Purposely Lost.

We are overwhelmed with advice on where to travel to. We hear little of why we should go but how we could be more fulfilled by doing so; makes perfect sense, right? No. But it does, in our own heads. "Oh yes, that place sounds very interesting, oh yes I want to go there." meanwhile, I've only told you that the weather was nice and I saw some famous places. But of course, the same reaction is present. "I'd like to see that, I'd like to do that..." Dazed with incredible sights that we have never seen, only in our heads, but these images beg us to visit them. Taunted with the longing for memories to be created. Wanting to be part of something bigger than the place you reside at the moment. Few people come to the two roads diverged, but when you do, when I have, take the path less traveled by. It will make all the difference.

Travel is cheap hostels with one shower and maybe some hot water; if you’re lucky. It’s slow Internet connections, but no problem, because you’d rather be out exploring than on the internet. Travel is extraordinary conversations with ordinary people. It’s your life becoming the most interesting thing to the person at the bar next to you. It someone else’s life becoming more fascinating than yours could ever be. It’s cathedrals that are persuasive enough to dare to enter. It’s the realization that you might have been born in the wrong country, but being proud of it any way. Travel is taking a subway to a town you haven't discovered yet. Travel is the smile that leads to the best conversations in broken English. Travel is finding who you are in a city that you can’t even pronounce the name of. Travel is the same pair jeans again tomorrow. Travel is forcing yourself into a train with laughing strangers and new found friends. It’s a street full of bearded backpackers looking down at maps, pointing up to streets, and speaking a language you’re not sure of. A voice pleading you to come with them, to discover what is around the corner. Travel is wishing for one more bite of whatever that just was. Travel is getting off at a random train station, just because. It’s the rediscovery of walking somewhere and not knowing where “somewhere” is. It’s sharing a bottle of liquor on an overnight train to God knows where, with a new friend. Travel is getting drunk with a room full of people you've never met. Travel is something unexpected, something inexplicable.  Your travels are forever in your heart. Forever to tell stories.

Forever to be part of you.

"The hitch-hiker was a figure that defined a free-wheeling era. But for both hitcher and driver, the outcome wasn't always expected."

 I think that hitch hiking is such a cool means of transportation. The idea that someone could trust another soul so quickly, so easily, enough to get into a car with them, off on an adventure that neither party know of yet. For the driver the mystery of who is this person and why are they here? For the hitch hiker, its a question of who is this person and why did they stop for me? You learn to expect what is not expected. To have the courage to stick your stubby thumb up as an unsuspecting car approaches, and then yet, the courage to even get in when the car stops. What a thrilling adventure, don't you think? The driver could have a completely different mindset about where he would leave you. You could be wanting a ride to Calais (a city in the North of France) But,  the driver could need to go to Amsterdam first. You're then in for an adventure of your life, with a soul you just met, about to have a new tale to tell for generations. Cool, isn't it?

No, 

I haven't gone hitch hiking,

yet. 

So don't worry, 

yet.

Sweet Serendipity.

Don't Blink.

3 months. 3 amazing months. 3 crazy beautiful months. 3 incredibly terrifying months. 3 months.

131,487 minutes, gone. 394,133 minutes, left.

   525,600 minutes.
- 131,487 minutes.
=394,133 minutes.

Don't blink, time goes too fast.

The moments I have spent here, have been some that I can't even begin to describe to people. I have traveled, I have learned, I have seen, I have experienced, and I have danced. My life here has been so very incredible. There have been times where I have screamed my lungs out, singing with my friends. There have been times I have cried my eyes out because my sister was leaving me. There have been times where I have laughed so hard that I couldn't breathe. There have been times where I have been so frustrated that I wanted to break down and not continue; but that was the moment that I realized I had to keep going. You just have to keep going. Keep your head up, and keep going.

Last week, I was really very sick. So many things were going on, so many things I could've been a part of, but I wasn't allowed to be. That was the worst feeling ever. Being able to do things, but not, at the same time. It was such a disabling feeling. I wish I was well enough to do all the things I missed out on. That's what makes this experience so special. There are so many things I do, so many things I am part of, I couldn't imagine it any other way. I would hate to be missing out on so much.

In a few weeks, we have a Christmas Ball. I am so very excited, way to excited for words actually. We will go shopping for dresses soon. I also got invited to several parties already for December. One for Maria on the 15th, One for my new friend Taba on the 17th. One Rotex weekend the 7th-9th. It's so crazy that its already November, and that I'm already planning out December.

This past Thursday, we went to a Kirmes, in Soest. Which, is a Carnival. It's the largest Kirmes in Europe. And it was so cool to go to. We went after school, it wasn't too far, only about 45 minutes by train. The Kirmes was so cool, It was loud, and had so many rides. The whole Kirmes was throughout the entire city. It was really beautiful. I had a great time, I was so happy I could go.

Last night, Friday, was a small party at Maria's counselor's house. We had Brasilian food and drinks. It was a really awesome night too. We ate, and then sat around and played music and sang all night. It was cool to just sit and chill and enjoy the company of other people. That's what I like about things here. People are happy to just sit, and be with each other. In Florida, you always have to be doing something, but here, it's just easy to be with people.

