Summer Study: Woche 2

I'm just going to jump straight into where I left off last time.

Saturday July 4, Day 6: In true 4th of July style, my host family took me to a lake where we spent most of the afternoon. We met up with my friend Dani, who was also super pumped for Independence Day (even though we where an ocean away).  Afterwards, my host sister, Theres took me to a super cool look out point where you can get nice sunset pics. (for everyone's inner tumblr self)

I should be tumblr famous

This looks like an Apple desktop background

Sunday July 5, Day 7: Theres and I went to see the Minion movie, which was not as bad as I thought it was going to be, but all the kids in the theater were being annoying as kids usually are

Monday July 6, Day 8: As every 18 year old should do when traveling the world, I went to the zoo. 

of course we had to go to zoo school

the fave

Tuesday July 7, Day 9: This was one of the worst surprises yet. We went on a 'Waldexkursion' which I had assumed to be a short hike in the woods or whatever so I wore probably the most impractical romper ever. We hiked a 10k up a mountain. A 10K UP A MOUNTAIN. I was on the look out for a witch to come and steal me in the woods so I wouldn't have to hike anymore. And I actually like hiking but our teacher didn't tell our class where we were hiking, how long it was going to be, or the that most of it would be at a 45 degree incline. 

Wednesday July 8, Day 10: We drove 3 hours in traffic to Hannover today and went to the Ideen Expo, which also exceeded expectations in that I though it would be boring and there would be nothing to do. When actually, I got to play wheelchair basketball (I was a beast), I learned how to skateboard, and ride a mono-wheel. All in all it was a good day, even though I did want to see Hannover, which didn't happen.

Erin and Karin fighting in front of the Recycling Center

Thursday July 9, Day 11: We did nothing in school today. Literally, half the class skipped because they didn't want to listen to our teacher teach us the same 10 words over and over again. But after school, those of us who hadn't ditched went into town for some hot chocolate and ice cream (it was like 65 F and raining). And after I got home from town, Theres took me into another town for more ice cream and to go to the playground such. So I got double ice cream that day (don't tell Theres).

before

after

the salt wall

I'm a child

definitely a child

Friday July 10, Day 12: We went to the Science Center at Bremen Universität, which was also better than expected, its kinda like Liberty Science Center or the Franklin Institute with very hands on learning and thats always a plus. But we did have to sit through 80 minutes of "Climate change debate" which no one wanted to do but our teacher. After the Science Center we got to explore Bremen's Altstadt, and that was also quite cool.

gotta clean the frost off the window in mid July you know

made some snazzy sand art

green screen or not?

casual statues around town

just casually wandering around a 900 year old church nbd

Saturday July 11, Day 13: Theres, some friends, and I went to Holi, an Indian festival, except I really wouldn't call it Holi because it was more of a Color Rave than anything else. Nonetheless, it was a great time. For a lot of the Festival we were front row (it was easy to get to) and throughout the day my skin, hair and t-shirt were changing color from pink to blue to purple to highlighter yellow. While I' writing this my hair is still partially pink, which is a good way to trial test a new hair color anyway. They had a lot of good DJs playing the entire time, and there were cute boys everywhere. 

Mari

Jen

Having such a great time

But really it was amazing

literally look like a highlighter

The snowman clan

Sunday July 12, Day 14: Today was spent sleeping in and writing this wonderful blog. It's also raining so its not like we can really go outside and do things but it kinda works out. 

I'll see you next week for the last installment of Summer Study and then I'll be in France for a tiny bit but you'll just have to wait and see what I happen to do next.

Talk to you later,

-Karin xx

Summer Study: Woche 1

It's been a week since I've been in Germany, and a lot has happened.


Monday June 29, Day 1: On the airplane, I decided on having a movie marathon, rather than sleeping. This was the wrong choice because we landed at 6 AM and I HAD TO GO TO SCHOOL ON LITERALLY 27 HOURS OF SLEEP DEPRIVATION. When we got home from school, I organized my clothes (which if I hadn't done as soon as I got there, there would have been no hope for it ever happening), I slept for a good 3-4 hours, woke up for dinner, and then went back to sleep.

Outside my bedroom window 

Tuesday June 30, Day 2: Somewhat functioning, but my body and mind were still stuck in New Jersey, but I still managed to at least talk to the majority of the Americans who are also in the program with me. They are all great people. After school, I went to my host sister's dance class, but I was too disoriented to participate or take a picture.

Wednesday July 1, Day 3:  Today, instead of spending the school day in school, our group got a small tour of the town, Bad Iburg, and a tour of it's castle, Iburg Castle. It wasn't very castle-like, but it was still pretty freaking cool. The castle also had a garden, which overlooked the town. After the castle, we went to the Rathaus (Town Hall) where we got to meet the mayor's representative (she was doing something else I guess) and sign the official guestbook. (Also pretty freaking cool) That was about 20-30 minutes and then we crossed the street to the Uhrenmuseum (Clock museum) which obviously had a ton of cool clocks and stuff like that. We got to do a scavenger hunt while we were there, and everyone who got the correct sum from the different numbers were entered into a lottery for the prize and it just so happens that I won the prize. The prize, was a candle that marks how long it has burned by the lines on it. After "school" I went to see my host's horse, we rode bikes to the stables, (bikes I needed a step to get on) and on the way back I did the most Karin thing possible, by falling off said bike right into the flower bed, but you know, I was okay.

die Uhrenmuseum

super cute cuckoo clock

Thursday July 2, Day 4: Not much happened, but I did almost buy a pen with my name correctly spelled on it. Oh and we had a barbecue.

Friday July 3, Day 5: Again instead of having only classes, my group was able to go into town and just walk around and stuff, which was really cool. I bought some postcards to go on my postcard wall, and a birthday card for my brother, who's birthday was on the third. By the end of our "school trip" half of us were sitting in a cafe just talking and actually getting to know each other (which is hard to do when you're in class). After school, my host sister and I went into town and to the park and stuff and then around  dinner time my host family and I went swimming and then went out for dinner. 

this casually crosses through the park

how picturesque 

Not sure what's happening today (saturday) but you'll know by next Sunday!

Talk to you later,

-Karin xx

Prom-Philadelphia-Graduation

Apologies for not uploading, I just figured I'd put a whole bunch of stuff together from the past couple weeks and change my schedule to Sundays, in an effort to make the next couple months easier. Also the internet where I am in Germany is super slow so loading all of these pictures has been a nightmare so sorry for the lack of photos

Anyway, Prom was actually a lot of fun, I liked what my hair, my dress, my face, and my shoes looked like both separately and when put together. Considering my prom was June 11th, it was hot as hell, and standing outside was something no one wanted to do, but did anyway.

Some of the girls

Prom Squad 2015

strangest pose I've ever had to do

 After Prom I went over to my friend Mina's house, rather than going to the Jersey Shore. The next day, still with my prom hair in tact, we went to Dorney Park (where we were hit on by middle schoolers, but I guess it was better than staying at a really crappy hotel at the beach).

June 20th, I spent in Philadelphia for my final portion of my Girl Scout Gold Award. We had gone on a walking tour of the historic district and then after walked around some more.

Here is the only photo I kind of liked from the day.

Lastly, Graduation happened pretty late in the month, June 24th. Nonetheless, I was ready.

If you need me, I'll be in Europe.

Talk to you tomorrow,

-Karin xx