(This blog will be graded by my german professor as part of the credit I am reciving for this)
These next hundered or so blog entries will be about my adventures in Germany. I will be going to Duisburg-Essen Uni on Aug 24th. This blog is to allow all my friends and family to keep track of me. To give me an outlet to write down all my thoughts and emotions about everything here.

I write this first entry still here in the USA, This is my 1 month pre-exchange entry. I have 4 questions I have to answer for my Uni so lets start off with those bad boys ;-).....,...

1. Why did you choose to do this program?

Many things and people helped me chose this program. So, I'll start off with Marian and Johanna. Marian was a guest student at my high school when I was a senior. He always talking about how much he loved his exchange and how it was life changing for him. He told me about Duis-Essen and encouraged me to ask my Uni about it. I really enjoyed his company when he was here, so I thought, if I could have a good time with him, I could make many friends in Germany.  Also during that same year I meet a very sweet german girl named Johanna. She quickly became one of my best friends. She encouraged and cheered me on to complete the very long and hard application process.  They both gave me a positive sterotype of Germany and its people. And soon I was in love with the idea of Duisburg- Essen. I also give credit to my german professor as well. She really helped me learn german fast and gave me a real love for the languge.

2. What Sterotypes do you have of program's country and it's people?

Well, even before I meet Marian and Johanna, I didnt have much of a sterotype. I thought they were drunken, loud, and aggressive. After I meet them, it changed alot. Germans are serious about work, but they are also serious about play. They enjoy life and they like to talk about ANYTHING and EVERTHING! There is not a topic they don't have an opinon on, and you had better be prepared to defend/explain your opinon. The one area germans and american differ greatly on is making friends. And I will now use an anology that Johanna used. Germans are like coconuts, they have a hard shell to get through but once you get threw they are sweet. And americans are like peaches. They are soft on the outside and easy to get threw. So bacisly, you dont make friends instantly with germans, you have to work to gain thier trust and friendship. but once you do, they are loyal like dogs.

3. What cultrual events/expirences do you hope to attend?

I am hoping to go to berlin. It holds so much history for the country. It includes the country's past, present and future. I also have a special connection with the city, that I just found out. My grandfather was on the first plane that bombed Berlin in WW II. He was a military photographer and has many pictures of the city in ruins. Now he wants me to take photos of the city today for him. I also hope to attend either oktoberfest or Carnival. I also hope I can buy tickets to see a Scooter show ( German Techno Band), ever since Marian introduced me to them, they have become my most favorite band ever. I have the hugest crush on the frontman, H.P. Baxxter!!!!

4. Anything else you would like to say? ;-)

Yes!!! Mom and Dad I love you and thank you so much for letting me do this!!!

Tatiana- I love you and I miss you!!! Have a fun time is Russia with your family and boyfriend. I cant wait to see you at our new home!!!! Were going to have so much fun. I know Johanna and Marian will love you! lol

Marian- This will be a good time! Cant wait to see you and your family. Can't wait to see the party king in action!

Johanna- I miss you, I will be crying/ screaming/ laughing when I see you. And remeber its "take a picture not make a picture"

Felcia My german professor- I know you are worried about me and alcohol...lol but dont worry, I have a Russian and two Germans to give me a good education on that!!! ROFL  Thanks for everything~~~

Everyone is crazy in thier own way. Like your friend who has a verging- on - unatural obcession with a celebrety. Or someone who eats weird, yet tasty, food combinations. Someone who is not afraid to take a corner  driving at 90 MPH, in hopes of scaring the shit out of you. and last but not least, that one person who is ( with the help of vodka) not afraid to dance on the table, shirtless, and singing Sweet Home Alabama really loud!

So I want you to tell me and others "Whats your own personal brand of insanity?"

Ill start off with mine: I can identify almost every breed of dog known to man. And I have only two celebretey crushes, both men are over the age of 40. H.P. Baxxter,  German frontman of Scooter, age 43. And Amercian actor Mark Harmon age 56.

Your random German word for the day: Verrückt which means Insane!

Tschüss and Goodbye , Alex!

This Poem is dedicated to my cousin, Katie, who passed way this morning after a lifelong battle with Cyistic Fibrosis.

Run, Katie, Run.

Run Katie, Run

Dont feel bad

and dont be sad.

Do not hesitate

this is a safe path to take.