My remaining 394,133 minutes I will spend here will be the best. Better than what i have already experienced, even though it may be incredibly hard to beat. My time here has been absolutely unforgettable. I cannot even begin to describe all the fun, crazy times I have had.
I look back on all my pictures that I have already taken. I see all the things I have already done. I can't believe that this much time has already passed by. I wish it would go slower, but it doesn't. You blink and it's just....gone. It makes me so sad and so happy at the same time to look at my pictures. They are really great times, but also they have already happened.
Now they are just precious memories.
Memories. That's what they are.
Only memories.
I love to remember them, but it's completely heartbreaking at the same time. They have already happened. The time has already passed.
I just can't even begin to imagine how the rest of the year will go. 

I can't blink.
I won't blink.

                                                          Sweet Serendipity. 

Colors.

The leaves are changing colors. The leaves are falling. The trees are getting bare. The trees are bare. Symbolism. You start at one thing and then progress on to the next. In a never ending cycle, of green to yellow, to red, to orange, to brown, to falling. to dying. to rebirth. But where does the cycle really start? In our heads, it starts at green; life. But it really could start at the last stage, death, or even somewhere in the middle, at orange. Its how you look at it. Green is really somehow the peak of life. Its a young leaf, with a couple hundred days to go until it reaches the yellow stage, which is similar to mid 30's, then you get to orange, mid 60's, and then to red, mid 80's, and then to brown...mid 90's a few days to go.. and then, at the very last moment, it finally lets go, and falls; peacefully, gracefully. Such a sad cycle. but also so very very beautiful. I have never seen the leaves change colors. It is something new to me; but I am ever impressed by how something like this can happen.

 It somewhat represents how we are ever changing.

We go through stages, such as leaves go through their own form of stages.
You can relate the changing colors to emotions, or years of life, or even individual days.

The young person is born, and then has the childhood years, moves on to the teenage years, and then early 20's. Still green at this point. Bright, lively, determined. Moving on to the late twenties, and then into the thirties and then on to the forties and fifties, now in the orange.yellow stage. The late fifties approach and on to the sixties. still orange, bright orange. Trying to make the most out of life, which is why the color is so bright. Then, red, it starts as a bright red, passionate, caring, lovely. And slowly changes into a deep, burnt, rusty red. Old, losing fire, but still just as caring. We are now in the eighties. The color is slowing down to an old, brown color, nineties. still holding on, but requiring more work to do so. That one little gust of wind from the North could be just enough to knock them down. maybe today, maybe tomorrow. But when it happens, they will be ready. They join all of the others of their family tree, extended family, blood related, all of them. The ones who have already fallen. Fallen from their tree of life.

Sweet Serendipity.

Home.

As much as I complain about being in an incredibly small city. Not even a city. A village. Yes, a village. I wouldn't change it for the world. It is so uniquely beautiful here. The grass is bright green. The streets, not so nicely paved, but still useable. The sky, not always blue, but always bright. The houses, oh the houses are just so beautifully and architecturally lovely. The trees, all types of trees. I see Christmas trees, and redwoods, and oak, and of course pine trees. The hills that engulf my little village of Küntrop, are just too marvelous for words. I wake up and look out my window to a breath taking sunrise over the mountains that tower over our village. Pink and orange and purple clouds painted across the sky light up the surrounding villages and villagers who are beginning their day. Driving through them today, was when I realized all of this. I would never change where I am living. At first, I was not very happy with where I was placed, geographically. But now; I really think that this is the most beautiful part of Germany. And I took it for granted. I can't imagine my exchange taking place in any other place. I am so grateful that I am here, in Küntrop. It's beautiful. More beautiful than I could ever describe to you. It is home now. 

Home is where the heart is. This is home. 

It's mind blowing for me to sit and look back on all that I have done. I mean, I think about it and I can't believe how much of the world I have seen; through people, and through physically being there. I mean, I've been in England already, that's a complete different country. And we had To drive through several countries to get to the boat to take us there. I have seen so much of the world in such a short amount of time. It's been 6 weeks and I've embraced over 26 different countries ranging from Korea to Japan to Brasil to Argentina to Canada to Australia to India to even, my own country; The United States of America. These countries are no longer just countries of the world; they are my friends; my family. The world is in my hands. Sweet Serendipity.

England.

Everything is royal.

The streets, the shops, the houses, the telephone booths, the buses, and of course, the people. Everything from the lavish decor of the streets and shops, to the never less than perfect pubs, to the inviting atmosphere of the nightlife. I feel like I'm writing an ad in a tourism magazine. But, it's a definite place to put on your map of places to go before you kick the bucket. I have seen so many things in so very little time. Literally from everywhere in London, you can see the Big Ben; ornamented in all its gold trim and the accent coloring of the brick, along with the always bright face of the clock. It's just impeccably perfect. We walked across a bridge last night and you could see it and its reflection in the river that flowed through and divided London. It was just a perfect sight. the city lit up the water, and then Big Ben rang it's bells. Its really hard to express all that i have seen and felt while being here. and its only our 2nd day here. The Westminster Abbey; we went to a choral service. It was just so wonderful, the sounds and the echoes. Oh it was just an experience that I will love forever. I can't even begin to describe the elaborate and incredibly lavish interior. We were not allowed to take pictures, which was sad, and actually the only time that I listened to someone tell me not to take pictures. It was just so very beautiful. Something that every pair of eyes should see in their life. One cannot express the detail and beauty within this structure. It's just indescribable.

