So what have I been doing since Kate flew back to the USA? I'm not even sure I remember correctly. Of course my days haven't been filled constantly but everything feels like it happened years ago.
After Kate left I celebrated two birthdays, said goodbye to a brother and a sister, went ice skating, survived Count Dracula, welcomed in four more family members, traveled to Africa, and cheered at my first Handball game.
On the 7th of January Fede, from Argentina, celebrated his 17th birthday. There was pizza, cake, singing and helium balloons. It was also one of the last times the Flensburg family would be together.
On the 10th of January Lotta, from Finland, celebrated her 18th birthday. We ate lots of candy and cake and then went to the Max disco to dance the night away.
In the next week we lost our two oldies, João (Brasil) and Agu (Argentina). Their year in Germany was over and each returned to their home country. They had come six months before us in February 2013 and unfortunately that meant we had to say goodbye. I think saying goodbye to them was harder than leaving my family for a year. When I left home I knew I would return in twelve months. When I said goodbye to João and Agu, I knew we most likely will never see each other again. They were the hardest goodbyes I've ever made. I can't even imagine how it will feel to leave in five months.
I have seen first hand why Rotary has the no dating rule. Never before have I witnessed such heart break. Almost every single one of the District 1890 exchange students met at the airport to say goodbye. Many of us cried. Some, long after the plane took off.
Saudade João and Agu.
We were invited by Rotex to an ice skating day in Hamburg. I was fortunate to be one of few who already knew how to skate. The majority of the South Americans had never been ice skating before. It was both entertaining and and extremely funny to watch as they hobbled behind the penguin meant to aid small children. I of course wasn't perfect either. Ten seconds on the ice and I had already fallen down. It was so much fun to see the more experienced skaters trying to help the beginners.
We welcomed four newbies into the District. Lucas from Brasil, Maddie and Megan from Austrailia, and Eugenia from Argentina. Only Maddie and Eugenia live in Flensburg. They are all really nice and excited to start their year abroad. Which reminds me, I'm an Oldie now!!! I have finished six months in Germany and now it's my turn to help the newbies. Again, I can't believe how fast time has flown by.
January was also a very cultured month. I went to two theatre productions, Dracula and Lion King. The Dracula singers were amazing. Although I may not have understood everything they sang, I still appreciated their vocal talent. This was actually the first time I learned the actual Dracula story. To celebrate his birthday, Lorenz took his family and me to see the Lion King in Hamburg. I absolutely loved it!!!! The costumes were amazing and the actors did a fabulous. I'm struggling to keep my adjectives different because I am literally so awed by this production. The only draw back was the slightly overweight man in front of me who had apparently eaten too many beans before arriving…
We were also invited to tour the Flensburg Brewery. We got to see how the beer was made and all the machinery used in the process.
Just this past weekend Kappeln Rotary took us Flensburgers bowling and then to a Handball game. Before coming to Germany I had never heard of Handball. This isn't the Handball that inspired Racquetball. It's basically a mix of basketball and soccer. Each side of the court has a goal, but the players carry the ball in their hands.
Here is Wikipedia's definition:
Modern handball is played on a court 40 by 20 metres (131 by 66 ft), with a goal in the centre of each end. The goals are surrounded by a 6-metre zone where only the defending goalkeeper is allowed; the goals must be scored by throwing the ball from outside the zone or while "diving" into it. The sport is usually played indoors, but outdoor variants exist in the forms of field handball and Czech handball (which were more common in the past) and beach handball (also called sandball). The game is quite fast and includes body contact, as the defenders try to stop the attackers from approaching the goal. Goals are scored quite frequently; usually both teams score at least 20 goals each, and it is not uncommon for both teams to score more than 30 goals.
I don't really know any of the rules, but it was still really interesting and exciting. I may have gone overboard on the cheering since I haven't been able to cheer at a sporting event since softball ended last spring.
I think that pretty much sums up my last month. Right now I am anticipating a ski trip, a visit to Berlin, an orientation, "Spring break", and then of course EURO TOUR!!!!
