I am typing this one from my iPod in front of a warm fire, in Germany. Sounds all cozy and European right? Well it is, but since this isn't on my laptop, please for give any typos, misspellings, or grammatical errors. I've cranking out these things about every two weeks now, mostly because Sunday's or afternoons in Germany provide ample opportunity to do so. So first thing first: I have it the infamous "September Slump" that it is common for a Cbyxer to experience. I miss my family, friends, and my state. I miss my church, my school, the frequent use of the English language, the American mentality, and I am rather upset to be missing string of concerts with some of my favorite artists visiting VB (Matt Maher, Ike Ndolo, Needtobreathe, Ed Sheeran, etc.) I am missing out on Senior year, the first legit homecoming dance in recent Talllwood history, and yes even the THS band program, with my verrückt band director and two good friends as drum majors (Sara and Heather) running the marching band this year (and was given the chance to be in the top ensemble for the first time before I left last year)
To be honest I am telling myself that I am having the time of my life here, that I shouldn't want to trade it for anything, but I am not quite believing it. However, each day is a challenge, and I can feel myself becoming more and more skilled, not only in the German language, but in how I handle myself around people of all kinds (the typical Euro teen is definitely different from how they make them in America, much more akin to college students the. American high schoolers). I am not going to lie, I have failed multiple times already to keep to true to a promise to myself that I was going to stay grounded, not get swept in the moment and compromise what I believe to be my integrity.
But hey, this isn't some epic tragedy, this what being an exchange student is about, to expose yourself to a new culture but still maintain who you are as a person, and in a place that retains some qualities of home, but is yet vastly different, is hard. I am still waiting, praying even that I will come into what I thought was going to perform like here, and go much further from the tourist-like form I have as an exchange student to something much more profound.
In other news...went to my first German club on last Friday. Fun time with a good group of guys, retained my sobriety, and enjoyed myself. Until The group of guys I was with spent two hours getting a cab home, I guess teenagers being bad planners in universal. Wann in Deutschland.
