Thanksgiving, happy :)

A little late, but i really wanted to share my thanksgiving with y'all. My friends and I have slowly started having little dinner parties where we cook special foods from out countries.  The first one was mexican night and the second one was well Thanksgiving.

I have seen my mother, grandmother, Aunts etc cook thanksgiving so when i took the challenge of cooking a thanksgiving dinner for 8 or so people I thought to myself piece of cake.  As the time grew nearer and the  constant recipe emails from my mom were starting to come in, I stopped and had to think, this actually might be difficult... I'm in a country where they dont celebrate thanksgiving. But i was not to worry!

The first challenge was a Turkey.. but without any problem Steffi came to the rescue right away! A turkey was ordered!  At that point that was the easy part.

I have been to the grocery store but only to get simple things, Wine, cheese, bread; i never really had to look for anything.  I had my carefully planned out list thanks to my wonderful mother of what i needed and how much i needed. I wont go into really great detail bc that will bore you so i'll just say that i spent a good 2 hours in the grocery store i believe walking down the same 3 or 4 aisles hoping that things i was missing would pop up!
For future travelers to Germany: They dont have boxed stuffing.. or none that I can find or my friend, Aya!
Green beans checks, cream of mushroom soup check and thanks to Aya again fried onions!
I was quite sad when i thought we wouldn't have stuffing then i thought bread crumbs and i'll season them! I have to say i'm pretty damn proud of myself, if i can say so myself they were delicious.. almost as great as Market Basket brand boxed stuffing!

I'll post plenty of pictures below, but it was a wonderful, really sprecial night.  I was so happy that my friends and family could share this special day with me. It meant a lot to me that they all were willing to take time out of their night.

We skyped with my family who were at my neighbors which was hard in a way that i couldn't be there with them, but also special that technology can provide us with something like this.  All my friends made a cheers with my family and friends, it was super- though i will admit a few tears might have shed from my eyes, but half happy tears too:)

Yes, i made everyone hold hands and i said a little pray.. i consider doing what Aunt Suzie made us do and go around and say what we were thankful for but i thought that might be too much for their first thanksgiving;)

I'm so thankful for the opportunities i have been given this past year and thankful for the opportunities that will be given in the year to come. To spend a year or more in a new country learning a new culture, language is something to be really fortunate for, not a lot of people get to experience this. I thank my family and friends who have supported me throughout this whole experience and continue to support me. And i'm thankful for the family I am living with and how lucky I am at how welcoming they were and how i really feel like part of the family:)

I hope everyone had a joyful Thanksgiving like i did!

A wonderful dinner table: Credit to Steffi:)

Prosecco, kase und Freunde:)

yummy Turkey!

super lecker!

can anyone see the mistake?! either way i have the best friends:)

jibberish.

What a great word jibberish. This blog a little different than the rest. Since i have no trip to talk about recently and am finally all "caught up" i feel as though i should really write a post about my time here. What i have learned, how i like it, maybe even a little sappy/cheesy.

When i was a little girl, i thought i was from Mars (yes i will admit that).  My dad asked me how i liked it here (here meaning earth) so far? I responded "It's Stupid." ... i suppose a little side story that i thought i would share.
How do I like Germany: I like it, a lot.

I have been here for 3 months now and have already learned so much about a new culture and more importantly myself. After graduating school you always get the question so what are you doing next?  I chose to be an AuPair, but choosing to be an AuPair has much more meaning than just looking after kids, three beautiful, loving girls in my case. It shows you your strengths and weaknesses and how much growing up i still have to do. Yes, Mom and Dad i will not being having kids anytime soon. I am here to learn about myself, what i love and what i hate, what i need to change and what needs to stay. Signing up for this i knew would not be easy, any change is hard and i will say i was very naive when i thought this would be a piece of cake.

