Talk Holly, talk

I had a big talk to my host-dad tonight while we were both downstairs. It was hard to start the conversation but I wanted to know if there was anything, anything at all, that after two and a half months of me living here, was disturbing, disrupting or annoying him or anybody else in the family: from walking around the house in bare feet, or spending too much time in my room, to even being close friends with, at this stage, primarily only the other exchange students.


If there was even the smallest problem, I wanted to know it, because I know some things that are accepted in one country can in another be considered rude or inconsiderate, and often taken the wrong way.


To my relief, but also as I more or less expected, I was reassured everything was just fine and he loved to have me here.


It made me feel really happy to be here, and even more at home. I love living with my host family - my dad here is really relaxed and easy to get along with, and thinks the same about me. He was a little worried that when I spent time alone in my room I was upset or homesick, but we managed to clarify that it isn't the case, which brings me to my next point that I think is important - when the family you live with and the country you live in both change, it's more than likely that what is considered normal or acceptable will change also. What is harmless to you, like often spending time in your room, may be taken the wrong way by your new family. I had no idea that when I was spending so much time in my room my host dad had worried about me - I had to remember he doesn't yet know me well enough to know this isn't a sign of me being upset, it is just how I am, and all it took was a conversation for a few minutes for us to establish an understanding. After we talked I was glad we had, and realised how important it really is to keep on the same page as the people you live with.






Bänderriss - (torn ligament)



Last Sunday, our hockey team was supposed to have a match, but it was called off two days earlier. The coach then informed everyone we would have a running session that afternoon. I hate running, but I went, and as it turned out we were never going to run - it was only to see who would actually show up. Instead, we drank beer and played football. To cut a long story short, about an hour or so into our game I slide tackled a mate of mine in our team, ran really fast when he chased me, karma then stopped me in my tracks, rolled my ankle, tore two of three ligaments and I am now on crutches and can't play sport for 6-8 weeks.

My swollen foot without brace / bandages

I have now joined two other family members on crutches. Both from skiing - father had broken his leg, and sister tore a ligament in her knee. Will try and get a family photo, it's quite funny.

One or two more days then I'm going to walk. My hands hurt more from the crutches than my foot does. 

Chatroulette

I saw Holly again yesterday, and now have a few photos to upload from chatroulette - a website people can use to virtually meet others.

The photos need no explanation, enjoy!

To Photograph: #41

Two nights ago I took my camera and my tripod to the city to shoot exactly what you see below. It's a famous shot and was one of the first photos I ever saw of my new city, mid-January this year.

I met a man, in his mid 20's, who was doing exactly as I was doing. He was really friendly and we got talking. He loved to travel, had seen a lot of the world, and his job as a chef had even landed him a place on a boat heading to Antarctica, which made me jealous. As it turns out, he also spent a year living in not only New Zealand, but Nelson, in the South Island, where I also used to live. He described it as his "favourite place in the world," which was special having come from a guy who had already seen so much of the world.

It made me proud and I smiled, but it also made me think; I really didn't appreciate the beauty of what was in my backyard until I'd left it all behind, and I've found that's like a lot of things - you don't seem to appreciate things like your friends, your car, the sea or the boat, the fashion sense or the beach house in the Coromandel as much as you should until they are no longer at your fingertips. I remember thinking "I can't wait to get out of this place" but realise now I should've 'stopped to smell the flowers' as the age-old saying goes.

But I'll be back.

To everyone at home: Living in New Zealand isn't as bad as you think it is, appreciate it.

The photos:

To Photograph: #41. The Köln Dom from across the River Rhein

The 'Alt Stadt' (Old City)

-again. Old German buildings

Front of the Dom

the finest detail






Craving a cold V right now




Night night x

No dream is too big

I posted my bucket list today

It's located down the left side of the blog. When I have achieved a goal it has been crossed out and coloured red. You will notice there are a few things that are already red, and that is because had I not had already achieved them, they would have been on the list anyway.

I'm going tomorrow night to do some light painting and take photos of the Dom at night from across the Rhein with Sara from the States ! Will be some cool photos, I can't wait.

Didn't do too much on the weekend, went clubbing on friday, woke up late saturday then went to a park in Bonn to meet some of the german AFS kids heading overseas in July. Well, that was the intention; Sara and I were on the wrong train and what was supposed to be a simple 20minute train to the next city took us 4hours and I think we may have even also crossed the state line.

Nevertheless we made it, the park was really cool, the people were.. well a few were a little strange but the rest were cool and the weather was a little cold but clear blue sky so the sun was shining.

And here are some photos

Mittwoch, 5 Mai 2010

Skype!! Emma was in school so we couldn't talk but was good to see her again miss you!

Emma :D

I spent the afternoon with Holly yesterday before Deutsch Kurs, we met in Köln before heading to Wiener Platz, like we usually do. We had a spare 30minutes to kill before class started so we took a small detour by the Rhein and took some photos.

Köln

On the Bridge

"Soz Hoe"

I laughed when I saw these

Best Friends

Learnt the lyrics to the Karneval song "Viva Colonia" in Deutsch too! Had to translate it from Kölle (local dialect).

Viva Colonia - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqdQAsTzC4I

4-WAY

Ich liebe Skype - I love Skype

I had finished school early today (0930 / 1930 NZ) because I had no Deutsch class later in the day, so I came home because I was cold. Everyone in New Zealand was still online and I talked to brogan on skype for about an hour. 

Brogan

Merc and Matt both happened to come on Facebook. We managed to get them both on Skype and so for the first time this year, in three completely different time zones the four had an opportunity to talk, it was fun. (:

"Someone make a sound and I'll guess who it was!"

.

"Don't Forget Your Roots My Friend"

Was in the city with Holly this afternoon and we visited the "English Shop" where they sell all kinds of foods from England. We spoke to the man behind the counter, told him we were from Australia and New Zealand then asked if he had any idea where I could find a big NZ flag. He told us our best bet was an Australian shop in Rudolfplatz - 10minutes away 

I don't think I've ever seen Holly so excited

Amongst all the Australian crap though I did manage to find the New Zealand flag - stoked

   

"Don't forget your roots my friend"




Goodnight World

To: "The Family" (NZ)

I've just read over all the letters I wrote to my best friends before I left New Zealand.. :(

I remember sitting at my dining room table two nights before I left writing for hours. Reading the letters now reminds me how I felt - "Two nights left in NZ its crazy, but it still hasn't really hit me I'm leaving."

If it hadn't already, tonight it hit me.

"I think of the last time you spoke to me

you said everything has a meaning

oh everything happens for a reason

but when someones alone

the words aren't that strong

and i just long

for someone to be around

someone to be around"

-Six60

And thats so true, there have been several moments since I've been here, where all I long for is that someone to be around, the way it was in New Zealand. Sometimes when I think of everyone back home, and the last time I saw them, I miss them more than anything - you all know who you are, and this is dedicated to you.

"The family"