Best Week Of My Life

It's been waaaay too long

I just thought I would point out that I just wrote a BILLION pages on here and the dumb internet decided that it wouldn't work... =[[[[[[

So I won't write as much as I just did. Apologies.

School:

Is boring in any culture really. It is ten times worse when you don't understand about 90 something percent of it. By that point you just don't try that hard anymore. It's not worth it. So I usually just spend my time drawing or looking at a magazine. And speaking of magazine. I FOUND ALTERNATIVE PRESS! I looked FOREVER and finally found it. =] I screamed in the store. People stared. I didn't care. It made my week. I really forgot how much I enjoyed drawing. Other than that though, I'm pretty much just decoration on the wall in school.

German School:

I love my german class, not so much the school though. The people in it are so much fun. We had the class 5 days a week for the past like, 5 or 6 weeks so we saw each other a lot. Now the german class is coming to an end and now we only have 2 classes per week for the next two weeks. We have already decided that we are going to have to hang out and meet in Bremen anyway. I'm there most days of the week anyway so it is nice. BTW. I LOVE BREMEN. Just thought I would point that out. =] We have so much fun just randomly walking through the city and going to our hang out spot. It's good.

England:

WAS AMAZING. I loved it. Especially Camden Town. By far my favorite place in the world. I went to Brighton, Hastings, London, Eastbourn, and Greenwich. I stood on the Prime meridian. I walked for 4+ hours on rolling England countrysides. Chased pigeons on the Brighton coast. Got to be the translate-r instead of the translate-e. I roomed with Philippine (another exchange student from Belgium/France). My Gasteltern were very nice. We only really spoke with the Lady in the house because her husband was on Ramadan so he slept most of the day. They just got married and he moved from Morocco to be with her. He speaks 6 different languages but is still learning English. It was weird speaking only in english and not trying to converse in German with them. I never realized how bad my english was getting until I went to England. hah. It's worth it though. I have videos from my trip on my Youtube account. www.youtube.com/SarayaCoburn and I have photos on my myspace account www.myspace.com/vengeance_swings_around.

The other day:

I went with one of my friends, Rosalie, to an Urban Art museum the other day. It was really good and the art was astounding. We only made it through floor number 1 of 5 until it closed because it was so good. Afterwards we went to a local concert. I do have to admit I was a little disappointed in how the concert was but it was fun nevertheless.

Other stuff:

I went to my first Rotary Orientation here. It was a lot of fun. All the rebounds and the inbounds had a sleepover that night. I was pretty tired though because I had to get off the buss from England (which was a 12 hour trip overnight) straight to Oldenburg for the Orientation. It was worth it though. Other than that I haven't been doing anything really interesting. Most things here are becoming normal so it isn't as new and noteworthy anymore. So if you have questions, please ask.

Well I have to go to a Rotary meeting. I'll try and update more later.

<3>

School school school... (day 7 and 8)

So school started yesterday. It was A LOT different than school in Alaska.

In the mornings we have to ride a city bus. It was my first time riding one. It was one of the ones you have to stand up on. Our stop is last so, lucky us, we get to stand up in a crowded bus. I felt like I was going to fall down like, every two seconds. Not my cup of tea. It gets me from point a to point b though. That's all I need it for.

So when I got to school, I had no idea where to go so Jan went to the office and got my papers then found out where my first class was then he dropped me off there. You have to wait outside the door for the teacher to open it. So I waited and waited. I didn't know anyone in my grade. The only person that I mildly recognized was Felix from the pictures that Madara showed me. I never talked to him though. Some people introduced themselves so that was nice.

The schedual is really different. Theres a class schedual rather than each person having their own like in the states. Everyone in your first class pretty much has the same schedual. Which is nice when you are trying to find your way. Also expecially since most of my classes are in the school next door so I don't have a map.

