Rain, Rain GO AWAY!

I stayed up too late last night writing that ridiculously long blog post. I think I was up until 2! Needless to say, I got up as late as I could this morning! I decided not to shower since it was raining and because I thought we were only taking a test in the morning. I reviewed my notes a little bit and then went to the study center. Our test was the first thing we did and it was just three pages of sentences with blanks that we were supposed to fill in. There were no options to choose from, we just had to come up with what was right. I was confused about some of the answers, but felt ok about it overall. After the test we had a break and then went on a little tour of Heidelberg with one of the grammar teachers. I think his name is Herr Doer, but I’m not sure. I only heard it briefly from another student! We just met him today and I hope that he will take us on more tours of the city. Again, our tour was in German, but I could understand the majority. Since I was really tired, I zoned out a few times and it took me some time to come back in and understand what he was talking about. It was also raining and stuff so I didn’t bring my camera. I can always go back and take pictures of the things we saw.

After we got back, we found out our scores on the test. Our new teacher was calling out a list of names (he was reading off the tests) and he called Heidi’s name and then Katie’s, and then mine! We had made it into the upperclass!! How cool! I was really excited. Now we can all study together. This made me so happy! We have to buy our book at a bookstore and it costs 25 Euro. Not too bad considering what textbooks cost for college in the US!!

We then had time to get lunch so Katie, Heidi and I (of course) got lunch at Gino’s. We all had pizza. I had Hawaiian pizza and it was yummy. I didn’t get a drink because you even have to pay for water and I don’t like that. I will only buy a drink when I forget to bring one or when I’m really thirsty! I’d rather spend my money elsewhere!

After lunch we had to fill out about 10 different forms. I usually like filling things out, but not in another language. It was too stressful! It took quite awhile too which was unfortunate, but it was raining outside so I guess it didn’t really matter.

We got out early today which worked out PERFECTLY! I went to buy minutes to put on my Handy (cell phone) and then was able to text Katharina! It is much cheaper to text and it uses less minutes, so I will do that instead of calling people here! It doesn’t take any of my minutes when others call me, so that is allowed!! So after I texted her, she wrote back asking if we could meet at Starbucks at 5. OF COURSE! So I just hung out here for awhile and talked to Keith and Julia (my roommates/mitbewohnerinen). Keith was hungry so I figured I would walk with him to find something to eat and then just stop at Starbucks and wait for Katha. Keith decided on an expensive meal at Subway (really, 8 Euro!!) and I saw the same guy who had waited on me while I was there. When we tried to order in German, he would respond in English. He did the same to Keith. What a bummer! We got to talking with the guy and I told him that this weekend when I tried to talk in German, he only responded in English. So then he started in German! It was great. I also taught both of them my “Ich bin Auslander und spreche nicht gut Deutsch” song (I’m a foreigner and I don’t speak good German). I learned that in high school and just love it. They did too!

So I waited outside of Starbucks for Katha to come. When I saw her we both screamed a little and ran and hugged one another. It was so exciting! She looked absolutely gorgeous. I just love her! We ordered a drink and talked for a bit inside. Keith stayed too and ate his food and was able to talk to Katha some also. She wanted to see where I live/I wanted to show her where I live so we all walked back. She said it was really nice and was glad that I liked living here. I gave her the scrapbooking goodies that I bought for her and she gave me some chocolates, flowers, a cool little Heidelberg snow globe, and a little chocolate bundt cake. Just so cute. We talked for about an hour and a half and then took a walk back to the Hauptstrasse. She wanted to go to the gummy bear store to buy some for her friend Melanie (who also came to Mooresville with the exchange). While we were there, I took her to the AJY center and she thought it was pretty neat. She liked the fact that I have a key to the place! So then we talked about seeing each other again really soon and then said goodbye shortly. It was raining and we were standing outside, so I wanted to get back inside. I went back to AJY to check email and stuff, but not many people were there. Eventually Heather came and we decided we would watch a movie with Katie Wolfe. Katie Wachter and I had told Heidi about ‘She’s All That’ earlier at lunch and she had never seen it. But when she went shopping today, she saw it for 5 Euro and bought it for us to watch! It is dubbed in German!

I hadn’t eaten dinner yet, so Katie Wolfe and Heidi came back to my room so I could get some money and then we stopped at a café and I got a bagel. I wasn’t too hungry, but definitely needed to eat something! When we got back to AJY we couldn’t figure out the DVD player so decided to watch a VHS instead and chose Pretty Woman! Something was wrong there too and it was only in black and white. I wanted to call home on Skype, but wouldn’t have had much time to talk. We didn’t even get to watch much of the movie because we started it not too long before 10, when we have to leave. It was strange hearing Julia Robert’s voice/laugh dubbed. It was not the same. AT ALL.

Katie Wolfe lives kind of far from the center and in the opposite direction of me, so the two John’s and I walked her home. Then they walked me home and hung out for a few minutes in my WG. I hadn’t really talked to them too much, but we had fun and laughed a lot. They were so nice and were more than happy to walk us home. I’m glad that we all look out for each other in this program. It makes things a lot easier!!

When I got home I showered and unpacked the rest of my big suitcase. I ran out of hangers so I had to wait and hang the rest after I got more from AJY. Keith got home not too much later and we talked for awhile. He found out that we can get Internet by using Ethernet cables so this will work out great. I can use Skype/AIM during more times of the day! Yayyy!!!

Even though it rained a lot, today turned out to be pretty great! I hope you’re all doing well! I love and miss you so much