I'm going to Belgium for the weekend to visit a friend, and it didn't start out very well. My train left at 3:01 and I was waiting for the cable car at 2:50. The sign showed one coming, but it just never came. It takes 5 minutes by cable car to the train station, and between 10 or 15 to walk there. I started walking but of course I was already going to miss my train because now it was 2:55. I went up to the information desk and asked the guy what train I could take to Köln and he said there was one at 3:22 but I would have one minute for my connection in Köln...then he realized the train leaving Köln at 3:43 was 10 minutes so it in fact would leave 9 minutes after I got to Köln (my train arrived at 3:42). He was incredibly nice and helpful, I think he saw my slightly panicked face (I was NOT freaking out though) and realized I'm not exactly good with trains. I made it to Köln and got to the right platform exactly as the train pulled up. Of course I got lost in the crowd of people pushing their way into the train and found a seat but in about two minutes found out it was reserved...so I stood with some other people in the back until everyone was settled and found an empty seat that had nobody in it, even though it said reserved. Now I'm finally settled and not worrying about missing another train
Needless to say, this day has been an experience. My host father, Emmi and I went to the Ausländer (foreigners) office this morning, to get an official document stamped since I don't have a visa yet and the appointment to get one is after I'll have been here for three months, so that would not be good. We arrived at 8:30 and were number 20. It took until around 10 (I think) to see the lady and it took about 5 minutes to get a stamp. I was also a minority; the people were majority middle eastern or northern African, with a few Asians. Emmi wanted a stamp too, so she asked the official and got a piece of paper, ink and an stamp. Giving a three year old ink is a really bad idea...Emmi ended up with blank ink all over her hands, on her face, on the lady's desk and her jacket. She was ecstatic though and when Emmi's happy, it's really cute and funny because she just constantly giggles. Then I had French class. It was my only class, and it was an hour and a half of, honestly, not paying attention. I sit with two other girls who have become my friends, and then two more girls sit in front of us that I talk to too. We read an article the whole time about the press and their rules, such has protecting the truth. I read the article and understood it (thank you Ms. Flowers) and then had a discussion about it with the girls at my table, or tried to, because they're not that good in French. They also just don't care like most of the kids since the grades don't matter before 11th grade.
Lacrosse is great, I'm making friends and they tease me, which is funny and shows me were actually friends. I have a game October 13th in Dusseldorf!
I've been with my host family for a month now, and looking back at it, I'm proud of myself! I'm taking the train to Belgium by myself, I take the train two days a week with another friend for lax practice, I went shopping for Ian's birthday presents all by myself, finding where to go all by myself and I didn't even get lost! I'm most proud of my ability in German. I still struggle immensely with speaking it, but I can understand almost everything people say, when I actually want to. Bettina, Emmi and I were at our neighbors and Emmi's best friend's house, and the mom was speaking to me in German, but I answered in English. Then the dad came in and the mom asked "have you seen something" but I didn't get it what, so I asked Bettina have I seen what? And the dad goes woah! She understood that? And Bettina responded she understands way more people think, when she wants to! Which is completely true. I let the kids talk about me in school and don't tell them I understand cause well it's hilarious and if I do actually tell them, they look shocked and don't know what to say.
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