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.

and now... it's here

I think it finally struck me hard that I would not be going to anymore Harry Potter movies or reading any new Potter book. It's sad, really. Utterly down right sad.
I finished all 7 book and 7 movies before watching the last one. Was it worth it? I don't know.
Yeah, actually it was. I'm proud of myself and now those books will be put to rest... for quite some time.

The ending was good. I never really fancied the second half of the 7th book, but they did an extraordinary job of filming and capturing it. I don't cry much during movies but I definitely I cried when Snape died. He's by far my most favorite character in the movies and novels. Alan Rickman is such an absolutely stunning actor... Also, I'd like to thank Helena Bonham Carter for being such a good actress, couldn't have asked for a better Bellatrix Lestrange.

I still can't believe I'm blogging about Potter. But, It was my childhood and generation's legacy, something we always looked forward to. And just as Professor McGonagall put it:
"This boy will be famous. There won't be a child in our world who doesn't know his name."
She was absolutely right. Well done, J.K Rowling, the world loves your imagination and is mourning at the thought that the trilogy is over.
But, the wizarding world will always live on. Don't you fear, because Pottormore is here.

And, I, McKenna Anderson of Hertfordshire. I will always be here.

Cheerio, Harry.

The end is... near.

Near... as in: almost here. Can I just announce how much excitement is running through my veins? This masterpiece book/movie collection is finally at a close, except of course if you don't count www.pottermore.com but, other than that this New Yorks #1 best seller (which I swear they say on just about every book), and my childhood is coming to an end. But my dream to be a witch at Hogwarts will always go on.
I decided to read through the whole series and also watch all the movies again, starting last week. I am on the 5th book and am amazed how much I have forgotten about the wizarding world through the ages. And I am so amazed how I can find myself reading all the books again, even though, I really need to be preparing for Germany.
12 more days till the premier of the final and last chapter of Mr. Harry Potter.... It's sad but I think I'm ready. And this blog post is kind of ridiculous.. But, it shows just how obsessive one can be, and I am honestly very proud of that.

Harry, it's time to grow up. Let's go.

Wealthy American? I think not.

When seeing just about any American movie, t.v shows or magazine, it's hard to think that the majority of U.S citizens are NOT rich. The United States mostly has children working in sweatshops around the world.... just so we can earn more money. We are a wealthy country but that doesn't mean that I am rich.
Sure, I get all my needs met. I have air conditioning,heat, a bed, a shower, I'm never hungry, I have clothes that meet my needs, I am able to travel... And to most of the world, that is rich. I am so grateful for i, we also have a pretty big house. But, I guess they also get the wrong idea....
I, being a foreign exchange student; people may perceive me as being a wealthy American traveling the world. Well, that's a lie. I got a fully paid scholarship to spend a year in Europe. My family would not have been able to pay otherwise. I have 5 other siblings including a sister who is going through college and just had a wedding (yesterday, actually :). We are always concerned about money.
Europeans don't usually get the idea that all of us are extremely wealthy (at least, I think so). The U.S is very similar in wealth status to western Europe, So I'm presuming I won't have too big of problems with it. And if they get the idea that I'm rich, it's not my fault... kidding... They shouldn't, because I don't wear designer clothing day after day.


Another note, Americans usually visiting Europe are actually wealthy because it costs soooo much to travel there. So, the Americans they are conversing with are, indeed, rich just like many of the Europeans that come here. In a way we're equal... But, this issue shouldn't be so worried about in Germany, like I said.

Global Stuent- issues in Germany

1. Gender Issues-
Pretty much the same as in the U.S. Women on the rise in business and political careers but there are still plenty of women being house wives. In Germany women earn about 20% less than men.
2.Military conflicts, defense, terrorism, border issues-
somewhat dealing with the war in Afghanistan, wish to put a stop to it. Concerned about more terrorist attacks. Also concerned about all the many eastern Europeans fleeing into the country. 2011- removed law that men have to spend at least a year helping the military.
3. Economic issues-
6.1% unemployment rate is a bit daunting to all Germans.
4. Racial/Class/Ethnicity issues- There are a bit of racial issues going on in Germany, espicially with all the many Polish and Turkish people taking over many of the Germans jobs. There are also a few tensions between the middle east and Germany.
It's getting better but a lot of western Germans still see themselves as better than the Eastern Germans and visa verse.
5. Health issues- E. Coli breakout is a big worry for most of Germany. Obesity is on the rise along with the rest of the western world especially with the German diet. Heart problems also a big issue.

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Political facts

• National day: October 3rd
• Constitution signed: October 3rd
• Country from which they gained independence: Holy Roman Empire
• Year of Independence: 1871
• Key events in political history and years they occurred: Unified 1871, World war 1 1914-18, Nazis take over 1933-45, Germany split West and East, DDR (communism in east) 1945-1989, Germany as one country 1989-present
• Leader/president: Christian Wulff
• Political parties: Christlich Demokratishe Union Deutschlands, Christlich-soziale Union in Bayern, Sozialdemokratishe Partei, Freie Demokratsche Partei, Die Links, Die Gruenen.
• Current political situation:
• Political system: Federal Parliamentary Republic

Economical Facts

• GDP: $3.315 trillion
• Unemployment rate: %6.1
• Poverty line: $1,600 single person
• Percentage living below poverty line: 11%
• Average family income: $36,444
• Percentage of workforce in: Agriculture: 2.4%, Manufacturing: 29.7%, Service/tourist: 71.3%
• Main industries: Machinery and vehicles
• Main imports: machinery, vehicles, chemicals, foodstuffs, textiles, metals
• Main exports: machinery, vehicles, chemicals, foodstuffs, textiles, metals, and manufactures
• Currency: Euro
• Exchange rate: $1.44= 1 euro
• Prevelance of modern communication devices: Telephone, e-mail, Deutsche post, media...

Sports, Music and Entertainment

• Country's favorite sport: Soccer
• Other sports played: Handball, volleyball, tennis, polo, ( pretty much everything we have here)
• Favorite Musicians: Juli, Wir sind helden, Pohlmann.... They listen to all kinds of music, mostly English.
• Traditional forms of music: volk, Opera
• Favorite foods: German, Italian and Turkish