I'm also teaching English. I have one class and just picked up another so that's fabulous. All of my documents with my visa and working permit have been submitted so now it's a matter of waiting to see if they'll let me stay... haha... *fingers crossed* I'm so lucky Nik's mom has been a HUGE help - without her I'm not sure what I'd do. She's made so many calls to various offices, printed off so many things, translated so many things, taken me here and there and everywhere to get this all straightened out. I can't thank her enough.
What have I been doing lately? Well seeing as Niklas is almost always working I've spent a great deal of time with his parents. They've taken me to a few different markets in Bielefeld which were really nice to get fresh produce! There are a lot of similarities here as far as that goes but there are some differences too. Everything here is just foreign. I'm getting used to it. Hell I'm even driving all over now (thanks to the GPS button that says 'Home'). I can even go to the grocery store alone now - which took a lot of self convincing haha... I'm not sure if I'm just a super paranoid person but anytime I go out and can't speak the language (I experienced the same feelings in Korea) I panic a little if someone tries to talk to me. I always feel anxious - slowly I'm getting used to saying to people 'English' but luckily many people are able to respond - in English. If not sign language has come in handy - obviously not proper sign language haha... but when I want to order meat from the deli I can just point and use my hand to show how much I want.
At this point I've felt homesick a few times, naturally. I miss my mom (and dad). I miss my friends and everyone. The one night I was sitting outside of Nik's house, looking out into the field and I got super sad because I can't just get in the car and go visit anyone. I'm making friends here. I've actually met a few really awesome people! Like I said before, Nik's family and friends have all been so welcoming and amazing. I really like them! His little brother Lukas is now mein kleiner bruder. It's getting to the point when I'm out alone I'll see people I know, it's very 'small town' where I'm living.
Last week I went and got my dirndl for Oktoberfest! Niklas bought it for me! :) It's red and green... a bit 'Christmasy' but I fell in love with it when I put it on. It's so süß! I can't wait to wear it. We're going in a couple weeks to the small town next to Nik's to celebrate Oktoberfest. We're not going to any of the bigger cities but I guess there will be about 2000-2500 people where we're going, so not small! I can't wait!!
Everyday I feel like there's something I want to write about but it's hard to just sit down and blog it. Now that school has started I'm doing homework and preparing for teaching. I had gotten into a good groove of walking/jogging in the woods near Nik's but it's getting colder out now and the motivation has dwindled... it's really nice here. I find it funny because so many times when people ask where I'm from and I say Canada they say "Oh it's sooo beautiful there" - I guess they're picturing B.C. or something because if I showed them a picture of Essex County they probably wouldn't be so excited!
I rode with Niklas in the tractor today :) It was nice to spend time with him while he was working. They're hardcore harvesting potatoes right now so he's working non-stop. Literally. A few weekends ago he worked 25hours - straight (is that even legal?). I'm hoping in a month or so it'll slow down so we can do more - we talked about going to Amsterdam, which is only like 3 hours away from where he lives! :D Seeing as I'm in Germany and everything is close I want to definitely hit up some different countries. In time. At this point I have no plan to go home - that will obviously change if my visa doesn't go through, but again *fingers crossed*. I'm so glad and fortunate to be here, learning a new language, meeting new people, seeing a new place, and best of all being with Niklas.
The pictures are a bit random. Below is Niklas and I at Blasheimer Markt
One of the markets that Niklas' parents took me to in Bielefeld. Lots of fresh produce, flowers, etc.
Anyone who knows me well knows how much I love dip - we got some pineapple curry, spicy/sweet something delicious and hummus.
Typical German street
Another market his parents took me to that had all these bottles with different liquors in them you could fill small containers for gifts
Hannelore (Nik's mom) and I at Blasheimer Markt in the beer tent
Hannelore and I at the Wine Markt in Bielefeld
Last night I went out with a new friend to a Mexican restaurant in Bunde - another town about 20 minutes from where I'm living. I've been there with Nik's parents as well. It's in an old train station. So cute. If you haven't tried Salitos with Tequila - you need to. After we went to another markt in the streets. It was great! Seeing as it was late the vendors were closed but there were different parties in the streets with music and beer. The little things like that here are so cool. It's so much easier going than in Canada. You can drink in the streets and it's just a ton of fun!