I have SO MANY CLASSES!!! I do have 3 classes in English though which is nice. I've been doing really well in those ones, as for the other ones, not so much. Like, today I went in to French class and apparently the teacher assigned homework. I didn't know about it because she spoke in German the whole time. If she spoke in French I could understand her a lot more. BUT, apparently in this french class, you speak German. haha.

Anywho. My class schedual is rediculous. I am never going to memorize it.

MONDAY
1. Chemistry
2. Chemistry
3. Math
4. Math
5. German
6. French/Latin
7. Physics
8. Physics

TUESDAY
1. English
2. English
3. Art
4. Art
5. German
6. German
7. Sport
8. Sport

WEDNESDAY
1. Computers
2. Computers
3. English
4. Math
5. Religion
6. Philosophy
7. Politics
8. Politics

THURSDAY
1. Music
2. Music
3. Math
4. French/Latin
5. Biology (in English)
6. Biology (in English)
7. History (in English)
8. History (in English)

FRIDAY
1. French/Latin
2. French/Latin
3. Geography (in English)
4. Geography (in English)
5.
6.
7.
8.

SO. YEAH. That is a lot of classes. Expecially compared to our 6 class, every day, schedual. I can stick it out though. I can easlily day it will be an interesting year school wise.

After school yesterday though I went over to Daniels hot familys house for about an hour. I visited with his host brother who is leaving for Thailand next Friday. Then we went to meet Daniel at the airport. After that we went back to his Host familys house and had a nice BBQ. It was definitely fun.

Today I went to school, like a good Rotary kid and got out at 11am. Yesterday school for some reason got out at 1. I was confused, but I wasn't argueing it. Today I got invited to the same party by like, 5 people. I'm pretty excited about going. I'm getting picked up at 6 by a few people from my class that I never talked to. My host mom set it up. haha. I'm going to be out until about 3am. PARTEH TIME!

Day 5 and 6 (8-4-09, 8-5-09)

So yesterday was kind of a laid back day, which was nice with all of the running around we've done in the past few days. Wilfried is in Austria for a few days so Zanete and I went into Syke and dropped off some recording stuff we rented to record the concert for my Rotary counselor, Carin Lavine. Who, I might add, is a world famous flute player (At least I think that's what they said. hha).

After that we went by my school to finish some paperwork and meet some people, who I forgot their names by now. (Sorry, I have a bad memory!) The school is huge. It's weird to think I'm starting there tomorrow. It's going to be a great experience though. It's weird though, I found out that I am going to have 3 of my classes taught in English. I emailed the KCHS councelors about it to see if I can get credits for them back home. That way senior year will be a little bit easier on me. I also found out that I had to make a poster describing where I'm from and about me and stuff to put on the wall so people know me. I'm kind of stoked about it. ART PROJECT!!! =D

After the school then we went to the bank and went home.

By the time we got home, Jan had come home from camp. We ate lunch and then we went on a bike ride. We went to the school because it is only 10 km away. ONLY 10km. bleh. Don't they know that I am out of shape?!?!? haha. I didn't complane though. Everything here can be turned into a good experience. Though I must say, I rode Madaras bike. It's one of those that if you peddle backwards it breaks.... I forgot about that when I was going up a steep hill. XD

OH! And during lunch (I have to add this) my host brother was all 'Do you have *blah blah blah* in Canada???' and I was all .... 'uhm, I've never been to Canada' and he's all 'Oh I thought that Alaska was apart of Canada' 'No, it's not....' Hahaha, Jans great. That's why rotary youth exchange is here, TO SHARE THE TRUTH! haha. Jan's a reallt good kid. I'm glad he's my host brother. =]

NOW TODAY ON ANOTHER HAND!!!!
We got up really early. Went to pick up Yamil and his host sister and went to HEIDE PARK! (I think that's how you spell it)

We rode a bunch of rides. Including a wooden roller coaster that is in the guiness book of world records. It was SOOO HOT THOUGH OMG! And I thought that my farmers tan from the 4th of july parade was bad... I have the worst tan of my life right now and school starts tomorrow!!! I can hide it though, I'm a wiz with make up =] .

