I love to see the temple!

Hello, again! I just got back from a weekend trip to Freiberg (Sachsen). I visited my mission president for the weekend and was able to go to the temple. It was so much fun to play with my mission president! We went for a walk through the countryside, Helga (Sister Apel) fed me time and again, Frank (President Apel) told me story upon story about growing up in the GDR in Eastern Germany, and I got to pretend to be a good translator at lunch on Sunday. Helga and Frank had temple missionaries over for lunch, but they can't speak much German, and Frank and Helga don't speak much English. It was a pretty entertaining afternoon. You really learn the vocabulary you DON'T have when you're trying to explain how someone doesn't have a stomach anymore and the esophogus is attached directly to the intestine!

The best part of the weekend was being in an LDS home again. I loved to feel the Spirit and was able to discuss the church with Frank and Helga!! There were a few times when I wanted to cry I was so happy! The temple missionaries we were with were just called to be the temple president and matron in Samoa. I also found out that my uncle Randy is in their ward in Sandy!

Germinate

So, I've realized a few things over the years. (1) My English is getting worse as my German gets better; (2) I really like to be by myself...spending one month straight with 19 other Americans in Leipzig is starting to bug; and (3) I can see distinct blessings in my life from having served a mission. Unfortunately that doesn't yet include a spouse...good thing I love my job/studies!

Oh, and one of my friends here in Leipzig totally made me laugh yesterday! I would like to submit her definition of "germinate" to the people at Webster's: germinate: the state of having become more like a German in behavior, mannerisms and interests. This includes dying one's hair crazy colors of red and ceasing to shave one's legs. I don't plan to germinate any time in the future.

Two weeks down, Two to go!

Friday was a full day! We were in class all day, and then I went to two different concerts. The first was Motets from the Thomanerchor. (Thomas Choir). The Thomanerchor is Leipzig's equivalent of the Vienna Boy's Choir, and almost just as famous. It was really one of the best choral concerts I've been to. Right after that concert ended we jumped on the tram and headed to an open air symphony/opera concert. It was great just to sit on the grass and listen to great music!

Before I continue on with the weekend, I'll give you the rundown of during the week. It was another full week, as to be expected. During the week we were in class, had seminars about the oral proficiency test we can take at the end, went to pronunciation lessons (my suspicions were confirmed...I sound very much like an American!!), and went to the theater.

This Saturday was another group excursion. This time to the Harz Mountains. The Harz Mountains are almost dead center in Germany. Compared to the Rocky Mountains, they really are just hills, but they're gorgeous in their own right. It was nice to get out of the city and enjoy some nature.

Before we reached the mountains, though ,we stopped in a nearby city that is famous for its "Fachwerk Haeuser." In Quedlingburg there are more than 100 restored Fachwerk Haeuser (Half-Timbered Homes), and the city is on the UNESCO World Heritage site. The oldest home is from the 1300s, and you can see how the style of Fachwerk changed throughout the centuries. There are homes depicting the styles of the 15, 16, 17 and 18th centuries. After the 18th century it wasn't in style to use the wood anymore, but rather to build brick homes. I went to the Fachwerk Museum and bought a few books about Fachwerk Haeuser, so I'll become more knowledgeable and answer any questions later.

After our short stay in Quedlingburg it was back on the bus (and another dose of Dramamine) and off to the Harz Mountains. Once we got there we rode the ski-lift (Seilbahn) up to the top of the mountain. Then we went hiking to find the horse hoofprint from a legend told about the mountains. We hiked back down the mountain, and then took the tram (Kabinenbahn) back up the mountian to go to the Hexentanzplatz (Witch Dancing Place). Walpurgisnacht is the 30th of April, when they drive the Winter out, and they burn all of the left over fire wood from the winter. That is done at the Hexentanzplatz. Of course, it's mostly a tourist trap, but still fun.

One Week in Leipzig

Ashley wanted some pictures, so here you go. It was a full weekend. We went to Dresden on Sunday, and this is me in front of a Gondola that the former prince of Sachsen built. He wanted the area to become like Venice. We visited the summer palace before we did a city tour in Dresden.

Saturday we went to the symphony. It was really one of the best concerts I've been to! Unfortunately they didn't play the organ, but there was a cool soloist that played the marimba? I can't remember now. It looked like a xylophone, but wasn't. It was a Brazilian composer. The night before I went to the Thomaskirche, where Bach was the choir director. I went to a choral concert, and will be going to many more. The funny thing is I've been to other churches more than my own while in Germany.

We had to do presentations about different parts of the city. We randomly talked to people on the streets (enter mission skills) and ended up in a printing shop. The owner ended up giving us a complete tour of the place. They have printing machines (what are they called in English...that sounds weird) that are still in use from the 1920s. It was super cool!

Back in Germany

I am in Leipzig! I've been here for 3 days and love it already! Of course it's way too warm, but that's how it goes without AC! I've already eaten a Döner, Rotkohl, Sauerbraten, Klöse and amazing German pastries! Man, I am glad to be back in Germany!

My course keeps me pretty busy, but I've had plenty of time to wander the city and make some friends. There are 2 girls (ok, so when you're our age, you're not really girls, we'll say Frauen!) in my program who served missions here in Leipzig, so that is super fun! Yesterday we had to get to know different parts of the city and went out in groups to meet people and get a feeling for the city. The other members in our group were astounded at how easily we just stopped people on the streets and started talking to them. It was weird to not talk about the church (LDS) afterwards and offer them a Book of Mormon. We did get to know some really great people, though. The people here are really friendly. We randomly walked into a printing company and the man (who we know are on a first name basis with--Andreas) gave us a tour of the whole place and talked to us for over an hour! I'll post pictures soon.

Medieval Times and Roller Derby

Some of you might ask what a German grad student does with her time. Well, the past few weekends have been full of road-trips. Two weeks ago I went to the roller derby to see the Naptown Rollergirls in Indianapolis, IN. Just this past weekend some friends and I drove up to Chicago to go to Medieval Times. All in all it was a good time! After both of these activities I have decided to be a Roller Girl for Halloween, and to find a Renaissance Fair to visit in August or September.

Of course when I'm not attending what some might call "quirky" activities I am reading and studying for my exams this coming August/September. I am also getting ready to leave for Germany. I leave on Friday for Leipzig, where I will have to be much better at writing on my blog!

Future Plans

So, here comes entry #2! I just got accepted to a language program in Leipzig this summer. I will be there for a month working on my own German, and learning about pedagogy and the city itself. I also just found a job in Columbus, NE to apply for, so I'm working on that application. It's not like I have any free time to do these things with student teaching...but I seem to find the time.

Student teaching has been an interesting experience. I am now teaching 4 periods of the day, that means I only have one more class to take over and I'm teaching a full load.

Well, there you have it. Entry #2. Eat your heart out Marisa and Ashley!