So, we just crossed the Italian border. In the last 8 days I have seen more of the world than the average person. So far it's been 5 countries, and 6 if you include Germany. Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, and now Italy. I just want you to let that soak in for a minute. How absolutely incredible is that? Not many people can say that they've even been to one of those.
I've seen places that people only dream about. Places that I have dreamed about. Something I've really thought about is the border that we have created between countries. The land doesn't immediately look different at the border. It's not like a light switch, changing completely. It's a gradual difference. But it is absolutely mind blowing how different the cultures are, and can be. Those are the real borders. From language differences to a whole different way of dressing, to the mannerisms of a person. Italians talk with their hands, and kiss on the cheek, Germans talk professionally, and shake hands. Austrians are incredibly happy. I've seen that stereotypes aren't real, some are true, but most aren't.
I've truly found out what I need to do in life. I'm not quite sure how I will achieve it though. But I know that I need to write about what I see. I need to experience everything. And I need to share my experiences. Whether it's through words or through actions. I've known my whole life that money doesn't buy happiness and Success isn't happiness. Happiness is the place where you are truly at peace with yourself, and what you have. Some of the happiest people on this planet are people who have nothing but what is on their back and their family. That is what is truly important. Truly happiness. At it's finest.
Just think about the last time you were really and truthfully happy. It's hard right? A time where you had no worries on your mind. A time where you could just enjoy life. I experience that just about every day here. I don't want to leave this niche that I have found for myself.
"For some reason I can't explain, I know saint Peter will call my name."
Sweet Serendipity.
I just found this gem of a journal entry, sorry it's a bit late.
So. You know how when you're in a train, or a car even, and you're passing the side of the road by. You see all the things pass by right before your eyes. You don't have time to really focus on what they are or take in their beauty even. But, when you look at the things after they have passed you, out the rear window, they stay in place. Beautiful as ever. Displaying the vibrant colors, showing the world themselves. But soon you can't hardly see them anymore. They just fade away. all you have is a slight glimpse of what you saw before. There are new sights, new things to see now. It's just like time. When you are in the moment, that's when everything goes by so fast. So fast that you can hardly focus on how amazing it is right now, in this moment. But once you're on the next moment, you reflect on how incredible the previous moment was. But you can't ever get it back, because it's already gone. You can think about it, and recreate it in your head. They are still there, still frames in your memory. Etched there. Embossed with elaborate details that describe that very moment. And sometimes those are the best parts. And sometimes those are the hardest parts because you can't have them back.
It was a day filled with long awaited hellos, and long dreaded see you laters. We had a lot to do, and we got a lot done. the day went by so fast. before i knew it, i was home again. i then did a few things around the house, and went to bed early.
And I laid there, in the dead of night, and cried. I cried my eyes out. I cried because that was the very moment that I realized that what I have now, will soon be gone. And that my friend, is what hurts the most. Almost unbearable. It's a pain that digs deep inside your heart and attacks what is closest to you. It steals what is important to you. It gives this feeling that something is tearing your stomach out. Twisting, pulling in ways you cant even imagine. But then, it just goes numb. And you lay there, alone, thinking, about everything. life, experiences, friends, family, homes, memories. And thinking; thinking is what will kill you. I have come to find.
I have made something here that nothing in the world can replace. And nobody can take it from me. I have countless homes here in Germany that I can run to. Countless families. Countless friends. Countless. Innumerable. Nothing can adequate up to what is here.
Erlebnis.
My time here is coming to an end, but that doesn't mean that I mustn't continue on. Building, going, doing, experiencing, sharing. I will live on in Germany, from what I've showed people, from what I've given, and from what I have taught. And Germany will live on in me, from what I have learned, from what I have experienced, and from what I have seen. I've said this many times already, but I will be back. And until then, I can only relish in the precious memories that reside in my heart.
moments so dear.
how do you measure a year?
in daylights?
in sunsets?
in midnights?
in cups of coffee?
in inches?
in miles?
in laughter?
in strife?
how do you measure a year in the life?