German language:  This was the hardest most difficult part from the beginning and still is. When i first got here i was so overwhelmed, everyone was talking so fast and i didnt know any words but danke, bitte and guten tag. I will say it is better now, but not anywhere where i would like to be. I can communicate with the little girls because my sentences dont have to be correct for them to understand but i want to badly to be able to communicate with the people around me friends and most importantly the family.  I understand what they are saying but when it comes to talking back im literally at a lost for words. I'm currently in my second level of an intensive german course: everyday for 4 weeks. I have learned so much but at times still feel so far from being where i want to be: communication in deutsch. My teacher says i need to be more confident with myself, but I know (and especially my parents) i have never had enough confidence in my learning ability. By January i hope (and my AuPair mother says) i will see a big difference.. only a month away!
... learning any new language is hard, but coming from english does not make it easier, how we pronounce words and how we make sentences does not match german and what i have the most struggle with.... shade (too bad). Ill be so thrilled when one of my blog posts is in a little german!!

A new culture, a new language, a new family: an exciting meaningful experience to say the least. I also have learned what family feels like miles away from home, you appreciate them much more let me tell you.
My dream for so long was to backpack Europe and honestly still is, but right now i know this is what i should be doing. To be fully emerged in a new culture is much more beneficial in my eyes than seeing all the famous world landmarks (though very cool.)  My good friend, Matt, is backpacking Europe and though i am envious of where he is, what he is seeing and the different people he is meeting; every person has a path that he/she takes; this is my path.  Maybe when im 30 ill backpack europe (yes my mind works like i have billions of dollars.)

jibberish thoughts are now starting so im going to end now.

"Life is about the people you meet, and the things you create with them."

Catching up...

Immediately after Paris i spent a week in the Allgau region- a region very close to the Alps.  We stayed in a house  owned by family friends directly in the mountains.  To get to the house we traveled this 6-8 foot driveway on a cliff... very scary, especially since the first time we drove on it was in the night time. I didn't look right..

This week was so relaxing but a little overwhelming.  German is a VERY hard language to learn (ill get more into that in my next post)... and i listened to a lot of german that week.

We hiked the first day up to this really cool roller coaster that brings you down the whole mountain.  Pia and i went together and the first time we went she kept saying "langsam lauren, langsam!" "Slow, lauren, slow."  Though i wanted to go a bit faster this was a little scary for me as well and i love roller coasters.  You sat in a 2 person go cart; Pia sat pretty much on my lap.  You zig-zagged down the mountain controlling how fast you went, quick turns, quick drops it was quite a mountain roller coaster.
The second time we went was a little different instead of langsam it was schnell schnell lauren! fast fast lauren fast! I took deep breaths and went fast.. it wasn't like i could close my eyes i needed to know when we really needed to slow down. all in all when i act my age it was a lot of fun. A beautiful day.

The second day was a zip lining tour.  a stressful day to say the least.  I was with Pia and one other 9 year old boy everyone else stayed back as the other kids were too small.  It was a lot of fun, but when i say stressfull it was because its hard to explain to a 6 year old how to go about certain obstacles when she can speak little english and you can speak little german (again ill get into this more later). Alex a tour guide working down below the zip lining course became my new friend.. everyone knew that the girl wearing a black sweatshirt and pink sneakers was english... great.  But thanks Alex- you saved me that day!

The next few days were spent hiking, shopping, reading, running. It was so relaxing- though it was hard being without a phone for a week it was nice. The last day we went to the start of the Alps- all of those pictures are on my phone, but boy oh by i can't wait to really go to the Alps- just the start of it was breathaking.  Pictures dont even do justice.
The sun was reflecting on half of the mountain- it was just so pretty i can't explain it- just go to the Alps.

The view and our house we stayed in.

