Clara in Germany!

Damn it. It happened. I didn't want it to, but it just came along and happened in an elaborate, body numbing, eye puffing, heart shattering extravaganza. I got homesick. And it's not like I am a miserable sap! In fact, I can't imagine doing anything more valuable with my time than being here, in Germany. But an ache for the familiar just swallowed me whole. Listening to the Replacements in the kitchen, while my dad cooks dinner. Taking walks with my friends, and knowing exactly where to go.The Green Mountains. My mom's hugs. But the most wonderful and unbearable part of this sickening feeling is that it gives your home an identity. And you realize that you love it more than you could have ever thought possible. Homesickness is a happy thing. It reminds me that I have a loving, incredible universe to come back to after this little detour is just a memory. So, the moral of the story is, if you're gonna sob like a madman at some po...

Today I got lost! It was awesome! I was going for a jog/walk/WOW I have been eating a lot of carb things, and I kind of just...went the wrong way. When you are in a foreign country, every way seems like a super good idea, ok? It also seems like a super good idea to forget your host family's phone number. And their last name. So yeah, here I was, basically with the mental capacity of a learned hamster, or goose, or other simple minded creature, wandering the streets of Germany. I waddled towards an unsuspecting old lady on her bike, and put my body in front of her. I decided to say "HALLO. HI. UM. HILFE.", as if that would invite her to talk a while. She spoke no English (or more like, I spoke no German), and the conversation mostly consisted of widened eyes and strong finger pointing. Eventually I made it to a gas station, announcing my presence with an articulate grunt, and the cashier took notice of me. I asked her something along the lines of "...

Celle! WEEEEEEE Today was my first day of language camp! We learned basic questions (Fragen), like:   "Wo wohnst du?" (Where do you live?) und "Welche Sprachen sprinchst du?" (What languages do you speak?) But more importantly,In the German version of Aristocats, it's not "Everybody wants to be a cat!", but instead, "Katzen brauchen furchtbar viel music!" (Cats need an awful lot of music!....or something along those lines) I don't think I can ever live my life the same...mind=blown. Anyway, here are some pictures from the day. I got to know Celle a little bit better, but mostly I still feel like a tourist. And look like a tourist. And act like a tourist. Oy. GOALS: MEHR SPRECHEN DUETSCH!! (oh god, that grammar is most likely awful.) But everyday I learn a little bit more, thanks to my host family, and language school. Gage and Ella in language camp! DAS SCHLOSS (again)  

Today was my first full 24 hours in Germany! Considering the fact that I have already been to a schlossfest (castle festival in Celle), I'd say it's been pretty wonderful. At schlossfest, I basically played a bunch of games made out of wood, and ate cake, all whilst looking at a castle. It had a moat. A MOAT.By the way, if you want to say "slice of cake" in German, it's " Stück Kuchen". Try saying it sometime. It's a blast. Anyway, after that, I also visited a bee institute in Celle. And let me just tell you, German bees have it good, because this place was decked out. Do they even have institutes for bees in America? I feel like I need to start a campaign. Kids were galloping around merrily with bees buzzing beside them, and not one parent was having a heart palpitation. It was beautiful.   Speaking of heart palpitations, tomorrow is my first day of language camp. Until then, enjoy these pictures below: Gage, Aubrey (fellow CBYX ninjas) ...

Congratulations! You should be pretty darn proud of yourself for getting this far. Alas, you have miles to go before you sleep. Hopefully these tips will help you nail the interview, and accomplish your lovely dreams. You got this. Get Fancy: It's tempting to arrive at the interview clad in your muddy Doc Martins and unwashed Smiths t-shirt being all like "I will not conform to societal expectations, rah rah rah" but for real, don't do it . This is a big deal, and you need to dress like you care. Iron some good shirts, break out those uncomfortable yet awfully classy shoes, and do this thing. Home can be the place to let your freak flag fly, not the boardroom.    Talk To Humans: See that ruddy faced, yet promising individual over there? Talk to them! If worst comes to worst, you can just bond over how much you are completely about to pee your pants in fear. You have nothing to lose, and it really shows that you can act sem...

Hey, my name is Clara, and I am a finalist for the Congress Bundestag Youth Exchange program! This means I will be spending about 10 months in Germany, on a fully funded scholarship!    If you have any interest in traveling, meeting new people, or you are simply up for some super good bratwurst , you should totally go for this scholarship. If you go to www.usagermanyscholarship.org , you will find all the necessary information. Just do it! Seriously, the outcome could amaze you. So, you've looked at the website and everything seems well and good, but BLARGH , there is a catch: Essays ? Recommendations ? Transcripts ? Ick. Effort. I know, I know, but don't give up yet! I'll help you through this, young padawon. We can do it. The Essays: Alright. This is the toughest part, but with some determination and spellcheck, you will find yourself with six beautiful essay babies. The main thing that I want to say to you about these essays is...