Oxford. How can I even begin To describe this one? Okay, so I've almost decided that this is exactly the place that I want to study for university. Period. The ever inviting atmosphere welcomes you to come in, closer and closer. It's a very beautiful campus and there are many colleges to choose from. It's suitable for any young scholar; like myself. That was a joke. I hope you got it.

Any who, Contrary to popular belief, England is not one big city. London is, but there is much more to England that meets the eye. Yes, that was a pun, the London Eye, I hope you got that one too. But, I have seen the White Cliffs of Dover, which are absolutely breathtaking. They take up a majority of the side of the island we entered. It is so strange to call England an island, because you think tropical, but its actually the opposite. Some beautiful sight. I also have gotten the chance to ride a subway for the first time in my whole life. And believe me, I have done a whole lot of subway riding this past week. I also almost got stuck on the subway while my group had gotten off....story of my life, and a great story indeed. This week we also have to make some sort of music video to "gangham style" and it should be really cool, because our whole grade is basically in all different parts of Europe; we're in England, some are in Ireland, Rome, Austria, Berlin, Poland; all over. All of us are doing the same music video and dance so it'll be like a "world class" flash mob happening all over Europe. I think it's a really cool idea.

Something I have really noticed since I have been here though, is that German people are ridiculously good at figuring out which country people are from. We were sitting at breakfast and my friend pointed out a family and said they were French; not believing her, I waited for them to start talking, and guess what, it was French. And she figured this out, just by their mannerisms. The next day, a different friend pointed out some people and said they were Italian, and believe it or not, they were. It was so fascinating because they literally just watched for a few seconds and they could tell right there, what they were. It seemed so simple.

There is so much more that I could write, but simply, there is not enough time, or space.

Also I have finally had a real diet coke. The world is now back on it's axis.

Sweet Serendipity.

Life.

Someday, I hope you get the chance to live like you were dying.
Wouldn't it be great if we all thought this. We all know we are going to die someday, so why not live your life like you are going to die tomorrow. We can only live for the moments we are given, so why not make those moments count, why not make those moments so amazing that you can't forget them, why not make those moments something you are proud of. 

By doing this program, I have been called crazy, stupid, brave, courageous, daring, determined, stupid, and many more things. But, by doing this program, I have learned more about the world, about myself, and about cultures than I ever would have if I was still in Florida. 

I can't even express how grateful I am for this opportunity. 

I can't even express how grateful I am for everything I have been given.

Rest in peace Tomas. You were one of us. Always were, always will be. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. You will never be forgotten. I didn't personally know you, but I have friends who did, we are all connected. We are 

a family and stick together. We love you and you will greatly missed. ♥ Rest in Peace. You don't know what tomorrow holds for you, so live in the moment. Always say "I love you". Live with no regrets. Never say " I wish I did that". Do what you want, because in the end, it's your life. You have the choice to make it good or bad. Tomas has made an impact on all of us, even if we didn't know him personally. We have all gotten closer, and also realized what we have and what we have been given. Don't take it for granted.

People from all over the world, from all different countries, speaking all different languages, and living very, very different lives have been touched by one person. 

So I challenge you all who read my blog, or even if you just look at the pictures, live like you were dying. 525,600 minutes, how do you measure a year?

Sweet Serendipity. 

Genuine.

So I went to Dortmund yesterday with a bunch of friends and this picture just happened to turn up by means of obviously somebody taking it. I am very grateful that that person took this picture because this picture means the world to me right now, and will be cherished by me for the rest of my life. 

My friend Cauê commented on this picture and said:
"esse é o tipo de foto que vai dar uma saudadeeee depois kkkk"

Yes, I know it's in Portugese, and yes I will tell you exactly what it means. 
It's along the lines of "This is the kind of picture that will make you miss it after." 

It really really will. I can't even describe how much the people in this picture mean to me, especially the girl i am hugging. It is truly indescribable. Just thinking about it makes me tear up. Because I know that after these next 2 weekends, I leave for London, and then we go to Deutschland tour and then Maria moves out. My life will change dramatically. It really really will. Yes, we have our separate friends, and we have our separate times, but she has become my sister, so I just expect her to be home when I come home. She is supposed to always be there. I have become used to having her always with me. It will be a very hard time. I also know soon that after she moves, she will then be on her third and last family, which means that her exchange will end soon. January, to be exact. It's going to be a very hard time. 