View from the Roller Coaster

Paris: a lot of walking and baquettes

I left early friday morning on a train to Paris to be reunited with my best friend/freshman year roommate Christine Marie O'Shea!
She had SO much planned the whole weekend, exactly what I wanted and needed. We had so much to catch up on and we would be in Paris together- how cool!
I arrive at 12pm on Friday so had all day to tour around the place where Christie is living (she is also an AuPair).  St. Germaine is so beautiful. We started in a garden just walking around and talking and i got my first few of the City of Paris and the Eifel Tower. We eventually sat down at a cafe and had coffee (ok i had a alcoholic drink christie had coffee) and we just talked about everything. We decided we would spend the night staying in with cheese, wine, baquette and macaroons (so good!).
The golf team would be proud, Christie and I ate 2 baquettes in town and then had 2 more later that night, they are just so good.. and we love bread.

our kind of dinner.

We woke up VERY early saturday morning and got into Paris around 10 for a full day of sightseeing. Christie thinks she was a horrible tour guide, and ill admit it wasn't in the perfect order but i saw what i needed to see (still need to go back though). First stop was la tour Eifel. Once i saw it i just couldn't believe i was there.  After taking many pictures we were walking away and i must have looked back with a funny face to only have Christie say to me "dont worry Lauren it is still there." I couldn't help but laugh hysterically: it was just so flippin cool to be in Paris. in Europe.

I can't even remember our exact next stop, i just know we did A LOT of walking.  Christie wanted to try to fit everything all in and i couldn't stop thanking her and apologizing: thanking her because she was such a good hostess, apologizing because she was doing so much walking for me. For all the sites i saw that whole day without a doubt Sacre-Coeur was my favorite.  The view of Paris was so beautiful even on a cloudy day and the church itself is so beautiful.  Christie talked about this so much so i was excited to see it even before i was there, it is her favorite place to and after seeing it, i know why. 

I think its about time i post a facebook album.  I have so many pictures i need to share and its annoying to do it here, aka im lazy to wait that long. On top of the Sacre-Coeur and la tour Eifel, was Notre Dame, Louvre, Moulin Rouge (located on a very kinky sex shop street). Yeah, those are all the popular places but there are so many pictures i have of cool street, breathtaking views and just experiencing life in Paris, France. 

So all in all a fantastic trip.  ate a lot of good food, had a lot of good drinks, and saw some amazing places. I will go back. I have to go back. 

I wish i was a millionaire.

time to be a blogger.

In 4 days it will be November 19th aka i havent written anything in almost a month.  A LOT to catch y'all up on.

Since my 'not-so-seneca wine tour' there has been:
1. Paris
2. Halloween Party
3. Alps/Allgau
4. About to complete my first level of German!

I'll try to write a lot tonight, but we will see.

Not a Seneca Wine Tour

Living the dream: or atleast trying to.  Started classes and already see improvement.. i will be speaking german before i know it and i honestly couldn't be more excited! how cool!
Its unfortunately getting cold now and the indian summer is disappearing, but i took advantage of the nice weather and the foliage that is here.  It is now New England fall but it is still pretty.

We took a hike a little outside Ludwigsburg to vineyards.  What amazed me the most was the vineyards here are all on a hill, spectacular to see and obviously to hike as well. I have only been to vineyards around Ithaca so i dont have a lot to go off of, but this was just so beautiful.  It was a perfect fall day!

Enjoying my life here. Some pictures incase you forgot what i looked like.

Pia and i at the top of the vineyard. Die Sonne war so hell!

Greta, Pookie and I.

Nette!

a perfect hike, view and day!

Next stop:  PARIS!  Next weekend, can not wait to see my love/my first roommate, Christine Marie.  Then its halloween and i have organized a halloween party for the girls! Dad i hope you taught me well with decoration, i have to make it spooky!

Oktoberfest: Better than Christmas

The last few weeks have been more than exciting.  Seeing new sites and seeing new places, beautiful places. 