I'm not perfect. Nobody is perfect. I make mistakes. Everybody makes mistakes. I don't do the right things most times. Everybody doesn't do the right thing sometimes.i slack off in school. Everybody slacks off in school. I put other things first. Everybody puts other things first. I lie. Everybody lies. I judge people. Everybody judges people. If you're sitting there, thinking in your head "oh no, I don't do that." Stop lying to yourself. Because you and I both know, what you just thought about that person who just walked by with a cigarette in one hand an a baby in the other. It's not our fault that we automatically think these things. It's society's fault.
I personally wish I wasn't so judgmental. It makes beautiful people ugly. If I just accepted people for who they are, regardless of religion, looks, interests, or race, the world would be that much closer to being a better place.
I think what I find most interesting about life is how scared people are to let themselves be open. So many fine details of life are left behind closed doors. Its based on fear, fear of judgement. Don't worry, the people who care about humanity will allow you to be who you are. Just don't hurt anybody or yourself, just be good, and do good.
The thing that I can't hardly understand is the amount of hate some people have for other people. I don't hate anybody. I can't physically hate anybody.
But we have seen how people hate other people.
Columbine, Nazis, 9/11, slavery, Iraq, World War 1 & 2, and the latest, Boston Marathon bombing. It breaks my heart to see what this world has come too.
The minute you express your personal opinion, and it doesn't match that of the other person, it's a shoot out. It's not just a conversation sharing ideas or thoughts. It becomes a dagger throwing contest of who can say the nastiest words to cut people down enough so they can't get back up.
I miss seeing children being able to play in the streets without it being something to worry about. I miss being able to say "sorry" and the response being "no problem, don't worry." I miss not having to worry about going to the movies. I miss how lighthearted our society used to be. I miss not having to worry about if I am safe, or if my family is safe.
I don't like turning on the news and seeing only terrible negative things. It makes the world we live in seem only bad. We should spend time celebrating what is good, rather than what is terrible.
So, my question to you is, why can't we all just be accepting? Why can't we all just celebrate our lives? Why can't we all live in peace? In love? In happiness? Why can't we all just enjoy the time we have on earth? Why can't we live the lives we were supposed to live? Without insecurities. Without doubts. Without being scared. Why can't we all just coexist?
That's the key to it all. Coexisting.
Go to temple with the Jewish girl who lives down the street. Talk to the old man who was in world war 2. Help out the kid in the wheelchair with his books. It's not cool to disrespect or hate people. It's really not. If you think it is "cool" I think that you need to rethink what "cool" is.
Does it hurt so much to be kind?
Does it hurt so much to be accepting?
Does it hurt so much to be generous?
Does it hurt so much to think about other people for a change?
It hurts too much to have war.
It hurts too much to have controversy.
Maybe this is what the Mayans predicted. Not an asteroid, or a solar flare, but the end of what we are. We no longer cherish life, or other people, even the Earth or the animals and resources put on it. War, genocide, abuse, senseless mass murder, animal cruelty, gluttony, greed, waste, and lust...Look around you, the end of the world is already here.
One day, I hope the world can be like this. One day, I know it can be like this. One day, Someday.
The thing is, I've already taken the steps toward accepting people. I do that now. It's your turn. I challenge you to do that. Accept.
They are the most important people in your life, no doubt. Friends come and go, boyfriends and girlfriends come and go, but family, family is really always there for you.
Brothers and sisters may get on your nerves, mom might say 'no' to that awesome party that everyone will be at this weekend, dad most likely will always be concerned with what happened at the game this past weekend, but you know that the minute you sit down for dinner everything kind of, stops. Just for a second.
Family is the support, the stability you need to learn, to grow up, to become the person you will be in 5 years; 10 years; 20 years. They are your balance, your safe haven.
You must remember, family is often born of blood, but it doesn't depend on blood. Nor is it exclusive of friendship. Family members can be your best friends, you know. And best friends, whether or not they are related to you, can be your family.
I have come to realize something over the past 8 months now, nobody can ever replace your family, you can have some pretty good runner ups, but there is nothing like hugging your own Mommy, getting butterfly kisses from Daddy, and that occasional sweet moment from a sibling.