This is genuine friendship. There are people who are part of your life, who you are best friends with, but not people you can live with. Maria and I have lived together from the moment we met. There was no option. It was happening whether we had liked each other, or hated each other. Needless to say, we have become the closest and best of friends, obviously. There was nothing we could hide from each other. It was truly a sisterhood like no other. Our bad habits, our morning breath, our lovely late night snack cravings. Everything was out there. It's been really great. I know I've said this before, but it had to have been fate; us being put in the same house. Because this doesn't happen. Everybody I have talked to has asked us why, or how, and we never have an answer because it doesn't happen. It really doesn't. So this was meant to happen. It was meant to be. We will always be friends. Always and forever. 

I hope that our friendship is one that people look at and say, wow, I wish I had a friendship like theirs. I am my complete and total self around her. She is my best friend here, and definitely one of my best friends in this whole world. I don't know what I'd do if I ever lost her. Or even, in January, when she goes back to Brasil. It's truly heart wrenching. I wish we had a longer amount of time, but we don't. There was one thing she said one time "17 years wouldn't be a long enough time to be your sister." This is a bond that I can't even explain, but it is very true, and very strong. 

We sit and look at the little river run through Menden. We laugh at the wrong times, yes dinner included. We talk about everything. We have gummi bear and beer picnics. We roll down the side of hills. We walk home from school. We ask each other if we look okay. We have breakfast, lunch and dinner together. We are honest with each other. We share music. We say the same things, at the same time. We go to concerts. We go to parties. We spend almost every minute of every day together. There's just too long of a list to even keep going. I hope that someday, this is a friendship I can tell my children and my grandchildren about, and they can get to know their Brasilian siblings. 

 "immer mit dir"

I have now realized that you have to cherish every moment you have. Every moment you are given. Every moment you experience something new. Every day is an adventure. Every day is a new morning. Every day is something that you can share with somebody. Learn something new. Do something different. Live life spontaneously. I have learned so much here, I apply it in my life always. I am so excited to see what the rest of the year has in store for me, but I don't want time to pass by so quickly. It already has been. So take a moment everyday to think about what you've accomplished to get where you are today. What you've overcome to be who you are. Look at where you are. 

I listened to this song while writing this today, and this song is so very true to me right now. To my friends right now. Give it a listen. The link is at the bottom. 


                                                               "93 Million Miles"
                                                                   Jason Mraz

93 million miles from the Sun, people get ready get ready,
'cause here it comes it’s a light, a beautiful light, over the horizon into our eyes
Oh, my my how beautiful, oh my beautiful mother
She told me, "Son in life you’re gonna go far, and if you do it right you’ll love where you are
Just know, that wherever you go, you can always come home"

Ohh…ohh…ohh…
Ohh…ohh…ohh…

240 thousand miles from the Moon, we’ve come a long way to belong here,
To share this view of the night, a glorious night, over the horizon is another bright sky
Oh, my my how beautiful, oh my irrefutable father,
He told me, "Son sometimes it may seem dark, but the absence of the light is a necessary part.
Just know, you’re never alone, you can always come back home"

Ohh…ohh…ohh…
Ohh…ohh…ohh…

You can always come back…back…

Every road is a slippery slope
There is always a hand that you can hold on to.
Looking deeper through the telescope
You can see that your home’s inside of you.

Just know, that wherever you go, no you’re never alone, you will always get back home

Ohh…ohh…ohh…
Ohh…ohh…ohh…

Ohh…ohh…ohh…
Ohh…ohh…ohh…
Ohh…ohh…ohh…

93 million miles from the Sun, people get ready get ready,
'cause here it comes it’s a light, a beautiful light, over the horizon into our eyes…

You willl always be my sister, Maria Carolina Martins do Amaral.
Ich liebe dich. I love you forever. 
Immer mit dir.



Sweet Serendipity. 

My Story is Unwritten < watch this

Sweet Serendipity.

Rotex Wochenende.

This weekend, was so very very great. I had an amazing time getting to know the other inbounds in my district. We all got so very close. It was an incredibly fast bonding time. We all have made such great memories. 

On Friday, we all arrived and had some dinner. After that we had a candlelight talk with our fellow friends and some Rotex members. We talked about our exchange and some troubles and some great times. We then just had free time. So obviously, nobody went to sleep until maybe 3 or 4. Then, on Saturday, we woke up early, showered, and then went on a tour around Hagen and The Ruhr River, It was so beautiful. We went to this giant pyramid thing at the top of a mountain (that we had to climb) yes, nobody told us we were doing this, so I climbed this mountain in my Toms. Yep, successful day. We also visited the largest mansion in Germany, which was very very cool, and so very beautiful. We went to the river front and walked on a walkway in the middle of the water. It was awesome! Then Saturday night, we had a big party with all of us, it was really cool. Being completely honest with you, they sold beer, but of course no other alcohol was allowed. It's just a cultural thing here. But its so cool, because our Rotary here in Germany, allows the Rotex members to give us beer, because it is part of German culture, so it was perfectly allowed. So we partied and danced all night long, and if you were lucky you got about an hour of sleep. So on Sunday, we had to wake up early and clean everything up of course. Everybody had to leave by 11. So we then were on our way home, we sat down to a nice cake and coffee session and then quickly had to leave by 1. We went to a giant lake and had some spaghetti eis and sat by the see. It was a beautifully perfect day. After sitting for a while, we went to a really great restaurant for dinner. I RODE IN A PORSCHE! It was the coolest thing! It really was. 