To start off:  Spent a weekend in France, well technically not France, but I could drive a VERY short distance to the border: Strasbourg, France.  It was so weird to me, its like us traveling to another state, but this time i was just crossing the border to another COUNTRY.  I was asking so many questions, do i need to take my passport out, will they check our car (going off of traveling into Canada), my friend i was with just laughed.  I think he thinks I'm a stupid american.  We spent the day in Strasbourg, then traveled a whole 10mins to where we would stay for the night: the families 'hunting house.  The house we slept in was so peaceful, not technically the real hunting house. 


Pause:  We met the grandparents at the house,  Apo and Mimi. Apo is my favorite person ever,  not just because whenever i walk into the house he asks me:  "something to drink! White wine, red wine, champagne?" But because he has a story for everything, so interesting to listen to and has a big heart.  He always makes sure that this feels like home for me.  They both are just so amazing.


Resume:  We met them later that night and spent the rest of the night into the early morning drinking, eating and talking outside.  It was so relaxing, not a care in the world, just the nice warm night and a sky filled with stars (sounds soo cheesy, but really it was perfect).  We all got a little toasted, but we also all had a lot of laughs.  The next day we went to the real hunting house.  Took there old mercedes jeep (something that reminded me of something i saw in Disney Jurassic Park) and travelled deep into the woods to a little cottage, it was perfect, just like i would imagine a hunting house to be.  We spent a beautiful day walking around their 200+ acres of hunting territory.  I did not want this weekend to end, I don't think any of us did. 


I only talk about weekend, just because weeks are all over the place; doing different things or just more because i rarely travel during the week because obviously the girls are in school and i need to be here with them. 


Oktoberfest:
Wasen (Stuttgart):
Traveled with the girls, Mimi and Apo to Stuttgart for a sunny day at the fair, with beers and good food.  I guess I always just thought of Oktoberfest is a beer drinking fair; obviously more to do, but not as much as there was.  We spent half the day in a tent having delicious chicken and beer. Then Pia and i took off to go on some rides. I really enjoy roller coasters so when Pia said she wanted to going on the "Muse" a kids roller coaster i was all for it, a little excitement.  Well, i wouldn't say excitement- i was terrified.  This tiny little cart they put us in, i felt like i was going to fall right off the edge.  Pia was really scared, so i had to put on a breave face, but i honestly thought i was going to pee my pants.  The other rides were just spinning.. a lot... beer and chicken that had not had time to settle was not helping. Pia had fun, thats all that matters.


Wesen (Munich):
Words can not describe.  Something i recommend everyone to experience once in their life.  I arrived in Munich Friday afternoon to be greeted by Charlotte; someone i had not seen in over 2 years.  Friday night we spent drinking wine and catching up on each others lives, getting ready to wake up early to go to the Wesen.  Each tent at Oktoberfest has it's own little meaning (most do);  Hofbrau is usually where the tourists go, then you have an older persons tent, a wine tent, and then the most popular are Schottenhamel and Hacker.  Of course i was in Hacker ;)  We got in line at 7, got into the tent and at a bench at 9 and was served my first beer a little after 930. Prosts! (Cheers!) The tent was so pretty, huge! (see picture)! So from 9am to 11pm i was dancing, drinking and singing: a grand ol' time and ill do it again.  Worth every minute, the hangover, the money and the weight i gained. 


I will go back without a doubt.

Villbild Anzeiga: Strassbourg France

(enjoying a nice sundae outside a cafe)

my first beer of my first Oktoberfest. 

Hacker: So pretty, and just think i was in the middle, same length on the other side of me

Many pictures, many prosts!

Next up: TBA, wherever the wind takes me. Norway perhaps. 

Not a professional blogger

I guess i should apologize for being so absent for the past week +, but then i'm really not.  I said in my first post this whole blogging this was not a hobby of mine. I honestly forget i even have a blog. I'll try my best to get better.

