The post with no title, because I am not feeling clever enough to create one.

I miss this place.



But, I am learning to love this one.

I am going to take you on a once- in-a- lifetime tour through photographic memories of mine. German ones. I dont have too many photos, but that is beside the point. I am going to try.. and you are going to try as hard as you can to enjoy it.




It all started with saying goodbye to this.



and this.




of course this... Meine mutter. Aww.
And all the 6 other related human beings in my family.


and this...


and then I welcomed myself to this family.





Do not ask me how. Because, I have absolutely no idea.



I went to a language camp and 'learned German'... not. But, I really did enjoy placing that turtle and whatever that other animal is, next to eachother.




I took a trip to Leipzig and met Bach



Not to mention, Quedlensburg.. and took a crappy photo.





Halberstadt. Where I saw St. Nikolas's finger. Yes, really.




and not to forget my favorite Thai roommate. Meaw.





We played games.



We cried.



This girl litteraly bled. Like, sliced her finger and then had to go to the emergancy room.




we laughed.


and we loved.









and I played ukulele


and we ate a pig. Literally.

and then, then it was time to leave. And I had to find myself a new family. A new family, to whom lived in Forchheim, Franconia





A view I wake up to every morning. Nothing special, but you know. Germany is Germany.


I have eaten some pretty different, but at the same time, really good food.


room.... in case you were at all interested.


I have tried to survive my school. The one older than my country.


house


Erlangen. Crappy camera skills, sorry. That was on my way to language course, by the way.


BAMBERG



Bamberg











Nürenburg. AGH


Bamberg view from Altenburg.





Bambergs Venice





This should explain itself. Host family's niece. She had a birthday, and she is absolutely darling.






I love my german children's bookshelf.


I love learning French auf Deutsch. Not really,


I love this park. I do not know why. Maybe because it has a ginormous wall, which keeps me comfort. I had my first and hopefully last mental breakdown there.








I find these random excercise machines extremely funny. Dont ask me why.





What I would define as heaven in my mouth.


Tree of wisdom


pretty

I hope enjoyed this photographic walkthrough to some extent.

Update on me:
Kind of in a unpleasant mood at the moment, and I have no idea as to why my mood chooses to behave like this... but, it seems as though it is just the way it is.

Favorite things in Germany: Bakeries and the lovely aromas they give off. spazieren (walking around.. which I seem to do a heck of a lot. Going to Erlangen. Which I actually did today, I thought I would explore some more and ended up finding a 4 story book store. I spent 2 hours just reading children books.
Brotzeit. Bread time. Where you get 2 15 minute breaks in school to eat food.
Another favorite thing, whenever I recieve a test, I look at it sincerely as though I could possibly conquer it.. and then I realize that it is quite impossible to write anything down, so I just begin drawing pictures.
oh and running, which I havent done a lot of.
oh and swimming. The swimming pool is sooo cool here.
and the transporation system.
The list is endless.

What I miss: Saying whatever I want, whenever I want. Having friends. My cross country team. Feeling smart. Contributing in class. Understanding class. Bonneville shoreline trail. BYU campus. Driving.

Going to Frankfurt tomorrow for my host mom's marathon. I promise I will take more pictures there, and I promise to change my mood around.

Some sort of an update?

I guess it is about time to give you an update in Deutschland.
I have pictures... but I am too lazy to actually download and post them on this blog. Actually I will give you one.


Here is me waving to you right now... How does it feel? getting a greeting from McKenna in Germany??
Beyond glorious? I thought so.

Anyways.. What do you wish to know?
The language is tough. I am not sure if I am actually getting better at it. I can understand more for sure and somehow I can write... but speaking it... Agh. Perfect definition for it: Agh. No, it's getting better. It is just really limited.

The food is good. The people are for the most part, good. No, they are wonderful. And I like them.. The language barrier sucks sometimes. But, all is well.

School is good and hard at the same time. English class in 12th and 7th grade German has got to be my favorite though :). I am also taking German and French in the 8th grade... all others in the 10th grade. No, wait, Math and Chemistry in 9th because my german sucks. Geography, Ethics, Sport, Art, music, politics, history in 10th. Trying to get into a routine. But, I am still a bit overwhelmed. And remembering peoples names and faces is even more so confusing. Everyone is so new and they seem to all look the same sometimes. But, they are nice... even if I can not seem to remember their names.

I also take a German course for non native speakers in the neighboring city of Erlangen, 3 times a week... I travel by train and it is pretty neat. I am the youngest one there and one of the 2 Americans. Everyone else comes from all over the world, no kidding. So, that is taking up most of my time.
Fridays I have a dance course. I have only gone to one so far, and I found some fun in it. It's definitely interesting... dancing with a German partner.