This weekend was perfect, and I couldn't be happier here. 

Everything here is so very great, and so very nice. 

I love it.

Everybody, and me in the middle, nothings changed. 

Wiley and Leonard. Texas and Germany.

Me and Marcela!

Caroline and I !

Maria and I !

Sweet Serendipity.

This is the Beginning.

 

School has started, the first few days were so very easy; partly because we had 
no classes due to our schedules not being made yet. But, nonetheless I had made 
friends and had found some that I made during the holidays. Everybody here is so 
very nice. It's funny though, because sometimes people just stare at me. Kind of 
like an animal at the zoo. Those people aren't mean, they just don't know what 
to say when they talk to me really. I find it humorous though. Partly because I 
would just go and talk to someone, but nobody would approach me, initially. 

I take the train to and from school. I have been doing so much walking recently. 
It's great, but I know that when winter comes its going to be terrible. It's 
very very cold here in the mornings, and then warms up to about 75 F. So it's 
hard to dress in the mornings not knowing what the weather will be like. It also 
rains here. A lot. Like a lot a lot. So we always have an umbrella. 

On the weekend I went to a concert called Rumo Tripot- I really have no idea 
what that means. But it was so cool. We walked there (surprise). It was a 
concert with local bands from around the cities and they played in this big barn 
thing. With lights, and even a disco ball, a real one. The place itself was just 
really rustically cool looking. And old barn turned into a mess hall sort of. We 
had a great night and it ended at about 3am, we had to walk home because our 
host brother was still at another party. But it was funny because when he came 
home he apologized profusely. And we then stayed up the whole night and just 
talked and watched some German tv. Annika slept over that night too. But we 
didn't do much sleeping. Actually we didn't sleep at all. We also went on an 
adventure through the woods near our house. Max led us. He was the only one with 
some sort of flashlight. They were all scared but I wasn't. Of course not. The 
next day we had our first orientation here for district 1900. I met so many new 
friends and reunited with some old ones. Not very old, but some I had hung out 
with before. My host sister from Brasilia told me something that I will never 
forget. "even if I haven't made that many great German friends, I have so many 
more lifelong friends now. The best part? They all live all around the world, so 
I can go anywhere and have a place to stay, and a friend to show me around." it 
was such a great realization. It genuinely gave me goosebumps every time I 
thought about it. Granted, I've only been here for 3 weeks, but Maria has become 
my sister, and I know that we will be friends forever. She will always be there 
for me and I will always be there for her. This has been the fastest friendship 
and definitely one of the truest. 
Max has become my brother, he has taken care of me, and been there for me many 
times already. And very very sweet. Its definitely going to be very hard 
leaving. So far, so great. 

This week on Friday, we went to my friend Milan's house and slept over with a 
few other people. His house was built during WWII, and was a very special house. 
I am so lucky to have met him. We went over his friends house and played some 
games, one similar to mafia and tabu. It was such fun. At about 1, we went to 
Alex's house and watched Sherlock Holmes, but I fell asleep. And so did Maria. 
Then, we went back to Milan's and slept. The next morning we had breakfast and 
met his whole family. It was beautiful. Then Max came and picked us up and we 
went home. Later on Max invited me to his friend Timo's house and we had a 
barbecue and played monopoly until about 2am. We were tired and guess what, we 
had to walk home. Always happens. But we did and it was a nice walk, very cold 
though. Sunday morning was a lazy Sunday, Max and I woke up at about 12 and then 
had breakfast. My friend from soccer (Joelle) came and picked me up and then we 
went to the sportsplex for the festival and the opening games. It was so fun. We 
won our game 8-2. I scored the first goal off a corner kick. I kicked the actual 
corner and it went in. It was beautiful and a great moment at that. I felt so 
great, I really did. And my team was just so happy. 

Now it is Monday, and I am at school. We have created a game, similar to ping 
pong, that we play during our free periods. It is with a ping pong ball and some 
tables in the student rest center. Today we played with Antoine's shoes as 
paddles. It was so very funny. We have a good time at school. I don't mind so 
much coming to school here. I really feel like I learn something new everyday. 
Although, I don't understand much of anything people say, I can read it quite 
well. It's so relieving to be noticing my own progress. I know that my family is 
proud of me. I hope to be fluent in about 3 months. But my first month is almost 
over. I know that time is just flying by so very fast. I can't even imagine. 

Tomorrow I will go to Köln, for a Coldplay concert. It will be so great. I am 
sooooooo exited for it. Maria, Arcenio, and I will all go together. It should be 
really amazing. I'm still not sure if we will go to school on Wednesday though. 
Maybe. I hope not, we will be very, very tired. 

Also I'm writing this while at school. Great student right? 

