and even more Brazilians!

from now on I’m only posting diary entries about my weekends because the weekdays are all the same and there is really nothing to write about.

Another normal day today. I had quite a weird dream though, it was actually more of  nightmare. It was all these little white bus that would bite my family and I all over, because thy somehow infested my house. No matter how hard we tried to get rid of them, they would always come back. I don’t really know what it means, but it was quite a bit creepy. Anyway, I woke up late this morning, so I had to get ready in such a hurry that I forgot my jacket. I gt to school on time, but when we stood outside during the breaks, I was freezing! Now, I probably shouldn’t be publishing this on the Internet, but one thing that annoys me is this girl in my class keeps on obnoxiously blowing her nose in my ear every five seconds, so basically by the end of the day I just want to punch her n the face. I restrain myself (no fun), but it is probably one of the most irritating things ever. Inge took me out to an old church today (500 years old!), it was pretty cool because we don’t have so many buildings that old in America, because we are fairly new in respect to the rest of the world. After, we went out for tea at a very old guest house. It was very hard in training today, but hopefully all the hard work will pay off and by the time I come back my running will have improved. So it was another good day in Meppen, but I can’t wait for the weekend.

My second day of school was a little bit different. First of all, Kristen will not be home for the next couple of days, for she is on a fieldtrip to hlp chaperone the younger children. since she was not there I sat with the new girl, whose name I do not remember. It was a pretty boring day. If you think school is boring, try putting it in a language you don’t understand. Sitting through hours of nonsense talk makes English and Spanish class the only classes tht I think i will pass, but there is nothing I can do, ut try to learn. I really like the town here. It has really anything you could ever want. I was shocked to see how expenisive a manicure is (15 euro). That’s more than double the price in America, but if I had to choose one thing I miss the most out of the “little things” it would have to be conditioner. No one uses it here! Hopefully my Mom will send some as I requested. Of course I miss Jersson (for those of you who do not know, he is my boyfriend of 6 months)  a helluvalot and the most out of anything, but I’m always reassured that he will be there when I get back, but god do I miss him. I can’t wait to see him again. I went out for lunch at a pizza plac, but I didn’t get anything, because I already ate, but I’m curious to try the pizza here. I also had my first volleyball practice today. My teammates an coach were very nice and inviting, I felt very included and right at home. I’m glad to play volleyball here in Meppen.

I had my first day of school today. To be honest I can’t really tell ou how it went because I barely understood anything, but should I learn the language, I think I will be just fine, being that i have learned these topics in previous years. the day felt very short, and the classes themselves too. No one particularly said anything to be except for one girl that moved here this year. I guess its just that “North German” characteristic that they will not be interested in me until I learn German, and being that I can’t/don’t really talk, I couldn’t say people should be interested in me either. It is not ba, because I know I will be making more friends soon enough. Today we had a lecker (yummy) lunch of gnocci and cucumber salad, und ich lieben gnocci :D! Later, Inge and I talked about my plans for trips with the rotary which brought us to talk aboout things having to do with World War II and Nazism and al that other fun stuff. I know it is quite a touchy subject, that is why rotary had us prepare beforehand, and I know German gets a negative connotation for their past actions, but I believe more people should be opened minded, or at least come to Germany and form an opinion after seeing it first hand. I’m sure they could never say anything bad after seeing how beautiful it is an how nice the people are. I already love it here so much. I realized as I walked the dog that, even just Meppen, would be a lovely nice to live when I grow up.

Another sucessful day in Meppen. First, we headed to the school to make sure everthing is worked out and my “counseler”/ Politik teaccher is very nice and I know he will be helpful throughout my exchange as well. After, Inge and I went to town to go food shopping and get my library card. I ended up checking out 3 kindergarten boos, which is pretty funny because I am so good at English and its like starting all over again. It is hard to learn right now because of the amount of new information I am absorbing. Although I may not be able to speak very well, I feel like I can understand a lot more than yesterday. I was still a little tired, so I took a little nap, then had lunch (turkey and baked peaches with rice) with Inge, Alwin, and Mattes. When Kristin got home we prepared to head to athletics training. I already knew I was going to be slower than everybody because I am out of shape, but soon I will catch up (or hopefully stay close behind :P) and maybe even do the hurdles. It was not so hard, but it was good work. After, we went to the sauna/pool to swim, have fun, and most importantly relax. I really like Kristin’s friends so far. They are very nice and from what I understand, funny. I was very quiet, but I know that once I learn German I will be as outgoing as I am in the USA. Also, a guy in the sauna was talking about how I had an American accent. I guess it weird to think that I have an accent, but i guess we’ll see if I ever notice it. I can’t wait for the first day of school tomorow!