After the German course ends then I will for sure join a club. I run in my host parents running club, every Tuesday and Friday. Actually, I injured my leg. So, I haven't ran for a week. But, you get the main point. At least, hopefully. My Grammar is lacking, so bare with me.


I guess I will tell you some stories because I don't exactly know what else to say. Here it goes.
The one thing I never get sick of is having to explain that McKenna is, indeed, my first name and not my last.
For example: What is your name?
McKenna
No, your first name.
McKenna.
But that is a last name..
I know. But, it is my first name in this case.

Will you please write your name down?
Yes, gladly.
..... writing down name......
No, no. It goes first and then last name.
That is my first and last name.
really??? McKenna is your first name?????
Yes.
Is that popular in America? to name kids by last names?
Sure?

Hello, I am McKenna.
When I first read the list, I thought you were a boy!
Oh... thanks.

.... This is all translated by the way.... Thanks parents, for naming me a last name. I go through this almost every single day here.

Here is another story.. Maybe you will find some entertainment in it
Teacher: Will you please give an introduction of yourself?
Me (not understanding what she said): ... blank stare... Ja?
pause...
Teacher: Ehm, did you understand what I said?
McKenna (being stupid and having no idea of what she just said): a little bit.
Teacher: I am going to take that as a no. Will you please give an introduction of yourself? (in English)

Boy: In America, if you shoot a police man you are automatically sentanced to death. And, hanging is still allowed............................

Let's see. I am extremely grateful for such a great host family. I am extremly grateful for all the helpful people at school.. teachers and students.
and I am so grateful for this opportunity. I am learning so much.

This past Sunday my host family took me to Bamberg, and it was astonishing and Monday was even better. Monday was a national holiday for Germany. The reunification day of DDR and West Germany becoming one country again. So, obviously Nürnberg had a race for the holiday and of course because my host parents are runners they decided to run it. I was signed up, but unfortunately, I injured my leg last week and didn't. So, I got to watch. But, that is beside the point I wanted to make. What I wanted to say is, Nürnberg has got to be my favorite city of Germany I've seen so far. So much history and beauty just filling it.
Man, guys, Europe is beautiful. The language is beautiful, hard, but beautiful. The people are interesting and beautiful in their own way. The nature is extraordinary and the buildings, my goodness gracious, amazing. more than amazing, if you were to ask me. And someday I will actually share the pictures with you. Someday... In the near future :) As for now, just imagine the pictures in your mind. I know you can do it. I believe in you!

That is all for today.

Forchheim

Well, I have been in my host-city for a whopping: I week. I arrived last Saturday and everything has been unbelievably cool. Before you begin to read this blog though, I warn you I might sound like a Kindergartner, because let's face it - My English is going down-hill.
Anyways, I think I will tell you about everyday I have spent here, that way I won't miss anything. But, be aware it may end up being a novel.. Let's do this thing.

Saturday- I had all my bags packed got onto a bus full of Americans and some Thai students and there I said goodbye to all the wonderful experiences I had in Hedersleben and language camp... that including playing the ukulele and singing in the talent show the night before. It was extremely difficult saying goodbye to some people but all was well.
Anyways, I hopped on a train in Magdeburg to Leipzig. Let me tell you, It's not fun to carry 10 months worth of supplies on German trains and it's especially not fun to get off on the wrong stop. Which I did, but got right back on, don't worry. And then I arrived in Leipzig with Christianna Pope (gal from the program) and I walkked around and what not... and then we got on the wrong train because ours was 30 minutes late. Right then and there, I knew this country was going to be a challenge for me. But... we figured it out, thankfully.
Then I rode the train all the way to Bamberg and there I met my host family! Emilia, Marion, and Juergen. They decided to speak in half german and english so I would understand what was going on.. They took me home, I got settled and unloaded my stuff and then they took me to a Fraenkishe Schweiz (franconian switzerland) resteraunt.II Fraenkishe schweiz is the area I'm living in, by the way. North Bayern... but, I learned my first day that they do not consider themselves Bayerns... they are Fraenkishe and they don't speak Bayerisch they speak Frankisch. Anyways, I knew I was in Germany right then and there because outside the resteraunt there were men in Liederhosen and women in Dirndes drinking beer. I odered my self some Bratwurst and Sauer Kraut and I was on my way to becoming a true Forchheimer (my host city).