After spending a week in Berlin I've spent my last week or so actually settling into my new home for the next year: getting to know the town and family.  I will say the biggest thing i have had to get used to, is a twin bed.  I have had a queen bed for the past 5+ years and to go from queen to twin is very difficult. My body is finally adjusting, but i actually had bruises on my knee right in the beginning because i kept hitting the wall.
Also: the food, i really need to start exercising.  I'm not sure if its because i wasn't eating a lot of meat at home from being a vegetarian for so long, but geeze louise i'm always hungry here. Its all just so delicious i can never say no (for anyone who knows me: cheese is a huge thing here). I need to turn over a new leaf.. already and start balancing out my food intake. crap.

The Education system is soo different here than in the states.  One its like "part time school" for all ages. Antonia most days is home by 1; which is so weird for me to grasp.

Pia started her first FIRST day of school (1st grade) which is a very big celebration; so precious.  For the most part all children gather with their families at church in the morning followed by a play put on by the older kids of the school.
All children have what is called a Schultüte or a "school cone," decorated by their mothers or fathers and filled with mostly candy but some little games as well. It has been a tradition for many years and treated  as a very special occasion. I couldn't understand the play, but i recognized the music which was cool!


Along with being part of Pias first day of school, i was also part of Greta learning to ride a two-wheeler!

Greta for the first time on a two-wheeler (i let go very soon after this)!

Pia with her Schultüte, Greta, Mema and I on Pia's first day of school!

Coming up:

1. Stuttgarts Oktoberfest: Wasen

2. Munich Oktoberfest.

--->good thing im a 'beer girl'

Brandenburger Tor and Parliament!

like a New York City, but obvs better!

I've spent the last few days visiting the city of Berlin, home of the great wall and a lot of history to say the least.  Its a shame to admit this, but my camera died 2 days into the 5 day trip because i was taking so many pictures, were they good? probably not. but hey keep sake.

We stayed in a family friends flat right in Berlin, falling asleep to the party goers every night, relaxing or just envious i shall never know.  It was like a New York City, i always think/thought i knew where i was and then ended up in a new spot.  The whole time i thought of my dad, yes dad you were on my mind the whole time.  Not only because i miss you (and mom and kristen) but because this city is full of war history and i know how much you love reading about it. The remnants of the Berlin Wall consisted of organized graffiti, if you know what i mean.  Blocks of sayings like "peace and love," and picture of famous people etc. We ate at restaurants that were to die for, as well as restaurants with famous people of parliament, news channels and for Antonia the TV star of 'Germanys MTV.'

On the third day of our mini vacation i found myself sitting in on a parliament speech. AKA if i was in america id be sitting in the white house listening to barack.  I couldn't understand a thing, but come on still really cool, ive been in the white house of Germany.

German Language:  I'd like to think i'm recognizing words or phrases.  With Pia and Greta i know the essentials

1. " Im thirsty"
2. "lets face paint"
3. "Read Twinkle Twinkle to me"
4.' i want chewing gum'

it's a start to say the least, but even listening to the parliament speech i could recognize words and phrases, which for me i get really excited about.  I told Antonia, i just want to wake up one day and know german... so cool... she laughed like i had 5 heads.

(Matt if youre reading this, dont think im copying you).
European Keyboards SUCK.  I didn't have internet in Berlin, so i found myself in a little internet cafe every few nights checking mail and staying in contact with friends and family who should know i was still alive. For starters the first night the computer wouldn't even turn on, and of course they didn't speak english.  I need to work on communicating with my hands. the question mark and the shift key, why the fuck would you put it where it was.  Until i read Matt's blog i had yet to figure out where the question mark was (so thanks, matt- glad someone else is struggling with this too). I found myself writing an email and typing (question) at the end, desperate much?

For mom:  Germany has hills.  Driving back from Berlin i found myself hitting shuffle on my iPod and looking out the window... it reminded me of 88 going to Ithaca, which was bittersweet.  The only part that was fascinating, there would be rolling hills of green and farm then every so often a little cute town with white house and chalk-like roofs (88 doesn't have that).