Some other things I've noticed at school here. None of the teachers have 
computers, it's all done by paper still. Also, there are real blackboards, I've 
never seen one in a classroom, and now I have. It's very, very different here. I 
like it. The teachers are also really understanding, so everything will be good; 
I think.  We are also not allowed to use our phones at all. Period. No 
exceptions. And no gum either. It's not acceptable. 

I wish I could write and tell you everything about every day. But, I can't, 
there is just too much to say. I could elaborate on every little detail and 
every little moment, but that would be so very much. I am taking time wisely and 
enjoying every minute. I am not letting a day go by and say that I wish I had 
done that differently. I will make the most out of this year. I will make the 
most out of everything I do here.

P.S. I just found out that I will go to London at the end of this month! Oh my 
goodness. I feel so blessed and so overjoyed and so very very lucky! I am so 
excited! I can't even contain my excitement right now! I will go with my English 
class. We will visit the Westminster Abbey, Oxford, Kunst Museums, The Globe 
Theater, and so many more things. I will be there for one week. So so so so do 
so so cool! I am just so thankful for opportunities like this. I can't even 
begin to describe how I am feeling right now. Oh my goodness. 

Sweet Serendipity. 

How do you know?

How do you know what is a dream if you never accomplished one? How do you know what is an adventure if you never took part in one? How do you know what is anguish if you never said goodbye to your family and friends with your eyes full of tears? How do you know what is being desperate, if you never arrived in a place alone and could not understand a word of what everyone else was saying? How do you know what is diversity if you never lived under the same roof with people from all over the world? How do you know what is tolerance, if you never had to get used to something different even if you didn’t like it. How do you know what is an opportunity, if you never caught one? How do you know what is pride, if you never experienced it for yourself at realizing how much you have accomplished?. How do you know what is to seize the day, if you never saw the time running so fast? How do you know what is a friend, if the circumstances never showed you the true ones. How do you know what is a family, if you never had one that supported you unconditionally? How do you know what is autonomy, if you never had the chance to decide something by yourself? How do you know what it means to grow up, if you never stopped being a child to start a new course? How do you know what is to be helpless, if you never wanted to hug someone and had a computer screen to prevent you from doing it? How do you know what is distance, if you never, looking at a map, said “I am so far away”? How do you know what is a language, if you never had to learn one to make friends? How do you know what is patriotism, if you never shouted “ I love my country” holding a flag in your hands? How do you know what is the true reality, if you never had the chance to see a lot of them to make one. How do you know what are borders, if you never crossed yours, to see what there was on the other side? How do you know what is imagination, if you never thought about the moment when you would go back home? How do you know the world, if you have never seen it through the eyes of a true citizen?

Observations.

Observations.
Things you notice.
Things you observe.
Things you pay attention to.

Observations are so intriguing. You watch how things can change or differ from what you know. Its so very interesting to make the connection of what is and what was. I have come to know things are not "weird" here, they are just different. And I am okay with that. But just so you all know, I am going to return wanting only carbonated water, coffee, cake, and bread. I don't think I've ever eaten so much coffee, cake, bread, and even carbonated water. Haaha.

Living here, in Germany, I have taken notice of so many things that are different from Florida. So, here it is.

They have no idea what a Band-Aid is. Yes, I did need one, or three.

No ice cubes. Anywhere.
Toilets have a button for more water or less water.
No air conditioning. Anywhere.
Water has gas; always. Water without gas is not an option. (gas = carbonation) 
but its called gas here?
All top level rooms have slanted ceilings. With slanted windows.
All houses have a minimum of three stories.
English is getting harder to remember every day.
Schiße is said so much.
Coffee and cake is an everyday thing. At any time. 
There is no "lunch time" it's eat something if you are hungry around 2. And then 
we will eat at 5. And then again at 7. 
If you say you like something it will automatically be purchased.
German people always want to know what the English word is. 
They also don't know the difference between many and much; it's quite funny to 
hear them go back and forth on what sounds right. 
They do whatever they please whenever they please.
Doors are always shut.
Windows are always open.
There is no "look" to an American, so nobody thinks I am american until they ask me a question I don't        know how to answer.  
There is also no "look" to a German.
Germans LOVE "How I Met Your Mother". I don't understand the fascination.
Beer is welcome at anytime of the day, at any meal. But, always served in a tall 
glass. No beer mugs, crazy huh?
Wine is also offered often. And you always say yes. 
It's always "hot" out, even when it is a cool 60 degrees f. 
Liederhosen is only worn by tourists...
There are heaters in every room.
They say "see you later, alligator". 
Bitte, Schön, und Genau are common words.
You're either catholic or you're catholic. 
An outside pool is found one in every 100 kilometers . An inside one, one in 
every 50 kilometers. 
They will always offer you food, coffee and water. And they get offended when you say 
no. 
They are the nicest and most welcoming people ever.
It is strange to smile at a stranger.
Cars can and will go up to 220kph.
If you go 120 on the autobahn expect to be in the far right lane. Everybody will 
pass you.
There are random bathrooms on the side of the autobahn. One about every 20km.
They love their eis. (ice cream). Especially spaghetti eis.
If you are on a bike and you don't move, they will run you over. Or just drive 
past you very close and very, very fast.
They can maneuver their cars very well and in very tight spaces at very high 
speeds.
Fußball is not for girls.
They take pride in their gardens and are envious of better ones.
There are no "free refills".
All taxis here are off-white Mercedes.
You are always offered a seat.
Some Germans can drink and drink and drink some more and be perfectly fine.