Run Katie, Run

towards the light

be rid of your chain

and take flight.

Shed your lungs that

betrayed you all your life.

Run Katie, Run

Take a breath, free, easy

and unhindered.

Your sprit has been re-kindered.

Run Katie, Run

Do not worry  about those you leave behind.

For you are with them body, soul and mind.

And those who have left before

are standing there

on the other side of the door.

Run Katie, Run

They welcome you to your new life

where you dont have to fight.

Fight your body for a breath that is weak.

Help you will no longer need to seek.

Your body is strong, your mind is clear.

There is no more fear.

With these words and the thoughts and prayers of everyone...

I hope you run Katie, run.

Its been a frustrating day for me.... I woke up late ( I was hoping to work out before class) so I tired to shower only to find my roomate had just gotten in. So i skipped it and went to class. The lecuture was so boring I almost fell asleep....... then I had to wait 20 min for a bus to come to take my back to my dorm. I was ranning ALL day so I my feet were soaking wet by time a walked into the dorm. After my shower I attempted to do my homework but my internet was not working and I kept getting texted by people to go and eat. I went into to work and was put on dishwashing duty, which sucks!!!!! People kept putting nasty stuff on thier plates and shoving food in their cups, which is impossible to get out........After my shift I slumped into my desk chair and put  the shuffle on i-tunes. I was about ready to cry, when my favorite song came up "Jumping all over the World by Scooter" and it was like all the bad events of my day had gone away. I suddenly found myself was shaking my head, tapping my feet, and singing out loud. I even felt the urge to attempt jumpstyle.. ( not good jumpstyle, but jumpstyle). Afterwards I was laughing and smiling like a crazy person and I felt my sanity return. So I am convinced that Music is the best from of Therapy!

Your Random German word for the day is: Tanzen which means to Dance

Tchuss and Bye!

Alex

Okay so my mother is getting married soon, and I will gain 3 step-siblings. A boy my age (19) a sister who is 21, and a little-sister who is 15.... I will be living with them during the summer, when I get home. The 21 year-old has no problem with me, however I can not get the other two to warm up to me. The boy I can kind of understand because we are different genders, but the girl just doesnt seem to want to get to know me. I understand that maybe she is upset with this whole process... but at least say Hi to me you come over!!!!!! ugh...I have tried watching movies with her and him, our parents send us out togather to do errands and eat... but its soooo akward!!! I try to talk but they always give me short, quick answers.... I dont know what to do, I want to get along to know them because I've never had siblings before. But I dont want to make them like me becasue I live with them... ugh soo confusing.....

Your random german word for the day is Schwester which mean Sister.

Bye und Tschus!

Alex

I was learning german slang today and I was wondering what other cool slang words there were in other languges... So if you know any cool/ interesting/ weird slang words in any languge post them in a comment on this blog!

Your random german word for the day is a slang term today and it is: Ameri (spelling?) which is slang in german for American or Yankee. ;-)

Let me go over the list of various illness I have had in the last two weeks......

1. I had a cold

2. Then I got my roommates cold

3. Then I got Pink eye because of that cold.

4. Then I got a sore throat....

5.and currently I have Pink eye again for a Second f*ucking time!!!!!!!!!!

Your random German word for the day is: Handy, which means Cell Phone.

Bye and Tschus! Alex

Did you ever get the feeling you were born in the wrong country? (not that there is anything wrong with mine, USA!) I had this thought occur to me while I was talking to my friends in Germany....At 16 they are allowed to drink and go to night clubs, bars and do pretty much anything else. ( except drive, but they can walk every where there!!)... What can you do here at 16? Mall and Movies..... ^-_-^...

 Also my friends ( both guy and girl) have no problem with talking about ANYTHING,! Sex...Politics.... Relgion or anything else that is considered taboo here. There are times when I want to have an intelligent discussions about these topics but when I try to talk to my american friends they refuse.

Speaking of Sex.... in europe...sex is not that big of deal, unlike here.... My guy friend was caught having sex by his mom, and she didnt freak out.. all they ever said to him "was are you protected?" Come on... my mother would have a heart attack!!!!

So yes... I am starting to believe I was born in the wrong country....But for now I am happy with the USA.

Here is your random German word for the day:   Steckdose, which means Electrical Outlet... XD

Tschus and Good Bye, Alex!