Sunday- I went to catholic church with Emilia and Marion. It was interesting. It was my first time experiencing a catholic church and it was even in German. I fealt a wee bit awkward at some points, but all was well. After that I went down into Forchheim with Emilia, she showed everything in Down Town Forchheim and we ate this really good icecream. Forchheim is sooooo pretty. When you're here you can actually tell how dirty former East Germany is. Everything is clean and nice... what the heck? and I am by-no-means complaining. After that ordeal I went on a run in the forest with my host mom (Marion)... It was unbelivabely beautiful. My goodness.
and then we got home... I saw some September 11th memorial speeches and it touched me grately, even to the point where I had tears in my eyes. And I leave sunday at that.

Monday- I became a true Forchheimerin, I filled out paperwork , signed things, got my indes fingers scanned, took picutres and then met Tizia's friends (Tizia is my host family's daughter living in South Carolina at the moment.) That was cool. And then my family took me to a traditional Franconian festival. "Bettsfest"... Sheep fest (in franconian dialekt) I enjoyed it thoughroughly. Oh and Monday was the day when my family began speaking to me only in German... Because, let's face it- it's going to take a lot for me to get this beast of a language down.

Tuesday- I began school! Tizias friends helped me out a ton. We only had homeroom and had to pick a class president and then school got out at 10:30... so, the school had the option to go to the catholic church and I chose to go. It was yet again interesting. :) s So, after that I ran with my host parents running team. 2 pairs of 3 km fast. It was so nicce to get back into running mode :)

Wednesday- Real school began. I had German, Math, English, Art and Religion. German was extremely hard, because let's face it.. there was no way I was going to find a theme out of advanced German literature. But, thank goodness my German teacher is extremely sweet. He says that my worry at the moment is just to try and learn German :). Math was hard to understand in a different language and the fact that they are ahead of me in Math. English was my favorite. And then instead of going to religion because they weren't sure whether to put me into Protestant, Catholic, or unknown.. I got to go to 6th grade English class because my "councelar" was teaching it then. Es war ganz toll. And then, I rode my bike home.
Then I went on a run with my host mom and ended up gettng really sick. That's all I am going to say

Thursday- Instead of going to French and Latin... which these kids pretty much know fluently, I went to German with the 9th graders and then also English with them too (don't ask me how that came to be)... and then I went to last hour of Latin because I was extremely confused and just sat there, while the Germans laughed at me for my mistake. I have gotten used to getting laughed at. All I can do is laugh with them :)
And then after school, My host sister and I baked brownies that I brought them, we also made a cake for her friend's birthday and then we made Jello that I brought too. So fun. I love my host-sister.

Friday- German, Chemistry and English. Chemistry was crap... because I have never actually taken chemstry and throw German on top of it was ever-so-more difficult.
But, don't be alarmed, I am changing my schedule around tomorrow.
After school I talked to a lady from my exchange program over what was all going on and so forth..
And then I went to a "Back to school party" with Caro, Vicki and Katha in Erlangen. It was like stag dance at home but 100 x better. That including the fact that they were playing high school musical, silent, on the fall. But, it finally made me feel out home... because Germans suprisingly listen to the same music as Americans and they dance the same way too. It was cool.

Today! I ran my first 5 KM race in Germany and that being the first one since footlocker. I got 23:33 which isn't great. But, I cut me some slack because of the fact I haven't been running consistantly in the past 5 weeks and the fact that the food tastes so much better here. I came out 4th woman... and guess what? they gave out beer and pretzels at the end. Unfortunately, I chose to drink water instead.
My parents drove me to the Mormon church in Erlangen to figure out where it was, because next week I will attend it. Yes, people of Provo, I am not inactive quite yet.

Tomorrow- my host mom will play her trumpet in the catholic church tomorrow because the Bishop is coming or something like that... after, I will change my schedule and then Marions parents are coming back from Hungary and we will celebrate by eating Carp. Yes, Carp is a traditional dish here.

Well, I couldn't ask for a better host-family, they have helped me so much. And... I will be sure to post pictures soon. Okay??? actually, don't keep my word for it.

I am in Germany, do not fear.

I have been in Germany for a grand total of: 2 weeks. Yes sir. It has been very... interesting... to say the least.
If you didn't know, the first 24 days of this adventure was/is to be held in a language camp, which just so happens to be in a Monastery built in the 1200's in a tiny village by the name of: Hedersleben in Saxony-Anhalt.
Hedersleben is a very, ehm, peculiar village. It feels as though it's just the leftovers of the DDR. The people still look like they live in the 80's...All the streets are kind of dirty and the teenagers here kind of resemble them. Just kidding, but not really.
When I am not around the old crumbling-down buildings here, I honestly feel like I am in Iowa. All the corn, all the smells, all the cows, the weather, the roads, the tractors... I'm not complaining actually, it's absolutely gorgeous. Actually it isn't as hot as Iowa, thank goodness.