Im currently looking at a baby lizard crawling on my floor. I didn't think i was in Aruba. Im gonna go take care of that.
Next stop: Paris, i hope!

ps. just a reminder i DO NOT re over this so i apologize for any spelling/grammar mistakes.

Germany: where you drive a bike and ride a car

After a long day (night) of traveling i finally arrived in Stuttgart, Germany where i was greeted with kisses, hugs, pictures and minnie mouse ears at the train station!  My journey over here was easy for the most part, except i will never travel alone with two big suitcases and a big golf bag again... but then again I would hope not every airport doesn't have ANY elevator working! I must have screamed American, with my big backpack, alone and a cart piled with luggage.

note to all future travelers:  airport luggage carts are not meant to be used on escalators, just elevators.  And if you have to resort to a cart on an escalator- you better be strong and hang on tight!

I arrived at 10:00am, 4:00am at home:  I know i was too excited to even think of being tired and i just wanted to keep active so it wouldn't hit me! My first say was overwhelming and exciting.  Had to fill out paperwork etc then went to a family friends house.  I CAN NOT wait to know the language, i feel like i just sit there staring at everyone.  I recognize some words, but not even close to understanding what they are saying!

The second day we ate at Steffi's brewery/old restaurant then i explored town with Antonia.  She is my saving grace, she translates everything for me.. and i hope i'm helping her learn more english too!

my first picture in Ludwigsburg.  A chapel in their market!

Pia and I: my little buddy:)

terms thus far:

ice= ice cream

ein paar bier= a few beers

halb voll= half full ( for Apo (Grandpa, in relation to wine))

I'm glad I'm not a vegetarian anymore, i would be screwed! every meal has some sort of meat and if you don't like the meat you are starving as there is not much more to go with it!  Cheese and bread are all always part of a meal aka im in love aka i need to start exercising!

Blogs will be ended abruptly.  

Tschuss for now!

If you never do anything, You never become anyone

Last time I blogged was freshman year first semester of college.. a long time ago!  I'm not gonna lie and say i'm totally into this whole blogging thing, because i'm not... mainly because I feel I'm not witty/creative enough with my writing to actually have a blog that is interesting for someone to read.  I'm doing something that if you asked me 4 years ago, if i would leave in 4 years to live another country for a year i would answer without hesitation: no. Not because i don't want to travel and see the world, but because i would never have thought i would go alone.  So, 4 years later, i'm leaving alone to live in Germany for a year, i might as well have a blog.. maybe i'll even be witty and creative for people to enjoy this!


So for people reading this (which i hope people will), you probably know where I am, but just incase:  I am living in Ludwigsburg, Germany (a town right outside Stuttgart).  I am being an aupair to three beautiful, fun girls.  Antonia: 13years, Pia: 6years, Greta: 3years and mother Stefanie. More to come on all of them as time goes on!


I depart tomorrow night and land in Stuttgart Wednesday morning!  This has been a long time coming and i've been so excited that I haven't even really sat down to think over what I'm actually leaving for.  Last night, we sat down for dinner, Daisy laying right next to me and my face must have been just blank.  My dad just goes, Lauren are you OK?  I just started crying- not because I am scared but because for the first time since January when I made this decision, it hit me.. and thats what most girls do- cry, when they are emotional.  
I'm excited, overwhelmed, nervous, scared.. any adjective you could think of I'm probably feeling. Like I said, i never in a million years would have thought when i graduated i would be doing this; and i know it is going to be something that i will cherish for my whole life. 


So i'm off, hopefully this whole blogging thing is easier when i actually have something to write about!


To my family and friends:  Thank you for all your support and love.  (315, Abbott Rd, Abbott Rd extension and everyone else)


Mom- you will be okay, I promise! I'm a facebook chat, skype call or a phone call away.  This is not a third world country!  Maybe Dad will let you get a dog!
Sissy and Dad: eye love you.




Auf Wiedersehen (hopefully soon more german words will be in my post)