This past weekend was, I think one of my favorite weekends here in Germany. Friday: I was supposed to go to a Taco Night with friends, but it didn't work out. I ended up on the sofa with my host dad, eating a bag of chips, drinking some soda (out of the bottle), ordering in pizza, eating it on the couch, which never happens. We watched Gladiator, which was, interesting to say the least. While cracking jokes and laughing the whole night. I was actually so happy to be spending my night this way. It was so much fun, honestly. Saturday: I got to sleep in a bit, I ate breakfast with my host mom, and Antonia (my host sister). Antonia was going to Justin Bieber in concert in Cologne, so my host mom had to drive her. Soooooooo, we all drove to Cologne. Originally my host mom and I were going to a really big sauna and pool area. We dropped Antonia and Svenja off and then drove around looking for the Sauna. We got there and saw this really cool zip line ski lift thing, I'm not really sure what it's called in English. It took us over the Rhine River and you could see the entire city of Cologne, everything that it had to offer. We decided that we didn't want to go to the sauna anymore, instead we wanted to see the city. So first, we went to the Dom, The big church in the city center. We walked through the shopping district and the old part of town. After that, we went to the oldest restaurant in the city. It was so delicious. I ate Wiener schnitzel and potatoes. So delicious! We then walked across the bridge to the big carnival. We took in all the sights, sounds, smells; everything. And then, as the end to our night, we rode "The Wild Mouse" which was so much fun! It was thrilling even. We stopped for some ice cream and coffee before picking Antonia and Svenja up.
Sunday: We had a lovely breakfast. Then we talked about what we wanted to do for the day. We decided on mini golf. This day was so nice outside. The sun was shining, about 9 degrees Celsius. We played a round of mini golf. Sabine (mama) won, I came in 2nd, and Antonia in third. I played the whole time so bad! And then I got better at the end. Antonia played the entire time so well, but once mama left, it was all downhill. After mini golf, we drove to Fröndenberg. We walked through a cool market and then found a place to sit down and eat. It was Italian. I had spaghetti carbonara. Boaaaaa, that was so amazing. Best I've ever eaten. We then drive home and had a nice evening.
Last weekend will be one I will always remember.
so, I know now, that I have a family in Florida and two families here. They all love me, they all want the best for me, and they all care about me. I love them all and am so happy I had the opportunity to get to know them like I have. I also have a family of exchange students. We are all family. I love this word family.
I tackled the biggest club in Eastern Europe. Climbed to the top of a mountain
in Budapest. Discovered Vienna once again. Fell in love with Venice, my heart
will forever be there. Had my mouth water with the food of Rome. Shopped like I
have never shopped before in Florence. Took a picture of me holding up the
leaning tower of Pisa. Swam in the ice cold Mediterranean sea in
Nice. Pretended to gamble in Monaco. Watched the huge city of Paris bustle from the top
of the Eiffel Tower. Had my first Belgian Waffle, and hopefully not my last.
All these experiences add up to one thing that I will never in my lifetime
forget. My Eurotour.
I danced.
I don't have words to describe the sights that I have been able to bless my
eyes with seeing.
"Listen to the mustn'ts child. Listen to the dont's.
Listen to the shouldn'ts, the impossibles, the won'ts. Listen to the never
haves, then listen close to me...Anything can happen, child. Anything can
be."
-Shel Silverstein
Exchange students: The most amazing people in the whole wide
world. Those people from everywhere who know exactly how you feel and those
people who become your absolute best friends even though you only see most of
them 3 or 4 times during your year. The people, who take almost an hour to say
their final goodbyes to each other. Those people with the jackets full of pins.
All over the world. They are the people you want to spend all of your time
with. They understand you and are always there for you.
District 1900 I can't describe how much you all mean to me. I really
cant.
On this trip, we all grew up. We learned to be with people
we loved and people we didn't like. We made memories that none of us will ever
forget, or regret.
We partied. We saw. We embraced. We lived.
I experienced so many new places in so little time. I can say that I've seen so
many things. The Eiffel Tower, The Colosseum, The shores of Nice, The new
president of Czech Republic, Budapest.