It is perfectly okay to say fuck and shit even in the most formal setting. Here, they are not "bad words" They are normal speech.

This is my list so far. 

Welcome Dreamers.

I have no words for what I have seen or heard or eaten or experienced. I just have no words to describe exactly how I feel or exactly how everything is. It is something you have to experience.
Trying to sit here and write this, I am getting emotional, because I know that I would not be here today if it wasn't for all the people who have helped me get to this point, my parents, my brother, friends, and especially God. This has been the hardest but most exhilarating week. I have laughed, I have cried, I have slept, I have danced, I have cleared the table (which is a first), I have done so many things that I never would have imagined to be possible....but they are; and I am here, I really am here. I still think it is a dream.

My host mom said something the other day, and it is so very true. We were talking about the family going to America in the next 2 years or so, and she was continuing on about saying that it was only a dream. She then said "but, it is necessary to have dreams, to be able to make them come true." I then realized that only a year ago, I never knew I would be here today. I never knew what was ahead for me. I realized that this was my dream. And now, I am here. Part of a small city in Germany, living my dream. Only a few months ago, I had committed to this, not knowing my life would change everyday. My life has been changing ein bisschen (a little) everyday. My vocabulary is getting bigger everyday. My heart is growing closer to Germany everyday. I am understanding the culture better everyday.

Listen to this. ----->

Sooooo now on to more exciting things, haha,

 My trip to HEILDELBURG und WORMS:

They are both beautiful cities. We went to Worms first. Worms is the city where my great great great great great great grandfather came from in either the 1700 or 1800 hundreds; I can't remember. But, I went there. We walked through the Dom (pronounced dome), which is one of the largest and oldest catholic churches in Germany. It was constructed in 1000 A.D. so it's very possible that my grandfather went there. Worms is also home to the oldest Jewish Synagogue in Germany. So we could've been Jewish too. I really don't know. But, it is all possible!

In Heidelburg, we went to the Schloss (castle) and we walked through it. It was very very beautiful. The ruins of the castle are just magnificent. We walked the Philosophenweg, which is more like a hike; through this very narrow path. But at the peak of the walk, you have the most beautiful sight of die Schloss und Neckar. Neckar is the river that the Schloss overlooks. It is a separate river than the Rhine, but they meet at some points. Also, we had ice eram that day too, I was given "spaghetti eis" which was amazing. It is ice cream that looks like spaghetti. It has a red strawberry puree on top with crumbled white chocolate for Parmesan cheese. It was delicious.

During these few days I stayed with grandma und grandpa Stauber. It was a lovely few days. They are the sweetest. They also speak no english, haha. But we played board games and laughed all night long. Grandma Stauber made homemade pretzels and bread for breakfast. it was a lovely time.

Sweet Serendipity.

Automatic.

Every thing is automatic.

All the windows, the garage, the cars, the doors, the lights. Everything.

Automatic is to have something done, or to do something without hassle or without thinking.
Things are becoming automatic.

I automatically clear the table.
I automatically say jah.
I automatically laugh at what are jokes, that I don't yet understand.

Things come naturally. Its crazy to think about all the things you do without thinking. Driving, Shopping, Writing your name on a paper, everything is automatic. Crazy how things can go from coming natural to becoming automatic...Very different but now, people use it interchangeably.

It's all so very; automatic.

Dinners are on average 3 hours long. Its a traditional setting to take time to truly hear how someone is, and how their day was; or even to explain the meaning of sonnenblumen. Its beautiful. The table is always set with place mats, cups, for kaffe und wasser, forks for dinner and forks for cake. There is always cake. Nobody has somewhere to be, its always leisurely, time is not an issue. It's lovely.

I will go to Heidelberg tomorrow morning after Theresa goes to the airport. There are castles and many beautiful things there. It is right on the Rhine river. So I am very excited to be able to go there, I will be meeting more family there too; we will stay there until Friday. So it will be very fun.


Acknowledge the little things in life sometimes, like sonnenblumen.

Sweet Serendipity.

Glücklich Tag

I genuinely don't know how to begin writing this.

First off, my grammar is starting to get worse and worse. My English grammar, that is. And my German is getting better and better every day. I'm starting to not think about things.

First off though, my first day was a dream. Beautiful. I saw this house, with a Brasilian flag up, and soon to be an American flag too. It is in a perfect little village in a perfect little mountainside overlooking a perfect little valley in a perfect little country.Time is flying by though.

I was welcomed in the home with cheesecake, champagne, and wonderful company of friends and family. They used their best china, very old china, in fact, so much it couldn't be in the dishwasher.