Language camp is good. Almost all the Americans meet my liking and also the Thai kids. Yes, there are 6 kids from Thailand here. And one of them is my roommate. She is probably the funniest/coolest roommate you could ever have. Her name is Meaw pronounced: Meow, and that alone should just tell you how cool she is.
The teachers are great, they refuse to speak to us in English. So, therefore I am forced to speak the language and forced to make a fool of my self. Just kidding, that's a bit overboard, but I have made a fool of myself plenty of times and I'm fine with it because I learn from my mistakes all the time. I feel like my German is coming along, even though some children's books are still a struggle for me to understand and sometimes I have no clue what someone is trying to say, or I have no idea how to answer a question... but all is well. I love this language, and this country. And that is the exact reason in why I came here

Well, through this time I have been to the amazing city of Leipzig, saw the Thomas Kirche, went through a DDR museum, ate the most amazing thing my tongue has ever made contact with: A Doenner. I explored an old crumbled down, abandoned meat processing factory while getting my legs covered in stinging nettle. I have ran through a corn field in the dark, in the rain while losing my shoe. I have walked endlessly. I have ran barefoot through the rain. Met some swag people. Have eaten some amazing food. Tried new things. Climbed over countless walls. Have learned a vast amount of knowledge. To say the least, I love it here and as for now, no regrets.

And here is a picture of outside my window...

And be thankful you're getting this post because internet time is very limited and I would actually rather be doing other things at the moment.

I don't know why you say goodbye, I say hello, hello hello

Well, I feel like I won't blog anytime after this (before my departure, I mean.)

I depart Utah in 3 days, 8 hours and 48 minutes... It's funny because it really isn't hitting me hard, yet. Everyone is saying goodbye and my mind is becoming confused. I don't know why they say goodbye, I just want to say hello.

Nah...

But, I can say that when seeing my Timpview schedule that Timpview so kindly made for me and then suddenly thinking I will not be there attending those classes, but only in spirit.... It's a bit weird and sad at the same time, if you ask me. My heart has truly grown attached to that school and thinking that I have to part with it is a horrible thought which should never ever be thought in any circumstance. (Eh... That's a bit over the top, but still, I will miss it.) And also, thinking about not running cross country with some of my most favorite people in the world leaves me devastated, distraught and lost.

But, words cannot even describe how much excitement is filling my soul for all the many new souls I will get to meet and shake hands with. All the many new places, faces, stories, I will get to encounter... It's mind-boggling, honestly.

I think it was about a week ago, I decided to hike slate canyon with only a journal, pen and water on my back. I hiked a total of 3 hours up and just sat down and thought, while staring at a bit of Provo... It finally came to my realization that I wanted this exchange so bad, I didn't only want it but I needed it. I really want to meet so many people and learn their ways. I want to come back from this exchange saying it was entirely worth it and saying that I am a person with many more gallons of knowledge in my brain. I want to come back not a new person, but a better one. One that understands things more fully, one that is more grown-up and ready to take on anything in the world. I want to write my message on the wall, my message on the wall with sharpie... "Yeah McKenna was here, McKenna was here." - I dare you to look up the song: Begin to Hope by Regina Spektor, just so you can understand me-

The time is ticking and ticking. The nervousness has almost completely emptied out of my body. Drips are only buried deep down inside of me.

I think it was a month or two ago, when I asked myself, "McKenna, what in the world did you get yourself into this time?" and then I kept having continuous nightmares about a language barrier, strange people, my strange family in Provo.... I kept having second thoughts and cold feet. But, now. Now, my dear friends, I feel really ready to embrace it. I want to embrace it.

I guess this is a goodbye to: Provo, Timpview... my friends, family, my American self, my normal self (not really) and everyone else wishing a goodbye. But, this is a hello to the new me, to Germany and to all the many opportunities to come my way. So, Goodbye, but... also Hello. Just as this picture above sort of depicts..... and that one really good Beatles song which happens to be my title for this post.

Bis später!

Oh and 100 thanks to the Bonneville 10th ward for such a grand going away party. And, thanks to the future cereal party, the Timpview Cross Country team is about to give me and all my fellow team members tomorrow. Couldn't have asked for better goodbye.