There is NO way. . . .

. . . .OUT!!!!!!! Today I decided to go with some of the other rotary students into town. We originally didn't have a plan but we ended up at the top of Hanover's town hall. BREATHTAKING. It was amazingly windy and the air felt so cool and fresh. . . but I hated it!

I know it doesn't make sense but when you are down on the ground you know your in Germany but you feel as if you still have the option of running. Of running so hard that you will be home. . . . . that you can go back. Not up in this tower, you can see all around you for miles and you know that no matter how strong you are or how long you can run there is NO WAY of getting home! I was standing up on this tall tower really enjoying the view until it hit me RIGHT IN THE GUT!!!! I am here and I am not going to get out for a year! NO MATTER HOW HARD I RUN!!!!!!!

One Step At A Time

Really that is all I can do. It is really hard to look at the future and it is really hard to look at the past... .. so I will take it one step at a time. If I just think about today I dont even relize how many tomarrows there will be!!

The red "Thread" in the picture is what Hannover is famous for... if you follow it you see all the sights in Hannover..... I just have to follow the yellow... I mean red brick road.

The LINE UP!!!

Announcer : " Today instead of our regular programming and participants we will introduce you to our new LINE UP"...." Yes today instead of the normal quarterback or runningback, we will be having.."... DRUMROLL..."gnomes!!!!" ... EVERY GERMAN SCREAMS IN EXCITEMENT

Ok maybe that is not exactly how it happened, but somehow gnomes became a huge deal in Germany. It is said to have origanally started in Germany because of the myth that they came alive and helped in your garden at night. I thought it was helarious that my next door neighbor had so many. . . . Her garden will be amazing!!!

The Grass Really IS Greener.....

.....ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE COUNTRY!!!!! And nobody knows why. Ok maybe there are a few scientific reasons like it rains all the time or that it isn't as hot. But really what does that matter. I don't see how that would affect the softness of the grass too. Really the grass is Greener and Softer!!! Well Until next time God Bless!!!!

Swan Lake!!

That is not what it is called and to be quite honest I dont remember what it is called. I think they should call it Swan Lake, but sadly they didn't ask me.

It is so gorgeous!!! I love that when you sit down on the steps a swan and a few ducks will just walk up to you. Just to check and see if you have food. It has been a really long day but I just wanted to share a quirk of Germany.. until next time God Bless

The Controversy

Oh you know!!!!! The which way does the water in the toliet bowl spin controversy. I am no expert but I am sure any unexperienced traveler is dying to know = ] Well I have taken it upon myself to stop those many sleepless nights today..... In Germany IT DOESNT SPIN AT ALL!!!!! Yep you heard me. The water just goes straight down. So sleep well tonight =]

Lol my original interest in the toliets was not dealing with the water but rather the pressure it put on me to make a decision. Yeah !!!!! There are two buttons to flush!!!! I hadn't previously gotten a lesson on which one to press when so I stood there finially feeling a connection with Robert Frost.....Two roads diverged in a yellow wood/And sorry I could not travel both..... lol ok that might not have been the meaning to the poem but at least I remember something from school!!! Well consider this your odd fact for the day... many toliets have two buttons and the water does not spin it just goes straight down!!!! Until the next lesson you really didnt care about learning GOD BLESS!!!!!

There's So Much!

I dont know where to begin. It is crazy being here.... I have officially stepped in to something off Alice in Wonderland. I really don't know where to begin so I will start with the basics.....

Time to Meet the Family!!!!!!

First off is my host mother, Beate (the pronunciation is incredibly difficult) She is very nice and always so busy she comes across rather scatter brained. I try to give her the benefit of the doubt... I mean the poor lady has to deal with me... Then there are the sisters( Schwesters - don't I sound smart ) Lena and Louisa. Lena has just now left for Texas. I think she is alot like me when I left Kansas. She doesn't relize how hard it will be but she will do well as soon as she gets there. I wish her the BEST OF LUCK!!!

Then Louisa... she proves God has a sense of humor... is just like me!!!!! She is 10 and one pure ball of energy. I watch her being extremely over dramatic and think " God bless my mother." She also loves art and thinks that I am the best thing since Charles Shultz (Peanuts Cartoon) She really is crazy but she keeps me moving and is the best Deutsch teacher I have ever had.

The others in the picture above are extended family (not in the house) But consist of Phillip, Lena's boyfriend. Beate's late husband, Klause. And the Grandma and Grandpa (Klause's side)

So now you have met my newest family, and though it is difficult right now I know I will learn to love them. Because I have enough room to keep my old family and invite a new one.=] So until next time GOD BLESS!!!!

Leaving on a Jetplane

I leave tomarrow... crazy i know. My mind is racing harder than a rat running for cheese on a wheel. My bags are packed (barely under the fifty pounds) and i have said my goodbyes to Gardner, KS. My problem is i am not ready to give up the safe and comfortable couch that surrounds me. My mother is always there and the idea of not having her to catch me when i fall scares me. My friends have been my arm rest when i need laughter or even advice and now i must put myself out there to make NEW ONES. I am GOING ON THE BIGGEST ADVENTURE OF MY LIFE and my favorite support is gone. It is like moving from the most comfortable couch you can think of to a plastic chair!!! I can only pray my bum is padded enough to make up for it =] I want my friends to know that i refuse to replace them but i will merely add new ones..... Because it is time! I am ready! I hope = ]... till next time God Bless