France
Monaco
Italy
Vatican
Hungary
Austria
Czech Republic
Slovakia
So many countries that I not only got to see, and be part
of, but they will always be part of me.
Whoever reads this, we will have to sit down sometime, and I
will tell you some stories.
Or maybe I will write some later.
"If you are a dreamer, come in. If you are a dreamer, a
wisher, a liar, a hoper, a prayer, a magic bean buyer. If you're a pretender,
come sit by my fire, for we have some flax-golden tales to spin. Come in, come
in."
But I've come to realize that memories, though beautiful things, can also be extremely saddening.
I look at all the things I've done, and seen, and I can say wow, look at all that I've accomplished. look what I've done, how amazing. I have accomplished so many of my dreams. So many things that once seemed so distant to me. Now, it's all a reality.
But at the same time, I say wow, its all over. its already happened.
What now?
I've learned you really really have to live in the moment, because one second its there, and the next its all gone. Don't ever think twice about doing something. Do it, and enjoy it. Fully.
a whisper in the wind.
When you visit a place, its like a taste of a life you can never really have.
an unobtainable expectation. then you leave to the next place.
and you realize how beautiful some places really are. not only for their physical beauty, but also for what the place has become through people and culture. you can tell a story through graffiti, see a movie on people's faces, explore a concrete jungle by asking questions in a language you have no idea how to speak.
You have to cherish the moments that you have. Savor the moment. Like a scrumptious plate of divine cheesecake, topped with a mouth watering drizzle of cherries.
You've got the words to change a nationbut you're biting your tongueYou've spent a lifetime stuck in silenceafraid you'll say something wrongIf no one ever hears it how we gonna learn your song So come on, come onCome on, come on. You've got a heart as loud as lionsso why let your voice be tamedMaybe we're a little differentthere's no need to be ashamedYou've got the light to fight the shadowsso stop hiding it away Come on, come onI wanna singI wanna shoutI wanna scream 'til the words dry out.So put it in all of the papers, I'm not afraidThey can read all about itRead all about it oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh ooohoh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh ohoh At night we're waking up the neighbourswhile we sing away the bluesMaking sure that we're rememberedcos we all matter tooIf the truth has been forbiddenthen we're breaking all the rules So come on, come onCome on, come onLet's get the TV and the radioto play our tune againIt's 'bout time we got some air play of our version of events There's no need to be afraidI will sing with you my friendCome on, come onI wanna singI wanna shoutI wanna scream 'til the words dry outSo put it in all of the papers, I'm not afraidThey can read all about itRead all about it oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh ooohoh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh Yeah we're all wonderful, wonderful peopleSo when did we all get so fearful ?Now we're finally finding our voicesSo take a chance, some help me sing this Yeah we're all wonderful, wonderful peopleSo when did we all get so fearful ?Now we're finally finding our voicesJust take a chance, some help me sing this I wanna singI wanna shoutI wanna scream 'til the words dry outSo put it in all of the papers, I'm not afraidThey can read all about itRead all about it
Have you ever been to a place with mountains so high that
they graze the clouds? What about a place where the peaks puncture the sky in
places you can't even imagine? Oh, and a place with streams that can follow you
and your adventure through the thick wooded mountainside? Or a village so
traditional that the old fashioned way of life embraces you and shows you what
the true meaning of life really is. A place where on Sundays everything is
closed; It's a true day of rest. A place cold enough to have you wish you had
more than 2 pairs of socks on. And somewhere with heartwarming smiles, and
beautiful people, decorated in lavish Liederhosen and Dirndl head to toe, just
waiting for you to arrive. With houses so simply extravagant it would put
"Better Homes and Gardens" to shame. Language so rich; spoken with so
much character; embodied by the people who speak it. This is where the real
living language is. This same place is so captivating that even the scroogiest
Scrooge would fall in love. Eyes filled with wonder watching, capturing each
and every single breathtaking image as an individual photo for the memory book
that resides in your heart. This is the place where fairy tales are based off
of and practiced entirely.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