I slept in the car on the way back and so did Yamil and Jan. I was tired all day. I probably walked a bajillion miles today... and I'm not even exadurating.

I felt bad though. On one ride, this (hot) guy sat next to me and tried to talk to me, like, he kept on saying a bunch of stuff and was waiting for answers. Like, multiple times. I looked at him confused for a second and replied "Es tut mir leid. Meine deutsch ist schlekt. Ich komme aus Alaska." (and I probably spelt that wrong. hahaha.) It means, ' I'm sorry. My German is bad. I , am from Alaska". He was just like, 'oh' and turned away. Shot down by the man. And the man being language differences. I can understand some German, like, I can know what people are talking about in conversations if I pay attention hard enough, but I had no idea what he was saying. BLEH. NOTE TO SELF. LEARN GERMAN NOW SO WHEN HOT GUYS TALK TO YOU YOU DONT LOOK DUMBDUMBDUMBDUMDFjhlsjfhlaskjdfhkdsfsd.......

.bye

Day 3 and day 4 [[8-2-09, 8-3-09]]

I would first like to give a big round of applause to my host dad for making my internet work on this computer without hassle for the first time in forever. You never know how much you miss american keyboards until you dont have one. TRUST ME.

So after I finished my last blog, Zanete, Diana, and I went for a bike ride. It was nice and I was really tired after it, and so was Diana, you could easily tell. The sceneary was beautiful. We rode on the back roads. The ones that the farmers use. People that live in these types of neighborhoods and stuff are allowed to use them too. Its ok though, the road is about the size of a normal street here in Germany! haha. So we return to the house and Zanete askes if I want to keep riding. SO as tired as I was, I went on another bike ride. Rotary rule number 1, don't turn down a good experience. Well, thats rule number 1 next to don't get preggo. haha. I swear though, after all the walking and riding I have done in the last 4 days, I have calfs of steal.

After the bike ride, at about 11 ish, we went to a party where my host dad and his band were playing at. They were really good. I really liked this party because this wasn't an Alaska style party, people actually got up and danced to the live bands. It was cool. And I do have to say, Germans are some amazing dancers. *note: I'm not trying to be mean, these dudes were cool. I do have to give props to these people, they went all out and didnt care who was watching. They definitely go up far on my list. One guy looked like he was dancing a mix between the Carleton and the potty dance. He was pretty legit. My favorite guy though, busts out in the middle of nowhere into something that looked like a mix between Night at the Roxberry and Michael Jackson, but like, in hypermode. He gets my best dancer of the night award.

Now onto yesterday. My host mom and host dad took me into Hamburg. The Autobahn was, and still is, under construction. So it took a little bit longer to get there though. Driving on the Autobahn isn't as much of a big deal as it seems. It isn't any different then driving on the highway. The radio announcer guy was all 'hey, when we get off work we should go and party man. Like, take some grills and burgers out on the autobahn!' haha. We had a good laugh.

On the way to Hamburg we had to drive in an underwater tunnel thing. I had never done that so I thought it was interesting. Once we got there we parked next to all the boats. For all of you that dont know, Hamburg was once the largest ports in Europe and now is in the top 3 i think. On the way walking to the pier (or whatever) my host dad told me the story about why we say 'OK'. Or a story behind it.

I guess there was a huge German buisiness tycoon that moved to New York a while back. He was really successfull. His initials were O. K. Everyone knew all of his papers were good so they were all 'Oh, its O.K.' So thats how the story goes.

We went to have lunch after that and I had my first German Snitzle. It was good. =] There were a bunch of bees flying around though, they just wouldn't leave us alone. It was lame, but I was in a good mood so I didn't let them bother me.

After that we went on a boat ride. You know, the touristy kind of ones. The tour was in German so I didn't understand much. After a while I didn't even bother trying really, so I just looked around at everything. The top of the boat almost hit the bridges we went under almost everytime. It was crazy.

