Gasteltern Abend (Parents’ Night)

Gasteltern Abend (Parents’ Night)

So we had Gasteltern Abend last night, and it was a total success. The parents all said it was the best one yet (Sorry, Original Frau). We sang the MSU fight song and the two students from Luther College sang opera songs. They have beautiful voices. Then we sang the MSU Alma Mater, “Shadows.” After the presentation we talked to everyone.

So this story I’m about to tell really has nothing to do with German culture, but it’s too funny not to write about. One girl, Emily, wanted to make fruit salad with whipped cream for the evening. See one usually uses Cool Whip, but there is no Cool Whip in Deutschland. So they had to buy whipping cream, and Emily had no clue how to do it. There is a technique to making whipped cream from whipping cream, and I’ve seen people do it enough that I thought that I could help out.

So I took the mixer and went to town. It was looking good, and then Emily’s roommate, Paula, told me that I should turn up the speed on the mixer (bad idea). Instead of whipped cream, we made butter. It was pretty good butter though. Paula and Laura (the third roommate) used the butter to make their grilled cheese sandwiches. Luckily their host mom had more whipping cream, and I was able to redeem myself by making some awesome whipped cream. And that’s how I learned to make whipped cream from whipping cream.

Kate, Erin, and I decided that we wanted to make pasta salad. Well, there is no Italian dressing in Germany, either. And if there is, they keep it next to the Cool Whip. So we bought olive oil and garlic vinegar. We mixed that together with salt and pepper to make the dressing for the salad. It actually turned out very well, and I think that I almost prefer that dressing to the store-bought kind. Go figure. I came to Germany and learned how to make an American Pot Luck Classic better than the original. This just proves my point that everything truly is better in Germany.

I’ve been having so much fun. I never want to leave. It is strange to look out my bedroom window and see a German flag. It shouldn't be, but it is.

Success!

This is a really big deal for me, and I think that all of you would be very proud. On Saturday or Sunday, I cut my leg, and it was sort of bad (nothing that a bandaid and Neosporin wouldnt fix). I wanted to get some Neosporin-like product because I didnt bring any.

So I went to die Apotheke (pharmacy) to see if they had any. The pharmacy is a little different because you cant just go in and get what you want. You have to ask the pharmacist for what you need. I was a little nervous, but I didnt want my cut to get infected, so I sucked it up and went into the store with my friend Kate.

I was able to ask the pharmacist for the antibiotic creme, and I bought it without any trouble!!! :) So I guess that means that I can speak and use German now. Get excited. I know I am.

Anyone from Fraus class reading this should study abroad. German is a great language, and Germany is a great country. And you are all well-prepared to come here. If you have any questions about what it is like living here, comment, and I will try to answer them.

I feel so comfortable in Mayen. It is like my second home. I really think that I never want to come home. I wish that I didnt have to leave at the end of June. I am trying to focus on what little time I have here while I have it. I love, love, love Germany.

This weekend, I am going to Munich with my friend Kate. We booked our hostel, but we are not actually sure we will be able to get there.

One strange thing that I have noticed about Germany is that the milk is room temperature, and the cartons are rectangular. They dont come in gallon jugs. It tastes like creme, but our Oma buys 1,5% fettarme (low-fat) milk, so it cant be like creme in the USA. AND for breakfast this morning, I had johgurt (yogurt) with vanilla beans in it. So tasty.

And to be honest, everything tastes better without preservatives. The food is so much healthier. I am not looking forward to returning to American food that can last for weeks on end... perhaps years. I will also miss Wellness Flakes. They are kind of like Wheaties only better. Maybe I will bring some home.

The Euro looks like Monopoly money, and I really like using 1 and 2 euro coins. I will miss that when I come home.

I dont reall miss anything about the USA yet, but I think I might miss Taco Bell soon.

Ankommen (Arrival)

I made it to Mayen. This city is so amazing, and I am convinced that everyone should visit Germany.

There are many strange things in Germany (strange to me), but the culture shock was not so bad. For example, I cant find the apostrophe on the key board, and the z and y are in completly opposite positions on the keyboard as compared to the US keyboard. It is confusing. I dont have much time left, so I have to go.

Greetings to Frau Augensteins class from Mini Frau!

Pre-Departure

I leave for Germany in 8 days and 16 hours. I have a lot do do, and I haven't even started packing yet. I'm really excited for my trip, but I'm also apprehensive. I've never been to Europe before, and I have no idea what to expect.

I'm staying with Frau Ilse Göbel - she is my host Oma (grandma). I'm living with my friends Kate and Erin, and I know we're going to have a blast. The first weekend, we're probably going to Salzburg, Austria, for The Sound of Music Tour.

I can't promise how often I'll update. I know there's a cafe with wireless, so I'll update as often as possible, but I really don't plan to spend my time on the internet when I'm meant to be exploring Gemany.

I am doing an independent study comparing language instruction in Germany to language instruction in the United States. On Thursday, I'm observing the German teacher at Grand Blanc High School. She's very welcoming, and I'm very excited.

There will be more to come when I get to Germany!

Bis Spaeter!
(Until later)