Later on, more friends came over and we watched shooting stars blaze across the sky. It was incredible. I couldn't hardly count how many we saw. It was more that I had ever seen in my entire life.

The next day (Sunday) We woke up early to go to church. It was the first time I had ever been to a Catholic Church. It was a beautiful service, although I had no idea what they were saying the entire time. The church was just amazing in itself. Stained glass, tall walls, pews, communion, it was all perfect.

Later on, we went to a little lake "Sorpesee" and we rented pedalboats and just drifted around for a while. We also had a quaint picnic with these cookies that were oh so very good. Don't worry, I'll bring some home. I have made many new friends; I also have many plans with these friends. It's great.

Sonnenblumen!

I can write more later, but my internet is not very good some times. But I am grateful for what I have now. It's lovely.

Sweet Serendipity.

Amalie.

Last night I witnessed what would happen to me 3 days from now. Walking in to a home with open arms, exciting times, tears, hugs, laughs, awkward moments, the whole package of emotions. It's so strange to be watching a situation that will happen to me. It's almost mind blowing. 

Amalie. What a beautiful name. She is so sweet, and so grateful to be here, to be in a new place, with a new family. There's that word that I like; new. 

We stayed up late, ate lots of food, and just bonded. She will forever be my sister, although we only have 3 days to form the bond. It is already there. I hope that my families in Germany will be just as loving as my family was to welcome her in. 

It was a perfect first night.

Sweet serendipity. 

Glub Glub.

Off the coast of the relaxing and beautiful beach of Key Largo, Florida I snorkeled today and had the most amazing time. 

I imagine the coral reefs to be like little cities in the ocean for the fish. and the smaller coral reefs to almost be suburban. The fish just carry on about their day. They don't bother you, if you don't bother them. It was the most captivating sight though. To see the fish swimming with their schools, and to come across lobster in a setting where their claws aren't taped and ready to be eaten. It was just majestic; to swim alongside stingrays and to be able to be free. 

Do you ever wonder how they manage to just float on by. To live. To swim. To be part of an ecosystem that is so awe-inspiring to our population. The fish can do whatever they please. They can relocate to South America without having to worry about what language they need to learn, or how to pack their bags and move. Their greatest worry in life is how to obtain food to survive. It just fascinates me.  

I realized that although I had a "buddy" I was completely alone with my thoughts, my own head voice, and as crazy as this sounds; my instincts. It was so peaceful and serene. The water, clear as day and the bluest of blues, was absolutely perfect. I felt almost as if I was part of the habitat. Just to be able to be there and to float; to just exist. No need to try to impress. No need to worry about what was happening in a few hours. It was great to just be in the moment. I have come to find that is one of the hardest things to do. To just be in the moment. You should try it sometime. 

What happens one day when this opportunity won't be available? I know that our environments are slowly disintegrating. It completely baffles me that one day, someday, this might not be available to anybody. It's a beautiful sight to witness. Life is all about the moments that create memories. Good little moments. 

You cannot cross the sea by just looking at the water. 

Sweet serendipity.  

Good Riddance.

This is song is the definition of how I am determining my year.
It describes how I am right now. 


~I am now at this moment all that I need to be.

Tonight.

Tonight marked the night that I first realized I was leaving. Yes, I've been saying that I am leaving, yes I've been preparing for departure, yes I've been packing. Yes I've been going through the motions that lead up to going on a typical trip; but this trip is different. This trip will take 525,600 minutes. One full year.

Tonight four of my best friends surprised me with a bombardment of silly string, balloons, ice cream, board games, laughs, jokes, and of course tacos. Believe me, I had no idea that they were coming. I was even taking my afternoon nap when they surprised me. It was at that moment though, that I realized I would be leaving all that I have come to know and love will no longer be within a ten minute drive. It brought tears to my eyes that tonight would be the last time I could be with them. So, instead of sulking around we enjoyed the company and pigged out. What else would we do?















But what is it that we really know? I know that I can breathe due to the respiratory system. I know that a goldfish has an attention span of 3 seconds. I know that I will be spending my next year in Germany.
What I don't know is why the body breathes due to the respiratory system. Or why a goldfish can only hold their attention on one thing for 3 seconds. I don't know how my life will differ when I return from my exchange year. I don't know what experiences or adventures or even misadventures I will have next year.


One thing I know is that I am me. I am ready for this. 


Leaving everything to arrive with one suitcase. Arriving to meet a family I haven't really conversed with, to go to a school where I know nobody, to be on a soccer (football) team with people I have never played with. It's just fascinating to me. The stories, the people, the culture, the language, it's all so intriguing. Making my dreams come true, I am so proud of myself, and yet so proud of my family; my country. I get the chance of a lifetime; to represent my country in a land that doesn't yet know me, that doesn't yet know the impact I will have on their life.


 The feeling I have right now is bittersweet. So excited to embark on a new adventure. So determined to help change this world into a better place. So sad to leave home, my family, friends, support system. So confused as to what home will be in the next few weeks. Its all new feelings. New. I love that word. New.


Sweet Serendipity.