The economy hit pretty bad there in the last 2 years. That port used to be filled completely with boats, now there are barely any, and most are tourist stuff.

After the boat ride we went back to the car and drove to the middle of Hamburg. The buildings there are absolutely amazing. I will have to upload photos later.

I do have to have my immature moment of the day now. As we were walking I saw a cafe called Ballzac cafe. *tee hee. OH and in town here there is a jewelry store called Schmuck. haha

Anyways, back to non-imatureland. We drove by the Steinway building. If any of you know pianos, you will know what I'm talking about.

As we were walking back to the car though Wilfried pointed out the golden brick on the ground infront of a door. On it it had the name of a Jewish person that got sent to a concentration camp. It said the name of it too. I guess there are even some of those in Syke on the ground. It's a good rememberance.

OK, now onto something less depressing. The Beatles. Who doesn't love the Beatles. Actually, I'm not a fan of them. BUT I did find out that their first Drummer was German and they got their first real start in Hamburg. The German didnt want to leave home so they replaced him and went back to Liverpool (...?).

Before leaving Hamburg we went down this road called the Reeperbahn. I guess if you are a 60 - 70 year old male sailor you would tell me to not give up your secret about now. haha. All down this road you see sex shop, sex shop, sex shop, subway, sex shop, sex shop, sex shop, KFC, sex shop. It was pretty rediculous. BUT WHATEV'.

Today slowed down a lot. We went to Syke and got some random stuff. Zanete did buy me a notebook for the first day of school (we're going to wait until I get the class lists). The notebook was all graph paper and had 4 holes punched out unstead of 3. I hope not all of my notebooks are like that. I hate graph paper.

I had some down time when I got home so I played some guitar. After a while it was time to go to Jans concert. It was all 'new music'. It sounded like soundtrack music to me. It was very interesting. Jan is a very good piano player. He did really well.

Well that's all for now. I'm going to go to bed. I am TIRED.

<3

1st and second day

(by the way, i'm going to type fast and i'm on a german computer so if there is a lot of spelling mistakes((like y's where z's are and vise versa, i'm sorry)

OK so I got on my flight from Kenai to Anchorage and this Hawaiian guy sat next to me. He was clearly drunk. He kept repeating 'if its important to you than its important, datz whats importantttt *than a bunch of slurred words*' but he was harmless. He made me laugh.

My grandma came and visited me in the Anchorage airport. it was fun. i was only there for 2 hours or so.

then off to Portland. and im not sure if it was me or what but i got seated next to the two quietist guys in the world. haha. and im not going to lie, that was one of the most uncomfortable flights in the world. but it was waaayy worth it.

once in portland it was about 5 something in the morning alaska time so i was pretty tired, expecially only sleeping for about an hour and a half on the flight. but it was all part of my plan, i wasnt going to sleep much at all then i was going to sleep at the end of the amsterdam flight so i could be awake for the rest of the day once i got into germany. as soon as i got into portland i checked in and got some food. it was really good. and now for the wait.... i had to wait over 6 hours in that airport. i got so bored i bought a coloring book. for the last hour and a half though that i was there i found two other rotary kids that were going to sweden. then later i found a found another girl that was going to germany. that flight got delayed by an hour though. i ended up sitting by the two people that were going to sweden. they were great. their names were Emily and Kyle. the other girl was Hannah. they definitely made the trip a lot of fun.

with the flight being delayed i almost missed my amsterdam to bremen flight. i litterally had to run to catch my flight. i didnt even get to say goodbye to my friends... =(((( and i didnt get to bye anything. so if you wanted a postcard from there, im sorry. but ironicallly, and thankfully, that flight too was delayed.

