Love and Appreciation

Everyday that passes here in Lützenhardt/Horb I grow more anxious to move to Tübingen and then I fall a little bit more in love with where I am living. 

Friday we all went to Tübingen to check out where we would be living for the year. Right after school about 30 of us piled on the train with gigantic smiles on our faces. A few of us took the bus to the Französisches Viertel to search for our rooms. We found my building first and climbed to the top, and fourth story. I have a corner room with slanted ceilings and a big window. I can't wait to move in and decorate it with curtains and color. The bathroom was a little overwhelming considering I share with 5 other people and at least one of them is a guy. The kitchen and living area were messy, but lived in and quite welcoming. Kaila lives in the next building over and her room and kitchen are absolutely adorable! Anne couldn't get in her room, the key was wrong but we called Anita and it's getting all taken care of.

When we were walking back to the bus stop to go to Markt, something out of the ordinary caught our eyes- a teepee. A great big teepee, and when we looked inside, we found a fire pit. Okay? Not exactly what I would initially think of when I thought of French Quarters. To compliment the teepee were two cows, just hanging out. Germany never ceases to surprise me. 

(download)

Anne, Kaila, Coco, Rachel and I met up with Eric and found a place to eat dinner. It was called Stern and was absolutely delicious. We were nightmares- starving, laughing and inhaling our food. I walked away with oil from Coco's pesto tortellini on my shirt and jeans. The Italian food and back patio was an extreme upscale from our döner and cold cuts in Horb. We went to the best Eis place in the city and walked to the church steps. The girls and I shared a bottle of wine as we listened to the street performer play the ukulele and then Andrew play the harmonica. This is going to be our year, what a different life than what we are all used to. 

292829_10150297476853227_529493226_8124519_1215079223_n

Yesterday we took a trip to Konstanz on the border of Switzerland. I took my book on the bus to Horb and as I was reading, "Where Men Win Glory" I started to cry. Sadness is not a good way to start the morning, so I listened to some Rascall Flats while watching the sunrise over the fields. Watching horses play and kiss under an apple tree is a much better start if you ask me.

Fast forwarding a little... 

I'm in love with Konstanz. It is on the Bodensee and on one side shares a border with Switzerland and the other with Austria. We took a short tour of the city, enough to convince me that second semester I need to study there (which means my German needs to improve incredibly-but it's do able). We walked down to the beach and crossed the border into Switzerland and went swimming in the lake. We watched yachts sail by and a dolphin activist group protest. Then we laid out on the grass and just enjoyed each other's company. Later, we went to the children's carnival and watched a clown show. We made our way back to Horb and had Thai food for dinner and caught the end of the Bremen vs. Hamburg soccer game. Then we went to a bar, which we took over. Us 20 Americans were the only ones in there, aside from the two people from Switzerland who are in our language program. 

(download)

Today was family day. We went to Paul's first ever soccer tournament. My host parents don't like soccer but I definitely enjoyed it. The German 8 year olds were so competitive, I was surprised. Then we drove to Dornstetten for lunch, at a Chinese buffet. We spend almost two hours there visiting and talking (in both German and English). The meal ended with schnapps and fortune cookies. 

Dscf4352

I can't believe I only have 2 weeks left in Horb. The people I am surrounded with everyday are incredible. I am so happy that I have met each and everyone of them and it is amazing how much of a family and support system we are for each other. Our entire group is growing and changing a little more each day and we are all experiencing it together causing us to become even closer even when we don't initially realize it. Once we move to Tübingen it is all going to change dramatically but I love that we have such a strong basis of friendship, love and appreciation for each other that is going to be hard to change. 

 

As I'm rereading this and getting my daily Yahoo fix, I can't help but think about how fortunate I am in my life right now and the opportunities I'm able to have thanks to so many men and women who sacrificed so much ten years ago today. All of those who have and who are currently protecting all of our freedoms are in my heart and prayers not only today, but everyday. So as you read my blog and walk with me on this journey of growth, I only ask that you take a minute to appreciate what you have in your lives as well as those who have made it possible by risking their lives, and that you keep them your hearts.