So i make it to bremen, meeting about 3 other exchange students on the way. so im standing and waiting and waiting and waiting for my bags to come around the thing and they dont, lucky me. and i can already see my host family and a bunch of other people holding my sign. so i go out there, luggage less, but i really didnt care. i was so happy to see them. we hit it off right away. cracking jokes and everything.

we take care of the baggage thing and we head over to my house for the next 3-4 months. i officially love everything in germany after that drive. i noticed though that all the cars there are reallly small, as are their streets. good thing they are really good drivers their streets are about 2/3 of what ours are, if that. all the roads are made of brick and you really cant distinguish where sidewalks and actuall roads are. like, people ride bikes and walk right in the middle of the road, and no one minds. there is no such thing as road rage here. and the road lines are actually painted nicely (alaskans would appreciate that). the buildings were incredible, i'll have to upload pictures later. you cant describe it.

so we pull up to this amazing house. it is incredible. its one of those houses where everything matches and it looks like it was taken out of a magazine, but it still manages to keep that homey feeling. my room is just as nice. i have balcony doors as windows and they have an machanical shade on them so if i want it to be dark or light in there it can be. I even have my own bathroom. and now onto the garden. Zanete did an amazing job with it. it has a koi pond and a sauna in it and it looks beautiful. and i usually dont even like gardens. we eat out there a lot.

after lunch we went into Syke and saw all of the stores and stuff. everything is crampt but not in an uncomfortable way. Zanete, a former exchange student from argentina, and i went and had icecream at one of the stores. the weather has been so nice lately. its been about 28°c. its a lot. so we went for a walk. after that we went and saw Jan at this music camp thing he is at. it was nice to finally meet him. then Wilfred, Zanet, and i went to a Beirgarden and had dinner.

today zanete took me into Bremen and we had lunch and went to town square. there were so many shops ( i spotted h & m!!!). then we went to the flea market and got stuff for dinner. then we went shopping for a converter so i can use my ipod and stuff. so we get there and shes like #look for the disco!# sure enough they were there. but it looked like it was only for europe to usa not the other way around. cool. so we ask this guy and he brings us to these big huge heavy boxes that were, i swear, 8 times bigger than my laptop. well at least if i got those no one would steal it. and i could always use it as a foot stool. i knew i could find smaller ones so we went and asked another guy #who kept on saying 'micky mouse' for some reason# but after about 15 minutes we got what we went there for and we hopped back into Zanetes bug convertable and came home.

we just got done with dinner now. i'll update later.

BYE!

Host Family/School/Town [[July 03, 2009]]

Well since I am in the blogging spirit tonight I thought I would tell you about my fabulous first host family so you know who I'm going to be talking about for my first 3 months or so there. For those of you who don't know, during my exchange I stay with about 3 host families during my whole exchange and switch every few months or so. I stay in the same town and same school though. And for kicks and giggles I'll throw in information about my school and town too. I'll know more about those when I get there though.

My First Host Family:
My Host Family is amazing. Wilfried and Zanete are my host parents. My host dad works as an engineer and my host mom helps out with the buisiness that they both own. My host mom is from Latvia and used to work for Latvian Television before moving to Germany. My host sister Madara is the one who emailed me. She is going on exchange to Austrailia while I'm there. I also have a host brother Jan, a host grandma Loni, and a host dog, Diana. They all are really musical (except my host grandma and my host dog, haha). My host sister and my host dad are in rock bands. And most play or played the piano. I was so happy to hear this because I LOVE MUSIC. And it's going to be really nice to live in a musical family. I hope I'll fit right in. Cross your fingers!

My School:
My school is called Gymnasium Syke. There are about 1600 students and 100 teachers at my school. Which is huge compared to our what, 300-400 students at KCHS?? There are several different types of schools there and there are a lot of them. The school is from grades 5th to 13th, which I think is equal to grades 4th to 12th because I think they count 1st grade there as our kindergarden. Don't quote me on that though.

My Town:
Syke is a middlesized town with a population of about 18,000. Once again, a lot compared to Kenai. haha. It is near the large cities of Bremen (20 miles), Hamburg (75 miles) and Hanover (60 miles).